Patent Application
20080303271
The present invention relates generally to a fluid filler tool. More particularly, the present invention relates to flexible fluid filler tool for use to fill fluids in a transmission of a vehicle.
Transmissions are used in an engine in order to provide speed-power conversion. An engine can provide a certain maximum rotation per minute or speed within a small range. With help of a transmission and its gear box, the engine's speed can be translated into a larger range of output speed. The transmission can be a manual transmission, where a person has to manually “shift” gears of the transmission or it can automatic, where a person does not have to “shift” the gears because the transmission includes components that “know” when to “shift” the gears.
Manual and automatic transmissions need hydraulic fluids in order to function properly. For example, automatic transmission can include a gear pump, which may be located in the cover of the transmission. The pump draws fluid from a transmission pan located at the bottom of the transmission and feeds it to the hydraulic system. The pump also feeds the transmission cooler and the torque converter with the necessary fluids.
Transmission fluid needs to be replaced when it gets dirty or when it is low. A dipstick in the transmission is typically used to determine the level of the fluid and also can be used as a conduit to add transmission fluid. However, the dipstick opening is typically small and requires the use of a funnel in order to add the fluid without spilling. The fluid is typically bright red and has a petroleum smell. If the fluid is different in color and has a different smell, such as a “burnt” smell, then it needs to be replaced.
Newer vehicles may not be equipped with a dip stick so that maintaining the proper fluid level requires the removal of the transmission pan. Removing the transmission pan adds time and cost to the repair. Additionally, the new transmissions have fluid filler ports, but this requires a special tool in order to utilize such ports. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a method and apparatus that can readily refill the transmission fluid via the fluid filler ports or without the use of a funnel.
The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in one aspect an apparatus is provided that in some embodiments a flexible hose is provided that can mate with various transmissions and fill them with transmission fluid.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a fluid filler tool for use in a vehicle is provided, which can include a flexible hose having a first end and a second end, the hose can be designed to transfer fluids, a quick-connect fitting can be coupled to the first end of flexible hose, the fitting can be designed to mate with a complementary fitting on a fluid filling device, and a cone tip coupled to a second end of the flexible hose, the cone tip can be designed to mate with a device in a vehicle that uses fluids.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of filing a fluid containing device in a vehicle is provided and can include connecting an adapter to a first end of a flexible steel hose, bending the flexible steel hose to a desired shape, connecting the first end of the flexible steel hose to a fluid filling device, and connecting a second end of the flexible steel hose to a device in the vehicle machine that uses fluid.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a fluid filler tool is provided, which can include a means for transferring fluids having a first end and a second end, wherein the means for transferring fluids can be manually configured to a desired configuration, a means for quick-connecting coupled to the first end of the means for transferring fluids, the means for quick-connecting is designed to mate with a complementary fitting on a fluid filling device, and a means for mating coupled to a second end of the flexible hose, the means for mating is designed to mate with a device that uses fluids.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.
The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a fluid filler tool for use to fill fluids in a fluid containing device, such as a transmission of a vehicle.
At the first end is a quick-connect fitting 112 that is designed to be matted with an adapter 110. The quick-connect fitting 112 can mate with any adapter of a fluid source as desired by the user. The quick-connect fitting includes a first and second end. In one embodiment, the first end of the quick-connect fitting can mate with the adapter 110 and has a larger diameter than the second end which mates with the flexible steel hose. In other embodiments, the first and second ends of the quick-connect fitting have the same diameters or the second end's diameter is larger than the first end's diameter. The first and second ends of the quick-disconnect should form a fluid tight seal as to prevent any fluid leaking at the ends. The quick-connect fitting 112 can be made from any suitable material such as brass, steel, aluminum, alloys, and the like.
The adapter 110 shown on
At the second end of the flexible hose is the cone tip 116. The cone tip 116 is constructed and arranged to mate with a port of the transmission in order to fill the transmission with transmission fluid. The cone tip can be made from any materials including brass, steel, aluminum, tin, alloys, synthetics, polymers and the like. The materials chosen should be able to withstand the continuous inserting and removing from the port in the transmission and other fluid containing device without being easily damaged. The cone tip 116 includes a first and a second end. The first end couples with the flexible hose 114 and has a larger diameter then the second end. The second end mates with the fill port of the transmission. The cone tip 116 is designed so that it can be self-centering on the port. The cone tip second end's diameter is smaller than the first end so that the cone tip can easily fit into various sized ports. Although a transmission is used herein as an example, the cone tip 116 can mate with other devices such as a vehicle, washer fluids, brake fluids and the like.
The fluid filler tool is designed to transfer fluids from a fluid filling device to a fluid containing device such as a transmission. As noted above, some new transmissions do not include a dipstick for use in filling the transmission with fluid and requires the technician to remove the fluid pan. This can take considerable more time when servicing the transmission. With the fluid filter tool, the technician can provide fluids to the transmission through ports holes in the transmission without the need to removing the fluid pan. Even if the port is not easily accessible, the fluid filler tool can be manipulated and bent in various shapes and degrees in order to reach such ports. The fluid flexible can be made from any material that is bendable, twistable or otherwise shapeable. The material can be a polymer, tin, alloy, brass, aluminum, or any other suitable material.
The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
