Pre-Regulator Encasement Block for Adjustment Lockout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel delivery systems face issues with unauthorized or accidental adjustments to sensitive components like pre-regulators, leading to undesirable performance outcomes such as increased emissions or device damage.
Innovation Solution
A fuel delivery system component encasement block is introduced, which encases and secures sensitive components like pre-regulators, preventing unauthorized adjustments by using a monolithic or multi-piece construction with adhesives and fasteners, ensuring the component remains in a fixed, initial setting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an adjustable fuel delivery system component is made accessible for adjustment, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unauthorized or accidental adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The encasement block is divided into multiple segments or sections that can be assembled together, with each segment providing a portion of the protective enclosure. This segmentation allows the component to be accessible during initial setup while providing protection once assembled, resolving the contradiction between ease of adjustment and setting stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The encasement block is designed to be installed over the adjustable component after the component has been initially adjusted to the desired setting. This preliminary installation of the encasement block prevents any further adjustment while maintaining the initial optimal setting, thus preserving reliability without compromising the ease of initial operation.
2Reliability
If the component is enclosed to prevent adjustment, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The encasement block incorporates dynamic features such as removable panels or access mechanisms that allow the component to be accessed when needed while remaining enclosed during normal operation. This dynamic design enables the system to switch between protected and accessible states, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The encasement block serves as an intermediary structure between the user and the adjustable component. It provides protection and stability while incorporating controlled access points or mechanisms that allow legitimate adjustment when required, thus maintaining both reliability and operational flexibility.
3Manufacturing precision
If a monolithic encasement block is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of manufacturing a single monolithic encasement block, the structure is divided into multiple simpler components that can be manufactured separately with lower precision requirements and then assembled together. This segmentation reduces the complexity of individual manufacturing processes while achieving the overall precision through careful assembly and integration of the separate parts.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel delivery system component encasement block includes a block of material. The block of material includes a lumen configured to receive an adjustable fuel delivery system component into the lumen and including a closed end configured to prevent adjustment of the component when the component is disposed within the fuel delivery system component encasement block. The block of material further includes an aperture in the block of material configured to provide access to at least one of an inlet and an outlet of the component when the component is disposed within the fuel delivery system component encasement block.