Nested Dual Cap Filling System for Compact Motor Vehicle Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing filling systems on motor vehicles with multiple storage tanks under a common outer tank cap cover face challenges in optimizing installation space while maintaining aesthetic appeal and mechanical simplicity, particularly in small vehicles where filler necks for different fluids need to be arranged efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an inner tank cap cover that fits beneath the outer cap cover, allowing one filler neck to be covered while keeping another accessible, with a capless design to save space and include sealing and venting mechanisms, and the ability to be locked and unlocked separately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple filler necks are arranged under a single outer tank cap cover, then the installation space is optimized and aesthetic appearance is improved, but the filler necks cannot be positioned arbitrarily close to one another due to cap handling space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The filling system is divided into two independent cap covers: an outer tank cap cover and an inner tank cap cover. Each cap cover can be operated independently to access different filler necks. The inner cap cover is arranged to cover one filler neck while the outer cap cover covers the other filler neck, eliminating the need for additional cap handling space within a single cover structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tank cap cover is nested within the outer tank cap cover structure. The inner cap cover is arranged in the filling recess and can be accessed when the outer cap cover is opened. This nested arrangement allows both filler necks to be positioned close together while maintaining independent access to each filler neck through their respective cap covers.
2Volume of moving object
If the filler necks are positioned close to one another to minimize installation space, then the outer tank cap cover size is reduced, but sufficient space for handling caps is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The cap handling function is segmented between two independent cap covers. The outer cap cover handles one filler neck while the inner cap cover handles the other filler neck. This segmentation eliminates the need for additional space within a single cover for cap handling, as each cap has its own dedicated cover and handling area.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a two-dimensional arrangement where caps share a single cover plane to a three-dimensional nested arrangement. The inner cap cover is positioned within the filling recess below the outer cap cover, utilizing the vertical dimension to provide independent cap handling space for each filler neck without increasing the horizontal footprint.
3Area of stationary object
If an electric adjustment mechanism is used to align filler ports with a fixed opening, then the opening size can be reduced, but the device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the filler ports to align with a fixed opening (as in the prior art), the solution inverts the approach by providing a fixed opening structure and moving the cap covers to align with the filler ports. The outer and inner cap covers are made movable to expose different filler necks, eliminating the need for electric adjustment mechanisms while maintaining a compact opening size.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric adjustment mechanism is replaced with a simple mechanical cap cover system. The outer and inner cap covers can be manually opened and closed to expose different filler necks, eliminating the need for complex electric motors, sensors, and control systems while achieving the same functional result of selective filler neck access.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a filling system on a motor vehicle with at least two storage tanks for liquid or gaseous fuels, comprising an outer tank closure cover (7) which closes an opening (3) in the body (4) of the motor vehicle and which can be brought out of a first position that closes the opening into a second position that releases the opening (3). At least one filling recess (2) with two filler necks (5a, 5b) of the storage tanks is arranged below the outer tank closure cover (7). According to the invention, the filling system comprises an inner tank closure cover (6) which is arranged below the outer tank closure cover (7) in a first position of the outer tank closure cover (7), which can likewise be brought from a first closed position into a second open position, and which covers one of the two filler necks (5a, 5b) in the first position.