Asymmetric Stiffening Element for Liquid Container Deformation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stiffening elements for liquid containers in motor vehicles face challenges in maintaining structural integrity under static and dynamic loads while minimizing weight, particularly in multi-layered containers, and often require complex connections that can lead to unwanted deformations and increased weight.
Innovation Solution
A stiffening element with a larger first connection area and a smaller second connection area, featuring a radial-symmetric design and welding pins, which allows for a stronger, weight-efficient connection without the need for active heating, enabling larger liquid containers and reduced deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a stiffening element is made lightweight to minimize overall weight, then weight is reduced, but connection reliability with multi-layered container walls deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening element features asymmetric connection surfaces where the first connection surface has a larger area than the second connection surface. This local differentiation in geometry allows optimized connection reliability at each interface while maintaining overall lightweight design. The larger first connection surface provides enhanced bonding area for superior connection reliability, while the smaller second connection surface reduces material usage and weight.
2Reliability
If connection areas are made larger to improve connection reliability, then connection reliability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening element employs asymmetric connection surfaces with different areas - the first connection surface is deliberately made larger than the second connection surface. This asymmetric design allows each connection interface to be optimized independently: the larger first connection surface ensures reliable connection at the critical first interface, while the smaller second connection surface minimizes unnecessary material and weight. This resolves the contradiction by providing sufficient connection reliability only where needed rather than uniformly across both interfaces.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform connection geometries are used at both connection areas, then manufacturing is simplified, but connection reliability under asymmetric loads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening element features non-uniform connection geometries where the first connection surface has a larger area than the second connection surface. This asymmetric design specifically addresses asymmetric loading conditions by providing enhanced connection capacity at the first interface which experiences higher loads. While this reduces manufacturing simplicity compared to uniform geometries, it significantly improves connection reliability under the asymmetric static and dynamic operating loads experienced in motor vehicle applications.
4Manufacturing precision
If active heating elements are added to improve connection quality, then connection quality is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening element achieves reliable connection quality through its optimized asymmetric geometry and material properties alone, without requiring active heating elements. The larger first connection surface provides sufficient bonding area to ensure proper connection quality through the bonding process itself. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional heating devices, thereby reducing device complexity and overall weight while maintaining high connection quality.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a stiffening element for a liquid container for a motor vehicle and to a liquid container comprising such a stiffening element, wherein the stiffening element has a first connecting region, a second connecting region and a center region, the first connecting region and the second connecting region being indirectly connected to each other via the center region, and wherein the first connecting region and the second connecting region have different connection geometries. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a liquid container.