Canister Gas Management With Single-Pump Vapor Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle fuel storage devices are complex and require a significant number of components for managing air and hydrocarbon vapor mixtures, including multiple pumps and systems for purging and diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
A simplified architecture using a single purge pump and solenoid valves to manage the mixture of air and hydrocarbon vapors, eliminating the need for a diagnostic pump and vacuum pump, with optional features like membrane separation units and electronic control for optimizing vapor treatment and pressure management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple pumps and systems are used for managing air and hydrocarbon vapor mixtures, then the functionality for purging and diagnostics is complete, but the device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The purge pump is designed to perform multiple functions: it can purge the canister by directing vapor mixture to the separation unit, and it can perform leak diagnostics by directing the vapor mixture directly to the fuel tank. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate diagnostic pump and vacuum pump systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining complete functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of purging and leak diagnostics into a single integrated system using one purge pump with solenoid valve control. The solenoid valves act as switches to direct the vapor mixture to different destinations based on the operational mode, merging what were previously separate systems into a unified architecture
2Device complexity
If a single purge pump is used for both purging and diagnostics, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability for different operations must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses solenoid valves to dynamically redirect the vapor mixture flow based on operational requirements. During purging mode, the valve directs flow to the separation unit; during diagnostic mode, it directs flow to the fuel tank. This dynamic switching capability allows a single pump to adapt to different operational modes without requiring separate dedicated pumps for each function
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
This solution reduces the complexity and number of components, enabling efficient purging and diagnostics while optimizing the filtration and treatment of air and hydrocarbon vapor mixtures, thereby improving the overall efficiency and reliability of the fuel storage device.
Implementation Method 1
at least one solenoid valve arranged between the purge pump and the separation unit, said at least one solenoid valve being configured to selectively send the mixture of air and hydrocarbon vapors either to the separation unit or directly to the fuel tank
Implementation Method 2
the separation unit being configured to receive the mixture of air and hydrocarbon vapors from the canister and to separate said mixture into a hydrocarbon-rich fraction and a hydrocarbon-lean fraction
Implementation Method 3
a canister purge pump arranged between the canister and the separation unit
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a fuel storage device (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a fuel tank (2); - a canister (10) fluidically connected to the fuel tank (2); - at least one separation unit (14) configured to receive the mixture of air and hydrocarbon vapours from the canister (10) and to separate said mixture into a hydrocarbon-rich fraction and a hydrocarbon-poor fraction, the hydrocarbon-rich fraction being sent to the fuel tank (2); - return means (18) for returning the hydrocarbon-poor fraction to the canister (10); - a purge pump (16) for purging the canister (10) which is arranged between the canister (10) and the separation unit (14); - at least one solenoid valve (24) configured to selectively send the mixture of air and hydrocarbon vapours either to the separation unit (14) or to the fuel tank (2).