Suction Hose Fitting with Manual Release Valve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Suction hose fittings used in high-pressure cleaning devices face challenges in cleaning the filter device, which becomes clogged with dirt particles and impurities during operation, requiring frequent maintenance.

Innovation Solution

The suction hose fitting allows for easy cleaning by reversing the flow direction through the filter device, using a manually unlockable non-return valve and a pressure-dependent relief valve to minimize flow losses and pressure buildup, enabling the user to flush the system with liquid to remove dirt and impurities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the suction hose fitting is permanently connected to the suction hose and equipped with a check valve to retain water, then water retention and immediate availability are improved, but the filter device becomes difficult to access and clean

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater retentionVSAvoidfilter cleaning
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The suction hose fitting is divided into two detachable parts: a first housing part containing the filter device and a second housing part containing the connection device. This segmentation allows the filter to be easily accessed and cleaned by detaching the first housing part, while the second housing part remains connected to maintain water retention in the suction hose.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter device is extracted from the integrated housing and placed in a separate detachable first housing part. This extraction enables independent access to the filter for cleaning without affecting the check valve function or water retention capability of the remaining connected portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If liquid is flushed through the suction hose fitting to clean the filter, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but flow losses and pressure buildup occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter cleaningVSAvoidflow losses
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A relief valve is incorporated that dynamically responds to pressure conditions. During normal operation, the relief valve remains closed to maintain pressure. During flushing operations, when pressure exceeds a threshold, the relief valve automatically opens to release excess pressure, preventing energy loss while enabling effective cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The relief valve changes its flow state based on pressure parameters. At normal operating pressure, it maintains closure to prevent flow losses. When pressure increases during flushing, it transitions to an open state to relieve pressure, thus adapting to different operational conditions to minimize energy waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If the check valve is springless to minimize flow losses, then energy efficiency is improved, but pressure buildup during flushing may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow lossesVSAvoidpressure buildup
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The relief valve acts as an intermediary pressure management device. It monitors pressure conditions and intervenes only when necessary by opening to relieve excess pressure during flushing operations, while remaining inactive during normal operation to maintain the energy-efficient springless check valve design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If the housing is made detachable for easy filter cleaning, then maintenance accessibility is improved, but device complexity and potential leakage points increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter accessibilityVSAvoidhousing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into two functional parts that detach from each other: the first housing part containing the filter and the second housing part containing the connection device and check valve. This segmentation provides easy filter access while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure with a single detachment interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design simplifies the cleaning process, reduces flow losses, and maintains water retention in the suction hose, ensuring immediate availability when the high-pressure cleaning device is reactivated, while minimizing pressure loads and buoyancy issues.

Implementation Method 1

a check valve closing towards the inlet opening is arranged in the housing, which has a valve body that is movable back and forth within the housing between a closed position and an open position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCheck valve mechanism: Valve

Implementation Method 2

A filter device, such as a sieve or screen, is located at the inlet opening. The drawn-in water flows through the filter device, where larger contaminants, such as algae and plant debris, are retained.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

the housing (12) has at least one relief opening (82) which can be automatically opened and closed by means of a relief valve (100) depending on the pressure prevailing in the interior (106) of the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure relief mechanism: Valve

Implementation Method 4

They can also be designed to draw water from a reservoir, such as a water tank or pond. For this purpose, a suction hose is connected to the suction inlet of the high-pressure cleaner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3011209B1Suction hose fitting
Publication Date: 2018.09.19 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG
  • EP3011209B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3011209B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3011209B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a suction hose fitting (10) for connection to the suction hose of a high-pressure cleaning device, having a housing (12) which has an inlet opening (34) and an outlet opening (104), wherein a filter device (28) is arranged at the inlet opening (34) and a connection device (44, 48) for the suction hose is arranged at the outlet opening (104), and wherein a non-return valve, which closes in the direction of the inlet opening (34) and has a valve body (90) which can be moved to and fro between a closed position and an open position in the housing (12), is arranged in the housing (12). In order to develop the suction hose fitting in such a way that cleaning of the filter device (28) can be simplified, it is proposed according to the invention that the non-return valve can be manually released.