Vehicle air extractor with deflector cover

Abstract

The invention provides a vehicle air extractor with a deflector cover. A vehicle air extractor has a housing configured to be located on a motor vehicle, the housing being in airflow communication with a cabin interior of the vehicle and defining an exhaust outlet. One or more flaps are disposed within the exhaust outlet and are movable between open positions that allow air to flow through the exhaust outlet. A closed position closes the exhaust outlet and prevents air flow through the exhaust outlet. The deflector cover is positioned to at least partially block free flow of air through the exhaust outlet to reduce flapping noise that may be generated by the one or more flaps.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle vent assemblies, and more particularly, to a vehicle air scoop that allows air to be expelled from the interior of a vehicle cabin and reduces slap noise. BACKGROUND

[0002] Motor vehicles are often equipped with one or more air scoops that operate as exhaust vents for expelling pressurized air from the interior of the vehicle cabin. The air scoops typically include a vent, such as a one-way vent having one or more flaps, for expelling air to the outside environment, such as when a door on the vehicle is closed, thereby reducing the air pressure in the vehicle cabin. The flaps can be prone to generating slap noise, particularly when the vehicle ventilation system is in a recirculation mode. It would be desirable to provide an air scoop that reduces the slap noise caused by the one or more flaps. SUMMARY

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle air scoop has a housing configured to be located on a motor vehicle, the housing being in airflow communication with the interior of a vehicle cabin of the vehicle and defining an exhaust outlet. One or more flaps are disposed within the exhaust outlet and are movable between an open position that allows air to flow through the exhaust outlet. A closed position shuts off the exhaust outlet and prevents air from flowing through the exhaust outlet. A deflector cap is positioned to at least partially block the free flow of air through the exhaust outlet to reduce the slap noise that can be generated by the one or more flaps.

[0004] Embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure can include any one or combination of the following features:

[0005] - the deflector cap is coupled to the housing;

[0006] - the deflector cap is located on an inner side face of the housing;

[0007] - the air deflector cap includes a planar portion;

[0008] - the air deflector cap includes a curved portion;

[0009] - the curved portion curves inwardly toward the housing;

[0010] - the air deflector cap is coupled to an outer portion of the housing;

[0011] - the air deflector cap forms a cup-shaped portion, wherein at least a portion of the one or more flaps can enter a space in the cup-shaped portion when in the open position;

[0012] - the one or more flaps include a plurality of flaps; and

[0013] - the one or more flaps are configured to hang from one or more pivot supports coupled to the housing.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the disclosure, a motor vehicle has a vehicle body defining a vehicle cabin interior, an opening providing fluid communication between the vehicle cabin interior and an outside environment, and a suction machine disposed in the opening. The suction machine has a housing in air flow communication with the vehicle cabin interior and defining an air flow exhaust outlet. One or more flaps are disposed within the air flow exhaust outlet and are movable between an open position that allows air flow through the air flow exhaust outlet. A closed position shuts off the air flow exhaust outlet and prevents air flow through the air flow exhaust outlet. A deflector cover is positioned to at least partially block air from freely flowing through the air flow exhaust outlet to reduce slap sounds that can be generated by the one or more flaps.

[0015] Embodiments of the second aspect of the disclosure can include any of the following features, in combination or in the alternative:

[0016] - the deflector cover is coupled to the housing;

[0017] - the deflector cover is located on an inner side face of the housing;

[0018] - the air deflector cover comprises a planar portion;

[0019] - the air deflector cover comprises a curved portion;

[0020] - the curved portion curves inwardly toward the housing;

[0021] - the air deflector cover is coupled to an outer portion of the housing;

[0022] - the air deflector cover forms a cup-shaped portion, wherein the one or more flaps can enter a space in the cup-shaped portion when in the open position;

[0023] - the one or more flaps comprise a plurality of flaps; and

[0024] - the one or more flaps are configured to hang from one or more pivot supports coupled to the housing.

[0025] These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] In the drawings:

[0027] Figure 1is a top view of a motor vehicle equipped with an air extractor according to one example;

[0028] Figure 2 is Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a motor vehicle shown in

[0029] Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of an outer side face of an air extractor according to one example;

[0030] Figure 3A is Figure 3 is a front view of an inner side face of an air extractor shown in

[0031] Figure 4 is a front perspective view of an inner side face of an air extractor having a deflector cover coupled to the inner side face of the air extractor according to a first embodiment;

[0032] Figure 4A is Figure 4 is a side view of an air extractor shown in

[0033] Figure 5 is a front perspective view of an inner side face of an air extractor having a curved deflector cover according to a second embodiment;

[0034] Figure 5A is Figure 5 is a side view of an air extractor shown in

[0035] Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of an outer side face of an air extractor having a cup-shaped deflector cover on the outer side face of the air extractor according to a third embodiment; and

[0036] Figure 6A is Figure 6 is a side view of an air extractor shown in DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In the drawings, the depicted structural elements are not drawn to scale and certain components are exaggerated relative to others for purposes of emphasis and understanding.

[0038] Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein for purposes of illustration, and not limitation. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely representative of the inventive concepts described herein, which can be implemented in various and alternative forms. The Figures are not necessarily to scale; some

[0039] For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the Figure 1 conceptual orientation of the described object as placed on the page. It is further understood that the concepts and specific embodiments disclosed herein can be

[0040] The presently illustrated embodiments are primarily directed to combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to vehicle air extractors and vehicles having air extractors. Therefore, apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Moreover, the same reference numerals are used in different instances of similar elements throughout the specification.

[0041] As used herein, the term "and / or," when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; a combination of A and B; a combination of A and C; a combination of B and C; or a combination of A, B, and C.

[0042] In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like can be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but can include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes the element.

[0043] As used herein, the term "about" means quantities, dimensions, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but can be approximated and / or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and other factors which are apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art. When the term "about" is used in reference to a value or range of values, the disclosure herein is understood to encompass both the specific value or endpoint recited and other values or endpoints that are reasonably close to the recited value or endpoint within a range of experimental error. Whether or not the end point of a numerical value or range of values is recited as "about", the end point of the numerical value or range of values is intended to include both embodiments in which the end point is modified by "about" and embodiments in which the end point is not modified by "about". It is further understood that each end point of a range is significant by itself and that the ranges are

[0044] The terms "substantial," "substantially," and variations thereof as used herein are intended to note that a described feature is equal or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a "substantially planar" surface is intended to denote a surface that is planar or approximately planar. Also, "substantially" is intended to denote that two values are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, "substantially" can denote values within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

[0045] As used herein, the term "said," "one," or "an" means "at least one" and should not be limited to "only one" unless explicitly indicated as such. Thus, for example, reference to "a member" includes embodiments having two or more such members unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0046] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2A wheeled automobile or motor vehicle 10 is generally shown having a vehicle body 12 that defines a vehicle cabin interior 14. The vehicle cabin interior 14 generally includes passenger seats and other facilities for transporting one or more occupants. The motor vehicle 10 shown and described herein is a wheeled motor vehicle having a plurality of wheels and tire assemblies 16, particularly four wheels and tire assemblies 16 mounted on an axis of the motor vehicle 10 in one example. The motor vehicle 10 has front and rear passenger doors 22 on both lateral sides of the vehicle body 12 that allow access to the passenger seats, and a rear end 18, such as a trunk or liftgate, at a rear end of the motor vehicle 10 that allows access to a rear end of the vehicle cabin interior 14. The motor vehicle 10 can be configured as a sedan, truck, SUV, van, bus, or other vehicle having a closable vehicle cabin interior.

[0047] The motor vehicle 10 includes one or more air extractors 20 that are operatively coupled to the vehicle cabin interior 14 for expelling pressurized air from within the vehicle cabin interior 14 to an outside environment. Pressurized air can be generated in the vehicle cabin interior 14 when a vehicle door is moved from an open position to a closed position to compress air in the vehicle cabin interior 14. Pressurized air can also be generated in the vehicle cabin interior 14 when air is introduced into the vehicle cabin interior 14 via a fan or other blower through a ventilation system, such as a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. To this end, air pressure within the vehicle cabin interior 14 can exceed atmospheric pressure in an outside environment of the motor vehicle 10.

[0048] Each air extractor 20 includes one or more flaps 22, and preferably a plurality of flaps 22. Each of the flaps 22 can be coupled to a pivot support 24, such as an elongated pin that can pivot within a receptacle on a top side thereof that extends generally along a horizontal pivot axis. To this end, the flaps 22 hang from each pivot support 24 due to gravity, and can rotate about the horizontal pivot axis between an open vent position and a closed vent position. According to one embodiment, the plurality of flaps 22 can be one-way air flow valves that open outwardly toward an outside lateral side due to a pressure differential when pressure inside the vehicle cabin interior 14 is greater than atmospheric pressure in the surrounding outside environment. The air extractor 20 allows a higher pressure air flow from the vehicle cabin interior 14 of the motor vehicle 10 to be expelled from the vehicle cabin interior 14 to the outside environment. The air extractor 20 can abut and contact a back support structure on a rear perimeter edge in the closed position, which prevents air flow in the opposite direction.

[0049] As Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown in the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the one or more air extractors 20 include two air extractors, one on each side at the rear end 18 of the motor vehicle 10. Each air extractor 20 can be located within an opening 25 in the body 12 of the motor vehicle 10 and can contact the back support structure in a closed position. The opening 25 is in fluid communication with the vehicle interior 14. It should be appreciated that any of the one or more air extractors 20 can be located in any position in fluid communication with the vehicle interior 14 to allow air, particularly pressurized air, to be extracted and expelled from within the vehicle interior 14 in the motor vehicle 10 to the outside environment.

[0050] Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 3A , the air extractor 20 is shown having a housing 28 generally shaped and sized to be inserted and mounted within the opening 25 in the body 12 of the motor vehicle 10 that is in fluid communication with the vehicle interior 14 on an inboard side and the outside environment on an outboard side. In the example shown, the housing 28 has a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners and a perimeter generally conforming to the shape and size of the opening 25. The housing 28 defines an air flow exhaust outlet 26 in fluid communication with the vehicle interior 14 and the outside environment. The one or more flaps 22 are coupled to the housing 28 within the air flow exhaust outlet 26. In the example shown, when the flaps 22 are in a closed position as seen from the outboard side in FIG. 2, the three flaps 22 are stacked one on top of the other to substantially fill and shut off the air flow exhaust outlet 26. Each of the flaps 22 is connected to the housing 28 via a pivot support 24, such as can be provided by a pivot pin that can rotate about a pivot axis provided on the opposite lateral side. To this end, each flap 22 is suspended from the pivot support 24 to a downward closed position due to gravity. When the air pressure within the vehicle interior 14 exceeds the air pressure in the outside environment, each flap 22 can be forced by the pressurized air to swing outward toward the outboard side to an open position to allow air flow to flow and be expelled from within the vehicle interior 14 to the outside environment. Figure 3 In

[0051] , the inboard side of the air extractor 20 is shown with the air deflector cover 40 removed. The inboard side is generally the side facing the interior of the vehicle interior 14 of the motor vehicle 10. A plurality of vertical slats 30 are shown arranged in the inboard side of the air extractor 20 and connected in-line to the housing 28 that help to direct the air flow in the air flow through the exhaust outlet 26 in the air extractor 20. Figure 3A

[0052] Referring to Figure 4 and Figure 4A ​According to the first embodiment, the exhaust fan 20 is shown having a deflector cover 40 connected to the inner side of the housing 28. In this embodiment, the deflector cover 40 has a planar portion extending along a portion of the inner side of the exhaust fan 20. In one example, the deflector cover 40 extends over at least fifty percent (50%) of the inner side of the exhaust fan. The deflector cover 40 is positioned to at least partially block air from flowing freely in the form of an airflow across the entire airflow exhaust outlet 26 under increased back pressure, in order to reduce the slapping noise generated by one or more vanes 22. It should be understood that slapping noise may be generated in other ways, particularly when the air ventilation system of the motor vehicle 10 is in recirculation mode, which may cause the air pressure inside the passenger compartment 14 to be substantially equal to that of the external environment, allowing the vanes 22 to move by oscillation and contact structures such as back support structures. The deflector cover 40 helps to reduce the pivoting movement of one or more vanes 22, and thus reduces the slapping noise that might otherwise be generated. In the example shown, the deflector cover 40 is attached to the lower portion of the housing 28 on the inner side of the extractor 20. However, it should be understood that the deflector cover 40 may be attached to other portions of the housing 28 and may extend over a larger or smaller area of ​​the airflow exhaust outlet 26.

[0053] refer to Figure 5 and Figure 5A According to a second embodiment, the vacuum pump 20 is shown with a deflector cover 40A. In this embodiment, the deflector cover 40A has a curved portion that bends inward toward the vertical slat 30 above at least a portion of the airflow exhaust outlet 26 on the inner side surface of the vacuum pump 20 to at least partially obstruct the free flow of air through the airflow exhaust outlet 26. The air deflector cover 40A may be attached to a lower portion of the housing 28 and may be curved along a curvature to a position immediately adjacent to or in contact with the vertical slat 30. According to one example, the air deflector cover 40A may extend over at least fifty percent (50%) of the inner side surface of the vacuum pump 20. The air deflector cover 40A may extend over a larger or smaller area to at least partially obstruct the free flow of air in the airflow through the airflow exhaust outlet 26.

[0054] refer to Figure 6 and Figure 6AAccording to a third embodiment, the vacuum pump 20 is shown as having a deflector cover 40B connected to the inner side surface of the housing 28. The deflector cover 40B has a generally cup-shaped member defining an outwardly extending wall 50 connected to sidewalls 52 and 54 on opposite lateral sides. The deflector cover 40B has a slightly rectangular cup-shaped recess defining a space 56 defined by the outer side surfaces of the walls 50, 52, 54 and at least a portion of the "wingplate 22" (particularly the lower portion of the wingplate 22). For this purpose, the cup-shaped air deflector cover 40B at least partially obstructs airflow in the airflow through the airflow exhaust outlet 26, thereby reducing slapping noise.

[0055] Therefore, a vehicle air extractor 20 is provided for a motor vehicle 10 to extract air, such as pressurized air, from the interior of the passenger compartment 14 in a manner that reduces or minimizes slapping noise. The air extractor 20 includes a deflector cover 40, 40A, or 40B that at least partially obstructs the free flow of air through the airflow opening in the airflow, thereby reducing slapping noise that might otherwise be generated by one or more vanes 22.

[0056] It should be understood that changes and modifications may be made to the foregoing structures without departing from the concept of this disclosure, and it should be further understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by these claims unless otherwise expressly stated in the language of the appended claims.

[0057] According to the present invention, a vehicle exhaust fan is provided, comprising: a housing configured to be located on a motor vehicle, the housing being in airflow communication with the interior air of the vehicle compartment and defining an exhaust outlet; one or more winglets disposed within the exhaust outlet and movable between an open position allowing airflow through the exhaust outlet and a closed position closing the exhaust outlet and preventing airflow through the exhaust outlet; and a deflector cover positioned to at least partially block free flow of air through the exhaust outlet to reduce slapping noise that may be generated by the one or more winglets.

[0058] According to an embodiment, the deflector cover is connected to the housing.

[0059] According to an embodiment, the deflector cover is located on the inner side of the housing.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the air deflector cover includes a planar portion.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the air deflector cover includes a curved portion.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the bent portion bends inward toward the housing.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the air deflector cover is attached to the outer portion of the housing.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the air deflector cover forms a cup-shaped portion, wherein when in the open position, at least a portion of the one or more winglets can enter the space within the cup-shaped portion.

[0065] According to an embodiment, the one or more winglets include a plurality of winglets.

[0066] According to an embodiment, the one or more winglets are configured to be suspended on one or more pivot supports connected to the housing.

[0067] According to the present invention, a motor vehicle is provided, comprising: a body defining a passenger compartment interior; an opening providing fluid communication between the passenger compartment interior and an external environment; and an exhaust fan disposed in the opening, the exhaust fan comprising: a housing in airflow communication with the passenger compartment interior and defining an airflow exhaust outlet; one or more winglets disposed within the airflow exhaust outlet and movable between an open position allowing airflow through the airflow exhaust outlet and a closed position closing the airflow exhaust outlet and preventing airflow through the airflow exhaust outlet; and a deflector cover positioned to at least partially block free airflow through the airflow exhaust outlet to reduce slapping noise that may be generated by the one or more winglets.

[0068] According to an embodiment, the deflector cover is connected to the housing.

[0069] According to an embodiment, the deflector cover is located on the inner side of the housing.

[0070] According to an embodiment, the air deflector cover includes a planar portion.

[0071] According to an embodiment, the air deflector cover includes a curved portion.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the bent portion bends inward toward the housing.

[0073] According to an embodiment, the air deflector cover is attached to the outer portion of the housing.

[0074] According to an embodiment, the air deflector cover forms a cup-shaped portion, wherein when in the open position, the one or more winglets can enter the space within the cup-shaped portion.

[0075] According to an embodiment, the one or more winglets include a plurality of winglets.

[0076] According to an embodiment, the one or more winglets are configured to be suspended on one or more pivot supports connected to the housing.

Claims

1. A vehicle exhaust fan, comprising: A housing configured to be located on a motor vehicle, the housing being in airflow communication with the interior of the vehicle's passenger compartment and defining an exhaust outlet; One or more winglets are disposed within the exhaust outlet and are movable between an open position that allows air to flow through the exhaust outlet and a closed position that closes the exhaust outlet and prevents air from flowing through the exhaust outlet; as well as A deflector cover, positioned to at least partially block the free flow of air through the exhaust outlet, in order to reduce the flapping noise that can be generated by the one or more winglets.

2. The vehicle air extractor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deflector cover is connected to the housing.

3. The vehicle air extractor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the deflector cover is located on the inner side of the housing.

4. The vehicle air extractor as claimed in claim 3, wherein the air deflector cover includes a planar portion.

5. The vehicle air extractor as claimed in claim 3, wherein the air deflector cover includes a curved portion.

6. The vehicle vacuum pump of claim 5, wherein the curved portion is bent inward toward the housing.

7. The vehicle air extractor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the air deflector cover is connected to the outer portion of the housing.

8. The vehicle air extractor of claim 7, wherein the air deflector cover forms a cup-shaped portion, wherein when in the open position, at least a portion of the one or more vanes can enter the space in the cup-shaped portion.

9. The vehicle air extractor of claim 1, wherein the one or more winglets comprise a plurality of winglets.

10. The vehicle air extractor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the one or more blades are configured to be suspended on one or more pivot supports coupled to the housing.

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