Fuel Cell Tank Mounting Structure With Elastic Band Protector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tank mounting structures for fuel cell vehicles allow gaps to expand between the tank and its protector, leading to potential damage from external forces like large stones, as the protector's design does not effectively prevent expansion and can result in localized force distribution on the tank.
Innovation Solution
A tank mounting structure comprising a frame, band, and tank protector, where the band deforms with the tank's expansion or contraction, and the tank protector is fixed to the band, ensuring synchronized movement and minimizing the gap between the tank and protector, with thicker end portion members providing additional protection to dome portions and reducing weight by making the center member thinner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tank protector is fixed to the vehicle frame independently of the tank, then the protector can provide stable protection, but the gap between the tank and protector expands when the tank contracts, leading to localized force concentration and potential tank damage
Solution Approach 1:
The tank protector is merged with the band that connects to the tank, forming an integrated structure. The protector is fixed to the band rather than independently to the vehicle frame, ensuring that the protector moves synchronously with the tank during expansion and contraction, thereby preventing gap formation and localized force concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The protector-b band assembly is designed to be dynamically coupled to the tank through the elastic band, allowing the protector to dynamically adjust its position relative to the tank during operation. This dynamic connection ensures continuous contact and uniform force distribution regardless of tank volume changes.
2Reliability
If the protector is made uniformly thick to provide comprehensive protection, then protection coverage is improved, but the weight of the protector increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protector employs non-uniform thickness distribution with thicker end portion members and a thinner center member. This local quality variation provides enhanced protection at the dome portions (which have smaller strength) while reducing material usage and weight in the center region, achieving optimal balance between protection and weight.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the band is made rigid to maintain fixed positioning, then positioning stability is improved, but the band cannot accommodate tank expansion and contraction, leading to restricted tank movement
Solution Approach 1:
The band is designed with elastic properties that allow it to change its physical parameters (length, shape) in response to tank expansion and contraction. The band's elasticity enables it to accommodate volume changes while maintaining sufficient tension to hold the tank securely in position.
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 configuration effectively restrains the expansion of the gap between the tank and protector, preventing damage from external forces and reducing noise, while maintaining a high shear strength and minimizing weight, thus enhancing the protection and efficiency of the tank mounting system.
Implementation Method 1
the band deforms in accordance with expansion or contraction of the tank
Data Source
AI summary
A tank mounting structure includes a frame, a band, and a tank protector. The frame is configured to fix the tank. The band is configured to fix the tank in a state where the band sandwiches the tank with the frame and the band deforms in accordance with expansion or contraction of the tank. The tank protector is configured to be fixed to an inner side of the band or an outer side of the band.