Segmented Dust Flap for Compact Fuel Filler Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional structures for opening and closing fuel filler openings are larger due to the longer distance from the hinge to the contact point of the dust flap, requiring a larger size for the main and dust flaps.
Innovation Solution
A structure where the dust flap is arranged at the outer end with multiple flaps that are flush with each other, allowing the fuel gun to separate the ends, with the main flap's contact point positioned between the dust flap's contact points, enabling a shorter length from the dust flap to the main flap and stable support through multiple contact points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the dust flap is made as a single circular plate valve with a hinge, then the structure is simple, but the distance from the hinge to the contact point becomes long, requiring a larger overall structure size
Solution Approach 1:
The dust flap is divided into multiple flaps (first flap, second flap, third flap, fourth flap) arranged in parallel, each with its own hinge. This segmentation allows each individual flap to have a shorter hinge-to-contact-point distance while collectively covering the same opening, thus reducing the overall structure size while maintaining functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If the dust flap is made as a single circular plate valve, then the manufacturing is simple, but the length from the dust flap to the main flap must be long, increasing the overall structure size
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the dust flap into multiple smaller flaps, each flap can be manufactured more compactly with shorter dimensions. The parallel arrangement of these flaps achieves the same coverage area with a reduced overall length from the dust flap assembly to the main flap, solving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and compact dimensions.
3Reliability
If the dust flap contact point is positioned far from the hinge, then the flap can effectively contact the fuel gun, but the structure size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple flaps are arranged in parallel with their contact points positioned along the fuel gun insertion path. This segmentation allows the contact points to be closer to the hinges while still effectively contacting the fuel gun, as the collective arrangement of multiple flaps ensures reliable contact without requiring any single flap to extend far from its hinge.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
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AI summary
The present invention provides a structure for opening and closing a fuel filler opening having a main flap and a dust flap which are opened or closed in accordance with insertion or removal of a fuel gun to a filler pipe. The dust flap is arranged at an outer end side with respect to the main flap, is constituted by a plurality of flaps arranged flush with each other, and is opened such that ends of the respective flaps are separated from each other by the fuel gun inserted into the filler pipe.