Vehicle Side Body Hydrogen Filling Port Bracket Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing hydrogen filling port designs on vehicle side bodies are prone to deformation and accidental contact with the vehicle body when a hydrogen filling nozzle is engaged, due to the rigid connection allowing transmission of bending moments, which can occur from accidental weight placement.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a vertical and horizontal plate configuration with an L-shaped bracket and reinforcing elements, such as rib plates or a box-shaped element, to inhibit deformation and prevent the hydrogen filling nozzle from tilting downward, using a damper mechanism or protrusions to absorb forces and maintain the nozzle's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid connection is used between the hydrogen filling nozzle and hydrogen filling port, then the connection strength is improved, but the deformation of the attaching portion increases when a bending moment is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid connection structure is divided into multiple segments: the hydrogen filling port, the L-shaped bracket, and the reinforcing element forming a triangular structure. This segmentation allows the bending moment to be distributed across multiple connection points rather than concentrated at a single attaching portion, reducing deformation while maintaining overall connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing element is pre-installed to form a triangular rigid structure with the L-shaped bracket before the hydrogen filling nozzle is connected. This preliminary action creates a pre-stabilized structure that resists bending moments from the outset, preventing deformation of the attaching portion when the nozzle is engaged.
2Reliability
If the hydrogen filling port is horizontally attached to prevent water droplet freezing, then the freezing protection is improved, but the risk of accidental contact with the vehicle body increases when the nozzle tilts downward
Solution Approach 1:
The L-shaped bracket is designed with specific local geometries: the vertical arm attaches to the horizontal plate for freezing protection, while the horizontal arm extends outward to position the nozzle. The reinforcing element is locally positioned to form a triangular structure that provides lateral support, creating different functional qualities in different parts of the same structure to simultaneously achieve freezing protection and prevent accidental contact.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple cylindrical hydrogen filling port design is used, then the manufacturing ease is improved, but the structural stability under bending moment decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The design transitions from a simple cylindrical port to an L-shaped bracket structure that extends into a second dimension (horizontal extension from the vertical plate). This dimensional change creates a lever arm that positions the nozzle away from the vehicle body while the reinforcing element adds a third dimension (triangular bracing) to provide structural stability without significantly complicating manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle side body includes a vertical plate, a horizontal plate connected to a lower edge of the vertical plate and extending outward from the edge to form an L-shaped inside edge with the vertical plate, an opening extending in the vertical plate and the horizontal plate across the inside edge, and an L-shaped bracket fixed to, around the opening, an inner surface of the vertical plate and a lower surface of the horizontal plate. A hydrogen filling port to which a hydrogen filling nozzle is connectable is attached to the L-shaped bracket. A rib plate is provided to connect an outer surface of the vertical plate and an upper surface of the horizontal plate. An accidental contact between the hydrogen filling nozzle and a body is inhibited.