Tank Wall Reinforcement Plate for Agricultural Vehicle Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural vehicle fuel tanks face deformation under internal pressure and temperature influences, requiring thickened tank walls or structural reinforcements like ribs, which can be costly and complex, and existing armor solutions do not effectively address deformation prevention.

Innovation Solution

A reinforcement device with an armor plate and plate bearing system that secures axially and extends transversely to counteract deformations, allowing for targeted reinforcement of vulnerable tank wall sections without increasing the entire tank's dimensioning, using a metal sheet for the armor plate to provide rigidity and prevent deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the thickness of tank walls is increased to avoid deformation under internal pressure and temperature influences, then the strength and resistance to deformation are improved, but the weight and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to deformationVSAvoidtank wall weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies reinforcement plates only at specific locations where deformation is most likely to occur, rather than uniformly thickening the entire tank wall. This localized reinforcement approach provides the necessary strength and deformation resistance at critical areas while maintaining lighter wall thickness elsewhere, thus resolving the contradiction between strength improvement and weight increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If structural reinforcements like wall ribs are integrated into tank walls to stiffen them, then the resistance to deformation is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetank wall stiffnessVSAvoidstructural design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the reinforcement system into separate, modular reinforcement plates that can be independently manufactured and attached to the tank wall. This segmentation allows for simpler manufacturing of individual components and easier assembly, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while still achieving the desired tank wall stiffness and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite construction by combining the base tank wall material with separate reinforcement plate materials. This composite approach allows optimization of each component for its specific function - the tank wall for containment and the reinforcement plates for stiffening - thereby achieving high structural stability with relatively simple manufacturing processes for each material type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If armor plates are added to flank the tank wall to prevent deformation, then the protection and reinforcement are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeformation preventionVSAvoidproduction simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement plates are designed and pre-positioned to flank the tank wall at locations where deformation is anticipated. This preliminary placement of reinforcement elements ensures that protection is already in place before the tank undergoes pressure or temperature changes, thereby preventing deformation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through straightforward attachment processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If the entire tank wall is dimensioned stronger to prevent deformation, then the reliability is improved, but the cost and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeformation resistanceVSAvoidoverall construction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements stronger dimensioning only at specific locations where deformation risk is highest, rather than uniformly strengthening the entire tank wall. This localized approach to enhanced dimensioning provides the necessary reliability for deformation resistance at critical areas while keeping the overall construction complexity and cost manageable by leaving non-critical areas at standard dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3272566B1Vehicle with a vehicle tank and reinforcement for a vehicle tank
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 DEERE & CO
  • EP3272566B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3272566B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3272566B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a reinforcement (32) for a tank wall (18) of a vehicle tank (12). The reinforcement (32) has at least one reinforcement plate (34) for flanking the tank wall (18) and a plate bearing (58) for supporting the reinforcement plate (34). The plate bearing (58) is axially secured in the mounting position in an axial direction (50) on a clamping element (38). The reinforcement plate (34) extends at least partially in a flank direction (52) running transversely to the axial direction (50). The invention further relates to a vehicle with a vehicle tank (12) and with a reinforcement (32) for a tank wall (18) of the vehicle tank (12).