Reusable Hose Fitting with O-Ring Grooves for Damage-Free Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hose fitting systems, particularly barbed fittings, often damage hoses during installation and removal, compromise the seal integrity, and require tools for high-pressure applications, while previous solutions like o-ring-based fittings suffer from ineffective sealing and damage to the hose material.
Innovation Solution
A removable and reusable fitting system utilizing a hollow cylinder with o-ring grooves and steps that allows for secure sealing without barbs, using o-rings or hose material to create a seal, and can be installed without tools, accommodating various hose materials and linings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If barbed fittings are used to connect hoses, then the fitting provides a secure connection, but the sharp barbs damage the hose integrity and compromise the sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful barbs from the fitting design entirely, extracting the damaging element while retaining the connection function through an o-ring sealing mechanism instead
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an o-ring as an intermediary sealing element between the fitting and hose, which provides the sealing function without the harmful sharp edges of barbs, thus mediating between connection strength and hose integrity
2Stress or pressure
If barbed fittings are installed in hoses, then the fitting provides high pressure capability, but the fitting cannot be removed without causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the permanent anchoring function of barbs and replaces it with a removable o-ring sealing mechanism, allowing the fitting to be removed without hose damage while maintaining pressure capability during use
3Stability of the object's composition
If o-ring grooves are positioned deeper on the fitting, then the o-ring is protected from displacement, but less of the o-ring is exposed to contact with the sealing surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a third dimension by creating a depression in the fitting surface that allows the o-ring to sit at an optimized depth, providing both stability through the groove containment and sufficient exposure for sealing contact
4Stability of the object's composition
If a D-ring sealing ring is used to prevent rolling, then the sealing ring is protected from displacement, but the force is spread out making it difficult to achieve high pressure seal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a concentrated sealing interface with the o-ring in a specific groove location, rather than spreading the sealing force across a wide D-ring, enabling high pressure sealing while maintaining stability
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 a strong seal for both lined and unlined hoses without damaging the hose, is reusable, and does not require tools for installation, reducing hardware needs and installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
compressing the hose against the outside surface of the hollow cylinder
Implementation Method 2
one or more o-rings in the o-ring grooves, the o-rings and the hose material forming a seal
Data Source
AI summary
A removable and reusable multiple application fitting is disclosed that enables removal of the hose without significant damage to the hose. The removable and reusable multiple application fitting properly seals with hoses made of only one compound, such as rubber, as well as hoses of multiple compounds with or without linings, such as a rubber hose with a plastic lining. The multiple application fitting has a taper step and o-ring step to guide a hose over an installed o-ring to prevent the o-ring from being displaced during installation. The multiple application fitting is versatile and in some embodiments is used with hoses that require o-rings, and in other embodiments used with hoses that do not.