Internal Plug Gas Connector for Safe Hose Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas switches are inconvenient to use and pose safety risks due to the need to manually close the gas supply before removing the hose, which can lead to accidental leaks.
Innovation Solution
A gas switching device with a valve body, switching assembly, and manipulating member, where the plug member can be turned between positions to control gas flow, allowing for easy connection and disconnection of the gas hose without exposing the plug member to risk of accidental touch, thereby preventing leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the gas hose is fastened to the outlet connector by a tube bundle, then the connection is secure, but the user must manually close the gas and release the tube bundle to remove the hose, which is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the gas valve and hose connection into a single integrated unit. The gas hose is pre-connected to the outlet connector, and the valve is integrated with this connection assembly, eliminating the need for separate manual operations to close the valve and detach the hose.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into a removable hose assembly and a fixed valve body. The hose with its connector can be easily detached as a complete unit while the valve remains integrated in the gas appliance, simplifying the removal process.
2Ease of operation
If the gas hose is removed after releasing the tube bundle, then the hose can be replaced, but gas may leak from the outlet connector if the handle is accidentally touched, which is dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed to automatically close before the hose connection is released. The mechanism ensures that gas flow is stopped in advance of the disconnection process, eliminating the risk of accidental leakage during hose replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism provides a safety buffer by maintaining the closed position during the entire hose removal process. This preliminary protective action cushions against accidental handle activation that could cause gas leakage.
3Reliability
If the handle is turned to close the gas before removing the hose, then gas leakage is prevented, but the process becomes more steps and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The valve operation and hose removal are merged into a single integrated action. The mechanical linkage connects the hose detachment mechanism with the valve closure mechanism, so that removing the hose automatically triggers the valve to close, combining two steps into one.
4Ease of operation
If the plug member is exposed outside the valve body, then it is easy to operate, but it may be touched by mistake leading to gas leakage from the outlet port
Solution Approach 1:
The plug member is nested inside the valve body, with only the operating handle extending outward. This nested configuration protects the critical sealing component from accidental contact while maintaining ease of operation through the external handle.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle acts as an intermediary between the user and the plug member. Users operate the valve by turning the handle, which mechanically transmits the motion to the plug member inside the valve body, eliminating the need for direct contact with the plug itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A gas switching device incudes a valve body, a switching assembly, and a manipulating member. The valve body has an inlet portion having an inlet passage and an outlet portion having an outlet port and a receiving chamber. A wall of the receiving chamber has a side opening communicating with the inlet passage. The switching assembly includes a plug member located in the receiving chamber. The manipulating member is detachably connected to the outlet port via the connecting end connected to the plug member, and a gas passage of the connecting end communicates with an axial hole of the plug member. The manipulating member drives the plug member to turn between a first position that an outer peripheral surface of the plug member closes the side opening and a second position that the through hole communicates with the side opening.