Flexible Vehicle Cabin Pressure Relief Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cabin pressure relief devices consume valuable space and lack flexibility in accommodating irregularly-shaped vehicle body apertures, often requiring single-purpose venting apertures and independent body features for placement of other devices.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle cabin pressure relief device with a layered construction featuring a base layer, retainer layer, and displaceable sealing members that can be adapted to fit over non-uniform apertures, such as tooling access holes, to manage air pressure and flow while preventing contaminant infiltration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cabin pressure relief devices are used, then air pressure relief function is provided, but valuable package space is consumed and flexibility for placing other components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure relief device is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a pressure relief valve, a seal against contaminants, and an adhesive mounting system. The base layer with adhesive backing allows direct attachment to the vehicle body aperture, eliminating the need for separate mounting structures and body features, thereby saving package space while maintaining pressure relief functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The device combines the pressure relief valve, sealing elements, and mounting structure into a single integrated component. The base layer, sealing members, and retainer layer are assembled together as one unit that can be directly installed over the body aperture, consolidating multiple functions into one space-efficient device
2Reliability
If traditional pressure relief devices are used, then pressure relief is achieved, but flexibility for accommodating irregularly-shaped vehicle body apertures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing members are designed with non-circular, irregular shapes that match the specific geometry of tooling access holes and body apertures. Each sealing member can be customized with different shapes (e.g., rectangular, oval, irregular polygons) to conform to the local aperture geometry, providing effective sealing and pressure relief for various aperture configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing members are made from elastomeric materials that are flexible and deformable. This allows them to adapt dynamically to the aperture shape during installation and operation, conforming to irregular geometries and providing effective sealing without requiring precise manufacturing tolerances or complex rigid structures
3Reliability
If single-purpose venting apertures are created, then pressure relief is provided, but additional body features and increased device complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to be installed over existing body apertures (such as tooling access holes) that serve multiple purposes: they are used during vehicle manufacturing for access and then repurposed as the mounting location for the pressure relief device. This eliminates the need to create separate single-purpose venting apertures and reduces the number of body features required
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive base layer enables the device to self-mount directly to the vehicle body at the aperture location without requiring additional body features, fasteners, or complex installation structures. The device serves itself by providing its own mounting mechanism through the adhesive backing
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 provides a flexible, cost-effective cabin pressure control system that optimizes packaging space, allows for customization of the pressure relief device shape, and effectively manages air pressure and flow, reducing the need for additional venting apertures and preventing backflow of contaminants.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing members cooperate to substantially seal the vehicle aperture in response to a pressure in the ambient environment being greater than a pressure within the vehicle cabin by a threshold amount
Implementation Method 2
the unidirectional airflow device is capable of exhausting air in response to a pressure in the vehicle cabin being greater than a pressure in an ambient environment by a first threshold
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle cabin pressure relief device is provided having a base layer defining an aperture, a retainer layer disposed on the base layer; and a sealing member. The sealing member further includes a first portion and a second portion extending from the first portion, wherein the second portion of the sealing member is sandwiched between the base layer and the retainer layer. The first portion is also displaceable relative to the base layer, and covers a portion of the aperture in a closed first position.