Flat LPG Tank Structure for Low-Profile Underbody Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The design trend of reducing vehicle height and center of gravity complicates the installation of traditional cylinder-type or donut-type LPG fuel tanks on vehicles, limiting space and making it difficult to secure internal and load space.
Innovation Solution
A low profile flat LPG storage tank with a rectangular shape, featuring an upper and lower plate with piercing holes, side plates, end plates, and support pipes, along with baffles and reinforcing structures, allowing easy mounting on a vehicle's underbody without spatial limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a cylinder-type or donut-type bombe is used for LPG storage, then the fuel storage capacity is sufficient, but the vehicle internal space and load space are substantially reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bombe is transformed from a traditional cylindrical or donut shape occupying three-dimensional space into a flat plate structure with dimensions optimized for horizontal placement. The upper and lower plates are connected by side plates to form a flattened rectangular prism structure that lies horizontally on the vehicle underbody, converting vertical space occupation into horizontal placement, thereby maximizing vehicle internal and load space while maintaining LPG storage capacity.
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle overall height is reduced and center of gravity is adjusted downwards, then passenger comfort is improved, but the space for mounting traditional bombe on underbody is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The bombe structure is flattened into a low-profile plate design with height significantly reduced compared to traditional cylindrical bombs. The flat structure with upper and lower plates connected by side plates creates a horizontally-oriented storage solution that fits within the limited vertical clearance of modern vehicle underbodies, enabling installation without compromising passenger comfort or seat hip point height.
3Quantity of substance
If a cylinder-type bombe with long length and large volume is used, then LPG storage capacity is sufficient, but the available space in trunk or luggage compartment is substantially reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bombe is reconfigured from a vertical or three-dimensional cylindrical structure into a flat horizontal plate structure. By connecting upper and lower plates with side plates to form a flattened rectangular prism, the design shifts space occupation from vertical to horizontal dimensions, allowing the bombe to be mounted on the vehicle underbody rather than occupying trunk or luggage compartment volume, thereby preserving cargo space while maintaining adequate LPG storage capacity.
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 flat LPG storage tank design secures a large internal and load space on vehicles with reduced height, maintaining structural integrity under pressure and facilitating easy installation on vehicles with lowered underbodies.
Implementation Method 1
upper end portions of the support pipes are welded to internal circumferential portions of the plurality of first piercing holes and lower end portions thereof are welded to internal circumferential portions of the plurality of second piercing holes to maintain a vertical distance between the upper plate and the lower plate
Implementation Method 2
an upper and a lower end portion of each of the plurality of baffles may be respectively welded to the upper plate and the lower plate
Data Source
AI summary
A low profile flat bombe for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage and method for manufacturing the same, may include a flat bombe body including an upper plate having a plurality of first piercing holes and a pump installation hole formed therethrough, a lower plate having a plurality of second piercing holes formed therethrough at positions vertically coinciding with the plurality of first piercing holes, and side plates integrally connecting first and second side end portions of the upper and lower plates, end plates mounted at front and rear openings in the flat bombe body, and support pipes, wherein upper end portions of the support pipes are welded to internal circumferential portions of the plurality of first piercing holes and lower end portions thereof are welded to internal circumferential portions of the plurality of second piercing holes to maintain a vertical distance between the upper and lower plates.