Hose Coupling Assembly With Inward Seals for Clean Media Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coupling systems for hose-like sections are prone to contamination from the environment, leading to dirt introduction into the transport section, and have complex, costly constructions due to numerous closure elements.

Innovation Solution

The coupling system design ensures all closure elements point inwardly, with a transverse disconnecting point and the use of flexible, inherently stable profile strips that engage in a tongue-and-groove manner, reducing the number of closure elements and allowing for a force-free, rapid assembly using a hand-actuated slide, preventing external contamination and simplifying production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If closure elements point hose-outwardly to the environment on the coupling parts, then the coupling system allows for easier engagement and disengagement, but contaminants from the environment can accumulate on these closure elements and be carried into the inside of the hose, contaminating the transported load

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement and disengagement of coupling elementsVSAvoidcontamination of transported load

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by having closure elements point hose-inwardly instead of hose-outwardly. This reversal prevents environmental contaminants from contacting the closure elements while still allowing proper engagement and disengagement of the coupling system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If multiple closure elements are used to ensure hermetic sealing and prevent contamination, then the reliability of the coupling system improves, but the construction becomes complicated and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehermetic sealing and contamination preventionVSAvoidnumber of closure elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple closure elements into a single integrated closure element that performs the sealing function across the entire hose cross-section. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining hermetic sealing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The closure element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: sealing the hose, preventing contamination, and enabling easy engagement/disengagement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If pivotable closure elements are used to achieve proper sealing engagement, then the coupling system can form a hermetic closure, but significant production expenditure is required for the pivoting mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehermetic closure formationVSAvoidproduction cost of closure system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex pivoting mechanism from the closure system and replaces it with a simpler rigid closure element that achieves sealing through its geometry and the coupling profile shape, eliminating the need for moving parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses simple, inexpensive rigid closure elements without complex mechanisms, accepting that they may be single-use or have limited service life, thereby significantly reducing production costs while maintaining sealing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS11235911B2Coupling system

Publication Date: 2022.02.01 FLECOTEC AG

AI summary

A coupling system provides a media-conducting connection of two hose-shaped sections (10, 12). Each section has one coupling element (16, 18), with two coupling parts (20, 22) that can be separated from each other and that are detachably held to each other by closure elements (24) along a disconnecting point (26). The closure parts of one coupling element can be engaged with correspondingly designed closure elements (24) of the other coupling element (20, 22) to form the transport section. All closure elements (24) of the coupling parts (20, 22) point hose-inward, at least before forming the transport section. Upon producing the transport section, the respective disconnecting point (26) is arranged between the coupling elements (16, 18), transversely to the transport section.