Perforable Cartridge Safety Device Welding Elimination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cartridges for liquefied gas under pressure face manufacturing challenges due to welding difficulties and instability issues in safety devices, leading to increased costs and potential malfunctions.

Innovation Solution

A safety device featuring a helical compression spring supported by rigid radial arms with a drinking-glass-shaped support, snap-engaged to an inner annular projection, eliminates the need for welding and enhances stability by using a moulded plastic body with a peripheral ring connection and o-ring seal for reliable gas leakage control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a drinking-glass-shaped support with welded construction is used for the safety device, then the safety device can be securely fixed to the cartridge wall, but welding difficulties and additional manufacturing costs arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fixation of safety deviceVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is merged with the sealing element into a single integrated component made of elastomeric material. This combination eliminates the need for separate welding operations to attach the support to the cartridge wall, as the integrated design allows the support to be directly formed as part of the elastomeric safety device assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The welding process is replaced with a mechanical engagement system where the support element interacts with the cartridge wall through friction and geometric interlocking. The elastomeric material's flexibility allows the support to deform and lock into place mechanically, eliminating thermal welding processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If a metal strip with direct support points is used to bias the sealing, then welding is avoided, but instability of the sealing occurs leading to potential malfunctioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavoidance of weldingVSAvoidstability of sealing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid metal strip is replaced with an elastomeric material that forms a flexible yet stable support structure. The elastomeric support element can deform elastically to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion while maintaining continuous contact and stable biasing force on the sealing element throughout the cartridge's operational life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If an elastic ring engaged on an inner annular projection with an elastic strip carrying the sealing is used, then functional efficiency is achieved, but construction and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional efficiency of safety deviceVSAvoidconstruction and assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate components (elastic ring, elastic strip, sealing element) are merged into a single integrated elastomeric safety device. This monolithic design eliminates the need for assembling multiple parts together, reducing both construction complexity and assembly operations while maintaining all necessary safety functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated elastomeric component performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, creates the sealing action, and enables the safety device's operational movement. This multi-functionality is achieved within a single component rather than requiring separate specialized parts for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution simplifies manufacturing and assembly, reduces production costs, and ensures maximum stability and precision in sealing the perforable portion after use, preventing gas leakage and ensuring reliable operation.

Implementation Method 1

the spring is a helical compression spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the helical spring (13) returns the obturator (14) against the upper wall (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3088791B8Perforable cartridge for liquefied gas provided with a safety device
Publication Date: 2018.05.16 POZZO ENRICO

AI summary

A perforable cartridge for liquefied gas comprising a generally cylindrical casing (1) with a lateral wall (2) and an upper wall (3) having a central perforable portion (5), and a safety device (7) including a check valve (14) biased against the perforable portion (5) by the action of a helical spring (13) carried by a support (9) formed in one piece with an array of rigid radial arms (8) whose radially outer ends (11) are engaged upon said inner annular projection (6) of the lateral wall (2) of the cartridge formed in proximity of the upper wall (3) thereof.