Fuel Tank Coupling System for Small Engines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching a fuel tank to small combustion engines, such as those in walk-behind lawn mowers, are complex, costly, and difficult to assemble, requiring manual labor and involving twisting motions that complicate automation.
Innovation Solution
A fuel tank coupling system featuring a cover with a recess and a retaining clip that secures a protruding ear of the fuel tank using a latch mechanism, allowing for easy, secure, and removable attachment in a single linear motion, enabling automation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a retaining clip with multiple engagement points is used to securely attach the fuel tank, then the reliability of attachment is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of assembly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into discrete functional elements: a fuel tank with protruding ears, a cover with recesses and retainer shapes, and retaining clips. Each component has a specific engagement function, allowing the complex attachment task to be broken into simple insertion and clipping actions rather than requiring complex integrated mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining clip acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the fuel tank and the cover. It provides the secure connection by engaging both the protruding ear and the retainer shape, eliminating the need for direct complex interlocking between the tank and cover while maintaining high attachment reliability.
2Reliability
If a multi-step assembly process with twisting motions is used to secure the fuel tank, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the ease of manufacture and automation capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel tank is pre-configured with protruding ears that align with receptacles in the cover, and the retaining clips are pre-formed with the correct geometry. This preliminary preparation allows the assembly process to proceed through simple linear insertion and clipping motions without requiring complex twisting or manual dexterity, enabling easy automation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the fuel tank to be twisted into position and then secured, the design inverts the sequence: the tank is first positioned in the recess with ears aligning to receptacles, and then the retaining clips are simply attached to lock the position. This inversion transforms a complex twisting-and-securing operation into two simple, separable actions suitable for automation.
3Ease of operation
If the fuel tank is positioned outside the engine for easy accessibility, then the ease of operation for filling is improved, but the attachment structure becomes more complex to ensure secure mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel tank is nested within the cover structure, with the tank positioned in a recess of the cover. This nesting arrangement allows the tank to be accessible for filling while being securely housed and attached to the engine through the integrated retainer shapes and clips, eliminating the need for complex external mounting structures.
Data Source
AI summary
The present subject matter relates to systems and methods for coupling a fuel tank assembly to a combustion engine in which a cover configured for covering at least a portion of the combustion engine can include a recess configured for receiving a fuel tank therein. The recess can include a receptacle positioned against an inner wall of the cover and configured for receiving a protruding ear of the fuel tank, a first protruding tab extending from the inner wall of the cover at or near the receptacle, and a latch strike extending from the inner wall of the cover at or near the receptacle. A retaining clip with a first retaining portion and a latch arm can be positioned in a blocking position with respect to the receptacle to prevent the protruding ear of the fuel tank from being removed from the receptacle.