Brake Compensation Tank Stop Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern engine compartment designs often obstruct views, making it difficult to align labels and symbols on expansion tanks due to tolerances between container and cover threads, leading to inconsistent end positions and potential leakage.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating stops on both the lid and container to ensure a uniform, predetermined end position during tightening, with recesses and projections providing tactile and audible feedback for correct alignment and sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If threaded connection with tolerances between container thread and cover thread is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a stop element that is pre-positioned on the cover thread to define the exact end position of the threaded connection. This preliminary positioning feature ensures that when the cover is tightened, it automatically stops at the correct location, eliminating alignment errors without requiring high manufacturing tolerances on the threads themselves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces reliance on mechanical thread tolerance stacking with a mechanical stop element that provides a definitive end position. Instead of depending on the cumulative effect of thread tolerances to achieve alignment, the stop element provides a positive mechanical constraint that ensures precise positioning regardless of thread variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If threaded connection with tolerances is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stop element is pre-positioned on the thread to define the correct end position before the sealing operation is completed. This ensures that the cover is tightened to the exact position needed for proper sealing, preventing both under-tightening (which would cause leakage) and over-tightening (which could damage the seal).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The stop element provides tactile and positional feedback to the operator during the tightening process. When the cover thread engages the stop, it creates a definitive mechanical limit that the operator can feel and observe, providing immediate feedback that the correct tightening position has been reached, ensuring reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If no stop is provided, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidend position precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The stop element is integrated into the cover thread structure as a pre-positioned feature that defines the end position. This simple addition provides precise positioning without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or multiple components, maintaining low device complexity while achieving high end position precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The stop element acts as an intermediary between the threaded connection and the sealing interface. It mediates the relationship between the cover and container by providing a defined end position that ensures proper alignment, without requiring complex mechanisms. The stop is a simple geometric feature that translates thread rotation into precise linear positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2648952B1Compensation tank for hydraulic motor vehicle brake systems
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO OHG
  • EP2648952B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2648952B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2648952B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a compensation tank 1 for hydraulic motor vehicle brake systems, comprising a tank housing 9, the tank housing having at least one hydraulic fluid chamber 2 which can be filled with hydraulic fluid via a filler neck 3 and having a cap 4 which can be fastened to the filler neck 3 by means of a threaded connection with a cap and a tank thread 5, 6. It is proposed according to the invention that the cap 4 and the tank housing 9 each have one stop 10, 11, which stops permit predetermined positioning of the cap 4 in relation to the tank housing 9.