Stepped Hose Connector Geometry for Heat-Creep Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hose connectors struggle to maintain a fluid-tight seal due to creep deformation of the polymeric hose caused by heat deterioration, as well as variations in size, tolerances, surface finishes, and chemical effects.
Innovation Solution
A hose connector design featuring a rigid pipe body with a frustoconical front end and radially enlarged stepped barrels or spools, which allows for a flexible polymeric hose to be securely fitted, forming a tight liquid-proof contact through tapered surfaces and annular grooves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a polymeric hose is fitted on the outer periphery of a hose connector to form a fluid connection, then the connection between rigid pipe and flexible hose is achieved, but the fluid tight seal cannot be maintained due to creep deformation of the hose caused by heat deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple functional segments: a barbed insert for initial hose engagement, a sealing surface for fluid tight sealing, and a crimping surface for mechanical compression. This segmentation allows each portion to address specific aspects of the sealing problem independently, ensuring that the seal remains intact even when the hose deforms due to heat deterioration.
Solution Approach 2:
The barbed insert is positioned to engage the hose interior before the crimping operation occurs. This preliminary engagement creates an initial mechanical interlock that prevents hose slippage and positions the hose correctly against the sealing surface, ensuring that when heat deterioration occurs later, the hose remains in place and the seal is maintained.
2Device complexity
If the holding force depends only on the tightness of the polymeric hose, then the structure is simple, but the fluid tight seal cannot be maintained due to variations in size and tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the connector have specialized geometries optimized for specific functions: the barbed insert has outwardly directed bars for mechanical engagement, the sealing surface has a specific profile for creating a fluid tight seal, and the crimping surface has a reduced diameter for compression. This local differentiation of properties ensures reliable sealing despite variations in overall hose size and tolerance.
Solution Approach 2:
The barbed insert acts as an intermediary element between the rigid connector body and the flexible hose. It provides a mechanical interlock that compensates for tolerance variations, while the sealing surface serves as an intermediary sealing interface that maintains fluid tightness despite dimensional variations in the hose and connector.
3Ease of manufacture
If the hose connector uses only a tight fit of the polymeric hose, then the manufacturing is simple, but the seal fails due to effects of chemicals and hardness and swell of the hose
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into a barbed insert portion, a sealing surface portion, and a crimping surface portion. This segmentation allows the sealing function to be distributed across multiple features rather than relying on a single tight fit, making the seal more resistant to chemical effects and hose swelling while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The barbed insert is designed to engage the hose interior before final assembly, creating a preliminary mechanical lock that prevents hose movement. This preliminary action ensures that even when chemicals cause hardness changes or swelling occurs, the hose remains positioned correctly against the sealing surface, maintaining the fluid tight seal without complex manufacturing.
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 ensures a robust and reliable fluid-tight seal by providing a secure grip and hermetic closure, even under conditions of heat-induced creep deformation and other environmental factors.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible hose is adapted to be inserted by pressure over the pipe body at the tip end until it passes beyond the second step to the mid-section of the pipe body
Implementation Method 2
A hose connector having radially enlarged stepped barrels or spools
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a hose connector formed at the end of a rigid pipe body 10 used to connect the pipe body to a flexible polymeric hose 70. The hose connector includes a frustoconical front end 20 extending outward from a tip 15 to a radially enlarged first ring portion 14 that terminates at a circumferential first step 30. A radially reduced second ring portion 40 extends from the first step backwards at a constant diameter to a circumferential rear edge 42. A circumferential second step 50 extends from the second ring portion rear edge backwards in a decreasing circumferential diameter to a mid-section 12 of the pipe body. A flexible hose 70 is adapted to be inserted by pressure over the pipe body at the tip end until it passes beyond the second step to at least the mid-section of the pipe body.