Nozzle Guide Protrusions Centering Fuel Nozzle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle refueling mechanisms often lack guidance for the fuel nozzle, leading to incomplete tank filling, incorrect nozzle seating, increased fuel backflow, and premature shut-off, due to the absence of elements to center the nozzle and manage fuel flow effectively.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle guide with flexible protrusions to center the fuel nozzle and a rear guard to guide fuel vapor, reducing the likelihood of premature shut-off and hydrodynamic energy loss by ensuring proper nozzle positioning and flow path management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If no nozzle guide elements are provided in the refueling mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the fuel nozzle cannot be adequately positioned resulting in incomplete tank filling and reduced refueling reliability
Solution Approach 1:
A nozzle guide comprising multiple protrusions is introduced as an intermediary element between the fuel nozzle and the refueling mechanism. The protrusions make contact with the nozzle to guide it to a centered position, ensuring adequate positioning without requiring complex integrated guidance systems in the refueling mechanism itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle guide is segmented into multiple independent protrusions rather than a single complex guide structure. This segmentation allows each protrusion to independently contact and guide the nozzle, achieving reliable positioning while keeping the overall device complexity low.
2Ease of manufacture
If no nozzle guide elements are provided, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but operator ability to determine correct nozzle seating is compromised leading to under insertion or over insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions are designed with visual characteristics that enable operators to easily detect when the nozzle is correctly positioned. The structural features of the protrusions provide visual feedback during insertion, allowing operators to determine correct seating without complex detection systems.
3Productivity
If multiple funnels are included in the refueling mechanism, then fuel flow guidance is improved, but interference with fuel flow from the nozzle increases and hydrodynamic energy is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel flow guidance function is extracted from the refueling mechanism and placed into a separate nozzle guide component. This extraction eliminates the need for multiple funnels within the refueling mechanism, reducing interference with fuel flow and minimizing hydrodynamic energy loss while maintaining effective flow guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of guiding fuel flow through multiple funnels in the refueling mechanism, the invention inverts the approach by placing a single guide structure (the nozzle guide with protrusions) on the nozzle itself or at the interface, allowing fuel to flow naturally with minimal interference.
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 nozzle guide enhances fuel flow efficiency, reduces the risk of premature shut-off, and minimizes hydrodynamic losses by centering the fuel nozzle and effectively guiding fuel vapor, ensuring complete tank filling and optimal refueling performance.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of flexible protrusions adapted to guide a fuel nozzle to a centered position within the nozzle guide
Implementation Method 2
a rear guard positioned to partially surround the fuel nozzle while the fuel nozzle is in the centered position and to guide fuel vapor around the nozzle guide
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for nozzle guides for vehicle refueling adapters. In one example, a nozzle guide includes a plurality of protrusions adapted to center a fuel nozzle within the nozzle guide and to reduce a likelihood of over-insertion of the fuel nozzle into the nozzle guide. The nozzle guide may include features such as a rear guard and upper wall adapted to reduce ingression of liquid fuel with fuel vapor flowing from the fuel tank.