Tamper-Evident Gas Valve Closure Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for protecting gas cylinders, such as filming with heat-shrinkable plastic sleeves, are inefficient, pose risks to operators, and do not adequately prevent unauthorized gas withdrawals or external contamination, while also being easily removable and repositionable, compromising gas quality.
Innovation Solution
A closure device with a central part and pivotable lateral wings, featuring interlocking elements and pre-cuts for tamper-evidence, which securely attaches to gas valve connectors, preventing access to the valve opening mechanism and protecting against external pollution, and can only be removed by destruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If heat-shrinkable plastic sleeves are used to protect gas cylinders, then the valve fittings are protected against external pollution, but the operator faces burn risks and the process is lengthy and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal shrinking process with a mechanical assembly process. The closure device is assembled by hand without heat, eliminating burn risks. The device consists of a central part and two lateral wings that are mechanically connected through pivoting and fastening operations, substituting the thermal field with mechanical operations for safer and more efficient assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure device is divided into multiple independent components: a central part and two lateral wings that can be assembled separately and then connected. This segmentation allows for easier handling and assembly without requiring the entire device to be manipulated at once, improving operational ease while maintaining protective function.
2Reliability
If a plastic film is used to cover the cylinder, then unauthorized connections are prevented, but the means of opening the tap remains accessible and the bottle can be easily opened
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device is segmented into a central part and two lateral wings that must be assembled together to form a complete protective barrier. This segmentation ensures that the means of opening the tap is completely enclosed when the device is properly assembled, preventing access while maintaining the ability to open when needed through the pre-cutout mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The central part includes pre-cutouts that are prepared in advance during manufacturing. These pre-cutouts allow the means of opening the tap to be accessed only after the closure device has been properly assembled and intentionally opened, preventing unauthorized opening while maintaining controlled access for legitimate use.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a sealing device with pivotable lateral wings is used, then access to the valve is blocked and hygiene is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a central part and two lateral wings that can be independently manufactured and then assembled. This segmentation allows for simpler manufacturing of individual components while achieving the complex protective function when assembled, as each component can be optimized separately for ease of production.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral wings are designed to be pivotable rather than fixed, allowing the device to transition between open and closed states. This dynamic design provides the necessary protection when closed while allowing easy access when opened, achieving high hygiene protection and access control without requiring a permanently complex structure.
4Reliability
If the closure device is made with interlocking elements, then the device cannot be repositioned after removal ensuring gas quality, but the ease of installation and uninstallation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening elements are designed with pre-prepared engagement features that allow for easy initial assembly. The interlocking mechanism is prepared in advance during manufacturing, enabling quick installation by simply aligning and engaging the components without requiring complex assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure device is designed as a disposable tamper-evident component that is easily installed and then intentionally destroyed after use. The fastening elements provide sufficient ease of installation for initial placement but are designed to be broken or destroyed upon removal, ensuring the device cannot be repositioned while maintaining operational convenience during installation.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The device has a main body provided with a central part (2) and two lateral wings (1, 3) comprising respective pattern cavities (8a, 9a) and reciprocal pattern cavities (8b, 9b) of an outer surface of an outlet connection of a gas valve, where the device is made of unique thermoformed or thermomolded piece or polymer material i.e. plastic. The cavities (8a, 9a) situated on the wing (1) are positioned with respect to the cavities (8b, 9b) situated on the wing (3) when the wings are positioned opposite to one another. The central part has pins (10, 11) that are housed inside the connection.