Description:FUEL TANK CRADLE ASSEMBLY
DESCRIPTION
Technical Field
[001] This disclosure relates generally to fuel tank handling, and more particularly to a lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly for Compressed Natural gas (CNG) vehicles.
Background
[002] In most CNG-powered vehicles (e.g., CNG cars), CNG is usually stored in a fuel tank, placed on a fuel tank cradle above the spare wheel compartment of the vehicle.
[003] Generally, the fuel tank is placed in a way that an elevation is provided to access the spare wheel which is kept in the spare wheel compartment under the fuel tank cradle assembly. This fuel tank cradle induces moment caused by the weight of the fuel tank on the cradle mounting and the floor of the vehicle. The moment induced by the fuel tank cradle may also cause stress to the mounting points of the fuel tank cradle and the floor of the vehicle which may cause wear and tear in the long run. Further, the manufacturing of the fuel tank cradle assembly leads to more material and increased cost. In some cases, the fuel tank cradle may occupy all the space in the rear of the vehicle leaving no space at all for luggage.
[004] Therefore, in order to provide solutions to the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need to develop a lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly.
SUMMARY
[005] In one embodiment, a fuel tank cradle assembly is disclosed. In one example, the fuel tank cradle assembly may include a base assembly mounted to a vehicle floor over a spare wheel compartment of a vehicle. The base assembly may be configured to hold a fuel tank. Further, the base assembly may include a rear side and a front side. The rear side may be pivotably mounted to the vehicle floor through at least one hinge mechanism. The front side may be mounted to the vehicle floor through at least one locking mechanism. Each of the at least one locking mechanism is in one of a locked state or an unlocked state. Further, the fuel tank cradle assembly may include at least one lifting device coupled to the base assembly from a first end and to one of the vehicle floor or the spare wheel compartment from a second end. The lifting device may be configured to move the base assembly about the at least one hinge mechanism to lift the base assembly when the at least one locking mechanism is in the unlocked state.
[006] In another embodiment, a vehicle is disclosed. In one example, the vehicle may include a fuel tank, a spare wheel compartment, and a fuel tank cradle assembly. The fuel tank cradle assembly may include a base assembly which may be mounted to a vehicle floor over a spare wheel compartment of a vehicle. The base assembly may be configured to hold the fuel tank. Further, the base assembly may include a front side and a rear side. The rear side may be pivotably mounted to the vehicle floor through at least hinge mechanism. The front side may be mounted to the vehicle floor through at least one locking mechanism. Each of the at least one locking mechanism may be in one of a locked state or an unlocked state. Further, the fuel tank cradle assembly may include at least one lifting device coupled to the base assembly from a first end and to one of the vehicle floor or the spare wheel compartment from a second end. The lifting device may be configured to move the base assembly about the at least one hinge mechanism to lift the base assembly when the at least one locking mechanism is in the unlocked state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[007] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles.
[008] FIG. 1 is an exemplary vehicle where embodiments of the present disclosure may be employed.
[009] FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of a lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[010] FIG. 2B illustrates a front view of the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[011] FIG. 2C illustrates a top view of the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[012] FIG. 3 illustrates a lifting mechanism of the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[013] Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. While examples and features of disclosed principles are described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the following detailed description be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims. Additional illustrative embodiments are listed below.
[014] Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary vehicle 100 where embodiments of the present disclosure may be employed is disclosed. The vehicle 100 includes an affixed fuel tank cradle assembly 102 mounted to a vehicle floor 104 above a spare wheel compartment. The affixed fuel tank cradle assembly 102 may hold a fuel tank 106 (for example, a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) tank, bio-CNG, liquefied natural gas (LNG), or the like) inside the vehicle 100 using one or more straps.
[015] A representative example of the vehicle 100 may be a car. However, it should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure may be employed in any vehicle where the affixed fuel tank cradle assembly 102 is similarly arranged over a spare wheel compartment.
[016] In an exemplary scenario, a user (e.g., a driver, a passenger, fuel station personnel, a mechanic, etc.) may want to remove a spare wheel from inside the spare wheel compartment of the vehicle 100, or may want to place a spare wheel inside the spare wheel compartment. In present state of art, the fuel tank cradle assemblies are arranged at an elevation above the spare wheel compartment to provide space to remove the spare wheel. However, this takes up more space inside the vehicle 100. Such arrangements also require more material during manufacturing to provide extra elevation. Also, such arrangements cannot always be readily installed in a vehicle because size of spare wheel compartments of different vehicles may be different. Such arrangements (~420 mm from floor) also tend to increase the moment caused by the weight of the fuel tank 106 on the affixed fuel tank cradle assembly 102 and the vehicle floor 104. This gives rise to stability and durability issues. Therefore, there is a need in the present state of art for a change in elevated design without affecting the durability performance of the fuel tank cradle assembly 102 as per safety standards.
[017] Referring now to FIG. 2A, a side view 200 of a lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 202 is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 202 may be mounted on the vehicle floor 104 of the vehicle 100. The lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 202 may be mounted over the spare wheel compartment 204. The spare wheel compartment 204 may or may not include a spare wheel 206. The lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 202 may include a base assembly 208, and at least one lifting device 210. The base assembly 208 may be mounted to a vehicle floor 104 over the spare wheel compartment 204 of the vehicle 100. Further, the base assembly 208 may be configured to hold the fuel tank 106 by one or more straps 212 wrapped around the fuel tank 106. In an embodiment, the fuel tank 106 may be a CNG tank configured to store the CNG for the consumption of the vehicle 100. The one or more straps 212 may be, but not limited to, one or more metal straps, one or more leather straps, one or more fabric straps, one or more textile strap, or one or more nylon straps, etc.
[018] In some embodiments, the base assembly 208 may include a front side and a rear side. The rear side may be pivotably mounted to the vehicle floor 104 through at least one hinge mechanism 214. The hinge mechanism 214 may be, but not limited to, a butt hinge, a spring-loaded hinge, a concealed hinge, an overlay hinge, a strap hinge, a gate hinge, a ball-bearing hinge, etc. Further, the front side may be mounted to the vehicle floor 104 through at least one locking mechanism 216. The locking mechanism 216 may be, but not limited to, a nut and bolt, a key operated lock, a combination lock, an electric lock, a mortise lock, a rim lock, a liner lock, etc. Further, each of the at least one locking mechanism 216 is in one of a locked state or an unlocked state. The locking mechanism 216 may be mounted to the vehicle floor 104. Thus, when the locking mechanism 216 is in the locked state, the base assembly 208 is held in place above the spare wheel compartment 204 such that the base assembly does not move about the hinge mechanism 214. It should be noted that the locked state means that the front side is fixed to the vehicle floor 104 and the unlocked state means that the front side is not fixed to the vehicle floor 104 as explained in detail in FIG. 3.
[019] In some embodiments, the at least one lifting device 210 may be coupled to the base assembly 208 from a first end, and to one of the vehicle floor 104 or the spare wheel compartment 204 from a second end. The lifting device 210 may be configured to move the base assembly 208 about the at least one hinge mechanism 214 to lift the base assembly 208 when the at least one locking mechanism 216 is in the unlocked state. Each of the at least one lifting device 210 may be a pneumatic cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder. In simpler words, the at least one lifting device 210 may be coupled to at least one side between the front side and the rear side of the base assembly 208 and the vehicle floor 104 or a corresponding side wall of the spare wheel compartment 204.
[020] In an embodiment, the spare wheel compartment 104 may be covered by the base assembly 208 when the at least one locking mechanism 216 is in the locked state and the spare wheel compartment 104 may be at least partially open when the at least one locking mechanism 216 is in the unlocked state. In simpler words, the base assembly 208 may cover the spare wheel compartment 104 when the at least one locking mechanism 216 is in the locked state (as shown in the FIG. 1), and the base assembly 208 may partially uncover the spare wheel compartment 204 when the at least one locking mechanism 216 is in the unlocked state (as shown in the FIG. 4).
[021] Referring now to FIG. 2B, a front view 200 of the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 102 for reducing the stress on the vehicle floor 104 and the spare wheel compartment 104 is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The base assembly 208 of the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 102 may include a first base frame 218 and a second base frame 220. In an embodiment, the first base frame 218 may be joined to the second base frame 220 via an extendable frame 222. The extendable frame 222 may be configured to adjust a distance between the first base frame 218 and the second base frame 220.
[022] Further, the first base frame 218 may include a first front side and a first rear side, and the second base frame 220 may include a second front side and a second rear side. Further, each of the first rear side and the second rear side may be pivotably mounted to the vehicle floor through a corresponding hinge mechanism 214, and each of the first front side and the second front side may be mounted to the vehicle floor 104 through at least one corresponding locking mechanism 216.
[023] In an embodiment, the base assembly 208 may be made of, but not limited to, a round metal pipe, a solid metal pipe, a square metal pipe, etc. The metal for manufacturing the base assembly 208 may be stainless steel, iron, carboned iron, brass, cost-effective alloys, etc. It should be noted that the base assembly 208 should be designed and manufactured in a way to ensure that the base assembly 208 is able to support the weight of the fuel tank 106 and light enough so that a user and the lifting device 210 can lift the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 102 with minimum efforts.
[024] In an exemplary embodiment, the extendable frame 222, the first front side, and the second front side may include a plurality of punched holes 208. The distance between the first base frame 218 and the second base frame 220 may be adjusted by aligning at least one punched hole 224 of each of the first front side and the second front side with the at least one punched hole 224 of the extendable frame 222. The aligned punched holes 224 may be attached by a locking device. The locking device may be, but not limited to, a nut bolt mechanism, a metal rod fixed in between the aligned punch holes, etc. It should be noted that the extendable frame 222 enables the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 102 to be easily installed among a plurality of vehicles such that the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 102 may be mounted in a plurality of vehicles of various sizes and designs.
[025] In an exemplary embodiment, the base assembly 208 of the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 102 may include the first base frame 218 and the second base frame 220 but may not include the extendable base frame 222 and the at least one punched hole 224. It should be noted that the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 102 may be affixed in the rear end of the vehicle 100 above the spare wheel compartment 204. In such an embodiment, the first base frame 218 and the second base frame 220 may be rigidly affixed to each other via a common joint (for example by welding).
[026] In another exemplary embodiment, the base assembly 208 of the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 102 may be coupled to the at least one lifting device 210. Here, the base assembly 208 may be a single unit and may not include individual components (such as the first base frame 218, the second base frame 220, and the extendable base frame 222). In such an embodiment, the base assembly 208 may be a square or a rectangle base mounted over the spare wheel compartment 204 via the hinge mechanism 214 or a torsional hinge mechanism. The torsional hinge mechanism may be, but not limited to, a at least one friction hinge, a at least one constant torque friction hinge, or a at least one lid-stay torsion hinge, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, the base assembly 208 may be designed based on the size of the rear end of the vehicle or the size of the spare wheel compartment 204 and the size of the fuel tank 106.
[027] Referring now to FIG. 2C, a top view 200C of the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As explained earlier in detail, the base assembly 208 is mounted over the spare wheel compartment 204. Further, the first base frame 218 and the second base frame 220 are connected by the extendable frame 222 from the front side as well as the rear side of the base assembly 208. The fuel tank 106 is mounted on the base assembly 208 affixed by the plurality of straps 212.
[028] The hinge mechanism 214 connects the rear side of the first base frame 218 and the second base frame 220 to the vehicle floor 104 or the spare wheel compartment 204. Further, the base assembly 208 is mounted over the spare wheel compartment 204 via the locking mechanism 216 from the front side. The locking mechanism 216 connects the front side of the first base frame 218 and the second base frame 220 to the vehicle floor 104 or the spare wheel compartment 204. It should be noted that both the first base frame 218 and the second base frame 220 are connected to the vehicle floor 104 by at least one hinge mechanism 214 and the at least one locking mechanism 216.
[029] Further, the first base frame 218 and the second base frame 220 are coupled to the vehicle floor 104 via at least one lifting device 210 on each side of the base assembly 208. Each of the lifting device 210 include a first end coupled to the first base frame 218 or the second base frame 220 and the second end coupled to the first base frame 218 or the second base frame 220.
[030] Referring now to FIG. 3, a lifting mechanism of the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 102 is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As mentioned earlier, the first end of the at least one lifting device 210 may be coupled to the base assembly 208 and the second end of the at least one lifting device 210 may be coupled to the vehicle floor 104 or the spare wheel compartment 204.
[031] In an embodiment, at least one lifting device 210 may be coupled to each of the side between the front side and the rear side of the base assembly 208. The lifting device 210 may be the pneumatic cylinder or the hydraulic cylinder. In an exemplary embodiment, the lifting device 210 may be coupled to one of the lateral sides between the front side and the rear side of the base assembly 208 based on a size and a weight of the fuel tank 106. Further, the lifting device 210 may be configured to move the base assembly 208 about the at least one hinge mechanism 214 to lift the base assembly 208 when the at least one locking mechanism 216 is in the unlocked state.
[032] In an embodiment, the lifting device 210 may transition from a closed state to an open state. The closed state of the lifting device 210 may be enabled when the base assembly 208 is in the locked state by the locking mechanism 216 and the open state of the lifting device 210 may be enabled when the base assembly 208 is in the unlocked state by the locking mechanism 216.
[033] In an embodiment, the transition of the lifting device 210 from the closed state to the open state may be enabled by a user, upon unlocking the locking mechanism 216 of the base assembly 208. Further, the user may lift the front side of the base assembly 208 around the hinge mechanism 214 coupled to the rear side of the base assembly 208. The lifting device 210 may help the user in lifting the front side of the base assembly 208. The lifting device 210 may then transition into the open state allowing the user to reach into the spare wheel compartment 204. It should be noted that the locked state of the base assembly 208 and the corresponding closed state of the lifting device 210 may be a default state of the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 102.
[034] In an exemplary embodiment, let’s say a user is driving the vehicle 100 and one of tires of the vehicle 100 goes flat. The user may need to replace the flat tire with the spare wheel 206 placed in the spare wheel compartment 204 of the vehicle 100. So, the user may open the tailgate of the vehicle 100 to access the spare wheel compartment 204 which is under the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 102. The user may access the spare wheel compartment 204 by unlocking the front side of the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 102. The front side of the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 102 may be the side facing away from the vehicle 100 as seen from the tailgate of the vehicle 100. The user may then lift the front side of the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 102 which is assisted by the lifting device 210. The lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 102 pivotably rotates about the rear side due to the application of the hinge mechanism 214. The rear side of the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 102 is the side opposite to the front side of the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 102. The lifting device 210 reduce the efforts made by the user to lift the fuel tank cradle assembly 102. The lifting device 210 pushes the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 102 to the open position. The user may now access the spare wheel compartment 204 and pulls out the spare wheel 206. Further, the user may replace the spare wheel 206 with the flat tire and lower down the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 102 by pulling down the front side of the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 102. The lifting device 210 may then facilitate lowering of the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 102 such that the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 102 transitions to the closed state without the intervention of the user and in a controlled manner. Further, the user may transition the locking mechanism 216 of the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly 102 to the locked state by locking the locking mechanism 216 to the vehicle floor 104 or the spare wheel compartment 204.
[035] The techniques described above relate to a lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly for reducing the stress on the vehicle floor and the spare wheel compartment. The above techniques provide a cost-effective solution for reducing human effort to change the punctured wheel with the spare wheel, by using the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly. The above techniques provide a cost-effective solution for reducing the stress caused by the moment of conventional fuel tank cradle assembly on the vehicle floor and the vehicle floor. It may be noted that the mechanism is achieved by using the working principle of a pneumatic cylinder. The compression and decompression of the pneumatic cylinder reduce human efforts as the user may only need to put effort in initial pushing or pulling of the base assembly of the lift-assisted fuel tank cradle assembly. Furthermore, the techniques provided may be completely automated by using a motor or an actuator in place of the locking mechanism. Moreover, the device provides an efficient, low elevation, cost-effective and minimal human effort consuming mechanism for accessing the spare wheel compartment.
[036] In light of the above-mentioned advantages and the technical advancements provided by the disclosed device and mechanism, the claimed steps as discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed steps enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Further, the claimed steps clearly bring an improvement in the functioning of the device itself as the claimed steps provide a technical solution to a technical problem.
[037] It is intended that the disclosure and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of disclosed embodiments being indicated by the following claims.
, Claims:CLAIMS
I/WE CLAIM:
1. A fuel tank cradle assembly (102) comprising:
a base assembly (208) mounted to a vehicle floor (104) over a spare wheel compartment (204) of a vehicle, the base assembly (208) configured to hold a fuel tank (106), wherein the base assembly (208) comprises a front side and a rear side, wherein:
the rear side is pivotably mounted to the vehicle floor (104) through at least one hinge mechanism (214),
the front side is mounted to the vehicle floor (104) through at least one locking mechanism (216), and
each of the at least one locking mechanism (216) is in one of a locked state or an unlocked state; and
at least one lifting device (210) coupled to the base assembly (208) from a first end (122) and to one of the vehicle floor (104) or the spare wheel compartment (204) from a second end (124), wherein the lifting device (210) is configured to move the base assembly (208) about the at least one hinge mechanism (214) to lift the base assembly (208) when the at least one locking mechanism (216) is in the unlocked state.

2. The fuel tank cradle assembly (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel tank (106) is held on the base assembly (208) by one or more straps wrapped around the fuel tank (106).

3. The fuel tank cradle assembly (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
the base assembly (208) comprises a first base frame joined to a second base frame,
the first base frame comprises a first front side and a first rear side, and
the second base frame comprises a second front side and a second rear side.

4. The fuel tank cradle assembly (102) as claimed in claim 3, wherein:
each of the first rear side and the second rear side is pivotably mounted to the vehicle floor (104) through a corresponding hinge mechanism (214), and
each of the first front side and the second front side is mounted to the vehicle floor (104) through a corresponding locking mechanism (216).

5. The fuel tank cradle assembly (102) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first base frame is joined to the second base frame via an extendable frame, wherein the extendable frame is configured to adjust a distance between the first base frame and the second base frame.

6. The fuel tank cradle assembly (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one lifting device (210) is one of a pneumatic cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder.

7. The fuel tank cradle assembly (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spare wheel compartment (204) is covered by the base assembly (208) when the at least one locking mechanism (216) is in the locked state, and wherein the spare wheel compartment (204) is at least partially open when the at least one locking mechanism (216) is in the unlocked state.

8. A vehicle comprising:
a fuel tank (106);
a spare wheel compartment (204); and
a fuel tank cradle assembly (102) comprising:
a base assembly (208) mounted to a vehicle floor (104) over the spare wheel compartment (204) of the vehicle, the base assembly (208) configured to hold the fuel tank (106), wherein the base assembly (208) comprises a front side and a rear side, wherein:
the rear side is pivotably mounted to the vehicle floor (104) through at least one hinge mechanism (214),
the front side is mounted to the vehicle floor (104) through at least one locking mechanism (216), and
each of the at least one locking mechanism (216) is in one of a locked state or an unlocked state; and
at least one lifting device (210) coupled to the base assembly (208) from a first end (122) and to one of the vehicle floor (104) or the spare wheel compartment (204) from a second end (124), wherein the lifting device (210) is configured to move the base assembly (208) about the at least one hinge mechanism (214) to lift the base assembly (208) when the at least one locking mechanism (216) is in the unlocked state.

9. The vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the fuel tank (106) is held on the base assembly (208) by one or more straps wrapped around the fuel tank (106).

10. The vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein:
the base assembly (208) comprises a first base frame joined to a second base frame,
the first base frame comprises a first front side and a first rear side, and
the second base frame comprises a second front side and a second rear side.