Integrated Trunk Washer Tank Structure for Front-End Weight Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The attachment of a washer tank to the front end panel of a vehicle increases the total weight, affecting the natural frequency and ride comfort, which in turn impacts steering stability, and the fluctuation of washer fluid consumption/replenishment further exacerbates these issues.
Innovation Solution
A liquid storage structure where the washer tank is integrated with the trunk, using a resin material for both components, with a welded joint to minimize space occupation and weight fluctuations, maintaining rigidity and reducing the impact on ride comfort and steering stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the washer tank is attached to the front end panel, then the liquid storage function is achieved, but the total weight increases and natural frequency decreases, affecting ride comfort and steering stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the washer tank with the trunk by integrating the tank body portion into the trunk structure. The trunk's side wall portion closes the opening of the tank body, creating a unified structure where the trunk serves dual purposes: storage and structural support. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting brackets and reduces overall weight while maintaining liquid storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The trunk is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a storage compartment and a structural component of the liquid tank. The side wall portion of the trunk that closes the tank opening also provides structural support to the vehicle body. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and minimizes the impact on ride comfort and steering stability.
2Quantity of substance
If the washer tank is attached to the front end panel, then liquid storage is provided, but the natural frequency fluctuates with liquid consumption and replenishment, affecting ride comfort and steering stability
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the washer tank with the trunk structure, the patent creates a unified system where the trunk's rigid structure helps stabilize the natural frequency. The integrated design ensures that weight fluctuations from liquid consumption are distributed across a larger structural framework, reducing the impact on ride comfort and steering stability compared to separate mounting arrangements.
3Quantity of substance
If the liquid tank occupies space in the vehicle interior outer chamber, then liquid storage is achieved, but space efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the liquid tank with the trunk structure, allowing the tank to occupy the same spatial envelope as the trunk rather than requiring additional space in the vehicle interior outer chamber. The tank body portion is integrated into the trunk's volume, effectively utilizing existing space and improving overall space efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The tank body portion is nested within the trunk structure, with the trunk's side wall portion closing the tank opening. This nesting arrangement allows the liquid storage function to be incorporated within the existing trunk volume, maximizing space utilization in the vehicle interior outer chamber.
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 integrated design improves space efficiency, reduces the effect on ride comfort and steering stability, and prevents fluid leakage while allowing for easy assembly and design flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
with a welded joint to minimize space occupation and weight fluctuations
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid storage structure for a vehicle is applied to a vehicle in which a vehicle interior outer chamber is provided outside a vehicle interior, and a trunk and a liquid tank having a liquid storage chamber are disposed in the vehicle interior outer chamber. A framework portion of the liquid tank is configured by a tank body portion, the tank body portion having a wall portion forming an outer shell portion. The tank body portion has an opening in a part of the wall portion. In a state in which the opening is closed by a part of the trunk, the wall portion of the tank body portion is attached to the trunk at a peripheral edge portion of the opening in a close contact state. The liquid tank is constituted by the tank body portion and the part of the trunk that closes the opening.