Tapered Helically Reinforced Hose for Variable Pitch and Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing helically reinforced tubing and hose technologies do not efficiently allow for varying characteristics such as diameter, wall thickness, pitch, strength, flexibility, stiffness, and weight along the length, limiting their application in commercial, industrial, and medical uses.
Innovation Solution
A manufacturing apparatus that uses a wrapping station with spinning rods to form tubing or hose with progressively varying characteristics by controlling the canting of the rods, speed, and extrusion parameters, allowing for continuous formation of tubing or hose with desired tapers and pitches, and annealing discrete lengths for enhanced flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If helically reinforced tubing or hose is manufactured with uniform characteristics along its length, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the ability to optimize performance for specific applications (such as airflow, debris reduction, flexibility) is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the helical reinforcement characteristics (pitch, diameter, wall thickness) at different sections of the tubing or hose. This allows each section to be optimized for specific functions: tapered sections for airflow and debris reduction, constant diameter sections for structural consistency, and varying pitch sections for controlled flexibility and stiffness. The manufacturing process controls rod canting angles and extrusion parameters to achieve these localized property variations.
2Productivity
If the tubing or hose diameter is varied along its length to improve airflow and reduce debris accumulation, then performance in commercial and industrial applications is enhanced, but the need for adapters and connectors between different diameter sections increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single continuous tubing or hose structure. By incorporating tapered sections, constant diameter sections, and varying pitch sections within one continuous manufactured piece, the design eliminates the need for separate components and connectors that would otherwise be required to achieve the same functional results. The helical reinforcement varies continuously or in controlled sections to provide both airflow optimization and structural integrity throughout the varying diameter structure.
3Ease of operation
If discrete lengths of tubing or hose are annealed while axially compressed, then flexibility and memory effect are enhanced, but the manufacturing process time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the annealing process during the manufacturing stage rather than as a separate post-processing step. The tubing or hose is annealed while axially compressed in the manufacturing apparatus, which sets the desired length and imparts the memory effect before the product is completed. This integration of the annealing step into the manufacturing process reduces overall production time and eliminates the need for separate heat treatment operations.
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
Enables the production of tubing or hose with tailored characteristics, improving airflow, reducing debris accumulation, eliminating the need for adapters, and providing flexible solutions for medical devices like breathing conduits, while maintaining consistent properties in specific sections.
Implementation Method 1
at least a portion of each discrete length of tubing or hose being annealed while being axially compressed to render the portion more flexible, and while giving the portion a 'memory' that causes the portion to tend to normally return to the length at which the portion was axially compressed while being annealed
Data Source
AI summary
Helically reinforced, flexible tubing or hose is formed from continuously extruded thermoplastic material helically circumferentially wound at a wrapping station around an array of bearing-supported rods that are concurrently but individually turned and are adjustably canted relative to an imaginary center axis. The tubing or hose being formed has a continuous reinforcing rib helically wound therearound and continuously integrally connected thereto. The resulting tubing or hose may be transversely severed at intervals along its length to provide discrete lengths of hose that are annealed while axially compressed to relieve stress.