Hose Coupling Guard With Spring-Return Release Shield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hose couplings pose a risk of inadvertent release when pressurized, especially with hazardous materials at high temperatures, due to human error in depressurization procedures, leading to potential injuries and material loss.
Innovation Solution
A hose coupling guard with a movable cover and shield that encloses the release mechanism in a secure position, featuring handles for easy operation and a display surface for safety warnings, along with a return spring to bias the cover back to the secure position, preventing accidental release until proper depressurization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the release mechanism is exposed and accessible, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of inadvertent release increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a fixture portion that attaches to the hose coupling and a cover portion that houses the release mechanism. The cover can be moved between a first position that exposes the release mechanism for operation and a second position that encloses and protects it, allowing the system to transition between accessibility and protection states
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is made movable between two positions rather than being fixed. It can be opened to expose the release mechanism for intentional operation and closed to enclose and protect it from inadvertent activation. The return spring enables dynamic transition between states
2Reliability
If safety procedures are implemented, then the reliability is improved, but the complexity of operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device requires the operator to perform preliminary actions in a specific sequence: first open the cover to expose the release mechanism, then operate the release mechanism, and finally close the cover. This built-in sequence ensures depressurization procedures are followed before uncoupling, improving reliability without adding external procedural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cover acts as an intermediary element between the operator and the release mechanism. It provides a physical barrier that must be removed before the release mechanism can be accessed, serving as a mediating control that enforces safety procedures while maintaining operational simplicity
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
The hose coupling guard effectively prevents inadvertent release of pressurized hoses by ensuring operators follow safety procedures, reducing the risk of injury and material loss through secure design features that guide safe operation.
Implementation Method 1
a return spring may be provided which is operatively connected between the cover and the fixture and configured to bias the cover to the first position
Data Source
AI summary
A hose coupling guard including a fixture configured to connect to a hose coupling having a release mechanism, and a cover movably connected to the fixture to be movable between a first position and a second position. The cover includes a shield configured to enclose the release mechanism when the cover is in the first position, and to expose the release mechanism when the cover is in the second position. A display surface may be located on the shield and configured to be oriented to face a location from which an operator can operate the release mechanism.