Gas Lighter Valve Assembly Retaining Member Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas lighter valve assemblies are costly due to complex construction and multiple sealing joints, leading to inefficiencies in gas flow and increased production time, particularly in inexpensive lighters where durability is not a concern.
Innovation Solution
A simplified valve assembly design featuring a tubular rigid body with a retaining member made of synthetic resin, which includes a circumferentially expandable slit for efficient sealing between the hollow rod and tubular body, reducing material usage and assembly complexity while maintaining a gas-tight seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sealing joints are used to improve sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sealing functions into a single integrated retaining member. This retaining member simultaneously provides sealing between the hollow rod and tubular body, supports the hollow rod, and prevents gas leakage, eliminating the need for separate sealing joints and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliable sealing
2Reliability
If multiple sealing joints are used to improve sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining member is designed as a single integrated component that performs multiple sealing and support functions simultaneously. This consolidation reduces the number of parts to be assembled and eliminates multiple assembly steps, thereby increasing production speed and reducing manufacturing costs while ensuring reliable sealing
3Reliability
If a cylindrical washer is used for sealing, then sealing is improved, but gas leakage occurs during hollow rod movement
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining member incorporates a resilient portion that can dynamically adapt to the movement of the hollow rod. This resilient section maintains continuous contact with the hollow rod throughout its travel, ensuring consistent sealing pressure and preventing gas leakage that occurs with rigid washers during rod movement
4Ease of manufacture
If simplified valve assembly is used to reduce cost, then production cost is reduced, but sealing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining member is constructed from composite materials including a resilient portion and a rigid portion, combining the advantages of both material types. The resilient section provides adaptive sealing, while the rigid sections provide structural support, achieving reliable sealing in a simplified single-component design that reduces production cost
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 solution results in a cost-effective, compact, and reliable gas lighter valve assembly with reduced secondary gas flow and simplified manufacturing, suitable for mass production.
Implementation Method 1
the retaining member is made of synthetic resin for enabling a circumferential expansion of the slit
Implementation Method 2
on which the upper end of the tubular body is crimped
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The valve assembly (8) comprises a tubular rigid body (20) that can be arranged in the upper wall of a lighter gas reservoir and a hollow rod (35) extending along a central axis from a lower end located within said tubular body to an upper end located outside the tubular body. A retaining member (R), on which the upper end of the tubular body is crimped, surrounds a cylindrical portion of the hollow rod. Movement of the hollow rod through the retaining member from a closed position to an opened position enables gas to flow from a lower hole of the valve assembly to the upper end of the hollow rod. The retaining member (R) made of synthetic resin has an annular shape with a slit that can be circumferentially expanded. This member has a reduced thickness at a contact area with crimped portion of the tubular body.