Flexible Locking Engine Dipstick Withstands High Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dipsticks in motor vehicles are prone to leakage and expulsion under high pressure conditions, leading to fluid loss and operational failures, particularly in racing cars, which complicates transmission maintenance and increases the risk of accidents and penalties.
Innovation Solution
A flexible dipstick housing with braided metallic strands and a polymeric inner lining, combined with inboard and outboard quick release couplings, ensures a liquid-tight seal and secure attachment, preventing expulsion and leakage even under high pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid tubular housing is used to anchor the dipstick, then structural rigidity is improved, but the housing becomes prone to leakage and expulsion under high pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid tubular housing with a flexible hose that can expand and contract under pressure. The flexible hose is reinforced with an expanded metal cone structure that provides strength while allowing the hose to flex and seal against pressure changes, preventing both leakage and expulsion.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is constructed as a composite structure combining a flexible hose material with an expanded metal cone reinforcement. This composite construction provides both the flexibility needed to prevent leakage and the structural strength to resist expulsion under high pressure conditions.
2Ease of operation
If a simple friction-fit structure is used for dipstick retention, then ease of operation is improved, but the dipstick fails to remain secured under certain vehicle operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The dipstick features a movable collar that can slide along the dipstick shaft. When inserted, the collar is positioned to engage with the housing and lock the dipstick in place. When removal is needed, the collar can be moved to an unlocked position, allowing easy extraction. This dynamic mechanism provides both secure retention and ease of operation.
3Measurement precision
If a constant insertion depth is maintained using a stop mechanism, then measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible hose is designed with varying properties along its length. The hose has a reinforced section with expanded metal cone structure that provides structural support and defines the insertion depth. This localized reinforcement eliminates the need for separate stop mechanisms while maintaining precise insertion depth for accurate fluid level measurement.
4Manufacturing precision
If a rigid tubular housing is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the housing cannot withstand inordinate pressure without blowing out the dipstick
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid tubular housing is replaced with a flexible hose that can expand under pressure without rupturing. The flexible hose is reinforced with an expanded metal cone structure that distributes pressure forces, allowing the housing to withstand inordinate pressure levels that would blow out a rigid tube while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible locking dipstick module useful with a motor vehicle transmission including a transmission case. A transmission dipstick is disposed within a housing which has one end thereof affixed to the transmission case and extends therefrom to a location within the engine compartment of a motor vehicle. Each end of the module includes a quick disconnect locking coupling providing for ready installation of the dipstick housing and its associated dipstick. Each coupling further provides protection against blow out of the dipstick in the event of inordinate build up of pressure within the transmission. Further, one portion of the outboard coupling may be employed as a liquid-tight closure for a dipstick entry opening in the transmission case during removal and/or storage of the transmission case.