Gas Compressor Fastening Structure for Stable Tool-Free Storage Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas compressors face challenges in stabilizing the mechanical connection between the auxiliary storage unit and the compressor, especially when attachment is tool-free, leading to instability and difficulty in detachable integration.

Innovation Solution

A gas compressor design featuring a fastening unit that elastically deforms a connecting buffer portion to stabilize the position of the auxiliary storage unit, using a detachable fastening mechanism that applies force to elastically deform the buffer, ensuring stable mechanical connection without tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the auxiliary storage unit is attached to the gas compressor without using a tool such as a driver, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of the mechanical connection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidstability of mechanical connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening mechanism is divided into multiple independent fastening members (first and second fastening members) that separately engage with corresponding engagement portions on the auxiliary storage unit and main body portion, allowing tool-free attachment while distributing the connection load across multiple points to maintain reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Connection portions with elastic connectors act as intermediaries between the fastening members and the main body portion/auxiliary storage unit. The elastic connectors provide flexible mechanical engagement that maintains stable connection without requiring tools, bridging the gap between ease of operation and connection reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the auxiliary storage unit is integrated with the gas compressor by screw connection, then the reliability of the mechanical connection is improved, but the device complexity increases due to requiring a driver

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of mechanical connectionVSAvoidcomplexity of fastening mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The driver tool is extracted from the fastening process entirely. Instead of using screws that require a driver, the invention employs snap-fit fastening members with elastic connectors that can be attached and detached by hand, eliminating the need for external tools while maintaining connection stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening mechanism is designed to be self-sufficient without requiring external tools. The elastic connectors automatically engage with the engagement portions when the fastening members are inserted, and the mechanism can be detached by simply releasing the fastening members, making the entire fastening process self-serviceable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 design allows easy attachment and detachment of the auxiliary storage unit while maintaining a stable mechanical connection, preventing unintentional disengagement and ensuring consistent positioning through the reaction force of the elastic buffer.

Implementation Method 1

The leg portion includes an elastic connecting buffer portion configured to be brought into contact with the support portion, and the fastening unit fastens the auxiliary storage unit by applying a force in a direction in which the first connecting buffer portion is elastically deformed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the position of the gas compressor with respect to the auxiliary storage unit is stabilized by a reaction force of the connecting buffer portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReaction force: Reaction (physics)

Data Source

PatentEP4269794B1Gas compressor, auxiliary storage unit, and gas compression system
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 MAX CO LTD
  • EP4269794B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4269794B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4269794B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A gas compressor includes a main body portion having a compression unit configured to compress gas, a drive unit configured to drive the compression unit, and a storage part configured to store the gas compressed by the compression unit, a leg portion configured to support the main body portion and configured to be supported by a support portion provided on an auxiliary storage unit, and a fastening unit configured to detachably fasten the auxiliary storage unit and the main body portion. The leg portion includes an connecting buffer portion having elasticity and configured to be brought into contact with the support portion, and the fastening unit fastens the auxiliary storage unit by applying a force in a direction in which the first connecting buffer portion is elastically deformed.