Power-Generating Water Feed Hose With Low Flow Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Firefighting hoses lack a reliable power source for illumination and communication, especially in smoky environments, and existing power generation systems are inefficient due to increased flow resistance with multiple water wheels, and there is a need to confirm connection states and water supply for safe use.
Innovation Solution
A water feed hose equipped with a power generation unit, secondary battery, power supply circuit, and electronic unit that generates and stores power using various methods such as hydroelectric, vibration, piezoelectric, or thermoelectric means, allowing for continuous operation and multifunctionality without external power cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If multiple water wheels are provided in connected portions for power generation, then electric power can be generated during water discharge, but flow resistance increases and the force of discharged water decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the power generation function from the water flow path by providing a power generation unit in the connector rather than in the hose body. This allows water to flow through the hose without encountering obstacles, eliminating the flow resistance problem while still enabling power generation through the rotor that rotates with water flow in the connector.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector acts as an intermediary between the hose and the discharge point, housing the power generation unit. This mediator allows the system to generate power without requiring multiple water wheels in the hose connections, thus avoiding increased flow resistance while still capturing energy from water flow.
2Use of energy by moving object
If power generation units are attached to multiple connected portions, then more electric power can be generated, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the connector multi-functional by integrating the power generation unit into it. The connector now serves both its traditional function of connecting hoses and the additional function of generating electric power, eliminating the need for separate power generation devices at each connection point.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the power generation function with the connector structure. By combining these two functions into a single integrated unit, the system reduces the total number of components while maintaining power generation capability across multiple connection points.
3Illumination intensity
If illumination devices are carried by firefighters, then illumination is provided during firefighting operations, but firefighters cannot easily confirm connection states and monitor water supply
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic unit provides multiple functions including illumination, connection state confirmation, and water supply monitoring. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate devices for each function, making operations easier while maintaining all required capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic unit provides feedback about connection states and water supply conditions to firefighters. This feedback mechanism allows firefighters to easily monitor system status without carrying additional devices, improving ease of operation while maintaining illumination capability.
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 system provides continuous electric power for illumination and communication, reduces flow resistance, and enables easy handling and confirmation of connection states and water supply, enhancing firefighting operations.
Implementation Method 1
a power generation unit (12) which generates electric power in a state attached to the connector (11) or the hose (10)
Implementation Method 2
a secondary battery (13) which is charged with the electric power generated by the power generation unit (12)
Implementation Method 3
a power supply circuit (14) which supplies, at a preset current and voltage, the electric power stored in the secondary battery (13) or the electric power generated by the power generation unit (12)
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
A water feed hose (1) comprises a hose (10), a connector (11), a power generation unit (12), a secondary battery (13), a power supply circuit (14), an electronic unit (15), and a main switch (16). The connector (11) is fixed to an end part of the house (10). The power generation unit (12) generates electricity while mounted to the connector (11) or the hose (10). The secondary battery (13) is charged with electric power generated by the power generation unit (12). The power supply circuit (14) supplies, at a preset current and voltage, power stored in the secondary battery (13) or power generated by the power generation unit (12). The electronic unit (15) operates with power supplied via the power supply circuit (14). The main switch (16) switches the power supply circuit (14) to a state of supplying power to the electronic unit (15).