Dual Fuel Inlet Layout for Mixed Nozzle Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicles are not compatible with both large-diameter and small-diameter fuel supply nozzles, leading to inefficiencies in fueling due to the need for different nozzle sizes at various fuel stations.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle is designed with two fuel inlets of different diameters, connected via a three-way valve, allowing compatibility with both large-diameter and small-diameter fuel supply nozzles, along with an attachment for adapting incompatible nozzles, and communication devices for secure connection and communication with the fuel supply system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single fuel inlet is used in conventional vehicles, then the vehicle structure is simple, but the vehicle cannot be compatible with both large-diameter and small-diameter fuel supply nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel inlet system is segmented into two separate inlets: a first fuel inlet with a larger diameter and a second fuel inlet with a smaller diameter. Each inlet is independently configured to receive different sizes of fuel supply nozzles, allowing the vehicle to be compatible with both large-diameter and small-diameter nozzles without requiring a single complex adaptive inlet structure.
2Productivity
If fuel supply nozzles with large diameter are used to shorten fueling time, then fueling efficiency is improved, but conventional fuel stations with only small-diameter nozzles cannot serve the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle's fuel inlet system is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple purposes: the first fuel inlet accommodates large-diameter nozzles for high-speed fueling at modern stations, while the second fuel inlet accommodates small-diameter nozzles for compatibility with existing conventional fuel stations. This universal design allows the vehicle to operate efficiently across different fueling infrastructure environments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an attachment is added to adapt incompatible nozzles, then compatibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding a complex attachment to the single fuel inlet to adapt incompatible nozzles, the solution extracts the adaptation function by providing a second dedicated fuel inlet with appropriate diameter. This eliminates the need for attachments or adapters, as the vehicle directly receives both large-diameter and small-diameter nozzles through the two separate inlets, simplifying the overall system while maintaining compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle may include: a fuel tank; a first fuel inlet connected to the fuel tank and configured to connect to a fuel supply nozzle; and a second fuel inlet connected to the fuel tank and configured to connect to the fuel supply nozzle. An inner diameter of the second fuel inlet may be smaller than an inner diameter of the first fuel inlet.