Fuel Tank Stiffness Reinforcement via Segmented Column

Solution Overview

Problem

Fuel tanks in hybrid vehicles face deformation issues due to temperature changes and vehicle collisions, as existing stiffness reinforcement members either fail to absorb impact effectively or lead to fuel leakage when the stiffness is inappropriate.

Innovation Solution

A stiffness reinforcement structure for fuel tanks featuring a reinforcement column with upper and lower locking structures and heat fusing projections, allowing for self-reactive impact dispersion and maintaining the integrity of heat fused portions during collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the stiffness of the reinforcement column is increased to prevent fuel tank deformation, then the fuel tank maintains its shape under pressure, but the rupture inducing portion cannot break during collision causing fused portions to rupture and fuel leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel tank shape stabilityVSAvoidfused portion integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement column is divided into multiple segments (first reinforcement section, second reinforcement section, third reinforcement section) with varying stiffness characteristics. Each segment has different wall thicknesses and structural features, allowing the column to provide stiffness support while having designated weaker sections that can break to protect the fused portions during collision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the reinforcement column have different local qualities - the first and third reinforcement sections have thicker walls for stiffness, while the second reinforcement section has a thinner wall and rupture groove to serve as a sacrificial element that breaks during impact, protecting the heat fused portions from rupture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the stiffness of the reinforcement column is decreased to allow rupture inducing portion to break, then the impact can be absorbed, but the fuel tank becomes excessively deformed under pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact absorption capabilityVSAvoidfuel tank shape stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement column is divided into multiple segments (first reinforcement section, second reinforcement section, third reinforcement section) with varying stiffness characteristics. Each segment has different wall thicknesses and structural features, allowing the column to provide stiffness support while having designated weaker sections that can break to protect the fused portions during collision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the reinforcement column have different local qualities - the first and third reinforcement sections have thicker walls for stiffness, while the second reinforcement section has a thinner wall and rupture groove to serve as a sacrificial element that breaks during impact, protecting the heat fused portions from rupture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If the reinforcement column is made entirely rigid to maintain fuel tank stiffness, then deformation is prevented, but the heat fused portions rupture during collision causing fuel leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel tank stiffnessVSAvoidfuel leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement column is divided into multiple segments (first reinforcement section, second reinforcement section, third reinforcement section) with varying stiffness characteristics. Each segment has different wall thicknesses and structural features, allowing the column to provide stiffness support while having designated weaker sections that can break to protect the fused portions from rupture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design intentionally creates a controlled weakness (rupture groove and thinner wall in the second reinforcement section) that converts the harmful impact force into a beneficial controlled breakage event. The rupture inducing portion is designed to break in a predictable manner, converting the harmful collision energy into a protective mechanism that prevents more serious damage to the fuel tank's fused portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Reliability

If the reinforcement column is made flexible to allow breakage during collision, then impact is absorbed, but the fuel tank deforms excessively under normal pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision impact absorptionVSAvoidfuel tank shape maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement column is divided into multiple segments (first reinforcement section, second reinforcement section, third reinforcement section) with varying stiffness characteristics. Each segment has different wall thicknesses and structural features, allowing the column to provide stiffness support while having designated weaker sections that can break to protect the fused portions during collision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the reinforcement column have different local qualities - the first and third reinforcement sections have thicker walls for stiffness, while the second reinforcement section has a thinner wall and rupture groove to serve as a sacrificial element that breaks during impact, protecting the heat fused portions from rupture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Prevents fuel tank deformation and leakage by dispersing impact forces through the reinforcement column's locking structures, maintaining the heat fused states and ensuring the fuel tank's structural integrity under varying pressures and collision conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of heat fusing projections, to be heat fused to the inner ceiling surface and the inner bottom surface inside the fuel tank, are integrally provided on the upper and lower fusing structures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat fusing: Welding

Data Source

PatentUS11235658B2Stiffness reinforcement structure for fuel tank of vehicle

Publication Date: 2022.02.01 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A stiffness reinforcement structure for a fuel tank of a vehicle is capable of maintaining the stiffness of the fuel tank even with changes in pressure such as positive pressure and negative pressure in the fuel tank. In particular, a stiffness reinforcement column inside a fuel tank made of a plastic material is capable of preventing heat fused portions between the reinforcement column and the upper and lower plates of the fuel tank from being ruptured by allowing the stiffness reinforcement column to have self-reactive impact dispersion movement in case of a vehicle collision accident.