Fuel Sender Assembly with Adjustable Positioning Mechanisms
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel sender assemblies require unique designs for each fuel tank configuration, making them inflexible and costly to produce, as they must avoid baffles and adapt to varying tank shapes and sizes.
Innovation Solution
A fuel sender assembly with adjustable positioning mechanisms, including a housing, first and second positioning mechanisms, and a sender unit with a float, allowing for re-orientation and installation in various fuel tank configurations by utilizing telescoping sections and locking mechanisms to secure the sender unit in multiple positions relative to the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a unique sender unit and fuel pump assembly is designed for each fuel tank configuration, then the assembly can fit specific tank shapes and avoid baffles, but the device complexity and production costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The sender unit assembly is designed with adjustable positioning mechanisms that enable a single universal design to adapt to multiple fuel tank configurations. The assembly includes adjustable arms and positioning features that allow it to be configured for different tank shapes, sizes, and baffle arrangements, eliminating the need for unique designs for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The sender unit incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable components that can be positioned in multiple locations and orientations. The adjustable arms and positioning mechanisms allow the assembly to dynamically adapt its configuration to match different fuel tank geometries and internal structures, providing versatility without increasing base design complexity.
2Reliability
If a unique sender unit and fuel pump assembly is designed for each fuel tank configuration, then proper fit and function are achieved, but production costs increase due to countless design variations
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal sender unit design with adjustable positioning mechanisms replaces the need for multiple unique designs. This universal assembly can be manufactured in standard quantities, reducing production costs while maintaining proper fit and function through field-adjustable positioning features that accommodate different fuel tank configurations.
3Strength
If the sender unit is structurally assembled with the fuel pump assembly, then structural integrity is maintained, but flexibility to adapt to different fuel tank configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sender unit assembly is segmented into adjustable components including positionable arms and modular positioning features. These segmented elements can be independently positioned and configured to match different fuel tank geometries while maintaining structural integrity through controlled connections between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly incorporates dynamic, adjustable positioning mechanisms that allow structural components to be reconfigured for different applications. The adjustable arms and positioning features enable the rigid structural elements to adapt their configuration while maintaining structural integrity during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel sender assembly having a housing, a first positioning mechanism, a second positioning mechanism and a sender unit. The first positioning mechanism contacts an outer surface of the housing and is movable in a first direction relative to the housing. The first positioning mechanism is further configured to retain the sender unit in any one of a plurality of positions relative to the outer surface of the housing. The second positioning mechanism includes a first part and a second part. The first part is attached to the first positioning mechanism. The second part is coupled to the first part such that the second part is movably positionable relative to the first part in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The sender unit is connected to the second part.