Fuel Inlet Retainer Segmentation for Splash Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
During refueling, the internal pressure of a fuel tank increases, causing fuel vapor to be guided through a breather tube, which can result in fuel splashes that pass through an air vent hole and jump out, leading to potential deformation and reduced strength of the fuel inlet components.
Innovation Solution
A fuel inlet design featuring a retainer with two separate components, where the air vent hole is formed as a gap between these components, allowing vapor to pass while inhibiting fuel splashes from escaping, and enabling adjustable size and position of the air vent hole and restriction mechanism without altering the design of individual components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the air vent hole is formed by punching process in a single-component retainer, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the hole width cannot be sufficiently reduced, causing fuel splashes to pass through and jump out
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is divided into two separate components: a first component (main body) and a second component (cover). The air vent hole is formed as a gap between these two components rather than being punched through a single component. This segmentation allows precise control of the gap width to prevent fuel splash while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standard assembly processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The second component acts as an intermediary element that covers the end portion of the first component. By positioning and securing this intermediate component, the air vent hole width is precisely controlled as a gap between the two components, solving the problem of insufficient hole width control in single-component designs.
2Device complexity
If the thread is formed directly to the distal end portion of the inlet pipe, then the structure is simplified, but the strength of the thread portion and seal portion is reduced due to impact and load during refueling
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is designed as a separate component from the inlet pipe, with the thread formed on the retainer rather than directly on the inlet pipe. This segmentation isolates the thread portion to a dedicated component that can be optimized for strength without requiring the entire inlet pipe to be thicker, thus maintaining structural simplicity while improving local strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is designed with locally optimized properties: it has a thicker structure at the thread portion to withstand impact and load during refueling, while the inlet pipe itself maintains its original thickness. This local quality enhancement provides the necessary strength without increasing the overall device complexity or requiring the entire inlet pipe to be oversized.
3Manufacturing precision
If the retainer is designed as a single integrally formed component, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the air vent hole cannot be sufficiently narrowed to prevent fuel splash escape
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is segmented into two components (first component and second component) that are secured together. This segmentation transforms the air vent hole from a punched feature into a controlled gap between components, enabling precise width control to prevent fuel splash while keeping the overall retainer structure relatively simple through standard assembly methods.
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
This design effectively reduces fuel splashes, maintains component strength, and allows for cost-effective and versatile manufacturing by using different materials and adjusting the air vent hole size and restriction mechanism without increasing manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the vapor or the fuel in the fuel tank is guided toward the distal end portion of the inlet pipe through the breather tube... allowing the vapor, which is supplied from the breather tube toward the distal end portion of the inlet pipe, to pass therethrough and be discharged to the outside
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel inlet includes: an inlet pipe to form a path to guide fuel to a fuel tank; a breather tube to form a path to guide vapor in the fuel tank toward a distal end portion of the inlet pipe; and a retainer provided at a distal end portion of the inlet pipe and including: an attachment and detachment mechanism to attach and detach a fuel filler cap; a restriction mechanism to restrict a distal end position of a fuel filling gun; and an air vent hole to allow passage of the vapor supplied from the breather tube toward the distal end portion of the inlet pipe. The retainer includes a first component including the attachment and detachment mechanism and a second component secured to the first component and including the restriction mechanism. The air vent hole is a gap formed between the first component and the second component.