Patent Description:
In general, hoses are used as passageways for fluid movement in engines, pneumatic equipment, and hydraulic equipment used in automobiles, ships, or industrial facilities.

The hose may have to be produced in numerical values designed to ensure assembly and fastening with a counterpart.

The relevant prior art includes the patent application <CIT> and the patent application <CIT>. Patent application <CIT> describes a hose forming device for forming a heated hose, the hose forming device comprising: a first pipe, including a first body, a first conduit formed inside the first body and extended in the same direction as an extension direction of the first body, and a first jig connected to the first conduit and protruded from the first body to be inserted into an one end part of the hose; a second pipe including a second body, a second conduit formed inside the second body and extended in the same direction as an extension direction of the second body, and a second jig connected to the second conduit and protruded from the second body to be inserted into the other end part of the hose; and a fluid supply device connected to at least one of the first conduit of the first pipe or the second conduit of the second pipe to supply fluid to the hose.

Hoses used in engines, pneumatic equipment, and hydraulic equipment used in automobiles, ships, or industrial facilities may vary in form according to the purpose and conditions of use. The hose may be formed into a required shape through a heating step that changes a shape of the hose to be formed. After the heating step, the hose may maintain a formed shape through a cooling step.

The hose may contract in a cooling step, and accordingly, the hose may not be produced to a designed shape. In particular, as an inner diameter size of both ends of the hose fastened to the counterpart is not formed according to a designed numerical value, assembly or fastening with a counterpart may not be secured. To solve this problem, a process for processing the hose in which cooling is completed is added, which may increase a cost of forming the hose.

Various embodiments of this document provide a method capable of forming a hose in designed numerical values. Accordingly, the hose may secure assembly or fastening with a counterpart.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a hose forming device for forming a heated hose may include a first pipe including a first body, a first conduit formed inside the first body and extended in the same direction as an extension direction of the first body, and a first jig connected to the first conduit and protruded from the first body to be inserted into an one end part of the hose; a second pipe including a second body, a second conduit formed inside the second body and extended in the same direction as an extension direction of the second body, and a second jig connected to the second conduit and protruded from the second body to be inserted into the other end part of the hose; and a fluid supply device connected to at least one of the first conduit of the first pipe or the second conduit of the second pipe to supply fluid to the hose.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a method of forming a hose may include heating a material; forming a hose by injecting a heated material into a mold; inserting one end of the heated hose into a first jig connected to a first conduit formed inside a first body and inserting the other end of the heated hose into a second jig connected to a second conduit formed inside a second body; relatively moving the first body with respect to the second body through a moving device disposed in at least one of the first body or the second body; cooling the hose by controlling a fluid supply device connected to at least one of the first conduit or the second conduit; and separating the hose from the first jig and the second jig.

In relation to the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for identical or similar components.

In the following description, various embodiments of this document are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various embodiments of this document and terms used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various changes, equivalents, or replacements of the embodiments.

In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numbers may be used for similar or related components.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a hose forming process according to an embodiment of this document. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a hose forming device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating a hose forming device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a first pipe in which a first jig is formed according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a second pipe and third pipe in which a second jig is formed according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a hose according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a hose H may be formed in various methods. In an embodiment, the hose H may be processed into a curved shape according to required usage conditions (e.g., restrictions in installation space). In an embodiment, in a state in which the hose H is inserted into a mandrel having a curved shape, the hose H may be formed by putting high-temperature steam as a heating medium into a curing device of a chamber form, called a vulcanization kiln, curing it at a high temperature and pressure, and then performing a cooling process for a predetermined time period. In some embodiments, the hose H may be formed into a required shape using a blow molding method. The blow molding method may be a method of producing a hose H of a desired shape by heating a material constituting the hose H, putting the heated material into a mold corresponding to a final shape of the hose, and injecting air. The hose H produced using the blow molding method may be cooled for a predetermined time period and then completed in a final shape. Further, the hose H may be formed in various methods.

The hose H may contract in a cooling step, and accordingly, the hose H may not be produced in a designed shape. In particular, as inner diameter sizes D1 and D2 of both ends P1 and P2 of the hose H (e.g., both ends P1 and P2 of the hose H of <FIG>) fastened to a counterpart are not formed according to designed numerical values, assembly or fastening with the counterpart may not be secured. For example, the inner diameter size D1 of one end part P1 of the hose H and the inner diameter size D2 of the other end part P2 of the hose H may not be formed according to the designed numerical values. In order to solve such a problem, a process of processing the hose H in which cooling is completed to correspond to a size of the counterpart may be added. For example, the inner diameters D1 and D2 of one end part P1 and the other end part P2 of the hose H coupled to the counterpart may be processed based on the size of the counterpart (e.g., an object in which the hose H is assembled). In this case, an additional process of forming the hose H may be required. Therefore, a product production cost may increase. Further, during additional processing of the cooled hose H, chips, powder, and the like may be generated, which may be placed at the inner surface of the hose H to deteriorate a quality of the hose H. Further, a cleaning process for removing foreign materials placed at the inner surface of the hose H is performed, which may increase a product production cost.

In various embodiments of this document, in step of forming the hose H, a method capable of forming an inner diameter of the hose H in a designed numerical value may be presented. Accordingly, the hose H may secure assembly or fastening with a counterpart without additional processing. Hereinafter, a hose forming device <NUM> for processing the hose H to a pre-designed numerical value without additional processing will be described. Before describing the hose forming device of this document, the hose forming method of this document will be briefly described.

According to various embodiments of this document, as illustrated in <FIG>, in step of forming a hose H of this document, step S1 of heating a material constituting the hose H may be performed. Thereafter, step S2 of injecting the heated material into a mold corresponding to a final shape of the hose H may be performed. Thereafter, a blow molding method S3 of forming the hose H by injecting air into the mold may be performed. When air is introduced into the mold in a state in which the heated material is injected into the mold, the material expands, and the hose H may be thus formed into the shape to be processed. Thereafter, the hose H formed to correspond to an internal shape of the mold may be separated from the mold. Thereafter, one end of the hose H in a heated state may be inserted into a first jig <NUM> (e.g., a first jig <NUM> of <FIG>) of the hose forming device <NUM>, and the other end thereof may be inserted (S4) into a second jig <NUM> (e.g., a second jig <NUM> of <FIG>) of the hose forming device <NUM>. As will be described later, when the first jig <NUM> and the second jig <NUM> are formed and cooled in substantially the same outer diameter as the inner diameter of the hose H to be finally processed, an inner diameter size of the hose H may be prevented from changing due to contraction of the hose H. Thereafter, by controlling (S5) moving devices <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., moving devices <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed in at least one of a first pipe <NUM> (e.g., a first pipe <NUM> of <FIG>) in which the first jig <NUM> is formed or a second pipe <NUM> (e.g., a second pipe <NUM> of <FIG>) in which the second jig <NUM> is formed, the degree of bending of the hose H may be adjusted. For example, as the moving devices <NUM> and <NUM> move the first pipe <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the second pipe <NUM> (e.g., the Z-axis direction of <FIG>), the hose H connected to the first jig <NUM> of the first pipe <NUM> and the second jig <NUM> of the second pipe <NUM> may be bent and modified. Alternatively, as the moving devices <NUM> and <NUM> move the second pipe <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the first pipe <NUM>, the hose H may be bent and modified. Thereafter, by supplying fluid to the hose H by adjusting a fluid device (not illustrated) connected to at least one of the first pipe <NUM> or the second pipe <NUM>, the hose H may be cooled (S6). Thereafter, as the cooled hose H is separated from the hose forming device <NUM> (S7), the forming process of the hose H may be ended.

In the above description, it has been described that the hose H is produced through a blow molding method, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The hose H may be formed through various processes that may be performed by a person skilled in the art. The hose H formed through various processes may have one end P1 and the other end P2 inserted into the first jig <NUM> and/or the second jig <NUM> in a heated state before cooling. The first jig <NUM> and the second jig <NUM> may have substantially the same outer diameters D'<NUM> and D'<NUM> as an inner diameter numerical value of the hose H of a final shape assembled with the counterpart. Therefore, as the hose H goes through the cooling step S6, one end part P1 and the other end part P2 of the hose H may not contract, but may be cooled to a designed numerical value through the first jig <NUM> and the second jig <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the hose H may be made of plastic or rubber material. In an embodiment, a material constituting the hose H may be made of various materials such as polyethylene, vinyl chloride resin, nylon, silicone, polycarbonate, polyacetal, and ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM). Further, the hose H may be formed using various materials that may be used by a person skilled in the art.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the hose forming device <NUM> may include a first pipe <NUM> including a first jig <NUM> into which one end part P1 of the hose H is inserted, a second pipe <NUM> including a second jig <NUM> into which the other end part P2 of the hose H is inserted, and a third pipe <NUM> connected to a fluid supply device to supply fluid to the second pipe <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the first pipe <NUM> may include a first body <NUM>, a first conduit <NUM> formed inside the first body <NUM>, and a first jig <NUM>. In an embodiment, the first body <NUM> may be a body of the first pipe <NUM>. The first conduit <NUM> may be formed inside the first body <NUM> and be extended in the same direction as an extension direction of the first body <NUM>. In an embodiment, the first conduit <NUM> may be a passage through which fluid sprayed from a fluid supply device flows. The first jig <NUM> may be protruded from the first body <NUM> to be inserted into one end part P1 of the hose H. The first jig <NUM> may be connected to the first conduit <NUM> formed in the first body <NUM>. For example, the first conduit <NUM> may be extended from the first body <NUM> in a direction in which the first jig <NUM> is protruded.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the second pipe <NUM> may include a second body <NUM>, a second conduit <NUM> formed inside the second body <NUM>, and a second jig <NUM>. In an embodiment, the second body <NUM> may be a body of the second pipe <NUM>. The second conduit <NUM> may be formed inside the second body <NUM> and be extended in the same direction as an extension direction of the second body <NUM>. In an embodiment, the second conduit <NUM> may be a passage through which fluid sprayed from a fluid supply device flows. The second jig <NUM> may be protruded from the second body <NUM> to be inserted into the other end P2 of the hose H. The second jig <NUM> may be connected to the second conduit <NUM> formed in the second body <NUM>. For example, the second conduit <NUM> may be extended from the second body <NUM> in a direction in which the second jig <NUM> is protruded.

In an embodiment not illustrated in the drawings, the first jig <NUM> and the second jig <NUM> may be formed separately from the first pipe <NUM> and the second pipe <NUM>. The first jig <NUM> may have a conduit therein. The first jig <NUM> may be fastened to the first pipe <NUM> to connect the first conduit <NUM> formed in the first pipe <NUM> and a conduit formed inside the first jig <NUM>. Likewise, the second jig <NUM> may have a conduit therein. The second jig <NUM> may be fastened to the second pipe <NUM> to connect the second conduit <NUM> formed in the second pipe <NUM> and a conduit formed inside the second jig <NUM>.

In an embodiment, a fluid supply device may be connected to at least one of the first pipe <NUM> or the second pipe <NUM>. The fluid supply device may supply fluid to the hose H connected to the first jig <NUM> and the second jig <NUM> through the first pipe <NUM> and/or the second pipe <NUM> to cool the hose H. In an embodiment, in the case that the fluid supply device is connected to the first pipe <NUM>, fluid sprayed from the fluid supply device may flow in order of the first pipe <NUM>, the hose H, and the second pipe <NUM>. In some embodiments, in the case that the fluid supply device is connected to the second pipe <NUM>, fluid sprayed from the fluid supply device may flow in order of the second pipe <NUM>, the hose H, and the first pipe <NUM>. Accordingly, the hose H may be cooled through the fluid sprayed from the fluid supply device in a state inserted into the first jig <NUM> and the second jig <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the hose forming device <NUM> may include a third pipe <NUM>. The third pipe <NUM> may include a third body <NUM> and a third conduit <NUM> formed inside the third body <NUM> in an extension direction of the third body <NUM>. The third pipe <NUM> may be coupled to the second pipe <NUM> so that the third conduit <NUM> is connected to the second conduit <NUM> of the second pipe <NUM>. The third pipe <NUM> may be connected to the fluid supply device to deliver fluid sprayed from the fluid supply device in order of the second pipe <NUM>, the hose H, and the first pipe <NUM>. In an embodiment not illustrated in the drawings, the third pipe <NUM> may be connected to the first pipe <NUM>. The third pipe <NUM> may be connected to the fluid supply device to deliver fluid sprayed from the fluid supply device in order of the first pipe <NUM>, the hose H, and the second pipe <NUM>. Accordingly, the hose H may be cooled through fluid delivered from the fluid supply device connected to the third pipe <NUM>.

In the above description, it is assumed that the third pipe <NUM> is a separate component from the first pipe <NUM> and/or the second pipe <NUM>, but the disclosure may not be limited thereto. In an embodiment, the third pipe <NUM> may be formed integrally with the first pipe <NUM> and/or the second pipe <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the first pipe <NUM>, the second pipe <NUM>, and/or the third pipe <NUM> may be made of a metal material having predetermined strength. The first jig <NUM>, which is part of the first pipe <NUM>, and the second jig <NUM>, which is part of the second pipe <NUM>, are made of a metal material to prevent a numerical value of an inner shape of an object (e.g., hose H) to be formed from changing.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first jig <NUM> of the first pipe <NUM> may be inserted into one end part P1 of the hose H in a heated state. With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, a numerical value of an outer diameter D'<NUM> of the first jig <NUM> may be substantially the same as that of the inner diameter D1 of one end part P1 of the hose H. For example, the outer diameter D'<NUM> of the first jig <NUM> may be formed in the same numerical value as that of the inner diameter D1 of one end part P1 of the hose H of a final shape assembled with the counterpart. The inner diameter D1 of one end part P1 of the hose H of the final shape may be the same as the inner diameter of the counterpart. With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the second jig <NUM> of the second pipe <NUM> may be inserted into the other end part P2 of the hose H in a heated state. A numerical value of the outer diameter D'<NUM> of the second jig <NUM> may be substantially the same as that of the inner diameter D2 of the other end part P2 of the hose H. For example, the outer diameter D'<NUM> of the second jig <NUM> may be formed in the same numerical value as that of the inner diameter D2 of the other end part P2 of the hose H of the final shape assembled with the counterpart. The inner diameter D2 of the other end part P2 of the hose H of the final shape may be formed in the same as the inner diameter of the counterpart. In summary, the inner diameters D1 and D2 of one end part P1 and the other end part P2 of the hose H may be determined based on the size of the counterpart to be assembled. The sizes of the outer diameters D'<NUM> and D'<NUM> of the first jig <NUM> and the second jig <NUM> may be formed based on the outer diameter size of the counterpart.

In an embodiment, the outer diameter D'<NUM> of the first jig <NUM> and the outer diameter D'<NUM> of the second jig <NUM> may be determined based on the inner diameters D1 and D2 of the hose H. For example, after cooling, in the case that the inner diameters D1 and D2 of one end part P1 and the other end part P2 of the hose H should be the same, the outer diameter D'<NUM> of the first jig <NUM> and the outer diameter D'<NUM> of the second jig <NUM> may be substantially the same. In another embodiment, after cooling, in the case that the inner diameters D1 and D2 of one end part P1 and the other end part P2 of the hose H should be different, the outer diameter D'<NUM> of the first jig <NUM> and the outer diameter D'<NUM> of the second jig <NUM> may be formed in different sizes.

The hose H may be assembled to the counterpart in a state in which forming is completed after a cooling process. In an embodiment, in the case that the cooling process is performed without inserting the first jig <NUM> and the second jig <NUM> into one end part P1 and the other end part P2 of the hose H, the hose H may be contracted. In this case, the hose H may not be formed according to a designed numerical value, and fastening and/or assembly with the counterpart may not be secured. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, inner diameters D1 and D2 of one end part P1 and the other end part P2 of the hose H may be determined based on the size of the counterpart to be assembled. Sizes of the outer diameters D'<NUM> and D'<NUM> of the first jig <NUM> and the second jig <NUM> may be formed based on the outer diameter size of the counterpart. One end part P1 and the other end part P2 of the hose H may be inserted into the first jig <NUM> and the second jig <NUM> in a heated state before cooling of the hose H. In a state in which the hose H is inserted into the first jig <NUM> and the second jig <NUM>, a cooling process may be performed. In this case, one end part P1 and the other end part P2 of the hose H may not be contracted through the first jig <NUM> and the second jig <NUM> during the cooling process. Accordingly, the inner diameters D1 and D2 of one end part P1 and the other end P2 of the hose H may be cooled according to a designed numerical value. As the inner diameters D1 and D2 of the hose H are maintained according to pre-designed numerical values, assembly or fastening with the counterpart may be secured without additional processing.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the hose forming device <NUM> may include moving devices <NUM> and <NUM>. In an embodiment, the moving devices <NUM> and <NUM> may include at least one of the first moving device <NUM> or the second moving device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the first moving device <NUM> may be disposed in the first pipe <NUM>. The first moving device <NUM> may form the hose H coupled to the first jig <NUM> and the second jig <NUM> into bending of a final shape to form by moving the first pipe <NUM> in one direction with respect to the second pipe <NUM>. For example, the first pipe <NUM> may move in a direction perpendicular to the second pipe <NUM> (e.g., the Z-axis direction of <FIG> and <FIG>) through the first moving device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the second moving device <NUM> may be disposed in the second pipe <NUM>. The second moving device <NUM> may form the hose H coupled to the first jig <NUM> and the second jig <NUM> into bending of a final shape to form by moving the second pipe <NUM> in one direction with respect to the first pipe <NUM>. For example, the second pipe <NUM> may move in a direction perpendicular to the first pipe <NUM> (e.g., the Z-axis direction of <FIG> and <FIG>) through the second moving device <NUM>. In this case, in an embodiment, the hose H may be formed in an 'S' shape, as illustrated in <FIG>. Accordingly, the hose H may be formed into a curved shape through the first moving device <NUM> and/or the second moving device <NUM>.

A hose forming device <NUM> for forming a heated hose H of the disclosure may include a first pipe <NUM> including a first body <NUM>, a first conduit <NUM> formed inside the first body and extended in the same direction as an extension direction of the first body, and a first jig <NUM> connected to the first conduit and protruded from the first body to be inserted into one end part P1 of the hose, a second pipe <NUM> including a second body <NUM>, a second conduit <NUM> formed inside the second body and extended in the same direction as an extension direction of the second body, and a second jig <NUM> connected to the second conduit and protruded from the second body to be inserted into the other end part P2 of the hose, and a fluid supply device connected to at least one of the first conduit of the first pipe or the second conduit of the second pipe to supply fluid to the hose.

Further, an outer diameter D'<NUM> of the first jig and an outer diameter D'<NUM> of the second jig may be formed in the same size.

Further, an outer diameter D'<NUM> of the first jig and an outer diameter D'<NUM> of the second jig may be formed in different sizes.

Further, the hose forming device <NUM> may further include at least one of a first moving device <NUM> in which the first pipe is disposed to move the first pipe with respect to the second pipe or a second moving device <NUM> in which the second pipe is disposed to move the second pipe with respect to the first pipe.

Further, the hose may be formed by a blow molding method.

A method of forming a hose according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include step S1 of heating a material, step S2 of forming a hose H by injecting the heated material into a mold, step S4 of inserting one end part P1 of the heated hose into a first jig <NUM> connected to a first conduit <NUM> formed inside the first body <NUM> and inserting the other end part P2 of the heated hose into a second jig <NUM> connected to a second conduit <NUM> formed inside the second body <NUM>, step S5 of relatively moving the first body with respect to the second body through moving devices <NUM> and <NUM> disposed in at least one of the first body or the second body, step S6 of cooling the hose by controlling a fluid supply device connected to at least one of the first conduit or the second conduit, and step S7 of separating the hose from the first jig and the second jig.

Further, the moving device may include a first moving device <NUM> disposed in the first body to move the first body with respect to the second body, and a second moving device <NUM> disposed in the second body to move the second body with respect to the first body.

Further, the hose may be formed by a blow molding method of injecting air in a state in which a heated material is injected into a mold.

Various embodiments of this document can provide a method capable of forming a hose in designed numerical values. Accordingly, the hose can secure assembly or fastening with a counterpart.

Claim 1:
A hose forming device (<NUM>) for forming a heated hose (H), the hose (H) forming device (<NUM>) comprising:
a first pipe (<NUM>) including a first body (<NUM>), a first conduit (<NUM>) formed inside the first body (<NUM>) and extended in the same direction as an extension direction of the first body (<NUM>), and a first jig (<NUM>) connected to the first conduit (<NUM>) and protruded from the first body (<NUM>) to be inserted into a one end part of the hose (H);
a second pipe (<NUM>) including a second body (<NUM>), a second conduit (<NUM>) formed inside the second body (<NUM>) and extended in the same direction as an extension direction of the second body (<NUM>), and a second jig (<NUM>) connected to the second conduit (<NUM>) and protruded from the second body (<NUM>) to be inserted into the other end part of the hose (H);
a fluid supply device connected to at least one of the first conduit (<NUM>) of the first pipe (<NUM>) or the second conduit (<NUM>) of the second pipe (<NUM>) to supply fluid to the hose (H),
a first moving device (<NUM>) in which the first pipe (<NUM>) is disposed to move the first pipe (<NUM>) with respect to the second pipe (<NUM>); and
a second moving device (<NUM>) in which the second pipe (<NUM>) is disposed to move the second pipe (<NUM>) with respect to the first pipe (<NUM>).
wherein an outer diameter (D'<NUM>) of the first jig (<NUM>) is the same as an inner diameter (D1) of one end of the hose (H),
wherein an outer diameter (D'<NUM>) of the second jig (<NUM>) is the same as an inner diameter (D2) of the other end of the hose (H), and
wherein the hose (H) is formed by a blow molding method of injecting air in a state in which a heated material is injected into a mold.