Fluid Drainage Screw Stop for Vibration-Safe Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid evacuation devices for motor vehicles are prone to losing the closing screw during maintenance or normal operation due to vibration, leading to difficulties in reattachment and increased risk of loss.
Innovation Solution
The fluid evacuation device incorporates a dual-function abutment mechanism with a first abutment means mounted on the main body and a second abutment means on the screw plug, which limits the screw's movement to prevent loss and ensures it remains attached, along with a radial adjustment feature for easy access and replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the closing screw is completely unscrewed to release the fluid outlet during maintenance, then the fluid evacuation channel is free for maintenance operations, but the screw is separated from the main body and risks being lost
Solution Approach 1:
The closing screw is nested within the hollow main body, with its head received in a recess of the main body when unscrewed. This nesting arrangement allows the screw to be fully removed from the threaded opening for maintenance access while preventing complete separation and loss, as the head remains captured within the main body's recess.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess in the main body acts as an intermediary structure between the closing screw and the external environment. It provides a transition zone that allows the screw to be unscrewed completely from the threaded opening while still being retained within the main body, thus mediating between the need for maintenance access and screw retention.
2Ease of operation
If the closing screw is completely unscrewed for maintenance, then the operator can freely undertake maintenance steps, but the screw becomes difficult to access and may be lost among tools or spare parts
Solution Approach 1:
The closing screw's head is nested within a recess of the main body when unscrewed, making it visible and accessible within the main body's interior space. This prevents the screw from being lost among external tools or spare parts, as it remains contained within the main body's recess where it can be easily detected and retrieved.
3Device complexity
If the screw cooperates with a drilled and tapped end piece, then the structure is simple, but the screw can come undone due to engine vibration during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The closing screw's head is nested within a recess of the main body, which prevents the screw from completely detaching during vibration. The recess acts as a mechanical stop that limits the screw's movement, preventing it from coming undone due to engine vibration while maintaining the simple threaded connection structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess in the main body provides preliminary anti-action against the harmful effect of vibration by pre-establishing a mechanical constraint. Before vibration can cause the screw to completely detach, the recess's counter surface prevents further movement, counteracting the vibrational forces that would otherwise cause the screw to come undone.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a fluid evacuation device (100) for a fluid container (10) comprising: - a hollow main body (1) including a flow chamber and a threaded opening (12) communicating with said flow chamber and intended to open into the fluid container (10); - a fluid evacuation channel; - a sealing screw (2) including a threaded portion (24) intended to engage by screwing with the threaded opening (12) of the hollow main body (1). According to the invention, the fluid evacuation device (100) includes an opening stop (5) composed of a first stop means (510) mounted in a wall of the main body delimiting the flow chamber and a second stop means (521) mounted on the sealing screw (2) and located in the flow chamber.The opening stop (5) limits the sealing screw (2) in an extreme open position where the first stop means (510) is in contact with the second stop means (521) and where the fluid evacuation channel is clear.