Direct-Connect Adapter for Additive Injection Without Hose Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatus for injecting additives into pressurized air conditioning or refrigeration systems are complex, costly, and prone to air formation and incomplete additive delivery due to multiple components and hose assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A simplified apparatus comprising a cartridge with a threaded nozzle and an adapter that directly connects to the system's service valve, eliminating the need for intermediate hoses and check valves, ensuring complete additive injection without air introduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hose assembly with multiple components (pipe thread, Luer coupling, check valve fitting, flexible hose segment, Schrader valve coupling) is used to connect the cartridge to the service valve, then the apparatus can be connected to the air conditioning system, but the structure becomes complicated and expensive to manufacture and store
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (pipe thread, Luer coupling, check valve fitting, flexible hose segment, Schrader valve coupling) into a single integrated adapter assembly. This eliminates the need for assembling multiple parts and reduces structural complexity while maintaining the same functional connectability to the service valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable cartridge and adapter assembly that can be discarded after single use. This eliminates the need for complex assembly and disassembly of reusable components, reducing both manufacturing complexity and storage requirements while ensuring complete additive delivery without residual dye in reusable parts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a hose assembly with multiple components is used, then the apparatus can be connected to the system, but air may form in the hose assembly requiring user attention to push out air bubbles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the flexible hose segment from the adapter assembly, replacing it with a direct rigid connection between the cartridge outlet and the Schrader valve coupling. This removes the source of air bubble formation while maintaining connectability to the service valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated adapter assembly is pre-filled with the additive and sealed in a controlled manufacturing environment, ensuring no air is trapped before use. The user simply attaches the pre-prepared assembly to the system without needing to manually purge air bubbles.
3Productivity
If the piston forces all the dye out the cartridge, then the injection process is complete, but some of the dye remains contained in the hose assembly and is not injected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the flexible hose segment from the system, eliminating the dead volume where dye would otherwise remain trapped. The direct connection ensures that all additive forced from the cartridge is delivered to the air conditioning system without residual waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter assembly is pre-filled with the exact required amount of additive in a controlled manufacturing environment, ensuring precise dosage. The integrated design guarantees that the entire pre-measured quantity is delivered to the system without loss, as there are no intermediate storage volumes where additive could be retained.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, user-friendly, and efficient method for injecting additives into air conditioning or refrigeration systems, ensuring complete delivery and preventing air contamination, thus enhancing leak detection and sealing processes.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing piston slidable inserted in the cartridge to force the dye out the outlet nozzle
Data Source
Figure 1~1a
Figure 2~2a
Figure 3~5
AI summary
An apparatus for injecting an additive in a pressurized air conditioning or refrigeration system, comprises a cartridge (12) having two ends, a first open end which connects to the system being charged and a second open end, and wherein said first open end comprises a threaded nozzle. A piston (40) is sealably disposed with said second open end of said cartridge. An adapter (20, 200) is provided to sealably and releasably connect said cartridge to a service valve of the pressurized air conditioning or refrigeration system. The adapter (20, 200) consists in a fitting having a fitting body with a first end portion to be connected to the threaded nozzle of the cartridge and a second end portion to be connected to the service valve of the pressurized system.