Conductive Plastic Tether for Vehicle Fuel System Grounding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle fuel systems generate electrostatic charges due to non-conductive materials, leading to potential electrical discharges that can cause damage or safety issues without an effective grounding path from the fuel pipes to the vehicle frame.

Innovation Solution

An electrostatic discharge assembly comprising a conductive plastic tether and a pipe connector provides a grounding path by connecting the fuel pipes to the vehicle frame, utilizing conductive plastic materials with added conductive additives to ensure electrical conductivity and prevent corrosion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If non-conductive materials are used in fuel pipes, then corrosion resistance is improved, but electrostatic charge discharge capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidelectrostatic charge accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite material construction by integrating a conductive tether made of conductive plastic or metal wire within an insulating fuel pipe structure. This composite approach allows the pipe to maintain corrosion resistance from the insulating material while the embedded conductive tether provides electrostatic discharge capability, thus resolving the contradiction between corrosion resistance and electrostatic charge discharge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive tether acts as an intermediary element between the non-conductive fuel pipe and the vehicle frame. It mediates the electrostatic charge discharge function without compromising the corrosion resistance properties of the main pipe structure, enabling charge dissipation while the insulating pipe material continues to protect against corrosion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If metallic materials are used for grounding, then electrostatic discharge capability is improved, but corrosion resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrostatic charge dischargeVSAvoidcorrosion resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating fuel pipe material serves as an intermediary protective layer between the metallic conductive tether and the corrosive environment. The metallic tether provides excellent electrostatic discharge capability, while the insulating pipe material protects it from corrosion, thus resolving the contradiction between discharge capability and corrosion resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive tether is designed as a dedicated sacrificial or replaceable component that can be easily replaced if corroded, while the main fuel pipe structure remains intact. This approach allows use of metallic materials for the tether to ensure discharge capability, with the understanding that the tether may require periodic replacement rather than protecting the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If conductive additives are added to plastic, then electrostatic discharge capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrostatic charge dissipationVSAvoidmaterial processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the electrical conductivity parameter of plastic materials by incorporating conductive additives such as carbon black or metal particles. This parameter change enables the plastic to dissipate electrostatic charges while maintaining its fundamental plastic properties and ease of manufacturing through conventional molding processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive plastic is created as a composite material by combining base plastic with conductive additives. This composite approach maintains the ease of manufacturing and molding characteristics of plastic while adding electrostatic discharge capability, thus resolving the contradiction between discharge capability and manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 assembly effectively discharges electrostatic charges from the fuel pipes to the vehicle frame, preventing damage and ensuring safety while being cost-effective and resistant to corrosion compared to metallic materials.

Implementation Method 1

The assembly effectively discharges electrostatic charges from the fuel pipes to the vehicle frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic discharge: Electrostatic Discharge

Implementation Method 2

The conductive plastic tether has a first end and a second end... providing a grounding path from a fuel pipe to a vehicle frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS10926724B2Electrostatic discharge assembly for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2021.02.23 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An electrostatic discharge assembly for a vehicle includes a conductive plastic tether and a pipe connector. The conductive plastic tether has a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to be connected to a vehicle frame. The pipe connector is configured to connect the second end of the conductive plastic tether to a first fuel pipe of the vehicle.