Boat Fuel Supply System Integrating Relief Path

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fuel supply systems for boats with a second fuel tank connected to a first fuel tank on a hull result in complicated fuel piping due to the separate configuration of the relief path and fuel supply path.

Innovation Solution

The fuel supply system integrates the relief path with the second fuel tank, eliminating the need for separate piping connections and incorporating a filter and closing member to manage fuel flow and protect against foreign matters, while also integrating the fuel supply path with the tank to simplify the piping configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the relief path is configured to be connected to multiple fuel pipes at a location different from where the vapor separator is disposed, then the relief function can be achieved, but the fuel piping becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelief functionVSAvoidfuel piping complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The relief path is merged with the vapor separator body, forming an integral structure where the relief path is no longer a separate component but is incorporated into the vapor separator itself. This eliminates the need for separate piping connections and reduces fuel piping complexity while maintaining the relief function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vapor separator body serves multiple functions: it acts as the vapor separator, contains the relief path, and provides structural support. By making the vapor separator body multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate relief path piping and reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If the fuel supply path is integrated with the second fuel tank, then the fuel piping complexity is reduced, but the tank section capacity may be constrained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel piping complexityVSAvoidtank section capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The second fuel tank is divided into a tank section and a vapor separator body. The fuel supply path is integrated with the vapor separator body rather than the tank section, allowing the tank section to maintain its full capacity while the vapor separator body provides the integrated fuel supply and relief functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fuel supply path is routed through the vapor separator body in a vertical dimension rather than occupying horizontal space in the tank section. This dimensional separation allows the tank section to maintain maximum capacity while still achieving integrated fuel supply piping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS8142246B2Fuel supply system for boat and outboard motor

Publication Date: 2012.03.27 MIKUNI CORP

AI summary

A fuel supply system for a boat, which prevents fuel piping from becoming complicated, includes a vapor separator unit connected to a fuel tank that is mounted on a hull and holds fuel supplied to an engine section, a low-pressure pump arranged to discharge the fuel reserved in the fuel tank into the vapor separator unit, and a mounting hole for a valve, a fuel passage section, and a pipe section (relief path) that return the fuel discharged by the low-pressure pump to the suction opening section side of the low-pressure pump when a tank section is filled with a predetermined amount of fuel. The mounting hole for the valve, the fuel passage section, and the pipe section (relief path) are integral with the vapor separator unit.