Fuel Tank Mounting Brackets With Fire-Resistant Metal Clips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current metal fasteners for securing fuel tanks to vehicle bodies fail to meet fire resistance regulations and are not lightweight, while also occupying unnecessary interior tank volume.
Innovation Solution
A metal clip system with hooking tabs and alignment pins is integrated into the fuel tank's fixing supports, allowing for secure attachment to the vehicle body without additional tools, enhancing fire resistance and reducing weight without impacting interior space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal fastener is added to protect mounting brackets from fire, then fire resistance is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective system is segmented into modular metal fasteners that can be individually attached to each mounting bracket. Each fastener is a separate component with hooking tabs that engage with the bracket structure, allowing selective placement only where fire protection is needed rather than enclosing the entire tank.
Solution Approach 2:
Fire protection is applied locally only at the mounting brackets and attachment points where fire resistance is critical, rather than uniformly across the entire fuel tank. The metal fasteners are positioned specifically at high-risk areas to provide targeted protection while minimizing overall weight addition.
2Reliability
If protective measures are added to meet fire resistance regulations, then fire resistance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The metal fastener integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides fire resistance, structural reinforcement, and mechanical attachment capability. The hooking tabs combine protection and fastening functions, eliminating the need for separate protective enclosures and simplifying the overall assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal fastener is designed to be self-aligning and self-securing through its hooking tabs that automatically engage with the mounting bracket features. Alignment lugs and orifices provide self-alignment during installation, reducing the complexity of precise positioning and assembly procedures.
3Reliability
If a metal fastener is added to protect mounting brackets, then fire resistance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The metal fastener is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured from standard metal stock. The straightforward geometry with flat surfaces and basic hooking tabs allows for cost-effective production through conventional metal forming processes, making the protective solution economically viable.
4Ease of manufacture
If traditional fastening methods are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but fire resistance duration is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The solution combines traditional metal mounting brackets with additional metal fastener components to create a composite fastening system. This layered approach maintains the original manufacturing processes for the brackets while adding fire-resistant metal elements that extend the duration of protection under fire conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fuel tank for a motor vehicle, comprising: an assembly of two half-shells (2, 3) forming a fuel filling area; one or more mounting brackets (4) for attaching the fuel tank (1) to the body of the motor vehicle formed by an extension of material of the two half-shells (2, 3) at the junction of the half-shells (2, 3), the mounting brackets (4) having a first surface (4a) formed by one of the half-shells (2, 3), a second surface (4b) formed by the other of the half-shells (2, 3) opposite the first surface (4a), and at least one mounting hole (5); and means for attaching (6) the mounting brackets (4) to the body of the motor vehicle.In addition, one or more of the mounting brackets (4) includes a metal fastener (7) having a first portion (7a) adapted to cooperate with the first surface (4a) of the mounting bracket (4), and a second portion (4b) extending from the first portion (7a) and forming a hooking tab dimensioned to cooperate with the second surface (4b) of the mounting bracket (4) for retaining the metal fastener (7) on the mounting bracket (4).