Public Transport Gas Rack Module Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional CNG rack modules for public transport vehicles increase vehicle height, displace the center of gravity due to heavy bottles, decrease aerodynamics, and require complete cover removal for access, leading to stability and fuel efficiency issues.
Innovation Solution
A partially sunk rack module with a box-shaped housing integrated into the roof, featuring a hinged cover that opens via automatic means, reducing height and center of gravity, improving stability and aerodynamics, while allowing easy access and integrating with the vehicle's interior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rack module is placed totally above the roof of the vehicle, then the bottles are easily accessible, but the vehicle height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rack module is positioned partially inside the vehicle interior and partially above the roof, transitioning from a purely external placement to a hybrid configuration that utilizes both the vehicle interior space and external roof space, thereby reducing overall vehicle height while maintaining accessibility
2Ease of operation
If the bottles are placed high on the roof, then the rack module is easily accessible, but the center of gravity is displaced and stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the rack module partially inside the vehicle interior rather than entirely above the roof, the weight distribution is shifted downward and inward, lowering the center of gravity and improving vehicle stability while maintaining operational accessibility
3Ease of operation
If the rack module is placed above the roof, then the bottles are easily accessible, but aerodynamic performance decreases and fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid positioning of the rack module, extending from the vehicle interior into the space above the roof, creates a more streamlined profile that reduces aerodynamic drag compared to fully external placement, thereby decreasing energy loss and fuel consumption
4Device complexity
If the cover is made as a single piece prismatically coupled to the housing, then the structure is simple, but complete cover removal is necessary to access the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into a first cover portion and a second cover portion that can be independently removed, allowing access to the housing without removing the entire cover assembly, thereby maintaining structural simplicity while improving operational accessibility
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
Vehicle (1) for public transport comprising a rack module (10) configured to house at least one bottle (11) suitable for containing a pressurized gas utilizable during the operation of said vehicle (1), the vehicle (1) comprising a roof (4) on which said rack module (10) is mounted, wherein the rack module (10) is mounted in the roof (4) and it is at least partially housed so as the height (H) of the rack module (10) with respect to the ground (9) is lower than the sum of the height (hr ) of the roof (4) with respect to the ground (9) and the height (hm) of the rack module (10).