Segmented Color-Changing Hose for Fluid Pressure Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hoses are heavy, difficult to handle, and hard to store, and lack the ability to change color or patterns in response to fluid pressure and volume, which limits their functionality and aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
A segmented tubular hose design that expands and contracts under fluid pressure, featuring a bias mechanism to maintain a collapsed state without pressure and changing color or patterns based on expansion states, pressure, fluid volume, and tension, utilizing intrinsic or external biases for expansion and contraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hard rubber hoses are used, then durability and pressure resistance are improved, but weight and ease of handling deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The hose is divided into multiple collapsible segments or sections that can independently collapse and expand. This segmentation allows the hose to maintain structural integrity and durability while reducing overall weight and improving flexibility for easier handling and storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible, thin-walled structures that can collapse under their own weight when not in use but expand to maintain strength and durability when fluid pressure is applied. This allows the hose to achieve both light weight and reliable pressure resistance.
2Weight of moving object
If expanding and contracting hoses are used, then weight and ease of handling are improved, but ability to endure high fluid pressure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hose transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one that changes its physical state based on operating conditions. When fluid pressure is applied, the hose expands and its walls strengthen to endure high pressure. When pressure is released, it collapses to a compact, lightweight state for easy handling and storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The hose utilizes changes in physical parameters (volume, shape, wall tension) in response to fluid pressure. As pressure increases, the hose expands and its structural parameters change to maintain strength, allowing it to endure high pressure while remaining lightweight during non-use.
3Device complexity
If conventional hoses are used, then simplicity of structure is maintained, but functionality and aesthetic appeal deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The hose incorporates color-changing properties that respond to fluid pressure, volume, or flow conditions. This adds visual functionality and aesthetic appeal while maintaining relatively simple structure. The color changes provide visual feedback about hose operation and enhance user interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The hose performs multiple functions beyond simple fluid transport, including visual indication through color changes, automatic collapse for storage, and adaptive pressure resistance. This multi-functionality enhances versatility while keeping the overall structure relatively simple and integrated.
4Ease of operation
If conventional hoses are used, then ease of storage is maintained, but visibility and user interaction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The hose changes color or displays visual patterns in response to fluid pressure, volume, or flow, enhancing visibility during use. When collapsed for storage, it maintains a compact form that is easy to store, while the color-changing capability provides visual feedback and improved user interaction during operation.
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 hose achieves lightweight durability, high fluid pressure resistance, and visually engaging color changes or patterns, enhancing usability and visibility while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
A bias is provided to keep said first wall segment and second wall segment on the same side of the transverse plane in a contracted state. The bias may be a memory force built into the segmented tubular wall
Data Source
AI summary
A hose having an observed color, the hose includes a tubular wall having an interior, an exterior and a thickness. The observed hose color changes between a first hose color in a first state and a second hose color in a second state. Differences between the first state and second state may be the result of different expansions of the hose, different pressure pressures within the hose, differences in amount of fluid within the hose and different tensions states for the hose. Observed color changes between the first state and second state may be a color change, a color shade change, alternating rings of at least two different colors or shades of color along the length of the hose, a color pattern change or even the generation of indicia on the hose.