Hose Assembly Vacuum Seal Welding Clamping

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hose assemblies are not suitable for vacuum applications due to inadequate sealing properties, contamination risks, and difficulty in cleaning, as well as vibration issues caused by high-velocity fluids and particles.

Innovation Solution

A hose assembly comprising an inner hose with a smooth, flexible material and an outer hose with a rigid, corrugated structure, where the inner hose is fixed between clamping elements using a welding connection to ensure a vacuum-tight seal and prevent contamination, with a smooth inner surface to reduce vibrations and particle nesting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional hose assemblies with clamping elements and nuts are used, then flexibility and ease of installation are improved, but sealing properties and contamination prevention deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidsealing properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hose is nested within a coupling element that has a constant inner diameter, creating a smooth continuous flow channel without gaps or nesting spaces where particles could accumulate. This nested structure maintains vacuum tightness while enabling easy installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling element merges the functions of connection, sealing, and flow channel maintenance into a single integrated component. The welding of clamping elements to the coupling element creates a unified structure that eliminates contamination risks while maintaining ease of installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional clamping elements with gaps and nesting spaces are used, then ease of assembly is improved, but particle nesting and contamination risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hose is nested within a coupling element that has a constant inner diameter, creating a smooth continuous flow channel without gaps or nesting spaces where particles could accumulate. This nested structure maintains vacuum tightness while enabling easy installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling element provides a homogeneous constant inner diameter throughout its length, eliminating transitions, gaps, or irregularities where particles could nest. This uniform structure prevents contamination while maintaining ease of assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

3Ease of operation

If a smooth inner surface is provided to prevent particle nesting, then cleaning ease is improved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of cleaningVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling element merges the functions of connection, sealing, and flow channel maintenance into a single integrated component. The welding of clamping elements to the coupling element creates a unified structure that eliminates contamination risks while maintaining ease of assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling element provides a homogeneous constant inner diameter throughout its length, eliminating transitions, gaps, or irregularities where particles could nest. This uniform structure prevents contamination while maintaining ease of assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

4Reliability

If welding connections are used to ensure vacuum tightness, then sealing properties are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevacuum tightnessVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical connection system is replaced with a welding connection that fuses the clamping elements directly to the coupling element. This substitution eliminates the need for separate sealing mechanisms while ensuring vacuum tightness, and the welding process can be efficiently controlled using standard welding machines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 provides improved sealing, ease of cleaning, and reduced vibrations, making the hose assembly suitable for vacuum and medical/pharmaceutical applications while preventing contamination and maintaining a constant flow channel diameter.

Implementation Method 1

The fixing elements are connected by welding. For example, an orbital weld seam may be provided which connects the elements in an air-tight manner.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Implementation Method 2

Vibrations are prevented by providing a smooth inner surface and a constant inner diameter of the flow channel extending along the length of the hose and the coupling element.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping through smooth surface: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2327914B1Hose assembly

Publication Date: 2013.08.14 BOA NEDERLAND

AI summary

A hose construction 1 comprises an inner hose 10, an outer hose 20 and a coupling element 30 including a first clamping element 31 and a second clamping element 32. The inner hose 10 consists of flexible material, the outer hose 20 is made of rigid material and comprises corrugations which allow bending of the outer hose 20. An end section of the inner hose 10 protruding from the outer hose 20 is clamped between the first clamping element 31 and the second clamping element 32.