Exchanger tap, particularly for refrigeration cycle plants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exchanger taps for refrigeration cycle plants require significant maneuvering space for assembly, rely on anaerobic sealants that can lead to coolant gas leakage over time, and have uncertain angular positioning due to conical threaded connections.

Innovation Solution

An exchanger tap design with rotatable rings and O-rings for secure connections to refrigeration cycle plants and safety valves, eliminating the need for anaerobic sealants and ensuring stable, leak-proof assembly without requiring rotation of the tap body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If conical male threading is used for connection, then construction is simple, but maneuvering space is required and seal quality depends on sealant application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection structureVSAvoidassembly maneuvering space

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection structure is divided into two independent parts: a fixed conical male threading integrated in the tap body, and a separate rotatable ring with internal threading that actually performs the screwing operation. This segmentation allows the ring to rotate independently providing the necessary maneuvering space while the integrated threading maintains construction simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotatable ring acts as an intermediary element between the tap body and the plant. It mediates the connection by providing the rotating interface needed for assembly while the fixed conical threading provides the sealing surface, separating the functions of connection and sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If conical male threading with anaerobic sealant is used, then connection is achieved, but seal quality degrades over time causing leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection methodVSAvoidseal durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is extracted from the conical male threading and transferred to the rotatable ring through O-rings. This removes the dependency on anaerobic sealants that degrade over time, while the conical threading continues to provide the mechanical connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The O-rings provide a replaceable sealing solution that can be easily renewed when degraded, unlike anaerobic sealants that permanently degrade and require complete disassembly. The O-rings act as disposable/replaceable sealing elements that maintain reliability over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of manufacture

If conical threaded connection is used, then assembly is simple, but angular position cannot be defined in advance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidangular positioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable ring introduces a dynamic element that allows angular adjustment during assembly. The ring can rotate to achieve the precise angular position required, while the fixed conical threading maintains assembly simplicity. This dynamic adjustment capability enables precise angular positioning that would otherwise require complex pre-positioning features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250314308A1Exchanger tap, particularly for refrigeration cycle plants

Publication Date: 2025.10.09 OLAB

AI summary

An exchanger tap, particularly for refrigeration cycle plants, which comprises a tap body provided with a main body and a secondary body, which are respectively adapted to be connected to a first and to a second safety valve, and an inlet adapted to be coupled to a refrigeration cycle plant; at least the inlet adapted to be connected to the refrigeration cycle plant is provided with a rotatable ring for screwing the tap to the refrigeration cycle plant, the ring being rotatable with respect to the body of the tap.