Oil Level Float Sticking Prevention via Segmented Protrusions

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional oil level detection devices for internal combustion engines face issues with float sticking due to oil viscosity and component damage from vibrations, leading to inaccurate readings and potential false operations, especially in machines that experience significant vibrations.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates protrusions on the float and housing surfaces to prevent sticking and employs resilient members for impact cushioning, enhancing vibration resistance and accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a float is used in conventional oil level detection devices, then oil level detection is achieved, but the float sticks to the ceiling or bottom of the housing due to oil viscosity, preventing accurate determination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil level detection accuracyVSAvoidfloat movement reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The float is divided into multiple segments: a main float body and separate protrusions (upper protrusions and lower protrusions) positioned at specific locations. This segmentation allows the protrusions to interact with the housing surfaces to prevent sticking, while the main float body continues to perform the detection function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Protrusions are selectively positioned at specific locations on the float (upper surface and lower surface) and corresponding locations on the housing (ceiling and bottom). This local modification creates targeted interaction points that prevent sticking without affecting the overall float detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional oil level detection devices are used in vibrating machines, then oil level detection is provided, but component parts are impaired or damaged by fluctuating movement of the float due to vibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration resistanceVSAvoidcomponent durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Resilient members are installed beforehand between the float and the housing to cushion impacts. These resilient members absorb the shock of float-housing contact during vibration, preventing damage to component parts before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The physical state of the resilient members changes under vibration conditions, allowing them to compress and absorb impact energy. This parameter change enables the system to adapt to vibrating environments without damaging components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If the float is made susceptible to transitory oil level fluctuations, then rapid response is achieved, but the float sticks to the housing more easily, leading to false operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speedVSAvoidoperational accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The float is segmented into a main body and separate protrusions. The protrusions maintain separation from the housing through controlled contact, preventing sticking while allowing the float to respond rapidly to oil level changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions act as intermediaries between the float and the housing. They provide controlled interaction that prevents sticking while allowing the float to move freely in response to oil level changes, thus maintaining both speed and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This design ensures accurate oil level detection by preventing float sticking and reducing component stress, improving reliability and vibration resistance while reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

a float 204 slidably mounted on the shaft 203 and vertically movable (i.e., capable of rising and falling) in accordance with a level of oil 209 in the housing 201

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

a magnet 205 provided on the float 204; a reed switch 206 built in the shaft 203 to operate in response the magnet 205 approaching the switch 206

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field interaction: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS7688193B2Oil level detection device for internal combustion engine

Publication Date: 2010.03.30 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An oil level detection device for an internal combustion engine, which comprises: a housing permitting entry therein of oil; a float provided within the housing and vertically movable with the oil entered in the housing; a switch for performing switching operation in response to the vertical movement of the float within the housing; protrusions provided, on the upper surface of the float, for preventing the float from sticking to the ceiling of the housing due to viscosity of the oil; and protrusions provided, on the bottom of the housing, for preventing the float from sticking to the bottom of the housing due to viscosity of the oil.