Plastic Vehicle Tank Reinforcement with Integrated Baffle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reinforcement structures for plastic vehicle tanks face a trade-off between limiting deformation and reducing slosh noise, as both require similar placement within the tank, leading to potential compromises in mechanical properties and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A reinforcement structure with a first portion comprising a weak section designed to break under stress and a second portion to reduce slosh noise, both made in one piece via injection-moulding, where the weak section is separated from the strong section by a minimal distance to preserve mechanical properties, allowing for effective deformation limitation and noise reduction without compromising the structure's integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a reinforcement structure is placed inside the tank to limit deformation during impact, then tank deformation is limited, but the structure occupies space and may increase complexity when combined with baffles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reinforcement structure and the baffle into a single integrated component made of plastic material. The reinforcement portion provides structural support to limit tank deformation during impact, while the baffle portion extends from the reinforcement structure to reduce slosh noise. This merging eliminates the need for separate reinforcement elements and baffles, reducing overall complexity while achieving both functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated structure serves multiple functions: the reinforcement portion limits tank deformation during impact, the baffle portion reduces slosh noise, and the weak section enables controlled breaking to dissipate impact energy. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate elements, reducing complexity while maintaining performance.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a baffle is clamped between two segments of a reinforcement structure, then slosh noise is reduced, but the baffle extends along the height of the structure increasing rigidity and compromising proper breaking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates different sections with different mechanical properties within the integrated structure. The weak section is specifically designed with reduced thickness or modified geometry to have lower mechanical strength, ensuring it breaks first during impact. The strong section maintains adequate strength for structural support. The baffle is positioned to extend from the strong section, ensuring it provides noise reduction without interfering with the weak section's breaking behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated structure is divided into functional segments: a weak section designed to break, a strong section for structural support, and a baffle portion for noise reduction. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function without interfering with others, particularly ensuring the baffle does not prevent the weak section from breaking properly during impact.
3Ease of manufacture
If the weak section breaking point is too close to the strong section, then manufacturing is simplified, but mechanical properties are compromised affecting proper breaking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the distance parameter between the weak section breaking point and the strong section to achieve a balance between manufacturing ease and mechanical performance. The distance is sufficient to preserve the mechanical properties needed for proper breaking but not so large as to complicate the injection-moulding process. This parameter optimization allows the integrated structure to be manufactured as a single piece while maintaining the necessary breaking characteristics.
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 limits tank deformation, reduces slosh noise, and simplifies manufacturing and positioning, while maintaining the mechanical properties necessary for proper breaking during impact.
Implementation Method 1
a first portion comprising at least one weak section and at least one strong section, which are designed so that said weak section breaks before said strong section when said first portion is under mechanical stress
Implementation Method 2
wherein the reinforcement structure is welded to an upper base and a lower base of the plastic vehicle tank
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
This invention relates to a reinforcement structure made of plastic material for plastic vehicle tank. The reinforcement structure comprises a first portion comprising at least one weak section and at least one strong section, which are designed so that said weak section breaks before said strong section, when said first portion is under mechanical stress, said reinforcement structure also comprises at least one second portion designed to reduce the slosh noise, said second portion extends from the strong section.