Pressure release assembly

Abstract

The utility model provides a pressure release assembly. The pressure release assembly comprises a shell, at least one turning piece and at least one set of connecting elements. The housing defines at least one air passage. The at least one turning piece is used for closing the corresponding at least one air channel. The at least one set of connecting elements is arranged on the shell and used for connecting the corresponding at least one turning piece to the shell. Each group of connecting elements in the at least one group of connecting elements comprises a plurality of connecting elements, the plurality of connecting elements are arranged along the first direction of the shell and extend outwards from the shell, and the plurality of connecting elements form an arc shape in the arrangement direction of the plurality of connecting elements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a pressure relief assembly, and more particularly to a pressure relief assembly for releasing air pressure inside a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] The interior cabin of a vehicle often includes cabin vents or pressure relief devices. Without such devices, the air pressure inside the vehicle cabin could injure the eardrums of the occupants. For example, when closing a door, the air pressure inside the vehicle needs to be released or the door will not close. Additionally, if an airbag is activated in a vehicle without vents or pressure relief devices, the occupants' eardrums could be injured.

[0003] Pressure relief devices are often hidden from view. For example, they can be found in the trunk or on the vehicle body frame pillar structure. Each pressure relief device is adapted to allow air to escape from the enclosed structure while also preventing significant amounts of air, dust, water or other contaminants from entering the enclosed area. Thus, pressure relief devices are essentially one-way or one-way check valves and are configured to maintain a small amount of back pressure according to customer specifications. Utility Model Content

[0004] The present application provides a pressure release assembly, which can communicate with the interior and exterior of a vehicle to release the air pressure inside the vehicle to the exterior of the vehicle.

[0005] The pressure release assembly according to the present application comprises a housing, at least one flap and at least one group of connecting elements. The housing defines at least one air passage. The at least one flap is used to close the corresponding at least one air passage. The at least one group of connecting elements is arranged on the housing and is used to connect the corresponding at least one flap to the housing. Each group of connecting elements in the at least one group of connecting elements comprises a plurality of connecting elements, the plurality of connecting elements are arranged along a first direction of the housing, each connecting element extends outward from the housing, and the plurality of connecting elements form an arc in their arrangement direction.

[0006] In the pressure release assembly as described above, the at least one flap is capable of rotating around the corresponding at least one group of connecting elements in a direction away from the corresponding at least one air channel to open the corresponding at least one air channel, wherein the at least one group of connecting elements is constructed so that when the at least one flap is rotated to at least partially open the corresponding at least one air channel, the at least one flap is arc-shaped.

[0007] In the pressure release assembly as described above, the arc has an arc top, and the arc top is located in the middle of the arc in the arrangement direction of the multiple connecting elements.

[0008] In the pressure release assembly as described above, the arc has an arc end, and the height difference between the arc top and the arc end does not exceed two-thirds of the height of the corresponding at least one flap.

[0009] In the pressure release assembly as described above, the shell includes a length direction, a height direction and a thickness direction, and the first direction is the length direction of the shell. Each of the at least one air channel extends along the length direction of the shell, and the at least one air channel is distributed along the height direction of the shell, wherein each of the at least one air channel includes an upper frame, and the upper frame includes an outer surface. Each of the plurality of connecting elements extends outward from the outer surface along the thickness direction of the shell, and forms an arc shape that is concave upward or downward in the height direction of the shell.

[0010] As described above, the multiple connecting elements in each group of connecting elements include at least one first connecting element and at least two second connecting elements, the at least one first connecting element is located in the middle of the shell in the length direction to form the arc-shaped top, and the at least two second connecting elements are distributed on both sides of the at least one first connecting element in the length direction of the shell.

[0011] In the pressure release assembly as described above, the at least one flap can rotate around the corresponding at least one group of connecting elements to have a closed position, a middle position and an open position.

[0012] In the pressure relief assembly as described above, when the at least one flap is in the closed position, the at least one flap covers and closes the corresponding at least one air passage. The at least one set of connecting elements is configured such that when the corresponding at least one flap is in the closed position, the corresponding at least one flap is substantially flat.

[0013] In the pressure release assembly as described above, when the at least one flap is in the open position, the outer surface of the at least one flap abuts against the lower surface of the corresponding plurality of connecting elements. The at least one group of connecting elements is configured such that when a corresponding one of the at least one flap is in the open position, the corresponding at least one flap presents an arc shape.

[0014] In the pressure release assembly as described above, when the at least one flap is located in the intermediate position, the at least one flap is between the closed position and the open position. The at least one group of connecting elements is configured such that when the corresponding at least one flap is located in the intermediate position, the corresponding at least one flap forms an arc. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments according to the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 is a stereoscopic view of a pressure relief assembly according to one embodiment of the present application.

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the housing of the pressure relief assembly in FIG.

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Rear view of the housing of the pressure relief assembly.

[0019] Figure 4 is along Figure 3 Cross-section view of line AA in .

[0020] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the flap of the pressure relief assembly in FIG.

[0021] Fig. 6A yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the flap of the pressure relief assembly in the closed position.

[0022] Figure 6B yes Figure 1 A partial rear perspective view of the pressure relief assembly with the flap in the middle position.

[0023] Figure 6C Figure 1 A partial rear perspective view of the pressure relief assembly with the flap in the open position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] It should be understood that if terms indicating directions are used in the present application, such as "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., to describe various example structural parts and elements of the present application, these terms are used here only for the purpose of convenience of description and are determined based on the example orientations shown in the drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in the present application can be arranged in different directions, these terms indicating directions are only used as illustrations and should not be regarded as limitations.

[0025] Various specific embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings which constitute a part of this specification. It should be understood that, where possible, the same or similar reference numerals used in this application refer to the same components.

[0026] Figure 1A perspective view of a pressure relief assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present application is shown, and the pressure relief assembly 100 includes a housing 101 and a flap 102. The housing 101 has a front side and a rear side. When the pressure relief assembly 100 is installed in a vehicle, the front side of the housing 101 faces the inside of the vehicle, and the rear side faces the outside of the vehicle. The flap 102 is connected to the housing 101 at the rear side of the housing. Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows the flap 102 in a closed position, in which the flap 102 covers and closes the air passage 210 on the housing 101 ( Figure 2 210 to prevent the vehicle interior from communicating with the vehicle exterior, thereby preventing debris or liquid from entering the vehicle interior through the air passage 210. When air pressure is released from the vehicle interior, the air inside the vehicle pushes the flap 102 outward, thereby opening or partially opening the flap 102, so that the air passage 210 communicates with the vehicle interior and the exterior, and the air inside the vehicle is discharged to the vehicle exterior through the air passage 210. Figure 1 1 shows that four flaps 102 are connected to the housing 101, which are used to close or open four air passages 210 on the housing 101. In other embodiments, different numbers of flaps 102 may be provided to cooperate with different numbers of air passages 210.

[0027] Figures 2 to 4 Show Figure 1 The overall structure of the housing 101 of the pressure release assembly 100. Figure 2 The housing 101 is shown in a perspective view as viewed from the rear side. Figure 3 A rear view of the housing 101 is shown. Figure 4 The housing 101 is along Figure 3 Sectional view along line AA.

[0028] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the rear side of the housing 101 has a ventilation chamber 205, and the ventilation chamber 205 is connected by the top wall 201 and the bottom wall 203 (see Figure 4 ), and the opposite side walls 202. The housing 101 includes a length direction, a height direction, and a thickness direction. The two side walls 202 are opposite to each other in the length direction of the housing 101, the top wall 201 and the bottom wall 203 are opposite to each other in the height direction of the housing 101, and the two opposite sides of the housing 101 in the thickness direction are the front side and the rear side of the housing 101.

[0029] The figure shows that four air channels 210 are arranged in the housing 101. The four air channels 210 are distributed along the height direction of the housing 101. Each air channel 210 extends between the two side walls 202 along the length direction of the housing 101. Each air channel 210 includes a respective frame 211. The frame 211 of the air channel 210 closest to the top wall 201 is connected to the top wall 201, the frame 211 of the air channel 210 closest to the bottom wall 203 is connected to the bottom wall 203, and the frames 211 of adjacent air channels 210 are connected to each other. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the four frames 211 are arranged in a stepped manner. Each frame 211 includes an upper frame 213, which extends a distance in the height direction of the housing 101, thereby having an outer surface 314 facing the outside of the vehicle. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 3 , the outer surface 314 has an arc-shaped lower edge that is concave upward in the middle.

[0030] Each outer surface 314 is provided with a first protrusion 220 and a plurality of second protrusions 230 extending outward from the outer surface 314 along the thickness direction of the housing 101, which are used to fix the corresponding flap 102 to the housing 101. The arrangement and structure of the first protrusion 220 and the second protrusion 230 on each outer surface 314 are the same. For the convenience of description, Figure 3 Taking the first protrusion 220 and the second protrusion 230 on the uppermost outer surface 314 as an example, the arrangement and structure of the first protrusion 220 and the plurality of second protrusions 230 are described.

[0031] The first protrusion 220 and the plurality of second protrusions 230 are arranged on the outer surface 314 along the length direction of the housing 101 and are arranged to form an arc. The first protrusion 220 is located in the middle of the outer surface 314 in the length direction of the housing 101, and the plurality of second protrusions 230 are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the first protrusion 220 relative to the first protrusion 220. In the height direction of the housing 101, the first protrusion 220 is arranged at the highest position relative to the plurality of second protrusions 230, and the plurality of second protrusions 230 distributed on either side of the first protrusion 220 are all located below the first protrusion 220. Figure 3 and Figure 4As further shown in the figure, the plurality of second convex pieces 230 on either side of the first convex piece 220 include second convex pieces 230a, 230b and 230c, and the second convex pieces 230a, 230b and 230c are successively farther from the first convex piece 220 in the length direction of the housing 101 and successively closer to the edge of the housing 101, and are successively farther from the first convex piece 220 in the height direction of the housing 101 and successively have lower positions. Thus, the first convex piece 220 and the plurality of second convex pieces 230 arranged on the outer surface 314 form an arc with a concave middle portion, and the first convex piece 220 forms the top of the arc, which is located at the highest point of the arc. In the height direction of the housing 101, the distance (height difference) between the first convex piece 220 and the second convex piece 230c at the edge does not exceed two thirds of the height of the corresponding flap 102. That is, in the height direction of the housing 101, the distance (height difference) between the arc top and the arc end of the arc formed by the first protrusion 220 and the plurality of second protrusions 230 does not exceed two thirds of the height of the corresponding flap 102. This distance (height difference) enables the flap 102 to rotate at a sufficiently large angle to fully open the corresponding air channel 210, so as to fully realize the release of the air pressure inside the vehicle. In other embodiments, the first protrusion 220 and the plurality of second protrusions 230 provided on the outer surface 314 are arranged to form an arc with a downward depression in the middle, and the first protrusion 220 forms the top of the arc, which is located at the lowest point of the arc. In other embodiments, the number of the first protrusion 220 is more than one, for example, two. The number of the second protrusions 230 shown in the figure is exemplary, and in other embodiments, different numbers of second protrusions 230 may be provided. Although in the embodiment shown in the figures, the plurality of second protrusions 230 are symmetrically distributed relative to the first protrusion 220 , in other embodiments, the plurality of second protrusions 230 may be arranged to be asymmetrically distributed relative to the first protrusion 220 .

[0032] The second protrusions 230a, 230b and 230c have the same configuration. Figure 2 The second protrusion 230a is taken as an example to illustrate the structure of the second protrusions 230a, 230b and 230c. Figure 2, in the embodiment of the present application, the first protrusion 220 has a finger-shaped structure, and the second protrusion 230a has an arrow-shaped or umbrella-shaped structure. In other embodiments, the first protrusion 220 may have the same arrow-shaped or umbrella-shaped structure as the second protrusion 230a. The first protrusion 220 has a lower surface 221, and the second protrusions 230a, 230b and 230c have a lower surface 231. When the flap 102 is in the closed position, the lower surface 221 of the first protrusion 220 and the lower surface 231 of the second protrusions 230a, 230b and 230c do not contact the flap 102, but are angled. When the flap 102 is in any intermediate position between the closed position and the open position, the angle between the lower surface 221 of the first protrusion 220 and the lower surface 231 of the second protrusion 230 and the flap 102 is reduced. When the flap 102 is in the open position, the lower surface 221 of the first protrusion 220 and the lower surfaces 231 of the second protrusions 230a, 230b and 230c contact the flap 102. It should be understood that the configurations of the first protrusion and the second protrusion shown in the embodiment of the present application are exemplary, and in other embodiments, first protrusions and second protrusions of other configurations may be provided to connect the flap 102 to the housing 101.

[0033] Figure 5 Show Figure 1 The flap 102 in the pressure relief assembly 100 is a perspective view. The flap 102 can be made of a flexible thermoplastic elastomer such as polypropylene, Lexan TM , or The flap 102 is formed of rubber (e.g., EPDM) and the like. The shape of the flap 102 matches the corresponding air channel 210, so that when the flap 102 is in the closed position, the flap 102 can cover to close the corresponding air channel 210. The flap 102 has an outer surface 501, and when the flap 501 covers to close the corresponding air channel 210, the outer surface 501 of the flap 102 faces the outside of the vehicle. The top of the flap 102 is provided with a first slot 511 and a plurality of second slots 521 arranged along the length direction of the flap 102, respectively corresponding to the first protrusion 220 and the plurality of second protrusions 230 on the upper frame 213 of the corresponding air channel 210. Therefore, the first slot 511 is located in the middle of the length direction of the flap 102, and relative to the plurality of second slots 521, is located at the highest point in the height direction of the flap 102. In addition, the plurality of second slots 521 are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the first slot 511, and the first slot 511 and the plurality of second slots 521 form an arc that is concave upward, and the first slot 511 is located at the top of the arc. In other embodiments, when the first protrusion 220 and the plurality of second protrusions 230 have different settings, the first slot 511 and the second slot 521 have different settings accordingly. The size and shape of the first slot 511 enable the first protrusion 220 to be inserted and retained therein, and the size and shape of the second slot 521 enable the second protrusion 230 to be inserted and retained therein. When the first protrusion 220 and the plurality of second protrusions 230 on the outer surface 314 of the upper frame 213 of an air channel 210 are inserted into the first slot 511 and the plurality of second slots 521 of the corresponding flap 102, the flap 102 is connected and fixed to the housing 101. When the first protrusion 220 and the second protrusions 230 are respectively inserted into the first slot 511 and the second slots 521 , the flap 102 can rotate around the first protrusion 220 and the second protrusions 230 away from or toward the corresponding air channel 210 to open or close the corresponding air channel 210 .

[0034] Fig. 6A The movement of the flap 102 from the closed position to the open position is shown. Fig. 6A yes Figure 1 2 is a cross-sectional view of the flap 102 of the pressure relief assembly 100 in the closed position, the cross section passing through the first protrusion 220. Figure 6B It is a partial rear perspective view of the flap 102 in an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position (only the top air channel and the flap are shown). Figure 6C It is a partial rear perspective view of the flap 102 in the open position (only the top air channel and flap are shown).

[0035] like Fig. 6AAs shown, when the flap 102 is in the closed position, the flap 102 covers and closes the air passage 210. At this time, the outer surface 501 of the flap 102 faces the outside of the vehicle, the flap 102 is substantially flat, and the outer surface 501 of the flap 102 forms a maximum angle with the lower surface 221 of the first protrusion 220 and the lower surfaces 231 of the plurality of second protrusions 230.

[0036] When the air pressure is released from the interior of the vehicle, the air inside the vehicle flows toward the exterior of the vehicle through the opening 212 in the air passage 210, pushing the flap 102 outward, causing the flap 102 to rotate upward around the first protrusion 220 and the plurality of second protrusions 230. During the process of the flap 102 rotating upward from the closed position, the outer surface 501 of the flap 102 gradually approaches the lower surface 221 of the first protrusion 220 and the lower surface 231 of the plurality of second protrusions 230, causing the angle between the outer surface 501 of the flap 102 and the lower surface 221 of the first protrusion 220 and the lower surface 231 of the plurality of second protrusions 230 to gradually decrease. When the flap 102 rotates upward around the first protrusion 220 and the second protrusions 230 to leave the closed position, the flap 102 is curved under the action of the arc-shaped first protrusion 220 and the second protrusions 230, and as the rotation angle of the flap 102 increases, the curvature of the arc presented by the flap 102 gradually increases. Fig. 6A It is shown that the flap 102 rotates to reach an intermediate position, at which time the flap 102 is partially opened to partially expose the air channel 210 , and the flap 102 is curved under the action of the first protrusion 220 and the plurality of second protrusions 230 .

[0037] When the flap 102 continues to rotate to Figure 6C The flap 102 reaches the open position. At this time, the outer surface 501 of the flap 102 is in contact with the lower surface 221 of the first convex piece 220 and the lower surfaces 231 of the second convex pieces 230, the flap 102 reaches the maximum rotation angle, the air channel 210 is exposed to the maximum extent, and the pressure release assembly 100 provides the maximum pressure release capability. When the flap 102 rotates to the open position, the flap 102 is still deformed under the action of the first convex piece 220 and the second convex pieces 230, and thus still presents an arc shape.

[0038] In the pressure release assembly 100 according to the present application, the protrusions 220 and 230 on the housing 101 for fixing the flap 102 to the housing 101 are configured to be arc-shaped along their arrangement direction. The arc-shaped arrangement of the protrusions 220 and 230 is conducive to preventing the flap 102 from rotating toward its closed position when it is flipped open or partially flipped open, and the greater the angle of the flap 102 being flipped open, the greater the force applied to the flap 102 by the arc-shaped arrangement of the protrusions 220 and 230 to prevent the flap 102 from rotating toward the closed position. Therefore, the arc-shaped arrangement of the protrusions 220 and 230 is conducive to stability when the flap 102 is flipped open or partially flipped open, so that the flap 102 can be maintained in the fully flipped open position or any intermediate position of the partially flipped open position, reducing or avoiding the shaking of the flap 102, thereby reducing or avoiding the noise generated by the shaking of the flap 102. Furthermore, since the flap 102 has less or no vibration when it is opened or partially opened, the airflow velocity through the air channel 210 is stable, which is conducive to stabilizing the air volume released from the pressure release assembly 100 .

[0039] The arc-shaped arrangement of the protrusions 220 and 230 applies a force to the flap 102 that hinders the flap 102 from rotating toward the closed position, thereby slowing down the speed at which the flap 102 rotates from the open or partially open position back to the closed position, thereby reducing the force applied to the frame 211 of the air channel 210 when the flap 102 hits the frame 211 of the air channel 210 at the moment of closing, thereby reducing or avoiding the closing noise of the flap 102.

[0040] The flap 102 has a certain hardness, so it is not easy to deform over a small length. The arc-shaped arrangement of the protruding pieces 220 and 230 allows the flap 102 to deform over the entire length of the flap 102 when it is opened or partially opened. This allows the flap 102 to deform under the action of the protruding pieces 220 and 230 when it is opened or partially opened, so that the flap 102 can have stability when it is opened or partially opened, reduce or avoid shaking noise, and reduce or avoid closing noise at the moment of closing.

[0041] Although the present disclosure has been described in conjunction with the examples of the embodiments summarized above, various alternatives, modifications, changes, improvements and / or substantially equivalent solutions, whether known or currently or foreseeable in the near future, may be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. In addition, the technical effects and / or technical problems described in this specification are exemplary rather than restrictive; so the disclosure in this specification may be used to solve other technical problems and have other technical effects and / or may solve other technical problems. Therefore, the examples of the embodiments of the present disclosure as stated above are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to include all known or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, changes, improvements and / or substantially equivalent solutions.

Claims

1. A pressure relief assembly, characterized in that include: A housing (101), wherein the housing (101) defines at least one air passage (210); at least one flap (102), the at least one flap (102) being used to close the corresponding at least one air channel (210); and At least one group of connecting elements, the at least one group of connecting elements being arranged on the shell (101) and used for connecting the corresponding at least one flap (102) to the shell (101), each group of connecting elements in the at least one group of connecting elements comprising a plurality of connecting elements (220, 230), the plurality of connecting elements (220, 230) being arranged along a first direction of the shell (101), and each connecting element (220, 230) extending outward from the shell (101), and the plurality of connecting elements (220, 230) forming an arc in their arrangement direction.

2. The pressure relief assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least one flap (102) is capable of rotating around the corresponding at least one group of connecting elements in a direction away from the corresponding at least one air channel (210) to open the corresponding at least one air channel (210), wherein the at least one group of connecting elements is constructed so that when the at least one flap (102) rotates to at least partially open the corresponding at least one air channel (210), the at least one flap (102) is arc-shaped.

3. The pressure relief assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The arc has an arc top, and the arc top is located in the middle of the arc in the arrangement direction of the plurality of connecting elements (220, 230).

4. The pressure relief assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that The arc has an arc end, and the height difference between the arc top and the arc end does not exceed two-thirds of the height of the corresponding at least one flap (102).

5. The pressure relief assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that The shell (101) comprises a length direction, a height direction and a thickness direction, wherein the first direction is the length direction of the shell (101); Each of the at least one air channel (210) extends along the length direction of the shell (101), and the at least one air channel (210) is distributed along the height direction of the shell (101), wherein each of the at least one air channel (210) comprises an upper frame (213), and the upper frame (213) comprises an outer surface (314); and The plurality of connection elements (220, 230) each extend outward from the outer surface (314) along the thickness direction of the shell (101), and form an arc shape that is recessed upward or downward in the height direction of the shell (101).

6. The pressure relief assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that The multiple connecting elements (220, 230) in each group of connecting elements include at least one first connecting element (220) and at least two second connecting elements (230), wherein the at least one first connecting element (220) is located in the middle in the length direction of the shell (101) to form the arc-shaped top, and the at least two second connecting elements (230) are distributed on both sides of the at least one first connecting element (220) in the length direction of the shell (101).

7. The pressure relief assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that The at least one flap (102) is capable of rotating around the corresponding at least one set of connecting elements to have a closed position, a middle position and an open position.

8. The pressure relief assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that When the at least one flap (102) is in the closed position, the at least one flap (102) covers and closes the corresponding at least one air channel (210); Wherein, the at least one set of connecting elements is configured such that, when the corresponding at least one flap (102) is in the closed position, the corresponding at least one flap (102) is substantially flat.

9. The pressure relief assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: When the at least one flap (102) is located at the open position, the outer surface (501) of the at least one flap (102) abuts against the lower surfaces (221, 231) of the corresponding plurality of connecting elements (220, 230); Wherein, the at least one group of connecting elements is constructed so that, when a corresponding one of the at least one flap (102) is in the open position, the corresponding at least one flap (102) presents an arc shape.

10. The pressure relief assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that When the at least one flap (102) is located at the intermediate position, the at least one flap (102) is between the closed position and the open position; The at least one group of connecting elements is configured such that, when the corresponding at least one flap (102) is located at the middle position, the corresponding at least one flap (102) presents an arc shape.

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