Vehicle Container Assembly Using Body Cavities and Shared Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle container assemblies for liquids reduce usable vehicle volume and are not easily integratable into existing vehicle body cavities without compromising structural integrity or accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A container assembly with a mechanical interface for fastening, filling, and emptying, integrated into a closed cavity of the vehicle body structure using an expandable material to secure the container during manufacturing and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If containers are attached to the vehicle body structure using conventional methods, then the containers can be securely fastened, but the vehicle volume usable by customers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The container is nested within an existing closed cavity of the vehicle body structure, utilizing the cavity space that would otherwise be unused. This allows the container to be integrated without encroaching on customer usable space such as passenger or baggage compartments.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system is segmented into a mechanical interface with a container-side first attachment part and a body-side second attachment part, allowing the container to be securely fastened while maintaining a compact integrated structure.
2Ease of operation
If service openings or flaps are provided for container accessibility, then the container can be accessed for filling and emptying, but the overall vehicle structure is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical interface is designed to serve multiple functions: it fastens the container securely to the vehicle body structure and simultaneously provides access for filling and emptying the container. This eliminates the need for separate service openings that would compromise structural integrity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the container is inserted during vehicle body production, then the container can be integrated into the vehicle body structure, but the container must withstand entire manufacturing sequence including paint shop processes
Solution Approach 1:
The container is inserted into the closed cavity during vehicle body production while the cavity is still accessible. The mechanical interface is pre-assembled with the container, preparing it to withstand subsequent manufacturing processes including the paint shop sequence and thermal cycles.
4Reliability
If expandable material is used to fill the gap between container and cavity wall, then the container is further fixed and movement is prevented, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
An expandable material is introduced between the container shell and the cavity wall. The material's volume parameter is changed through thermal expansion during the paint drying process, causing it to expand and fill the circumferential gap, thereby further securing the container in position.
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 allows for the use of existing vehicle body cavities without reducing usable space, ensures reliable container functionality throughout the vehicle's lifetime, and prevents relative movement between the container and the vehicle body, reducing the risk of leaks.
Implementation Method 1
a material expandable due to temperature action is introduced between a shell of the container and a wall of the cavity formed by the vehicle body structure... Heating the vehicle body structure in such a way that the expandable material expands, in particular during a coating process of the vehicle body structure, and fills up the circumferential gap at least in regions
Data Source
AI summary
A container assembly for a vehicle, having a container which is arranged in a closed cavity of a vehicle body structure, and methods for producing a vehicle body structure having such a container assembly for a vehicle. At least one mechanical interface having a container-side first attachment part and a vehicle-side second attachment part is provided, which is embodied both for fastening the container on the vehicle body structure and also for filling and/or emptying the container.