Fuel Tank Internal Locking Mechanism for Leak-Tight Sub-Component Attachment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for attaching parts to fuel tanks compromise the tank's barrier properties, leading to potential leaks and integrity issues.

Innovation Solution

A fuel tank design featuring complementary male and female formations on the sub-component and tank surface allows for secure attachment without compromising the tank's integrity, using angular movement for interlocking and alignment mechanisms to ensure a leak-tight seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional welding or mechanical attachment methods are used to attach parts to the fuel tank, then the part can be securely attached to the tank, but the tank's barrier properties and integrity are compromised due to holes being cut into the tank body

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidtank integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of attaching the part from the outside by cutting holes into the tank body, the invention inverts the approach by attaching the part from the inside of the tank. The attachment means is positioned within the tank interior, engaging with the outer surface of the tank wall without penetrating it, thereby maintaining the tank's barrier properties while achieving secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a two-dimensional attachment approach (cutting holes through the tank wall) to a three-dimensional solution by utilizing the tank's internal volume. The attachment means extends from the interior space to engage the outer surface of the tank wall, creating a multi-dimensional attachment path that preserves the tank's structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If holes are cut into the tank body for part attachment, then parts can be mounted on the tank, but the fuel tank's barrier properties are significantly diminished

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepart mounting capabilityVSAvoidbarrier property loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention reverses the conventional attachment sequence by installing attachment means from the inside of the tank rather than cutting holes from the outside. This inversion allows parts to be mounted without compromising the tank's barrier properties, as the attachment mechanism engages the outer surface of the tank wall through the interior space without creating penetrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment means acts as an intermediary element that bridges the interior space and the outer surface of the tank wall. This mediator component enables part mounting while maintaining the integrity of the tank's barrier structure, as it engages the tank wall from the inside without requiring holes or penetrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If conventional attachment methods are used, then parts can be securely fixed to the tank, but the complexity of the attachment process increases due to hole cutting and sealing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidattachment process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the attachment approach to install means from the inside, the invention eliminates the need for hole cutting, sealing, and complex external attachment procedures. The attachment means is simply positioned within the tank and engages the outer surface of the tank wall, significantly simplifying the attachment process while maintaining secure fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the attachment function from the tank wall itself and places it within the tank's interior space. This extraction eliminates the need for complex hole-cutting and sealing operations, as the attachment means is self-contained within the tank and engages the tank wall's outer surface without requiring modifications to the tank structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9994101B2Vehicle fuel tank

Publication Date: 2018.06.12 YSF AUTOMOTIVE SYST

AI summary

The inside wall of a fuel tank, and a sub-component are provided with locking means in the form of complementary formations that allow the sub-component to be coupled to the inside surface of the fuel tank wall. Interlocking of the complementary formations is achieved by moving the sub-component towards the wall providing angular movement to the sub-component relative to the fuel tank. A biasing structure imparts a tension between the sub-component and the fuel tank.