Fuel Filter Water Drain Valve With Downward-Opening Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water drainage devices 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 valve bore's longitudinal axis, allowing for downward movement and facilitating the drainage of water collected in the filter module, featuring a stepped bore and thread sections for efficient manufacturing and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the valve body moves upward to open the drainage valve, then the sealing and closing function is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases and machining becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional valve operation direction: instead of the valve body moving upward to open and downward to close, the valve body moves downward to open the drainage valve by lifting off the valve seat, and upward to close. This inversion allows the valve bore to be machined from below, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining reliable sealing through the seal element at the bottom of the valve body.
2Productivity
If the drainage opening is positioned at the lowest point, then water drainage efficiency is improved, but the valve structure becomes more complex requiring additional sealing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drainage opening directly with the valve bore at the lowest point of the housing, eliminating the need for separate drainage pathways. The valve body with its seal element integrates the sealing function directly at the drainage point, simplifying the overall structure while maximizing drainage efficiency by positioning the opening at the lowest position where water naturally accumulates.
3Reliability
If a seal element is added to ensure water-tight closing, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the manufacturing steps and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function into a dedicated seal element that is integrated with the valve body, specifically positioned at the bottom to contact the valve seat. This separate seal component ensures water-tight closing without requiring complex sealing mechanisms throughout the entire valve structure, simplifying both manufacturing and maintenance while guaranteeing reliable sealing.
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 effectively drains water from the filter module, preventing it from entering the fuel system and simplifying the manufacturing process by allowing the valve bore to be machined from below, ensuring reliable operation and easy maintenance.
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
the cylinder pin closes the drainage opening by an axial pressure with a seal element, arranged at the end face
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.