Gas Container Valve-Coupling Assembly With Protective Cap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas containers with plastic liners face issues of gas leakage due to thermal deformation of the valve coupling unit, leading to gaps and potential accidents, as the unit is exposed to low-temperature gas and experiences different thermal deformation rates compared to the fusion member.
Innovation Solution
A protective cap made of a material with higher elasticity than the fusion member is fitted to minimize the exposed end portion of the valve coupling unit, preventing deformation and gap formation between the valve coupling unit and the fusion member, and a sealing member is used to prevent gas leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the valve coupling unit is exposed to sprayed gas for injection purposes, then gas can be injected into the liner, but the valve coupling unit deforms due to thermal contact with low-temperature gas, causing gaps and gas leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The valve-coupling assembly is divided into separate components: the valve coupling unit (metal) and the fusion member (plastic), each with distinct material properties optimized for their specific functions. This segmentation allows the metal valve coupling unit to withstand thermal deformation from sprayed gas while the plastic fusion member provides sealing, resolving the contradiction between injection capability and sealing integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The valve-coupling assembly uses composite construction combining metal (valve coupling unit) and plastic (fusion member) materials. The metal component resists thermal deformation from low-temperature sprayed gas, while the plastic component ensures sealing. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by leveraging the complementary properties of different materials
2Reliability
If the valve coupling unit and fusion member are coupled by insert injection molding, then gas leakage is prevented, but the different thermal deformation rates between metal and plastic materials cause gap formation when exposed to low-temperature gas
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the valve-coupling assembly have different material properties tailored to local requirements: the valve coupling unit (metal) is designed to withstand thermal stress and maintain dimensional stability when exposed to sprayed gas, while the fusion member (plastic) is designed for sealing. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between sealing integrity and dimensional stability under thermal conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter (metal vs. plastic) of different components to accommodate different functional requirements. The metal valve coupling unit has low thermal expansion coefficient for dimensional stability, while the plastic fusion member provides sealing compliance. This parameter differentiation resolves the contradiction between sealing integrity and dimensional stability
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 effectively minimizes gas leakage by maintaining the integrity of the valve coupling unit and fusion member interface, ensuring long-term prevention of gas leakage accidents.
Implementation Method 1
This end of the valve coupling unit is deformed when coming into contact with the low-temperature gas. As a result, a gap is formed due to the difference in a thermal deformation rate between the valve coupling unit and the fusion member
Implementation Method 2
Typically, the valve coupling unit and the fusion member are coupled by insert injection molding to prevent the high-pressure gas from leaking out therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosure is a gas container including: a liner including a space to store gas therein; a valve coupling unit coupled to an outer valve as a metal material, and including a passage for the gas injected through the outer valve; a fusion member provided along an outer circumferential surface of the valve coupling unit, and fused between the valve coupling unit and the liner; a nozzle communicating with the passage of the valve coupling unit, and including an opening to guide the injected gas to be sprayed into the liner; and a protective cap fitted to a region of the fusion member as a plastic material, and shaped to extend between the opening and the exposed end portion so that the exposed end portion of the valve coupling unit disposed in a direction where the opening of the nozzle is oriented cannot come into contact with the sprayed gas. Accordingly, the protective cap improves the airtight sealing of the exposed end portion of the valve coupling unit against gas injected and sprayed into the liner of the gas container, and thus a gap is prevented from formation between the valve coupling unit and the fusion member having a thermal deformation rate different from that of the valve coupling unit, thereby preventing gas leakage accidents.