Resilient Actuation Ring for Fuel Filler Neck Misfueling Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filler necks for vehicles are bulky, expensive, and prone to misfueling, especially when used in capless systems, and lack effective protection against contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A compact filler neck design featuring a resilient actuation ring with a conically narrowing entrance and a closing mechanism that differentiates between petrol and diesel nozzles, preventing misfueling and ensuring protection against contaminants by using a spring-biased actuation ring and a closing mechanism that automatically adjusts to nozzle diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a resilient actuation ring with a conically narrowing entrance is used to differentiate nozzle diameters, then misfueling is prevented and device complexity is reduced, but the entrance portion requires precise dimensional control to accommodate only petrol nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation ring utilizes elastic deformation characteristics to change its effective diameter dynamically. In the retracted state, the ring's elastic memory maintains a smaller effective diameter that accommodates only petrol nozzles. When actuated by a diesel nozzle, the ring expands to a larger diameter, allowing diesel nozzle passage while blocking petrol nozzles. This parameter change approach resolves the contradiction by using material elasticity rather than fixed precise dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation ring transitions from a static dimensional barrier to a dynamic adaptive barrier. The ring can change its effective diameter between two states: a retracted state for normal operation and an expanded state when actuated. This dynamic behavior eliminates the need for highly precise fixed dimensional control while maintaining reliable misfueling prevention.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the actuation ring is radially inwardly biased by a spring, then the ring automatically returns to its closed position after nozzle passage, but the spring adds device complexity and space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation ring system is self-actuating through elastic memory. The ring's own elastic properties provide the restoring force needed to return to the closed position, eliminating the need for external springs or complex mechanical return mechanisms. The ring automatically returns to its retracted state after being pushed aside by a passing nozzle, providing stability without additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical spring-based return mechanisms with elastic memory material properties. Instead of using a separate spring component to provide restoring force, the actuation ring itself is made from elastomeric material that inherently provides the return force through its elastic deformation characteristics, simplifying the overall mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the actuation ring is made from elastomeric material with elastic memory, then the ring can dynamically adjust to nozzle diameters and prevent misfueling, but the material selection and manufacturing process become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation ring utilizes elastic deformation characteristics to change its effective diameter dynamically. In the retracted state, the ring's elastic memory maintains a smaller effective diameter that accommodates only petrol nozzles. When actuated by a diesel nozzle, the ring expands to a larger diameter, allowing diesel nozzle passage while blocking petrol nozzles. This parameter change approach resolves the contradiction by using material elasticity rather than fixed precise dimensions.
4Reliability
If the closing mechanism defines a stop for inserted nozzles in the closing position, then petrol nozzles are blocked and misfueling is prevented, but the closing mechanism increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The closing mechanism is integrated directly into the actuation ring structure rather than being a separate component. The ring itself forms the closing mechanism that defines the stop position, merging the actuation function with the closing/blocking function. This integration reduces device complexity while maintaining reliable petrol nozzle blocking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation ring serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the diametrically adaptive barrier, the closing mechanism, and the stop definition element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable misfueling prevention.
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 effectively prevents misfueling and contaminant entry while being suitable for capless systems, reducing the risk of overfilling and ensuring efficient fuel flow, thus enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an actuation ring (16) which consists of a resiliently flexible material and/or is radially inwardly biased by means of a spring
Data Source
AI summary
A filler neck an actuation ring (16) having a slot (18) and an entrance portion which is conically narrowed towards the tank, the most narrow cross-section of the entrance portion being smaller than the diameter of a diesel-nozzle and larger than that of an otto-nozzle the actuation ring (16) has an actuation portion at the end facing the tank at least on one side of the slot a closing mechanism is associated with the end of the actuation ring facing the tank and designed such that in closing position thereof it stops the otto nozzle inserted into the actuation ring and the actuation portion of the actuation ring engages the closing mechanism, whereby the closing mechanism is moved from the closing position into an opened position by the actuation portion if the actuation ring is radially expanded by the diesel-nozzle inserted into the actuation ring.