Quick-Connect Oil Change Automation to Prevent Spills and Burns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional motor oil changes require various equipment and tools, which can be costly and inefficient, and often result in oil spills and burns due to the manual handling of oil and filters.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous oil change system that utilizes a user interface, sensors, and a control circuit to automate the oil change process, including a refill system, evacuation system, and filter cleansing system, using quick fit connectors and pressurized agents to minimize spills and burns, and a tool cabinet for standardized tool usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional manual oil change methods are used with various equipment and tools, then the oil change can be performed, but the costs associated with equipment and tools increase and the process becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of oil change processVSAvoidequipment and tools required

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate tools and equipment (jack, drain plug socket, oil filter wrench, funnel, containers) into a single integrated automated system. The system uses a robotic arm with interchangeable end effectors to perform multiple oil change tasks, eliminating the need for separate manual tools and reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables the vehicle to service itself through automated oil change operations. The robotic system automatically positions components, removes and installs filters, drains oil, and refills without human intervention, making the complex process self-executing rather than requiring multiple manual tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If traditional manual oil change methods are used, then the oil change can be performed, but oil spills and burns occur due to manual handling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of oil change processVSAvoidoil spills and burns

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated robotic system. The robotic arm with controlled end effectors performs all oil change operations without human contact with hot oil or components, eliminating burns. The automated containment and transfer systems prevent spills by controlling fluid movement precisely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces automated robotic components as intermediaries between the oil system and the external environment. The robotic arm, end effectors, and controlled transfer mechanisms serve as intermediaries that handle oil and hot components safely, preventing direct contact that causes burns and spills.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If multiple vehicles are serviced with traditional methods, then all vehicles can be maintained, but the costs and equipment requirements increase for each additional vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of vehicles servicedVSAvoidequipment and tools needed

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic system is designed with universal end effectors and programmable operations that can adapt to different vehicle types and oil change requirements. A single system can service multiple vehicles with varying specifications by changing tools and adjusting parameters, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment for each vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system reduces the need for multiple tools and equipment, minimizes oil spills and burns, and ensures efficient, automated oil changes with reduced environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

an evacuation system having a quick fit connector configured to couple to a quick fit valve of the vehicle and a pump configured to pull oil from the engine through the quick fit valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a refill system having a quick fit connector configured to couple to a quick fit valve of the vehicle and a pump configured to push new oil into the engine through the quick fit valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

a purge system having a quick fit connector configured to couple to a quick fit valve of the vehicle and configured to blow out oil from a filter of the engine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressurized gas: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP4004352B1Autonomous oil change system

Publication Date: 2025.10.01 RPM IND LLC

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AI summary

An oil change system. The oil change system includes an evacuation system, a refill system, one or more sensors and a control circuit. The evacuation system includes a first quick connect fitting configured to mate with a quick connect valve of a vehicle. The refill system includes a second quick connect fitting configure to mate with the quick connect valve of the vehicle. The control circuit is coupled to the evacuation system, the refill system and the one or more sensors, and is configured to automatically identify the vehicle, determine a type, a viscosity and a volume of oil associated with the vehicle and control a volume of new oil added to the vehicle.