Oil Drain Plug Assembly With Rotation-Limiting Interference Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil drain plug systems for automatic transmissions are difficult to couple and separate, leading to increased assembly steps and reduced workability, requiring skilled operators for correct fastening and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An oil drain plug apparatus with a mounting portion, plug portion, and sealing portion, featuring interference blades and grooves that limit rotation and allow for easy assembly and disassembly, preventing excessive assembly and facilitating replacement by breaking interference blades when over-torqued.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional oil drain plug systems are used, then the plug can be fastened securely, but the assembly and separation steps become complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The oil drain plug is divided into multiple functional segments: a plug body for blocking the hole, a cap for protection and operation interface, and interference blades for automatic positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The interference blades automatically engage with the mounting portion's features to limit rotation and ensure correct positioning without requiring external tools or complex fastening procedures. The system self-regulates the assembly process, eliminating the need for skilled operators to perform visual inspections and manual positioning.
2Reliability
If multiple assembly steps are required for oil drain plug fastening, then secure mounting is achieved, but workability and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The interference blades automatically engage with the mounting portion to provide secure mounting through self-alignment and self-limitation of rotation. This eliminates the need for multiple manual assembly steps, skilled operator intervention, and visual inspections, thereby maintaining reliability while significantly improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The interference blades change their engagement state based on rotation angle, transitioning from a free-state during insertion to a locked-state when the correct position is reached. This parameter change (rotation angle) automatically indicates proper mounting without requiring additional steps or inspections.
3Manufacturing precision
If skilled operators perform visual inspection for correct fastening, then positioning accuracy is improved, but assembly time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interference blades provide self-positioning by automatically engaging with the mounting portion at the correct orientation. This eliminates the need for skilled operators to perform visual inspections, as the system itself ensures accurate positioning through its mechanical design, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The interference blades provide visual feedback through their engagement state - when properly positioned, they are locked in place, making it obvious whether correct positioning has been achieved. This eliminates the need for skilled visual inspection by providing inherent visual indicators of proper assembly.
4Ease of repair
If the oil drain plug is made detachable for oil level checking, then maintainability is improved, but the number of assembly steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The oil drain plug is segmented into a plug body and a cap that can be easily separated. This allows the plug to be detached for oil level checking while maintaining a simple assembly structure. The interference blades are integrated into this segmented design, allowing easy reassembly without increasing the number of steps significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The interference blades enable the plug to be easily detached and reattached without requiring complex procedures or specialized skills. Users can independently perform maintenance tasks by simply removing and reinserting the plug, which automatically engages the interference blades to ensure correct positioning, thereby improving maintainability without adding complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an oil drain plug apparatus, wherein the oil drain plug apparatus is mounted on an automobile component containing a fluid including oil, and the oil drain plug apparatus includes a mounting portion provided on the automobile component and having a fastening hole penetrating the mounting portion; a plug portion configured to be inserted into the fastening hole and mounted on the mounting portion; and a sealing portion for sealing a gap between the mounting portion and the plug portion, wherein the sealing portion is mounted on the mounting portion while being coupled to the plug portion, wherein the plug portion includes a plug configured to be inserted into the automobile component through the fastening hole when coupled to the mounting portion; and a cap extending from the plug so as to be exposed to the outside of the automobile component through the fastening hole when coupled to the mounting portion, and the plug portion is rotated after being inserted into the fastening hole, and is fixed to the mounting portion, wherein one or more interference blades configured to protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the cap and bend toward the plug are formed on the cap to limit the rotation angle of the plug portion relative to the mounting portion. With this configuration, easy assembly may be realized, and maintainability and repairability may be improved.