Multilayer AC Plastic Hose for Flexible Leak-Resistant Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioning systems have high complexity and cost due to the combination of metal tubing and flexible hoses, leading to cumbersome installation and high component variety.

Innovation Solution

A multilayer air-conditioning plastic hose with a two-layer core tube composed of PA6 and PA66 thermoplastic layers, surrounded by a protective TPE layer, offering flexibility, fluid resistance, and enhanced durability, allowing for the use of metal tubes, and a protective layer, and a reinforcement layer, which can be thermoformed to fit specific installations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metal tubing and flexible hoses are combined in AC systems, then durability and heat transfer properties are improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidcomponent variety
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by creating a multilayer plastic hose structure combining PA6, PA66, and TPE materials. This composite structure provides durability, flexibility, and heat transfer properties previously requiring separate metal tubing and hoses, thereby reducing component variety while maintaining strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functions of metal tubing and flexible hoses into a single plastic hose component. The multilayer structure integrates the heat transfer capability of metal with the flexibility of hoses, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If metal tubing is used for rigid parts, then structural strength is improved, but installation flexibility and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters from metal to thermoplastic materials (PA6, PA66, TPE) that can be thermoformed. This allows the hose to be heated and shaped into various configurations during installation, providing both structural strength and installation flexibility, thereby reducing installation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The plastic hose provides dynamic adaptability during installation through thermoforming capability. The hose can be heated, bent, and shaped to fit specific installation requirements, then cooled to maintain the shape. This dynamic property eliminates the need for pre-fabricated rigid metal bends, significantly reducing installation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If flexible hoses are used for moving parts, then adaptability is improved, but fluid leakage resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidfluid leakage resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials with each layer serving a specific function: PA6 provides flexibility and chemical compatibility, PA66 provides enhanced barrier properties and fluid resistance, and TPE provides elasticity and sealing. This composite structure maintains flexibility for adaptability while ensuring reliable fluid leakage resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The multilayer structure applies local quality by assigning different material properties to different layers. The inner layers (PA6, PA66) provide fluid resistance and chemical compatibility, while the outer TPE layer provides flexibility and environmental protection. This localized optimization ensures both flexibility and leakage resistance are achieved simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4667210A1Multilayer air-conditioning plastic hose
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 DANFOSS AS
  • EP4667210A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4667210A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4667210A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a multilayer air-conditioning plastic hose with a two layer core tube. The innermost layer of the core tube is a first thermoplastic layer made of PA6 or of a polyolefin formulation. The other layer of the core tube is a second thermoplastic layer made of PA66. A protective layer at least partially made of a thermoplastic elastomer material (TPE) forms the outermost layer of the multilayer air-conditioning plastic hose.