Water drainage arrangement in the convertible top compartment of a convertible vehicle
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG
- Filing Date
- 2017-01-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-23
AI Technical Summary
Convertible vehicles experience disruptive high-frequency noise emissions from the internal combustion engine through water drainage openings, which can penetrate the vehicle interior, and there is a need for effective noise reduction and gas-tightness.
A water drainage arrangement with a pivotable closure flap in the drainage valve that automatically opens only when a predefined water column pressure is reached, ensuring soundproof and gas-tight closure most of the time, reducing noise emissions by preventing high-frequency sounds from entering the vehicle interior.
The solution effectively reduces noise levels in the vehicle interior by blocking disruptive noise emissions and maintains gas-tightness, enhancing occupant comfort.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a water drainage arrangement in a top compartment of a convertible vehicle, at least one water drainage opening being formed within the top compartment, through which water can flow out of the top compartment into the environment.
[0002] Constructive measures that enable effective water drainage management play a very important role, especially in convertible vehicles. In this context, it is known, for example, to provide one or more water drainage openings in a convertible top compartment, in which the convertible top is accommodated in an open position, through which the water can flow out into the environment. In the case of convertible vehicles in which the drive of the vehicle is located at the rear of the vehicle or - in the case of mid-engine vehicles - essentially in the middle of the vehicle, high-frequency noise emissions can occur, particularly at higher speeds of the drive, which can penetrate the at least one water drainage opening into the convertible top compartment and can spread into the vehicle interior. Under certain circumstances, these noise emissions can have a disruptive effect on the impression of comfort for the vehicle occupants. Sometimes there is also a requirement for gas tightness.
[0003] A water drainage arrangement for a sliding roof is known from US 2016 / 0229272 A1, in which a flap is fastened in an opening of a cover by means of a retaining tab. In an open position, the flap extends in the vertical direction. Depending on the prevailing pressure conditions, the flap can be moved to a closed position in which it can close the water outlet.
[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a water drainage arrangement of the type mentioned at the outset, by means of which the transmission of noise emissions from the internal combustion engine of the convertible vehicle into the vehicle interior can be effectively reduced and gas-tightness can preferably be achieved.
[0005] The solution to this problem is provided by a water drainage arrangement of the type mentioned at the beginning with the features of the characterizing part of claim 1. The dependent claims relate to advantageous developments of the invention.
[0006] A water drainage arrangement according to the invention is characterized in that the water drainage arrangement has at least one water drainage valve which is arranged in the water drainage opening and has a valve body which has a water receiving space into which water can flow and a water outlet opening through which water can flow out of the water receiving space. comprises, wherein the water drain valve has a pivotable closure flap, by means of which the water outlet opening can be closed and which is designed in such a way that in a closed position it can close the water outlet opening in a soundproof and preferably gas-tight manner and can be closed by a pressure of a water column with a defined height that acts on it formed by the water flowing into the water receiving space and accumulating therein, can open automatically. The invention is based on the idea of closing the water outlet opening of the water drain valve in a soundproof and preferably gas-tight manner most of the time by means of the closure flap. The closure flap is designed in such a way that it can only open automatically when the pressure of a certain predefined height of a water column inside the water-receiving space acts on it. After opening the shutter, the water can flow out into the environment. The flap then closes again automatically. In other words, the closure flap of the water drainage arrangement according to the invention is not opened whenever water is applied that flows into the water receiving space, but only when the water column has a defined height, so that the water pressure is sufficient to open the closure flap. The closure flap thus remains closed most of the time and only opens when the pressure of the water column is sufficiently high. If the water outlet opening of the water drain valve is closed soundproof and preferably gas-tight by means of the closing flap, the propagation of disruptive, high-frequency noise emissions, which can occur, among other things, at higher speeds of a drive arranged in the rear of the vehicle or essentially in the middle of the vehicle, such as an internal combustion engine, and which can enter the convertible top compartment via the at least one water drainage opening and can be transmitted to the vehicle interior, can be avoided. The water drainage arrangement according to the invention thus contributes to reducing the noise level inside the vehicle interior and therefore has a positive effect on the comfort impression of the vehicle occupants.
[0007] In a preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the closure flap is formed laterally in the valve body.
[0008] In order to eliminate the influence of weight on the opening or closing of the closure flap, it is provided in a particularly preferred embodiment that the closure flap is arranged on the base body in such a way that, in the closed position, it extends vertically to the water column forming inside the water-receiving space.
[0009] The closure flap can preferably be made of an elastic material, in particular rubber or an elastic plastic. As a result, flexibility of the closure flap can be achieved in a simple manner.
[0010] In an advantageous embodiment, the closure flap can be designed as a stamped part that is stamped out of a plate or foil. Such a stamped part can be produced very simply and inexpensively in large numbers.
[0011] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, there is the possibility that a retaining projection is formed on the valve body laterally above the water outlet opening, which projection extends outwards and to which the closure flap is attached. The retaining projection preferably has means for fixing the closure flap to the retaining projection. The holding projection enables the closure flap to be held securely on the base body.
[0012] The closure flap can preferably have an engagement opening with which the holding projection is engaged. This embodiment enables the closure flap to be fitted very easily to the retaining projection. In this case, the retaining projection can be passed through the engagement opening of the closure flap in a simple manner. The means for fixing the closure flap to the retaining projection can, for example, comprise a material thickening which is formed integrally with the retaining projection. This thickening of the material can effectively prevent the closure flap from being able to become detached from the holding projection.
[0013] The access opening can preferably be delimited by two lateral webs around which the closure flap can be bent. An additional hinge means, around which the closure flap can bend outwards into the open position, therefore does not necessarily have to be provided.
[0014] In an alternative embodiment, however, there is also the possibility that the closure flap has a hinge means, in particular a film hinge means, about which the closure flap can be bent. A film hinge means can be formed integrally with the closure flap during manufacture in a particularly simple manner.
[0015] In a particularly advantageous development, it is proposed that the water drain valve be positioned within the water drain opening in such a way that the closure flap points in the forward direction of travel of the convertible vehicle. As a result, the closing flap is pressed into the closed position by an additional force during the driving operation of the convertible vehicle when accelerating. This measure has a positive effect on the soundproofing of the water drain valve.
[0016] Further features and advantages of the present invention become clear from the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment with reference to the attached figures. show it figure 1 shows a vertical section through a water drainage arrangement in a top compartment of a convertible vehicle, which is designed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, figure 2 is a perspective view of a water drain valve according to the water drain arrangement figure 1.
[0017] With reference to figure 1 has a water drainage arrangement 1 in a hood box 2 a convertible vehicle at least one water drip tray 20 where water can be collected. To ensure a water drain from the water drip tray 20 To allow and prevent water in the drip tray 20 can accumulate is in the water collection tray 20 at least one water drainage opening 21 designed in which a soundproof water drain valve 3 is arranged, which in figure 2 is shown in detail.
[0018] As in figure 2 shows the water drain valve 3 a one-piece valve body 30 on, which is preferably made of an elastomer. On the valve body 30 is a valve head 31 formed, of a water inlet opening 32 of the water drain valve 3 , through which water enters a water receiving space 35 the water drain valve 3 can flow in, borders on the side and has an outer diameter that is larger than the diameter of the water drainage opening 21 is. The valve body 30 is shaped and sized to fit into the water drain hole 21 the water drip tray 20 can be used. After assembly, the valve head is in place 31 with its underside on an outer boundary edge of the water drainage opening 21 on. Around the water drain valve 3 in the water drain hole 21 set, has the valve body 30 on its outside three retaining ribs extending in the circumferential direction 33a , 33b , 33c on. As in figure 1, the top retaining rib is effective 33a with the outer boundary edge of the water drainage opening 21together and grasps behind it. The outer boundary edge of the water drainage hole 21 extends after installing the water drain valve 3 thus between the valve head 31 and the top retaining rib 33a, so that a secure hold of the water drain valve 3 in the water drain hole 21 can be guaranteed.
[0019] The water drain valve 3 has a side in the valve body 30 trained water outlet opening 34 on, through which the water from the water intake space 35 can escape into the environment. This side water outlet opening 34 is by means of a hinged closure flap 4 locked. The shutter 4 is designed in such a way that it is caused by the pressure acting on it to a defined height of a water column that passes through the water intake space 35 inflowing and therein accumulating water is formed, can open automatically, so that the water can escape into the environment. In other words, the shutter 4 not with any exposure to water that enters the water intake space 35 flows in, opened, but only when the water column has reached a defined height, so that the water pressure is sufficient to close the flap 4 to open.
[0020] As in figure 1 and figure 2 is the closing flap 4 in the closed position vertical to the inside of the water receiving space 35 Forming water column oriented, so that the influence of the weight of the closure flap 4 on the opening or closing movement can be advantageously eliminated. The shutter 4 is preferably designed in such a way that it bends outwards when it is opened and thereby the lateral water outlet opening 34 releases, so that the water can flow out into the environment to the water intake space 35 to drain.
[0021] Preferably, the closure flap 4 a stamped part made of an elastic material, in particular rubber or an elastic plastic, which is punched out of a plate or foil. The shutter 4 has an engagement opening 40 on, which is in a desired assembly position of the closure flap 4 above the lateral water outlet opening 34 the water drain valve 3 extends. On the valve body 30 is on the side above the water outlet opening 34 a holding protrusion 36 formed, which is orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the valve body 30 extends outwards and an outwardly tapering material thickening 36a having. During assembly, the retaining projection 36 into the access opening of the closure flap 40 are used and by means of the material thickening 36a be held in position. The intervention opening 40 is laterally by two webs 41 , 42 limited to which the closure flap 4 can bend outwards under the action of the pressure of the water column. Alternatively, the closure flap 4 below the access opening 40 have a hinge means, in particular a film hinge means, around which the closure flap is wrapped 4 can bend outwards under the action of the pressure of the water column. The valve body 30 has a contact surface 37 on which the locking flap 4 rests all around in its closed position. As in figure 1 to recognize includes the contact surface 37 a radius 38 , which has a small overlap with the closing flap 4 having.
[0022] The water drain valve 3 is preferably so within the water drainage opening during assembly 21 the water drip tray 20 twist-proof positioned that the locking flap 4 points in the forward direction of travel of the convertible vehicle, which in figure1 has been marked by an arrow VFR. When the convertible vehicle is being driven, the closing flap is opened during acceleration 4 pushed into the closed position by an additional force. In order to install the water drain valve 3 with this orientation of the closing flap 4 to facilitate forward travel of the convertible vehicle is on an outside of the valve head 31 , which forms the visible side, a positioning aid 39 formed with correct orientation of the water drain valve 3 points in the forward direction of travel of the convertible vehicle. In addition, the angular position is controlled by a special design of the water drainage opening 21 in the water tray 20 Are defined.
[0023] The water drainage arrangement described here 1 is characterized in particular by the fact that the water drain valve 3 in the closed position of the shutter 4 is soundproof and, moreover, preferably also gas-tight. As a result, in a convertible vehicle, in which, for example, an internal combustion engine for driving the vehicle is arranged in the rear of the vehicle or - in the case of a mid-engine vehicle - essentially in the middle of the vehicle, the propagation of disruptive, high-frequency noise emissions, which occur, among other things, at higher speeds of the internal combustion engine can and via the at least one water drainage opening 21 in the hood compartment 2 penetrate and can be transmitted into the vehicle interior can be avoided. The water drainage arrangement 1 contributes to reducing the noise level in the vehicle interior and thus has a positive effect on the comfort of the vehicle occupants. QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION
[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Patent Literature Cited
[0000] US 2016 / 0229272 A1
[0003]
Claims
[1] Water drainage arrangement (1) in a convertible top compartment (2) of a convertible vehicle, wherein at least one water drainage opening (21) is formed within the convertible top compartment (2) through which water can flow out of the convertible top compartment (2) into the environment, characterized by, that the water drainage arrangement (1) has at least one water drainage valve (3) which is arranged in the water drainage opening (21) and has a valve body (30) which comprises a water receiving chamber (35) into which water can flow, and a water outlet opening (34) through which water can flow out of the water receiving chamber (35), wherein the water drainage valve (3) has a pivotable closing flap (4) by means of which the water outlet opening (34) can be closed and which is designed in such a way that in a closed position it can close the water outlet opening (34) soundproof and preferably gas-tight and can open automatically by a pressure acting on it from a water column of defined height, which is formed by the water flowing into and accumulating in the water receiving chamber (35). [2] Water drainage arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the closing flap (4) is formed laterally in the valve body (30). [3] Water drainage arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by , that the closing flap (4) is arranged on the base body (30) such that in the closed position it extends vertically to the column of water forming within the water intake chamber (35). [4] Water drainage arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the closure flap (4) is made of an elastic material, in particular of rubber or an elastic plastic. [5] Water drainage arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the closure flap (4) is designed as a stamped part, which is stamped out of a sheet or foil. [6] Water drainage arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by, that a retaining projection (36) is formed on the valve body (30) laterally above the water outlet opening (34), which extends outwards and to which the closing flap (4) is attached. [7] Water drainage arrangement (1) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the closure flap (4) has an engagement opening (40) with which the retaining projection (36) engages. [8] Water drainage arrangement (1) according to claim 7, characterized by , that the access opening (40) is limited by two lateral webs (41, 42) around which the closure flap (4) can be bent. [9] Water drainage arrangement (1) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized by , that the closure flap (4) has a hinge means, in particular a film hinge means, about which the closure flap (4) is bendable. [10] Water drainage arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by, that the water drain valve (3) is positioned within the water drain opening (21) such that the closure flap (4) points in the forward direction of travel of the convertible vehicle.