Full-Flow Hose Fitting Assembly Without Crimped Ferrules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing garden hose fitting systems either reduce flow rates or are cumbersome and weak, as they require external or internal crimping to secure fittings, which complicates assembly and may not provide full flow compatibility with the hose's internal diameter.
Innovation Solution
A hose fitting system featuring an elongated stem with barbs that approximates the hose's internal diameter, secured by a retaining collar and assembled using a collet and yoke mechanism, allowing for push-in installation without the need for internal or external crimping, ensuring full flow compatibility and simplified assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If external clamping with barbed fitting is used, then the fitting provides strong mechanical attachment, but the clamp is bulky and reduces flow rate due to smaller inside diameter
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reducing the fitting diameter to fit inside the hose (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by making the fitting diameter equal to or slightly larger than the hose diameter, and uses an expansion mechanism to create the attachment force. The fitting stem expands outward to engage the hose from the inside, reversing the traditional size relationship and eliminating flow restriction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and dimensions of the fitting stem through mechanical expansion. The stem transitions from a compressed state during insertion to an expanded state during attachment, changing its diameter parameter dynamically. This allows the fitting to achieve both full flow capability and strong attachment strength by expanding the stem to engage the hose walls.
2Productivity
If internal expansion with malleable stem is used, then full flow is achieved with same internal dimension as hose, but the components are weaker than machined barb fitting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite construction combining a malleable expansion stem with an over-molded thermoplastic material. The malleable stem provides the expansion capability for full flow attachment, while the thermoplastic over-mold adds structural strength and durability to the fitting components, resolving the weakness issue while maintaining full flow capability.
3Strength
If crimping process is used to secure fitting, then strong attachment is achieved, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the crimping operation from the assembly process. Instead of requiring external crimping tools and complex multi-step procedures, the design uses a push-in mechanism where the fitting is simply inserted into the hose and automatically expands to secure itself. This removes the complex crimping step while maintaining strong attachment through the expansion mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting performs its own attachment function through self-expansion. Once inserted into the hose, the elastic malleable stem automatically expands to engage the hose walls and secure the fitting in place. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external crimping tools and complex assembly procedures, simplifying the process while achieving strong attachment.
4Strength
If machined barb fitting is used, then strong attachment is achieved, but the clamp is awkward and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional barb fitting design by placing the barbs on the internal stem that expands inside the hose, rather than on an external clamp. This internal expansion approach with integrated barbs provides strong attachment while eliminating the external bulky clamp structure, improving usability and allowing the fitting to pass through narrow spaces more easily.
Data Source
AI summary
A full flow hose fitting includes a fitting end, having an elongated stem with a barbed external surface and a retaining collar, having a barbed internal surface. An internal diameter of the elongated stem approximates an internal diameter of a hose to be attached to the fitting. An inner diameter of the retaining collar is larger than an outer diameter of the elongated stem, defining a retention space to secure an end of the hose when it is disposed between the elongated stem and the retaining collar. The fitting is formed from an assembly process that pushes fittings into the end of the hose rather than using an internal or external crimped ferrule to secure them.