Portable Cylinder Handle With Deflectable Tab And Ledges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable gas cylinders lack an efficient and secure method for attaching handles, which can lead to instability and improper alignment during transportation, potentially causing accidents or damage.
Innovation Solution
A handle system featuring a shroud portion with circumferentially spaced ledges and a deflectable tab that engages with a mounting collar's tabs, ensuring secure attachment and ergonomic grasping, while absorbing shocks and impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional handle attachment method is used, then the handle can be attached to the cylinder, but the attachment is unstable and may become misaligned during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is divided into multiple functional segments: a shroud portion with circumferentially spaced ledges, a deflectable tab, and a handle portion. The ledges engage with corresponding features on the collar to provide multiple attachment points, preventing misalignment and enhancing stability during transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflectable tab is designed to change its physical state during assembly - it can be deflected to facilitate attachment and then returns to its original position to lock the handle securely. This parameter change enables easy assembly while ensuring reliable attachment.
2Reliability
If the handle is made secure and stable, then safety is improved, but the complexity of the attachment mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflectable tab automatically performs the attachment function when the handle is placed on the collar. The tab deflects during assembly and then returns to its original position to lock the handle in place, eliminating the need for additional fastening operations or complex assembly procedures.
3Ease of manufacture
If the handle structure is simplified for easy manufacturing, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the ability to absorb shocks and impacts is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The handle portion is designed with material properties and structural characteristics that allow it to change its response to applied forces. The structure can flex and deform to absorb impact energy while maintaining overall integrity, providing shock absorption in a relatively simple design.
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 handle system provides a stable and secure attachment to the cylinder, preventing accidental detachment or misalignment, enhancing safety and ease of transportation by absorbing energy from drops or impacts.
Implementation Method 1
a deflectable tab that engages with a mounting collar's tabs, ensuring secure attachment and ergonomic grasping, while absorbing shocks and impacts
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a portable cylinder including a tank having an upper portion having a valve port, a mounting collar coupled to the upper portion of the tank, and a handle attached to the mounting collar. The mounting collar has an upwardly extending portion surrounding the valve port and a plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs extending radially outwardly from the upwardly extending portion, wherein a respective gap is formed between adjacent ones of the plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs. The handle includes a shroud portion including a plurality of circumferentially spaced ledges for abutting an underside of a respective one of the plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs, and at least one tab for engaging the mounting collar in one of the gaps, and a handle portion extending from the shroud portion and having one or more areas for grasping the handle.