Ribbed Fuel Tank Support Element for Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel tank designs face challenges in optimizing volume usage and achieving adequate stability while preventing excessive rigidity, which can lead to damage from deformation forces, especially during impacts.
Innovation Solution
A fuel tank with a column-shaped supporting element made from a one-piece solid profile with a ribbed design, welded or riveted at both ends, composed of hard and brittle thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic, featuring integrally formed welding surfaces and potential breaking points for controlled failure, and designed to absorb tensile forces and secure internal fittings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the supporting element is designed as a multi-part structure with notches and latching hooks (as in DE 10 2009 036 911 A1), then the connection between top and bottom is achieved, but the structure becomes too rigid and damages the tank wall during impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from hard and brittle plastic to soft and flexible plastic for the supporting element. This material parameter change allows the element to deform under impact forces, preventing tank wall damage while maintaining connection stability through flexibility rather than rigidity
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting element is designed as a flexible, thin-walled structure that can deform during impacts. The flexible material and thin-wall design enable the element to absorb impact energy through deformation, preventing the transmission of damaging forces to the tank wall while maintaining structural connection
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the supporting element is made flexible to prevent tank wall damage, then impact forces are absorbed, but the element lacks sufficient stability to secure internal fittings
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting element features local quality differentiation with protrusions and recesses created by partially removing material at specific locations. These localized structural modifications provide secure anchoring points for internal fittings while the overall element remains flexible to absorb impact forces, achieving both stability for mounting and flexibility for impact absorption
3Stability of the object's composition
If the supporting element is designed with high rigidity to provide stability, then internal fittings can be secured, but the element pierces or tears the tank wall during deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the material parameter from hard and brittle to soft and flexible, eliminating the risk of tank wall piercing or tearing. The flexible material can deform without fracturing, maintaining tank wall integrity while still providing sufficient stability for securing internal fittings through localized structural features
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting element may be designed as a composite structure combining flexible plastic material with localized rigid features (protrusions and recesses). This composite approach provides the flexibility needed to prevent tank wall damage while creating stable anchoring points for internal fittings
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 provides improved volume utilization and stability, allowing the tank to absorb impact forces without excessive rigidity, ensuring secure fastening of internal fittings and reliable welding processes while preventing damage to the tank walls.
Implementation Method 1
the supporting element is connected positively and/or materially to a wall of the top, on the one hand, and to a wall of the bottom, on the other hand, in such a way that it can absorb tensile forces caused by a pressure within the tank
Implementation Method 2
The supporting element is either welded or riveted at both ends to the wall of the fuel tank
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a fuel tank (1) made from thermoplastic material, having a top (2) and a bottom (3), which are supported upon one another via at least one column-shaped supporting element (4), wherein the supporting element (4) is connected positively and/or materially to a wall (6) of the top (2), on the one hand, and to a wall (6) of the bottom (3), on the other hand, in such a way that it can absorb tensile forces caused by a pressure within the tank, wherein the supporting element (4) is designed as a one-piece solid profile which has a ribbed profile, at least in cross section.