Swivel Hose Connector Assembly for Tankless Water Heater Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plumbing assemblies for tankless water heaters require adapters to connect flexible hoses to service valves, limiting the ability to rotate the conduit relative to the fitting, which complicates installation and connection to supply lines.
Innovation Solution
A hose assembly with a flexible hose and rotatable connector assemblies that allow independent rotation of fittings relative to the hose, maintaining a watertight seal without the need for adapters, using push-to-connect fittings and retainer mechanisms to prevent axial movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If adapters are used to connect flexible hoses to service valves, then connection compatibility is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the adapter functionality directly into the connector assembly, merging multiple components (connector + adapter features) into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for separate adapters while maintaining connection compatibility with service valves and supply lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly is designed with universal adaptability to work with both service valves and supply lines through its rotatable fitting mechanism, allowing a single component to serve multiple connection purposes without requiring different adapters for different applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adapters are used to connect flexible hoses to service valves, then connection compatibility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to limited rotation ability
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting is designed to be rotatable relative to the connector assembly, allowing dynamic adjustment of the fitting orientation. This rotational freedom enables easy connection to supply lines at various angles while maintaining the watertight seal, significantly improving ease of operation compared to fixed adapter connections.
3Ease of operation
If rotatable fittings are used, then ease of operation is improved, but maintaining watertight seal during rotation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a retainer mechanism as an intermediary component that maintains the engagement between the fitting and connector assembly during rotation. The retainer ensures the fitting remains properly positioned and sealed relative to the connector while allowing rotational movement, thus maintaining the watertight seal throughout the rotation operation.
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
Facilitates easy installation and connection of plumbing fixtures by allowing rotation of fittings without translational movement, reducing installation complexity and ensuring a secure, watertight seal.
Implementation Method 1
A retainer is positioned within both the adapter groove and the fitting groove such that the retainer prevents axial movement of the first fitting relative to the second adapter
Implementation Method 2
A first sealing member is compressed between the first adapter and the second adapter. The first sealing member is configured to provide a watertight engagement between the flexible hose and the first connector assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A hose assembly for use with a tankless water heater. The hose assembly includes a flexible hose, a first connector assembly, and a second connector assembly. The first connector assembly is fluidly coupled with the flexible hose and includes a first fitting. The first fitting is rotatably coupled with the first connector assembly such that the first fitting is independently rotatable relative to the flexible hose. The second connector assembly is fluidly coupled with the flexible hose opposite to the first connector assembly.