Rotating Hose Guide Structure for Kink-Free Hose Reel Unwinding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hose guides for hose reels restrict users from moving across an area while unwinding the hose and can cause damage due to sharp edges or tight corners, leading to kinks, twists, and reduced hose lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A hose reel enclosure with a unitary housing, hose guide, and rotary union that allows the hose to be wound and unwound as the user moves, featuring a hose guide with travel bars and a guide member for smooth movement, and a rotary union for efficient fluid transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If stationary or swivel hose guides are used, then hose deployment is controlled, but user movement is restricted and hose damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehose deployment controlVSAvoiduser movement freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The hose guide transitions from a static structure to a dynamic system where the guide body can rotate along with hose unwinding. This dynamic adaptation allows the guide to accommodate user movement in any direction while maintaining controlled hose deployment, resolving the contradiction between deployment control and movement freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The hose guide is divided into separable components including a guide body, travel bars, and mounting structures. This segmentation allows the guide body to rotate independently while remaining attached to the reel, enabling both controlled deployment and user mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If traditional hose guides are used, then hose path is defined, but sharp edges and tight corners cause hose damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehose path guidanceVSAvoidhose damage from sharp edges

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hose guide employs curved surfaces and rounded edges throughout its structure, eliminating sharp corners and tight angles that could damage the hose. The curved path design gently guides the hose during deployment, maintaining control while preventing mechanical damage to the hose material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of manufacture

If fixed hose guides are used, then installation is simple, but hose must be unwound in one direction only

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguide installation simplicityVSAvoidunwinding direction flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The guide body's ability to rotate dynamically allows the hose to be unwound in any direction while maintaining proper guidance. This rotational freedom provides unwinding direction flexibility while the guide remains relatively simply installed on the reel structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12589970B2Hose guide for hose reel

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 AGNA LLC

AI summary

The present invention relates to a hose guide for a hose reel enclosure. The hose guide comprises a pair of travel bars, including a first travel bar and a second travel bar, and a guide member slidably disposed on each one of the pair of travel bars. The guide member allows for smooth and controlled movement of the hose within the hose reel enclosure, preventing tangling and ensuring efficient retraction and extension of the hose. The design of the hose guide provides improved functionality and ease of use, enhancing the overall performance and durability of the hose reel enclosure.