Pivoting Attachment Abutment for Gas Cylinder Protective Hood

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pivoting attachment devices for gas cylinder protective cowlings are difficult for users to easily transition from the rest position to the unfolded position for attachment, as they often become embedded in the cowling's outer wall, making it hard to grasp and deploy.

Innovation Solution

A pivoting attachment device for the protective cowling is designed to maintain a non-zero distance from the cowling's surface, featuring an abutment that stops the device's folding, allowing easy gripping and rotation from the rest to the attachment position, with a three-dimensional structure and optional abutments for secure fastening and easy handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the attachment device is designed to pivot close to the cowling surface, then the device structure is compact, but the device becomes difficult to grasp and deploy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment device compactnessVSAvoidease of grasping and deployment
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The abutment is pre-positioned on the cowling surface to maintain a predetermined spacing relationship with the attachment device. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that when the device pivots to its storage position, it naturally maintains clearance from the cowling surface without requiring active user intervention to prevent embedding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The abutment acts as an intermediary element between the attachment device and the cowling surface. It provides a mechanical interface that maintains the predetermined spacing, preventing the attachment device from embedding into the cowling while allowing the device to pivot freely during deployment and storage operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the attachment device is allowed to pivot freely, then the device is easy to deploy, but the device may become embedded in the cowling surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of deploymentVSAvoidprevention of embedding
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The abutment is pre-positioned on the cowling surface to maintain a predetermined spacing relationship with the attachment device. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that when the device pivots to its storage position, it naturally maintains clearance from the cowling surface without requiring active user intervention to prevent embedding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The abutment acts as an intermediary element between the attachment device and the cowling surface. It provides a mechanical interface that maintains the predetermined spacing, preventing the attachment device from embedding into the cowling while allowing the device to pivot freely during deployment and storage operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3260760B1Protective hood with pivoting attachment system having a halting abutment for a gas cylinder
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 LAIR LIQUIDE SA POUR LETUDE & LEXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE
  • EP3260760B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3260760B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3260760B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a protective cover (1) for a gas container (10), comprising a cover body (2) forming a protective shell delimiting an internal volume designed to receive all or part of the valve assembly (3), and a latching device (3) pivoting between several angular positions including a rest position in which the latching device (3) is fully retracted and a latching position in which the latching device (3) is fully extended. At least one stop (13) is arranged between the latching device (6) and the cover body (2), said latching device (6) coming into contact with said stop (13) when it is in the rest position, and being held by said stop (13) at a given non-zero distance (E) from the external surface of the cover body (2).Gas container (10) equipped with a valve block (3) and such protective cover (1), and its use for storing or distributing a gas or gas mixture.