Fuel Pressure Regulator Retainer with Integrated Grounding Feature

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fuel system components within fuel pump assemblies often require electrical grounding to prevent static charge buildup, but existing solutions lack a secure and visually confirmable method for achieving this without using metal springs or fasteners.

Innovation Solution

A retainer with a grounding feature that includes a latch and wire holder to securely couple a ground wire to the electrically conductive portion of the fuel pressure regulator, providing a visible and tactile confirmation of grounding during installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional metal springs or fasteners are used to ground fuel system components, then reliable electrical grounding is achieved, but device complexity and potential static discharge risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical grounding reliabilityVSAvoidgrounding mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the grounding function from traditional metal spring/fastener mechanisms and integrates it directly into the plastic retainer body through an electrically conductive portion. This eliminates the need for separate metal grounding components while maintaining reliable electrical contact with the fuel system component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an electrically conductive portion as an intermediary element within the retainer structure. This conductive portion acts as a mediator between the retainer body and the fuel system component, providing reliable electrical grounding without requiring traditional metal fasteners or springs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional grounding methods are used, then electrical grounding is achieved, but visual confirmation of grounding during installation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrounding confirmationVSAvoidgrounding verification difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a visual indicator feature that changes color or provides visual feedback when proper electrical grounding is achieved. This allows installers to immediately confirm grounding status during installation without requiring complex measurement equipment or disassembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a visual feedback mechanism that provides immediate confirmation when the grounding circuit is properly established. The feedback feature allows installers to verify grounding status at a glance, eliminating uncertainty and ensuring proper installation without additional testing equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If metal springs or fasteners are used for grounding, then secure electrical contact is achieved, but static charge buildup risk increases due to potential arcing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical contact securityVSAvoidstatic charge buildup

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces durable metal grounding components with a consumable-like approach using the retainer body itself as the grounding path. The electrically conductive portion integrated into the retainer provides sufficient grounding for the application while eliminating the arcing issues associated with metal springs and fasteners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical spring/fastener system with an integrated plastic retainer structure containing an electrically conductive portion. This substitution eliminates the mechanical contact and potential arcing of metal components while maintaining secure electrical grounding through the conductive path within the retainer body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Ensures reliable electrical grounding of fuel system components without the need for metal springs or fasteners, offering a quick and secure method that is visually confirmable, thus preventing static charge buildup and ensuring component stability.

Implementation Method 1

The grounding feature electrically couples a ground wire to the electrically conductive portion of the fuel system component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS10001095B2Retainer with grounding feature for fuel system component

Publication Date: 2018.06.19 OVERDRIVE ACQUISITION LLC

AI summary

In at least some implementations, a retainer for a fuel system component having an electrically conductive portion accessible from the exterior of the component includes a retaining feature and a grounding feature. The retaining feature is adapted to maintain the location of the fuel system component and the grounding feature electrically couples a ground wire to the electrically conductive portion of the fuel system component. The fuel system component is grounded through a path including the grounding feature and ground wire.