Oil Plug Radial Sealing via Spring-Loaded Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Leaking oil pans often result from worn-out sealing members and threads in oil plugs, requiring increased turning force for sealing, which can lead to connection fatigue and leakage due to plastic deformation, affecting the strength of the connection between the oil plug and receiver.

Innovation Solution

An oil plug with a first engagement means featuring a guiding part that transitions to a second guiding part via a transition part, allowing radial sealing when locked in the oil plug receiver, combined with a spring element to maintain the locked position and prevent over-turning, ensuring secure sealing without excessive force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the oil plug is turned repeatedly to achieve sealing, then the sealing effect is improved, but the threads are worn out and plastic deformation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectVSAvoidthread strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a radial sealing member as an intermediary element between the oil plug and oil plug receiver. This sealing member performs the sealing function that previously required excessive thread engagement, thereby protecting the threads from wear and plastic deformation while maintaining reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If more turning force is applied to compensate for worn threads, then the sealing closure is achieved, but the connection area is affected and fatigue cracks may form

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing closureVSAvoidconnection fatigue
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The radial sealing member acts as a mediator that enables sealing closure without requiring excessive turning force. By providing a dedicated sealing interface, it prevents the transmission of high mechanical loads to the connection area, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of connection fatigue and potential crack formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the threads are engaged harder to maintain sealing over time, then the sealing effect is maintained, but the connection strength is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectVSAvoidconnection strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The radial sealing member serves as a durable intermediary that maintains sealing effect over time without requiring increased engagement force. This protects the connection strength by preventing the progressive loading that would otherwise be necessary to compensate for thread wear.

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

The solution provides a secure radial sealing mechanism that prevents leakage by guiding the oil plug into a locked position using a spring element, reducing wear and tear on threads and maintaining the connection strength, thus enhancing the sealing effectiveness and longevity of the oil plug and receiver assembly.

Implementation Method 1

the oil plug is arranged with a spring element pushing the oil plug in an outgoing axial direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2463487B1Oil plug and oil plug receiver
Publication Date: 2019.02.20 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP2463487B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2463487B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2463487B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an oil plug (1), an oil plug receiver (2) and to an assembly (100) thereof comprising the oil plug (1) and the oil plug receiver (2) whereby a radial sealing may be provided there between. The oil plug (1) comprises a first engagement means (3) adapted for engaging with complementary second engagement means (4) on the oil plug receiver (2) when the oil plug (1) is arranged in said oil plug receiver (2). The second engagement means (4) is arranged on an inner wall (16) of the oil plug receiver (2) and is adapted to hold the oil plug (1) in an axially locked or engaged position by the first engagement means (3) engaging the complementary second engagement means (4). The oil plug receiver (2) comprises a contact surface (17a) for receiving a spring element (13a). The spring element (13a) pushes against the oil plug (1) when the oil plug (1) is arranged in an engaged position in the oil plug receiver (2).