Filling Device Vent Line Indicator Prevents Overfilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid container filling systems, especially those installed behind vehicle components, face challenges in preventing overfilling due to the inability to visually monitor the fill level, leading to undesirable contamination when filling is completed at the end of the filling line.
Innovation Solution
A filling device with a separate ventilation line and an indicator element that changes state based on air flow, indicating when the container is full, using a wind wheel or light element to visually or acoustically signal the full state, preventing overfilling by ensuring air flow only occurs when the container is not full.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If filling is performed via a filler neck behind vehicle components, then the liquid container can be filled in confined spaces, but the fill level becomes difficult to see and overfilling occurs leading to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color-changing indicators or visual markers on the filler neck or container that change appearance when the container reaches full capacity. This allows the fill level to be easily detected through color transformation, resolving the visibility issue while maintaining the space-efficient filler neck configuration.
2Device complexity
If no vent line is provided, then the device structure is simpler, but air cannot escape during filling causing pressure buildup and potential overfilling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the venting function into a separate, dedicated vent line that is spatially separated from the filling line. This allows air to escape independently during filling without interfering with the filling process, improving reliability while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple through functional separation.
3Loss of information
If the indicator element is continuously actuated, then the full state is clearly indicated, but energy is consumed and the indicator may wear out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the indicator element to be actuated periodically or intermittently based on filling conditions, rather than continuously. The indicator is activated when air escapes through the vent line during filling, and remains inactive when the container is full, reducing wear and energy consumption while maintaining clear indication of the full state.
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
Effectively prevents overfilling by providing a clear visual or auditory indication of the container's full state, allowing for a small residual volume without overflow, and integrating ventilation and venting functions to prevent pressure issues and contamination.
Implementation Method 1
the indicator element is subjected to a force by escaping air in the vent line
Implementation Method 2
venting system to prevent the formation of negative and positive pressure within the container
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A filling device for a liquid container (1), comprising a filling line (2) opening into the liquid container (1), with a filling head (3) at the end of the filling line (2) facing away from the liquid container (1), and a vent line (4) for venting the liquid container (1), with an open end section (5) at the end of the vent line (4) facing away from the liquid container (1), wherein the filling device includes an indicator element (6) for indicating a full state of the liquid container (1), wherein the indicator element (6) is subjected to a force by escaping air in the vent line (4) during filling of the liquid container (1) in a normal state in which the liquid container (1) is not full, such that the indicator element (6) assumes a first detectable state,and wherein the indicator element (6) is not subjected to a force by escaping air in the vent line (4) during filling of the liquid container (1) in the container-full state, such that the indicator element (6) assumes a second detectable state, different from the first detectable state.