Gas Tool Isolating Valve Latch for Safe Tool Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas powered tools pose a safety risk due to the potential inadvertent ignition of fuel gas when the working tool element is decoupled, as the isolating valve may inadvertently switch to the open state, leading to uncontrolled fuel gas release and ignition.
Innovation Solution
A latching element is introduced to retain the isolating valve in the isolating state when the working tool element is decoupled from the gas powered tool, ensuring the valve remains closed until the tool is properly coupled back, thus preventing fuel gas release and potential ignition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the isolating valve is made easily operable for normal use, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety risk of inadvertent ignition increases when the tool element is decoupled
Solution Approach 1:
The latching element is automatically engaged when the tool element is decoupled from the housing, preliminarily preventing the isolating valve from being inadvertently opened. This automatic preliminary action occurs before any potential harmful ignition can occur, ensuring safety without requiring user intervention at the critical moment
Solution Approach 2:
The latching element acts as an intermediary mechanism between the tool element coupling state and the isolating valve operation. It mediates the connection between these two functions, ensuring that the valve can only be opened when the tool element is properly coupled, thus preventing inadvertent ignition while maintaining normal operational ease
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a latching element is added to prevent inadvertent ignition, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latching element is merged with the existing operating element structure, combining the latching function with the valve operation mechanism. This integration allows the safety function to be added without requiring a completely separate control system, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The latching element is designed to operate automatically based on the coupling state of the tool element, without requiring separate control mechanisms or user intervention. The coupling action itself triggers the latching/unlatching sequence, making the system self-regulating and minimizing additional complexity
3Productivity
If the isolating valve remains open during tool element replacement, then the productivity is improved, but the safety risk of fuel gas release increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latching element applies preliminary anti-action by automatically preventing the isolating valve from opening when the tool element is decoupled for replacement. This counteracts the potential harmful fuel gas release before it can occur, ensuring that safety protocols are maintained during productivity-critical operations like tool element replacement
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
The latching element effectively prevents inadvertent ignition of fuel gas when the working tool is not in use or during tool changes, enhancing safety by maintaining the isolating valve in the closed state until the tool is securely coupled, thereby avoiding dangerous situations.
Implementation Method 1
A gas powered tool comprises a housing, a fuel gas supply means located in the housing, an isolating valve located in the housing, the isolating valve being selectively operable between an isolating state isolating the fuel gas supply means from a fuel gas source and an open state communicating the fuel gas supply means with the fuel gas source
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~28
AI summary
A gas powered tool (70) comprising a housing (73) and a soldering tool element (72) releasably coupled to the housing (73). A latching element (105) pivotally mounted on a pivot pin (106) in the housing (73) is retained in a non-latching state (Fig. 26) by an abutment element (102) which is urgeable into the housing (73) by the soldering tool element (72) when the soldering tool element (72) is coupled to the housing (73). The latching element (105) is spring biased in the direction of the arrow E from the non-latching state to a latching state (Fig. 27) for latching a switching element (89) in a first state to in turn retain an isolating valve (86), which supplies fuel gas from a reservoir (78) in the housing (73) to the soldering tool element (72), in the isolating state. On decoupling of the soldering tool element (72) from the housing (73), the abutment element (102) is spring urged outwardly and disengages the latching element (105). The latching element (105) pivots about the pivot pin from the non-latching state to the latching state engaging the switching element (89) in the first state, thereby retaining the isolating valve (86) in the isolating state isolating the soldering tool element (72) from the fuel gas in the fuel gas reservoir (78) in the housing (73).