Vehicle Filler Lid Rib Structure to Prevent Water Splashing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Water can enter the lid device through gaps between the support body and lid body during vehicle washing, accumulating in reinforcing ribs and potentially splashing when the lid is opened.

Innovation Solution

The lid device incorporates reinforcing ribs on the support body with inclined surfaces facing downward to guide water away from the lid body, featuring a drain port and inclined locking claws to prevent water accumulation and splashing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If reinforcing ribs are added to the support body to ensure strength, then structural strength is improved, but water accumulation occurs in the ribs causing scattering when the lid is opened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidwater scattering
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing rib is designed with an asymmetric cross-section where one surface is inclined while the other is substantially flat. This asymmetric geometry creates a slope that directs water flow toward the flat surface and prevents accumulation in the rib structure, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of water scattering while maintaining the strength-enhancing function of the rib

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The solution addresses the water accumulation problem by introducing a directional dimension to the rib surface. Instead of a symmetric or flat rib structure, the inclined surface creates a gravitational flow path that redirects water away from accumulation zones, transforming the rib from a potential water trap into a water-guiding structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

The design ensures sufficient strength while effectively preventing water scattering and splashing during lid operation.

Implementation Method 1

a portion of the reinforcing rib along a horizontal direction is inclined such that a free end side faces downward

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4279310B1Lid device
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 ALPHA
  • EP4279310B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4279310B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4279310B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A lid device (1) mounted on an oil filler port (3) or an power supply port of a vehicle and for opening and closing the oil filler port (3) or the power supply port includes: a housing (10) configured to be assembled to the oil filler port (3) or the power supply port; a support body (21) provided to be rotatable with respect to the housing (10); and a lid body (41) attached to the support body (21). Reinforcing ribs (27, 28) protruding toward a lid body (41) side are formed on the support body (21), and in a state in which the lid device 1 is mounted on the oil filler port (3), a portion of the reinforcing ribs (27, 28) along a horizontal direction is inclined such that free end sides face downward.