Flexible Hose Assembly Kinking Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hose-fed lateral move irrigation systems are labor-intensive and time-consuming due to the need to frequently switch hoses between sides of a cart path, and lighter-weight hoses are prone to kinking, blockage, and damage from equipment.

Innovation Solution

A hose-fed lateral move irrigation system with a movable cart and a flexible hose assembly that includes a first hose with a smaller minimum-bend diameter and a second hose with a larger minimum-bend diameter, connected by a coupling assembly and internal link with restricters to prevent kinking, allowing smooth hose transition between sides of the cart path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional heavy hoses are used, then durability and resistance to kinking are improved, but ease of operation and speed of hose switching deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehose durability and kinking resistanceVSAvoidhose switching ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hose assembly is divided into multiple segments including a heavy-duty first hose for durability, a transition region with increased bend radius, and a lighter second hose. This segmentation allows different parts of the assembly to serve different functions - the heavy hose provides reliability where needed while the transition region enables easier maneuverability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hose assembly has non-uniform properties along its length. The transition region specifically has an increased minimum bend diameter compared to the rest of the hose, creating a local quality that facilitates bending and switching operations without compromising the overall durability of the heavy hose sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If lighter-weight hoses are used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to kinking and blockage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehose handling easeVSAvoidfluid flow continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transition region acts as an intermediary element between the heavy-duty hose and the lighter hose. It mediates the mechanical stresses and bending forces, providing a gradual transition that prevents the sharp bends and kinks that would otherwise occur at the connection point, thereby protecting fluid flow continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If hose switching is performed frequently, then adaptability to different field configurations is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield configuration adaptabilityVSAvoidhose reconnection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The hose assembly is pre-configured with the transition region and multiple connection points designed to facilitate quick switching. The transition region is built into the hose assembly in advance with the correct geometry and minimum bend diameter, so that when switching is needed, the operator can simply relocate the hose without complex adjustments or reconfigurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8882006B2Flexible hose assembly apparatus and method

Publication Date: 2014.11.11 LINDSAY CORP

AI summary

A hose-fed lateral move irrigation system and method that utilizes a pipe with a plurality of sprinklers attached to a wheeled cart that drags a flexible hose assembly therebehind while traveling laterally with the pipe and sprinklers relative to a field so that alternating the flexible hose assembly from one side of the cart to another as the cart traverses back and forth along a cart path is facilitated while kinking in the flexible hose assembly is avoided.