Thermal Pressure Relief Trigger for Fuel Vessel Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle pressure relief systems for fuel vessels, such as those in FCEVs, face challenges in rapidly and reliably releasing pressure during thermal events without increasing installation space, weight, or costs, and often rely on electrically triggered mechanisms that are not directly activated by thermal energy from the vehicle interior.
Innovation Solution
A thermal pressure relief device activated directly or indirectly by a pressure relief trigger that absorbs thermal energy from the vehicle interior, bypassing the vehicle body floor element, using a triggering medium that changes state or pressure to activate the pressure relief device, allowing for rapid and reliable pressure release without electrical signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermal energy is transmitted through the vehicle body floor element to the pressure relief trigger, then the pressure relief device can be activated, but the activation is slower and less reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure relief trigger is extracted from the conventional location behind the vehicle body floor element and repositioned to be directly accessible to thermal energy from the vehicle interior. This removes the thermal transmission barrier (floor element) that caused delayed and unreliable activation, allowing the trigger to respond directly to thermal events.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal conduit or direct thermal pathway is introduced as an intermediary mechanism to transfer thermal energy efficiently from the vehicle interior to the pressure relief trigger. This mediator ensures rapid and reliable thermal transmission without the delays associated with conventional floor element transmission.
2Reliability
If a purely mechanical/thermal triggering system is used, then reliability is improved and electrical signal processing is eliminated, but the system complexity must be managed
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure relief trigger system is designed to be self-activating through purely mechanical and thermal mechanisms. The thermal energy from the vehicle interior directly causes the trigger mechanism to activate without requiring external electrical signals or complex control systems, making the system self-sufficient and highly reliable.
Solution Approach 2:
Electrical signal processing and electronic control systems are replaced with a purely mechanical and thermal triggering mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for electrical components, sensors, and control electronics, simplifying the system while improving reliability through passive thermal activation.
3Speed
If the pressure relief trigger is positioned to directly absorb thermal energy from the vehicle interior, then activation speed is improved, but installation space constraints must be considered
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure relief trigger mechanism is nested within or integrated into the existing vehicle structure, such as being incorporated into the vehicle body floor element or adjacent structural components. This nesting allows the trigger to maintain direct thermal access while utilizing existing space, avoiding additional installation space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure relief trigger is positioned in a three-dimensional space that allows direct thermal exposure from the vehicle interior while maintaining compact dimensions. By utilizing vertical or lateral positioning rather than horizontal expansion, the system achieves rapid thermal activation without increasing the vehicle's installation footprint.
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
This solution enables faster and more reliable pressure relief in fuel vessels during thermal events, reducing the risk of structural damage to the pressure vessel and improving safety by directly utilizing thermal energy from the vehicle interior to activate the pressure relief mechanism, thus enhancing the efficiency and reliability of fuel discharge.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure relief trigger being set up to absorb thermal energy from the passenger interior compartment and/or trunk in order to trigger the pressure relief device
Implementation Method 2
using a triggering medium that changes state or pressure to activate the pressure relief device
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle has a pressure relief device that can be thermally activated, for the pressure relief of at least one pressure vessel. A body floor element is arranged at least partially between the passenger compartment or the cargo area and the pressure vessel. A pressure relief triggering device is designed to directly or indirectly bring about the pressure relief. The pressure relief triggering device is designed to absorb thermal energy from the passenger compartment or the cargo area in order to trigger the pressure relief device, without the thermal energy absorbed for the triggering having previously been transmitted to the pressure relief triggering device through the body floor element.