High-Pressure Vessel Mounting Structure With Movable Support Member
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell vehicles equipped with hydrogen tanks face the challenge of load input from outside collisions in the vehicle width direction, which can directly impact the high-pressure hydrogen tanks, necessitating a structure to reduce such load inputs effectively.
Innovation Solution
A high-pressure vessel mounting structure featuring load transmission members, connection members, and support members that can move inward in the vehicle width direction to disperse loads, utilizing rubber members, tubular members made of resin, coil springs, and elastic bodies to absorb and redirect collision forces away from the hydrogen tanks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If hydrogen tanks are mounted in a case arranged in vehicle width direction, then space utilization is improved, but load input from side collisions directly impacts the hydrogen tanks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a support member as an intermediary between the hydrogen tank and the vehicle body. This support member includes a movable portion that can move in the vehicle width direction when subjected to external loads, and a cushioning portion that provides elastic cushioning. The intermediary structure absorbs and disperses collision loads before they reach the hydrogen tank, resolving the contradiction between compact mounting and collision protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is designed with movable capability in the vehicle width direction. When a side collision occurs, the movable portion can dynamically adjust its position to absorb impact energy, rather than being a fixed rigid structure. This dynamic response reduces the transmission of harmful loads to the hydrogen tank while maintaining normal structural support during non-collision conditions.
2Reliability
If reinforcing members are added to protect hydrogen tanks from collision loads, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the hydrogen tank during normal operation, absorbs collision loads through elastic deformation of the cushioning portion, and allows relative movement to dissipate impact energy. This multi-functional design achieves safety enhancement without adding separate reinforcing structures, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushioning portion is designed with specific elastic properties that allow it to deform under collision loads. By changing the physical state and mechanical properties of this portion (using elastic materials with controlled stiffness), the structure can absorb impact energy effectively. This parameter-based approach provides safety through material properties rather than complex geometric reinforcement.
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
This configuration effectively reduces the load input to the high-pressure vessels during collisions, minimizing the risk of damage and allowing for increased hydrogen capacity without the need for additional reinforcing members, thus enhancing safety and fuel efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the support member can move relatively inward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the high-pressure vessel when a load is input from outside in the vehicle width direction... the outer peripheral surface of the rubber member fitted to the other axial end of the high-pressure vessel is held by the support member... due to elastic deformation of the rubber member
Implementation Method 2
the support member holds a coil spring that energizes the high-pressure vessel toward the connection member... when a load is input from outside in the vehicle width direction, the support member can move relatively inward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the high-pressure vessel due to elastic deformation of the coil spring
Data Source
AI summary
A high-pressure vessel mounting structure includes: a plurality of high-pressure vessels arranged on the upper surface of a bottom wall in a front-rear direction of a vehicle body with a vehicle width direction as an axial direction; a plurality of load transmission members each provided between the high-pressure vessels on the bottom wall and extending along the axial direction; a connection member that connects one axial end of each of the high-pressure vessels; and a support member that supports the other axial end of each of the high-pressure vessels, and the support member can move relatively inward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the high-pressure vessel when a load is input from outside in the vehicle width direction.