Transfer Fuel Tank Structure for Toolbox Support and Pump Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spare fuel tanks for trucks lack rigidity to properly support transfer pumps and pickup tubes, and they occupy space that makes it difficult to couple other items in the truck bed, such as toolboxes.
Innovation Solution
A transfer fuel tank design that includes a tank body with a vertical portion and a toolbox supporting portion, featuring a strengthening channel for the transfer pump, a pickup tube support, and lower baffles that contact the toolbox supporting portion to provide additional rigidity and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the tank body is made large volume to store more fuel, then the fuel storage capacity is improved, but the rigidity of the tank body deteriorates and it cannot properly support the transfer pump
Solution Approach 1:
The tank body is segmented into multiple functional zones including a vertical portion for fuel storage, a toolbox supporting portion with recess, and a strengthening channel. This segmentation allows each zone to serve its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity despite large volume
Solution Approach 2:
The tank body incorporates a strengthening channel with increased wall thickness in specific locations where the transfer pump and pipe fittings are mounted. This local quality enhancement provides the necessary rigidity and support strength in critical areas without compromising the overall large volume fuel storage capacity
2Strength
If the tank body is made strong with thick walls to support the transfer pump, then the structural strength is improved, but the volume of the tank body is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The strengthening channel is positioned only in the specific area where the transfer pump and pipe fittings are mounted, providing localized structural reinforcement. This ensures that the additional material is placed only where needed for support, maximizing fuel storage volume while maintaining necessary structural strength
3Area of stationary object
If the tank body occupies less space to allow coupling of toolbox in truck bed, then the space utilization is improved, but the rigidity to support pickup tube and transfer pump deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The toolbox supporting portion is designed as a recess that extends downward from the top surface of the tank body. This dimensional approach allows the toolbox to be mounted on the tank body without increasing the horizontal footprint, maintaining compact space utilization while the vertical recess provides structural reinforcement for the pickup tube support
4Stability of the object's composition
If the tank body is designed with multiple support structures for rigidity, then the structural stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The strengthening channel serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural reinforcement for the transfer pump mounting, supports the pipe fittings, and enhances the overall rigidity of the tank body. By merging these support functions into a single integrated structure, the design achieves high structural stability without proportionally increasing device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A toolbox supporting transfer fuel tank is provided. The transfer fuel tank includes a tank body comprising a vertical portion and a toolbox supporting portion, the tank body having an inner volume, a fill tube coupled to a top surface of the tank body and at least one baffle support extending from a side of the tank body into the inner volume of the tank body. The transfer fuel tank may also include a pickup tube support formed in a bottom surface of the tank body and a strengthening channel formed in the top surface of the tank body to provide rigidity to this area of the tank body to support the transfer pump. The transfer fuel tank may further include at least one lower baffle extending from a rear surface of the tank body and contacting the toolbox supporting portion of the tank body.