Vapor Pressure Sensor Adapter for Fuel Tank Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vapor pressure sensors located distant from the fuel tank provide inaccurate readings if the vapor line is pinched or impeded, as they are not directly coupled to the fuel tank, leading to potential leaks or system issues going undetected.
Innovation Solution
A sensor adapter assembly that couples a vapor pressure sensor directly to the fuel tank, featuring a base housing and an insert adapter with a sensor insertion aperture, a clip for secure engagement, and an anti-rotation tab to prevent relative rotation, ensuring accurate pressure readings and fluid communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the vapor pressure sensor is located distant from the fuel tank (on vapor line or canister), then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to potential vapor line pinching or impediment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sensor adapter assembly as an intermediary component that couples the vapor pressure sensor directly to the fuel tank. This adapter includes a base housing with a fuel tank coupling portion and a sensor mounting portion, serving as a mediator between the fuel tank and the sensor. By placing the sensor directly on the fuel tank through this intermediary adapter, the system eliminates the need for distant sensor locations on vapor lines or canisters, thereby preventing inaccurate readings due to vapor line pinching while maintaining simplified installation through the standardized adapter interface.
2Measurement precision
If the vapor pressure sensor is coupled directly to the fuel tank, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional adapter components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated sensor adapter assembly. The adapter combines the base housing that couples to the fuel tank, the sensor mounting structure, sealing elements, and anti-rotation features into one unified component. This merging eliminates the need for separate adapter parts, reduces assembly steps, and simplifies the overall system while achieving direct sensor-to-tank coupling for accurate measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor adapter assembly is designed with universal applicability to different fuel tank configurations. The base housing includes a fuel tank coupling portion that can interface with various tank types, while the sensor mounting portion accommodates standard vapor pressure sensors. This multi-functional design allows the same adapter assembly to serve multiple purposes across different vehicle models, reducing the need for model-specific components and simplifying inventory and installation.
3Reliability
If the sensor adapter includes anti-rotation and secure engagement features, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric features in the sensor adapter assembly to prevent rotation and ensure proper orientation. The anti-rotation tab on the base housing and the corresponding receptacle on the sensor mounting portion create a non-symmetric interface that naturally prevents the sensor from rotating into incorrect orientations. This asymmetric design provides inherent mechanical guidance during installation, reducing the need for high-precision dimensional tolerances while ensuring reliable, repeatable sensor coupling across production batches.
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 direct coupling of the vapor pressure sensor to the fuel tank enhances reading accuracy, allowing for timely detection of leaks or system problems, improving the reliability of fuel vapor recovery systems.
Implementation Method 1
The insert adapter defines a sensor insertion aperture configured to provide fluid communication to a space inside the fuel tank
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor adapter assembly configured to couple a vapor pressure sensor to a fuel tank includes a base housing configured to couple to the fuel tank, and an insert adapter coupled to the base housing. The insert adapter defines a sensor insertion aperture configured to provide fluid communication to a space inside the fuel tank. The insert adapter is configured to couple to the vapor pressure sensor such that at least a portion of the vapor pressure sensor extends through the sensor insertion aperture into the space inside the fuel tank.