Shape Memory Hose Connector for Tool-Free Hermetic Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hose connectors require significant force and specialized tools to achieve a fluid-tight seal with flexible polymeric hoses, making manual assembly challenging and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a shape memory alloy (SMA) insertion portion that can be deformed to a smaller diameter for easy insertion into the hose and expands upon heating to create a secure seal, eliminating the need for machinery or hand tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hose connectors use rigid protrusions to seal against polymeric hoses, then a fluid-tight seal is achieved, but considerable force and special tools are required for assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The connector end is made from shape memory alloy material that changes its physical state based on temperature. At low temperatures (martensite state), the material is soft and deformable, allowing easy insertion. At high temperatures (austenite state), the material becomes rigid and returns to its memorized shape, creating the fluid-tight seal. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by enabling both easy assembly and reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The shape memory alloy undergoes a phase transition from martensite to austenite when heated. In the martensite phase, the material is soft and can be deformed to a smaller diameter for insertion. In the austenite phase, the material returns to its original shape and diameter, creating the sealing protrusion. This phase transition enables the connector to be easily inserted and then securely seal the hose without requiring special tools.
2Reliability
If the hose connector end is made rigid to maintain seal tightness, then a solid fluid-tight seal is maintained, but the connector cannot be easily inserted into the hose by hand
Solution Approach 1:
The shape memory alloy's physical properties change with temperature. When heated to the austenite phase, the material becomes rigid and returns to its memorized shape with larger diameter, providing seal tightness. When cooled to the martensite phase, the material becomes soft and deformable, allowing manual insertion by hand. This temperature-dependent parameter change resolves the contradiction between seal tightness and ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The shape memory alloy is trained to memorize a specific shape and diameter during manufacturing. This preliminary action of shape setting ensures that when the material is later heated, it will automatically return to the predetermined shape that creates the sealing protrusion, eliminating the need for complex installation procedures while maintaining reliable sealing.
3Reliability
If special tools or machinery are used to assemble the hose connector, then proper sealing is achieved, but assembly complexity and equipment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shape memory alloy connector performs the sealing action itself through its inherent shape memory properties. When heated, the material automatically returns to its memorized shape and creates the sealing protrusion against the hose, eliminating the need for external tools or machinery. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by achieving reliable sealing without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical system of using tools or machinery to force the connector into the hose is replaced with a thermal system. By applying heat, the shape memory alloy undergoes phase transition and automatically creates the sealing protrusion through its own elastic recovery, substituting mechanical force with thermal energy and material intelligence.
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
Enables easy, tool-free assembly of hose connectors with flexible polymeric hoses by allowing the SMA insertion portion to expand and create a tight hermetic closure when heated, reducing assembly complexity and increasing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
An article made of such materials can be deformed from an original, high temperature configuration to a second, low temperature configuration. The article is said to have shape memory for the reason that, upon the application of heat alone, it can be caused to revert, or to attempt to revert, to its high temperature shape
Implementation Method 2
The insertion portion is located on one end of the tubular pipe and has an outer diameter smaller than an interior diameter of the flexible hose in a martensite state that allows the insertion portion to be inserted into the interior diameter of the flexible hose. The memorized shape is recovered with the application of heat
Data Source
AI summary
A hose connector for joining flexible hoses is comprised of a tubular pipe body with at least one insertion portions made of a shape memory alloy (SMA) or other shape memory material that has a memorized shape. The insertion portion is located on at least on one end of the tubular pipe body and has an outer diameter smaller than an interior diameter of the flexible hose in a martensite state. The insertion portion is inserted into the interior diameter of the flexible hose and the memorized shape is recovered with the application of heat, wherein the outer diameter of the insertion portion becomes larger than the outer diameter of the flexible hose sealing the outer diameter of the insertion portion against the interior diameter of the flexible hose.