Modular Oil Funnel Kit for Spill-Free Crankcase Refilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for filling the oil crankcase of internal combustion engines often result in spills and leakage due to challenging access and unique designs of modern vehicles' filling ports, necessitating a more efficient and adaptable solution.
Innovation Solution
A modular kit comprising a customizable oil filling device with a frustoconical funnel section and detachable nozzle section, combined with a series of adapters tailored to specific filling port configurations, ensuring secure and efficient oil flow without spills.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional funnel is used for filling oil crankcases, then the filling operation can be performed, but spills and leakage occur due to challenging access and unique filling port designs
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel is divided into multiple detachable sections including a frustoconical funnel section, a cylindrical section, and a detachable nozzle section. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for specific functions and enables adaptation to different filling port configurations by reconfiguring or replacing sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The funnel incorporates adjustable and detachable components that can be reconfigured based on the specific filling port design. The detachable nozzle section and adjustable positioning mechanisms allow the funnel to dynamically adapt to various engine models and filling port locations, transforming a static tool into a versatile system.
2Reliability
If a customized funnel is designed for each specific filling port design, then spill-free filling is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel is designed as a universal tool that can accommodate multiple filling port designs through its detachable and reconfigurable components. Rather than creating a unique funnel for each engine model, the system uses a core universal funnel structure with interchangeable sections and adapters that can be configured to fit various filling port configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The funnel incorporates counterbalancing features and stable positioning mechanisms that prevent spills and leakage. The weighted base and balanced structure compensate for the challenges of accessing difficult-to-reach filling ports, providing stability and preventing overflow without requiring overly complex designs.
3Device complexity
If a simple funnel design is used, then device complexity is minimized, but access to difficult-to-reach filling ports is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel design incorporates flexible positioning and multi-directional adjustment capabilities that allow access to filling ports from various angles and positions. The detachable nozzle section can be oriented in different directions, and the funnel can be positioned in multiple spatial configurations to reach difficult-to-access filling ports without requiring overly complex mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The funnel acts as an intermediary tool that bridges the gap between the oil container and the filling port. Its extended nozzle section and flexible configuration allow it to reach into difficult-to-access areas, while its simple overall structure maintains ease of use. The funnel mediates between the user and the challenging filling port geometry.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized funnels are maintained for different engine models, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel system comes pre-configured with interchangeable sections and adapters that are ready for quick attachment. The detachable components are designed for rapid assembly and disassembly, allowing technicians to switch between different engine models without extensive reconfiguration. Common configurations can be pre-assembled and stored for quick deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the funnel into standardized, interchangeable sections, the system allows for quick reconfiguration. Each section can be independently selected and attached based on the specific engine model requirements, eliminating the need to disassemble entire funnel structures and reducing the time required to adapt to different applications.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool kit comprised of multiple components from which select components may be assembled to provide a customized funnel construction with an adapter matched to a crankcase filling port of an internal combustion engine. Selective components of the kit may be arranged to provide an efficient and easily assembled oil filing device which provides improved access to crankcase filling ports of internal combustion engines. The components can easily be rearranged depending upon the design of the filling port of engine which is being serviced. The kit includes a common funnel section, one or more unique nozzle sections which in combination are compatible with two or more distinct unique adapters. This combination enables the use of a funnel of universal design for and with adapters of distinct design.