Vehicle-Mounted Hose Deflection Structure for Fire Hose Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional firefighting equipment that moves across a ground surface risks running over or entangling hose lines, necessitating a firefighter to follow behind the equipment, which is dangerous or impractical in certain environments.
Innovation Solution
A hose manager mounted to a vehicle with a deflection surface supported at a predefined distance, laterally positioning a hose away from the vehicle to allow for corrective movements without risking entanglement or running over the hose.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the vehicle moves across the ground surface towing the hose line, then the firefighting equipment can traverse to position adjacent to the burning structure, but the hose line may become entangled or run over by the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The hose manager extends the hose support into a third dimension (vertically above the ground) by using a deflection surface that angles the hose upward and away from the vehicle's ground-engaging members. This spatial repositioning allows the vehicle to move freely on the ground while the hose is elevated and laterally positioned, eliminating the risk of entanglement or running over.
2Reliability
If a firefighter follows behind the firefighting equipment to reposition the hose lines, then the hose lines can be prevented from becoming entangled, but the firefighter is exposed to dangerous environments such as high temperature and oxygen-deprived conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The hose manager is a self-service device that automatically manages the hose line through its deflection surface and lateral positioning mechanism. The structure passively guides and supports the hose as the vehicle moves, eliminating the need for a firefighter to manually follow and reposition the hose, thereby removing the firefighter from hazardous environments.
3Reliability
If a dedicated firefighter follows the vehicle to manage hose lines, then hose entanglement is prevented, but other firefighting tasks cannot be performed due to limited personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The hose manager device performs hose line management autonomously through its mechanical deflection and positioning structure, freeing the firefighter from this dedicated task. This allows personnel to be allocated to other critical firefighting operations, improving overall operational efficiency and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique is directed to utilizing a hose manager. The hose manager includes a set of vehicle mounts constructed and arranged to mount to a vehicle. The hose manager further includes an elongated section defining a hose deflection surface. The hose manager further includes a set of intermediate sections constructed and arranged to be disposed between the elongated section and the set of vehicle mounts. The set of intermediate sections is further constructed and arranged to laterally position the hose deflection surface at a predefined distance from the vehicle to deflect a hose away from a lower portion of the vehicle while the hose is connected with the vehicle.