Tap Assembly With Rechargeable Battery And Inductive Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tap assemblies for gas containers are cumbersome and unsafe for untrained users due to the need for battery replacement, which requires disassembly and can lead to damage, and are complex and costly with embedded batteries.
Innovation Solution
A tap assembly with a rechargeable battery encapsulated in the handle, allowing in-situ charging via a contactless connector, such as a secondary coil for electromagnetic induction, eliminating the need for disassembly and ensuring the battery remains sealed, with features for monitoring and feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the battery is housed within the electronic module, then the device is compact, but the battery replacement requires disassembly and is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is extracted from the electronic module and placed in a separate, easily accessible location. The battery compartment is designed as an independent section that can be opened without disassembling the electronic module, allowing users to replace the battery by simply opening a access panel or compartment door.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into distinct functional sections: the electronic module, the battery compartment, and the access mechanism. This segmentation allows the battery to be serviced independently from the electronic module, eliminating the need to disassemble the module itself for battery replacement.
2Ease of operation
If the battery is easily accessible for replacement, then user operation is simplified, but the electrical module cannot be completely sealed
Solution Approach 1:
A sealed access panel or compartment door acts as an intermediary between the user and the battery compartment. This intermediary maintains the sealing integrity of the electronic module while providing a designated access path for battery replacement. The access mechanism includes sealed joints and gaskets that preserve the module's environmental protection when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The access panel utilizes flexible sealing elements such as rubber gaskets or elastic sealing films that maintain the sealed environment of the electronic module while allowing for periodic access. These flexible seals accommodate the opening and closing movements while preserving the protective barrier when closed.
3Ease of manufacture
If a regular plug and socket connector is used, then charging is simple, but the battery is exposed and less hygienic
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical plug and socket connection is replaced with a contactless charging system such as electromagnetic induction or magnetic coupling. The charging interface uses aligned magnetic poles or induction coils that transfer energy through a small air gap, eliminating the need for physical electrical contacts that would require opening the sealed battery compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
An electromagnetic field or magnetic coupling field serves as an intermediary for energy transfer between the charging device and the battery. This field-based intermediary allows charging to occur through the sealed housing without direct electrical contact, maintaining the protective seal while enabling power transfer.
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 provides a user-friendly, safe, and reliable tap assembly that can operate in hostile environments, with no specific maintenance required for battery replacement, ensuring the battery remains sealed and the system is hygienic and efficient.
Implementation Method 1
said connector consists in a secondary coil adapted to cooperate with a primary coil that transfers energy to the secondary coil by electromagnetic induction
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to a tap assembly for a gas cylinder, comprising: a body with a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a gas passage connecting the outlet with the inlet; and an electronic module of the status of the tap and/or cylinder, said module being mounted on or in the body; wherein the electronic module is fed with electric energy by a rechargeable battery (40), and in that the tap assembly is provided with a connector (100) which makes possible the charging of the battery (40) in situ. The invention further relates to a kit with such a tap assembly and a charging adapter to feed electrical current to the tap assembly from a standard power socket. The invention further relates to a charging method for a tap assembly.