Rotatable Gas Cylinder Adapter for Refueling Accessibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas tank bottles with varying designs and installations pose a challenge for refueling, as the position of the refueling nozzle may not be accessible by the filling device due to different installation situations, especially in motorhomes.

Innovation Solution

An adapter with a mounting surface is attached to the gas tank bottle, allowing the filling neck to be positioned and oriented within a 270° angle range, connected via a line to the filling connection, which can include a rotatable angle screw connection, enabling optimal alignment and accessibility for refueling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the gas cylinder uses standard designs with fixed filling connection positions, then the device structure is simple, but the filling nozzle becomes inaccessible in certain installation situations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of filling nozzleVSAvoidstructure of gas cylinder
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filling connection is made rotatable through a rotating mechanism that allows the filling nozzle to change its orientation dynamically. This enables the filling connection to adapt to different installation positions and orientations of the gas cylinder, making the filling nozzle accessible in various situations without requiring multiple fixed connection points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The filling connection is separated from the main cylinder body as an independent rotatable component. This segmentation allows the filling nozzle to be positioned independently from the cylinder's installation orientation, enabling accessibility adjustment without affecting the overall cylinder structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the gas cylinder is installed in various positions in motorhomes, then the adaptability to different installation situations is improved, but the filling nozzle accessibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation position flexibilityVSAvoidaccessibility of filling nozzle
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable filling connection allows the system to adapt to different installation positions dynamically. Regardless of how the cylinder is mounted (vertical, horizontal, at various angles), the filling nozzle can be rotated to achieve the correct orientation for refueling, maintaining ease of operation across all installation scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotatable filling connection serves multiple functions: it maintains a secure seal, allows rotation to various angles, and ensures accessibility from different directions. This universal design enables the same filling mechanism to work effectively regardless of the cylinder's installation position or orientation.

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

3Ease of manufacture

If the filling connection position is fixed on the gas cylinder, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the refueling operation becomes difficult in certain situations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing of gas cylinderVSAvoidrefueling operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

While maintaining a simple fixed mounting structure on the cylinder, the filling connection incorporates a rotating mechanism that allows operational flexibility. This combines manufacturing simplicity with operational ease, as the rotation mechanism can be integrated into the existing filling connection design without requiring multiple fixed connection points or complex external mounting structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4443043A1Refillable gas bottle
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 ALUGAS TECH GMBH
  • EP4443043A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP4443043A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4443043A1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4C

AI summary

The gas cylinder, with a gas valve and a filling connection, is characterized in that an adapter with a mounting surface is attached next to the filling connection on the gas cylinder, that a filling nozzle is attached to the mounting surface at a selected location and in a selected direction, and that the filling nozzle is connected to the filling connection by a line.