Fuel Filter Water Drain Valve With Downward-Opening Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water drainage systems for fuel filter modules are inefficient in draining water collected at the lowest point of the filter housing, which can lead to water surpassing the maximum level and being conveyed further into the fuel system, posing a risk to modern injection systems.
Innovation Solution
A water drainage device with a valve housing and valve body that transitions from a closed to an open state by moving linearly along the longitudinal axis and downward direction, allowing for easy manufacturing and effective drainage, featuring a stepped bore and thread sections for rotational to linear movement conversion, and seal elements for secure operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the valve body moves in upward direction to open the drainage, then the drainage function is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to top-side machining requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional valve operation direction: instead of moving the valve body upward to open drainage, the valve body moves downward along the longitudinal axis to open the drainage passage. This inversion allows the thread section to be machined from the bottom side of the valve housing, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining the drainage function.
2Productivity
If the drainage opening is positioned at the lowest point, then water drainage efficiency is improved, but the valve body sealing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the valve body into multiple sections with different functions: a first section with a first seal element for sealing the drainage passage, and a second section with a second seal element for sealing against the valve seat. This segmentation allows each seal element to be optimized for its specific sealing location, ensuring reliable sealing at the lowest point drainage opening while maintaining manufacturing precision.
3Reliability
If a simple valve structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of water separation and drainage is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different seal elements at different locations of the valve body: a first seal element (such as an O-ring) for sealing the drainage passage in the first section, and a second seal element for sealing against the valve seat in the second section. This localized sealing approach ensures reliable water separation and drainage functionality while keeping the overall valve structure relatively simple and manageable.
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 device ensures reliable and efficient drainage of water from the filter module, preventing water from entering the fuel system and simplifying the manufacturing process by allowing bottom-side machining of the thread section, thus enhancing the safety and functionality of the fuel filter module.
Implementation Method 1
the valve body, upon transfer of the water drainage device from the closed state into the open state, moves linearly along a longitudinal axis of the valve bore and away from the valve seat along or at a slant to a direction of gravity in downward direction
Implementation Method 2
In the closed state, the valve body seals relative to the valve seat of the valve bore such that no water can flow through the water drainage device or through the valve bore
Implementation Method 3
the valve bore comprises a thread section and the valve body comprises a counter thread section corresponding to the thread section, wherein the thread section and the counter thread section are interacting in such a way that they convert a rotational movement of the valve body in relation to the valve housing into a linear movement of the valve body along the longitudinal axis
Data Source
AI summary
A water drainage device for a filter module is provided with a valve housing that has a valve bore and a valve body received at least in sections thereof in the valve bore. The water drainage device can be transferred from a closed state, in which the valve body seals in relation to a valve seat of the valve bore, into an open state, in which the valve body is lifted off the valve seat, and transferred from the open state into the closed state. The valve body, upon transfer of the water drainage device from the closed state into the open state, moves linearly along the longitudinal axis of the valve bore and away from the valve seat along or at a slant to a direction of gravity in downward direction.