Fuel Tank Ventilation Protective Pipe Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel tank ventilation systems fail to prevent the passage of liquid fuel into fuel vapor storage and treatment devices, leading to potential engine malfunction and fuel leaks, especially on vehicles where the vapor treatment device is located below the fuel tank.
Innovation Solution
A new ventilation architecture featuring protective pipes with a raised portion positioned above the liquid fuel level, which intercepts and prevents liquid fuel from entering the vapor storage and treatment device, using a loop-shaped configuration that extends along the upper face of the tank casing and connects to the ventilation pipe, ensuring the pipe remains above the liquid fuel under all vehicle conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the fuel vapor storage and treatment device is located below the fuel tank, then the device can be positioned in a convenient location for vehicle integration, but liquid fuel can pass through the ventilation valve by gravity and enter the storage device causing engine malfunction and fuel leaks
Solution Approach 1:
A protection pipe is introduced as an intermediary component between the ventilation valve and the fuel vapor storage device. This protection pipe includes a raised portion that acts as a barrier, preventing liquid fuel from reaching the storage device while allowing fuel vapors to pass through. The raised portion serves as a physical mediator that blocks the harmful liquid fuel flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection pipe is configured with a raised portion that extends vertically upward from the ventilation valve outlet. This vertical dimension creates a height barrier that liquid fuel cannot overcome due to gravity, while fuel vapors can still pass through the ventilation valve. The solution adds a vertical dimension to the previously horizontal flow path.
2Reliability
If a protection pipe with raised portion is added to prevent liquid fuel passage, then liquid fuel is effectively blocked from entering the storage device, but the ventilation system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system is segmented into two functional parts: the original ventilation valve and the added protection pipe. The protection pipe is further segmented with a raised portion that creates a distinct barrier zone. This segmentation allows the system to maintain the original ventilation function while adding a specialized liquid-blocking function in a localized area.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection pipe serves as a simple intermediary component that connects the ventilation valve to the fuel vapor storage device. Rather than redesigning the entire ventilation system, the protection pipe is inserted as a straightforward intermediate element with a raised portion that provides the necessary liquid fuel prevention function.
3Reliability
If the fuel vapor storage and treatment device is moved to a higher position to prevent liquid fuel entry by gravity, then liquid fuel passage is prevented, but the modification is extremely complex and costly for the vehicle globally and for manufacturing plants
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid fuel prevention function is extracted from the overall vehicle structure and concentrated into a small, localized protection pipe component. Instead of moving the entire fuel vapor storage device to a higher position, the prevention function is taken out and implemented as a separate, simple protection pipe with a raised portion that can be easily integrated into the existing ventilation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection pipe is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and installed. Rather than undertaking complex and costly modifications to the vehicle structure or manufacturing processes, the solution uses a straightforward protection pipe that provides the necessary function at minimal cost and complexity.
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
Effectively prevents liquid fuel from entering the fuel vapor storage and treatment device, maintaining engine functionality and preventing fuel leaks, without requiring complex modifications or additional components, making it adaptable to all gasoline fuel systems and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
by gravity, the liquid fuel present in the ventilation pipe which supplies the device for storing and treating fuel vapors would return to the tank
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a fuel tank (1) delimited by an outer casing, one face of which, intended to be an upper face (1a) in the mounted position of the fuel tank (1) in a motor vehicle, carries at least one ventilation valve (2, 2a) connected to a ventilation duct (3) evacuating fuel vapors exiting the tank (1) through said at least one ventilation valve (2, 2a) intended for a device (4) for storing and treating fuel vapors, characterized in that the tank (1) comprises a protective duct (5, 5a) having an inlet end connected to said at least one valve (2, 2a) and an outlet end connected to an inlet of the ventilation duct (3), a portion of the protective duct (5, 5a) having means for preventing the passage of liquid fuel towards the ventilation duct (3).