Fuel Cell Vehicle Tank Frame Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fuel cell vehicles, the placement of fuel tanks on the outer surface of the vehicle body frame leaves them vulnerable to damage during side impacts, as existing configurations do not adequately protect the tanks from such collisions.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell vehicle design featuring a tank frame with a fixing part and a supporting part that extends outward and downward from the vehicle body frame, utilizing fastening members to securely attach the tank frame to the vehicle body frame, allowing the fuel tank to move downward upon impact and absorb force, thus preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the fuel tank is located on the outer side surface of the vehicle body frame, then the loading platform space is sufficient, but the fuel tank is vulnerable to damage during side impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the fuel tank in a three-dimensional space below the vehicle body frame rather than on the outer surface, utilizing the vertical dimension to resolve the conflict between loading platform space requirements and fuel tank protection needs
Solution Approach 2:
The tank frame serves as an intermediary structure between the vehicle body frame and the fuel tank, providing both support and protection. The tank frame absorbs and distributes impact forces, preventing direct damage to the fuel tank during side collisions
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the fuel tank is moved downward below the vehicle body frame, then the fuel tank is protected from side impacts, but the space for storing components inside the frame is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel tank is positioned in the vertical dimension below the vehicle body frame, utilizing unused space in the vertical direction rather than compromising horizontal component storage space within the frame structure
3Stability of the object's composition
If the tank frame is securely fixed to the vehicle body frame, then the fuel tank is stable during normal operation, but the tank frame may prevent the fuel tank from moving downward during impact
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation between the tank frame and vehicle body frame is designed to be stable during normal operation but capable of controlled deformation or failure during impact, allowing the fuel tank to move downward to absorb impact forces while maintaining stability during regular use
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell vehicle is a fuel cell vehicle configured to support a fuel tank including a cylindrical part extending in a longitudinal direction thereof, the fuel cell vehicle including vehicle body frames, and a tank frame. The vehicle body frames extend in the longitudinal direction between a front tire and a rear tire. The tank frame includes at least a fixing part fixed to the vehicle body frames, and a supporting part configured to support the fuel tank by extending in an outward and downward direction of the vehicle body frames, and coming into contact with the fuel tank below a lower end of the vehicle body frames and above a lowermost part of the cylindrical part.