Rounded Hose Connector Locking for Clog-Resistant Material Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hose connectors used in mulch delivery and other dynamic applications are prone to clogging, damage, and getting stuck on obstacles, leading to inefficiencies and delays in material transfer operations.
Innovation Solution
A hose connector design featuring a male and female fitting with longitudinal through holes, a fitting locking assembly using a set screw, and sloped transitional segments to reduce the risk of hanging up on obstacles, ensuring secure and efficient connection of hoses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hose connectors are used in mulch delivery applications, then the basic connection function is achieved, but the connectors are prone to clogging, damage, and getting stuck on obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The connector features a rounded exterior surface with no sharp corners or protruding elements. The locking mechanism uses a set screw that threads into the connector body rather than protruding externally. This curved, streamlined design allows the connector to be dragged over curbs, walls, and other obstacles without getting hung up, directly resolving the reliability issue caused by obstacle interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector body is designed with internal longitudinal through holes that segment the flow path. These holes are positioned to prevent mulch material from accumulating and clogging the connector. The segmentation of the internal structure allows material to pass through multiple pathways, reducing the likelihood of complete blockage and improving reliability in mulch delivery applications.
2Reliability
If conventional hose connectors with protruding components are used, then the locking function is achieved, but the components extend beyond the outer wall and cause the connector to hang up on curbs and walls
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a completely rounded exterior profile with all locking and securing features integrated internally. The set screw locking mechanism threads into the connector body and does not protrude beyond the outer surface. This eliminates sharp edges and protruding elements that would otherwise catch on curbs, walls, and other obstacles during dragging operations, significantly improving ease of operation in dynamic applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is nested within the connector body structure. The set screw is received within a recess in the connector, and the locking features are integrated into the wall thickness rather than extending externally. This nesting approach maintains secure locking functionality while keeping the exterior surface smooth and obstacle-free, resolving the contradiction between connection security and ease of dragging.
3Productivity
If conventional hose connectors are used in dynamic operations, then the basic connection is achieved, but the connectors break and wear from being dragged over hard scape and natural landscape
Solution Approach 1:
The connector's rounded exterior surface eliminates stress concentration points that would occur at sharp corners during dragging operations. The smooth, curved profile distributes mechanical stresses more evenly across the connector body when dragged over hard scape and natural landscape, preventing crack initiation and propagation. This significantly improves durability and reduces wear in dynamic mulch delivery operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design changes the geometric parameters of the exterior surface from sharp-edged conventional forms to fully rounded contours. This parameter change in surface geometry fundamentally alters how the connector interacts with obstacles during dragging, reducing impact forces and wear rates, thereby improving strength and durability in dynamic applications while maintaining productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
To complete a transfer of solid material such as mulch, multiple hoses may have to be connected together, therefore, such hoses have hose connection fittings attached at their ends. A hose connector has a male fitting connected to a first hose and a female fitting connected to the second hose. The male fitting may be inserted into the female fitting and the two fittings are secured together thereby connecting a first hose to a second hose. The hose connector has a locking assembly consisting of set screw, a radial hole defined in the female fitting, and a recess for receiving the set screw in the male fitting.