Fluid Vent Adapter for Automotive Reservoirs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern automotive fluid reservoirs, especially those with horizontally positioned fluid conduits, face challenges in rapid filling due to drainage and venting issues, which can lead to inefficiencies and compromised fluid volumes, particularly in vehicles with increased demand for cleaning fluids.

Innovation Solution

A fluid vent adapter with a primary body comprising a central fill conduit and radially spaced dispensing holes, designed to fit snugly into the reservoir's inlet port, allowing for efficient fluid delivery while permitting air egress through vent channels, thereby reducing turbulence and preventing pressure buildup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If fluid conduits are positioned horizontally to save space and improve packaging, then space efficiency is improved, but drainage and venting issues worsen during rapid filling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace efficiencyVSAvoiddrainage and venting performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter segments the fluid flow path by providing multiple radially spaced dispensing holes instead of a single conduit, allowing fluid to enter through multiple points. This segmentation improves drainage performance while maintaining the horizontal conduit configuration for space efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter acts as an intermediary component between the horizontal conduit and the reservoir interior. It includes a vent channel that connects the interior of the reservoir to the exterior, mediating the venting function and resolving the conflict between horizontal positioning and venting performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If rapid filling is performed to increase productivity, then filling speed is improved, but turbulence and pressure buildup worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling speedVSAvoidturbulence and pressure buildup

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple radially spaced dispensing holes distribute the incoming fluid flow across different locations, reducing turbulence at each individual entry point. This allows rapid filling to proceed while minimizing harmful flow patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vent channel serves as an intermediary pathway that allows air to escape during rapid filling, preventing pressure buildup. This enables high-speed filling operations without the harmful effects of trapped air and pressure accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are added to detect operating parameters, then measurement capability is improved, but fluid demand increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor detection capabilityVSAvoidfluid volume required

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter modifies the flow parameters by distributing fluid through multiple dispensing holes, improving the efficiency of fluid delivery. This allows the system to meet increased fluid demand from multiple sensors while maintaining efficient space utilization in the reservoir.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 fluid vent adapter enables smoother, faster fluid filling and venting, addressing the challenges of horizontal conduit configurations and ensuring efficient fluid management in automotive reservoirs, even in constrained spaces.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of vent channels for permitting the egress of air from the reservoir during filling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas flow:

Implementation Method 2

An outside diameter of the lower portion is dimensioned for a close tolerance fit relative to an inside diameter of the inlet port of the reservoir, to establish a substantially sealed relationship between the inside diameter and the dispensing holes being blocked

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentUS11535199B2Fluid vent adapter for reservoir

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 ABC TECH INC

AI summary

A fluid vent adapter for filling a reservoir is disclosed. The vent adapter includes a primary body having an upper portion and a lower portion, a central fill conduit for delivering a fluid into the reservoir, and a plurality of vent channels for permitting the egress of air from the reservoir during filling. The central fill conduit is connected to a plurality of radially spaced dispensing holes arranged on the lower portion. Upon inserting the vent adapter into an inlet port on the reservoir, a least a portion of the radially spaced dispensing holes are blocked. An outside diameter of the lower portion is dimensioned for a close tolerance fit relative to an inside diameter of the inlet port of the reservoir, to establish a substantially sealed relationship between the inside diameter and the dispensing holes being blocked.