Hose Flange Locking Structure to Prevent Overlap Bending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hose flange designs, particularly those with overlapping arc-shaped elements, are prone to bending under unequal forces due to reduced thickness at the overlap, leading to potential deformation and a weakened structure.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece annular flange body with a concentrically arranged annular locking element composed of arc-shaped parts, featuring couplings with T-shaped grooves and protrusions for secure engagement within a hose's circumferential groove, ensuring even strength distribution and optimized thickness without overlapping weak points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a split flange composed of two arc-shaped elements is used, then the flange can be assembled into the hose, but the overlapping parts have reduced thickness making the flange prone to bending under unequal forces
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is divided into at least two arc-shaped locking element parts that can be separately assembled into the circumferential groove of the hose. This segmentation allows for easier assembly while the coupling mechanism ensures these parts work together as a unified structure, eliminating the thickness reduction problem at overlap regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The arc-shaped locking element parts are positioned concentrically within the central hose opening of the annular flange body, with each locking element part nested within the flange structure. This nesting arrangement allows the locking elements to be securely positioned while maintaining full thickness throughout the flange body.
2Strength
If the flange is made excessively thick to prevent bending at overlapping parts, then the flange strength is improved, but the device complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism features localized T-shaped grooves and protrusions at specific positions on the locking element parts and flange body. This local quality approach provides structural reinforcement exactly where needed for force distribution, rather than requiring the entire flange to be excessively thick, thus maintaining optimal strength without unnecessary complexity.
3Strength
If the groove extends over the full width of the annular flange body, then the coupling is stronger, but the hose end cannot be compressed against the other flange body for sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The T-shaped groove is positioned such that it does not extend over the full width of the annular flange body. This local quality design provides sufficient coupling strength through the T-shaped engagement while leaving the outer regions of the flange body available for compressing the hose end against the mating flange, ensuring reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism uses T-shaped grooves and protrusions that engage in the radial direction, while the sealing function is achieved through axial compression of the hose end. This dimensional separation allows the groove to provide strength in one dimension without interfering with the sealing function in another dimension.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
Flange for a hose (2), which flange comprises: - an annular flange body (4) having a central hose opening (5); - an annular locking element (9) for locking the annular flange body (4) in a circumferential groove (3) of a hose (2), which annular locking element (9) is composed out of at least two generally arc shaped locking element parts (9), wherein the annular locking element (9) is concentrically arranged in the central hose opening (5) of the annular flange body (4); and - couplings (7, 8) for each of the at least two generally arc shaped locking element parts (9), wherein each coupling (7, 8) has a first coupling part (7) arranged on the annular flange body (4) and a second coupling part (8) arranged on the respective arc shaped locking element part (9), which first coupling part (7) couples to the second coupling part (8).