Accordion Fold Fluid Container for Compact Vehicle Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container assemblies for windshield or headlight washing fluid in vehicles are not designed to occupy compact, stable retracted positions for storage and transport, nor can they adapt to non-linear spaces in the engine compartment, limiting their versatility and space utilization.
Innovation Solution
A container assembly featuring an elongated hollow structure with asymmetric accordion folds that can be arranged in a stable retracted position for storage and extended for flexible installation in the engine compartment, integrated with a motor-driven pump and securing means to secure the assembly to the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid tank structure is used for windshield washing fluid, then the tank maintains structural stability, but it cannot adapt to non-linear spaces or be compacted for storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible hollow structure with accordion folds that can be compacted into a stable retracted position for storage and extended to fit various non-linear spaces in the engine compartment. The asymmetric accordion folds provide both flexibility for adaptation and structural stability when deployed, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an extensible tank with accordion folds is used, then the tank can adapt to different spaces, but it cannot maintain a stable retracted position for compact storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric accordion folds in the hollow structure, where the folds have different dimensions and orientations. This asymmetry allows the structure to achieve a stable, compact retracted position while maintaining the ability to extend and adapt to various non-linear spaces when deployed, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and stable retraction.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact retracted position is designed for storage, then space utilization during transport is improved, but the structure becomes more complex to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow structure is divided into multiple asymmetric accordion-folded sections that can be independently formed and then assembled. This segmentation allows each section to be manufactured separately using standard forming processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while enabling the compact retracted configuration and flexible extended configuration.
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 container assembly can be compactly stored and transported, and its flexible extended configuration allows it to fit in small, unaligned spaces within the engine compartment, enhancing space utilization and adaptability across different vehicle models, while simplifying manufacturing, installation, and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
an elongated hollow structure with a plurality of asymmetric accordion folds formed therein, thanks to which said hollow structure can be arranged in a stable retracted position and in a flexible extended position
Data Source
AI summary
A container assembly for windshield or headlight washing fluid in a vehicle. It includes in combination: an elongated hollow structure demarcated by a wall with a plurality of asymmetric accordion folds that can be arranged in a stable retracted position and in a flexible extended position, in which it is suitable for being installed in a useful space of an engine compartment in the vehicle, the hollow structure in the extended position containing an operational amount of windshield or headlight washing fluid; a filling opening located at an inlet end portion of the hollow structure; at least one pump associated to the hollow structure for transferring contained fluid to a service point; and a securing device for securing the inlet end portion and one or more sections of the hollow structure to the engine compartment in an installation area.