Gas Fuel Container Fastening Assembly With Spring-Tensioned Bands

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening devices for pressure vessels in vehicles face challenges in maintaining consistent clamping force due to variations in container diameter with pressure changes, leading to excessive stress and complexity in assembly.

Innovation Solution

A fastening device comprising an elongated member with external engagement members, a displaceable member connected to band members, a guide arrangement, and a resilient compressible member that compresses to tension the bands, ensuring secure attachment and absorbing container expansion without excessive strain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a rigid fixation fastening device is used to control initial clamping force, then the clamping force can be precisely controlled initially, but the clamping force increases steeply when the container diameter increases due to pressurization, putting considerable additional stress on the fastening device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial clamping forceVSAvoidadditional stress on fastening device
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening device transitions from a rigid fixation system to a dynamic system that can adapt to container diameter changes. The tensioning device with movable fastening elements allows the band arrangement to maintain consistent clamping force despite container expansion during pressurization, preventing steep increases in stress on the fastening device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the mechanical parameters of the fastening device by introducing a tensioning device with spring means that can adjust the clamping force dynamically. This allows the system to compensate for diameter variations of the pressure vessel while maintaining consistent tension in the band arrangement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stress or pressure

If a spring-based fastening device is used to expand with container diameter increase, then the clamping force increase is limited, but the assembly and mounting becomes cumbersome and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping force increaseVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening device is segmented into modular components including a tensioning device with movable fastening elements that can be independently assembled. This segmentation simplifies the overall assembly process and reduces mounting complexity compared to traditional spring-based expandable systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a tensioning device as an intermediary mechanism between the band arrangement and the container. This tensioning device with its movable fastening elements provides a simpler assembly solution that achieves the desired limited clamping force increase without the complexity of conventional spring-based expandable systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If low elasticity bands are used to maintain tension, then the container is securely held, but the clamping force increases steeply when container diameter increases, putting stress on the fastening device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidclamping force stress
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static low-elasticity band arrangement to a dynamic system with a tensioning device that can adjust to container expansion. The movable fastening elements allow the bands to remain securely attached while accommodating diameter changes without generating excessive clamping force stress

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution provides a cost-efficient and simplified method for tensioning band members around containers, maintaining secure attachment while limiting further strain during expansion, thus reducing stress on the fastening device and simplifying assembly.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient compressible member positioned between the first abutment and the displaceable member or between the second abutment and the holed member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4331887A1Fastening device and gas fuel storage assembly and vehicle and method
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 SCANIA CV AB
  • EP4331887A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP4331887A1 patent drawingFigure 2c~3b
  • EP4331887A1 patent drawingFigure 4a~6

AI summary

The disclosure concerns a fastening device (2) for fastening a first and a second container (4', 4") to a structure of a vehicle (1), the fastening device (2) comprises: an elongated member (16) with external engagement members (18), a first abutment (20), a displaceable member (22), a guide arrangement (12), comprising a second abutment (24), a holed member (28), and a resilient compressible member (32). The elongated member (16) extends along an axis (19) and the displaceable member (22), the guide arrangement (12), the resilient compressible member (32), and the holed member (28) are aligned along the axis (19). The elongated member (16) extends through the displaceable member (22) and at least partially through the guide arrangement (12) for engagement between external engagement members (18) of the elongated member (16) and internal engagement members (30) of the holed member (28) for compression of the resilient compressible member (32).