Vehicle Floor Tunnel Cavity Hydrogen Tank Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) face challenges with reduced luggage space and increased weight due to the placement of hydrogen tanks and battery packs under the rear floor panel, which complicates assembly and increases manufacturing costs, while also limiting the installation of rear seats.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle floor structure that allows the hydrogen tank and battery pack to be mounted under a center floor panel, utilizing a tunnel cavity with a tank support frame and battery support frame, along with crossmembers and longitudinal members, to secure the components and maintain luggage space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the hydrogen tank and battery pack are disposed under the rear floor panel, then the vehicle body strength is improved, but the luggage space is narrowed and it becomes difficult to install rear seats
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the hydrogen tank and battery pack from the lateral space under the rear floor panel to the longitudinal space within the tunnel cavity. This dimensional repositioning allows the components to be arranged along the vehicle's length rather than width, preserving lateral luggage space while maintaining structural support functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle floor structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: the tunnel cavity for hydrogen tank placement, the rear floor panel area for battery pack installation, and the lateral spaces for luggage. This segmentation allows each component to occupy its own designated space without interfering with luggage access or rear seat installation.
2Strength
If multiple reinforcing members are mounted in the tunnel portion to improve strength and stiffness, then the vehicle body performance is improved, but the assembly process becomes complex and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tunnel cavity structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural reinforcement for vehicle body stiffness, acts as a protective enclosure for the hydrogen tank, and creates a dedicated mounting space for the battery pack. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate reinforcing members, simplifying the assembly process and reducing manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the reinforcing member function with the tunnel cavity structure itself. The tunnel cavity is designed to provide both structural support and component housing, combining what would traditionally be separate elements (reinforcement structure and component mounting space) into a single integrated solution.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle floor structure includes a center floor panel, a tunnel extending along a central longitudinal axis of the center floor panel, and having a tunnel cavity, a hydrogen tank located in the tunnel cavity of the tunnel, and a tank support frame configured to support the hydrogen tank so that the hydrogen tank is held in the tunnel cavity.