Fuel Container Housing Structure for Vertical Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing housing cases for small fuel containers in fuel cell vehicles are insufficient in protecting them from impacts during collisions due to their thinner walls, which are designed to handle lower hoop stress.
Innovation Solution
A housing case design that supports fuel containers at three or more points using a first and second case with projecting and recessed portions, and coupling portions disposed below the outer edge, allowing for vertical deformation to absorb impacts and protect the containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of stationary object
If the housing case uses thinner walls to reduce weight and material usage, then weight and material consumption decrease, but collision protection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing case is divided into multiple cases (first case, second case, third case) that are coupled together. Each case can deform independently during collision, distributing the impact forces across multiple segments rather than requiring a single thick-walled structure, thus reducing overall material usage while maintaining protection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing case is designed with dynamic deformation characteristics, allowing the cases to bend and absorb impact energy during collision. The coupling portions are positioned to enable controlled vertical deformation, transforming the rigid protective structure into a dynamic energy-absorbing system that protects fuel containers without requiring excessive wall thickness.
2Strength
If the housing case structure is made more complex with multiple cases and coupling portions, then collision protection improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing case is segmented into multiple cases (first case with top surface, second case with bottom surface, third case with side surface) that are coupled together. Each segment can be optimized independently for its specific protective function, and the modular structure allows for easier manufacturing and assembly compared to a single complex thick-walled structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling portions are positioned at specific locations (vertically below the outer edge) to enable deformation in the vertical dimension during collision. This dimensional approach to impact absorption allows the structure to protect fuel containers without requiring increased wall thickness in all directions, thus managing complexity while maintaining protection capability.
3Strength
If the housing case allows vertical deformation to absorb impacts, then collision protection improves, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing case is designed with controlled dynamic deformation characteristics. The coupling portions are positioned to enable vertical deformation during impact, allowing the structure to absorb collision energy. However, the multi-case configuration with strategic coupling maintains structural stability during normal operation, providing a balance between deformability for impact absorption and stability for everyday use.
Solution Approach 2:
By dividing the housing case into multiple cases coupled at specific portions, the structure gains the ability to deform in a controlled manner during impact while maintaining overall structural integrity. The segmentation allows localized deformation at coupling portions without compromising the stability of the entire housing structure during normal conditions.
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 design effectively absorbs and distributes impact forces, preventing damage to the fuel containers and associated components by allowing the housing case to bend vertically, thus enhancing collision protection.
Implementation Method 1
allowing for vertical deformation to absorb impacts and protect the containers
Implementation Method 2
The design effectively absorbs and distributes impact forces, preventing damage to the fuel containers
Data Source
AI summary
A housing case is configured to house fuel containers that have a cylindrical shape and are spaced apart from each other. The housing case supports each fuel container at three or more points. The housing case includes: a first case having a top surface having a shape where projecting portions and recessed portions are repeated; a second case having a bottom surface having a shape where projecting portions and recessed portions are repeated; and coupling portions where the recessed portions of the first case and the recessed portions of the second case approach each other in a vertical direction. The coupling portions are disposed vertically below an outer edge of the housing case. A distance in the vertical direction between each of the coupling portions and the outer edge increases stepwise from the outer edge toward a center in a lengthwise direction of the housing case.