Fuel Cap Accessory Mount With Flex Tabs for Easy Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounts for motorcycles and similar vehicles lack a secure and easy-to-use solution for attaching accessories like bags or containers to gas tanks or fuel caps, often requiring complex installations and not allowing for easy removal of the fuel cap.
Innovation Solution
A mounting device comprising a tank mount with a mounting flange and openings for fasteners, and an accessory mount with tabs and a strap system that allows for secure attachment and easy detachment of accessories by flexing the tabs away from the body, using alignment pins and notches for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing mounts are used for attaching accessories to gas tanks, then accessories can be mounted, but the installation is complex and fuel cap removal is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting device is divided into separate components: a tank mount that attaches to the gas tank and an accessory mount that attaches to the accessory. These segments connect through a simple interface involving tabs that snap into recesses, allowing independent installation and removal of each component without complex assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting device incorporates flexible tabs that can bend and flex during the attachment and detachment process. This dynamic flexibility allows the tabs to easily engage with and disengage from the recesses, enabling simple one-handed operation for both mounting and fuel cap removal without requiring complex tools or procedures.
2Ease of operation
If existing mounts are used for securing accessories, then accessories can be retained, but easy detachment without damage is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting device uses flexible plastic tabs instead of rigid fastening elements. These flexible tabs can bend during detachment to clear engagement points and then spring back to their original position, ensuring secure retention during use while allowing damage-free removal when needed. The flexibility prevents cracking or breaking that would occur with rigid components.
Solution Approach 2:
The tabs are designed to be dynamically flexible rather than statically rigid. During normal operation, they maintain firm engagement to securely retain the accessory. During detachment, they flex outward to disengage from recesses and then return to position, enabling repeated attachment and removal cycles without causing damage to any components.
3Strength
If a secure mounting solution is implemented, then accessories can be firmly attached, but the mount prevents fuel cap removal
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into a tank mount portion and an accessory mount portion that are separately attachable. The tank mount includes a flange that can be positioned to clear the fuel cap opening, allowing the fuel cap to be removed while the tank mount remains securely attached to the gas tank. This segmentation enables independent access to the fuel cap.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting flange is designed to extend in a direction that clears the fuel cap opening path. By positioning the flange laterally rather than directly over the fuel cap, the design maintains strong attachment security while creating dimensional clearance that allows the fuel cap to be removed and reinstalled without removing the entire mounting device.
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
Enables secure and easy attachment of accessories to gas tanks or fuel caps, allowing for fuel cap removal while the mount remains attached, and facilitates easy disengagement of the accessory without damaging the components.
Implementation Method 1
wherein a portion of the accessory mount is configured to flex to facilitate disengagement of the accessory mount from the tank mount
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting device for mounting an accessory on a gas tank, fuel cap, or fuel cap flange of a vehicle includes a tank mount for attachment to the gas tank, fuel cap, or fuel cap flange, the tank mount including a mounting flange and openings for fasteners to attach the tank mount to the gas tank, fuel cap, or fuel cap flange; and an accessory mount for attachment of the accessory. The accessory mount includes a body and tabs coupled to, and disposed at different positions around, the body. The tank mount engages the accessory mount to mount the accessory on the gas tank, fuel cap, or fuel cap flange by positioning portions of the mounting flange of the tank mount between the tabs and the body. A portion of the accessory mount is configured to flex to facilitate disengagement of the accessory mount from the tank mount.