Flexible Hose Adapter Coupling for Single-Person Pipe Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is difficult for a single worker to align and secure pipe elements within a slip-on coupling while tightening, often requiring multiple workers, which reduces efficiency and increases assembly time.
Innovation Solution
A pre-assembled coupling assembly featuring a flexible hose adapter with a raised-lip end piece that retains the coupling in a relaxed position, allowing easy attachment to a pipe, and includes pressure relief channels and secondary keys to secure the assembly without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple workers cooperate to couple pipe elements together, then alignment and securing of pipe elements becomes feasible, but assembly efficiency decreases and man hours increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is pre-assembled with the flexible hose adapter in a relaxed position before being installed on the pipe element. This preliminary preparation allows the entire assembly to be attached as a single unit, eliminating the need for multiple workers to simultaneously align and secure components during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling assembly is divided into distinct functional components: the coupling body, the flexible hose adapter, the raised lip for positioning, and pressure relief channels. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized and pre-assembled, making the overall assembly process simpler and more efficient.
2Adaptability or versatility
If slip-on coupling is used to connect pipe elements, then connection flexibility is improved, but alignment difficulty increases requiring multiple workers
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is pre-assembled with the flexible hose adapter in a relaxed position, establishing proper alignment and positioning before installation. This preliminary action eliminates alignment difficulties during the actual installation process, as the entire assembly attaches as a pre-aligned unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The raised lip acts as an intermediary element between the coupling and the flexible hose adapter, providing a mechanical reference point that ensures proper alignment and positioning of the adapter relative to the coupling during assembly.
3Strength
If coupling is tightened to tensioned position to secure pipe elements, then connection strength increases, but alignment and securing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is pre-assembled in a relaxed position with proper alignment established before installation. This allows the assembly to be attached to the pipe element as a unit, after which tightening can proceed without the complexity of simultaneous alignment and securing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling transitions from a relaxed position during pre-assembly to a tensioned position during installation and operation. This dynamic state change allows for easier initial assembly in the relaxed state, followed by tightening to achieve the required connection strength in the tensioned state.
Data Source
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AI summary
A flexible hose adapter configured for engagement with a coupling can comprise an end piece, the end piece defining an inner end and an outer end, the end piece defining an axis, the end piece defining a sealing surface and a raised lip, the raised lip defined between the inner end and the sealing surface; a flexible hose attached to the outer end of the end piece; and a socket end piece attached to the flexible hose opposite from the end piece.