Inside Mounting Modular Fuel Fill Pocket Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel filler pocket assemblies require external access through large openings in vehicle body panels for attachment, making them aesthetically unappealing and inefficient in terms of panel size utilization.
Innovation Solution
A fuel fill pocket assembly with a mounting bracket bonded to the interior surface of a sheet molded composite body panel, allowing the filler housing to be attached from the inside, concealing the attachment mechanism and reducing the size of the necessary opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the fuel filler pocket assembly is attached from the exterior side through the opening in the body panel, then the attachment is simple and direct, but the opening size must be large and the attachment means are visible from the exterior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional attachment approach by mounting the fuel filler pocket assembly from the interior side of the body panel rather than from the exterior. The mounting bracket is positioned against the interior surface and secured with fasteners that are hidden from external view, eliminating the need for large exterior openings while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the attachment operation from a two-dimensional exterior surface operation to a three-dimensional interior space operation. By accessing the interior side of the body panel and utilizing the interior mounting surface, the system achieves secure attachment without requiring large exterior openings, effectively using the third dimension (depth/thickness of the panel) to resolve the contradiction.
2Ease of manufacture
If the fuel filler pocket assembly is attached from the exterior side through the opening in the body panel, then the attachment process is straightforward, but the attachment means are visible from the exterior which is aesthetically unappealing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the attachment direction to achieve aesthetic improvement. By mounting from the interior side, the fasteners and attachment means are concealed behind the body panel surface, presenting a clean, finished appearance from the exterior while maintaining the simplicity of the attachment process through the use of standard fastening components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the attachment mechanism from the exterior view by relocating it to the interior side of the body panel. The mounting bracket and fasteners are positioned on the interior surface, effectively removing the visually problematic elements from the exterior appearance while preserving their functional attachment role.
3Strength
If a Z flange or fasteners are used to attach the fuel filler pocket assembly, then the attachment is secure, but the attachment means are visible from the exterior when the hinged door is open
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the attachment approach by securing the fuel filler pocket assembly from the interior side rather than the exterior. This reversal maintains secure attachment through proper fastening to the body panel while completely hiding the attachment means from external view, even when the hinged door is open.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the attachment operation into the third dimension by utilizing the interior surface of the body panel. The mounting bracket is positioned against the interior surface and secured with fasteners that extend into the body panel from the inside, placing the attachment mechanism in a different spatial dimension that is not visible from the exterior.
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
This solution enables secure attachment of the fuel fill pocket assembly without external access, reducing the opening size and improving aesthetics by hiding the attachment means, while maintaining effective sealing and support for the fuel tank inlet tube.
Implementation Method 1
The outboard surface is configured for bonded attachment to an interior surface of a sheet molded composite body panel
Implementation Method 2
The outer lip of the bezel includes a rubber material in sealing engagement with the wall to limit fuel leakage between the filler housing and the bezel
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel fill pocket mounting system includes a mounting bracket having an inboard surface and an outboard surface. The outboard surface is bonded to an interior surface of a sheet molded composite body panel. A filler housing is attached to the inboard surface of the mounting bracket. The filler housing includes a wall defining an interior space. A snap in bezel is attached to the filler housing within the interior space. The bezel includes an outer lip disposed against the wall of the filler housing. The bezel includes a rubber material in sealing engagement with a fuel inlet pipe to limit fuel leakage between the bezel and the fuel inlet pipe.