Fuel Tank Band Lifting With Preloaded Fastener Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of fuel tanks on vehicles is hindered by misalignment between fasteners and fastener openings, leading to dropped fasteners and delays in vehicle assembly, particularly due to the weight and dimensions of the fuel tanks requiring lifting and securement.
Innovation Solution
A lifting apparatus with vertically oriented actuators and fastening guns is used to secure fasteners through fuel tank bands before lifting, aligning them with openings, and adjusting to different vehicle types, ensuring precise installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fasteners are inserted and secured through fuel tank bands before lifting, then misalignment and fastener drop are reduced, but the device complexity increases due to integrated fastening guns and actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated lifting apparatus: the actuator system for lifting, the fastening guns for securing fasteners, and the positioning mechanisms for alignment are merged into one coordinated system. This allows fasteners to be inserted and secured before lifting occurs, eliminating the problem of fastener drop while maintaining reliable alignment throughout the lifting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening guns are positioned and configured to receive and secure fasteners through the fuel tank bands before the lifting action begins. This preliminary securing of fasteners ensures they are firmly in place and aligned with the fastener openings prior to any lifting motion, preventing misalignment and drop during the lifting process.
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle is lifted to an elevated position for fuel tank installation, then access to the underside is improved, but installation time increases due to lifting and positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting apparatus merges the vehicle lifting function with the fuel tank positioning and fastening functions into a single coordinated operation. The actuators lift the vehicle while simultaneously positioning the fastening guns to secure fasteners through the fuel tank bands, and then continue lifting to elevate the vehicle for installation. This combined operation provides excellent access to the underside while reducing total installation time compared to separate lifting and fastening operations.
3Reliability
If fasteners are secured through fuel tank bands before lifting, then fastener drop is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to integrated fastening system
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is merged with the lifting apparatus, integrating the fastening guns, actuators, and positioning mechanisms into a single coordinated system. The fastening guns are positioned to receive fasteners and secure them through the fuel tank bands before lifting begins, ensuring reliable fastener retention. This integration eliminates the need for separate fastening operations and reduces fastener drop while the coordinated control system manages the complexity of the integrated functions.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of lifting and installing a fuel tank on a vehicle are provided. In particular, a lifting apparatus may (1) receive fasteners and fuel tank bands prior to lifting, the fasteners secured/extended through fastener openings of the fuel tank bands; (2) lift, in a first lifting stage, the received fuel tank bands to a ground-facing surface of a fuel tank (the fuel tank may be resting on a pedestal or a similar support structure) such that the fuel tank bands cradle the fuel tank; and (3) lift, in a second lifting stage, the received fuel tank bands and the cradled fuel tank to the underside of a vehicle for installation.