Hose Coupling Retention Spring for Pressure-Resilient Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical fluid connections for flexible hoses in pressurized systems face challenges with clamps that are difficult to handle, require tools, and experience performance degradation over time, leading to reduced clamping force due to hose wall thickness changes under pressure.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece hose coupling with a retention spring and spring collar that applies both axial and vertical forces to secure the hose, maintaining clamping force despite changes in hose thickness and pressure, using a triple helical spring design with a chamfered collar for enhanced sealing and compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If separate clamps (band clamp or wire spring clamp) are used to apply clamping force on the hose, then additional clamping force is provided to increase retention on barbs, but the clamp becomes difficult to handle, requires tools for installation, and experiences performance degradation over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the hose coupling body and the retention spring into a single integrated component. The retention spring is formed as an integral part of the coupling body, eliminating the need for separate clamps and their associated installation tools. This merging resolves the contradiction by maintaining strong clamping force through the integrated spring design while dramatically improving ease of operation during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention spring is designed to automatically apply and maintain clamping force on the hose without requiring external tools or additional components. The spring's elastic properties enable it to self-adjust and maintain retention force throughout operation, eliminating the need for tool-assisted installation and adjustment that characterizes prior art clamps.
2Reliability
If a clamp is installed over the hose to apply additional clamping force, then retention of the hose on barbs is increased, but the clamping force degrades over time due to permanent deformation under the clamp
Solution Approach 1:
The retention spring is designed as a dynamic component that can elastically deform and recover. Unlike rigid clamps that cause permanent deformation, the spring dynamically adapts to hose dimensional changes while maintaining clamping force through its elastic properties. This dynamic behavior ensures reliable hose retention over extended periods without the clamping force degradation seen in static clamp designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring's elastic modulus and geometric parameters are optimized to maintain appropriate clamping force throughout the operational lifetime. The spring design allows for parameter changes in response to operating conditions while maintaining effective retention, preventing the permanent deformation that causes clamping force degradation in traditional clamps.
3Adaptability or versatility
If under high pressures the hose experiences change in wall thickness due to axial stresses, then the hose dimension varies, but this results in decreased clamping force on the hose when prior art clamping systems are used
Solution Approach 1:
The retention spring's elastic design enables it to dynamically respond to hose dimensional changes caused by pressure variations. As the hose wall thickness changes under pressure, the spring automatically adjusts its clamping force to maintain consistent retention, unlike rigid clamps that lose effectiveness when hose dimensions change.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring's physical parameters (compression, tension, curvature) change in response to hose dimensional changes under pressure. This parameter adaptation allows the spring to maintain optimal clamping force despite variations in hose wall thickness, resolving the contradiction between adaptability to pressure changes and maintaining clamping strength.
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 solution provides consistent clamping force across varying hose dimensions and pressures, ensuring secure hose retention and sealing without the need for separate clamps or tools, and adjusts to axial variations, maintaining performance over time.
Implementation Method 1
a retention spring that is attached to a collar and extends outwardly to overlie the hose nipple section thereby applying a clamping force on the hose
Data Source
AI summary
A hose coupling comprising a main body having a hose nipple section with at least one barb formed thereon, and a retention spring extending from a collar formed on the main body, the retention spring overlying a portion of the hose nipple section where the retention spring applies a clamping force on a hose that is trapped and held in position between the retention spring and the hose nipple section by the barb(s).