Urea Filler Head Buffer Volume for High-Rate Refilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing filler systems for urea tanks are not designed to handle high filling rates, leading to filling difficulties and fluid projections, and are obsolete for passenger vehicles, requiring a more robust and efficient solution.
Innovation Solution
A filler head with a buffer volume integrated into the main part, a separating device within the cavity to manage flow, and a unique closure configuration that simplifies manufacturing and reduces component count, allowing for higher filling rates without fluid projection, and adaptable to various tank volumes and nozzle types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the filler system is designed for high filling rate, then productivity is improved, but fluid projections occur and filling difficulties arise
Solution Approach 1:
The filler head is divided into distinct functional zones: a buffer volume section that receives and stabilizes incoming fluid, and a cavity section that directs fluid to the filling line. The separating device further segments the flow paths, creating controlled channels for fluid and air respectively. This segmentation allows high filling rates to be achieved while maintaining stability by managing fluid dynamics in each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer volume acts as an intermediary chamber between the distribution nozzle and the filling line. It receives high-velocity fluid from the nozzle, reduces its speed, and allows air bubbles to burst along the walls before fluid enters the cavity. This intermediary buffer prevents direct high-speed fluid injection that would cause projections and filling instability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are used in the filler head, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer volume and cavity are merged into a single integrated filler head body, closed by a common cover part. The separating device is mounted within the cavity rather than being a separate external component. This merging reduces the number of parts while maintaining the functional separation of fluid paths through internal design, thereby reducing device complexity without sacrificing flow management capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The filler head design with integrated buffer volume and cavity serves multiple functions: it buffers incoming fluid, separates air and fluid flows, directs fluid to the filling line, and manages venting. The separating device simultaneously guides both fluid flow and air flow through different paths. This multi-functionality is achieved within a unified structure rather than requiring multiple separate components.
3Speed
If the buffer volume is positioned far from the tank, then flow speed reduction is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer volume is nested within the filler head body structure, with the cavity containing the fluid guidance path and the buffer volume positioned within or adjacent to it. The cover part closes both volumes, integrating them into a compact nested arrangement. This nesting achieves sufficient flow speed reduction while maintaining a simple overall structure that does not require extended positioning far from the tank.
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 solution enables efficient high-rate filling without fluid projection, simplifies manufacturing, and reduces costs by minimizing parts, ensuring reliable operation across different tank volumes and refilling rates.
Implementation Method 1
the buffer volume is in one-piece with, that is to say integral with, the main part and is closed by the cover part so as to limit fluid projection from the filler head during refilling
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a filler head (23) for a storage system comprising a body with a main part (31) closed by a cover part, and being configured to receive a distribution nozzle of a fluid and configured to be connected, in a tighten manner, to a filling line and a venting line of a fluid tank, the filler head (23) further comprising a buffer volume (33) 5 so as to reduce the speed of flow (V) coming from the venting line (21), the buffer volume (33) being in one-piece with the main part (31) and is closed by the cover part so as to limit fluid projection from the filler head (23) during refilling.