Integrated Liquid Gas Connector for Tank Misconnection Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid tanks with separate openings for liquid delivery and gas feed require labor-intensive and costly individual plug installations, and lack the ability to circulate liquids effectively, leading to potential improper connections and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A compact connector system integrating both liquid and gas passage plugs with a valve unit and engagement means, allowing for a single connection operation that prevents improper connections and enables liquid circulation while providing dust protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate openings for liquid delivery and gas feed are used, then liquid delivery and gas feed functions are achieved, but installation labor and cost increase due to individual plug installations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the liquid delivery plug and gas feed plug into a single integrated connector assembly. The plug structure includes both a liquid passage portion and a gas passage portion that are merged into one component, allowing simultaneous connection for both liquid and gas functions through a single installation operation, thereby reducing installation labor and cost while maintaining functional separation.
2Reliability
If separate plugs for liquid and gas are used, then independent control is achieved, but improper connections may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric design in the connector structure where the plug and socket have non-symmetric configurations. The plug includes a liquid passage portion and gas passage portion with distinct geometries, and the corresponding socket has matching asymmetric features. This asymmetric design ensures that the plug can only be inserted into the socket in the correct orientation, preventing improper connections and ensuring reliable liquid and gas pathway alignment.
3Productivity
If small diameter gas plug is used, then gas pressure feed is achieved, but liquid circulation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connector into distinct functional portions: a liquid passage portion with larger diameter for liquid circulation and a gas passage portion with smaller diameter for gas pressure feed. Both passages are integrated into the same plug structure but maintain separate flow paths with appropriate diameters for their respective functions, allowing simultaneous optimization of both liquid circulation and gas pressure feed capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
The object is to provide a connector to be attached to a liquid tank, which reduces a trouble of arranging a plug, is advantageous in cost and capable of preventing misconnection, is provided by compactly integrating two types of plugs, which are a liquid delivery plug and a gas feeding plug. The connector is to be attached to a liquid tank for delivery of an internal liquid, and is constructed of: a plug (1) fixedly mounted on the tank; and, a corresponding socket (2) connected thereto. The connector is characterized by the plug (1) and the socket (2), wherein: the plug (1) is provided with a liquid passage (8) and a gas passage (12); and, the socket (2) is provided with: a liquid passage (38) communicating with the liquid passage (8); a liquid passage connecting piece (21) communicating with the liquid passage (38); a gas passage (34) communicating with the gas passage (12); and, a gas passage connecting piece (37) communicating with the gas passage (34).