Hollow Body Accessory Module Fastening via Elastic Slide Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for fastening accessory modules within hollow bodies, such as fuel tanks, face challenges in precise positioning and reliable retention due to limited orifices and reliance on friction for holding, which complicates installation and increases the risk of misalignment and detachment.
Innovation Solution
A hollow body with a slide mechanism featuring flat, flexible wings and fins that deform elastically to secure the module in place, using a dovetail slide design with stop members to prevent reverse sliding, allowing for easy installation and secure fastening without relying solely on friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the module is inserted perpendicular to the wall into a housing with interlocking and clipping, then the module can be fastened inside the hollow body, but precise positioning is required and installation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inserting the module perpendicular to the wall as in conventional systems, the invention inserts the module parallel to the wall through a slide mechanism. This inversion of the insertion direction eliminates the need for precise perpendicular alignment while maintaining secure fastening through the elastic deformation of locking means during the sliding motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking means are pre-configured on the module before insertion. During the sliding insertion process, these locking means automatically deform elastically and engage with the housing, securing the module in place without requiring additional manual positioning or alignment actions during installation.
2Device complexity
If the module is held in place solely by friction between lips and slide, then the structure is simple, but the holding reliability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the locking means from rigid to elastic. This parameter change allows the locking means to deform during insertion and then maintain a constant engagement force with the housing, providing reliable holding beyond what friction alone could achieve, while adding minimal structural complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple functional components are integrated inside the tank, then safety and ease of integration improve, but the difficulty of introducing and fastening modules increases due to limited orifices
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional insertion approach by sliding the module parallel to the tank wall rather than perpendicular through limited orifices. This allows modules to be installed through larger openings while maintaining secure fastening, significantly easing installation despite the need to integrate multiple components inside the tank.
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 enables easy, precise, and cost-effective installation of accessory modules within hollow bodies, ensuring reliable retention and preventing unintended movement while allowing for easy removal if needed, enhancing the reliability and ease of integration of fuel tank components.
Implementation Method 1
the fin being shaped so that it is bent elastically during the sliding insertion of the module into the slide and so that its end is facing a stop member of the slide when the fin is not bent
Implementation Method 2
the module comprises a housing and two flat and flexible wings that extend from the housing in opposite directions, the distant edges of the wings extending substantially parallel and being inserted respectively into the opposite grooves of the slide
Implementation Method 3
the lips may deform elastically so that, when the module is inserted by sliding into the slide of the hollow body, the lips are constrained and therefore exert a friction force intended to hold the module in place in the slide
Data Source
AI summary
A hollow body (1) comprises an accessory module (2) fastened to the wall (13) thereof by being inserted by sliding into a slide (12) formed in said wall. The module (2) comprises a housing (20) and two flat and flexible wings (23) that extend from the housing in opposite directions, the distant edges (24) of said wings extending substantially parallel and being inserted respectively into the opposite grooves (14) of the slide, and the module also comprises at least one flexible fin (25) that extends from the housing, said fin (25) being shaped so that it is bent elastically during the sliding insertion of the module (2) into the slide (12) and so that its end (26) is facing a stop member (151) of the slide when the fin is not bent and is situated beyond the end of said slide in the direction of sliding.