Hose Retracting Device with Selective Pressing Elements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retracting devices for hoses, such as fire hoses, are complex, costly, and require significant maintenance due to the need for manual handling and complex mechanisms to manage hose couplings during retraction.
Innovation Solution
A retracting device featuring a drive roller, pressing elements, and an activating element that allows for automatic retraction of hoses by using a motor-driven roller to guide the hose and pressing elements to pull it upward, while the activating element ensures only one pressing element is active at a time to prevent jamming and misalignment, with displacing means for relative movement between the drive roller and pressing elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a complex mechanism with multiple pressing elements is used to retract the hose, then the hose can be pulled upward effectively, but the device complexity increases and maintenance cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing elements are designed to move dynamically relative to the drive roller. The activating element enables the pressing elements to shift positions automatically - one pressing element engages with the drive roller during normal operation, while the other disengages. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to handle hose couplings effectively without requiring a permanently complex multi-element pressing mechanism, thus resolving the contradiction between retraction efficiency and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing function is segmented into multiple discrete pressing elements that can be independently activated. Rather than using a single complex pressing mechanism that must handle all scenarios, the system divides the pressing function into separate elements that can be selectively engaged. This segmentation allows the system to achieve effective hose retraction while maintaining simpler individual component designs, reducing overall device complexity
2Force
If multiple pressing elements press against the drive roller simultaneously, then the hose can be pulled upward with greater force, but hose couplings may become jammed between the pressing elements
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing elements operate in periodic cycles rather than continuously simultaneously. The activating element controls the pressing elements to engage and disengage in sequence - when one pressing element is actively pulling the hose upward against the drive roller, the other pressing element is disengaged. This periodic action pattern ensures that hose couplings can pass through without being jammed between simultaneously engaged pressing elements, while still providing sufficient upward force during each engagement cycle
Solution Approach 2:
The activating element performs preliminary action by positioning the pressing elements in advance to prevent jamming. Before a hose coupling approaches the pressing elements, the system anticipates the need for coupling passage and pre-positions the pressing elements to avoid simultaneous engagement. This preliminary positioning action prevents the harmful effect of jamming before it occurs, while maintaining reliable upward force application during normal hose retraction
3Device complexity
If manual pulling is used to retract the hose, then the device complexity is reduced, but the retraction speed decreases and labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retracting device is designed to perform the retraction operation automatically without requiring manual pulling. The drive roller, when rotated, automatically engages with the hose and pulls it upward through the coordinated action of the pressing elements. The system serves itself by converting rotational motion of the drive roller into linear retraction motion of the hose, eliminating the need for manual labor while maintaining relatively simple device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical pulling action is replaced by a driven roller system. Instead of requiring human operators to manually pull the hose, the invention substitutes a motor-driven or otherwise powered drive roller that automatically performs the retraction function. This mechanical substitution increases retraction speed and eliminates labor intensity while the simple roller-based mechanism keeps device complexity manageable
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
The solution enables efficient, automatic, and cost-effective retraction of hoses, reducing malfunctions and manual labor, allowing for faster retraction speeds and reduced wear on the hose and surface, while maintaining effective handling of hose couplings.
Implementation Method 1
a drive roller connected to the frame for driving the hose for retraction
Implementation Method 2
at least a first and second pressing element operatively connected to the at least one drive roller and suitable for pulling the hose upward in co-action with the at least one drive roller
Implementation Method 3
pulling the hose upward together with the at least one drive roller, such that, with the assistance of gravitational force, the liquid runs out of the hose
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a retracting device and method for retracting a hose, the device comprising: a frame; at least one drive roller connected to the frame for driving the hose for retraction; a first and a second pressing element operatively connected to the at least one drive roller and suitable for pulling the hose upward in co-action with the at least one drive roller; an activating element operatively connected to the two pressing elements and suitable for activating the pressing elements such that no more than one pressing element presses against the drive roller.