Fuel Tank Carrier Ring Structure for Pillar Positioning Accuracy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The built-in components of fuel tanks, featuring pillar members connected by beam members, face challenges in maintaining rigidity and accurate positioning during manufacturing, leading to deformation issues.
Innovation Solution
The fuel tank design incorporates a carrier system with outer and inner extensions forming a ring shape, along with a coupling stand, to enhance rigidity and allow for precise positioning of pillars, while also accommodating a valve for liquid level and pressure control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If pillar members are connected by beam members to form a ring shape with heavy valves, then the built-in component has structural completeness, but the overall built-in component is likely deformed during manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is divided into multiple beam members (first, second, third, and fourth beam members) that connect pillar members at different positions. This segmentation allows each beam member to be optimized independently for both strength and manufacturing precision, resolving the contradiction between structural completeness and positioning accuracy during manufacturing.
2Ease of manufacture
If the carrier is designed with simple beam members, then manufacturing is easier, but the carrier lacks sufficient rigidity and deforms easily
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier design transitions from simple linear beam members to a three-dimensional ring-shaped structure with multiple beam members positioned at different spatial locations and orientations. This dimensional enhancement provides rigidity and resistance to deformation while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular assembly of the beam members.
3Reliability
If heavy valves are used on each pillar member, then valve functionality is ensured, but the overall built-in component becomes prone to deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier design incorporates asymmetric distribution of beam members with varying thicknesses and cross-sectional areas at different positions. This asymmetry allows strategic reinforcement in areas experiencing higher stress from valve weights while maintaining lighter construction in other areas, balancing valve functionality with overall structural stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel tank is provided that has a carrier enhanced in rigidity and has a built-in component arranged with high accuracy. The fuel tank has a built-in component exclusively within an interior of a tank body, the built-in component including pillars and a carrier connecting between the pillars to present a ring shape in a planar view, wherein the carrier includes: outer extensions connecting between the pillars so as to form the ring shape; inner extensions extending inward of the ring shape from connection points between the outer extensions, and a coupling stand having the inner extensions joined thereto.