Vehicle Tank Mounting Bracket for Side-Impact Energy Absorption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle fuel tank mounting systems fail to effectively absorb or dissipate external forces, such as those encountered during a side impact, while maintaining the structural integrity of compressed gas fuel tanks, which are often rigidly connected to the chassis and prone to damage.
Innovation Solution
A mounting assembly featuring a bracket with a concave region and a stress riser that allows plastic deformation without fracturing, enabling the fuel tank to move away from external forces and remain connected to the chassis, along with a hinge and locking element that rotate the tank to absorb impacts, maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the fuel tank is rigidly connected to the chassis, then the structural support is improved, but the tank becomes prone to damage during side impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket transitions from a rigid static connection to a dynamic system that allows controlled movement. The bracket is designed to rotate about a hinge point and undergo plastic deformation at the stress riser, enabling it to adapt its configuration in response to impact forces while maintaining connection to the chassis.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket's physical state changes during impact through controlled plastic deformation at the stress riser. This localized parameter change allows the bracket to absorb energy and move the tank away from impact forces while maintaining overall structural integrity and connection to the chassis.
2Reliability
If the fuel tank is moved away from external forces during impact, then the damage resistance is improved, but the connection to the chassis may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is designed with a specific stress riser region that segments the deformation behavior. This localized weak point allows controlled plastic deformation and movement away from impact forces, while the rest of the bracket structure maintains sufficient strength to preserve the connection to the chassis.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket acts as an intermediary element between the fuel tank and the chassis. It provides a controlled compliance mechanism that allows the tank to move away from impact forces while maintaining the connection through the bracket's controlled deformation and rotation, preventing direct transmission of impact forces to the tank.
3Loss of energy
If the bracket undergoes plastic deformation to absorb impact, then the energy absorption is improved, but the bracket may fracture
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is designed with a specific stress riser region that has different structural properties than the rest of the bracket. This localized area is intended to undergo plastic deformation and absorb energy, while the rest of the bracket maintains higher strength to prevent fracture. The stress riser acts as a controlled weak point that protects the overall structure.
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 effectively absorbs and dissipates external forces, preventing damage to the fuel tank and maintaining its connection to the chassis, ensuring safety and structural integrity during impacts.
Implementation Method 1
The mounting assembly plastically deforms without fracture to move the compressed gas fuel tank away from an external force applied to an outer surface of the tank
Implementation Method 2
A hinge is connected to the outer frame to rotatably connect the outer frame to a longitudinal frame rail of a vehicle chassis
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting assembly for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a chassis with a first frame rail and a second frame rail extending longitudinally. The mounting assembly has a bracket with a concave region to receive and attach to a compressed gas tank to move the compressed gas tank away from an external force applied to an outer surface of the tank and in a first direction towards and beneath the first frame rail. The bracket has a first end region connected to the first frame rail to position the tank on an outboard side of the first frame rail.