Vehicle Fuel Inlet Sealing Structure for High-Pressure Water Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel inlet structures allow high-pressure water to ingress into the vehicle cabin during car washing, especially when a drain portion is formed in the outer seal portion, leading to deformation and water ingress into the cabin.
Innovation Solution
A fuel inlet structure featuring a double seal system with an inner and outer seal portion, a drain portion, and a water-catching portion that projects from the region between the inner and outer seal portions to prevent water ingress, where the water-catching portion is angled and curved to enhance sealing and reduce water retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drain portion is formed in the outer seal portion to drain water, then water drainage is improved, but high-pressure water can directly deform the inner seal portion and ingress into the cabin
Solution Approach 1:
The water catching portion acts as an intermediary element positioned between the drain portion and the inner seal portion. It intercepts water flowing through the drain portion and redirects it, preventing direct contact with the inner seal portion while maintaining the drainage function.
Solution Approach 2:
The water catching portion is positioned upstream in the water flow path to preemptively intercept water before it can reach and deform the inner seal portion. This preliminary protective action prevents the harmful effect before it occurs.
2Reliability
If a double seal structure with inner and outer seal portions is used, then sealing performance is improved, but water can still ingress between the seal portions when high-pressure water enters through the drain portion
Solution Approach 1:
The water catching portion serves as a protective intermediary that shields the inner seal portion from water exposure. By positioning itself between the water flow path and the inner seal, it prevents water from reaching the seal interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The water catching portion provides beforehand protection by intercepting water flow before it can compromise the seal. This prior protective measure ensures the seal portions remain unaffected by water exposure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fuel inlet structure of a vehicle, including a vehicle body panel (12), an inlet box (22), and a seal portion (30). The seal portion includes: an inner seal portion (32) provided in correspondence with the whole circumference of the flange portion (26); an outer seal portion (34) provided in correspondence with the whole circumference of the flange portion (26); and a water catching portion (38), the water catching portion, in a portion of the whole circumference of the seal portion (30) that is a lower portion in the vehicle vertical direction, projecting from a region between a proximal end portion of the inner seal portion (32) and a proximal end portion of the outer seal portion (34) to a region encompassing an area between the drain portion (34H) and the inner seal portion, the water-catching portion (38) being configured to stop water that passes through the drain portion from a vehicle outer side.