Fuel Tank Guard Frame for Saddle-Ridden Vehicle Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Saddle-ridden type fuel cell vehicles face challenges in protecting the fuel tank and tank valve during frontal or rear-end collisions, as well as limitations in fuel tank capacity due to its cylindrical shape and mounting configuration, which leads to unfavorable loads and deformation risks.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a guard frame that traverses the rear of the tank valve and is positioned to intersect the fuel tank's axis, preventing direct impacts and deformation by redirecting loads along the tank's axis, and allows for a larger fuel tank diameter by separating the guard frame from the body frame during mounting, enabling increased capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the fuel tank is mounted in the center tunnel region by passing between the lower frames, then the fuel tank can be easily maintained, but the fuel tank diameter is limited and capacity cannot be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mounting dimension from lateral (passing between lower frames) to longitudinal (passing from rear side through the body frame). This dimensional change allows the fuel tank to achieve a larger diameter and capacity while still maintaining ease of installation and maintenance through the rear opening.
2Reliability
If the swingable arm or rear wheel is excessively deformed forward beyond normal swing range, then the vehicle can withstand collision impact, but the swingable arm or rear wheel directly hits the tank valve causing load on the fuel tank
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guard frame as an intermediary protective structure between the swingable arm/rear wheel and the tank valve. The guard frame absorbs and redirects the impact force, preventing direct contact between the moving parts and the fuel tank system, thus protecting the fuel tank from collision loads.
3Device complexity
If the fuel tank has a generally cylindrical exterior shape, then the fuel tank structure is simple, but the fuel tank is easily deformed when loaded in a direction intersecting the axis
Solution Approach 1:
The guard frame serves as a protective intermediary that prevents direct lateral loading on the cylindrical fuel tank. By intercepting impact forces from the swingable arm or rear wheel, the guard frame protects the fuel tank from deformation-prone lateral loads while maintaining the simple cylindrical structure.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the tank band is fixed between the upper frames and lower frames, then the fuel tank is securely fixed, but the fuel tank cannot be mounted unless the tank band is divided and connected with fastener members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mounting approach by introducing a rear-side opening through the body frame. This allows the tank band and fuel tank to be installed from the rear dimension rather than requiring lateral assembly between the frames, simplifying the mounting operation while maintaining secure fixation.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a saddle-ridden type fuel cell vehicle. The fuel cell vehicle includes: a body frame; a steerable wheel; a driving wheel; a motor; a fuel cell; a fuel tank; and a tank valve. The body frame includes: a head pipe; a down frame portion; a pair of upper main frame portions; a pair of lower main frame portions; and up frame portions. A tank placement portion is formed in a region encircled by the upper main frame portions and the lower main frame portions in the middle portion of the body frame in the front and rear direction. The fuel tank is placed on the tank placement portion so that an axis thereof extends in the front and rear direction. A guard frame is installed between the up frame portions to traverse the rear of the tank valve in a right and left direction.