Refueling Port Rotational Alignment via Asymmetric Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing refueling port designs have complex positioning mechanisms that increase man-hours and molding costs, and make it difficult for operators to easily confirm and maintain the correct positioning of the nozzle guide with respect to the refueling port body, particularly in rotational alignment, which affects the guidance of fuel vapor.
Innovation Solution
A refueling port design that incorporates a cylindrical nozzle guide with a backflow suppression portion and guide ribs to restrict rotation, allowing for a simpler structure that ensures proper alignment and guidance of fuel vapor while preventing backflow, using a locking mechanism between the refueling port body and nozzle guide to maintain the correct rotational position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a complex positioning mechanism is used to ensure precise rotational alignment between the nozzle guide and refueling port body, then the positioning precision is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric features including a single guide rib positioned at a specific angle (30-60 degrees) relative to the horizontal centerline, and a corresponding asymmetric locking portion with inclined surfaces. This asymmetric configuration provides unique rotational positioning without requiring complex symmetric mechanisms, achieving precise alignment while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism utilizes the insertion force itself to activate the positioning function. As the nozzle guide is inserted into the refueling port body, the inclined surfaces of the locking portion automatically engage with the guide rib, causing rotational movement that positions the guide ribs correctly. The system self-positions without requiring external adjustment mechanisms or complex positioning devices.
2Manufacturing precision
If a complex positioning mechanism is used to ensure precise rotational alignment, then the positioning precision is improved, but the design time and molding cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated structures. The guide rib serves both as a positioning element and a guide for fuel vapor flow. The locking portion is integrated into the nozzle guide body rather than being a separate component. This merging reduces the number of parts, simplifies molding operations, and decreases design complexity while maintaining precise rotational alignment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rib structure performs multiple functions: it provides rotational positioning, guides fuel vapor flow from the reflux port, and works with the locking portion to maintain fixed alignment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate positioning mechanisms, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while achieving precise rotational alignment.
3Ease of operation
If the nozzle guide is freely rotatable for easy insertion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static constrained state to a dynamic self-adjusting state during insertion. The inclined surfaces allow the nozzle guide to rotate freely during insertion, then automatically lock into the correct position as the guide rib engages with the locking portion. This dynamic behavior provides ease of insertion followed by precise positioning without requiring manual alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rib acts as an intermediary element between the nozzle guide and refueling port body. During insertion, it allows free movement, then mediates the rotational positioning by engaging with the locking portion's inclined surfaces. This intermediary mechanism enables both easy insertion and precise rotational alignment without direct constraint throughout the entire insertion process.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a refueling port capable of simplifying a structure for restricting rotation of a nozzle guide with respect to a refueling port body. One of the refueling port body and the nozzle guide includes guide ribs formed between an inner peripheral surface of a body cylinder portion and an outer peripheral surface of a guide cylinder portion to sandwich a reflux port in the circumferential direction, and guiding fuel vapor flowing in from the reflux port in a direction toward a filler pipe connection port. The other one of the refueling port body and the nozzle guide includes a locking portion formed between the inner peripheral surface of the body cylinder portion and the outer peripheral surface of the guide cylinder portion, and locked in both directions in the circumferential direction to the guide ribs to restrict relative rotation between the refueling port body and the nozzle guide.