Funnel Stand with Retractable Hose for Watercraft Fueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Filling up a fuel tank on a small watercraft is difficult and potentially dangerous due to the vessel's floating position, leading to fuel spills and environmental hazards, and existing solutions are either expensive or cumbersome to use.
Innovation Solution
A funnel stand with a retractable hose that allows fuel to be poured from a hand-held gas can into the watercraft's tank while the vessel is afloat, featuring a housing with a funnel and hose that can be extended and retracted for storage, and optional features like a lid and ballast for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hand-held gas can is used to fuel a watercraft while floating, then fuel can be delivered directly to the tank opening, but the operator cannot stabilize the funnel and pour fuel safely due to the vessel's rocking motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a funnel stand as an intermediary device between the gas can and the watercraft fuel tank. The stand provides a stable mounting structure with a vertical post and base that remains stationary while the watercraft moves, allowing the funnel to stay properly positioned for safe fuel pouring without the operator needing to hold or stabilize it manually
Solution Approach 2:
The funnel stand creates a stable reference framework that copies the ideal stationary positioning needed for safe fueling. By providing a fixed structural reference (the vertical post and base), it replicates the stability conditions that would exist if the watercraft were stationary, enabling safe operation despite the moving environment
2Volume of moving object
If the fuel tank opening is located below dock level on small watercraft, then the vessel can be compact and maneuverable, but the operator must kneel or bend over dangerously close to fumes to reach the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent solves the spatial conflict by introducing a vertical dimension solution. The funnel stand uses a vertical post that extends upward from the base to elevate the funnel to the proper pouring height, allowing the operator to stand upright and pour fuel safely without bending over the tank opening, thus eliminating exposure to harmful fumes while maintaining the compact vessel design
3Volume of moving object
If a retractable hose is used to deliver fuel, then the hose can be stored compactly within the housing, but the hose may become tangled or difficult to extend and retract
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the hose inside the housing structure. The hose is stored within the hollow interior space of the housing, which acts as a container within the main body of the funnel stand. This nested arrangement allows the hose to be compactly stored when not in use while being easily accessible when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The hose is designed to be dynamically extendable and retractable. It can be pulled out from the housing when fueling is needed and returned to the housing when completed. This dynamic capability allows the hose to adapt between a compact stored state and an extended operational state, facilitating easy deployment and retrieval
4Adaptability or versatility
If fuel is poured from a hand-held gas can without proper support, then the operator can move the gas can freely, but fuel spills occur due to unstable pouring and vessel motion
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel acts as an intermediary receptacle between the gas can and the fuel tank. It provides a stable, fixed receiving point that is independent of watercraft motion. The operator can freely position and move the gas can as needed, pouring fuel into the stationary funnel, which then channels it safely into the tank, eliminating spillage caused by unstable pouring or vessel motion
Data Source
AI summary
A funnel stand that includes a housing supporting an internal funnel connected to a fuel hose that can be folded or rolled up for storage inside the housing and extended through a hose opening for placement in a fuel tank opening. The funnel stand may also include a ballast to stabilize it as a free-standing device or a base plate configured for permanently or semi-permanently affixing the funnel stand to a loading surface. In addition, the funnel stand may include a lid covering the funnel opening, a door covering the hose opening, and handles to facilitate carrying the device by hand. The funnel stand is designed to be suitable for delivering fuel from a hand-held gas can into the fuel tanks on small watercraft, such as small boats and personal watercraft.