Spiral-Reinforced Hose Structure for Crush Resistance and Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hoses for transporting fluids, particularly in swimming pools and underground applications, lack the combination of high strength, annular rigidity, and crushing resistance while maintaining flexibility, making them prone to deformation under load and potential breakage.

Innovation Solution

A hose design featuring a main body made of thermoplastic materials with a spiral reinforcement component having a non-circular cross section, such as a capital D-shaped or rectangular configuration, which provides enhanced rigidity and resistance while maintaining flexibility, achieved through the use of materials like PVC and polyethylene, and manufacturing methods like co-extrusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a conventional hose with a circular cross-section spiral reinforcement is used, then the hose maintains flexibility, but it lacks sufficient annular rigidity and crushing resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveannular rigidity and crushing resistanceVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by changing the spiral reinforcement cross-section from a conventional circular shape to an asymmetric shape where the dimension in the hoop direction is greater than the dimension in the radial direction. This asymmetric geometry provides enhanced annular rigidity and crushing resistance while preserving the flexibility needed for hose operation. The asymmetric cross-section creates greater structural resistance to radial compression forces without compromising the hose's ability to bend and flex during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Strength

If the spiral reinforcement has a complex geometric shape, then the mechanical features are enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical featuresVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the cross-sectional dimensions and geometry of the spiral reinforcement from a conventional circular shape to a specific asymmetric shape with defined dimensional relationships. This parameter change optimizes the mechanical features, particularly annular rigidity and crushing resistance, while maintaining manufacturability through a relatively simple geometric transformation that can be implemented using standard extrusion or molding processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3482111B1Tube for conveying fluids
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 FITT SPA
  • EP3482111B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3482111B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3482111B1 patent drawingFigure 5~12

AI summary

The present invention regards a hose for transporting fluids comprising a main body (2) and at least one spiral or helical component (3) embedded or formed within the main body (2).