Hose Fitting with Swage Collar for Secure Crimping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hose fittings for flexible hoses lack a convenient and efficient method for connecting and ensuring a secure, permanent attachment, particularly in field applications where manual assembly is common.
Innovation Solution
A hose fitting design featuring a swaging collar that axially moves over a socket with a tapered inner surface to deform and crimp the hose between the socket and nipple portion, providing a visual indicator for full assembly, facilitating easy and secure connection using a handheld tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional crimping method with coupling nut and ferrule is used, then a secure permanent connection is achieved, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting is divided into distinct functional segments: the body with internal threading, the separate crimping collar with external threading, and the hose end. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the body provides structural support and threading engagement, while the collar performs the crimping operation, simplifying the overall assembly process
Solution Approach 2:
The crimping collar is designed to be threaded onto the body and positioned over the hose end, creating a nested configuration where the collar surrounds the hose. This nesting arrangement allows the crimping mechanism to be applied directly to the hose end without requiring separate alignment steps, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining secure connection
2Reliability
If a traditional crimping method with multiple components is used, then a permanent attachment is achieved, but the assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The crimping collar is pre-threaded onto the body during manufacturing, and the hose end is pre-positioned within the collar. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for field operators to perform separate threading and positioning operations, significantly reducing assembly time while ensuring the permanent attachment is achieved through the subsequent crimping operation
Solution Approach 2:
The crimping collar is designed with self-aligning features that allow it to automatically position itself over the hose end when threaded onto the body. The internal geometry of the collar and the hose end interface guide proper alignment without requiring additional alignment tools or operations, reducing assembly time while maintaining attachment permanence
3Reliability
If a swage collar with tapered inner surface is used to deform the socket, then a secure crimp is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The swage collar incorporates a tapered inner surface with a specific curvature profile that concentrates deformation force along the hose end. This curved geometry distributes the crimping load optimally, creating a secure permanent deformation that bonds the hose to the fitting while maintaining a relatively simple collar structure without requiring complex multi-component mechanisms
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
Enables convenient and secure connection of flexible hoses to fittings in both production and field settings, ensuring a permanent attachment and simplifying the assembly process with visual confirmation of completion.
Implementation Method 1
A swage collar having a tapered inner surface radially inwardly deforms the socket when the swage collar is moved axially over the socket to retain a hose between the socket and the nipple portion of the body
Implementation Method 2
The crimp portion has an inner annular surface that is tapered from front to rear in an uncrimped state of the crimp portion
Data Source
AI summary
A hose fitting that includes a body having a connection portion configured for connection to an external component, a tubular nipple portion configured for insertion into an end of a hose, and a union portion joining the nipple portion to the connecting portion. The socket also has a crimp portion extending from the union portion of the socket. A swage collar having a tapered inner surface radially inwardly deforms the socket when the swage collar is moved axially over the socket to retain a hose between the socket and the nipple portion of the body.