Capless Fuel Tank Closure Assembly with Rotatable Service Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fuel tank filler neck systems require a cap to be removed and replaced for refueling, which is inconvenient and can lead to unintended cap removal during vehicle use, and existing solutions do not provide a secure and serviceable capless closure system.

Innovation Solution

A capless fuel tank filler neck closure system with a spring-biased flapper door and rotatable engagement mechanism, including anti-rotation features like a lock tab and lock bolt, allowing for automatic closure after refueling and secure, removable installation for servicing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a capless closure system is implemented, then convenience and prevention of unintended removal are improved, but serviceability and ease of repair deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of refuelingVSAvoidserviceability of closure assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The closure assembly is divided into separable components including the nozzle insertion housing, flapper door assembly, and engagement mechanism that can be independently serviced or replaced without removing the entire closure system from the filler neck

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A serviceable engagement mechanism with rotational coupling acts as an intermediary between the permanent filler neck installation and the removable closure components, allowing technicians to disconnect and service the closure assembly by rotating it to disengage threaded or bayonet-style connectors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of repair

If a rotatable engagement mechanism is added for serviceability, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremovability for servicingVSAvoidcomplexity of engagement mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotational engagement mechanism serves multiple functions: it secures the closure assembly during normal operation, enables tool-free removal for servicing through rotation, and provides alignment features for proper installation, replacing the need for separate locking and alignment components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring tools to remove the closure assembly, the system uses rotation in the opposite direction of installation to disengage and remove components, making serviceability as simple as the installation process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

Enables convenient, secure, and serviceable refueling without a cap, preventing unintended cap removal and allowing for easy maintenance by allowing rotation and removal of the capless closure assembly for repair.

Implementation Method 1

a spring-biased flapper door mounted on the nozzle-insertion housing for movement relative to the nozzle-insertion housing between a closed position closing a nozzle-receiving aperture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring bias: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS9873322B2Closure assembly for fuel tank filler neck

Publication Date: 2018.01.23 STANT USA CORP

AI summary

A fuel tank apparatus is adapted to conduct fuel toward the fuel tank of a vehicle. The fuel tank fill apparatus includes a fuel-tank filler neck for conducting fuel to the fuel tank and a capless closure assembly the couples to the fuel-tank filler neck in such a way so as to be removed for serviceability.