Liquid Vapor Separator with Merged Vent Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid/vapor separators for fuel tanks in motor vehicles require complex and expensive designs with pressure holding valves to prevent venting during refueling, which are prone to faults and hinder effective droplet separation.
Innovation Solution
A simplified liquid/vapor separator design featuring a housing with a droplet collecting space and a valve that closes both service and refueling vent paths into a common connection opening, allowing for selective opening and closing of flow paths using a flap valve or linear motion valve body, with optional check valves for recirculation and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If service vent valves are designed as pressure holding valves to prevent venting during refueling, then refueling function is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The service vent path and refueling vent path are merged to open via a common connection cross section into the connection opening. A single valve body closes both paths simultaneously when actuated, eliminating the need for separate pressure holding valves and reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining reliable refueling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The single valve body serves multiple functions: it closes both the service vent path and refueling vent path during refueling operations. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized valves, reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If service vent valves are designed as pressure holding valves to ensure refueling switching off, then refueling reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the closure function for both service vent and refueling vent paths into a single valve body, the manufacturing cost is reduced compared to producing and assembling multiple specialized pressure holding valves. The unified design simplifies production while ensuring reliable refueling switching off.
3Reliability
If service vent path opens into connection opening directly, then droplet separation effectiveness is improved, but venting control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The service vent path opens directly into the connection opening, allowing vented gas to enter the droplet separation chamber where droplets are effectively separated. This direct opening simplifies the venting path configuration rather than increasing complexity, as it eliminates intermediate chambers or complex routing.
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
This design enables effective droplet separation during refueling while simplifying the service venting process, reducing the complexity and cost of valve mechanisms and minimizing the risk of faults, allowing for efficient gas volume management.
Implementation Method 1
a housing (2) with means (6, 7, 8, 11, 12) for separating fuel in vapor form
Implementation Method 2
a housing (2) with means (6, 7, 8, 11, 12) for separating fuel in vapor form
Implementation Method 3
the valve has at least one valve body (5) which closes the entire connection cross section (4) in one operating position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a liquid/vapor separator (1) for a fuel tank for motor vehicles, comprising a housing (2) having a droplet collecting space (9) for fuel in vapor form. The housing (2) is provided with a connection cross section (4) which, in the installed position, opens into a space surrounded by a filler pipe of the motor vehicle. The liquid/vapor separator (1) comprises at least one first connection (6) for a refueling vent line of the fuel tank, said connection opening into the droplet collecting space (9), a second connection for a service vent line of the fuel tank, and a third connection (8) for a vent line leading to a fuel vapor filter. The liquid/vapor separator (1) according to the invention furthermore comprises at least one valve, which closes at least a service vent path (12) from the second connection to the fuel vapor filter during refueling of the motor vehicle, wherein the service vent path (12) is routed as a channel bypassing the droplet collecting space (9) into the connection cross section (4) of the housing (2).