This application corresponds to PCT/US2013/031272, filed Mar. 14, 2013, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates to the field of air vents in vehicles and more particularly, to a pressure relief valve for venting of air pressure out of a motor vehicle.
Pressure relief valves are widely used in motor vehicles to relieve air pressure surges or peaks in the passenger compartment which result for example, when the doors are slammed shut. The valves generally comprise a simple rigid frame or housing which mounts in an aperture in a vehicle body panel. A valve element in the form of a flap is connected to the frame to overlie the aperture in the vehicle body panel. The valve element opens relative to the frame to uncover the aperture to relieve air pressure surges.
A known prior art pressure relief valve for a motor vehicle is illustrated in
An apparatus for use in venting a compartment in a vehicle includes a housing which at least partially defines an air flow passage. A valve element moves from a closed condition to an open condition to enable air to flow through the air flow passage. The valve element has an inner surface facing the air flow passage when the valve element is in the closed condition. The valve element has an outer surface opposite the inner surface facing away from the air flow passage when the valve element is in the closed condition. A spring wire deflects as the valve element moves from the closed condition toward the open condition and is effective to urge the valve element toward the closed condition. The spring wire extends in a straight line from the housing to the inner surface of the valve element when the valve element is in the closed condition.
The foregoing and other features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
An exemplary embodiment of a pressure relief valve constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in
The pressure relief valve 10 includes a housing 12 and a valve element or flap 14 (
A flange 26 extends around the perimeter of the housing 2. A flexible seal 28 may extend from the flange 26 and extend peripherally around the housing 12. When the pressure relief valve 10 is inserted into the aperture in the body panel, the flange 26 and the seal 28 may be forced into contact with the body panel at an area peripherally adjacent the side walls 18 of the housing 12. In the inserted position, the seal 28 is forced to spread outwardly and parallel relative to the body panel. The function of the seal 28 is to help seal the connection between the pressure relief valve 10 and the body panel of the vehicle against air, water, dust and foreign matter from passing through the aperture except through the central air passage 24. The pressure relief valve 10 includes latches 30 (
The side wall 18 of the housing 12 includes four side wall sections connected together. First and second longer side wall sections 36, 38 (
The first longer side wall section 36 (
The second shorter side wall section 42 includes a flange 54 (
The housing 12 (
The valve element or flap 14 (
The valve element 14 has first and second longer peripheral edges 94, 96 spaced apart and parallel to each other. First and second shorter peripheral edges 98, 100 extend generally perpendicular to the longer peripheral edges 94, 96. The first and second shorter peripheral edges 98, 100 are located spaced apart and parallel to each other.
The valve element 14 has a plurality of openings 104 extending through the second longer peripheral edge 96. Tabs 106 (
The valve element 14 has an inner side 110 (
A projection 122 on the central portion 70 extends from the inner surface 110 of the valve element 14. The projection 122 extends from the valve element 14 adjacent a longitudinal end of the recess 120 adjacent the center of peripheral edge 94. The projection 122 has an opening 124 aligned with the longitudinal direction of the recess 120.
A spring 130 (
A second end portion 136 of the spring 130 extends into the opening 124 in the projection 122 on the valve element 14. Accordingly, the spring 130 extends diagonally across the air flow passage 24. The ribs 60 of the housing 12 have notches 140 through which the spring 130 extends. The spring 130 extends in a straight line from the spring support 134 on the housing 12 through the recess 120 in the valve element 14 and into the projection 122 on the valve element when the valve element is in the closed condition. Thus, the spring 130 extends along the inner surface 110 of the valve element 14. The second end portion 136 may slide in the opening 124 during pivotal movement of the valve element 14 relative to the housing 12. Although the spring 130 is described as extending through a recess 120 in the inner surface 110 of the valve element 14, it is contemplated that the inner surface of the valve element may not include a recess.
The valve element 14 is movable between a closed condition overlying the central air flow passage 24, shown in
The pressure relief valve 10 is mounted vertically in the body panel of the vehicle, in this orientation, the tabs 106 of the housing 12 are located near the top when mounted to the body panel. In the closed condition, the valve element 14 extends in a diagonally downward direction. The valve element 14 is acted on by gravity and the spring 130 to help keep the valve element in the closed condition when the difference between the air pressure within the passenger compartment of the vehicle and atmospheric pressure is below a predetermined value.
When atmospheric pressure is above the pressure within the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the atmospheric pressure acts against the valve element 14 to maintain the valve element in the closed condition. The valve element 14 does not rotate since the edges of the valve element are seated against the flanges and the ribs 60 to prevent movement of the valve element relative to the housing inward. As a result, air flow, water, dust, foreign matter from the atmosphere entering through the central air passage 24 into the passenger compartment of the vehicle is prevented.
When the air pressure within the passenger compartment is greater than atmospheric pressure by a predetermined level, i.e., a level to overcome the gravitational force and spring force upon the valve element 14, the valve element 14 will rotate, away from the central air passage 24 in a direction outward of the housing 12, to uncover the central air passage 24 and enable air flow from the passenger compartment to atmosphere.
When the valve element 14 rotates from the closed condition toward the open condition, the spring 130 bends. The projection 122 on the valve element 14 moves outwardly away from the ribs 60 as seen in
When the valve element 14 rotates to uncover the central air passage 24 and enable air flow from the passenger compartment to atmosphere, the valve element 14 is in the open condition. When the differential air pressure between the passenger compartment of the vehicle and atmosphere falls below the predetermined level, the gravitational force and spring force acting upon the valve element 14 cause the valve element to rotate back to the closed condition.
It is contemplated that instead of one flap valve element, multiple flap valve elements can be connected with the housing in multiple through holes to form the pressure relief valve 10.
From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2013/031272 | 3/14/2013 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2014/142866 | 9/18/2014 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
378191 | Clough | Feb 1888 | A |
3026902 | Ruhl, Jr. | Mar 1962 | A |
3640306 | Vogt | Feb 1972 | A |
4196745 | Schutzer | Apr 1980 | A |
4825902 | Helms | May 1989 | A |
6050294 | Makowan | Apr 2000 | A |
8360104 | Shereyk | Jan 2013 | B2 |
8439088 | Bramson | May 2013 | B2 |
8955542 | Kiezulas | Feb 2015 | B2 |
20050081921 | Blake, III et al. | Apr 2005 | A1 |
20110041930 | Kiezulas | Feb 2011 | A1 |
20120211689 | Bostwick | Aug 2012 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
3601853 | Aug 1987 | DE |
3919211 | Dec 1990 | DE |
WO 2012020912 | Feb 2012 | KR |
20150130291 | Nov 2015 | KR |
Entry |
---|
Extended European Search Report for EP App. No. 13878170.3-1756/2969614, dated Nov. 14, 2016. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20150375598 A1 | Dec 2015 | US |