Rotatable Annulus Hydration Pump Prevents Hose Twisting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sports hydration systems fail to conveniently attach to large threaded openings of hydration bladders and suffer from hose twisting issues, with prior art not addressing these specific problems effectively.
Innovation Solution
A sports hydration apparatus with a housing and rotatable annulus that screws into the threaded opening of bladders, providing a low profile configuration for electrical components and preventing hose twisting, while allowing simultaneous use of existing outlets for manual fluid provision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an external pump is attached to the surface of the bladder to draw fluid from the existing outlet, then fluid pumping function is achieved, but the device does not address hose twisting issues and is not suitable for large threaded openings
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into distinct functional segments: a pump housing containing the electric pump, a rotatable annulus for threading engagement, and a seal assembly. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while collectively solving the attachment and hose twisting problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable annulus acts as an intermediary component between the pump housing and the bladder's threaded opening. It provides the threading engagement mechanism that enables secure attachment to large threaded openings while preventing hose twisting through its rotational design.
2Reliability
If a rotatable annulus is used to screw into the threaded opening, then secure attachment and hose twisting prevention are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable annulus serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides threading engagement with the bladder opening, enables secure attachment through rotation, and prevents hose twisting. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly is nested within the pump housing, and the rotatable annulus is integrated with the housing structure. This nested arrangement consolidates multiple functions into a compact configuration, minimizing the overall increase in device complexity while maintaining attachment security.
3Shape
If electrical componentry is accommodated in a low profile manner, then the form factor is improved, but space for componentry is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Electrical componentry is arranged in a low profile configuration within the pump housing, utilizing the horizontal plane rather than vertical space. This dimensional rearrangement maintains adequate componentry volume while achieving a compact profile height suitable for sports hydration applications.
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 solution enables convenient and secure attachment to large threaded openings, preventing hose twisting and allowing for efficient hydration during sports activities without interfering with existing outlets, thus enhancing hydration systems for motocross and cycling.
Implementation Method 1
the annulus may be rotated with respect to the housing so as to screw into the threaded opening of the bladder
Implementation Method 2
the housing and the bladder co-operate to seal the opening of the bladder
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a sports hydration apparatus comprising: electric componentry housing; an annulus rotatably coupled to the housing, the annulus defining peripheral exterior threading for engaging a threaded opening of a bladder such that the annulus can rotate relative to the housing to screwably engage the threaded opening and wherein the housing and annulus cooperate to seal the threaded opening when the annulus is screwed in; hydration hosing transitioning through the housing in a fluidtight manner, the hosing comprising an interior inlet hose portion which reaches within the bladder for drawing fluid and an exterior outlet hose; a mouthpiece and wherein the outlet hose reaches the mouthpiece; an electric pump coupled to the hydration hosing to pump fluid through the hosing; wherein the housing houses electric componentry comprising: a wireless receiver coupled to the pump and configured for receiving wireless instructions from a dispensing controller device to operate the pump.