Helically Reinforced Stretch Hose for High Extension and Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing stretch hoses with helically reinforced thermoplastic materials do not achieve a high stretch ratio and flexibility, as they lack a thin web-defined wall structure that can unfold and straighten when extended, and fail to maintain a desirable diameter ratio during compression.
Innovation Solution
A method of continuously forming a helically reinforced hose by extruding a wide thermoplastic web and bead, where the web and bead are bonded in a coordinated manner around a rotating mandrel, creating a thin web-defined wall with inclined spiral segments that fold radially inwardly and outwardly, allowing for a high stretch ratio and flexibility, and using a secondary treatment process to relieve stress and reset the material's memory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional helically reinforced hose structure is used, then the hose has structural integrity, but it lacks high stretch ratio and flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The hose wall is segmented into discrete web-defined portions between adjacent reinforcing coils, allowing each segment to independently bend, fold, and unfold. This segmentation enables the hose to achieve high stretch ratios while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed reinforcing coils that provide strength at regular intervals along the hose length.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the hose wall is made thinner to increase flexibility, then the hose can extend through tight spaces, but it may compromise pressure and vacuum ratings
Solution Approach 1:
The hose employs a composite structure combining thin web-defined wall portions made from thermoplastic material with helically wound reinforcing coils. The thin web portions provide flexibility and enable extension through tight spaces, while the reinforcing coils provide the necessary strength to maintain pressure and vacuum ratings, creating a composite structure that achieves both flexibility and strength.
3Length of moving object
If the hose is stretched to full extension, then it can reach through confined spaces, but it increases stress in the thermoplastic material
Solution Approach 1:
The hose undergoes a secondary production process where discrete lengths are treated while axially compressed to minimal axial length before final use. This preliminary compression treatment resets the memory of the thermoplastic material and reduces internal stress, allowing the hose to be stretched to full extension without exceeding material stress limits, thereby enabling the hose to reach through confined spaces safely.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the hose maintains consistent diameter during compression, then it provides stable flow characteristics, but it reduces the ability to compress to minimal length
Solution Approach 1:
The hose features a dynamic structure where the web-defined wall portions can change configuration based on compression state. When compressed, the web portions bend and fold to reduce axial length while the reinforcing coils maintain the hose's outer diameter consistency. This dynamic adaptation allows the hose to achieve minimal compressed length while maintaining stable flow characteristics through consistent diameter.
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 resulting hose exhibits a high stretch ratio, flexibility, and maintains a consistent diameter ratio during compression, enabling it to extend through tight spaces and retract to minimal length, while providing enhanced pressure and vacuum ratings.
Implementation Method 1
The freshly extruded material remains tacky during hose formation so that each new wrap of the freshly extruded material bonds to a previous wrap
Implementation Method 2
Discrete lengths of the resulting hose are preferably treated during a secondary production process while being axially compressed to minimal axial length—to minimize stress and to reset the memory of the thermoplastic material
Data Source
AI summary
A method of continuously forming an axially extensible and retractable hose comprising the steps of continuously forming an axially extending helix with axially spaced reinforcing coils from extruded thermoplastic material having a uniform cross-section along its length; and continuously bridging between an adjacent pair of the reinforcing coils with a continuous web of extruded thermoplastic material of substantially uniform width and relatively thin cross-section to form a continuous, helically extending sidewall, with the web having one of two opposite edge regions bonded continuously to a relatively flat outer bonding surface of a radially outwardly located portion of one of the adjacent pair of reinforcing coils, with the web having the other of the edge regions bonded continuously to a relatively flat inner bonding surface of a radially inwardly located portion of the other of the pair of reinforcing coils, and with the edge regions continuously radially separated from each other by the helix.