Fuel Pump Adapter With Flexible Tabs For Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fuel pump assemblies in combustion engines often experience vibrations due to loose or varying component sizes, affecting coupling integrity and longevity, which existing solutions fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

An adapter with flexible and resilient tabs that engage the fuel pump casing, providing a secure fit within the fuel pump assembly while allowing for flexibility to accommodate varying component sizes, and incorporating a separate filter or screen to ensure proper fuel flow and contamination prevention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid coupling structures are used to secure the fuel pump, then coupling integrity is improved, but vibrations increase due to size variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling integrityVSAvoidvibrations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible tabs made of resilient material that can elastically deform to accommodate size variations in the fuel pump casing. These tabs provide a flexible coupling interface that maintains secure attachment while absorbing vibrations, resolving the contradiction between coupling integrity and vibration reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the coupling structure from rigid to flexible by using resilient material with specific elastic properties. This parameter change allows the coupling to adapt to dimensional variations while dampening vibrations, simultaneously improving reliability and reducing harmful vibrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If flexible materials are used to accommodate size variations, then adaptability is improved, but coupling strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of size variationsVSAvoidcoupling strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible tabs are designed with specific geometric parameters (width, length, thickness) that optimize both flexibility and strength. The resilient material properties are selected to provide sufficient elastic deformation capability while maintaining adequate coupling strength, achieving a balance between adaptability and strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling structure transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic flexible connection that can adapt its degree of engagement based on the actual dimensions of the fuel pump casing. The flexible tabs dynamically adjust their deformation to accommodate size variations while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If tight coupling is used to eliminate vibrations, then coupling integrity is improved, but component longevity decreases due to stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling integrityVSAvoidcomponent longevity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible tabs act as a cushioning element that anticipates and absorbs vibrations before they can transmit stress to the fuel pump components. By providing this beforehand cushioning through elastic deformation, the system protects components from vibration-induced stress while maintaining coupling integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful rigid connection that transmits vibrations into a beneficial flexible connection that absorbs vibrations. The flexibility that might seem to reduce coupling integrity actually improves component longevity by eliminating vibration-induced stress cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 adapter effectively reduces vibrations between the fuel pump and container, enhances coupling integrity, and minimizes contamination risks by providing a secure, flexible interface that adapts to size variations, thereby improving the longevity and performance of fuel pump components.

Implementation Method 1

the tabs are flexible and resilient and may be radially inwardly flexed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11215152B2Fuel pump adapter

Publication Date: 2022.01.04 OVERDRIVE ACQUISITION LLC

AI summary

In at least some implementations, an adapter, for a fuel pump having a casing, has a base having an axis and an opening through which fluid may flow, and multiple tabs connected to the base. The tabs are circumferentially spaced apart with a void between at least part of the tabs, and at least two tabs have a contact portion that extends radially inwardly to define a minimum diameter opening between the tabs. Each contact portion extends along a portion less than all of the surface areas of the radially inner surface of the tabs.