Plastic Tank Opening With Embedded Ring for Stiff Cover Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The production of plastic tanks for motor vehicles is complex and expensive due to the need for metal rings that become electrostatically charged and prone to being pulled out at high pressure and temperature, requiring additional attachment parts for security.
Innovation Solution
A plastic tank design featuring a stiffening ring member made of injection-moulded plastic, embedded into the container wall, which provides the necessary stiffness and supports the cover member without grounding, reducing the need for additional components and ensuring retention under high pressure and temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal ring is used to provide stiffness for the opening, then the necessary stiffness to absorb closing forces is achieved, but the metal ring becomes electrostatically charged requiring grounding and is prone to being pulled out requiring additional attachment parts
Solution Approach 1:
The material of the stiffening ring is changed from metal to plastic, fundamentally altering the electrical properties to eliminate electrostatic charging while maintaining mechanical stiffness through appropriate plastic material selection and design
Solution Approach 2:
The problematic metal ring is completely removed from the design and replaced with a plastic alternative, eliminating the need for grounding and reducing the risk of electrostatic discharge while simplifying the overall structure
2Strength
If a metal ring is used at the opening edge, then the required stiffness is provided, but the metal ring requires grounding and additional attachment parts due to electrostatic charging and pull-out risk under high pressure and temperature
Solution Approach 1:
Changing the material from metal to plastic eliminates electrostatic charging issues, and selecting high-temperature resistant plastic ensures the stiffening ring maintains its properties under the thermal conditions inside the tank
Solution Approach 2:
The stiffening ring is integrated directly into the tank wall structure through injection molding, combining the tank wall and stiffening ring into a single unified component that eliminates separate attachment parts and potential failure points
3Reliability
If metal rings with additional attachment parts are used to secure the opening, then retention under high pressure and temperature is improved, but the production becomes more complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening ring is manufactured as an integrated part of the tank wall through injection molding, combining multiple components into one manufacturing step, which simplifies production and reduces assembly complexity while ensuring reliable retention
Solution Approach 2:
The tank wall and stiffening ring are produced as a composite structure through injection molding, where the plastic material provides both structural integrity and stiffening function, eliminating the need for separate metal rings and attachment hardware
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 design simplifies and cost-effectively enables reliable opening and closing of the tank opening while eliminating the need for grounding and additional attachment parts, enhancing the structural integrity and production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least a portion of the stiffening ring member is encapsulated by blow moulding or encapsulated by suction during the forming process of the container wall
Implementation Method 2
at least a portion of the stiffening ring member is encapsulated by blow moulding or encapsulated by suction during the forming process of the container wall
Implementation Method 3
the stiffening ring member may be fastened to the plastic of the container wall via a welding pad
Implementation Method 4
The stiffening ring member may be clamped between a surface of the welding pad and the plastic of the container wall
Data Source
AI summary
A plastic tank for a motor vehicle. The plastic tank includes a container wall composed of plastic, an opening arranged in the container wall, a removable cover member operable to close and open the opening, and a stiffening ring member, composed of an injection-moulded plastic, embedded into an edge of the container wall that surrounds the opening, the stiffening ring member being operable to directly or indirectly support the cover member when the opening is closed.