Hinged Fuel Pump Cover System for Environmental Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Motor vehicle fuel pumps are vulnerable to environmental damage due to lack of protection from water and liquid chemicals, leading to potential damage and inefficacy of existing protective treatments like paint or chrome.
Innovation Solution
A fuel pump cover system comprising a first cover member with a raised wall and a second hingedly connected cover member forming a dome to create a protective chamber around the fuel pump connection, using a tether to secure the cover in place and prevent foreign matter infiltration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fuel pump is left uncovered, then it remains accessible and easy to service, but it becomes vulnerable to environmental damage from water, chemicals, and foreign matter
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into two separate members: a first cover member that substantially covers the fuel pump and defines a raised wall, and a second cover member that forms a dome covering the connection. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific protective function while maintaining overall simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The second cover member (dome) is nested within or over the first cover member, with the dome positioned to cover the connection area defined by the raised wall of the first cover member. This nested arrangement provides layered protection without requiring a completely separate complex system
2Reliability
If paint or chrome treatments are applied to protect the fuel pump, then protection is provided, but the cost increases and protection may still be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cover system uses simple, inexpensive cover members made from basic materials that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, providing effective protection without the high cost of paint or chrome treatments
Solution Approach 2:
The cover members are designed as simple shell structures that physically block environmental factors, providing more reliable protection than thin film coatings like paint or chrome while remaining cost-effective
3Reliability
If a sealed cover is used to protect the fuel pump connection, then foreign matter infiltration is prevented, but access for servicing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The second cover member is hingedly connected to the first cover member, allowing it to be opened and closed dynamically. This enables easy access to the connection for servicing while maintaining protection when closed
Solution Approach 2:
The hinged connection acts as an intermediary mechanism that allows the cover to transition between open and closed states, facilitating both protection and accessibility without requiring complete disassembly
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle fuel pump cover system. The system protects a connection between a fuel line and a fuel pump. The cover includes a cover for a fuel pump. Both parts of the cover define a raised wall around the connection. The cover also includes a second cover. The second cover is hinged to the first cover and forms a dome to cover the connection. The dome has an interior peripheral surface that covers the raised wall to thereby form a chamber protected against foreign matter infiltration. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a motor vehicle fuel pump having an exterior fuel connection protected by the cover system against damage caused by foreign matter.