Integral Fuel Tank Pipe Attachment Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe attachment methods for thermoplastic synthetic resin fuel tanks require separate molding and attachment of pipe members, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and can result in gaps that lead to fuel leakage and reduced rigidity.
Innovation Solution
A pipe attachment structure where the pipe attachment section is molded integrally with the fuel tank, comprising an exterior wall and an interior wall that contact each other, forming a double structure to prevent leakage and enhance rigidity, with a thinner wall thickness and a barrier layer to prevent fuel permeation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pipe attachment members are molded separately and attached to the exterior wall after fuel tank molding, then the pipe attachment members can be securely attached, but the production process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pipe attachment member and the fuel tank exterior wall into a single integral structure molded simultaneously. The pipe attachment member is formed as a protrusion from the exterior wall during the blow molding process itself, eliminating separate attachment steps while maintaining secure connection through the integrated design with attaching interior walls that contact and support the pipes
2Device complexity
If the pipe attaching molding section has a narrow gap, then the molding process is compact, but the parison is insufficiently filled and the tip end configuration may be broken off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an attaching interior wall that extends from the tip end of the attaching exterior wall and bends back like a hairpin to contact the interior surface. This three-dimensional configuration allows the molding section to maintain compactness while providing sufficient space for parison filling, as the interior wall creates a cavity that the molten material can properly fill without requiring a large gap
3Ease of manufacture
If pipe attachment members are formed separately, then the molding process is simpler, but gaps may occur between the exterior wall and pipe attachment section leading to fuel leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pipe attachment member and exterior wall into an integral structure molded simultaneously, eliminating gaps between separate components. The attaching interior wall contacts and supports the pipe attachment section from the inside, creating a seamless connection that prevents fuel leakage while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through single-step molding
4Strength
If the pipe attachment section has a double structure with attaching exterior wall and attaching interior wall, then rigidity and leakage prevention are improved, but the wall thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the attaching interior wall is positioned inside the attaching exterior wall, with the interior wall bending back to contact the exterior wall's interior surface. This nested configuration provides the rigidity and leakage prevention of a double structure while minimizing wall thickness by utilizing the internal space efficiently rather than adding external layers
Data Source
AI summary
In a pipe attaching structure of a fuel tank, a pipe attachment section and the fuel tank are molded simultaneously, and the pipe attachment section can be securely molded. In the pipe attaching structure of the fuel tank, which is provided with a pipe attachment section adapted to attach pipes to an exterior wall of the fuel tank, the fuel tank has the pipe attachment section elongating from the exterior wall of the fuel tank outwardly of the fuel tank so as to be integral therewith. The pipe attachment section has an attaching exterior wall composed of the same material with that of the exterior wall of the fuel tank so as to elongate into a cylindrical configuration and continue integrally with the exterior wall of the fuel tank outwardly thereof, and an attaching interior wall formed inside the attaching exterior wall so as to continue from a tip end of the attaching exterior wall and bend like a hairpin, and the attaching exterior wall and the attaching interior wall are brought into contact with each other.