Gas distribution assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas distribution assemblies for cooking appliances face safety issues due to gas leaks caused by broken attachment screws, which fail to maintain the necessary tightening torque, leading to potential leaks.
Innovation Solution
The gas distribution assembly incorporates a screw and sleeve attachment mechanism where the sleeve cooperates with the contour of the through hole using stop means, ensuring the threaded section maintains attachment and torque even if the screw breaks, preventing gas leaks by using a threaded section and a flange acting as a mechanical stop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a screw is used to attach the gas regulating valve to the support, then the valve can be securely mounted, but the screw may break causing gas leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment means is segmented into a screw, a sleeve with internal threading, and stop means. The sleeve acts as a protective cage that segments the attachment function into multiple components, so that if the screw breaks, the sleeve and stop means maintain the attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve with stop means is installed beforehand to prevent the harmful effect of screw failure. The stop means acts as a preliminary protective measure that ensures the valve remains attached even if the screw breaks during or after installation.
2Device complexity
If a simple screw attachment is used, then the device complexity is low, but the safety against gas leaks is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is divided into simple, discrete components (screw, sleeve, stop means) that can be easily manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows the system to provide enhanced safety without requiring a complex integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve acts as an intermediary component between the screw and the support. It transfers the attachment function from the simple screw to a more reliable configuration involving the stop means, thereby reducing gas leak risk without significantly increasing complexity.
3Strength
If the screw is made longer to ensure secure attachment, then the attachment strength increases, but the probability of screw breakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment function is segmented between the screw (for initial fastening) and the sleeve with stop means (for maintaining attachment). This allows the screw to be shorter and less prone to breakage while the sleeve ensures continued attachment security.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve with internal threading replicates the attachment function of the screw. Even if the screw breaks, the sleeve provides a duplicate attachment mechanism through its internal threads and stop means, ensuring the valve remains securely mounted.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a gas distribution assembly comprising a gas distribution duct (50), at least one gas regulating valve (20) mounted on said gas distribution duct (50), a support (10) supported on the gas distribution duct (50), and attachment means (100) for attaching each gas regulating valve (20) with the support (10), comprising at least one screw (30), and the gas regulating valve (20) and the support (10) comprising a through hole (11) which the screw (30) goes through, and a respective threaded hole (21), the end (34) of the screw (30) being screwed into said threaded hole (21). The attachment means (100) comprise a sleeve (40) with an inner threaded section (41), the screw (30) being screwed into the inner threaded section (41), and the sleeve (40) comprising stop means that are supported on the contour of the through hole (11).