Remote Water in Fuel Indicator Unit for Engine Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel filters lack an efficient and cost-effective method to indicate when water needs to be drained, especially in machines without a dashboard warning light, and current solutions are not conveniently located for maintenance technicians.
Innovation Solution
A remote, positionable water in fuel indicator unit with a housing, indicators, and a controller that receives signals from a fuel filter sensor to activate visual indicators for timely water drainage, including a reset function for deactivation, and can be mounted on machines with optional securing mechanisms or as a portable unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dashboard warning light is installed to indicate when water needs to be drained from the fuel filter, then the operator can be notified of the water level, but the cost of adding such a system increases and the location may not be convenient for mechanics
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator system is segmented into a separate, standalone unit that can be mounted independently from the dashboard. This allows the indicator to be positioned in a convenient location for mechanics without requiring integration into the existing dashboard structure, thereby reducing installation complexity and cost while maintaining reliable water level indication.
Solution Approach 2:
A separate indicator unit acts as an intermediary between the fuel filter water level sensor and the operator. This intermediary device receives the water level signal and presents it in a convenient location for mechanics to check, eliminating the need to modify the dashboard while ensuring reliable notification of water levels.
2Ease of operation
If the indicator unit is positioned remotely from the fuel filter, then it can be conveniently located for mechanics, but the signal transmission distance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator unit serves as an intermediary that receives water level signals from the fuel filter sensor through extended signal transmission. This intermediary positioning allows the indicator to be placed in a convenient location for mechanics while the signal receiving device handles the extended transmission distance from the remote sensor location.
Data Source
AI summary
A positionable water in fuel indicator unit including an indicator housing having a back panel, and a housing cover connected to the back panel. The water in fuel indicator unit can also include a signal receiving device configured to receive a water in fuel signal from a water in fuel sensor located in the fuel filter, a first indicator visible through the housing cover and configured to indicate when a water level in the fuel filter is less than a predetermined threshold, a second indicator visible through the housing cover and configured to indicate when the water level in the fuel filter is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, and a controller enclosed by the housing cover. The controller can be configured to activate the first indicator based on the water in fuel signal, and activate the second indicator based on the water in fuel signal.