Working Fluid Container Bulkhead for Filling Volume Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating fluid containers for motor vehicles experience variations in filling volumes due to inclined positions, leading to differences from the nominal volume when the refueling venting device closes, especially when the vehicle is parked on slopes, resulting in inconsistent fluid levels.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a bulkhead within the operating fluid container that forms a gas-impermeable air space with the tank cover, ensuring the filling volume remains between 90% and 110% of the nominal volume regardless of inclinations up to 20°, achieved through precise positioning and dimensioning using simulation programs and finite element methods, considering the container's geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a refueling venting device is arranged eccentrically on a tank cover to adapt to complicated container geometry, then the container can effectively utilize limited space in the motor vehicle, but the filling volume varies significantly when the vehicle is in an inclined position
Solution Approach 1:
The container interior is divided into a first region and a second region by a bulkhead, with the refueling venting device arranged in the first region. This segmentation allows the venting device to be positioned in an optimal location for consistent filling volume while the bulkhead efficiently utilizes the remaining space in the second region, thereby resolving the contradiction between space utilization and filling volume consistency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the container has a complicated and irregular geometry to fit limited space, then space utilization improves, but the filling volume after filling stop differs from nominal volume when inclined
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing a bulkhead that segments the container into distinct regions, the invention maintains the complicated overall geometry needed for space adaptation while creating a controlled first region for the refueling venting device. This ensures reliable and consistent filling volume accuracy in the first region regardless of the container's irregular shape or inclined position.
Solution Approach 2:
The bulkhead acts as an intermediary structure that separates the refueling venting device from the irregular geometry of the container. This intermediary element allows the venting device to operate in a controlled environment (first region) while the second region accommodates the complicated container geometry, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
3Measurement precision
If the refueling venting device is positioned to close at the nominal volume level, then the filling process stops at the intended volume when horizontal, but the actual filling volume varies when the vehicle is parked on a slope
Solution Approach 1:
The bulkhead creates a dedicated first region that houses the refueling venting device, isolating it from the effects of container inclination. This segmentation allows the venting device to accurately detect the nominal volume level and stop the filling process at the correct volume, regardless of whether the vehicle is horizontal or parked on a slope, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and filling volume consistency.
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 solution ensures a consistent filling volume close to the nominal volume across various inclinations, improving the usability of the container's interior space and reducing differences in fluid levels when the vehicle is parked at different angles.
Implementation Method 1
the bulkhead (21), together with the tank cover (12), forms an essentially gas-impermeable air space (18) which is air-separated from a ventilation space (17)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
The present invention discloses a working fluid container (10) for a motor vehicle characterised by the following features: the working fluid container (10) has at least one partition (21, 22), which is arranged in the working fluid container interior (16), is in contact with an inner face (13) of a container ceiling (12) of the working fluid container (10), and extends towards a container base (14) opposite the container ceiling (12). The partition (21, 22) together with the container ceiling (12) forms a gas-impermeable air space (18) which is air-separated from a venting space (17) containing the tank venting device (30) when the level of the working fluid in the working fluid container interior (16) is so high that a lower edge (23) of the bulkhead partition (21, 22) closest to the container base (14) is immersed in the working fluid in the working fluid container interior (16). The partition (21, 22) is sized and positioned in such a way that, irrespective of an arbitrarily angled position of the working fluid container (10) of up to 20° during a tank filling operation with the vent (31) closed off on account of the working fluid level, a filling volume of the working fluid in the working fluid container interior (16) is between 90% and 110% of the nominal volume of the working fluid container (10).