Medical Gas Cylinder Support with Integrated Fixing Element
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing attachment systems for medical gas cylinders, such as notched protective covers and wall basket systems, are unstable, leading to risks of cylinder falls and user injuries, and are costly and cumbersome to handle.
Innovation Solution
A receptacle/support assembly with a gas receptacle featuring a protective cowling with a protruding fixing element and a receptacle support having a hooking system and a housing to securely receive the fastening element, allowing stable fixation to various support structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If notched protective covers or lashing hooks are used, then the cylinder can be suspended from supports, but the attachment is unstable and the cylinder can fall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the protective cowling and the attachment mechanism into a single integrated structure. The fixing element is formed as one piece with the protective cowling, eliminating the need for separate attachment components and ensuring stable, reliable fixation while maintaining protection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a housing on the support structure that receives the fixing element from the protective cowling. This intermediary housing mechanism provides stable attachment while allowing the protective cowling to remain an integrated, simplified component rather than requiring complex separate attachment systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If specific protective covers with notches or hooks are equipped on all bottles, then attachment is possible, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment functionality is merged into the protective cowling itself through the integrated fixing element. This eliminates the need for separate attachment components, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining universal attachment capability across all gas cylinder types.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cowling serves dual functions: protection and attachment. The fixing element integrated into the cowling allows the same component to provide both protective coverage and attachment capability, eliminating the need for separate specialized attachment devices and reducing overall system cost.
3Reliability
If wall basket systems are used, then the cylinder can be retained, but the system is bulky and handling is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the attachment function from the protective cowling through the fixing element, allowing the cylinder to be attached directly to the support structure without requiring bulky wall basket housings. This simplifies the overall system while maintaining reliable retention capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the cylinder to be inserted into a bulky housing (traditional approach), the invention inverts the logic by having the support structure provide a housing that receives the fixing element from the protective cowling. This reverses the traditional insertion mechanism, making handling easier while maintaining secure retention.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a container/container support assembly, particularly for a medical gas cylinder, comprising a gas container (11) including a protective cover (3) having a peripheral wall (3), and a container support (20) adapted to and designed to receive and support said gas container (11). The protective cover (3) of the gas container (11) includes a fastening element (10) projecting from the surface of the peripheral wall (3), and said container support (20) includes a fastening system (24) for attaching said container support (20) to a supporting structure (30), and a housing (22) adapted to and designed to receive said fastening element (10) carried by the protective cover (3) of the gas container (11) so as to secure said gas container (11) to said container support (20), when said fastening element (10) is positioned in said housing (22) of the container support (20).