Rough-Surface Hose Connection Module for Loosefill Fiber Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing loose fill insulation installation systems are inefficient in conditioning and delivering insulation due to smooth interior surfaces in hoses, which do not effectively break up clumps and reduce density, leading to suboptimal installation performance.
Innovation Solution
A connection module for loose fill insulation hoses featuring a tubular body with a rough interior surface, comprising numerous protrusions that extend transverse to the axis, significantly increasing the surface area to catch and open insulation fibers, thereby reducing density and improving installation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If smooth interior surfaces are used in hoses, then manufacturing is easier and cost is lower, but insulation conditioning effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hose interior surface is modified locally by adding protrusions at specific locations where insulation conditioning is needed, rather than changing the entire hose structure. This allows the majority of the hose to remain simple and easy to manufacture, while specific zones provide enhanced conditioning functionality through the roughened surface with protrusions.
Solution Approach 2:
The interior surface of the hose is transformed from a smooth continuous surface to a porous-like structure with numerous protrusions. This creates a roughened surface that effectively interacts with insulation clumps, breaking them apart and improving conditioning effectiveness while maintaining the overall hose integrity.
2Reliability
If roughening structures with protrusions are added to the hose interior, then insulation conditioning and density reduction improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The roughening structures are divided into multiple discrete protrusions distributed along the hose interior, rather than creating a single complex structure. This segmentation allows each protrusion to independently contribute to insulation breaking while keeping individual elements simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The interior surface is transformed into a porous-like structure with numerous protrusions that create effective interaction points with insulation material. This approach achieves complex conditioning functionality through relatively simple geometric features that can be integrated into standard hose manufacturing processes.
3Reliability
If protrusions extend transverse to the axis, then surface area for catching fibers increases and density reduction improves, but flow resistance may increase
Solution Approach 1:
Protrusions are strategically positioned and sized to provide sufficient surface area for fiber interaction without completely blocking the flow path. The transverse orientation maximizes catching efficiency while maintaining adequate clearance for insulation material to pass through, balancing conditioning effectiveness with flow productivity.
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 roughened surface of the connection module effectively reduces the density of delivered insulation by at least 10% compared to systems with smooth hoses, enhancing installation performance and sound reduction while maintaining controlled flow.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of roughening structures coupled to the interior side of the tubular body so as to form a rough interior surface of the connection module, each of the roughening structures including at least one protrusion that extends transverse to the axis of the tubular body
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to loose fill insulation installation systems. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a connection module for a loose fill insulation hose. The connection module includes a tubular body extending along an axis and having an exterior side and an interior side that surrounds a path for conveying loose fill insulation. The connection module also includes a plurality of roughening structures coupled to the interior side of the tubular body so as to form a rough interior surface of the connection module. Each of the roughening structures includes at least one protrusion that extends transverse to the axis of the tubular body. The roughening structures form more than 400 protrusions that extend into the path of the loose fill insulation.