Flexible Plastic Hose Stress Relief Element Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible hoses with reinforcing ribs and connector cuffs are prone to damage at the transition points when subjected to bending and pulling forces due to stress concentration, leading to potential failure.
Innovation Solution
A flexible plastic hose design featuring a stress relief element with an internal screw thread complementary to the helical reinforcing rib, which is not bonded to the hose body but encloses it, distributing forces over a larger area and reducing stress concentrations, combined with a moulded end fitting bonded to the hose body beyond the stress relief element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the hose body is directly bonded to the connector cuff at the transition point, then the connection is simple and direct, but the stress concentration damages the outer wall at the transition point when the hose is bent and/or pulled
Solution Approach 1:
A stress relief element is introduced as an intermediary component between the hose body and the connector cuff. This element features an internal screw thread that engages with the helical reinforcing rib of the hose body, allowing the hose body to move freely within the stress relief element while distributing stresses over a larger area. The stress relief element absorbs and distributes bending and pulling forces, preventing stress concentration at the transition point between the hose body and connector cuff.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection structure is divided into distinct functional segments: the hose body with its helical reinforcing rib, the stress relief element with internal screw thread, and the connector cuff. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the helical rib provides structural reinforcement, the stress relief element distributes stresses, and the connector cuff provides the connection interface. The modular design improves reliability by isolating the stress distribution function from the connection function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the hose body is made flexible with web portions, then the hose can bend easily, but the web portions are vulnerable to damage at the transition point under bending and pulling forces
Solution Approach 1:
The stress relief element serves as a protective intermediary that shields the vulnerable web portions from direct stress concentration. By engaging with the helical reinforcing rib rather than directly bonding to the web portions, the stress relief element allows the flexible hose body to maintain its adaptability while the intermediary component handles the stress distribution, preventing damage to the flexible but vulnerable web portions.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a flexible plastic hose (1) comprising a tubular hose body (2) having web portions (7) and a helical reinforcing rib (8), and a cuff (3a) mounted to an extremity (16) of the hose body (2) comprising a molded end fitting (5a) bonded to the extremity (16a), and a stress relief element (4) with a first segment (S1) having an internal screw-thread (15) complementary to the helical reinforcing rib (8). Disclosed is also a method for making same, and use of the hose (1) as a medical hose.