Integral Manifold for Simultaneous Fuel System Leak Checking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fuel system requires separate leak checking operations for filling and supply piping, necessitating multiple steps and a large amount of inert gas, making the process inefficient and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
An integral manifold integrates the filling and supply manifold parts, allowing simultaneous introduction of a fluid for leak checking into both piping systems, reducing the number of steps and components, and enabling leak checking without introducing the fluid into fuel storages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate leak checking operations are performed for filling piping and supply piping, then each piping can be checked individually, but the number of steps increases and the process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the filling manifold and supply manifold into a single integral manifold structure. This merging allows both filling piping and supply piping to be leak-checked simultaneously through a single operation, reducing the total checking time while maintaining complete coverage of all piping systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The integral manifold serves multiple functions: it acts as both the filling manifold and supply manifold, and provides a unified leak checking port that enables simultaneous leak detection for both filling and supply piping systems. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate checking operations.
2Reliability
If inert gas is introduced separately into filling piping and supply piping, then each system can be checked independently, but the amount of inert gas required increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the filling and supply manifolds into an integral structure with a common leak checking port, the patent enables simultaneous introduction of inert gas into both piping systems through a single port. This reduces inert gas consumption while maintaining accurate leak detection capability for all piping.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate manifold parts are used, then each piping system can be independently configured, but the number of components increases and assembly becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the filling manifold and supply manifold into a single integral manifold component. This reduces the total number of components and simplifies assembly, while the internal structure maintains the necessary functional separation and adaptability for different piping configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
Within the integral manifold, the filling flow channel and supply flow channel are segmented as separate internal pathways. This segmentation maintains functional independence and configuration flexibility for each piping system while being housed within a single integrated component structure.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides a fuel system and a vehicle that can improve the ease of leak checking. The fuel system includes: a plurality of fuel storages; filling piping that connects the fuel storages to a filling port in parallel; and supply piping that connects the fuel storages to a fuel supply destination in parallel. An integral manifold is formed by integrating a filling manifold part disposed at a branching point of pipes of the filling piping and a supply manifold part disposed at a branching point of pipes of the supply piping with each other. The integral manifold has a leak checking port configured to allow introduction of a fluid for leak checking into the filling piping and the supply piping.