Portable Fuel Tank Support With Quick-Connect Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable fuel tank systems lack a secure and efficient method to stabilize and connect fuel tanks to supporting surfaces while ensuring fluid communication and preventing horizontal movement, especially in marine environments where stability and fluid delivery are critical.
Innovation Solution
A portable fuel tank assembly that includes a support with integral quick connectors and piloting features for secure press-fit attachment to the fuel tank, along with a fuel demand valve and primer bulb, ensuring stability and fluid communication through a connected fuel hose.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a portable fuel tank is secured to a supporting surface, then stability and prevention of horizontal movement are improved, but the complexity of the support structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure merges multiple functions into a single integrated assembly: the quick connector provides both mechanical attachment to prevent horizontal movement and simultaneous fluid connection through integrated fuel ports. The piloting feature integrates positioning and alignment functions into the same structural element, eliminating the need for separate positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The quick connector serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a mechanical fastener to secure the tank, provides fluid communication pathways for fuel delivery, and includes integrated sealing surfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining stability.
2Ease of operation
If quick connectors are used for fluid communication, then ease of connection and disconnection is improved, but the risk of fuel leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The quick connector design incorporates pre-positioned sealing surfaces and integrated O-ring seals that are already in place before connection occurs. The sealing elements are pre-compressed or pre-positioned to ensure immediate sealing upon engagement, preventing fuel leakage from the outset rather than requiring additional sealing steps after connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is merged into the quick connector structure itself through integrated sealing surfaces and embedded O-rings, rather than using separate sealing components. This integration ensures that sealing is an inherent part of the connection action, maintaining both ease of operation and leak prevention.
3Manufacturing precision
If piloting features are used for press-fit attachment, then positioning precision is improved, but the force required for assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piloting feature is segmented into multiple contact points or zones around the periphery of the connection interface, distributing the pressing force across several locations rather than concentrating it at a single point. This segmentation maintains positioning precision while reducing the peak force required for assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The piloting feature geometry is optimized by changing parameters such as contact surface area, curvature radius, and distribution pattern of contact points. These parameter changes allow the same positioning precision to be achieved with lower assembly forces by improving the mechanical advantage of the press-fit interaction.
Data Source
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AI summary
A portable fuel tank assembly (50) includes a portable fuel tank (10) for holding fuel and a support (28) to be connected to a supporting surface (52) for holding the fuel tank (10) stationary with respect to the supporting surface (52). The fuel tank (10) has a first quick connector (60) for fluid communication with the fuel in the fuel tank (10). The support (28) has a second quick connector (58) for mating and providing fluid communication with the first quick connector (60). The fuel tank (10) and support (28) are configured such that securing the fuel tank (10) in the support (28) simultaneously mates the second quick connector (58) to the first quick connector (60) to provide for fluid communication between the second quick connector (58) and the fuel in the fuel tank (10). A support (28) for holding a portable fuel tank (10) is also provided.