Hose Coupling With Flexible Collar for Kink-Free Machine Fixing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Blood treatment machines face issues with hose damage, kinking, and jamming during maintenance or repairs due to the lack of effective hose fixation methods, as existing components are not sufficient to maintain hose stability and positioning within the machine housing.

Innovation Solution

A hose connecting element with a flexible collar and axial stop projection is integrated into the hose system, allowing it to be securely attached to the machine housing without additional locking devices, providing axial fixation and strain relief while allowing for easy installation and sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If hoses are laid freely without fixation devices, then ease of installation is improved, but hose stability and positioning are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidhose stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The hose connecting element features a self-fixing mechanism where the flexible collar is radially compressed during insertion through the housing wall, then automatically rebounds to engage behind the wall, securing the hose without requiring additional locking devices or complex assembly steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible collar made of elastomeric material acts as a flexible shell that can be compressed radially for insertion and then rebounds to engage behind the housing wall, providing both ease of installation and secure fixation in a single component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Stability of the object's composition

If additional locking devices are used to secure hoses, then hose stability is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehose stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hose connecting element merges multiple functions into a single component: the flexible collar provides both the insertion mechanism (by being compressed radially) and the locking mechanism (by rebounding to engage behind the housing wall), eliminating the need for separate locking devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hose connecting element secures itself to the housing through the self-expanding flexible collar that automatically engages behind the wall after insertion, without requiring additional locking devices or complex assembly procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Shape

If hoses are bundled into cable harnesses, then hose organization is improved, but hose damage risk is worsened due to kinking and pinching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehose organizationVSAvoidhose damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible collar acts as an intermediary between the hose connecting element and the housing wall, absorbing mechanical stresses and preventing direct transmission of pinching and kinking forces to the hoses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible collar provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing and distributing mechanical stresses from the housing wall and hose connections, preventing kinking and pinching before they can damage the hoses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

This solution prevents hose damage, kinking, and jamming, reduces hose lengths, and improves operational efficiency by ensuring hoses are fixed and sealed within the machine, thereby minimizing fluid and energy consumption and simplifying maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

the collar (12) is flexible (elastic) with respect to the axial stop (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3103506B1Coupling for hose connections
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 B BRAUN AVITUM
  • EP3103506B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3103506B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3103506B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4d

AI summary

Disclosed is a tube holder for a blood treatment machine with a tube connection element (1) as a fixed component of a machine-internal tubing consisting of at least one rigid sleeve element (2) which is adapted to connect a flexible tube radially on the outside via the free end of the at least one sleeve element (2). raised, for which an axial stop (10) on the outer circumference of the sleeve element (2) is formed or arranged away from the free end. According to the invention, a collar (12) is provided which is flexible in relation to the rigid sleeve element (2) and which is arranged or formed on the at least one sleeve section (2) at an axial distance from the axial stop (10) in the direction towards the free end in order to between itself and the axial stop (10) to define an outer peripheral groove.