External Fuel Tank Reinforcement for Pressure-Induced Wall Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern fuel tanks in hybrid vehicles face significant deformations due to pressure fluctuations, leading to installation space issues and failure to meet deformation requirements, as internal stiffening elements reduce storage volume and do not adequately reinforce the tank walls.
Innovation Solution
A fuel tank design featuring reinforcing elements with a maximum thickness greater than the plastic wall, connected to the outer side, providing targeted reinforcement in transitions and reducing deformation through tapered and arch-shaped end portions, integral bonding, and form-fitting connections, while minimizing volume loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If internal stiffening elements are provided within the storage volume, then the plastic wall is reinforced, but the storage volume is considerably reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing reinforcing elements inside the storage volume as is conventionally done, the patent inverts the approach by positioning the reinforcing elements on the outer side of the plastic wall. This inversion allows the reinforcing elements to strengthen the wall without occupying internal storage space, thereby resolving the contradiction between wall reinforcement and storage volume preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the reinforcement approach from a two-dimensional internal structure to a three-dimensional external structure. By placing reinforcing elements on the outer surface with varying thicknesses (greater than the wall thickness in certain regions), the solution adds dimensional complexity externally while keeping the internal volume intact, thus maintaining storage capacity while achieving structural reinforcement.
2Reliability
If the fuel tank is sealed during purely electric travel in hybrid vehicles, then emissions are precluded, but significant deformations of the tank walls occur due to pressure fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the structural parameters of the fuel tank by incorporating reinforcing elements with specific thickness variations on the outer wall surface. These parameter changes (thickness greater than wall thickness in reinforcement regions) enable the tank to withstand pressure fluctuations during sealed operation in hybrid vehicles, reducing wall deformations while maintaining emission control reliability.
3Strength
If conventional wall reinforcement is used in hybrid vehicles with temporarily sealed fuel tanks, then structural strength is improved, but the maximum permissible deformations of 10 mm or less are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the thickness of reinforcing elements at different locations on the outer wall surface. Rather than uniform reinforcement, the thickness is specifically increased in regions where deformation control is critical, enabling precise control of wall deformations to meet the 10 mm maximum permissible deformation requirement while maintaining overall structural strength.
Data Source
AI summary
Fuel tank for a motor vehicle, —comprising a plastic wall which delimits a storage volume for storing fuel, —comprising one or more reinforcing elements for reinforcing the plastic wall, —with at least one reinforcing element being connected to an outer side of the plastic wall that faces away from the storage volume, characterized in that—a maximum thickness of at least one reinforcing element measured normal to the plastic wall is greater than the wall thickness of the plastic wall.