Firehose Winder with Adjustable Arms for Compact Coil Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Firefighters face challenges in efficiently winding and rewinding large firehoses, which is a mostly manual process lacking practical alternatives, especially in scenarios requiring compact storage or transportation.
Innovation Solution
A firehose winding apparatus with a central hub and opposing arms that rotate around a central pin, featuring locking pins for adjustable coil lengths and a hand-crank tool for efficient winding, capable of mounting on vehicles or freestanding bases, and an optional hose-flattening tool for easier coiling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual winding process is used, then firefighters can wind firehoses without additional equipment, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a winding apparatus as an intermediary tool between the firefighter and the firehose. This apparatus includes a central hub, opposing arms with flanged members, and a rotation mechanism that mediates the winding process, transforming manual effort into efficient coiling while reducing direct physical strain on the firefighter.
Solution Approach 2:
The winding apparatus employs dynamic elements including rotatable opposing arms that can move between extended and retracted positions, and a rotation mechanism that dynamically adjusts during the winding process. This dynamic design allows the apparatus to adapt to different hose lengths and winding stages, improving both productivity and ease of operation.
2Quantity of substance
If firehoses are wound into large coils, then more hose length can be stored, but the coils become too large for portable transport on firefighter backs
Solution Approach 1:
The opposing arms are designed to be adjustable in length and position, allowing the winding apparatus to create coils of varying sizes. The arms can be extended for larger stationary storage coils or retracted for smaller portable coils that fit on firefighter backs, dynamically adapting to different storage needs without compromising either capacity or portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The winding apparatus creates segmented coil structures with defined layers and patterns. The opposing arms establish specific winding paths that organize the hose into compact, manageable segments rather than loose bulk, maximizing storage capacity while maintaining a compact overall form factor suitable for portable transport.
3Volume of moving object
If firehoses are wound into compact coils for portable transport, then they can be carried on firefighter backs, but the coil structure becomes more complex to achieve proper winding
Solution Approach 1:
The opposing arms are positioned asymmetrically relative to the central hub, with specific angular orientations that create an optimized winding pattern. This asymmetric configuration naturally guides the hose into a compact coil structure without requiring complex control mechanisms, achieving compactness through geometric design rather than mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The winding apparatus is designed as a universal tool that can handle different hose diameters, lengths, and intended uses (portable vs. stationary storage). The opposing arms and flanged members are configured to work with various hose types, and the apparatus can produce different coil sizes by adjusting arm position, reducing the need for multiple specialized winding devices.
4Productivity
If multiple firehoses need to be wound simultaneously, then efficiency increases, but the winding apparatus becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The winding apparatus combines multiple winding functions into a single integrated structure. The central hub with multiple opposing arms can accommodate multiple hoses simultaneously, merging several winding operations into one unified apparatus rather than requiring separate devices for each hose, thereby increasing productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates efficient winding and storage of firehoses in various configurations, including compact coils for backpacks and larger coils for vehicles, reducing manual effort and enabling simultaneous winding of multiple hoses.
Implementation Method 1
A central pin extends from a vertical member that provides vertical support for the firehose winding apparatus and provides an axis of rotation about which the opposing arms and central hub member rotate.
Data Source
AI summary
A firehose winding apparatus having at least one pair of opposing arms. Each opposing arm has a flanged member at one end of the opposing arm and an attachment point at the other end. A central hub member attached to the pair of opposing arms at the attachment point of each opposing arm so that the arms extend from the central hub member. For foldable arms, a locking pin is secured to each opposing arm. A central pin extends from a vertical member that provides vertical support for the firehose winding apparatus and provides an axis of rotation about which the opposing arms and central hub member rotate.