Oil Drain Shield With Hollow Handle for Spill-Free Draining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil collection systems in vehicles suffer from spillage, environmental contamination, and inefficiency due to their static nature, lack of heat resistance, and separate disposal requirements, leading to increased cleanup time and risk.
Innovation Solution
An oil shield device made from heat-resistant polycarbonate material with a transparent body, extended face, hollow handle, and spout for controlled oil flow, providing a one-handed solution for collection, containment, and disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a static receptacle is used to collect oil, then the collection system is simple in structure, but oil spillage and contamination occur due to uncontrolled oil flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static receptacle into a dynamic system by integrating a pump that actively draws oil from the draining orifice. This dynamic oil extraction system controls the flow rate and direction, preventing uncontrolled spillage while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary containment chamber between the oil source and final storage. This intermediate chamber with controlled discharge mechanisms prevents direct uncontrolled flow, reducing spillage and contamination while adding only moderate structural complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional materials are used for the receptacle, then the device is inexpensive to manufacture, but the receptacle warps or melts when exposed to hot motor oil
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite or specially formulated heat-resistant materials for the receptacle construction. These materials combine thermal stability with manufacturing feasibility, ensuring the receptacle maintains structural integrity when exposed to hot motor oil while remaining practical to produce.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters of the receptacle by selecting materials with higher melting points and thermal stability. This parameter change allows the receptacle to withstand hot oil temperatures without warping or melting, while still being manufacturable through standard processes.
3Productivity
If oil collection and disposal are separate operations, then each function can be optimized independently, but additional transfer steps increase time and spill risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the oil collection, temporary storage, and disposal functions into a single integrated device. The receptacle system with built-in pump and controlled discharge combines these operations, eliminating separate transfer steps and reducing overall system complexity despite the multi-functional requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the receptacle as a multi-functional device that performs collection, containment, and controlled disposal of oil. This universal design consolidates multiple operations into one device, improving productivity by eliminating sequential transfer steps while managing complexity through integrated design.
4Ease of manufacture
If no visual monitoring feature is provided, then the device is simpler to manufacture, but the user cannot monitor oil level and may overflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates visual monitoring features such as transparent or translucent sections in the receptacle, or level indicators that change color or become visible at specific oil levels. This allows users to monitor oil collection without complex manufacturing, preventing overflow while adding minimal structural complexity.
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
Minimizes spills, enhances efficiency, and ensures user safety by shielding oil splatter and allowing visual monitoring, while being environmentally friendly and adaptable to various vehicle clearances.
Implementation Method 1
relying on gravity to direct the flow of oil into the receptacle
Implementation Method 2
materials used in construction of a pan, tank, or funnel may not be configured to withstand the temperature of hot motor oil. This may lead to warping or melting of the receptacle
Data Source
AI summary
An oil capturing device for a motor vehicle is disclosed, may include a handle that functions as a channel for fluid flow, facilitating the easy pouring out of collected oil. The device may include an open top with a face on one side, serving as a shield to protect an user and surrounding components from oil discharge during the draining process. The design may include a partial cutout in the Z-axis, creating a higher plane above a top of the body to act as a shield and a guide for positioning the device at the oil draining orifice.