Hose Connection Device with Cut-Out Sheet Material

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connection devices for conduits face challenges in mechanical attachment stability, compatibility with perishable or hazardous materials, and high costs due to the need for specialized materials, with issues such as bacterial growth and contamination from small gaps and potential health hazards.

Innovation Solution

A connection device with a circumferentially shaped sheet material featuring cut-outs and protrusions for the secure attachment to the conduit, and a conduit comprising a connection device with a circumferentially shaped sheet material for attachment to the sheath of the conduit, allowing for easy and secure bonding without additional fixation means, and using standard materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional connection devices are used with standard conduit materials, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but bacterial growth and contamination occur in small gaps at the transition region

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidbacterial growth and contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the problematic transition region by extending the inner sheath material directly to the connection device opening, removing the nipple section that created gaps. This extraction of the harmful transition zone prevents bacterial accumulation while maintaining cost-effective standard materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of material transitions by making the sheath material itself compatible with perishable goods (food-grade materials), turning a previously problematic interface into a safe, continuous surface that prevents contamination while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Adaptability or versatility

If specialized materials compatible with perishable products are used for the nipple section, then compatibility with hazardous materials is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with perishable productsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the nipple section that required specialized materials and extends the standard sheath material directly to the connection device, eliminating the need for expensive material changes while maintaining compatibility with perishable products through proper sheath material selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the sheath material itself serve multiple functions: it provides structural integrity, ensures compatibility with perishable goods, and eliminates the need for separate nipple sections with specialized materials, achieving versatility without increased cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If additional fixation means are used to secure the connection device to the conduit, then mechanical attachment stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical attachment stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the connection device with the sheath material by extending the sheath directly to the connection device opening, creating an integrated structure that eliminates the need for additional fixation means while maintaining mechanical stability through the continuous material interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sheath material itself serves as the fixation mechanism by extending directly to the connection device, using its own structural properties to secure the attachment without requiring external fixation elements, thereby simplifying the overall device design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4675144A1Connection device for hoses, conduit and method of producing a conduit
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 DANFOSS AS
  • EP4675144A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4675144A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4675144A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a connection device (1) for a conduit (17) that comprises an attachment section (3) for the attachment of the connection device (1) to another device, and a nipple section (2) with a circumferentially shaped sheet material (8) for attachment to the sheath (19) of the conduit (17). The sheet material (8) of the nipple section (2) comprises a plurality of cut-outs (11).