Fuel Tank Compensation Container for Pressure Fluctuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel containers face challenges with deformation under pressure fluctuations, reduced usable volume due to reinforcement elements, and compromised barrier properties, especially in hybrid vehicles where the activated carbon filter is less effective, leading to increased internal pressures and hydrocarbon diffusion.
Innovation Solution
An operating fluid container with a compensation container that is fluidically connected to the atmosphere, featuring a complementary upper shell design that maintains shape during pressure changes, reducing forces on built-in parts and enhancing barrier properties through a flexible and adaptable design, including a multilayer structure and barrier layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If reinforcement elements are added to withstand elevated internal pressures, then pressure resistance is improved, but usable volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The compensation container is nested within the operating fluid container interior, allowing the pressure compensation function to be integrated into the existing container structure without adding external reinforcement elements that would reduce usable volume. The compensation container utilizes the available interior space efficiently while maintaining pressure resistance through its fluidic connection to the atmosphere.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the container is made more rigid to prevent deformation under pressure, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to pressure fluctuations is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The compensation container changes its volume in response to pressure fluctuations by expanding when internal pressure is low and contracting when internal pressure is high. This dynamic volume change allows the system to adapt to varying pressure conditions while the overall container structure remains stable. The fluidic connection to the atmosphere enables this parameter change without requiring rigid structural modifications.
3Reliability
If the compensation volume is increased to improve pressure compensation, then pressure fluctuation handling is improved, but space utilization is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The compensation container is designed with dynamic volume capability, allowing it to expand and contract based on the actual pressure conditions within the operating fluid container. This dynamic design enables effective pressure compensation with a smaller average volume occupation compared to a static compensation system, as the container only occupies maximum space when pressure fluctuations require maximum compensation.
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 provides improved long-term stability, efficient space utilization, and reduced hydrocarbon emission by maintaining the container's shape and structure during pressure fluctuations, ensuring effective pressure compensation and minimizing hydrocarbon diffusion.
Implementation Method 1
the compensation container is situated within an operating fluid container interior for compensating for pressure fluctuations within the operating fluid container interior
Data Source
AI summary
An operating fluid container for a motor vehicle for accommodating an operating fluid. The operating fluid container has a compensation container that is at least indirectly fluidically connected to the atmosphere (ATM). The operating fluid container has the following features: the compensation container is situated within the operating fluid container in such a way that an outer surface of a compensation container upper shell is situated opposite from an inner surface of an operating fluid container upper shell; in the event of positive pressure in the operating fluid container relative to the atmosphere, a compensation container volume decreases; and in the event of negative pressure in the operating fluid container relative to the atmosphere, the compensation container volume increases. The operating fluid container is characterized in that the compensation container upper shell opposite from the operating fluid container upper shell has a shape, at least in sections, that is complementary to the operating fluid container upper shell.