Fuel Tank Filler Neck Flap with Segmented Pivot Pins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filler neck designs for motor vehicle fuel tanks require high activating forces and suffer from kinematic inefficiencies and wear issues when opening the flap, especially with incorrect fuel nozzle diameters, which can lead to engine damage.
Innovation Solution
The filler neck design features two elements pivoted about spaced-apart pins, loaded by a spring force, with bearings arranged on both sides of the funnel insert, using hollow cylinders and flattened journal pins or cylindrical journals, ensuring stable and easy operation even with oblique nozzle insertion, and employing helical tension springs for enhanced security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two elements pivoted about a common pin are used to open the flap, then the locking function is achieved, but the activating force required is very great and wear is high
Solution Approach 1:
The common pin connection is segmented into two separate pins spaced apart in the transverse direction. Each element pivots about its own pin, creating independent rotation points that improve force distribution and reduce the total activating force required while maintaining the locking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin spacing in the transverse direction creates a lever arm effect, utilizing the dimensional separation to reduce the force required for activation. The spaced pins create a more favorable moment arm geometry that reduces the force needed compared to a common pin configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the hinge pin and lock are not fixed in space, then the flap can orient itself with oblique filler tube positioning, but the locking reliability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing positions are fixed in space at specific locations on the funnel insert, creating localized constraint points. This allows the elements to pivot only at these fixed locations, ensuring reliable locking while still permitting the filler tube to be inserted at various angles through the inherent play in the bearing connections.
3Stability of the object's composition
If elements are held by bearings with multiple components, then stable bearing is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing components are merged into integrated structures. The first bearing part is formed as one piece with the funnel insert, and the second bearing part is formed as one piece with each element. This reduces the number of separate components while maintaining stable bearing functionality through the unified construction.
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 reduces the activating force required to open the flap, enhances reliability, and minimizes wear, ensuring secure operation with both correct and incorrect fuel nozzle diameters, preventing fuel misalignment and engine damage.
Implementation Method 1
they are loaded with respect to one another by the force of the spring acting between them
Data Source
AI summary
A filler neck for the fuel tank of a motor vehicle has a funnel insert having a lockable flap with a lock, which is held by two elements which can each be pivoted about a pin. The flap is released only when both elements are pivoted to one side simultaneously by the filler tube of a gas pump nozzle. In order to open the flap with minimal actuating forces, the first element can be pivoted about a first pin and holds the hinge pin for the flap on its end far from the first pin, and the second element can be pivoted about a second pin and forms a locking hook. The two pins have a spatial distance from one another in the transverse direction and the two elements are loaded with respect to one another by at least one spring.