Oil Tank Venting Cap With Spiral Labyrinth for Leak Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing venting caps for oil tanks on machines are complex to construct, assemble, and store, and they often leak due to violent agitation of oil, leading to environmental hazards and reduced oil quantity, despite previous solutions like labyrinth systems and splash guards.
Innovation Solution
A venting cap with a cup and snap-fitted lid featuring a flange, spiral labyrinth, and a dipstick with a toroidal collar and groove system, allowing easy assembly and manufacturing, and ensuring effective sealing and vapor escape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If labyrinth systems and splash guards are added to venting caps to prevent oil leakage, then sealing performance improves, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The venting cap is divided into two separate components: a cup with integrated labyrinth means and a lid with splash guard diaphragms. These components are designed to be assembled together by the end user, allowing each component to be manufactured separately with simpler processes while achieving the combined sealing effect of both labyrinth and splash guard features.
Solution Approach 2:
The labyrinth means is formed by concentric cylindrical diaphragms nested within the cup structure, creating a compact multi-layer sealing system. The splash guard diaphragms are positioned within the upper chamber of the cup, nesting multiple functional elements within the overall cap volume to maximize sealing capability while minimizing overall complexity.
2Reliability
If two separate semi-finished products are assembled to form venting caps with splash guard, then sealing function is achieved, but manufacturing and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The venting cap is divided into two separate components: a cup with integrated labyrinth means and a lid with splash guard diaphragms. These components are designed to be assembled together by the end user, allowing each component to be manufactured separately with simpler processes while achieving the combined sealing effect of both labyrinth and splash guard features.
3Reliability
If complex labyrinth systems are used in venting caps, then oil leakage is reduced, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The venting cap is divided into two separate components: a cup with integrated labyrinth means and a lid with splash guard diaphragms. These components are designed to be assembled together by the end user, allowing each component to be manufactured separately with simpler processes while achieving the combined sealing effect of both labyrinth and splash guard features.
Solution Approach 2:
The labyrinth means employs thin cylindrical diaphragm walls that create the labyrinthine flow path. These thin-walled structures are easier to manufacture using standard forming processes compared to solid complex geometries, while still providing effective oil containment through the multi-chamber design.
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 cap is easy to manufacture, assemble, and maintain, with improved sealing and reduced leakage, extending the product's working life and maintaining the oil's sealing function.
Implementation Method 1
a spiral labyrinth on top of which is fitted the means for engaging said cup
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
The finding relates to a venting cap for oil tanks of machines and machinery, consisting of: - a cup fitted with a flange along its outer surface, with this flange bearing coupling elements underneath it with complementary elements provided on the access sleeve of said tanks and at the top of shaped engagement tabs, - a lid for closing said cup that is snap-fitted onto the cup, fitted with a flange characterized in that: - said flanged partition houses on its lower surface an insert with a substantially cylindrical profile, - said cup body is associated with a spiral labyrinth on top of which is fitted the means for engaging said cup; - above said flange of said cup there is a collar fitted with an external toroidal groove that engages with a raised toroidal thread along the inner surface of an upper closing lid of said cup.