Fireproof Electrical Network Placement in Vehicle Underfloor
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and complexity of implementing a fireproof electrical network in vehicles, particularly in regions with high fire loads, such as passenger areas, necessitate a more cost-effective solution that maintains functionality during fires while reducing the need for extensive fireproofing measures.
Innovation Solution
Part of the fireproof electrical network is arranged in a region with a lower fire load, such as an underfloor region, utilizing a fireproof housing with preassembled components like printed circuit boards and relays, and plug connectors to simplify installation and reduce power loss, thereby minimizing the required fireproofing measures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the fireproof electrical network is arranged in the first vehicle region (passenger region with high fire load), then the network can serve passengers directly, but extensive and expensive fireproofing measures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrical network into two parts: a fireproof network in the second vehicle region (underfloor region with lower fire load) and a non-fireproof network in the first vehicle region (passenger region). This segmentation allows the fireproof network to be placed in a location requiring minimal fireproofing while still serving the passenger region through connection via plug connectors
Solution Approach 2:
The fireproof electrical network is extracted from the passenger region and placed in the underfloor region. By taking out the fireproof network from the high fire load area, the patent eliminates the need for extensive fireproofing measures in the passenger region while maintaining the required fire safety functions
2Reliability
If extensive fireproofing measures are implemented in the first vehicle region, then fire safety is improved, but assembly expense and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces plug connectors as intermediaries between the fireproof network in the underfloor region and the non-fireproof network in the passenger region. These plug connectors enable the fireproof network to serve the passenger region without requiring the passenger region itself to be fireproofed, thus maintaining fire safety while reducing complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If the fireproof electrical network is arranged in the second vehicle region (underfloor region with lower fire load), then fewer fireproofing measures are required, but cabling access to passenger region may be more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assembling the fireproof network components (printed circuit boards, relays, plug connectors) in the underfloor region before vehicle assembly. The plug connectors are pre-positioned to facilitate easy connection to the passenger region network, simplifying the overall cabling process despite the location change
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle, in particular for conveying people and/or freight, includes at least one fireproof electrical network, at least one first vehicle region having a first fire load, and at least one second vehicle region having a second fire load that is smaller than the first fire load. In order to keep the necessary fireproofing as low as possible, at least part of the fireproof electrical network is disposed in the second vehicle region.