Smart Corrugated Hose with Integrated Conductor for Wear Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Corrugated hoses used in cable-hose assemblies experience material abrasion leading to potential rupture, causing unscheduled installation shutdowns as existing technologies do not effectively monitor or prevent wear and tear.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a conductor arrangement within or onto the corrugated hose that changes signal properties upon damage, allowing for real-time monitoring of the hose's state, including early detection of imminent rupture, through electric, high-frequency, or optical means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conductor arrangement is introduced into or mounted on a corrugated hose, then damage detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor arrangement is integrated directly into the corrugated hose structure by introducing it through the extrusion process, merging the monitoring function with the structural component. This eliminates separate monitoring devices and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining damage detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductor arrangement serves multiple functions: it provides structural reinforcement to the corrugated hose and simultaneously acts as a damage detection element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby reducing device complexity while improving reliability.
2Productivity
If the conductor arrangement is integrated during extrusion, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor arrangement is prepared and positioned before the extrusion process begins, with guide elements pre-installed to ensure proper placement. This preliminary action allows the conductor to be accurately integrated during extrusion without requiring post-manufacturing adjustments, maintaining both productivity and precision.
3Reliability
If the corrugated hose is monitored for wear, then reliability is improved, but loss of time for monitoring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor arrangement continuously monitors the structural integrity of the corrugated hose as part of its normal function, eliminating the need for separate monitoring operations. The hose essentially monitors itself through the integrated conductor, providing ongoing reliability assessment without requiring dedicated monitoring time or external intervention.
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 prompt servicing actions before total failure, reducing production costs and failure times by localizing wear and simplifying damage detection, thereby minimizing unscheduled shutdowns.
Implementation Method 1
damage to the at least one conductor arrangement causes a change in a signal carried in the at least one conductor arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a corrugated hose. The corrugated hose comprises at least one conductor arrangement. The conductor arrangement is arranged on the corrugated hose or introduced into the corrugated hose in such a manner that any damage to the at least one conductor arrangement causes a change in a signal carried in the at least one conductor arrangement such that damage to or a state change in the corrugated hose can be derived from the change in the signal.