Fuel Pipe Protective Structure with Plastic Deformation Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle collisions, the internal combustion engine can interfere with fuel supply components connected to the fuel pipe, causing them to break due to improper positioning, leading to potential fuel leaks.
Innovation Solution
A fuel pipe protective structure featuring a base fixed to the vehicle body wall and a cover with a guide that allows the protective member to deform and displace the connection between the fuel pipe and connecting member in a receding direction, preventing interference with the internal combustion engine during collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fuel supply component is disposed closer to the vehicle interior than the internal combustion engine, then the fuel supply component is less likely to be broken upon collision, but the internal combustion engine would interfere with the fuel supply component when it moves toward the vehicle interior during collision
Solution Approach 1:
A protective member comprising a base and a cover is introduced as an intermediary structure between the fuel supply component and the internal combustion engine. The base is fixed to the vehicle body wall while the cover protects the connection between the fuel pipe and connecting member, preventing direct contact and interference between the engine and fuel components during collision.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover includes a guide that causes the protective member to be plastically deformed during collision, allowing the connection to be displaced in a receding direction. This dynamic deformation enables the fuel supply component to move away from the approaching engine, avoiding interference while maintaining protection.
2Reliability
If the connection between fuel pipe and connecting member is made movable to avoid engine interference, then the connection is protected during collision, but the connection strength and sealing may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The protective member with base and cover is installed beforehand to cushion and absorb the impact forces during collision. The base fixed to the vehicle body wall provides a stable anchor, while the cover protects the connection, preventing direct impact forces from damaging the connection between fuel pipe and connecting member.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide in the cover allows controlled plastic deformation and displacement of the connection in a receding direction during collision. This dynamic movement capability protects the connection from direct impact while the protective structure maintains overall connection integrity and sealing.
3Reliability
If the protective member is designed with a guide for plastic deformation, then the connection can recede to avoid engine interference, but the protective member structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The guide in the cover is designed to enable controlled plastic deformation of the protective member during collision. This dynamic feature allows the connection to recede in a receding direction when the engine moves toward the vehicle interior, providing automatic protection without requiring complex active control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective member with its integrated guide structure automatically deforms and displaces the connection during collision without requiring external control systems. The base fixed to the vehicle body wall and the cover with guide work together to provide self-activating protection that simplifies the overall system while maintaining reliability.
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 solution effectively prevents the connection unit from being caught by the internal combustion engine, reducing the risk of breakage and fuel leakage, while allowing for flexible layout positioning.
Implementation Method 1
The cover includes a guide that causes the protective member to be plastically deformed in order to displace the connection in a receding direction
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel pipe protective structure includes a fuel pipe, a connecting member, and a protective member. The protective member is to protect a connection between the fuel pipe and the connecting member. The protective member includes a base and a cover. The base is to be connected to a vehicle body wall that defines an engine compartment. The cover is to be interposed between the connection and an internal combustion engine so as to cover the connection. The cover includes a guide. The guide is configured to cause the protective member to be plastically deformed in order to displace the connection in a receding direction in which the connection moves to avoid being caught by the internal combustion engine in a case where the internal combustion engine moves toward a vehicle interior upon collision of the vehicle.