Hybrid Knob Cap for High-Pressure Tank Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing knob caps for high-pressure tanks, typically made of metal, hinder weight reduction efforts due to their material composition and structure.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid knob cap design is introduced, comprising a first metal knob cap portion and a second lightweight plastic knob cap portion, with a reinforcing cap for impact resistance, allowing for weight reduction while maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metallic knob cap is used for coupling to the fixing shaft, then the structural integrity and impact resistance are improved, but the weight of the high-pressure tank increases
Solution Approach 1:
The knob cap is constructed as a composite structure consisting of a metal boss portion (providing strength and impact resistance) and a plastic knob portion (providing lightweight properties). This composite material approach allows the knob cap to achieve both high strength for withstanding impacts and low weight for weight reduction goals, directly resolving the technical contradiction between strength and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The knob cap is divided into two distinct portions: a metal boss portion and a plastic knob portion. Each portion is made from materials optimized for its specific function - the metal portion for structural integrity and the plastic portion for weight reduction. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve both high strength and low weight, resolving the contradiction between these two parameters.
2Reliability
If a metallic knob cap is used to fix the tank during filament winding, then the reliability of tank fixation is improved, but the overall weight reduction goal is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid metal-plastic construction of the knob cap maintains the reliability needed for secure tank fixation during filament winding while significantly reducing the overall weight compared to a fully metallic design. The metal boss portion ensures reliable fixation, while the plastic knob portion contributes to weight reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the knob cap have different material qualities optimized for their specific functions. The metal boss portion provides local high strength for reliable fixation, while the plastic knob portion provides local low density for weight reduction. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between reliability and weight reduction.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a knob cap for a high-pressure tank including a first knob cap portion having a coupling groove coupled to a knob of a liner of the high-pressure tank in a lower surface, including a peripheral wing portion extending outward to be in contact with a surface of the liner to outside of a lower portion, and having a column portion in the shape of a column extending upward in a center; and a second knob cap portion integrally coupled with the first knob cap portion, having the column portion of the first knob cap portion inserted into a hollow, and including a plurality of inner grooves in the shape of a column having an upper end opened outside of the hollow and extending downward.