External Line Blocker for Vehicle Fuel Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the event of a vehicle crash, fluid lines can leak combustible fluids like gasoline, posing a risk of fire and exposure to toxic vapors, and existing solutions are either invasive or ineffective in blocking these leaks without adding potential leak paths.
Innovation Solution
An external blocking device with a housing, piston, and igniter that generates a shock wave to propel the piston and deformable element to crush and seal the fluid line, activated by a crash detection system, ensuring the fluid line is blocked without being incorporated into the line itself.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the blocking device is incorporated into the fluid line, then the blocking function is improved, but the device complexity and potential leak paths increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking device is extracted from the fluid line and positioned externally around it. The housing encircles the fluid line, allowing the blocking mechanism to function without being part of the fluid flow path, thereby reducing potential leak paths while maintaining blocking reliability
Solution Approach 2:
A deformable element acts as an intermediary between the piston and the fluid line. The piston pushes the deformable element, which then contacts and collapses the fluid line, enabling blocking without direct mechanical connection to the line, thus simplifying the overall device structure
2Ease of repair
If the housing is assembled from separate pieces, then the ease of service and replacement is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple separate pieces that can be assembled around the fluid line. This segmentation allows the device to be installed without disconnecting the fluid line and enables easy removal and replacement of the blocking device for service operations
Solution Approach 2:
The housing pieces are designed to be pre-assembled around the fluid line before the blocking operation. This preliminary assembly simplifies installation and service procedures, as the housing can be quickly positioned and secured without complex manufacturing steps during the blocking event
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
Effectively prevents fluid leakage by sealing the line without adding invasive components, ensuring occupant safety from fuel spills and fires, and allowing for easy service and replacement of the device.
Implementation Method 1
The igniter generates a shock wave to move the piston to block the line
Implementation Method 2
The piston crushes or squeezes a portion of the line to close the line
Data Source
AI summary
An igniter 40 activated blocking device 10 blocks a fluid line 4 adapted to carry fluid. The blocking device 10 has a housing 30 disposed about the fluid line, a piston 20 housed in the housing, and an igniter 40 that when activated propels the piston 20 to block the fluid line 4. The igniter 40 generates a shock wave to move the piston 20 to block the line. The piston 20 crushes or squeezes a portion of the line 4 to close the line.