Removable Oil Collection Tray for Engine Filter Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for preventing oil spills from engine oil filters during replacement are inadequate, as absorbent towels are messy and insufficient, and enlarging the oil-catching shelf on engines would compromise fuel economy and increase costs.

Innovation Solution

An oil collection device with a tray having a concavity open from above, featuring a first connector for removably attaching to the engine below the oil filter and a second connector with a drain hole for attaching to a drain hose, effectively collecting and managing oil spills.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the size of the shelf is increased to catch all oil, then oil collection effectiveness is improved, but additional size and weight are added to the engine case, decreasing fuel economy and increasing manufacturing and shipping costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil collection effectivenessVSAvoidengine case weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The oil collection system is divided into two parts: a fixed metallic shelf that is already part of the engine case, and a removable tray that can be attached when needed. This segmentation allows the system to provide enhanced oil collection capability only when the oil filter is being replaced, without permanently increasing the engine case weight or size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tray is designed to be removably attached to the engine case rather than being a permanent fixture. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt between two states: normal operation with minimal weight (tray removed or not attached) and oil filter replacement with enhanced collection capability (tray attached), thus resolving the contradiction between oil collection effectiveness and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the size of the shelf is increased to catch all oil, then oil collection effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing and shipping costs of the engine are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil collection effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing and shipping cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tray is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and attached only when needed for oil filter replacement. This approach is more cost-effective than permanently integrating a large, complex oil collection system into the engine case, as the tray can be a simple removable component rather than a permanent structural modification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If absorbent towels are used to catch oil, then oil spill prevention is improved, but mess and availability issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil spill preventionVSAvoidcleanliness and availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tray with concavity is designed to automatically collect and contain oil drippings as they occur during oil filter replacement. The structured design with drainage holes and removable connectors enables the system to self-manage oil collection without requiring external absorbent materials, thus eliminating the mess and availability issues associated with towels while maintaining reliable oil spill prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12209517B1Oil collection device for use with engine

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 KAWASAKI MOTORS LTD

AI summary

An oil collection device for use with an engine having an oil filter mounting structure and an oil filter mounted thereto is provided. The oil collection device comprises a tray including a concavity that is open from above. The oil collection device further comprises a first connector formed on the tray, in which the first connector includes an attachment structure configured to removably attach to a portion of the engine below the oil filter. The oil collection device further comprises a second connector formed on the tray, in which the second connector has a drain hole formed therein, the drain hole extending through the tray and opening to the concavity, the second connector being configured to attach to a drain hose.