Movable Fuel Cap Barrier Kit for Diesel DEF Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

In diesel vehicles, the proximity of fuel tank filler inlets and DEF tank filler inlets can lead to accidental addition of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) into the fuel tank, causing damage to the fuel system and engine components due to DEF's aggressive nature when mixed with diesel fuel.

Innovation Solution

A fuel cap barrier kit featuring a movable barrier and attachment member is installed on the vehicle, positioned in front of the fuel cap, which requires users to manually move it before accessing the filler cap, thereby introducing an additional step to ensure the correct fluid is added to the appropriate tank, preventing DEF from being mistakenly added to the fuel tank.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the fuel tank filler inlet and DEF tank filler inlet are positioned next to each other, then space utilization is improved, but the risk of accidental DEF addition to fuel tank increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiller compartment space utilizationVSAvoidrisk of accidental DEF addition

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A movable barrier is introduced as an intermediary element between the fuel filler inlet and DEF filler inlet. The barrier physically separates access to the two fillers and requires intentional user action to move, thereby preventing accidental DEF addition while maintaining compact spatial arrangement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a movable barrier is added to the filler compartment, then protection against accidental DEF addition is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of fuel system damageVSAvoidfiller compartment structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filler compartment is segmented into distinct zones using a movable barrier that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the barrier to provide protection without requiring complete redesign of the filler compartment structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to transition between blocking and non-blocking positions. This dynamic characteristic provides protection when needed while maintaining ease of access when the user intentionally needs to add fuel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10086693B2Fuel cap barrier kit

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A fuel cap barrier kit is basically provided with a movable barrier and an attachment member. The movable barrier is dimensioned and structured to be attached to a vehicle body at a location in which the movable barrier is disposed in front of a fuel cap and is underneath a filler compartment door. The movable barrier is movable between an inlet accessible position in which the movable barrier permits user access to the fuel cap and an inlet blocking position in which the movable barrier is disposed in front of the fuel cap. The attachment member is configured to fixedly attach the movable barrier to the vehicle body.