Gas Heating Tool Air Intake Layout for Precision and Injector Life

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas combustion heating tools face a trade-off between precision and maintenance, as a short burner allows precise working but results in a short injector life due to clogging from condensation of solid particles in the burner, while a longer burner improves maintenance but compromises precision due to increased distance between the user's hand and the work area.

Innovation Solution

The tool incorporates a primary air path organized through the gripping member, drawing air from a zone remote from the active part to reduce smoke pollution and extend injector life, allowing the burner to remain short while maintaining precision and regular operation regardless of tool orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the burner is made short to enable precise working, then the manufacturing precision and ease of operation are improved, but the injector service life decreases due to clogging from condensation of solid particles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of workingVSAvoidinjector service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The air intake system is segmented into two distinct zones: a first air intake located in the active part zone (near the burner) and a second air intake located in a zone remote from the active part. This segmentation allows the short burner to maintain precision while the remote air intake prevents clogging by drawing air from a cleaner zone, thus extending injector service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the burner is extended to improve injector service life by moving air intake away from fumes, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to increased distance between user's hand and work area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjector service lifeVSAvoidease of working
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The air intake function is segmented into two locations: the first air intake in the active part zone and the second air intake in the remote zone. This allows the burner to remain short (maintaining ease of operation) while the remote air intake draws clean air away from fumes (improving reliability by preventing clogging).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second air intake acts as an intermediary, drawing primary air from a zone remote from the active part where fume concentration is lower. This intermediary air intake path prevents solid particles from reaching the injector, extending its service life without requiring an extended burner that would compromise ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the radial openings for primary air intake are moved further away from the useful part to avoid fumes, then the injector service life is extended, but the burner length increases reducing precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjector service lifeVSAvoidburner length
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The air intake system is divided into two segments: radial openings in the tubular part of the burner (first air intake) and additional air intake through the gripping member in a remote zone (second air intake). This segmentation allows the burner to remain short while still providing sufficient primary air from a clean zone, preventing clogging and extending injector service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of extending the burner in the longitudinal dimension to move air intake away from fumes, the invention introduces a second air intake through the gripping member in a transverse dimension. This allows air to be drawn from a remote zone without increasing burner length, maintaining precision while extending injector service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This design enhances precision and extends the service life of the injector by minimizing clogging and ensuring consistent air intake, reducing the frequency of injector exchanges and maintaining tool functionality across various orientations.

Implementation Method 1

Primary air is drawn into the burner through radial openings which pass through a wall of the tubular part, immediately in front of the injector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

the fuel gas and the primary air mix with each other... a flame is formed, which heats up a useful part of the tool

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

a phenomenon of condensation which occurs especially in front of the injector and which causes solid particles to cling to it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentEP3477197B1Gas combustion heating tool, in particular a welding or corner smoothing iron type
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 GUILBERT EXPRESS SA
  • EP3477197B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3477197B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3477197B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A gas-fired heating tool (1) comprises an elongated gripping member (3) and a burner (19) arranged in front of this member, extending from it. The burner (19) has a fuel gas inlet (21). A primary air path opens into the burner (19), downstream of the fuel gas inlet (21). The gripping member (3) has at least one air inlet. The primary air path is routed, at least in part, through the gripping member (3) from this air inlet.