Gas Canister Holder With Linear Insertion and Leak-Tight Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbonation machines require complex and potentially damaging procedures for replacing gas canisters, as they often necessitate multiple rotations to screw the valve into a threaded socket, which can lead to overtightening and risk of damage to the seal.
Innovation Solution
A carbonation machine with a canister holder that allows linear insertion and removal of the gas canister valve, featuring a socket with lateral ports and a holding mechanism with slidable teeth and a yoke, enabling secure connection without threading, and a sealing structure with gaskets to prevent gas leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If threaded connection is used to secure the canister valve, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the replacement procedure becomes complex and time-consuming requiring multiple rotations
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into separate functional elements: a threaded socket for initial engagement and alignment, and a separate holding mechanism with teeth that engages with a lateral projection on the valve. This segmentation allows the threading to be used only for alignment while the primary securing function is transferred to the tooth-projection engagement, enabling quick snap-in replacement without multiple rotations.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded socket performs preliminary action by providing initial engagement and alignment of the canister valve with the holder. This preliminary threading action positions the lateral projection of the valve into the path of the holding mechanism's teeth, preparing the system for the final quick-secure engagement without requiring the user to perform multiple rotational operations.
2Reliability
If multiple rotations are required to screw the valve into the socket, then the connection may be secure, but the risk of overtightening and damage to the seal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful aspect of multiple rotations (overtightening risk) is extracted from the connection process. The threading is removed from the primary securing function and kept only for alignment, while the actual securing is achieved through the holding mechanism's teeth engaging with the lateral projection. This eliminates the cumulative tightening effect that leads to overtightening damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding mechanism with teeth acts as an intermediary between the threaded socket and the canister valve. It provides a controlled engagement method that secures the valve without requiring multiple rotations, thereby preventing overtightening while maintaining connection security. The teeth-projection engagement serves as a mediator that transfers the securing function away from the threaded interface.
3Ease of operation
If a simple linear insertion mechanism is used, then the replacement is quick and simple, but the connection may not be secure without threading
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two connection mechanisms into a unified system: the threaded socket provides alignment and initial engagement, while the holding mechanism with teeth and lateral projection provides secure retention. This combination achieves both simplicity (linear insertion motion) and security (dual-mechanism engagement) by integrating the functions of both threaded and snap-fit connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system uses a composite approach combining two different engagement methods (threaded and tooth-projection) into a single integrated holder assembly. This composite structure leverages the alignment capability of threading and the secure retention of positive engagement, achieving both ease of operation and connection reliability simultaneously.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A carbonation machine may comprise a carbonation head; a holder that is configured to hold a gas canister, the holder comprising a connector with a socket configured to enable linear insertion of a valve of the canister into the socket, the socket including a seal with at least one lateral opening to enable fluidic flow between one or more laterally oriented ports of the valve and a conduit of the holder while preventing leakage of gas from the fluidic flow, and a holding mechanism configured to hold a lateral projection from the canister after insertion of the valve into the socket such that the valve remains in the socket; and an activation mechanism configured to operate the valve to release the gas from the canister when inserted into the socket so as to enable the gas to flow via the conduit to the carbonation head.