Fuel Housing Deflector Prevents Locking Pin Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel housing assemblies allow fuel nozzle boots to contact and move the locking pin into the locked position, requiring manual intervention to reengage the locking feature after fueling, which can lead to improper locking and unlocking of the fuel door.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a deflector assembly with a base portion and a deflector extending beyond the locking pin to prevent contact between the fuel nozzle boot and the locking pin, maintaining the locking pin in the extended position during fueling and ensuring proper engagement with the fuel door.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fuel nozzle boot is sized to contact the locking member during fueling, then the locking member is moved to the locked position, but the fuel door locking feature cannot engage properly after fueling
Solution Approach 1:
A deflector member is introduced as an intermediary component between the fuel nozzle boot and the locking member. The deflector has a first portion that contacts the fuel nozzle boot and a second portion that contacts the locking member, transferring the pushing force from the boot to the locking member in a controlled manner that ensures proper positioning without preventing subsequent fuel door engagement
2Reliability
If the fuel nozzle boot contacts the locking member to move it to the locked position, then the locking member is positioned correctly during fueling, but manual intervention is required to reengage the locking feature
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector member serves as a mediator that automatically transfers the pushing force from the fuel nozzle boot to the locking member during fueling operations. This automated force transfer eliminates the need for manual intervention to reengage the locking feature after fueling, as the system self-regulates the locking member position based on the boot's insertion depth
3Reliability
If the locking member is moved to the locked position by the fuel nozzle boot, then the locking member is secured during fueling, but the fuel door cannot be properly closed and locked
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector member with its two distinct portions creates a controlled interaction system where the first portion receives force from the fuel nozzle boot and the second portion translates this force to move the locking member. This intermediary mechanism ensures the locking member is positioned correctly during fueling without creating a conflict with the fuel door closing and locking mechanism, maintaining system simplicity while ensuring proper operation
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel housing assembly for a vehicle includes a fuel housing having a sidewall and an interior wall defining a fuel nozzle receiving cavity for receiving a fuel nozzle having a fuel nozzle boot. A fuel door locking assembly having a locking pin moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. A deflector assembly having a base portion and a deflector. The base portion is connected to the sidewall. The deflector extends outwardly from the base portion to extend beyond the locking pin to deflect the fuel nozzle boot from contacting the locking pin with the locking pin in the extended position.