FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to a hose and pipe assembly in vehicles, and, in particular, to a hose and pipe assembly with self locking mechanism. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to a hose 5 which has a plurality of integrated plunger asssemblies which lock the hose over the pipe.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] In the known hose and pipe coupling assembly, one end of a hose is assembled over one end of pipe and a tighten-able clamp encircling the coupled 10 portion of the hose and the pipe. Further, the tighten-able clamp is tightened to clamp the hose onto the pipe. The tighten-able clamp can be spring type, wire type, band type, and ear type clamps. The hose is clamped onto the pipe using the clamps so that hose does not come out during vehicle dynamic conditions. The clamp provides a positive locking of the hose over the pipe. The clamp avoids 15 fluid leakage by preventing disengagement of the hose from the pipe.
[003] Fig. 1 and 2 illustrates assembly of hose and pipe with clamp as known in the art. Figure 2 illustrates the cross section of figure 1 along AA line. The hose and pipe assembly 100 has a hose 101, pipe 102, and clamp 103. One end of the hose 101 overlaps coupling end of the pipe 102. When the coupling end of the 20 pipe 102 is completely inside the hose 101, a clamp 103 is provided to encircle the coupling of the hose 101 and the pipe 102. The pipe 102 has a spool 104 for hose assembly position control. The spool 104 restricts further movement of the hose 101 over the pipe 102. The spool 105 is used for sealing purpose to seal the hose 101 with the pipe 102 to prevent any leakage. 25
[004] Generally, the hose inner diameter matches with the outer diameter of the pipe. The clamp 103 is provided over the coupled area of the hose 101 and the pipe 102. The clamp 103 is tightened to avoid disassembly of the hose 101 from the pipe 102.
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[005] Major technical problem associated with the clamp based assembly is tool accessibility for tightening of clamp on the hose and pipe assembly. As clamp is an extra part which adds cost and weight to the assembly. Further, for assembly and disassembly of clamp, tool is required, which increases the assembly and dis-assembly take time. The clamp applies pressure only on the area which falls under 5 the clamp surface area. The pressure on small surface by the clamp increases the damage chances of the hose.
[006] In order to overcome the present technical problem several solutions were suggested, such as applying extra sleeve over the coupled portion. This solution suffers from a same disadvantage that extra part is required and it increases the 10 cost of coupling. Further, assembly of sleeve over the coupled part is time consuming and an extra part is required to seal the sleeve over the coupled part.
[007] In order to avoid requirement of extra part on the coupled area of the hose and pipe an efficient locking mechanism is required which can lock the hose and the pipe without any clamp or sleeve. Therefore, there is a need in the art to 15 provide a hose and pipe assembly with self locking mechanism to lock the hose and the pipe together. Further, there is a need in the art to provide a hose and pipe assembly that is more simple and inexpensive, and which locks the hose with the pipe.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION: 20
[008] The principal objective of the present invention is to provide a hose and pipe assembly with self locking mechanism to lock the hose with the pipe.
[009] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a hose and pipe assembly where the hose has a plurality of plunger assemblies to lock the hose with the pipe. 25
[0010] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a hose and pipe assembly where the pipe has a wedge around the circumference to restrict backward movement (or disassembly) of the hose.
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[0011] Yet another object of the present subject matter is to provide a hose and pipe assembly which can be implemented in any hose and pipe assembly.
[0012] Yet another object of the present subject matter is to provide a simple and cost efficient hose and pipe assembly which locks the hose with the pipe without any clamp or sleeve. 5
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0013] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a hose-pipe assembly in vehicles with a self locking mechanism to avoid dis-assembly of the hose from the pipe during vehicle dynamic conditions. The hose-pipe assembly has a pipe and a hose. The hose overlaps the pipe. Further, the hose is mounted on the pipe. The 10 pipe has a wedge which is provided around circumference of the pipe at a predetermine distance from the sealing spool. The sealing spool is provided at the end of the pipe for sealing purpose. The sealing spool has bigger diameter than diameter of the pipe. The sealing spool couples with the hose and seals the pipe with the hose to avoid any leakage. The hose has a plurality of plungers which are 15 disposed at inner circumference of the hose. The plurality of plunger assemblies is integrated with the hose. The plurality of plungers is disposed in the hose during manufacturing process. When the hose slides over the pipe, plungers of the plurality of plunger assemblies moves up and down and slides over the sealing spool and the wedge of the pipe. The hose slides over the wedge through the 20 plurality of plunger assemblies. Once the plurality of plunger assemblies slides over the wedge, the plurality of plunger assemblies locks with the pipe. The wedge has a step at back side to restrict movement of the hose over the pipe. Another spool/indentation/marking may be provided after the wedge on the pipe to restrict further movement of the hose over the pipe. 25
[0014] In another embodiment of the present subject matter, the plunger assembly has a housing to house a spring and a plunger. The plunger has a spherical base which remains in contact with the pipe during sliding movement of the hose over the pipe. The spherical base has a vertical extension which extends from back side of the spherical base. A helical spring encloses the vertical extension which moves 30
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the plunger up and down during sliding over the wedge of the pipe. The plunger moves up and down due to spring and overlaps the wedge of the pipe. The plurality of plungers is disposed in the hose section during manufacturing process along with housing.
[0015] In order to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of 5 the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit scope of the present subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only 10 typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same 15 numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0017] Fig. 1 illustrates assembly of hose and pipe with a clamp as known in the 20 art;
[0018] Fig. 2 illustrates cross section of the figure 1 along A-A;
[0019] Fig. 3 illustrates assembly of hose and pipe, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0020] Fig. 4 illustrates cross section of the assembly of hose and pipe along BB 25 line, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0021] Fig. 5 illustrates cross section along CC line of the assembly of hose and pipe where hose has a plurality of plungers, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
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[0022] Fig. 6 illustrates structure of the plunger, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0023] Fig. 7 illustrates cross section of the plunger along DD line, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0024] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the 5 purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS: 10
[0025] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a hose-pipe assembly in vehicles with a self locking mechanism to avoid dis-assembly of the hose from the pipe during vehicle dynamic conditions. The hose-pipe assembly has a pipe and a hose. The hose overlaps the pipe. Further, the hose is mounted on the pipe. The pipe has a wedge which is provided around circumference of the pipe at a 15 predetermine distance from the sealing spool. The sealing spool is provided at the end of the pipe for sealing purpose. The sealing spool has bigger diameter than diameter of the pipe. The sealing spool couples with the hose and seals the pipe with the hose to avoid any leakage. The hose has a plurality of plunger assemblies which are disposed at inner circumference of the hose. The plurality of plunger 20 assemblies is integrated with the hose. The plurality of plunger assemblies is disposed in the hose during manufacturing process. When the hose slides over the pipe, plungers of the plurality of plunger assemblies moves up and down and slides over the sealing spool and the wedge of the pipe. The hose slides over the wedge through the plurality of plungers. Once the plurality of plungers slides over 25 the wedge, the plurality of plunger assemblies locks with the pipe. The wedge has a step at back side to restrict movement of the hose over the pipe. Another spool/indentation/marking may be provided after the wedge on the pipe to restrict further movement of the hose over the pipe.
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[0026] In another embodiment of the present subject matter, the plunger assembly has a housing to house a spring and a plunger. The plunger has a spherical base which remains in contact with the pipe during sliding movement of the hose over the pipe. The spherical base has a vertical extension which extends from back side of the spherical base. A helical spring encloses the vertical extension which moves 5 the plunger up and down during sliding over the wedge of the pipe. The plunger moves up and down due to spring and overlaps the wedge of the pipe. The plurality of plungers is disposed in the hose section during manufacturing process along with housing.
[0027] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the 10 principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by devising various assemblies that, although not explicitly 15 described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be 20 construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying 25 figures.
[0028] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise 30
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various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0029] Fig. 3 illustrates assembly of hose and pipe, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The hose and pipe assembly 300 has a pipe 302 and a hose 301. The hose 301 overlaps the pipe section 302. Generally, 5 in the automotive industry or vehicle industry, a pipe is connected to a rubber hose. The pipe can be made of iron, copper, aluminum, steel, plastic, etc. Further, the hose 301 is assembled over the pipe 302. One end of the hose 301 overlaps the one end of the pipe 302. The pipe 302 has a wedge 304 which is provided around circumference of the pipe 302 at a predetermine distance from sealing spool 305. 10 The sealing spool 305 is provided at the end of the pipe 302 for sealing purpose. The sealing spool 305 has bigger diameter as compared to diameter of the pipe 302. The sealing spool 305 couples with the hose 301 and seals the pipe 302 with the hose 301 to avoid any leakage. Further, the diameter of the wedge 304 is also bigger than the diameter of the pipe 302. 15
[0030] The hose 301 has a plurality of plunger assemblies 303 which are disposed at inner circumference of the hose 301. The plurality of plunger assemblies 303 is integrated with the hose 301. The plurality of plunger assemblies 303 is disposed in the hose 301 during manufacturing process. The plurality of plungers 303 can be provided through insert molding process. The plurality of plunger assemblies 20 303 touches outer circumference of the pipe 302 during sliding of the hose 301 over the pipe 302. When the hose 301 slides over the pipe 302, the plurality of plunger assemblies 303 moves up and down over the sealing spool 305 and the wedge 304 of the pipe 302.
[0031] The plurality of plunger assemblies 303 has a spring which works in 25 tandem to allow up and down movement of the plurality of plungers 303 during sliding over the sealing spool 305 and the wedge 304. The hose 301 slides over the wedge 304 through the plurality of plunger assemblies 303. Once the plurality of plunger assemblies 303 slides over the wedge 304, the plurality of plunger assemblies 303 locks with the pipe 302. The wedge 304 has an inclined surface 30
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towards the sliding direction of the plurality of plunger assemblies 303 during assembly of the hose 301 and the pipe 302. The wedge 304 has a step at back side which is opposite to sliding direction of the hose 301 to restrict dis-assembly of the hose 301 over the pipe 302 during vehicle dynamic conditions. Another spool/indentation/marking (not shown in the figures) may be provided after the 5 wedge 304 on the pipe 302 to restrict/control further movement of the hose 301 over the pipe 302.
[0032] Fig. 4 illustrates the cross section of the figure 3 across line BB, in accordance with the present subject matter. The plurality of plungers 303 stop by the wedge 304 in reverse direction. When an appropriate pull out force is applied 10 on the hose 301 to dis-assemble the hose 301 from the pipe 302, the plurality of plunger assemblies 303 compress and slides over the step of the wedge 304 to dis-assemble. The inner diameter of the hose 301 matches with the outer diameter of the pipe 302. The wedge 304 also coupled with the hose 301 to provide required pullout force for disassembly of the pipe 302 and the hose 301. Number of 15 plunger assemblies in the hose 301 depends on the pull out force. Therefore, number of plunger assemblies can be optimized as per requirement of the pullout force. Further, the plurality of plungers 303 is disposed at an equal angle in the hose 301. For example, if hose 301 has two plunger assemblies, the two plunger assemblies are placed at 180o from each other. If hose 301 has three plunger 20 assemblies, the three plunger assemblies are placed at 120o from each other. Similarly, if hose has four plungers, the four plunger assemblies are placed at 90o from each other. Therefore, the angle difference between the plunger assemblies depends on the formula 1.
Formula 1: 25
Angle between plungers = 360o ÷ N
Where N is number of plunger assemblies in the hose 301.
[0033] Figure 5 illustrates the cross section of the hose and pipe assembly across line CC, in accordance with the present subject matter. Referring to figure 5, the
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plurality of plungers 303 are placed at an equal angle in the hose 301. Further, the outer diameter of the pipe 302 matches with the inner diameter of the hose 301. The wedge 304 restricts the movement of the hose 301 from the pipe 302.
[0034] Figure 6 illustrates structure of the plunger assembly, in the accordance with the present subject matter. The plunger assembly 600 has a housing 601 to 5 house a spring 603 and plunger 602 or plunger rod 602. The plunger 602 has a spherical base which remains in contact with the pipe 302 during sliding movement of the hose 301 over the pipe 302. The spherical base has a plunger 602 which extends from back side of the spherical base and a helical spring 603 encloses the plunger which moves the plunger 602 up and down during sliding 10 over the wedge 304 of the pipe 302. The pull out force of the hose 301 can be increased by increasing stiffness of the spring 603 of the plurality of plunger assemblies 303 and by increasing number of plungers in the hose 301. The plunger 602 moves up and down due to the spring 603 and overlaps the wedge 304 of the pipe 302. The spherical base has extended flange around the surface 15 which is in contact with the housing 601. The housing 601 receives the extended flange of the spherical base and restricts pooping out of the spherical base along with the spring. The plurality of plungers is disposed in the hose 301 during manufacturing process.
[0035] It is easy to manufacture the present hose with plurality of plungers during 20 manufacturing process of the hose. The present subject matter provides clamping of hose on pipe without use of clamps. The present subject matter enables for assembly even if there is not tool accessibility for tightening of clamp on the hose and pipe assembly. The present subject matter reduces assembly and service time taken by integration locking mechanism in the hose. The vehicle level cost 25 reduction is achieved by part integration. Further, weight reduce at vehicle level is achieved due to elimination of clamp. The present hose and pipe assembly can be mounted in any existing vehicle with same design relations.
[0036] The term “vehicle” as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to any moving vehicle that is capable of carrying one or more human 30
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occupants and is powered by any form of energy. The term “vehicle” is a motor vehicle which includes, but is not limited to: cars, trucks, vans, minivans, hatchback, sedan, MUVs, and SUVs.
[0037] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the 5 functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present invention contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the invention, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. In addition, while a feature of the present 10 invention may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present invention. The present 15 invention also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature.
[0038] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described 20 in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/component of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is 25 intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.

We claim:
1. A hose-pipe assembly (300) with self locking mechanism, the hose-pipe assembly (300) comprising:
a pipe (302) having a wedge (304) which is provided around circumference of the pipe (302) at predetermined distance from sealing 5 spool (305);
a hose (301) having a plurality of plunger assemblies (303) which is disposed at circumference of the hose (301), wherein the hose (301) slides over the pipe (302) with help of the plurality of plunger assemblies (303) which slides over the sealing spool (305) and the 10 wedge (304) of the pipe (302),
wherein when the plurality of plunger assemblies (303) slides over the wedge (304) of the pipe (302), the wedge (304) restricts back movement of the plurality of plunger assemblies (303) and locks the hose (301) with the pipe (302). 15
2. The hose-pipe assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hose (301) overlaps the pipe (302).
3. The hose-pipe assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of 20 plunger assembly from the plurality of plunger assemblies (303, 600) comprises:
a housing (601);
a spherical base which is in contact with the pipe (302) during sliding;
a plunger (602) which extends from back side of the spherical base to 25 receive a spring (603) to move the spherical base of the plunger (602) up and down during sliding over the wedge (304) of the pipe (302); and
wherein the housing (601) houses the plunger (602) with the spring (603).
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4. The hose-pipe assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of plunger assemblies (303) is integrated with the hose (301) during manufacturing process.
5. The hose-pipe assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality 5 of plunger assemblies (303) is disposed at an equal angle in the hose (301).
6. The hose-pipe assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein diameter of the wedge (304) is bigger than diameter of the pipe (302).
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7. The hose-pipe assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wedge (304) is inclined towards receiving direction of the hose (301).
8. The hose-pipe assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wedge (304) has a step on other side of receiving direction of the hose (301) to lock 15 the plurality of plunger assemblies (303) with the wedge (304).
9. The hose-pipe assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein pull out force of the hose (301) is increased by increasing stiffness of spring (603) of the plurality of plunger assemblies (303) and by increasing number of plungers 20 in the hose (301).