Alternative Fuel Tank Assembly Impact Release Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tank assemblies in alternative fuel vehicles, such as hydrogen vehicles, are vulnerable during rear impacts and lack effective mechanisms to safely release and relocate the tanks to prevent damage.

Innovation Solution

A tank assembly design featuring a tank housing, lever, and release feature that holds the tank in a first position and releases it to a second position upon impact, utilizing a clamping mechanism and break-away catches to pivot the tank housing away from the vehicle frame, ensuring safe relocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the tank housing is securely attached to the vehicle frame, then the tank assembly is stable during normal operation, but the tank housing becomes vulnerable to damage during rear impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of tank housingVSAvoidimpact damage vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system transitions from a static secure connection to a dynamic conditional connection. The lever and catch mechanism maintains stable attachment during normal operation but automatically releases under impact conditions, allowing the tank housing to move away from the vehicle frame and absorb impact forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The release feature is pre-configured to counteract impact forces before they occur. The lever and catch mechanism are designed with predetermined failure modes that activate upon detecting rear impact, creating a preliminary protective action that prevents direct transmission of impact forces to the tank housing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If a secure attachment mechanism is used, then the tank housing remains fixed during normal operation, but it lacks the ability to relocate safely upon impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidrelocation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is designed to dynamically adapt its state based on operational conditions. During normal operation, the lever and catch provide reliable fixed attachment. Upon rear impact, the mechanism automatically transitions to a relocated state, demonstrating both reliability and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The release feature enables the tank housing to be extracted from its fixed position upon impact. The lever and catch mechanism allows the tank housing to be taken out of the vulnerable rear position and relocated to a safer position away from the vehicle frame

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS7631901B2Tank assembly for alternative fuel vehicles

Publication Date: 2009.12.15 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

One embodiment may include a tank assembly having a tank housing, a lever, and a release feature. The lever may be hinged at a first point to the tank housing and may be constructed to be hinged at a second point to a vehicle structure. The release feature holds and releases the tank housing from a first position and to a second position. The release feature may include a clamping mechanism to clamp and unclamp a catch, and a keeper to hold and release another catch.