Aerosol Can Adaptor Crimp Ring Radial Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a CGA-600 valve adaptor that can connect an aerosol can with a CGA-600 valve to accommodate the filling of refrigerant R134a in small, portable aerosol cans, as existing equipment is not compatible with any CGA-600 valve.
Innovation Solution
The development of an adaptor comprising a lower fitting with a central axial opening and pin valve, an upper fitting with a male thread, and a crimp ring that expands radially during installation to securely attach to an aerosol can, allowing for a secure and sealed connection to a CGA-600 valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a CGA-600 valve is designed to connect to aerosol cans, then compatibility with existing equipment is improved, but the complexity of the valve design increases due to the need for a crimp ring expansion mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The crimp ring is nested within the valve body structure, with the lower fitting containing the crimp ring seating surface and the upper fitting containing the crimp ring expansion mechanism. The crimp ring itself is nested within the valve body cavity, allowing it to be compressed axially and expand radially without adding external complexity to the valve assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The crimp ring is designed as a dynamic component that transitions from a compressed state during assembly to an expanded state during operation. The crimp ring seating surface and expansion surface are specifically shaped to guide this transformation, allowing the crimp ring to automatically expand radially when axially compressed during installation.
2Reliability
If the crimp ring is compressed axially during installation, then the adaptor is securely attached to the aerosol can, but the force required for installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The crimp ring expansion surface is shaped with a curved radius that matches the curvature of the aerosol can's curled lip. This curved geometry allows the crimp ring to expand radially in a controlled manner following the contour of the can, distributing the installation force more effectively and reducing peak stress concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The crimp ring material is selected with specific mechanical properties that allow it to undergo controlled elastic and plastic deformation. The material parameters are optimized so that axial compression during installation produces the desired radial expansion while limiting the total force required, and the crimp ring maintains its expanded state during normal 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
The adaptor enables the connection of aerosol cans with CGA-600 valves, facilitating the safe and efficient filling of R134a into small, portable aerosol cans, meeting regulatory requirements and ensuring compatibility with existing equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a crimp ring configured to rest between the lower crimp ring seating surface, and the upper crimp ring seating surface, and configured to compressed in the axial direction while simultaneously expanding in the radial direction during installation
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptor including a lower fitting including a central axial opening including a pin valve, a lower travel stop, a lower crimp ring seating surface, an upper fitting including a male thread, a seating radius configured to conform with a curled lip of the aerosol can, an upper travel stop, configured to contact the lower travel stop during assembly, an upper crimp ring seating surface, a crimp ring configured to rest between the lower crimp ring seating surface and the upper crimp ring seating surface and configured to compressed in the axial direction while simultaneously expanding in the radial direction during installation.