Removable Engine Leak Catch Pan With Sight Glass Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catchment devices for internal combustion engines are inadequate in effectively capturing and managing leaks, as they either lack comprehensive coverage or fail to provide visual fluid level monitoring and easy drainage solutions.
Innovation Solution
A removably positioned oil pan with integrated sight glass and attachments that securely fit over a factory-installed oil pan, allowing for efficient fluid capture, visual fluid level monitoring, and easy drainage, while being constructed from fluid-impermeable materials to prevent leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a factory-installed oil pan is used, then the engine has basic fluid containment, but it lacks visual fluid level monitoring and easy drainage capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The removable oil pan assembly is nested within and fits over the factory-installed oil pan. The removable pan contains the sight glass and drain plug mechanisms, while the factory pan provides the base containment structure. This nesting allows the added functionality without requiring complete replacement of the original pan.
Solution Approach 2:
The sight glass provides automatic visual feedback on fluid levels without requiring manual inspection or additional sensors. The drain plug mechanism allows easy self-service drainage by the operator without requiring specialized tools or procedures.
2Reliability
If comprehensive fluid capture coverage is achieved, then all leaks are contained, but the device becomes more complex and harder to install
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid capture system is segmented into two parts: the factory-installed oil pan and the removable oil pan assembly. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage through the combined structure while keeping the removable portion simple enough for easy installation and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable oil pan assembly serves multiple functions: it provides additional containment coverage, incorporates fluid level monitoring through the sight glass, enables easy drainage via the drain plug, and allows for simple removal and cleaning. This multi-functionality achieves comprehensive coverage without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Measurement precision
If visual fluid level monitoring is added, then fluid management is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sight glass utilizes optical properties to display fluid levels through visual color or transparency changes. As fluid rises or falls in the pan, the sight glass automatically shows the corresponding level through light transmission or reflection, providing precise measurement without electronic sensors or complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic fluid level sensing systems with a simple optical sight glass mechanism. This mechanical/optical substitution provides accurate fluid level measurement while dramatically reducing device complexity, cost, and maintenance requirements.
4Ease of operation
If easy removal and installation is enabled, then maintenance is simplified, but the secure retention of the oil pan may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism uses movable attachment members that can be easily shifted between engaged and disengaged positions. This dynamic design allows the oil pan to be securely retained during operation while enabling simple removal when needed, adapting the retention strength based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment members act as intermediaries between the removable oil pan and the vehicle. These members provide the connection function, allowing easy installation and removal while maintaining sufficient retention strength through their engagement with both the pan and the vehicle mounting points.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid catchment assembly for capturing fluids leaking from an internal combustion engine includes an oil pan structured to fit over a factory installed oil pan of an internal combustion engine thereby facilitating the oil pan to capture fluids that leak from the internal combustion engine. A sight glass is fluidly integrated into the oil pan thereby facilitating the sight glass to visually display a fluid level in the oil pan. A plug is insertable into the drain for closing the drain and a pair of attachments is each attached between the internal combustion engine and the oil pan. Each of the attachments releasably retains the oil pan on the internal combustion engine.