Fuel Tank Mounting Assembly for Collision Load Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hybrid vehicles, the relocation of the fuel tank to the front to accommodate a rear-mounted battery pack leads to potential displacement during frontal collisions due to fluid slosh and deceleration, causing undesirable loading on the fuel tank mounting straps, which can result in damage. Existing solutions are often bulky and require additional mounting points, compromising crash safety.
Innovation Solution
A fuel tank mounting assembly featuring an elongate securing member attached to the vehicle body and a support member that extends around the fuel tank, with a retaining feature to limit movement, providing efficient load transfer and minimizing the number of fasteners required, while fitting within existing packaging constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the fuel tank is relocated to the front to accommodate a rear-mounted battery pack, then space for the battery pack is created, but the fuel tank becomes vulnerable to displacement during frontal collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly extends the support structure in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, reaching forward from the battery pack area to support the fuel tank at its front portion. This dimensional extension allows the fuel tank to be secured in the front-mounted position without compromising stability during collision.
2Stability of the object's composition
If existing body structure cross-members are used to shape the fuel tank, then movement of the tank is prevented, but hybrid vehicles lack such structures on the front floor
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly acts as an intermediary structure that connects the fuel tank to the vehicle body. It includes a support member that attaches to the vehicle body at a mounting point and an elongate securing member that extends around the fuel tank, providing the necessary stabilization without requiring existing cross-members.
3Ease of operation
If the fuel tank mounting point locations on the vehicle body are wider than the fuel tank, then mounting is simplified, but undesirable loading of the fuel tank mounting straps occurs during collision
Solution Approach 1:
The elongate securing member is positioned to extend around the fuel tank at a location that optimizes load distribution. The support member connects to the vehicle body at a mounting point positioned to align with the fuel tank's center of gravity, ensuring that collision forces are transferred directly to the body structure rather than concentrating load on the mounting straps.
4Stability of the object's composition
If fuel tank mounting straps are used to secure the fuel tank, then the fuel tank is held in place, but the straps experience excessive loading during collision causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly introduces a support member as an intermediary that bears the primary collision loads. This support member transfers forces directly to the vehicle body through a mounting point, relieving the mounting straps of excessive loading while maintaining secure fuel tank positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle fuel tank mounting assembly configured to secure a vehicle fuel tank to a vehicle is described. The assembly comprises a first elongate securing member having at least a first fixing point attachable to a vehicle body. The elongate securing member extends at least partially around the fuel tank in an assembled configuration. The assembly comprises a support member having a first end attachable to the first fixing point, and a second end configured to engage at least one of the elongate member and a wall of the fuel tank at a point remote from the fixing point.