Fuel Tank Drain Plug Sealing Cover Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel tanks in power machines, such as loaders, often have drain plugs that are susceptible to leakage, posing more problems than they solve due to their infrequent use and potential for leakage during fuel removal.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a plug receptacle with a molded cover that seals the interior of the fuel tank from the plug receptacle, preventing leakage unless the cover is removed, and a receptacle insert for securing the fuel plug, ensuring the plug can be removably secured without leakage, even when not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a drain plug is included in the fuel tank to allow fuel removal, then the ability to drain contaminated fuel is improved, but the risk of leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the drain plug function from the main fuel tank system by creating a separate, removable plug that can be taken out only when drainage is needed. The plug is not permanently installed but can be removed and reinstalled as needed, separating the drainage function from the sealed fuel storage system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing pre-drilled receptacles in the fuel tank bottom that are designed to receive drain plugs. These receptacles are prepared in advance during manufacturing, allowing the plug to be easily inserted or removed when drainage is needed, without requiring any modification to the tank structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a drain plug is installed to enable fuel removal, then the functionality for contamination handling is improved, but the potential for harmful effects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drain plug is designed as a separate, removable component that can be extracted from the fuel tank system. The receptacles are pre-formed in the tank bottom, allowing the plug to be removed only when drainage is required, thereby eliminating the plug as a potential leakage source during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of a permanently installed plug (which could leak) into a benefit by making it removable. The same plug structure that could potentially leak if permanently installed is instead designed to be temporarily inserted only when needed, transforming the leakage risk into a controlled, intentional drainage function.
3Ease of operation
If a traditional drain plug is used, then fuel removal is enabled, but the plug may leak during infrequent use
Solution Approach 1:
The drain plug is designed to be completely removable from pre-formed receptacles in the fuel tank. This extraction design allows the plug to be taken out when drainage is needed and removed when not needed, eliminating the sealing issues that arise from infrequent use of permanently installed plugs.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacles for the drain plugs are pre-drilled and prepared during fuel tank manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that the receptacles are properly formed and positioned, allowing the plugs to be easily inserted and removed without compromising sealing when needed, while maintaining tank integrity when plugs are not in use.
Data Source
AI summary
Power machine fuel tanks include a plug receptacle and a cover for the plug receptacle which seals the plug receptacle from an interior of the fuel tank. A receptacle insert positioned within the plug receptacle allows a fuel plug to be removably secured to the fuel tank. The cover prevents leakage from inside the fuel tank through the plug receptacle, regardless of whether the plug is secured within the receptacle insert, unless the cover has been removed from a sealing position.