One-Handed Garden Hose Connector with Triple Prong Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Connecting and disconnecting garden hoses to a hose bib or another hose is challenging due to the need for strong hands or tools, exacerbated by mineral buildup, corrosion, and flimsy hose ends, with existing quick connectors often requiring two hands and becoming difficult with time.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly using double o-rings for sealing between an inner and outer tube, with a unique locking mechanism allowing one-handed installation and removal, featuring a male-threaded Lower Tube and female-threaded Upper Tube with a triple pronged locking ramp and roller bearings for easy engagement and disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hose connections are used, then a secure seal can be achieved, but strong hands or tools are required for connection and disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separate tubes (Upper Tube and Lower Tube) that can be easily assembled and disassembled. The female-threaded Upper Tube and male-threaded Lower Tube can be connected by hand without tools, yet maintain a secure seal when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
Double o-rings are introduced as intermediary sealing elements between the two tubes. These o-rings captured in the body of the upper part create a reliable seal without requiring excessive tightening force, enabling easy one-handed operation while maintaining connection reliability.
2Reliability
If traditional hose connections are used, then a secure seal can be achieved, but mineral buildup and corrosion make disconnection difficult over time
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design allows for easy maintenance and cleaning. The separable tube structure enables users to easily disassemble the connector for cleaning mineral buildup and replace o-rings without requiring special tools or complex procedures, facilitating self-maintenance over time.
3Productivity
If existing quick connectors are used, then connection speed is improved, but they require two hands for insertion or removal
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates a dynamic locking mechanism with a cam lever that can be operated with a single hand. The cam lever provides mechanical advantage to lock and unlock the connection quickly, maintaining fast connection speed while reducing the hand requirement from two hands to one hand.
4Ease of manufacture
If flimsy hose ends are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but they become dented with normal use aggravating connection problems
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design includes robust threaded ends and protective features that prevent denting and deformation during normal use. The durable construction of the tube ends provides beforehand protection against the harmful effects of use, maintaining connection reliability without requiring expensive materials throughout the entire hose assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is a device that is used for attaching a garden hose to a hose bib (faucet). It consists primarily of two components: an upper part which attaches to a hose bib and a lower part which attaches to the hose. The upper part has a stepped protruding tube which carries two o-rings on its circumference. The lower part has a smooth bore, particularly at the location of the o-rings; and when inserted over the upper tube, results in a pressure tight seal. The two parts are held together by a three-pronged clasp arrangement which facilitates the installation and separation of the two components. Roller bearings incorporated into the upper part and inclined ramps which are part of the lower part assist with the connection.