Hose Bracket Assembly for Spill-Reduced Fluid Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for dispensing engine oil and lubricants into vehicle components are inefficient due to the difficulty in handling bulky, rigid containers, leading to fluid spillage and wastage, especially in confined spaces, and pose challenges in retail display and storage due to space and height restrictions.
Innovation Solution
A bracket system that accommodates a hose to bend at an angle, allowing it to be maneuvered easily in confined spaces, and includes a projection for secure attachment to the container, enabling efficient fluid dispensing while minimizing kinking and allowing the apparatus to be displayed and stored as a single unit, even in limited spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a bulky rigid container is used to store engine oil, then the container can hold sufficient fluid volume, but it becomes difficult to handle and maneuver in confined spaces such as engine bays
Solution Approach 1:
The container system is segmented into two parts: a large rigid storage container for bulk fluid storage and a separate flexible hose assembly for dispensing. The hose can be detached from the rigid container, allowing the heavy container to remain stationary while the lightweight flexible hose is maneuvered into confined engine bays for fluid dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible hose acts as an intermediary between the rigid storage container and the dispensing point. The hose transmits fluid from the stationary container to the engine bay, eliminating the need to physically move the heavy rigid container into confined spaces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid container with extended components (hoses, nozzles) is used, then fluid dispensing functionality is provided, but the overall footprint exceeds retail shelving space restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing components (hose, nozzle, bracket) are segmented and can be detached from the container. This allows the container to be displayed compactly on retail shelving without the extended components, while still providing full dispensing functionality when the components are attached at the point of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The hose and bracket assembly is designed to fold or collapse into a compact configuration that fits within the container's footprint when not in use, allowing the entire assembly to be displayed within retail shelving space restrictions while maintaining full dispensing functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
A bracket (10) configured to accommodate a hose (45) operable to dispense fluid, the bracket including at least first and second portions (15, 20) extending along two different axes to cause the hose to bend. Bracket may includes a projection (40) to engage an outlet portion (60) of a container (65) to retain the bracket in connection with the container when the container is sealed; and an adapter (55) to connect the hose to an outlet portion (60) of the container.