Pivoting Canister Arrangement for Compact Power Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to integrate a canister containing an adsorbent into a power generating apparatus without increasing its size, while also facilitating maintenance of engine components.
Innovation Solution
A canister with an adsorbent is positioned between the frame and the intake system, and is designed to pivot out of the way for maintenance access, allowing it to be compactly integrated without obstructing maintenance of the air cleaner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a canister containing an adsorbent is added to the power generating apparatus, then evaporative fuel can be adsorbed and combustion can be achieved, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The canister is positioned inside the frame structure, utilizing the internal space between the frame and intake system. This nesting approach allows the canister to be housed within the existing apparatus boundaries without increasing the overall external dimensions of the power generating apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The canister is arranged in the vertical space between the frame and intake system rather than occupying horizontal space. This three-dimensional spatial arrangement utilizes unused volume within the existing apparatus envelope, preventing increase in the apparatus footprint.
2Volume of stationary object
If the canister is positioned adjacent to the air cleaner to achieve compact arrangement, then apparatus size is reduced, but maintenance of air cleaner elements becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The canister is designed with movable positioning capability, allowing it to be shifted between a operational position (within the space between frame and intake system) and a maintenance position (moved aside to provide access). This dynamic repositioning enables both compact operation and easy maintenance of air cleaner elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The canister is designed as a separable, independently movable component rather than a fixed integral part of the air cleaner assembly. This segmentation allows the canister to be moved independently to provide maintenance access to other components while maintaining its functional position during operation.
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 arrangement prevents the power generating apparatus from increasing in size and allows for easy maintenance of the intake system by positioning the canister in a space between the frame and the intake system, enabling it to be compact and functional.
Implementation Method 1
a canister containing an adsorbent for adsorbing thereonto fuel vapor from the engine fuel tank
Implementation Method 2
a negative pressure builds up inside the intake system of the engine. The negative pressure causes atmospheric air to be sucked into the canister through the communicating tube
Implementation Method 3
The evaporative fuel that has been adsorbed onto the adsorbent is purged from the adsorbent by the air sucked through the communicating tube into the canister
Data Source
AI summary
A power generating apparatus has a frame, an engine disposed inwardly of the frame and configured to drive a generator, a fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the engine, and a canister containing an adsorbent for adsorbing fuel vapor from the fuel tank. The canister includes a communicating tube, which places the canister in communication with the atmosphere. The canister is also in communication with an intake system. The canister is movably positioned in a space S between the frame and the intake system so as to prevent an increase in the size of the power generating apparatus when the canister is added to the power generating apparatus.