Window seal with ventilation function

Abstract

The invention relates to a window seal with a ventilation function and a method for internal ventilation of a motor vehicle. In which the cross section of the window seal (13) of at least one side window (15) of the motor vehicle (10) is reduced, so that a gap (14) is formed between the window seal (13) of the side window (15) and the window pane (11), at least one air inlet (16) of the body of the motor vehicle (10) arranged below the at least one side window (15) is opened, so that ambient air enters the interior of the motor vehicle (10) through the at least one air inlet (16) and leaves the interior again through the gap (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a window seal with ventilation function and a method for ventilating the interior of a motor vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] To waterproof the height-adjustable window glass located within the vehicle door in the door armrest area, longitudinally extending seals are installed on the inner and outer walls of the door armrest. These seals typically feature protruding sealing lips that are pre-stressed against the surface of the window glass.

[0003] When the windows are closed, the seals not only prevent water from entering the interior but also prevent air exchange with the surrounding environment. Especially in summer, parked vehicles can become intensely hot due to solar radiation, which then necessitates increasing the air conditioning power to lower the interior temperature to a level that is comfortable for passengers.

[0004] GB 2 355 278 A discloses a sealing and guiding device for a movable vehicle side window, having a sealing device on the side adjacent to the window that can be controlled to provide first and second configurations with different sealing grades. The sealing device is defined by a hollow chamber with flexible walls that contact the glass. By controlling the air or gas pressure within the chamber, the configuration of the chamber can be altered, thereby changing the provided sealing grade. The sealing device forms a passage around a portion of the circumference of the window opening. The controller is associated with the window position and the operation of the vehicle's ignition system, and can also operate in response to rain or high-pressure water applied from the outside.

[0005] DE 39 29 182 A1 relates to a retaining device for a motor vehicle door. A shaped strip of plastic or rubber for retaining and sealing is held in a channel extending along the upper side of an upper window frame, which is held by a conventional vehicle door. The shaped strip defines a hollow chamber extending along the upper side of the window opening, which, together with a lip, forms a channel in which the upper edge of the window glass is disposed. A wall portion presses against the window glass in a sealing contact. The upper region of the shaped strip defines the hollow chamber. When the hollow chamber is at least partially evacuated, a gap is created for opening the door.

[0006] DE 41 19 704 A1 discloses a car door in which seals extending along the door armrest are supported on both the outer and inner walls of the armrest. These seals are constructed as hollow profiles and can be subjected to pressure and negative pressure via a device. When the window is fully or partially raised, compressed air is introduced into the seal, thereby causing the glass-side wall of the seal to adhere to the surface of the window glass in a waterproof and soundproof manner. Conversely, if the window is moved vertically, negative pressure is applied to the seal, causing the glass-side wall of the seal to retract from the window glass surface, thus enabling the window to move vertically effortlessly. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In this context, the object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus that can passively ventilate a motor vehicle even when the side windows are closed.

[0008] According to the present invention, this objective is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and an apparatus having the features of claim 9. The design and improvements of the invention are derived from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0009] The subject of this invention is a method for ventilating the interior of a parked motor vehicle, wherein the cross-section of the window seal of at least one side window of the motor vehicle is reduced such that a gap is formed between the window seal and the window glass, and at least one air inlet of the motor vehicle body located below at least one side window is opened, so that ambient air enters the interior of the motor vehicle through the at least one air inlet and exits the interior through the gap.

[0010] The method according to the invention is used for ventilating the interior of a parked motor vehicle. This means that the vehicle is not in motion, and the engine, and in particular the ventilation system or air conditioning system, is not running. The method according to the invention thus enables passive ventilation of the motor vehicle's interior without the use of a fan or blower. The method according to the invention generates an upward airflow through the motor vehicle via the natural "chimney effect," wherein the incoming air is heated within the interior and this effect is further enhanced by the heat flow.

[0011] In the method according to the invention, the cross-section of the window seal of at least one side window of the motor vehicle is reduced, thereby creating a gap between the window seal and the window glass of the side window.

[0012] The window seal has a cavity that can be filled or emptied. The cavity is filled with gas, typically air.

[0013] When the vehicle is in motion, the window seals of the side windows completely seal the upper edge of the side windows, and the internal pressure of the window seals is at least equivalent to / equal to the atmospheric pressure in the surrounding environment. However, the internal pressure can also be higher than the atmospheric pressure in the surrounding environment in order to press the seals more firmly against the side windows, and thus improve the sealing and sound insulation effects of the window seals.

[0014] In one embodiment of the method, the cross-section of the window seal is reduced by decreasing the volume of the cavity arranged in the window seal. In another embodiment of the method, the volume of the cavity is reduced by decreasing the internal pressure in the cavity.

[0015] In one embodiment of the method, a pump is used to evacuate the cavity. A negative pressure is generated in the cavity, and the window seal is compressed by atmospheric pressure.

[0016] In another embodiment of the method, the window seal is sized such that an overpressure must be generated in the cavity to cause the window seal to expand, thereby completely sealing the upper edge of the side glass. If the overpressure is released, the window seal contracts, creating a gap between the window seal and the side glass.

[0017] In conjunction with creating the gap, at least one air inlet located below at least one side window of the vehicle body is opened. As a result, ambient air can enter the interior of the vehicle through at least one air inlet and exit the interior through the gap.

[0018] In one embodiment of the method, at least one air inlet of the vehicle body is arranged in the bottom region of the vehicle. In another embodiment of the method, at least one air inlet of the vehicle body is arranged in the rear region of the vehicle.

[0019] In one embodiment of the method, at least one air inlet of the vehicle body has a ventilation butterfly valve or a ventilation grille with movable fins. Therefore, the air inlet can be opened and closed.

[0020] In one embodiment of the method, at least one air inlet of the vehicle body is electrically operated. For example, a ventilation butterfly valve or a slat of a ventilation grille can be moved by an electrically driven actuator.

[0021] The invention also relates to a device for ventilating the interior of a parked motor vehicle. The device includes at least one window seal disposed in the window frame of at least one side window of the motor vehicle, the cross-section of which can be changed by altering the air pressure in the cavity surrounded by the window seal. Furthermore, the device includes at least one air inlet disposed below at least one side window of the motor vehicle body.

[0022] In one embodiment, the device further includes means for changing the air pressure in the cavity surrounded by the window seal, such as a compressor or vacuum pump, and a valve for ventilating or exchanging the cavity.

[0023] In one embodiment, the device further includes means for opening and closing at least one air inlet of the vehicle body, such as an electrically driven actuator.

[0024] In one embodiment, the device further includes a controller configured to control means for changing air pressure and means for opening and closing at least one air inlet.

[0025] In one embodiment, the controller is configured to: open a gap between the window glass and the seal on one or more side windows, and open at least one air inlet when the vehicle is parked in a parking lot; and close the gap and air inlet again when the vehicle is running again. In another embodiment, the controller is connected to a rain sensor and configured to close the gap and air inlet during heavy rain.

[0026] The method and apparatus according to the invention are used to reduce the intense heat of a motor vehicle when parked in the sun. This results in a lower demand for air conditioning to cool the interior after the vehicle is started again, which is particularly advantageous in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) because it saves on battery charging and does not excessively reduce driving range. Even in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) or vehicles with internal combustion engines, the solution according to the invention can save energy and thus reduce fuel consumption.

[0027] Compared to opening the side windows, there is no risk of unauthorized entry into the vehicle's interior through the gaps. Furthermore, no water will seep into the interior during rain.

[0028] When a motor vehicle is parked in a parking lot, the method according to the invention can be executed automatically. During parking, no energy is required to ventilate the vehicle interior because an airflow through the vehicle interior is generated by heat flow.

[0029] Other advantages and design solutions of the present invention are derived from the specification and drawings.

[0030] It goes without saying that the features described above and those to be elaborated below can be used not only in combinations described separately, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The present invention is schematically illustrated in the accompanying drawings by means of embodiments and is further described with reference to the drawings. The drawings show:

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a vehicle side window with a seal whose internal pressure can be adjusted is shown.

[0033] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a motor vehicle having one embodiment of the ventilation device according to the present invention is shown.

[0034] List of reference numerals

[0035] 10 motor vehicles

[0036] 11 side windows

[0037] 12 window frames

[0038] 13 window seals

[0039] 14 gaps

[0040] 15 side windows

[0041] 16 Ventilation Butterfly Valve

[0042] 20 airflow Detailed Implementation

[0043] Figure 1 A vehicle side window 11 with a seal 13 is schematically shown, the internal pressure of which is adjustable. The seal 13 is arranged in a window frame 12. The seal 13 has a cavity, and the internal pressure of the seal 13 can be adjusted by a device (e.g., a pump) not shown in the figures.

[0044] The left side of the attached figure shows the side glass 11 at its upper end, i.e., the side glass when the side window is closed. The seal 13 has an internal pressure at least equivalent to the atmospheric pressure in the surrounding environment and completely seals the upper edge of the side glass 11. The internal pressure of the seal 13 may also be higher than the atmospheric pressure in the surrounding environment in order to press the seal 13 more forcefully against the side glass 11 and thereby improve the sealing and sound insulation effects of the seal 13.

[0045] The right side of the accompanying drawing shows the side glass 11, also located at its upper end, i.e., the side glass when the side window is closed. However, the internal pressure of the seal 13 is reduced relative to the atmospheric pressure of the surrounding environment, thereby causing the seal 13 to be compressed by atmospheric pressure. The seal 13 of the side glass 11 can be evacuated, for example, by a vacuum pump (not shown). By creating a gap 14 through which airflow 20 can flow between the interior and the surrounding environment, temperature equilibrium is achieved.

[0046] Figure 2A motor vehicle 10 is schematically shown with one embodiment of the ventilation device according to the invention in operation. The window glass 11 of the side window 15 is in its upper end position, thus the side window 15 is closed. The window seal 13 of the side glass 11 is evacuated, and an electrically operated interior ventilation device 16 (ventilation butterfly valve or ventilation grille) in the rear of the motor vehicle 10 is opened. Through the opened ventilation butterfly valve 16, airflow 20 can enter the motor vehicle 10 from the outside and exit the motor vehicle again through gap 14. Through the chimney effect enhanced by the hot air in the interior, the airflow 20 flows upward through the motor vehicle 10 and exhausts heat from the vehicle interior.

Claims

1. A method for ventilating the interior of a parked motor vehicle (10), wherein, The cross-section of the window seal (13) of at least one closed side window (15) of the motor vehicle (10) is reduced, so that a gap (14) is formed between the window seal (13) of the side window (15) and the window glass (11), and at least one air inlet (16) of the vehicle body arranged below at least one side window (15) is opened, so that ambient air enters the interior of the motor vehicle (10) through the at least one air inlet (16) and leaves the interior again through the gap (14).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The cross-section of the window seal (13) is reduced by decreasing the volume of the cavity arranged in the window seal (13).

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The volume of the cavity is reduced by lowering the internal pressure within the cavity.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, A pump is used to evacuate the cavity.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, At least one air inlet (16) of the vehicle body is arranged in the bottom area of ​​the vehicle (10).

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, At least one air inlet (16) of the vehicle body is arranged in the rear region of the vehicle (10).

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, At least one air inlet (16) of the vehicle body has a ventilation butterfly valve or a ventilation grille with movable fins.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, At least one air inlet (16) of the vehicle body is electrically operated.

9. A device for ventilating the interior of a parked motor vehicle (10), the device comprising: At least one window seal (13) disposed in the window frame (12) of at least one closed side window (15) of a motor vehicle (10), the cross section of which can be changed by changing the air pressure in the cavity surrounded by the window seal (13); And at least one air inlet (16) of the vehicle body (10) located below at least one side window (15).

10. The device according to claim 9, further comprising means for changing the air pressure in the cavity surrounded by the window seal (13), means for opening and closing the at least one air inlet (16) of the vehicle body (10), and a controller configured to control the means for changing the air pressure and the means for opening and closing the at least one air inlet (16).

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