Capless Fuel Filler Flap with Nozzle-Guided Low-Force Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capless fillers require high workloads for fueling due to strong biasing forces, and adding lock mechanisms complicate the structure.
Innovation Solution
A capless filler design with nozzle guides and a simple structure that reduces the force needed to open the flap by guiding the fuel nozzle to push the protrusions, using a biasing spring to maintain closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a strong biasing spring is used to maintain tight closure of the fuel hole, then sealing performance is improved, but the force required to open the flap increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion acts as an intermediary element between the fuel nozzle and the flap. When the fuel nozzle pushes the protrusion, it creates a leveraged opening action that reduces the direct force needed on the flap itself, while still allowing the strong biasing spring to maintain sealing performance when closed
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion extends in a direction away from the supported part, creating a dimensional advantage. By pushing the protrusion rather than the flap directly, the opening force is applied at a different point and angle, providing mechanical advantage and reducing the force required to overcome the biasing spring
2Reliability
If a lock mechanism is added to maintain closure, then sealing performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is extracted and replaced by a simpler passive system. The protrusion and biasing spring combination provides the necessary closure maintenance without requiring active locking components, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining sealing performance
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing spring automatically maintains flap closure without requiring any locking mechanism. The spring's continuous biasing force self-regulates to keep the flap sealed against the fuel hole opening rim, eliminating the need for additional lock components
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
Reduces the work load on fueling individuals by allowing the flap to be opened with less force, maintaining sealing performance without increasing structural complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing spring configured to push the base in a direction from the open position to the closed position
Implementation Method 2
at least a part of the protrusion is provided as a nozzle guide configured to guide the fuel nozzle in a direction away from the supported part when the flap is turned
Data Source
AI summary
A capless filler includes a housing, a flap, and a biasing spring. The housing has a fuel hole. The flap includes a supported part, a base, and a protrusion. The supported part is provided at an end part and is supported by the housing. The base extends to the supported part. The protrusion protrudes from the base. The flap is turned on a fulcrum at the supported part between open and closed positions. The biasing spring biases the flap in a direction from the open position to the closed position. The biasing spring pushes the base against an opening rim of the fuel hole at the closed position. The flap is turned in a direction from the closed position to the open position in response to the protrusion being pushed. At least a part of the protrusion is provided as a nozzle guide.