Hose Reel Frame and Guide Arm Latching Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hose reels without guide arms face challenges in securely latching the hose due to the absence of a pawl on the guide arm, leading to difficulties in retracting or re-spooling when fully extended, and existing solutions are not feasible without a guide arm, resulting in incomplete latching mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A hose reel structure featuring a U-shaped frame and guide arm, where the guide arm and spool are supported by the frame, with a latch assembly that includes a pawl on either the frame or guide arm, allowing for secure hose management and easy assembly, and the latch assembly can be easily swapped between the two locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a guide arm is included to enable secure latching, then the latching reliability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide arm is divided into two separate pieces: a L-shaped piece and an I-shaped piece. These segments can be assembled independently and attached to the frame, allowing the latching mechanism to be implemented without requiring a monolithic guide arm structure. This segmentation reduces overall device complexity while maintaining latching reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it supports the spool, provides mounting locations for the guide arm pieces, and can directly accommodate the pawl for latching. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated latching components, reducing device complexity while ensuring reliable latching operation.
2Reliability
If the pawl is mounted on the guide arm, then the latching mechanism works reliably, but the manufacturing cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to be adaptable: the pawl can be mounted on either the frame or the guide arm pieces depending on the specific application and manufacturing preferences. This dynamic configuration option allows manufacturers to choose the most cost-effective and time-efficient mounting location while maintaining reliable latching functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting location parameter for the pawl is made variable - it can be positioned on the frame or on either guide arm piece. This parameter change allows optimization of manufacturing processes and cost structures without compromising the fundamental latching reliability of the system.
3Ease of operation
If the hose is fully unspooled, then the hose is easily accessible, but the latch cannot be disengaged without disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The guide arm pieces act as intermediaries between the hose and the spool, maintaining their positioning function even when the hose is fully extended. The pawl mounted on the frame or guide arm can engage the ratchet element independently of hose position, allowing latch disengagement at any hose extension state without requiring disassembly.
4Strength
If axially outward-extending support flanges are used, then the structural strength is improved, but the frame width and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The L-shaped and I-shaped guide arm pieces are nested within the footprint defined by the frame, utilizing the vertical and lateral space efficiently. This nesting arrangement provides structural support and strength without requiring the frame to extend wider, maintaining a compact footprint while ensuring structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A hose reel structure includes an hose spool for coiling hose, a frame which rotatably supports the hose spool, and a guide arm which restricts the angle of approach of hose to the hose spool. The hose spool and guide arm are connected to the frame. At least one of the frame and guide arm are substantially U-shaped structures formed from an L-shaped piece and an I-shaped piece. The L-shaped piece has a first long side at approximately a right angle with a shorter base or front. The I-shaped piece has a second long side and fastener holes for connecting to the shorter base or front.