Filler Tube Head Venting to Prevent Premature Fuel Nozzle Shut-Off

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing tubing heads for motor vehicle tanks often trigger the automatic fuel distribution stop system prematurely due to condensation from temperature differences between the degassing line and the distribution pistol, leading to difficult filling processes.

Innovation Solution

A tubing head design featuring a vent connected to a degassing line with a deviation system forming a channel to prevent flow from the degassing line from reaching the distribution nozzle, and a drainage orifice to evacuate any liquid, ensuring that the automatic distribution stop system is not triggered during filling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the degassing line is connected to the vent without a diversion device, then the pressure balancing function is achieved, but condensation from temperature differences triggers the automatic dispensing stop system prematurely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling process reliabilityVSAvoidtubing head structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The degassing line flow is segmented into two separate paths: one path goes through the diversion device to the vent for pressure balancing, and the other path goes through the drainage orifice back to the tank for liquid removal. This segmentation prevents condensation from reaching the dispensing nozzle while maintaining pressure balancing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The diversion device acts as an intermediary element that redirects the flow from the degassing line away from the dispensing nozzle. By introducing this intermediate flow path, the harmful condensation is prevented from contacting the nozzle, thus eliminating false triggering of the stop system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the vent flow is directly exposed to the dispensing nozzle, then the structure is simple, but liquid condensation is detected as fuel rising causing premature shut-off

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling operation continuityVSAvoidflow diversion mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vent flow path is segmented from the dispensing nozzle area using the diversion device. This ensures that condensation and liquid in the vent flow cannot be detected by the automatic dispensing stop system, allowing continuous filling operations without premature shut-off.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful liquid condensation is extracted from the vent flow through the drainage orifice, which directs it back to the tank. This extraction removes the source of false detection by the automatic stop system, ensuring smooth filling operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the automatic dispensing stop system is highly sensitive to pressure drops, then overfilling is prevented, but legitimate filling is interrupted by false positives from condensation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling accuracyVSAvoidfilling speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The condensation that causes harmful false positives is redirected through the drainage orifice back to the tank. By converting this harmful byproduct into a controlled flow path, the system maintains high sensitivity for detecting actual overfilling while eliminating false interruptions, thus preserving both accuracy and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

This design prevents premature triggering of the automatic distribution stop system, allowing for complete filling without fuel being projected outside the tubing and ensuring efficient fuel distribution by diverting any liquid from the vent back to the tank.

Implementation Method 1

a drainage orifice arranged to evacuate, towards the tank, any liquid from the flow to the vent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity drainage: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a deflection device forming a channel between the degassing line and the vent so that the flow from the degassing line to the vent cannot be directed towards the dispensing nozzle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow diversion through channel formation:

Data Source

PatentEP3342617B1Filler tube head and storage device comprising such a head
Publication Date: 2025.02.05 PLASTIC OMNIUM ADVANCED INNOVATION & RES SA
  • EP3342617B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3342617B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a tubing head (11) for a fluid reservoir (3) comprising a vent (10) arranged to communicate with a degassing line (9), said tubing head being arranged to receive a fluid distribution nozzle (26) equipped with an automatic distribution stop system and comprising a device for diverting a flow (B) from the degassing line (9) so that a flow (C) towards the vent (10) does not trigger said automatic stop system when filling the reservoir (3) by means of the distribution nozzle (26).