Attachable Leak Capture Assembly With Replaceable Absorbent Pad

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for capturing vehicle leaks are limited to stationary use and are not recyclable or easily replaceable, with prior devices using metal components that hinder heat transfer and require tools for assembly.

Innovation Solution

An attachable fluid leak capture assembly featuring a flexible, temperature-resistant polymeric mesh carrier with an embedded absorbing media pad and adjustable zip ties for secure attachment to vehicle components, allowing for easy installation and replacement of the pad without tools, and made from recyclable materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metal components are used in the leak capture device, then structural strength is improved, but heat transfer capability deteriorates and recyclability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidheat transfer capability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses a composite structure combining a mesh carrier (providing structural strength) with an absorbent media pad (providing fluid absorption and heat transfer). This composite design allows each material to perform its optimal function - the mesh provides tensile strength while the absorbent media enables heat transfer and fluid capture, resolving the contradiction between structural strength and heat transfer capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the entire device is replaced when the absorbent material is saturated, then reliability is improved, but loss of substance and manufacturing waste increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak capture reliabilityVSAvoidmaterial waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into two distinct components: a reusable mesh carrier and a replaceable absorbent media pad. This segmentation allows the mesh carrier to be retained and reused multiple times, while only the saturated absorbent pad needs to be replaced. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability through the reusable carrier while minimizing material waste by replacing only the consumable component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design enables discarding only the saturated absorbent media pad while recovering and reusing the mesh carrier. This selective discarding approach maintains leak capture reliability through the reusable carrier while significantly reducing material waste compared to replacing the entire device, directly addressing the contradiction between reliability and substance loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Strength

If the device requires tools for assembly, then connection strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device replaces complex mechanical fastening systems (requiring tools) with a simplified attachment mechanism using elastic bands or Velcro® straps. These alternative mechanical systems provide sufficient connection strength for the application while being easily operable by hand, resolving the contradiction between connection strength and ease of operation by substituting tool-based assembly with tool-free alternatives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Quantity of substance

If the absorbent material covers the entire surface, then fluid absorption capacity is improved, but heat transfer capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid absorption capacityVSAvoidheat transfer capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device applies local quality by concentrating the absorbent media pad only in the specific area where fluid leakage occurs, rather than covering the entire surface. This localized placement provides sufficient fluid absorption capacity at the leak site while leaving other areas of the mesh carrier exposed to facilitate heat transfer from the vehicle component, resolving the contradiction between absorption capacity and heat transfer capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables effective capture of vehicle fluids while the vehicle is in motion, with 100% recyclability, easy replacement of the absorbing media pad, and improved heat transfer, addressing the limitations of existing solutions by providing a reusable and environmentally friendly solution.

Implementation Method 1

absorbing the leaking fluid onto the absorbing media pad

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

absorbent material takes up the entire surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS11668435B2Attachable fluid leak capture assembly for vehicles

Publication Date: 2023.06.06 LUNA ALBERTO

AI summary

An attachable fluid leak capture assembly including a mesh carrier having an absorbing media pad embedded therein, and an attachment mechanism for attaching the mesh carrier to a leaking vehicle or machinery part. A method of capturing fluids from vehicles or machines, by attaching the attachable fluid leak capture assembly to a vehicle or machine part leaking fluid through the attachment mechanism and absorbing the leaking fluid onto the absorbing media pad.