Fuel Can Adapter for Flange-to-Threaded Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cans with flange heads cannot engage with threaded gas devices, creating a compatibility issue for connection.
Innovation Solution
A fuel can adapter with a threaded section, coupling member, and locking mechanism that includes a rotatable locking block with a slit to secure the flange of the fuel can, allowing connection to both threaded and non-threaded fuel devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fuel can has a flange head without threaded section, then it cannot engage with threaded gas devices, but this design simplifies the head structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coupling member as an intermediary component that threads onto the gas device and provides a flange interface for the fuel can. This mediator resolves the incompatibility between threaded gas devices and flange-type fuel cans without requiring modification to either the fuel can or gas device
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is divided into separate functional components: a coupling member with threaded interface for the gas device, and a fuel can with flange interface. This segmentation allows each component to maintain its simple original design while achieving compatibility through the standardized coupling member
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to secure the fuel can, then dislodgment is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is designed to be rotatable relative to the coupling member, transitioning between locked and unlocked positions. This dynamic mechanism provides secure locking when needed while allowing easy installation and removal, achieving high reliability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism uses the rotational motion of the fuel can insertion process itself to drive the locking member into the locked position, rather than requiring separate actuation. The slot and locking block work together passively to provide automatic locking as the fuel can is screwed onto the adapter
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel can adapter has a threaded section for threadly engaging with a fuel device. Particularly, the fuel device has a threaded joint for engagement with the thread section of the fuel can adapter. In addition, this threaded joint can be used to connect a fuel can with a thread head, such that fuel in the fuel can can flow to the fuel device. With the fuel can adapter, a fuel can with a head, which does not have a threaded head but has a flange extending circumferentially thereon, is adapted to connect to the fuel device, such that fuel in the fuel can can flow to the fuel device.