Oil Separator Outlet Elbow Structure for Vehicle Leak Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oil separators used in vehicles face leakage issues due to changes in vehicle acceleration and inclination, causing stored oil to leak from the outlet, which is not effectively addressed by existing designs.
Innovation Solution
The oil separator design includes an L-shaped elbow member attached to the outlet, which directs the oil horizontally and upward, and a drip preventing member to prevent leakage, along with a drain hose system that secures the collected liquid, ensuring it does not leak during vehicle movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the oil separator is mounted on a vehicle to separate oil from compressed air, then oil separation function is achieved, but oil leaks from the outlet due to vehicle acceleration and inclination changes
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet is reoriented from a vertical downward opening to a horizontal opening facing the rear of the vehicle. This dimensional change in the outlet orientation prevents oil from leaking due to vehicle acceleration and inclination, as the horizontal orientation is less susceptible to gravitational and inertial forces during vehicle movement.
Solution Approach 2:
A drain hose is introduced as an intermediary component to channel collected oil from the housing to a designated drainage location. This intermediary structure ensures that separated oil is properly directed and disposed of, preventing it from leaking from the outlet during vehicle operation.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the outlet opens horizontally to the rear to prevent oil leakage, then oil leakage is suppressed, but drainage of collected liquid becomes less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage function is segmented from the outlet by introducing a separate drain hose system. The outlet maintains its horizontal orientation for leakage prevention, while the drain hose independently handles liquid drainage from the housing bottom to a designated location, allowing both functions to operate optimally without interfering with each other.
3Productivity
If the drain hose is left open for drainage, then collected liquid can be discharged, but oil may leak from the drain hose during vehicle movement
Solution Approach 1:
A clamp is provided at the distal end of the drain hose to preliminarily close it. This preliminary closing action prevents oil from leaking during vehicle movement, while allowing the hose to be opened when drainage is needed. The clamp enables the system to maintain both drainage capability and leakage prevention by controlling the hose state as needed.
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 effectively prevents oil leakage from the outlet by retaining the oil with the elbow member and drip preventing system, and allows for secure drainage of collected liquid, maintaining operational integrity during vehicle movement.
Implementation Method 1
causes the air to strike the impingement member to separate oil from the introduced air
Data Source
AI summary
An oil separator includes a casing that has an inlet for air and an outlet for air, and an impingement member that is provided inside the casing. Air that contains oil is introduced through the inlet into the casing and caused to strike the impingement member so that the oil is separated from the introduced air and is recovered. The outlet opens in the horizontal direction of the casing. The oil separator further includes an L-shaped elbow member that is attached to the outlet. The elbow member protrudes in the horizontal direction from the outlet and is bent upward.