Offset Pump Fuel Feed Reservoir Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel feed apparatuses face challenges in securing sufficient fuel storage capacity within a limited fuel tank volume due to the need to accommodate a remaining quantity detector, which can lead to fuel spillage when the vehicle is inclined, and altering the reservoir's height to reduce spillage compromises the detector's space.
Innovation Solution
A fuel feed apparatus design featuring a bottomed tubular reservoir with a lid member and a pump unit offset from the center axis, where the remaining quantity detector is positioned in a remaining space around the projection of the pump unit on the lid member, allowing for increased fuel storage without reducing the reservoir's volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the height of the reservoir is increased to reduce fuel spillage during vehicle inclination, then fuel storage capacity is improved, but the space for accommodating the remaining quantity detector is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pump unit is positioned offset from the center axis of the lid member, creating a three-dimensional arrangement where the detector can be located in the remaining space around the projection. This spatial reconfiguration allows both the increased reservoir height and detector accommodation to coexist within the fuel tank volume.
2Volume of stationary object
If the reservoir volume is reduced to accommodate the remaining quantity detector, then space for detector is improved, but the amount of fuel storage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the pump unit offset from the center axis and allowing it to project through the lid member, the design creates unused spatial volume around the projection where the detector can be located. This eliminates the need to reduce reservoir volume while still providing adequate space for the detector.
3Reliability
If the reservoir height is increased to prevent fuel spillage, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The pump unit is positioned asymmetrically offset from the center axis rather than centrally aligned. This asymmetric arrangement creates irregular but usable space around the projection where the detector can be mounted, allowing the increased reservoir height to prevent spillage without requiring additional complex structural modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
A reservoir is located in a fuel tank. The reservoir is in a bottomed tubular shape having a periphery defining an opening. A lid member is located in the fuel tank and mounted to the periphery of the reservoir to close the opening. A pump unit is partially accommodated in the reservoir to discharge fuel stored in the reservoir to an exterior of the fuel tank. The pump unit is located at a position offset from a center axis of the lid member. The pump unit has a projection projected from the lid member to an exterior of the reservoir. A remaining quantity detector is configured to detect a quantity of fuel in the fuel tank. The remaining quantity detector is located at a remaining space remaining in the fuel tank. The remaining space is located on the lid member and located around the projection.