Hydrant Nozzle Cap Adapter for Multi-Standard Storz Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fire hydrant nozzle caps configured for one style of nozzle connection are often unable to connect to different styles, limiting their versatility and compatibility.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle cap adapter with an adapter ring and nozzle connector that can engage various fire hydrant nozzle styles, including U.S. Storz and Canadian Storz connections, and a latch for secure mounting, allowing the nozzle cap to be easily rotated into place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a nozzle cap is configured for a specific style of nozzle connection, then it can securely connect to that style, but it cannot connect to other styles of nozzle connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary component between the nozzle cap and the fire hydrant nozzle. The adapter has a first end that connects to the nozzle cap and a second end that connects to the specific style of nozzle connection. This mediator allows the nozzle cap to work with multiple nozzle styles without modifying the cap itself, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining a simple cap structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is designed with universal functionality to accommodate multiple styles of fire hydrant nozzle connections. By making the adapter multi-functional rather than the nozzle cap, the system achieves versatility across different connection types while keeping the cap design simple and standardized.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a nozzle cap is designed to be universal for all nozzle styles, then it can connect to any style, but the connection security and reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter serves as a specialized intermediary that ensures reliable connections for each specific nozzle style. Rather than designing a complex universal cap, the adapter is tailored to match specific nozzle styles while maintaining a standardized interface with the nozzle cap, thus preserving connection security through precision-matched geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into distinct functional components: the standardized nozzle cap and the style-specific adapter. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the cap for universal attachment and the adapter for style-specific reliability, thereby maintaining high connection security across different nozzle styles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different nozzle cap styles are manufactured for each nozzle connection type, then compatibility is achieved, but the quantity of parts and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter acts as an intermediary that eliminates the need for multiple nozzle cap styles. Instead of manufacturing different caps for each nozzle style, a single standardized cap design works with all styles by using the appropriate adapter, thereby reducing the quantity of different cap types while maintaining full compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle cap is designed with universal functionality to work with all adapter types. This reverses the traditional approach where the cap was style-specific; now the cap is universal and the adapters are style-specific, reducing the number of cap variants needed while achieving the same compatibility goal.
4Reliability
If a latch mechanism is added to secure the adapter, then connection reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the rotation motion already required to connect the adapter to the nozzle. As the adapter rotates into place, the latch automatically engages without requiring additional manual intervention or complex actuation mechanisms, thereby improving reliability while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is pre-positioned and spring-loaded to automatically engage when the adapter reaches the correct rotational position. This preliminary positioning ensures secure mounting is achieved as part of the normal connection process, adding reliability without requiring complex additional steps or mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle cap adapter includes an adapter ring defining a first adapter ring end, a second adapter ring end opposite the first adapter ring end, and an interior void extending from the first adapter ring end to the second adapter ring end; a nozzle connector extending from the second adapter ring end of the adapter ring, the nozzle connector configured to rotatably engage a fire hydrant nozzle; and a latch coupled to the adapter ring and configured to removably lock the nozzle cap adapter onto the fire hydrant nozzle; a gasket housing extending into the interior void and defining a gasket groove, the gasket groove facing the second adapter ring end; and a gasket disposed within the gasket groove and configured to abut an end of the fire hydrant nozzle.