Garden Hose Barrier Layer Prevents PVC Diffusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing garden hoses with PVC base layers pose ecological concerns due to the diffusion of PVC materials and phthalate-containing plasticizers into drinking water, and previous solutions either use expensive thermoplastic elastomers or PVC barrier layers limited to specific sectors.
Innovation Solution
A garden hose design featuring a polymeric barrier layer between the PVC base layer and reinforcement layer, which prevents the diffusion of PVC and plasticizers into the transported fluid, using eco-friendly materials like EVA, PUR, or PA, and potentially recycled materials, ensuring a diffusion barrier without additional plasticizers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a PVC base layer with plasticizers is used to ensure flexibility and low cost, then the hose achieves the necessary flexibility and economic viability, but PVC material and plasticizers diffuse into the transported drinking water causing ecological harm
Solution Approach 1:
A barrier layer made of thermoplastic elastomer is introduced as an intermediary between the PVC base layer and the drinking water. This barrier layer prevents direct contact and diffusion of harmful substances while maintaining the flexibility function that plasticizers would otherwise provide in the PVC layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The hose wall is segmented into multiple functional layers: an outer PVC base layer providing structural integrity and cost-effectiveness, a middle barrier layer providing flexibility and preventing diffusion, and an inner layer in contact with drinking water. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without compromising the others.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If thermoplastic elastomers are used as the base layer material to eliminate plasticizers, then the hose becomes free of diffusing plasticizers, but the production cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The hose employs a composite structure combining PVC material with thermoplastic elastomer in a multi-layer configuration. The PVC base layer provides cost-effectiveness and structural properties, while the TPE barrier layer provides flexibility and ecological safety. This composite approach achieves the benefits of both materials without their individual drawbacks.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermoplastic elastomer barrier layer is applied locally at the inner surface of the hose where it contacts drinking water, rather than making the entire hose from expensive TPE. This localized application provides the necessary ecological safety and flexibility where needed while maintaining cost-effectiveness in the bulk material.
3Reliability
If a PVC barrier layer is used to prevent diffusion, then the diffusion barrier function is achieved, but the hose is limited to specific sectors like brewery and medical fields due to ecological concerns
Solution Approach 1:
A thermoplastic elastomer barrier layer is positioned between the PVC base layer and the transported fluid to serve as the diffusion barrier. This intermediary layer provides the necessary barrier function while being ecologically acceptable for drinking water applications, expanding versatility beyond the limitations of PVC barrier layers.
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
The solution creates an ecologically harmless and cost-effective garden hose that prevents contamination of transported water with PVC and plasticizers, maintaining flexibility and barrier functionality with a suitable layer thickness and material choice.
Implementation Method 1
a polymeric barrier layer which prevents the diffusion of PVC material from the backing layer into the fluid to be transported
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a hose, in particular a garden hose, for transporting a fluid (F) with a support layer (1) based on a PVC material, wherein a plasticizer is added to the PVC material to provide the necessary flexibility, and a reinforcing layer (2) surrounding the support layer (1). According to the invention, a polymeric barrier layer (6) is arranged on the inside of the support layer (1) to prevent the diffusion of PVC material from the support layer (1) into the fluid (F) to be transported and which is free of PVC.