Swivel Hose Coupling With Outer Grip for Low-Torque Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional water hose couplings are cumbersome and difficult to use, especially for the elderly and those with arthritis, due to the need for excessive torque to rotate and align accessories and hoses, and they often kink when coiled, causing frustration and strain.
Innovation Solution
A freely rotating coupling with a rigid outer sleeve that surrounds the hose, allowing the coupling to rotate independently of the hose, reducing user torque requirements and providing an ergonomic grip for easier handling and installation of accessories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional rigid coupling is used to attach accessories to the hose, then the connection is stable and secure, but it requires excessive torque to rotate and align during installation and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is designed with a swivel mechanism that allows it to rotate freely relative to the hose body. This dynamic feature enables the coupling to align automatically during installation without requiring excessive torque, while maintaining a secure connection once attached. The swivel capability transforms the rigid coupling into a dynamically adaptable connection point.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling is divided into two functional segments: the swivel portion that rotates independently from the hose body, and the connection portion that secures the accessory. This segmentation allows the rotational freedom needed for easy installation while maintaining connection stability, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the hose is coiled for storage by pulling on the hose or accessory, then the hose can be stored compactly, but it causes strain on the user and the hose may kink
Solution Approach 1:
The swivel coupling allows the hose to uncoil dynamically as the user pulls, with the coupling rotating to accommodate the uncoiling motion. This prevents the hose from kinking and reduces strain on the user's wrist, making the coiling operation easier while maintaining compact storage capability.
3Reliability
If the coupling is tightly attached to the hose to prevent detachment, then the connection is secure, but it increases the torque required to rotate the hose during use
Solution Approach 1:
The swivel coupling decouples the rotational motion from the attachment security. The coupling rotates freely on its swivel axis, allowing the hose to be manipulated with minimal torque, while the connection portion remains securely attached to the hose body. This dynamic design separates the functions of secure attachment and rotational movement.
4Volume of moving object
If a small coupling portion is used to maintain a compact design, then the device is compact, but it is difficult to align and rotate during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The swivel mechanism compensates for the small size of the coupling by allowing it to rotate and align automatically with the accessory threads. This dynamic alignment capability enables a compact coupling design to be just as easy to install as larger couplings, as the swivel action guides the alignment without requiring precise manual positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A water hose coupling having a swivel grip is provided. A first coupling portion with a male threaded end integral with a first larger diameter base is connected to a second coupling portion through a freely rotating connection. The second coupling portion includes a second larger diameter base. The second coupling portion further includes a coupling protrusion integral with the second larger diameter base. The coupling protrusion may have one or more barbs to interface with a hose or a threaded female coupling to interface with a male threaded connector. The coupling is connected to an end of a hose to which accessories may be attached. An outer sleeve is connected to the first larger diameter base of the first coupling portion and can freely rotate with the first coupling portion around the remainder of the apparatus and hose. The outer sleeve acts as an ergonomic grip for users to hold and rotate when using the hose and installing accessories.