Dovetail Coupling for Vehicle Tank Nesting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial and commercial vehicles face challenges in reducing overall dimensions and optimizing production processes due to the increasing need for additional fluid tanks, such as urea tanks, which require additional space and supports, increasing production time and costs.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using dovetail couplings between the main tank and additional tanks, allowing for stable and space-efficient integration without the need for extra supports, utilizing complementary trapeziform recesses and protuberances for vertical or horizontal couplings, enabling cantilevered mounting and reducing the number of required brackets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional tanks are fitted to the vehicle using conventional mounting methods, then the vehicle can fulfill multiple functions (comfort, environmental standards, fluid storage), but the overall dimensions of the vehicle increase and the number of additional supports required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The additional tank is nested onto the main tank using a dovetail coupling mechanism, where the second tank is positioned on top of and coupled to the first tank. This nesting arrangement allows multiple tanks to occupy overlapping vertical space rather than requiring separate horizontal space, thereby reducing the overall vehicle dimensions while maintaining the ability to store multiple fluids for various functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The main tank serves multiple functions: it acts as both a fluid storage container and a structural support element for mounting the additional tank. The dovetail coupling mechanism also serves dual purposes by providing both mechanical support and fluid-tight sealing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated support structures, thereby reducing overall vehicle dimensions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional tanks are fitted using conventional mounting methods, then the vehicle can transport multiple fluids, but the number of additional supports increases and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The main tank is designed to serve as both a fluid storage container and a structural support element. The dovetail coupling mechanism integrated into the main tank provides both mechanical support and fluid-tight sealing functions, eliminating the need for separate support brackets and mounting hardware. This reduces the number of parts and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the ability to transport multiple fluids.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure and the main tank are merged into a single integrated component. The dovetail coupling is formed as part of the main tank's structure rather than being a separate attachment. This merging of functions reduces the number of additional supports needed and simplifies production, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining fluid storage capacity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional tanks are fitted using conventional mounting methods, then the vehicle can meet environmental standards and comfort requirements, but the production time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dovetail coupling mechanism is pre-formed as an integral part of the main tank during its manufacturing process. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate support structures and simplifies the assembly process, as the additional tank can be directly coupled to the pre-prepared dovetail interface. This reduces production time and costs while maintaining the vehicle's ability to meet environmental standards and comfort requirements through multiple fluid storage capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure and main tank are combined into a single integrated component manufactured in one process. This merging eliminates the need for separate support brackets and simplifies assembly operations, thereby improving production efficiency. The integrated design maintains full compliance capability by preserving the ability to store multiple fluids required for environmental standards and comfort functions.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A system is described for fitting one or more additional tanks (2) to a main tank (1) of an industrial or commercial vehicle, by means of one or more "dovetail" couplings between the main tank and the additional tanks, on the facing walls.