Contamination-Free Tank Filling Device with Flushing Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for filling tanks from canisters lack effective contamination protection, especially during partial removals, as they do not allow for the complete flushing of internal valve components and contact faces, posing a risk to user safety.
Innovation Solution
A device with a tank adapter, a canister adapter, and a flushing connector attached to the tank adapter, enabling fluid connection and closure between the canister and tank, allowing for flushing of the connecting region both when the canister is empty and during partial removals, with features like a closing piston and integrated film cutting element for safe handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple valve device is used for filling tanks from canisters, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to flush internal valve components and contact faces is lost, leading to contamination risks
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separable components including a first coupling part connected to the tank and a second coupling part connected to the canister. The separating element can be completely removed from the valve device, allowing the internal components and contact faces to be accessed for flushing. This segmentation enables contamination protection without requiring a complex integrated flushing system throughout the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The separating element is designed to be completely extractable from the valve device. When removed, it provides access to the internal valve components and contact faces for flushing operations. This extraction approach allows the flushing function to be performed on critical surfaces without requiring permanent flushing passages throughout the entire device structure.
2Productivity
If the canister is completely emptied and removed, then the filling operation is completed, but the internal valve components remain contaminated without a flushing mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to allow preliminary flushing of the internal valve components and contact faces before the canister is completely emptied and removed. The separating element can be removed at any point during or after the filling operation to enable flushing of contaminated surfaces, ensuring that contamination does not persist in the valve device after the productive filling operation is complete.
3Ease of operation
If a valve device with internal contact faces is used, then the filling function is achieved, but the contact faces cannot be separated for flushing, posing contamination risks to the user
Solution Approach 1:
The valve device is segmented into a first coupling part and a second coupling part connected by a separable connecting element. This segmentation allows the connecting element to be completely removed, providing access to the internal contact faces for flushing. The separation maintains ease of operation during filling while enabling contamination removal to protect the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The separating element acts as an intermediary that can be removed to provide access for flushing the internal contact faces. This intermediary approach allows the flushing operation to be performed on surfaces that would otherwise be inaccessible, protecting the user from contamination without compromising the ease of the filling operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for the contamination-free filling of a tank from a canister is provided.