Hose Reel With Side Rollers To Reduce Coiling Friction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible hoses experience high friction when coiled around traditional hose reels, slowing down the coiling process and requiring more effort due to direct contact with side rods or housing, limiting the length of hose that can be efficiently stored.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating rotatable rollers within the housing's side rods to reduce friction by pushing the hose towards the center, allowing for efficient coiling and a foldable design that reduces volume when not in use, with options for external or internal rollers and materials like plastic for the spool and housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hose is coiled directly around the spool without rollers, then the structure is simpler, but the friction is high and coiling is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Rollers are introduced as intermediary elements between the hose and the spool. These rollers reduce direct contact and friction between the hose and the spool surface, making it easier to coil the hose. The rollers act as mediators that facilitate the coiling operation while reducing the effort required.
Solution Approach 2:
The introduction of rollers changes the physical parameters of the coiling interface by reducing the coefficient of friction. This parameter change allows the hose to move more easily during coiling, improving the ease of operation without requiring excessive force.
2Productivity
If rollers are added to reduce friction, then coiling becomes easier, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rollers are merged with the housing structure, where the housing serves as the support framework and the rollers are integrated into it. This combining of functions allows the housing to simultaneously provide structural support and facilitate hose movement through the integrated rollers, reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the structural framework, supports the spool, and incorporates rollers to reduce friction. This multi-functionality allows a single component (the housing) to perform several roles, improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the hose reel is made rigid for stability, then it provides better support, but it cannot be folded for compact storage
Solution Approach 1:
The hose reel structure is made dynamic rather than static. The housing includes movable joints that allow the structure to transition between an extended stable configuration during use and a folded compact configuration for storage. This dynamic design enables the structure to adapt its rigidity and form factor as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is segmented into multiple sections connected by joints, allowing different parts to move relative to each other. This segmentation enables the structure to be folded into a compact form while maintaining stability when assembled in the operational configuration. Each segment can be independently positioned to achieve either stability or compactness.
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
Facilitates faster and easier coiling of longer flexible hoses with reduced friction, enabling efficient storage and portability while maintaining a compact form when folded.
Implementation Method 1
Flexible hoses experience high friction when coiled around traditional hose reels, slowing down the coiling process and requiring more effort due to direct contact with side rods or housing
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes a hose reel having side rollers. A hose reel includes: a housing defined by at least one or more base members; a spool rotatably disposed within the housing, wherein the spool is adapted to connect to a flexible hose; a winding mechanism to rotate the spool and to coil the flexible hose around the spool; and one or more rollers associated with said housing, wherein the one or more rollers are able to rotate during coiling of the flexible hose around the spool.