Vehicle Fluid Reservoir Barrier for Controlled Collision Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for replacing engine lubricating oil in vehicles are cumbersome and pose risks due to the potential for fluid release during high-speed collisions, which can lead to hazardous situations, especially in hybrid powertrains where high voltages and battery packs may ignite fires.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle fluid delivery system with a removable housing and a fluid barrier made of ductile elastomer materials, which provides secondary containment to mitigate or prevent fluid loss and control its release in a controlled direction, incorporating absorbent materials to delay fluid release until the vehicle comes to rest.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional methods are used to replace engine lubricating oil, then the fluid can be drained and replaced, but the process requires access from the underside of the engine, hand tools, and collection methods, making it cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid reservoir is designed as a removable, self-contained unit that can be easily detached from the engine bay. This segmentation allows the reservoir to be replaced as a single component without requiring complex disassembly or special tools, directly addressing the ease of operation and time loss issues with conventional methods
Solution Approach 2:
The housing acts as an intermediary structure that simplifies the replacement process. It provides a standardized interface between the fluid reservoir and the engine bay, enabling quick connection and disconnection without requiring direct access to the engine sump or specialized collection methods
2Productivity
If the fluid reservoir is positioned in the engine bay, then fluid delivery is enabled, but impact damage during high-speed collisions can cause fluid release, creating hazardous situations especially with combustible fluids and high voltage systems
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid barrier is positioned around the fluid reservoir before any collision occurs, providing pre-established protection. This barrier contains the fluid within a protected zone, preventing uncontrolled release during impact events and eliminating the hazard of combustible fluid contact with high voltage ignition sources
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the potential harm of fluid release during collision into a controlled benefit by directing any released fluid through a controlled path away from hazardous components. The fluid barrier manages the fluid in a way that transforms a dangerous uncontrolled release into a controlled, safe discharge
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 system effectively prevents uncontrolled fluid release during collisions, reducing the risk of fires and ensuring safer handling of fluids by containing and delaying their release until the vehicle is stationary.
Implementation Method 1
the barrier includes an absorbent material and the absorbent material is configured to retain fluid within the barrier
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a vehicle fluid delivery system comprising (a) a housing defining a first cavity, wherein the housing includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side and the second side being separated by a continuous side wall extending around their peripheries, and wherein the housing is adapted to be removable from a vehicle, (b) a fluid reservoir positioned in the first cavity of the housing, (c) a fluid port coupling disposed on the first side of the housing and providing fluid access to the fluid reservoir, and (d) a fluid barrier external to and contiguous with the side wall.