Fuel Tank Post Guiding Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

In fuel tanks with a post inside the tank body for detecting the fuel level, the degree of freedom of arrangement is limited due to potential interference with other components, and existing configurations may lead to deformation under external forces.

Innovation Solution

A fuel tank design where the post is hollow with flow ports and a bracket with engaged parts, allowing the guiding part to be disposed inside the post, reducing interference and enhancing the degree of freedom of arrangement, while the guiding parts and resistors are positioned to prevent deformation and maintain accurate fuel level detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the arm length is increased to allow the floating body to move between empty and full positions, then the floating body can reach the required detection range, but the arm may come into contact with other components inside the tank body

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearm lengthVSAvoidinterference with other components
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding part is disposed inside the hollow post, nesting the guiding function within the post structure. This allows the floating body to be guided along the interior of the post, preventing contact with external components while maintaining the required movement range for fuel level detection from empty to full states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the post is disposed in a position that avoids contact between the arm and other components, then interference is reduced, but the degree of freedom of arrangement of the post becomes low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference with other componentsVSAvoiddegree of freedom of arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By nesting the guiding part inside the hollow post, the invention frees the post from spatial constraints, allowing it to be arranged in various positions within the tank body without concern for arm interference. The guiding function is contained within the post, enabling flexible positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The post is divided into functional segments: the hollow tubular structure provides structural support and fuel flow pathways, while the internal guiding part provides directional guidance. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and positioned with greater flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the guiding part and floating body are disposed outside the post, then the post structure is simpler, but other components may interfere with the floating body movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepost structureVSAvoidinterference with floating body
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding part and floating body are nested inside the hollow post, using the post's internal space for the detection mechanism. This eliminates interference from external components while the post itself remains structurally simple and maintains its fuel flow function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Ease of manufacture

If the post is split in the circumferential direction to dispose the guiding part inside, then the guiding part can be installed, but the structural strength and integrity of the post is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation of guiding partVSAvoidpost structural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The post is segmented into the hollow tubular structure and the separate guiding part. The guiding part is designed to fit within the hollow interior, allowing installation without splitting the post wall. This maintains the post's structural integrity while enabling the guiding function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This configuration enhances the degree of freedom of the post's arrangement within the tank body, reduces interference, and suppresses deformation under external forces, ensuring accurate fuel level detection without the need to split the post, thus maintaining structural integrity and detection precision.

Implementation Method 1

a path length for the energization by the detecting part changes as the height position of the floating body changes, electric resistance changes. Then, as the detecting part detects the change in the electric resistance, the height position of the floating body is detected.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

a floating body that is provided with a conductor coming into contact with the first resistor and the second resistor, the floating body being provided with a guided part, and floating on the fuel inside the post

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP3318437B1Fuel tank
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3318437B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3318437B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3318437B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fuel tank (10) has a tank body (12), a post (30), a first resistor (52), and a second resistor (54), a floating body (56), a detecting part (58), and a guiding part (46). The tank body (12) stores fuel (G). The post (30) is formed in a tubular shape, is formed with a flow port (36), and is joined to the bottom wall (14) and the top wall (16). The first resistor (52) and the second resistor (54) are provided inside the post (30) and extend in a height direction. The floating body (56) is provided with a conductor (64), is formed with guided parts (62), and floats on the fuel (G) inside the post (30). The detecting part (58) energizes the first resistor (52), the conductor (64), and the second resistor (54) to detect the position of the floating body (56) in the height direction. The guiding part (46) is provided on the post (30) to guide the guided parts (62) in the height direction.