Saddle-riding Vehicle Fuel Tank Attachment via Integrated Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for attaching a fuel tank to a body frame in saddle-riding vehicles often result in holes being made during welding due to the thin plate material, increasing production costs and complexity with multiple parts and welding steps.
Innovation Solution
A saddle-riding vehicle design where the attaching member is formed with a plate section and a first projection integrally, allowing resistance welding directly to the fuel tank without a patch plate, reducing the number of parts and welds, and preventing hole formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If arc welding is used to attach the attaching member directly to the fuel tank, then the attachment strength is improved, but holes are made in the fuel tank due to the thin plate material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a plate member as an intermediary component between the attaching member and the fuel tank. The plate member has a thickness greater than that of the fuel tank, allowing arc welding to be performed on the plate member rather than directly on the thin fuel tank wall. This mediator absorbs the welding heat and mechanical stress, preventing hole formation while maintaining attachment strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The attaching system is segmented into three distinct components: the fuel tank, the plate member, and the attaching member. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the fuel tank for fuel storage, the plate member for structural support and welding, and the attaching member for securing the assembly to the vehicle frame.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a plate member is welded to the fuel tank and then an attaching member is welded to the plate member, then hole formation is prevented, but the number of parts and production steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the plate member and attaching member into a single integrated component. The attaching member is designed with a welded portion that directly forms the plate member structure, eliminating the need for a separate plate member. This merging reduces the total number of parts from three to two components (fuel tank and integrated attaching member-plate), simplifying both the assembly process and inventory management while maintaining the hole prevention function.
3Strength
If multiple parts and welding steps are used, then welding strength is ensured, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrating of the plate member and attaching member into one component reduces the number of welding operations required. Instead of performing two separate welding processes (one to attach the plate member to the fuel tank, another to attach the attaching member to the plate member), the integrated design requires only one welding operation to attach the combined component to the fuel tank, thereby reducing production time and cost while maintaining welding strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential function of the plate member (providing a welding surface and structural support) and integrates it into the attaching member itself. This eliminates the redundant plate member while preserving the critical function of preventing hole formation during welding, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs.
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
This design simplifies the attachment process, reduces production costs, and ensures the necessary strength and durability of the attaching member, while minimizing the risk of hole formation during welding.
Implementation Method 1
The plate section is welded to the fuel tank by resistance welding
Data Source
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AI summary
A saddle-riding vehicle (1), comprising a fuel tank (5), a tank support member (22) for supporting the fuel tank (5), at least one attaching member (23,24) including a plate section (32) attached to the fuel tank (5) and a first projection (31) projecting from the plate section (32), the first projection (31) composing an inserting section into which the tank support member (22) is inserted.