Vehicle Filling Head Pressure Equalization Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional filling heads for liquid tanks in vehicles face challenges in preventing liquid from escaping during high-speed filling, which can lead to contamination of the vehicle and the environment.

Innovation Solution

The filling head incorporates a design with a pressure equalization opening and a connecting piece that allows air displaced from the liquid tank to flow counter to the liquid flow, ensuring effective pressure equalization and preventing liquid from splashing or escaping, while also featuring a tapering pressure equalization opening and a hollow cylinder or cone shape for efficient air routing and flow guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high filling rates are used to improve productivity, then filling speed increases, but liquid leakage and contamination occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling speedVSAvoidliquid leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filling head is divided into multiple functional components: a first housing part with receiving opening, a second housing part with outlet nozzle, and a connecting nozzle with pressure equalization openings. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently, enabling high filling rates while preventing leakage through specialized design elements in each segment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure equalization openings in the connecting nozzle act as intermediaries that facilitate air flow from the tank interior to the exterior. This intermediary air path equalizes pressure differences during high-speed filling, preventing liquid from being forced out through the receiving opening while maintaining high filling rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If high filling rates are used to reduce filling time, then productivity improves, but air displacement and pressure buildup occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling timeVSAvoidpressure buildup
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure equalization openings are pre-configured in the connecting nozzle to establish an air escape path before filling begins. This preliminary arrangement ensures that as liquid enters the tank at high rates, air can immediately escape through the pressure equalization openings, preventing pressure buildup that would otherwise occur during rapid filling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes pneumatic principles by designing the pressure equalization openings to allow air flow. The openings are positioned and sized to create appropriate pressure differential that drives air from the high-pressure tank interior to the lower-pressure exterior, effectively managing pressure buildup during high-speed filling operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If pressure equalization openings are added to prevent liquid splashing, then leakage prevention improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleakage preventionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure equalization function is merged into the connecting nozzle structure itself rather than being a separate component. The connecting nozzle simultaneously serves to connect the outlet nozzle to the tank interior and provides pressure equalization through integrated openings, thereby improving leakage prevention without significantly increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting nozzle is designed with multi-functionality: it connects the outlet nozzle to the tank, provides structural support, and enables pressure equalization through its openings. This universal design allows a single component to perform multiple functions, improving reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enables high filling speeds of up to 40 l/min without liquid escape, ensuring effective ventilation and preventing contamination, while the automatic dispensing valve mechanism prevents incorrect filling.

Implementation Method 1

The pressure equalization port in the connecting nozzle ensures effective pressure equalization between the interior of the connecting nozzle and the interior of the filling head housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure equalization: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the pressure equalization opening is in particular designed as a tapered pressure equalization opening which tapers from an end of the pressure equalization opening facing the receiving opening to an end of the pressure equalization opening facing the vent nozzle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTapered geometry flow control: Geometry

Data Source

PatentEP3418097B1Filling head for a liquid tank
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 VERITAS AG
  • EP3418097B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3418097B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3418097B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a filling head (100) for a liquid tank in a vehicle, comprising a housing (103) with a first housing part (103-1), a second housing part (103-2), and a third housing part (103-3), wherein the third housing part (103-3) is connected to the first housing part (103-1) and to the second housing part (103-2). A receiving opening (117) is formed in the first housing part (103-1), into which a dispensing nozzle for filling with liquid can be inserted. A vent (121) for introducing air into the interior of the housing (103) is formed in the second housing part (103-2).In the third housing part (103-3) a connecting nozzle (123) for conveying liquid is formed, wherein the connecting nozzle (123) is arranged in the housing (103) between the third housing part (103-3) and the second housing part (103-2), and wherein the connecting nozzle (123) comprises at least one pressure equalization opening (125) for pressure equalization in the connecting nozzle (123).