Gas Supply Line Bulge-Lock Assembly for Fast Leak-Tight Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for gas-tightly connecting a gas supply line to a gas inlet port in domestic gas cooking appliances are laborious and time-consuming, requiring long assembly times.
Innovation Solution
A gas-supply connection assembly that uses a tapered section with a bulge section formed by plastic deformation to create a barbed-hook shaped connection between the gas supply line and the gas inlet port, ensuring a form-fit and gas-tight seal through the application of axial and torsional forces, allowing for quick and easy setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a screwed connection with washer plates is used to gas-tightly connect the gas supply line to the gas inlet port, then the connection is gas-tight, but the assembly time is long and the process is laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional screwed mechanical connection system with a plastic deformation-based connection system. The gas supply line is inserted into the gas inlet port and then plastically deformed to create a form-fit connection, eliminating the need for screws, nuts, and washer plates while achieving both gas-tight sealing and mechanical strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and shape parameters of the gas supply line through plastic deformation. By applying deformation forces, the gas supply line transitions from its original cylindrical shape to a deformed shape that conforms to the gas inlet port's internal geometry, creating both mechanical interlocking and gas-tight sealing.
2Productivity
If a plastic deformation method is used to create a form-fit connection, then the assembly time is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas supply line performs self-service by deforming itself into the gas inlet port through applied forces. The material's own plasticity is utilized to create the form-fit connection, eliminating the need for complex external forming equipment or multiple assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas inlet port is pre-designed with specific geometric features (internal diameter, shape) that anticipate the plastic deformation process. The port's dimensions are predetermined to receive the gas supply line and guide its deformation into the correct form-fit configuration, simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
3Strength
If the gas supply line is plastically deformed to fill the gas inlet port, then the connection strength is increased, but the risk of damaging the inlet port or supply line surfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic deformation is applied locally to specific regions of the gas supply line that are designed to deform, while other critical regions maintain their original shape and surface integrity. The deformation is concentrated in areas where form-fit connection is needed, preserving surface quality in sealing and structural areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas inlet port and gas supply line are pre-designed with appropriate dimensional clearances and material properties that cushion against excessive deformation forces. The port's internal geometry and the supply line's material ductility work together to prevent surface damage while achieving sufficient connection strength.
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 method enables rapid, efficient, and reliable gas-tight connections with reduced assembly time, improving manufacturing efficiency and quality while maintaining mechanical strength and leakproofness.
Implementation Method 1
a section of the supply line (2) inserted into the inlet port (3) is plastically deformed such that a bulge section (7) is formed within a bushing (4) of the inlet port (3) at an outer circumference of the supply line (2)
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention in particular is directed to a gas-supply connection assembly, a method of connecting a gas supply line to a gas inlet port, and a gas cooking appliance. In particular, a gas-supply connection assembly for gas-tightly connecting a gas supply line (2) to a gas inlet port (3) of a gas consumer (1) is provided, in which the gas supply line (2) is inserted into the gas inlet port (3) and connected thereto in that a bulge section (7) effectuated at an outer circumference of the supply line (2) in the inserted condition by plastic deformation thereof gas-tightly engages in a form-fit locking manner into a given indentation (6) in an inner bushing (4) of the gas inlet port (3).