Motor Vehicle Mudguard Gutter for Fuel Leakage Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Leakage from the fuel filler flap in motor vehicles can result in liquid spills, potentially coming into contact with mechanical and electronic components, due to imperfect sealing between the fuel filler flap and the pipe.

Innovation Solution

A mudguard with a gutter and channel system is designed to collect and direct any leaking liquid away from critical areas, featuring a manifold positioned above the fuel door, with a gutter extending along the mudguard and a channel guiding the liquid to a specific exit point, ensuring containment and prevention of liquid contact with internal components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a simple mudguard design is used, then manufacturing cost and device complexity are reduced, but liquid leakage from the fuel filler flap can contact mechanical and electronic components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid leakage protectionVSAvoidmudguard structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mudguard is segmented into functional zones: a collection zone (gutter) positioned to receive leakage from the fuel filler flap, and a discharge zone (channel) that directs the liquid away from critical components. This segmentation allows the mudguard to actively manage liquid leakage rather than passively protecting against it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gutter-channel system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the fuel filler flap leakage source and the vulnerable mechanical/electronic components. Instead of allowing direct contact, the intermediary structure captures and redirects the liquid through a controlled path to a safe discharge location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If the gutter extends along the entire mudguard, then liquid collection coverage is improved, but manufacturing complexity and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid collection areaVSAvoidmudguard fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The gutter is designed with local quality variations: it features a broader collection area positioned directly under the fuel filler flap where leakage is most likely to occur, and transitions to a narrower channel section for liquid transport. This localized expansion of the gutter area maximizes collection efficiency without requiring the entire mudguard to be uniformly wide and complex.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

The mudguard effectively traps and directs any liquid emanating from the fuel flap, preventing it from reaching mechanical and electronic elements inside the vehicle, thus ensuring protection and maintaining cleanliness.

Implementation Method 1

any liquid emanation due to a leak from the fuel door, is trapped in the collector and then guided through the channel to a chosen location

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3317164B1Motor vehicle having a mud guard provided with a gutter

Publication Date: 2020.03.11 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA

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AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle (1) comprising: - a body (2), - a mud guard (3) secured to the body (2), and - a fuel filling unit (4), wherein the mud guard (3) comprises a gutter (7) having a collector (10) and a channel (11), the collector (10) being vertically perpendicular to the fuel filling unit (4).