Fuel Tank Recess for External Water Filter Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel tank arrangements for heavy load vehicles with diesel engines face challenges of space constraints and limited maintenance access due to integrated water filters and containers, which hinder efficient water separation and maintenance processes.
Innovation Solution
A fuel tank arrangement with a recessed mounting structure that accommodates the water container and filter element externally, allowing for space-saving installation and easy access for maintenance, where the filter element and water container are connected as a compact unit with a valve mechanism for water level indication and easy emptying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the water container and filter element are integrated into the fuel tank interior, then space is saved, but maintenance access becomes extremely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The water container and filter element are extracted from the fuel tank interior and positioned externally, allowing maintenance personnel to access these components without removing the fuel tank or disassembling complex structures. The carrier element provides an external mounting location that is easily accessible from the vehicle exterior.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a three-dimensional interior arrangement to a two-dimensional external arrangement on the fuel tank surface. The carrier element is mounted on the outer periphery of the fuel tank, creating a recess between carrier elements that accommodates the water container and filter element in an externally accessible location.
2Ease of operation
If the filter arrangement protrudes downwards from the bottom of the fuel tank, then maintenance access is improved, but substantial space is required in the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The water container and filter element are merged into a single compact assembly mounted on one carrier element. This integrated arrangement consolidates multiple components into a space-efficient configuration that does not protrude significantly from the fuel tank surface, avoiding the space requirements of downward-protruding arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier elements are positioned at specific locations on the outer periphery of the fuel tank to create localized recesses. This allows the water container and filter element to be accommodated in a targeted area rather than requiring extensive space, optimizing the local geometry for both compactness and accessibility.
3Volume of moving object
If the water container is integrated inside the fuel tank, then space is saved, but access for emptying and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The water container is extracted from the fuel tank interior and mounted externally on the carrier element. This allows maintenance personnel to access the water container from the outside of the fuel tank for easy emptying and inspection, eliminating the need to access the interior of the fuel tank for these operations.
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 solution enables efficient water separation from diesel fuel without occupying additional vehicle space and facilitates quicker maintenance by providing external access to the filter and water container, improving the overall reliability and efficiency of the fuel system.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel filter element for separating water from the stored fuel
Implementation Method 2
water accumulated due to condensing effects... diesel fuel regularly includes a certain proportion of water which accumulates at the bottom of the fuel tank
Implementation Method 3
a water container for storing water separated from the fuel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A fuel tank arrangement (10) for a vehicle, in particular for a heavy load vehicle driven by a diesel engine, comprises: a fuel tank (12) for receiving and storing fuel, a fuel filter (18) element for separating water from the stored fuel, a water container (16) for storing water separated from the fuel. In order to permit an easy access to the filter element 18 and the water container (16) in a space saving manner, said fuel tank (12) is provided with a recess (14) at its outer periphery, wherein said water container (16) is arranged within said recess (14) to be accessible from the outside of the fuel tank (12).