Fuel Tank Cap Charcoal Canister Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fuel tank caps with charcoal canisters are ineffective in absorbing all fuel vapor and can allow liquid fuel to enter the charcoal containment area, leading to reduced filtering performance due to long-term fuel exposure and potential carburetor blockage.
Innovation Solution
A fuel tank cap design featuring a charcoal canister with a dual-filtering system, including a fuel-absorption substrate and breathing panels, which directs and slows the flow of fuel vapor and liquid, preventing charcoal powder from entering the fuel tank and allowing for the recycling of liquid fuel back to the tank when stopped, thus maintaining charcoal filtering efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If fuel vapor passes through charcoal powder for filtration, then environmental pollution is reduced, but liquid fuel enters the containing room and degrades filtering performance over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the charcoal canister into two separate chambers: a first containing room for charcoal powder and a second containing room for liquid fuel storage. This segmentation prevents liquid fuel from mixing with charcoal powder, maintaining filtration performance while still enabling vapor capture and liquid fuel recycling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a partition wall with a through-hole as an intermediary structure between the two chambers. This intermediary allows controlled interaction (pressure equalization) while preventing direct mixing of liquid fuel and charcoal powder, thus preserving filtering performance.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If charcoal powder is used for vapor absorption, then fuel vapor filtering is achieved, but charcoal powder may enter the fuel tank and block the carburetor
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the canister into separate chambers for charcoal powder and liquid fuel, the invention prevents charcoal powder from mixing with fuel and potentially blocking the carburetor, while maintaining effective vapor filtration in the dedicated charcoal chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall acts as a flexible barrier that separates the two chambers while allowing pressure equalization through its through-hole, preventing charcoal powder migration while maintaining operational functionality.
3Device complexity
If the fuel tank cap contains only a simple charcoal filter, then the structure is simple, but it cannot handle high temperature or vibration conditions effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented chamber design adds structural complexity but significantly improves reliability under stress conditions by preventing liquid fuel from degrading charcoal powder during high-temperature or high-vibration operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The second containing room acts as a buffer chamber that captures liquid fuel before it can reach and degrade the charcoal powder, providing beforehand protection against the harmful effects of liquid fuel exposure during stressful operating conditions.
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 design ensures complete absorption of fuel vapor, prevents charcoal powder from entering the fuel tank, and recycles liquid fuel, enhancing the charcoal's filtering performance and reducing environmental pollution by dual-filtering and redirecting the flow to prevent carburetor blockage.
Implementation Method 1
The fuel vapor of the fuel tank passes through the charcoal powder and gets filtered
Implementation Method 2
The fuel vapor is dual-filtered by the first breathing panel before it enters the filling room
Data Source
AI summary
The fuel tank cap with a charcoal canister includes a fuel tank inner cap and a fuel tank outer cap. A filling room with an upper opening is disposed in the center of the fuel tank inner cap. The fuel tank outer cap is disposed above the fuel tank inner cap. The fuel-absorption substrate is filled in the filling room, and a containing room is disposed at the bottom of the filling room. The fuel vapor can be absorbed by the filled charcoal completely, and the little liquid fuel entering from the fuel tank can be stored by the containing room and recycled back to the fuel tank when the gasoline engine stops. The filtering performance of charcoal powder can be enhanced since it is exempted from long-time fuel soaking.