Fuel Valve Safety Device for Misfuelling Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fueling nozzles for urea solutions require external electrical energy for safety devices, leading to complex refueling processes and safety concerns, especially when combined with diesel fuel nozzles, as they must be separated to meet explosion protection requirements.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing valve with a safety device that operates without external energy, using a mechanical or pneumatic connection to ensure correct refueling by blocking the valve until inserted into the appropriate tank filler neck, and an anti-drip valve that opens with low liquid pressure, with the closing force adjusted by the safety device's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a safety device with external electrical energy is used for misfuelling protection, then the reliability of correct refueling is improved, but the device complexity and safety concerns increase due to explosion protection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The safety device operates autonomously using the liquid pressure from the refueling process itself to actuate the valve device, eliminating the need for external electrical energy sources. The system serves itself by using the refueling liquid's pressure as the actuating force, thereby simplifying the device while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical energy system with a pneumatic/hydraulic system that uses liquid pressure to actuate the valve. This substitution eliminates electrical components and associated explosion protection requirements while achieving the same safety function through mechanical means
2Reliability
If separate dispensers are used for diesel fuel and urea solution to meet explosion protection requirements, then safety is improved, but the productivity and convenience of refueling deteriorate due to complex refueling processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the dispensing of diesel fuel and urea solution into a single dispenser unit. By integrating both dispensing functions in one device and using mechanical actuation that does not require electrical energy, the system achieves both safety (explosion protection) and efficiency (simultaneous or sequential refueling without moving the vehicle)
3Reliability
If a safety device blocks the valve independent of the actuating lever position, then the protection against misfuelling is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional manual switching steps
Solution Approach 1:
The valve device is pre-configured with a mechanical linkage to the actuating lever such that when the safety device releases (after correct insertion into the filler neck), the valve opens automatically through the lever's normal operation. The system prepares the valve in advance to respond to the lever's movement, eliminating the need for separate manual switching steps
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
Enables safe and efficient simultaneous refueling of diesel fuel and urea solutions at the same dispenser without the need for external energy, reducing the complexity of the refueling process and preventing misfuelling by ensuring the valve remains closed until correctly inserted.
Implementation Method 1
which can be opened by the liquid pressure in the outlet against a closing force
Implementation Method 2
it is preferred if the closing force can be changed by magnetic interaction with the safety device
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a dispensing nozzle for dispensing a liquid into the tank of a motor vehicle, comprising an actuating lever (4) for a valve assembly and a safety device (7, 10) arranged downstream of the valve assembly, which can be moved from a closed position to a release position, wherein in the closed position the valve assembly is closed regardless of the position of the actuating lever (4) and in the release position can be opened by the actuating lever (4). According to the invention, the operative connection between the safety device and the valve assembly is achieved without external energy. The invention enables the design of a misfuelling protection system without, for example, external electrical energy and thus allows, for example, the installation of a dispensing nozzle for urea solution in the explosion-proof area of a conventional fuel pump.