Liquid Filling Component with Intermediate Widening Chamber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional filling components for liquid containers, such as those used in vehicles for washing water or cooling liquids, experience turbulence and foam formation due to their small circular cross-section and narrow bending radii, leading to slow and interrupted filling processes.

Innovation Solution

A component with an intermediate section that widens between the filler neck and outlet section, calming the liquid and reducing dynamic pressure, thereby preventing foam formation and allowing for uninterrupted, quicker filling by deflecting the liquid flow against a chamber wall and guiding it laterally out of the chamber.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a conventional filling component with small circular cross-section and narrow bending radii is used, then the component structure is simple, but the liquid flow becomes turbulent causing foam formation and slow filling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling speedVSAvoidcomponent structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate section with a widening chamber that adds a volumetric dimension to the filling path. This chamber allows the liquid to expand and calm down, transitioning from a narrow turbulent flow to a broader laminar flow, thereby increasing filling speed without excessive complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The filling component is divided into distinct sections: a filler neck, an intermediate section with widening chamber, and an outlet section. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the intermediate section specifically addresses turbulence by providing a calming chamber, improving overall filling efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the liquid is filled quickly into the component, then productivity increases, but turbulence and foam formation increase causing filling interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling speedVSAvoidcontinuous filling
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate section with its widened chamber acts as a cushioning zone before the liquid enters the outlet section. This chamber absorbs the kinetic energy and turbulence of the incoming liquid, preventing foam formation and ensuring continuous reliable filling without interruptions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If the component has a consistent small circular cross-section, then manufacturing is simple, but liquid turbulence causes foam and slow filling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling speedVSAvoidcomponent geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The component features a localized widening in the intermediate section while maintaining simple circular cross-sections in the filler neck and outlet sections. This local quality change - the widening chamber - is sufficient to calm the liquid without requiring complex geometry throughout the entire component, balancing manufacturability with improved filling performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution enables efficient and rapid filling of liquids into containers without interruptions, effectively reducing turbulence and foam formation, allowing for faster and more efficient liquid transfer.

Implementation Method 1

The contact of the liquid with the inner wall of such filling components causes turbulence in the liquid and a dynamic pressure in the liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

a liquid poured into the filler neck is guided against the lower wall 8 of the chamber 7 which is arranged opposite the filler neck

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact Force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP3013653B1Component for adding a liquid to a liquid container
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP3013653B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3013653B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3013653B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a component (1) for adding a liquid to a liquid container (12), having a filler neck (3) that comprises a filler opening (2) and an outflow portion (5) that can be connected to the liquid container (12) and comprises an outflow opening (4), characterised by at least one intermediate portion (6) which is located between the filler neck (3) and the outflow portion (5) and which, at least in a part adjoining the filler neck (3), forms at least one widening of the component (1) relative to the filler neck (3) for steadying a liquid added to the component (1).