Vehicle Fluid Container Air Trapping Volume Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle fluid containers face issues with fluid spillage due to pressure equalization valve contact when the vehicle is on an inclined road or accelerates/decelerates, and the limited design space restricts container shape and size.
Innovation Solution
A container design with an air trapping volume created by an inner wall protruding from the inlet, separating the fluid surface into sections and trapping air to prevent valve contact, ensuring pressure equalization through a valve with a predetermined opening threshold, and allowing for efficient fluid storage without leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a valve is provided for pressure equalization, then pressure control is improved, but fluid spillage occurs when the vehicle is on an inclined road or accelerates/decelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into two separate chambers by a partition wall. The first chamber contains the fluid and the inlet, while the second chamber contains the pressure equalization valve. This segmentation prevents the valve from contacting the fluid even when the container is inclined or subjected to acceleration forces, thereby eliminating fluid spillage while maintaining pressure control functionality.
2Quantity of substance
If the container size and shape are increased to improve fluid storage capacity, then the design space in the motor compartment is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall with the communication hole is nested within the container structure, creating a compact two-chamber design. This nested configuration allows both chambers to coexist within a limited space envelope, maximizing fluid storage capacity while maintaining a compact overall container dimensions suitable for motor compartment installation.
3Ease of operation
If the inlet is positioned at the top wall for easy filling, then filling accessibility is improved, but fluid may contact the valve during vehicle movements
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure equalization valve is extracted from the inlet region and relocated to the second chamber separated by the partition wall. This extraction ensures that the inlet can be positioned at the top wall for easy filling accessibility, while the valve is physically removed from the risk zone where fluid could contact it during vehicle inclines or accelerations.
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 effectively prevents fluid spillage during vehicle movements and inclinations, maintaining a safe and efficient fluid supply without frequent refilling, while avoiding damage from corrosive fluids.
Implementation Method 1
an inner wall protruding from around the inlet into the interior space of the container, thereby forming an air trapping volume for trapping air
Implementation Method 2
the cap comprising a valve for ensuring pressure equalization between the inside and the outside of the container
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A container (1) for a fluid (21) in a vehicle (25), comprising: an inlet (2) for filling the fluid (21) into the container (1), the inlet (1) being arranged at a top wall (11) or top edge (12) of the container (1), the inlet (2) being adapted to couple with a cap (3) for closing the inlet (2), the cap (3) comprising a valve (4) for pressure equalization; an inner wall (5) protruding from around the inlet (2) into the interior space of the container (1), thereby forming an air trapping volume (6) for trapping air; wherein the air trapping volume (6) is delimited by the inlet (2), the inner wall (5), the cap (3) and a fluid surface (7) inside the container (1) when the container (1) is used; the inner wall (5) is configured such that the cap (3) and/or the valve (4) remains separated from the fluid (21) by the air (22) trapped in the air trapping volume (6) if the fluid surface (7) is inclined about an axis (A).