Fuel Tank Strut Linking Unit Stress Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel supply devices risk damaging the lid unit when external forces are applied in an intersecting direction, perpendicular to the vertical direction, due to stress concentration on parts other than the designed stress concentration portion, leading to potential damage before the stress concentration portion breaks.
Innovation Solution
The fuel supply device incorporates a strut linking unit with an upper-side strut member and a lower-side strut member, where the upper-side strut member is connected to the lid unit and includes a protruding portion with a weakened design that preferentially breaks under stress, dispersing the stress across the lid unit to prevent damage, and the lower-side strut member is pivotally connected to the pump unit to absorb tank expansion and contraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stress concentration portion is provided at the lower-side portion of the lower-side strut member, then the stress concentration portion breaks before the lid unit is damaged under vertical compression, but the lid unit may be damaged before the stress concentration portion breaks when external force is applied in an intersecting direction
Solution Approach 1:
The strut linking unit is divided into multiple segments: the upper-side strut member, the lower-side strut member, and the lower-side link member. This segmentation allows stress to be distributed across multiple components rather than concentrating on a single stress concentration portion, preventing unexpected damage to the lid unit when forces are applied in intersecting directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower-side link member acts as an intermediary component between the lower-side strut member and the pump unit. This intermediary structure provides an additional stress distribution path that prevents direct stress transmission to the lid unit when external forces are applied in intersecting directions, complementing the stress concentration portion's protection mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the lower-side strut member is made movable relative to the upper-side strut member, then expansion and contraction of the fuel tank can be absorbed, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lower-side strut member is designed to be movable relative to the upper-side strut member, allowing the strut linking unit to dynamically adapt to expansion and contraction of the fuel tank. This dynamic capability is achieved through a sliding mechanism that enables relative movement while maintaining structural integrity, providing a simple yet effective solution for accommodating fuel tank dimensional changes.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel supply device includes a pump unit, a lid unit and a strut linking unit. The pump unit is located on a bottom of a fuel tank for discharging fuel from the fuel tank to an outside thereof. The lid unit is attached to an upper wall of the fuel tank to close an opening formed in the upper wall. The lid unit has a fuel discharge port. The strut linking unit connects the lid unit to the pump unit. The strut linking unit includes an upper-side strut member, which is formed as an independent component from the lid unit. The strut linking unit includes a lower-side strut member, which is movably connected to the upper-side strut member in a vertical direction. The upper-side strut member is connected to the lid unit by a snap-fit connection. A connecting portion between the upper-side strut member and the lid unit has a stress concentration portion, which is preferentially damaged when an external force is applied to the strut linking unit.