Safety Interlock Nozzle Low-Force Actuation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fuel dispensing nozzles with safety interlock mechanisms require excessive force to operate, particularly for elderly individuals, and the force requirement increases at lower temperatures, making them difficult to use, especially when equipped with vapor recovery systems that are being phased out due to regulatory changes.

Innovation Solution

A safety interlock nozzle design featuring a base with interlock contact surfaces, alternating tabs, a channel, ring clamp, splash guard with a compound surface for reduced force insertion, and a spring mechanism that allows for low-force actuation, enabling easy operation and immediate shutoff when the nozzle is removed from the fill pipe.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a bellows device made of hard material is used for the safety interlock mechanism, then the reliability of the safety interlock is improved, but the force required to operate the nozzle increases making it difficult for elderly individuals to use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety interlock reliabilityVSAvoidnozzle operation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from hard material to soft material for the bellows device. This parameter change reduces the operating force required while maintaining the safety interlock function, as the soft material deforms more easily under applied force to trigger the interlock mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material construction where the bellows device is made of soft material that can be easily deformed. This composite approach combines the flexibility of soft material with the structural requirements of the interlock mechanism, achieving both ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a bellows device is used for vapor recovery and safety interlock, then vapor recovery function is achieved, but the device becomes large, heavy, and bulky

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevapor recovery functionVSAvoidnozzle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from hard material to soft material for the bellows device. This parameter change reduces the operating force required while maintaining the safety interlock function, as the soft material deforms more easily under applied force to trigger the interlock mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material construction where the bellows device is made of soft material that can be easily deformed. This composite approach combines the flexibility of soft material with the structural requirements of the interlock mechanism, achieving both ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the force required to operate the nozzle is increased to ensure proper engagement, then the safety interlock mechanism reliability is improved, but the force required exceeds what elderly individuals can apply

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterlock mechanism reliabilityVSAvoidoperating force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from hard material to soft material for the bellows device. This parameter change reduces the operating force required while maintaining the safety interlock function, as the soft material deforms more easily under applied force to trigger the interlock mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design reduces the force required to insert the nozzle to less than 5 lbs, ensuring easy operation and reliable fuel dispensing while maintaining safety by automatically shutting off fuel flow when the nozzle is inadvertently removed, and is compatible with existing nozzle designs without the need for reconfiguration.

Implementation Method 1

a spring mechanism that allows for low-force actuation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring mechanism: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The bellows device is constructed of a hard material that requires a large force to move the bellows device to operate the interlock mechanism. The force that is required is so large that elderly individuals find it difficult to use the nozzle to refuel a vehicle.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS9624088B2Safety interlock nozzle

Publication Date: 2017.04.18 HUSKY CORP

AI summary

A safety interlock nozzle for use with a safety interlock mechanism is disclosed which comprises a base having an interlock contact surface at a first end and alternating tabs at a second end, a body having alternating tabs at a first end that mate with the alternating tabs of the base, a channel within the body positioned at a second end, a ring clamp for connecting the tabs of the base to the tabs of the body, a splash guard having a first end for contacting with a filler neck housing and a second end having a slot formed therein, the second end capable of fitting within the channel of the second end of the body, and a spring for being captured within the channel in the body and the slot within the splash guard, the spring for connecting the splash guard to the body.