Bayonet Drain Plug Structure for Cleaner Oil Pan Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid drain plugs for vehicle oil pans lack efficiency and user-friendliness in drainage and removal processes, leading to increased maintenance time and risk of fluid smudge during oil changes.
Innovation Solution
A fluid drain plug with a bayonet-type connection slot featuring a first and second path, allowing for intuitive twist-and-lock functionality, enabling efficient drainage and easy removal, while maintaining a liquid-tight connection when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional drain plug with threads or simple retention tab is used, then the drain plug can be removed and installed, but the drainage efficiency is poor and maintenance time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The drain plug incorporates a bayonet-type connection slot with first and second paths that enable dynamic rotational movement. The slot allows the plug to rotate between a first position for drainage and a second position for removal, transforming a static connection into a dynamic one that adapts to different operational states, thereby improving maintenance efficiency and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The bayonet-type connection slot is segmented into distinct paths: a first path leading to a first position for drainage and a second path leading to a second position for removal. This segmentation allows the plug to be positioned in different functional states, enabling efficient drainage while facilitating quick removal, thus addressing both productivity and time loss concerns.
2Reliability
If the drain plug is designed for secure retention, then the plug remains secured during operation, but removal and installation become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The bayonet-type connection slot enables dynamic positioning of the drain plug. When rotated to the first position, the plug is securely retained for reliable operation. When rotated to the second position, the plug can be easily removed. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction between secure retention and ease of operation by allowing the same structure to provide both functions at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection slot changes the operational parameters of the plug through rotational movement. At the first position, the slot provides secure mechanical retention with appropriate friction and geometric locking. At the second position, the slot geometry changes to allow easy disengagement. This parameter change through rotation enables both reliable retention and easy operation.
3Ease of operation
If the drain plug uses a bayonet-type connection, then the plug can be held within the aperture when loosened, but axial movement is limited and the plug may remain secured even in the opened position
Solution Approach 1:
The bayonet-type connection slot is divided into distinct segments or paths: a first path to the first position and a second path to the second position. This segmentation provides clear, discrete positioning options for the plug, making the operation intuitive while managing the complexity of the connection mechanism through structured path design.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a fluid drain plug (10) for a fluid reservoir (50) with a drain hole (51), the plug having an extension in an axial direction (A) and comprising a body part (16) rotationally insertable into the drain hole (51), the body part having a proximal axial end (15), a distal axial end (17) and a substantially circular cross section with an outer surface (18), wherein the body part comprises a drain channel (92) having an inlet (91) located at the distal axial end and an outlet opening (94) disposed on the outer surface (18), the body part further comprising a bayonet-type connection slot (40) for accommodating a part of a radial projection (52) of a circumferential surface surrounding the drain hole (51), the bayonet-type connection slot being disposed on the outer surface and comprising an entrance (40a) at the distal axial end, a first path (41) and a second path (42), the first path (41) extending from the entrance, in the axial direction (A) and in one circumferential direction (C), to a first path terminal portion (70), wherein the first path terminal portion (70) is adapted to accommodate the radial projection (52), and the second path (42) extending from the first path terminal portion, in the axial direction (A) and in an opposite direction to the one circumferential direction (C), to a second path terminal portion (72), wherein the second path terminal portion (72) is adapted to accommodate the radial projection.