Fuel Container Stiffening Element for Pressure Deformation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional operating fluid containers, particularly fuel containers in motor vehicles, face issues with reduced rigidity and deformation due to increased internal pressure from heated fuels, leading to inefficient ventilation and larger activated carbon filters in hybrid vehicles, where reduced engine usage limits filter flushing and increases vapor conversion.
Innovation Solution
An operating fluid container with a container opening edged by a surround, equipped with a stiffening element that is connectable to a closure element and fastening device, counteracting deformation by connecting to the container base and wall, thereby enhancing rigidity and pressure resistance, allowing for reduced ventilation processes and smaller activated carbon filter dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the operating fluid container is designed without internal stiffening structures, then the production complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but the rigidity in the region of the inspection opening is insufficient, leading to increased deformation under internal pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening element is divided into multiple segments or sections that can be separately positioned and fixed within the container. This segmentation allows for easier integration during manufacturing while providing distributed structural support to counteract deformation at the inspection opening region.
Solution Approach 2:
The stiffening element acts as an intermediary component between the container walls and the inspection opening region. It transfers and distributes the internal pressure loads away from the vulnerable inspection opening area, reducing deformation without requiring a complete redesign of the container structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If coils and stiffening elements are used inside the fuel container to increase rigidity, then deformation under internal pressure is reduced, but the production process becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening element is designed as a thin-walled tubular structure that provides high stiffness-to-weight ratio. This flexible yet rigid structure can be easily integrated into the container during manufacturing without requiring complex assembly processes, unlike traditional coil structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The stiffening element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural rigidity to prevent deformation, acts as a support structure for potential sensor placement, and maintains the internal volume of the container. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
3Ease of operation
If the stiffening element is inserted into the tank in a tilted way to achieve proper positioning, then the stiffening element can be installed, but the insertion process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening element is pre-positioned or pre-assembled with alignment features before insertion into the container. This preliminary preparation ensures that the element can be inserted in a straightforward axial manner without requiring tilted insertion or complex positioning adjustments during the installation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The stiffening element incorporates asymmetric alignment features or guide structures that ensure proper orientation during insertion. These asymmetric features guide the element into the correct position automatically, eliminating the need for tilted insertion or manual alignment adjustments.
4Quantity of substance
If the activated carbon filter is made larger to increase absorption capacity for hybrid vehicles, then more fuel vapor can be filtered, but the device dimensions and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening element creates additional internal volume within the container structure that can be utilized for placing the activated carbon filter. By efficiently utilizing the space around and within the stiffening structure, the filter capacity is increased without requiring additional external volume, thus maintaining compact dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses an operating fluid container (10) made of thermoplastic material for a motor vehicle and a method for equipping an operating fluid container with a stiffening element (20). The operating fluid container (10) here has the following features:the operating fluid container (10) has a container opening (12) which is arranged in a container wall (11) and is edged by a surround (13);the operating fluid container (10) comprises at least one fastening device (15), which is arranged in the operating fluid container (10) and is connected to a container base (14) located opposite the container opening (12);the operating fluid container (10) further comprises a stiffening element (20), which is connectable and/or connected to a closure element (22) for closing the container opening (12) and is connectable to the fastening device (15); andthe stiffening element (20) which is fastened to the container base (14) by means of the fastening device (15) and to the container wall by means of the closure element (22) counteracts deformation caused by the internal pressure of the operating fluid container (10).