Gas Pipe Self-Locking Connection for Domestic Appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas pipe connections for domestic appliances are time-consuming and require mechanical work, and in some locations, lack of qualified personnel complicates the safe and correct connection and disconnection of gas pipes.
Innovation Solution
A gas pipe with a locking element that automatically locks into the gas inlet duct of the domestic appliance, preventing uncontrolled disconnection, allowing for easy and secure connection without manual operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If nuts or nipples with threaded housing are used to tighten the gas pipe to the domestic appliance, then the connection strength is improved, but the installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gas pipe connection system employs self-locking features where the pipe's outer surface directly engages with the appliance's inlet duct through complementary geometric profiles. The connection automatically secures itself upon insertion without requiring external fastening operations, eliminating the need for nuts, nipples, or threaded housings while maintaining connection integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical fastening systems (nuts, bolts, threaded connections) with a direct geometric interlocking mechanism. The outer surface of the gas pipe features a profile that complements the inlet duct's receiving profile, creating a self securing connection through shape matching rather than mechanical fasteners.
2Reliability
If qualified personnel are required for mounting the gas pipe, then the connection safety is improved, but the operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is designed to be self-explanatory and self-securing through its geometric profile matching. The gas pipe's outer surface and the inlet duct's receiving profile are shaped to guide correct insertion and automatic locking, making the operation intuitive and safe even for untrained personnel without requiring specialized knowledge or skills.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring personnel expertise to ensure safe connection, the patent inverts the approach by embedding safety directly into the physical geometry of the connection interfaces. The shaped profiles prevent incorrect installation by design, making safety inherent to the structure rather than dependent on operator competence.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent gas pipe removal, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the connection and locking functions into a single integrated geometric profile interaction. The outer surface of the gas pipe and the receiving profile of the inlet duct are shaped to simultaneously achieve both connection establishment and automatic locking upon insertion, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms while ensuring secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system performs both connection and locking functions automatically through its geometric design. When the gas pipe is inserted into the inlet duct, the shaped profiles self-align and self-lock in one motion, providing reliable connection without requiring additional locking components or manual securing operations.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
There is described a gas pipe (3) adapted to be coupled to a domestic appliance (2), the domestic appliance (2) comprising a gas inlet duct (4). The gas pipe (3) comprises at least a tube portion (5) having an end section (6) configured to be inserted into the gas inlet duct (4) and a locking element (7) connected to the end section (6) and configured to lock the end section (6) within the gas inlet duct (4). The locking element (7) comprises at least one abutment surface (15) configured to abut against an engagement surface (16) of the gas inlet duct (4) for impeding a removal of the end section (6) from the gas inlet duct (4) after insertion of the end section (6) into the gas inlet duct (4).