Collapsible Oil Collection Bag with Integrated Strainer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil collection containers are bulky, complex, and impractical for DIY oil changes, failing to capture the engine's drain plug compactly and often leak, making it difficult to recycle used engine oil effectively.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible bag with a self-expanding design, featuring a threaded cylindrical inlet ring and a strainer that captures the drain plug, allowing easy oil flow while being compact, inexpensive, and easy to use, with a removable cap for sealing and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If existing oil collection containers are used, then oil collection function is provided, but the devices are bulky and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The collection container is divided into an inner collapsible bag and an outer protective housing, with each component serving specific functions. The inner bag handles oil collection and collapse, while the outer housing provides structural support and protection, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A threaded inlet ring with integrated strainer acts as an intermediary component between the drain plug and the collection bag. This intermediary structure filters debris while maintaining secure connection, preventing leaks without adding overall system complexity.
2Volume of moving object
If existing oil collection containers are used, then oil collection is possible, but they do not capture the engine's drain plug in a compact manner
Solution Approach 1:
The strainer is nested within the threaded inlet ring, and the entire inlet assembly is integrated into the collapsible bag structure. This nested arrangement captures the drain plug and filters debris within a compact footprint, reducing volume while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If existing oil collection containers are used, then oil collection function is provided, but they may leak when sealed
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded cap and inlet ring create a self-sealing mechanism through their threaded connection. As the bag collapses during oil collection, the flexible material naturally seals against the threaded surfaces, maintaining reliability without complex sealing components.
4Volume of moving object
If collapsible bag design is used, then compact storage is achieved, but the bag must self-expand when liquid enters
Solution Approach 1:
The collection bag is constructed from flexible material that naturally expands when oil enters and collapses when empty. This flexible shell design achieves compact storage and automatic expansion without complex mechanical mechanisms, maintaining ease of manufacture.
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
The solution provides a practical, compact, and affordable means to collect and recycle used engine oil, ensuring easy handling and transportation while preventing leaks, and allowing for the capture and filtration of foreign objects.
Implementation Method 1
a strainer removably seated within the threaded cylindrical inlet ring, said strainer being operative to separate a macroscopic solid object from a viscous liquid
Implementation Method 2
When unfolded and placed under a motor vehicle as the oil pan drains, the bag may self-expand due to the weight of the viscous liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid collection container includes a self-supporting, collapsible bag with a threaded cylindrical inlet ring or spout and a strainer removably seated within the ring. The strainer can separate a macroscopic solid object from a viscous liquid. The fluid collection container includes a rectangular prismatic box with the spout extending through and a threaded cap removably coupled to the spout. A method of draining automotive oil includes positioning the bag beneath an oil pan of an automobile, removing an oil plug from the automotive oil pan and allowing the oil plug to fall into the strainer; draining the automotive oil through the strainer into the bag; removing an oil filter from the automobile; removing the strainer from the inlet; inserting the oil filter; and screwing a threaded the cap onto the inlet.