Single-Piece Fluid Reservoir Plug With Channel-Guided Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drain plugs for oil pans are susceptible to oil seepage and leaking due to a single seal design, have complex multi-piece constructions prone to additional leak paths, and are vulnerable to wear and degradation, making them inefficient and costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece fluid reservoir plug with a transverse channel and conduit design, featuring a plurality of grooves for seals and rotational drives, reduces leakage paths, enhances sealing ability, and is resistant to wear, while allowing fluid to exit through the channel and conduit during coupling, simplifying manufacturing and compatibility with existing reservoirs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single seal design is used in conventional drain plugs, then the structure is simple, but the sealing ability is insufficient leading to oil seepage and leaking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sealing functions into a single integrated drain plug body with multiple seals positioned at different locations. The drain plug includes a first seal at the interface with the oil pan and a second seal within the bore, creating multiple sealing barriers without requiring separate components. This merging approach enhances sealing reliability while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Ease of manufacture
If a multi-piece design is used for drain plugs, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but the number of leakage paths increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a unitary, multi-piece integrated design where the drain plug body, seals, and internal structures are formed as a single component. This eliminates the need for assembly of multiple separate parts, thereby removing potential leakage paths at interfaces between components while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through appropriate material selection and forming processes.
3Duration of action of moving object
If conventional drain plugs are used with repeated usage, then they serve their function, but wear and degradation occur making removal and recoupling difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a tapered thread design that allows the drain plug to self-align and self-adjust during removal and installation. The taper provides dynamic adaptation to minor misalignments and wear, maintaining ease of operation throughout the service life. Additionally, the rounded head geometry facilitates continuous rotation and prevents binding, ensuring operational ease even after repeated use.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional drain plugs are used, then they provide basic sealing, but fluid splashes and spills occur during oil changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an internal channel system that acts as an intermediary pathway for fluid flow during drainage. The channel guides oil flow smoothly from the bore through the plug body, preventing uncontrolled splashing and spills. This mediator structure controls fluid dynamics without requiring complex external containment systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for a fluid reservoir plug. In one example, a single-piece plug for a fluid reservoir includes a shaft, the shaft including a threading, a conduit, and a channel. The channel extends transversely through each thread of the threading to the conduit. Furthermore, while the threading is coupled to the fluid reservoir at an opening of the fluid reservoir, fluid exits the opening by flowing along the channel before flowing through the conduit.