Universal Fuel-Supply Assembly Plate Structure for Gasoline and Diesel
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fuel-delivery assemblies for gasoline and diesel engines require separate production tooling and inventory, leading to costly and time-consuming production line changes due to differences in components and configurations.
Innovation Solution
A universal fuel-supply assembly adaptable for both gasoline and diesel engines, utilizing a plate structure with bosses to accommodate different components and configurations, allowing for efficient assembly and integration of fuel pumps, filters, and sensors, with specific openings and conduits for each fuel type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate production tooling and inventory are used for gasoline and diesel fuel-delivery assemblies, then each fuel type can be produced with dedicated components, but production line changes become costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate both gasoline and diesel fuel-delivery assemblies. The plate structure includes multiple bosses (first, second, third, fourth bosses) with configurable openings that can be adapted to different fuel types through selective opening configurations, allowing a single production line to manufacture both types without complete retooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure is divided into modular components with distinct bosses that can be independently configured. Each boss can have different opening patterns (first opening configuration for gasoline, second opening configuration for diesel), allowing the system to be segmented into standardized modules that can be reconfigured for different fuel types through selective assembly rather than complete line changes.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate production tooling is used for gasoline and diesel fuel-delivery assemblies, then each fuel type has optimized production processes, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single mounting structure design serves both gasoline and diesel applications through configurable opening patterns. The universal plate structure with multiple bosses can be produced once and then configured for different fuel types by selecting which openings are present or closed, eliminating the need for entirely separate production tooling while maintaining fuel-type-specific optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure implements local differentiation through specific opening configurations at different locations (first opening in second boss, second opening in third boss, etc.). Each boss can be locally configured with appropriate openings for its specific function while maintaining the same overall structure, allowing fuel-type-specific features to be implemented through localized modifications rather than complete redesign.
3Reliability
If different configurations are used for gasoline and diesel fuel-delivery assemblies, then each assembly is optimized for its fuel type, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure incorporates dynamic configurability through selective opening patterns that can be adapted between fuel types. The plate structure allows for different opening configurations (first opening configuration vs. second opening configuration) to be implemented based on the required fuel type, enabling the production line to dynamically switch between gasoline and diesel assembly production without permanent retooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The same mounting structure design can be universally applied to both gasoline and diesel fuel-delivery assemblies by configuring which openings are present or closed. This universal design maintains reliability for each fuel type through proper opening configurations while simultaneously providing adaptability to produce either fuel type on the same production line.
Data Source
AI summary
A universal fuel-supply assembly is adaptable during manufacturing to be made for use with one of multiple different fuel types (e.g., gasoline or diesel fuel). A method for assembling a fuel-supply assembly includes providing a plate structure configured to be secured to a fuel tank. The plate structure has multiple bosses. According to one example, the method determines whether the fuel-supply assembly is for use as a diesel fuel-supply assembly or as a gasoline fuel-supply assembly. The method provides an opening through one of two different bosses that communicates with both the top side and the bottom side of the plate structure depending on whether the fuel-supply assembly is for use as a diesel fuel-supply assembly or a gasoline fuel-supply assembly.