Pull-to-Open Gas Tap Locking for Accidental Opening Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gas taps require two movements to open the gas passage, with the initial movement being a push that can accidentally open the gas if a user rests against them, posing a safety risk.

Innovation Solution

A gas tap design where the initial movement to open the gas passage is a pull instead of a push, featuring a shaft that is axially movable between two positions, with a locking mechanism that prevents accidental rotation when in the closed position, ensuring the gas tap remains closed unless intentionally opened by pulling the shaft.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a push movement is used to open the gas passage, then the operation is simple and direct, but the gas passage may accidentally open if a user rests against the tap

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidaccidental opening prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional push-to-open mechanism by implementing a pull-to-open mechanism. The shaft is designed to be pulled axially away from the body to disengage the locking element, thereby opening the gas passage. This inversion eliminates the safety hazard of accidental opening while a user rests against the tap, as pulling action is intentionally required rather than accidental contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a locking element that must be actively disengaged before the gas passage can open. The locking element is initially engaged with the shaft in the closed position, requiring a deliberate pull action to disengage it. This preliminary locking action ensures that the gas passage remains securely closed unless the user intentionally performs the pulling motion to open it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental opening, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccidental opening preventionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the locking function directly into the shaft assembly by integrating the locking element as part of the shaft structure. The locking element is formed as an integral part of the shaft that engages with a corresponding feature in the body, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms or additional components. This integration maintains structural simplicity while providing reliable accidental opening prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11486575B2Gas tap for a gas cooking appliance

Publication Date: 2022.11.01 COPRECI S COOP

AI summary

According to one embodiment a gas tap is provided that includes a manually operable shaft having a first end coupled to a regulating element and a second end configured to be coupled to a knob that can be operated by a user. The shaft includes a first locking element, and the gas tap includes a second locking element. The shaft is rotational between an initial angular position and a final angular position, and is axially movable when it is arranged in the initial angular position between a first axial position in which the first locking element and the second locking element cooperate with one another, preventing the shaft from being able to rotate, and a second axial position in which the shaft is able to rotate. The user has to pull on the shaft in order to move it from the first axial position to the second axial position.