Engine Fuel Tank Layout With Offset Filler Port and Level Gauge
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Solution Overview
Problem
In work machines, the equal distance from the oil filler port of the fuel tank to both sides makes fuel filling difficult and prone to overflow due to the longer distance, requiring careful handling to prevent fuel from spilling.
Innovation Solution
The engine design positions the air cleaner and muffler on opposite sides with the fuel tank longer in one direction, featuring an oil filler port displaced to one side and a visible level gauge inside the tank, allowing easier access and preventing overflow by optimizing the filler port's position and providing a clear liquid level indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the oil filler port is positioned at the center of the fuel tank, then the fuel tank can be filled from either side, but the distance from the filler port to both end portions becomes long making filling difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the oil filler port at a displaced location rather than at the center of the fuel tank. This creates an asymmetric configuration where the distance from the filler port to one end portion is shorter than to the other end portion, optimizing accessibility and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the worker stands at a distance from the oil filler port, then the worker can access the filler port, but the long distance makes it difficult to control fuel filling and prevent overflow
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric positioning of the oil filler port allows the worker to stand closer to the filler port by approaching from the side with the shorter distance, thereby improving control over the filling operation and reducing the risk of fuel overflow while maintaining accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a level gauge that provides visual feedback to the worker during fuel filling. This feedback mechanism allows the worker to monitor the fuel level in real-time and stop filling before the tank overflows, thereby preventing fuel overflow while maintaining ease of operation.
3Shape
If the fuel tank is positioned with equal distance to both sides, then the overall layout is symmetric, but the distance to the filler port becomes long requiring careful handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately introduces asymmetry into the fuel tank configuration by displacing the oil filler port from the center position. This asymmetric design prioritizes ease of operation over symmetric layout, creating a more practical configuration for fuel filling while maintaining overall compactness and efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
In an engine, an air cleaner and a muffler are located laterally opposite to each other with an engine body therebetween, the air cleaner and the muffler are located forward of the engine body in the longitudinal direction, a fuel tank is longer laterally than longitudinally when viewed from above and is located rearward of the engine body in the longitudinal direction, and an oil filler port which is sealed by a cap is provided to the fuel tank at a position laterally deviated leftward. A level gauge, which can be visually recognized when the cap is removed and the oil filler port is viewed from above and from the front side longitudinally, is provided inside the fuel tank.