Diesel Exhaust Fluid Funnel with Tapered Stem and Grooves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fluid funnels are ineffective for filling diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tanks due to their design, which leads to spilling, fluid backup, and difficulty in reaching inclined ports, as they are not optimized for the remote and hard-to-reach locations of DEF tank ports.

Innovation Solution

A fluid funnel with a uniquely configured open-topped mouth and elongated stem, featuring sloped walls and grooves on the stem to prevent spilling and air bubbles, and a tapered stem for stable anchoring, allowing efficient filling even when tilted and reducing the risk of fluid backup and spilling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional funnels are used to fill DEF tanks, then the filling process can be performed, but spilling occurs due to the remote and inclined locations of DEF tank ports

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of fillingVSAvoidspilling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The funnel is designed with a flexible, adjustable stem that can be positioned at various angles and lengths to reach remote and inclined DEF tank ports. The dynamic adjustment capability allows the funnel to adapt to different port locations and orientations, preventing spilling while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The funnel incorporates a tapered stem with varying diameter along its length, allowing it to seal effectively against inclined ports. The stem diameter and angle parameters are optimized to maintain fluid containment at various orientations, reducing spilling while enabling access to difficult-to-reach ports.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the funnel stem forms an air-tight seal with the DEF tank port, then fluid containment is improved, but air bubbles form due to displaced air unable to escape

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid containmentVSAvoidair bubbles

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The funnel stem features localized ventilation channels or grooves at specific positions along its length. These localized features allow air to escape from the tank while the majority of the stem maintains an air-tight seal for fluid containment. The ventilation channels are strategically positioned to enable air bubble release without compromising overall sealing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If the funnel mouth is oriented vertically, then fluid flow is efficient, but the funnel cannot reach remote and inclined DEF tank ports

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling rateVSAvoidreachability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The funnel employs a flexible, adjustable stem that can be positioned at various angles and lengths to reach remote and inclined DEF tank ports. The dynamic adjustment capability allows the funnel to adapt to different port locations and orientations, preventing spilling while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The funnel design extends the stem in multiple spatial dimensions to reach inclined and remote ports. By utilizing angular and positional adjustments in addition to vertical orientation, the funnel can access ports in three-dimensional space while maintaining efficient fluid flow characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the funnel is tilted to reach inclined ports, then reachability is improved, but spilling increases due to the mouth sloping away from the stem

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereachabilityVSAvoidspilling

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 funnel effectively directs fluids into DEF tanks, reduces spilling and air bubbles, and provides stable anchoring, making it easier to fill DEF tanks, even when the funnel is tilted, and prevents fluid backup and spilling.

Implementation Method 1

The grooves form air channels between the exterior of the stem and the DEF port to allow displaced air to escape around the outside of the stem rather than through DEF poured into the funnel.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir channel flow:

Implementation Method 2

The mouth has a lowermost sloped wall that is no more than 40 degrees offset from the stem. This ensures the mouth slopes toward the stem even when the funnel is tilted up to 50 degrees relative to a vertical axis to ensure all DEF poured in the mouth will flow to the stem and into the DEF tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10676335B1Diesel exhaust fluid funnel

Publication Date: 2020.06.09 SELAH HOLDINGS INC

AI summary

A fluid funnel includes an open-topped mouth for receiving DEF or other liquids from a jug or other source; an elongated hollow stem depending from the mouth for directing the fluids from the mouth into a DEF tank or other fluid receptacle; and a tapered throat that joins the mouth and stem. The funnel more effectively direct fluids into a tank, even when the funnel is tilted; inhibits fluids from backing-up into the mouth and/or spilling out of the funnel; prevents displaced air from bubbling up through fluids in the mouth; and more firmly engages and seats within a tank port.