Fuel Filter Safety Pin Prevents Housing Detachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fuel filter systems installed under vehicles are prone to detachment during impacts, leading to potential vehicle breakdowns and fuel spillage risks due to inadequate securing mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A fuel filter system with a sliding device and dual clipping mechanism, including a safety pin that locks the filter housing to its support, ensuring it remains attached even if the primary clipping device unlocks during an impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single clipping device is used to secure the filter housing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because the filter can detach during impacts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter housing retentionVSAvoidsecuring mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The securing mechanism is divided into multiple independent clipping devices (first and second clipping devices) that can be engaged at different positions along the support. This segmentation ensures that if one clip fails during an impact, the other clip maintains the connection, thereby improving reliability without requiring a single complex multi-functional component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second clipping device is engaged before the first clipping device during installation. This preliminary engagement of the second clip creates a pre-secured state that provides immediate protection against detachment, and the first clip is then engaged to complete the securing process. This sequence ensures redundant protection is in place before full operation begins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If clips are positioned low on the support, then the filter housing can be securely retained, but the ease of operation deteriorates because impacts can cause clips to pop out

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter housing retentionVSAvoidimpact resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dual clipping device system acts as a cushioning mechanism against impact forces. When an impact occurs, the first clip may disengage, but the second clip remains engaged to continue providing retention force. This beforehand preparation of multiple securing points cushions the system against the harmful effect of impacts, preventing complete detachment while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If a locking pin is added to prevent filter housing exit, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of filter housing exitVSAvoidlocking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking pin acts as an intermediary element that provides an additional layer of protection between the filter housing and the support. Rather than integrating the locking function into the clips themselves, the pin serves as a separate intermediary component that engages with the support to prevent housing exit. This intermediary approach improves reliability while keeping the clip design simple and the locking function distinct and manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4204119B1Fuel filter system having a safety pin
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP4204119B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a fuel filter system comprising a filter housing (1) provided with a bracket (3), a mount (9), the bracket (3) and the mount (9) comprising a sliding device (5, 10) sliding in a predetermined direction, enabling the housing (1) to slide on the mount (9), a first clipping device (12) for clipping the housing (1) to the mount (9), a second clipping device (13) for clipping the bracket to the mount which is engaged before the first clipping device (12) is locked, characterised in that it further comprises a pin (15) for blocking the filter housing (1) from being detached from its mount (9) when the first device is unlocked.