Two-Piece Fuel Filler Tube Bracket for Pull-Off Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel filler tube assemblies require complex manufacturing steps, such as rolling the filler neck rim and installing designed fracture points, which increase costs and complicate the process, while also facing challenges in meeting industry standards for force resistance and safety during vehicle crashes.
Innovation Solution
A two-piece bracket assembly with a receiver component brazed to the fuel filler neck and a bracket component that couples via a friction or interference fit, eliminating the need for rolling the rim and fracture points, allowing for streamlined installation and improved pull-off performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mounting flange is used with rolling the filler neck rim and designed fracture points, then the assembly meets force resistance requirements and safety standards, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is divided into two separate components: a receiver component that attaches to the filler neck and a bracket component that provides mounting functionality. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex single-piece manufacturing processes including rim rolling and fracture point design, while maintaining structural integrity and meeting safety requirements through the modular connection of components.
2Strength
If traditional mounting flange with rim rolling is used, then secure attachment is achieved, but manufacturing steps are increased and costs are elevated
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver component is pre-formed with attachment features that enable direct connection to the filler neck without requiring post-assembly operations such as rim rolling. The bracket component is separately prepared with mounting features, allowing both components to be manufactured independently with simpler processes before final assembly, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining attachment strength.
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 reduces manufacturing complexity, lowers tooling costs, and enhances design flexibility while meeting or exceeding industry standards for force resistance, ensuring the fuel filler neck remains intact during separation and reducing the risk of fuel leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a receiver component brazed or otherwise attached to a filler neck
Implementation Method 2
The coupling mechanism facilitates simple coupling of the bracket component to the receiver through a friction fit, snap fit, interference fit or other type of connection
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel fill tube assembly for an associated vehicle comprises a tubular fill conduit, a receiver attached to the fill conduit, and a bracket mountable to a surface of the associated vehicle, the bracket is configured to be received by the receiver to thereby support the fill conduit relative to the associated vehicle.