Segmented Feed Hose for Connecting Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial feed hoses for connecting elements in automated production processes, such as those used in the automotive industry, face issues with kinking due to their rigid material, leading to irreversible interruptions and the need for frequent replacements, especially with the increased use of multi-axis industrial robots which require higher flexibility in feed lines.
Innovation Solution
A two-part feed hose design featuring a hard inner hose for guiding connecting elements and a flexible hose casing made of elastic plastic, where the inner hose is embedded within the hose casing, allowing for kink protection and easy integration into hose packs, with the hose casing absorbing bending stress and enabling continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If feed hoses are made from hard plastic material to reduce friction for connecting elements, then the feeding efficiency is improved, but the bending flexibility deteriorates and kinking risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feed hose is divided into two separate components: an inner hose made of hard plastic material for low-friction connecting element feeding, and an outer hose made of elastic material for flexibility and kink protection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed hose combines two different materials with complementary properties: a hard plastic inner hose (for low friction) and an elastic outer hose (for flexibility). This composite structure resolves the contradiction by allowing the hard material to provide feeding efficiency while the elastic material provides bending flexibility and prevents kinking.
2Reliability
If feed hoses are made from hard plastic material to ensure smooth connecting element delivery, then the delivery reliability is improved, but the hose becomes susceptible to irreversible kinks under bending stress
Solution Approach 1:
The hose system is segmented into an inner delivery hose and an outer protective hose. The inner hose maintains structural integrity for reliable connecting element delivery, while the outer hose provides structural stability during bending to prevent irreversible kinks.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic outer hose acts as a protective cushion around the hard inner hose before bending stress is applied. This pre-protection prevents the inner hose from experiencing direct bending stress that would cause irreversible kinks, thereby maintaining both delivery reliability and structural stability.
3Ease of operation
If separate feed hoses are laid beside robot hose packs, then the connecting element feeding is enabled, but the system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The feed hose is integrated directly into the robot hose pack structure, merging the connecting element feeding function with the existing fluid and electrical supply lines. This eliminates the need for separate feed hose routing and reduces overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hose pack structure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it contains fluid supply lines, electrical lines, and the feed hose for connecting elements. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall line arrangement.
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 design provides sufficient kink protection and ensures continuous, trouble-free operation of the feed system by allowing the hose casing to absorb elongation and buckling, reducing the risk of damage to the inner hose and enabling easy integration into hose packs without damaging the inner hose.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible hose casing 22 made from an elastic plastic in which the inner hose 24 is embedded
Data Source
AI summary
In order to ensure a reliable automated feed of connecting elements to a processing unit, an apparatus, in particular an industrial robot, is provided. The apparatus has a hose pack, in which a feed hose for connecting elements is contained as a supply line. In order to ensure reliable operation and kink protection of the feed hose, the latter is formed from an inner hose which is embedded in a over-molded hose jacket. This measure permits the integration of the feed hose into the hose pack without problems. In addition, the risk of the feed hose kinking is kept small.