Pivoting Hose Guide Channel With Deformable Cover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for guiding flexible lines, such as hoses, do not allow for adjustable changes in direction, and often fail to securely maintain the line within the guide channel as it is pivoted, leading to potential damage or slippage.

Innovation Solution

A joint arrangement with pivoting joint parts forming a guide channel, featuring a length-variable connecting section covered by a deformable cover part, allowing the flexible line to be easily guided through while maintaining secure alignment and protection across various pivot angles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a straight guide tube is used for guiding the flexible line, then the device structure is simple, but the direction of the flexible line cannot be adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirection adjustabilityVSAvoidguide structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide channel is divided into multiple sections: a first guide section, a second guide section, and a connecting section. This segmentation allows each section to perform a specific function (guiding or pivoting), enabling direction adjustment while maintaining overall structural clarity and avoiding excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting section is designed to be pivotable relative to the first and second guide sections, introducing dynamic movement capability to the guide structure. This allows the direction of the flexible line to be adjusted according to different working conditions while keeping the rest of the structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the guide channel is open during pivoting, then the flexible line can move freely, but the line may slip out or be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveline retention reliabilityVSAvoidline guidance effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible cover is introduced to close the guide channel during pivoting. This cover is deformable and can adapt to the changing geometry of the guide channel as it pivots, maintaining closure without restricting the movement of the flexible line, thus preventing slippage while preserving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The cover is designed to move and deform dynamically along with the pivoting action of the connecting section. This dynamic behavior ensures the guide channel remains closed and secure throughout the pivoting range, preventing the flexible line from slipping out or being damaged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the connecting section length varies with pivot angle, then direction adjustment is enabled, but the guide channel becomes open on the outside

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepivot angle adaptabilityVSAvoidexternal damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible cover closes the outer side of the guide channel while accommodating the varying length of the connecting section during pivoting. This ensures the flexible line remains protected from external damage throughout the entire pivoting range, regardless of the connecting section's length changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The cover's dynamic movement and deformation synchronize with the pivoting action and length changes of the connecting section, maintaining continuous protection of the flexible line while allowing full adaptability to different pivot angles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables adjustable direction changes of the flexible line with minimal effort, ensuring reliable guidance and protection from external damage across all pivot angles, while maintaining a minimum bending radius and reducing friction losses.

Implementation Method 1

a deformable cover part which covers the connecting section on its outer side facing away from the joint axis and which moves into the corresponding joint part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4073413B1Device for guiding a flexible line

Publication Date: 2024.01.17 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG

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AI summary

The invention relates to a device suitable for guiding a flexible line, in particular a hose (12). In order to develop the device (10) in such a manner that it permits an adjustable change in direction of the guidance of the flexible line, the device (10) has a joint arrangement (22) with a first joint part (24) and a second joint part (26) which are pivotable relative to each other about a joint axis (28) and form a guide channel for the flexible line, wherein the guide channel has an inlet section (34), an outlet section (44) and a variable-length connecting section (120) connecting the inlet section (34) to the outlet section (44), wherein the connecting section (120) is covered on its outer side facing away from the joint axis (28) by a deformable cover part (122) which is mounted movably at least on one of the two joint parts (24).