COVER FOR A PRESSURE REDUCTION VALVE ASSEMBLY OF A VEHICLE AND PRESSURE REDUCTION VALVE ASSEMBLY WITH SUCH A COVER

Abstract

Cover (1) for a pressure relief valve assembly (2) of a vehicle, wherein the cover (1) has a base body (19) made of a sound absorption material (12) with a uniform material composition, wherein the base body (19) is designed to be self-supporting and is connectable to an edge region (4) of a pressure relief valve assembly (2), wherein the base body (19) is a one-piece, in particular monolithic, base body (19) and has side walls (6) and a cover region (7) which together define a three-dimensional silencer chamber, wherein, during the manufacture of the base body (19), the sound absorption material (12) in an end region (8) of the side walls (6) opposite the cover region (7) was at least partially or partially manipulated, in particular thermally treated and / or compressed or otherwise densified,that the base body (19) has increased stiffness and / or strength in this area (8).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates generally to ventilation devices for the interior of vehicles, wherein such ventilation devices are also referred to herein as "pressure relief valve arrangements". Ventilation devices or pressure relief valve arrangements for the interior of vehicles generally have a frame surrounding a ventilation opening, on the outside of which at least one pivotable flap covering the ventilation opening rests.

[0002] A pressure relief valve arrangement of the type considered herein has in particular at least one pressure relief valve and / or at least one valve flap, wherein the at least one pressure relief valve and / or at least one valve flap is preferably accommodated in a frame.

[0003] Such venting devices or pressure relief valve arrangements are generally known in various embodiments.

[0004] For example, reference is made in this context to German patent application DE 35 03 600 A1. In the pressure relief valve arrangement known from this prior art, an airflow from the vehicle interior to the outside can pass through the vent opening, specifically because the pressure conditions created by this airflow lift at least one flap of the pressure relief valve arrangement from the frame. Conversely, the flap, which then rests on the frame, successfully prevents the ingress of ambient air into the vehicle interior.

[0005] Accordingly, pressure relief valve arrangements of the type considered herein serve to reduce the build-up of air pressure in the vehicle interior, for example, when closing the vehicle's tailgate. The pressure relief valve, usually designed as a flap, can open when the air pressure inside the vehicle increases to allow air to escape, thereby reducing the air pressure and, for example, decreasing the effort required to close the tailgate.

[0006] Furthermore, a vehicle equipped with a pressure relief valve assembly can influence the airflow from the passenger cabin to enhance passenger comfort. Since an air conditioning system draws in ambient air from outside the vehicle and introduces it into the cabin, venting through the pressure relief valve assembly is necessary to achieve proper circulation and relieve pressure buildup.

[0007] However, noise from outside can penetrate the pressure relief valve assembly, particularly when it opens. Additionally, noise from outside can also enter the vehicle cabin when the pressure relief valve is closed. Furthermore, the closing noise of the pressure relief valve can be perceived as disturbing by the vehicle occupants in certain driving situations.

[0008] To reduce the ingress of noise and external elements into the vehicle interior, pressure relief valves can be made as small as possible, but this limits the speed at which pressure equalization can be achieved using the pressure relief valve arrangement.

[0009] Alternatively, to reduce noise during pressure equalization achieved by means of the pressure relief valve assembly, it is conceivable to equip the pressure relief valve assembly with a type of "silencer". For this purpose, it is known to place a cover on the pressure relief valve assembly to form a silencer chamber, whereby, when the pressure relief valve assembly is open, a flow path between the vehicle interior and the outside atmosphere runs at least partially through the silencer chamber.

[0010] However, the production of covers for pressure relief valve assemblies, which serve as silencer chambers, is relatively complex. This is because the cover is a three-dimensional structure, typically manufactured as an injection-molded part, and the inner walls of the three-dimensional cover must be coated with appropriate sound-absorbing materials in a separate step. This step is usually performed at production stations separate from those where the cover housing is manufactured, particularly through injection molding. Consequently, the assembly effort and costs associated with manufacturing the cover are increased, thus raising the overall production costs.

[0011] Document US 2016 / 0152114 A1 relates to a cover for a pressure relief valve assembly. The cover has an annular circumferential wall that fits into a mounting frame of a mounting element. The cover element also has a sound-absorbing cover made of a fiber sound-absorbing material.

[0012] The publication DE 10 2016 011 869 A1 relates to an insulation device for a ventilation opening of a vehicle, wherein the insulation device comprises a base body for sound absorption, and wherein the insulation device has two fastening sections projecting from the base body for fastening the base body in the ventilation opening.

[0013] The present invention is based on the objective of providing a cover for a pressure relief valve arrangement of a vehicle, wherein the cover can be manufactured with minimal effort and, in particular, in a particularly cost-effective manner.

[0014] With regard to the covering, the problem underlying the invention is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1, with advantageous further developments of the covering according to the invention being specified in dependent claims 2 to 9.

[0015] Accordingly, the invention relates in particular to a cover for a pressure relief valve arrangement of a vehicle, wherein the cover has a base body made of a sound absorption material that is uniform with regard to the material composition, and wherein the base body as such is designed to be statically self-supporting and can be connected to an edge region of a pressure relief valve arrangement.

[0016] The advantages achievable with the solution according to the invention are obvious: in particular, the invention provides that a cover for a pressure relief valve assembly can preferably be completely manufactured in a single operation or at least in a single workstation. In this way, the entire manufacturing process is simplified, and various processing steps at different stations can be omitted. This results in significantly reduced manufacturing effort and costs.

[0017] In this context, it is particularly possible that, for the production of the cover according to the invention, a preferably essentially flat sound absorption material, for example in the form of a sheet structure made of a nonwoven material, is first provided. Subsequently, the provided sound absorption material is formed in such a way that a base body with side walls and a cover area is created, which together define a three-dimensional sound-absorbing chamber.

[0018] Preferably during the forming step and / or before or especially after the forming step, the sound absorption material is preferably manipulated in such a way as to be locally thermally treated and / or locally compressed or otherwise densified, so that the base body has an increased stiffness and / or strength at least in this area, so that the base body as a whole is a particularly statically self-supporting body.

[0019] The terms "self-supporting" or "statically self-supporting" as used herein generally refer to a structure of the base body in which the absorption material forming the base body is combined into such a unit that the base body itself assumes the load-bearing function of the cover. All areas of the base body act statically as shells in their entirety and collectively absorb the applied forces.

[0020] The necessary stiffness, which the base body ensures, is achieved by compact, preferably honeycomb, rib- or strut-shaped areas with the highest possible section modulus incorporated into the absorption material.

[0021] The advantages of the self-supporting structure of the cover's base body, which is made entirely of absorption material, are – besides simplified manufacturing – in particular a lower weight due to the elimination of a frame made primarily of injection-molded plastic.

[0022] Various techniques are suitable for shaping the sound absorption material. Preferably, the base body is formed according to a deep-drawing process and / or by pressing or compression molding, in particular by thermal or non-thermal pressing or compression molding.

[0023] According to embodiments, for example, it is provided that, for the purpose of shaping the sound absorption material provided, the sound absorption material is shaped using a forming tool according to a pressing, compression molding or deep drawing process, wherein the forming tool has an embossing die and a die in the form of a negative mold.

[0024] In order to form honeycomb, rib or strut-shaped areas in particular to increase the stiffness and / or strength of the base body, the embossing die and / or the matrix can have correspondingly protruding or groove- or groove-shaped areas, so that during the compression molding or deep drawing process the sound absorption material is compressed or densified to a greater or lesser degree in certain areas.

[0025] These protruding or groove-shaped areas of the stamping die and / or the die can be locally heated to form the honeycomb, rib or strut-shaped areas, in particular, by thermoforming or by hot pressing.

[0026] The advantage of the solution according to the invention lies particularly in the fact that the cover can preferably be formed from a single material or material composite in a single operation. Overmolding of the base body, which is designed as a molded part, is unnecessary, since the base body itself is entirely self-supporting. This not only simplifies the manufacturing effort and the entire production process, but also allows for savings in plastic materials.

[0027] The sound-absorbing material is, in particular, a sound-absorbing fleece, especially made of mineral wool, synthetic fibers, and / or natural fibers. Generally, it is preferably a structure made of fibers of limited length, continuous fibers (filaments), or cut yarns of any kind and origin, which have been joined and bonded together in some way to form a fleece, i.e., a layer of fibers or a woven fabric.

[0028] These nonwovens are largely flexible textile fabrics, meaning they are easily bendable, and their main structural elements are textile fibers. They are comparatively thin relative to their length and width. These nonwovens exhibit excellent sound absorption properties. In other words, they are suitable for reducing sound energy, particularly by converting it into heat. Here, "sound absorption" refers to the "swallowing" of sound.

[0029] The present invention is based in particular on the finding that the three-dimensionally designed base body of the cover can be formed in particular by a forming process, even if the starting material, namely the preferably essentially flat sound absorption material, in particular in the form of a planar structure made of a nonwoven material, is not actually "plastically deformed" in the forming process, as is usual, for example, in the tensile-compression forming of a sheet metal blank.

[0030] Rather, the sound absorption material does not exhibit completely elastic (reversible) behavior during forming, so that after the forming process the sound absorption material retains the three-dimensional shape specified during the forming process, whereby the sound absorption material still has a sufficient amount of void space after forming, which is necessary for optimal sound insulation.

[0031] Only in selected areas, especially honeycomb, rib or strut-shaped areas, is the sound absorption material more densely compacted or compressed, so that in these areas the sound absorption is reduced, but the strength and stiffness are significantly increased.

[0032] Thus, it is possible to form a three-dimensional base body of the cover, preferably through a single forming process, in particular through a press forming or deep drawing process, which is self-supporting due to the honeycomb, rib or strut-shaped areas in particular, and which nevertheless has large areas in which the sound absorption material still has sufficient sound absorption capacity.

[0033] The base body of the cover is therefore a one-piece, in particular monolithic, base body and has side walls and a lid area, wherein the side walls and the lid area define a three-dimensional silencer space.

[0034] According to the invention, during the manufacture of the base body, the sound absorption material in an end region of the side walls opposite the cover region is manipulated, in particular thermally treated and / or compressed or otherwise densified, such that the base body exhibits increased stiffness and / or strength in these areas. This allows the base body of the cover to be easily connected to an edge region of a pressure relief valve arrangement, preferably designed as a vent grille arrangement.

[0035] According to embodiments, it is provided in this context that a rim or flange area, projecting radially outwards at least in some areas, is formed on the end area of ​​the side walls opposite the cover area, via which the base body can be connected to a pressure limiting valve arrangement and in particular to an edge area of ​​a pressure limiting valve arrangement preferably designed as a vent grille arrangement.

[0036] Various solutions are possible for connecting the cover to, in particular, an edge area of ​​a pressure relief valve arrangement, preferably designed as a vent grille arrangement.

[0037] For example, it is conceivable that the cover is connected to the pressure relief valve assembly via an adhesive or welding connection between the end areas of the side walls opposite the cover area and the edge area of ​​the pressure relief valve assembly.

[0038] Alternatively, it is also conceivable that locking connection elements, in particular locking projections, are formed in or on the end area of ​​the side walls opposite the cover area, via which the base body can be preferably detachably connected to a pressure limiting valve arrangement and in particular to an edge area of ​​a pressure limiting valve arrangement preferably designed as a vent grille arrangement.

[0039] Alternatively or in addition to the previously described embodiments of the cover according to the invention, a further aspect of the present invention provides that the cover has a base body made of a sound absorption material that is uniform with regard to the material composition, wherein the base body is in particular partially supplemented with a plastic to form a self-supporting composite component and can be connected to in particular an edge region of a pressure limiting valve arrangement.

[0040] In other words, according to this further aspect of the invention, the base body can be partially overmolded with a plastic. This creates a self-supporting composite component.

[0041] As an alternative to partially overmolding the base body with a plastic, it can also be provided that, to form the self-supporting composite component, the base body is connected to a plastic support structure, in particular in the form of a plastic frame, in particular by means of a positive-locking joining connection, preferably a clamping and / or snap-fit ​​connection, or in particular by means of a material-locking joining connection, in particular welding or gluing.

[0042] According to advantageous embodiments, the plastic is preferably present exclusively and, in particular, partially on the outer wall areas of the cover. The outer wall areas that may be partially covered with the plastic, or that may be overmolded with plastic, are those wall areas of the cover that, in the intended use of the cover, face away from the pressure relief valve assembly.

[0043] According to preferred embodiments, the base body can be formed by pressing, compression molding, and / or deep drawing a semi-finished product containing sound-absorbing material using a tool, wherein in a further step the base body is coated with the plastic by injection molding. It is advantageous that in this further step the base body is preferably coated with the plastic by injection molding in the same tool.

[0044] Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the base body is formed by pressing, compression molding and / or deep drawing a semi-finished product containing the sound absorption material using a tool, wherein in a further step the base body is attached to or in a plastic support structure, in particular designed as a plastic frame, in particular by means of a positive-locking joining connection, preferably a clamping and / or snap-fit ​​connection, or in particular by means of a material-locking joining connection, in particular welding or gluing.

[0045] For the production of the partially overmolded base body, an injection molding machine is preferably used. Here, the semi-finished product or base body is placed into an injection mold of the injection molding machine, with a sealing element enclosing the edge region of the semi-finished product or base body. Subsequently, the inserted semi-finished product or base body is overmolded with preferably a thermosetting or thermoplastic material, the sealing element sealing the edge region against the injected thermosetting or thermoplastic material.

[0046] Thus, preferably an injection molding device is used for the partial overmolding of a semi-finished product or the base body, wherein an injection mold of the injection molding device is designed such that a recess for receiving a first area of ​​a sealing element for sealing an edge area of ​​the semi-finished product or base body during overmolding of the semi-finished product or base body inserted into the injection mold is formed in an ejector-side mold plate of the injection mold, and a recess for receiving a second area of ​​the sealing element for sealing the edge area of ​​the semi-finished product or base body during overmolding of the semi-finished product or base body inserted into the injection mold is formed in a nozzle-side mold plate of the injection mold.

[0047] In this way, the self-supporting composite component is formed in a particularly efficient manner.

[0048] Of course, other designs are also possible for partially overmolding the base body with plastic.

[0049] For example, in the manufacturing process, it is conceivable that the base body is first arranged in a cavity formed by two tool parts of a tool. In a further, and preferably second, step, the base body is preferably fixed in the cavity, in particular by moving the respective fixing elements of the tool towards each other and thereby at least partially into the cavity, thus fixing the base body in the cavity by means of the fixing elements. In a further, for example third, step of the process, injection takes place, whereby the plastic is injected at least onto a partial area of ​​the base body fixed in the cavity. By injecting the plastic into the cavity, a free volume of the cavity is filled with the plastic, whereby the base body held in the cavity is then at least partially surrounded by the plastic.In this case, there is direct contact between the base body and the plastic; in particular, the base body and the plastic can be bonded together.

[0050] According to another manufacturing process for the composite component, in a first step the base body is deep-drawn or press-molded from the sound-absorbing material using a first tool. In a further step, the base body is coated with the plastic by injection molding in the same tool. In other words, one and the same tool is used for at least partially forming the preferably flat semi-finished product containing the sound-absorbing material and for coating it with the plastic, which reduces the time and thus the cost of manufacturing the cover as a composite component. Furthermore, the cover produced by this process has a particularly low weight and at the same time a particularly high stiffness.Furthermore, the cover produced using the method and designed as a composite component exhibits advantageous mechanical properties, particularly as a result of a material-bonded connection between the plastic and the sound absorption material of the semi-finished product.

[0051] The aforementioned method also allows for high degrees of deformation, enabling the creation of relatively complex cover geometries by deforming the base body or the semi-finished product containing the sound-absorbing material. Since the sound-absorbing material of the semi-finished product is primarily a flowable material, it is particularly advantageous to deform.

[0052] Due to the excellent geometric design possibilities of the semi-finished product containing the sound-absorbing material, as well as the material bonding achieved through injection molding, the functional integration of add-on components can be implemented very cost-effectively. During injection molding, the plastic is used to form, for example, stiffening structures, particularly stiffening rib structures, connecting structures, and / or other functional structures, which are then injection-molded onto the deep-drawn or compression-molded semi-finished product, i.e., the base body.

[0053] Alternatively or additionally, it is possible to provide bushings and / or other inserts and to embed them, at least partially, in the plastic, i.e., to overmold them with the plastic. The inserts can perform further functions, such as connecting additional components to the cover. This further increases the functional integration of the cover. Furthermore, it is possible to incorporate flow-material-friendly holes to accommodate additional functions.

[0054] In an alternative method for manufacturing the cover according to the invention, it is provided that first a preferably essentially flat sound absorption material, in particular in the form of a planar structure made of a nonwoven material, is provided, wherein the provided sound absorption material is then formed in such a way that a base body with side walls and a cover area is formed, which together define a three-dimensional sound absorber chamber.

[0055] Preferably during the forming step and / or especially before or especially after the forming step, the sound absorption material can be manipulated in such a way as to be locally thermally treated and / or locally compressed or otherwise densified, so that the base body has increased stiffness and / or strength at least in these areas, so that the base body as a whole is a self-supporting body.

[0056] Alternatively or additionally, the sound absorption material can be partially coated with a plastic by injection molding after or during the forming step, particularly on the outside of the base body.

[0057] Alternatively or additionally, the sound absorption material can be attached to or in a plastic support structure, particularly designed as a plastic frame, after the forming step, especially by means of a positive-locking joining connection, preferably a clamping and / or snap-fit ​​connection, or especially by means of a material-locking joining connection, especially welding or gluing.

[0058] The invention further relates to a pressure relief valve arrangement for vehicles, wherein the pressure relief valve arrangement comprises at least one vent grille with at least one pressure relief valve and / or with at least one valve flap received in a frame, and a cover of the type according to the invention. Preferably, the base body of the cover is connected to the vent grille and preferably to the frame of the vent grille via at least one side wall of the base body, in particular via at least one snap and / or latch connection.

[0059] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0060] They show: Fig. 1. Schematic and isometric view of a cover known from the prior art for a pressure relief valve arrangement of a vehicle; Fig. 2 schematically and in an isometric view an exemplary embodiment of the pressure limiting valve arrangement according to the invention with a first embodiment of a cover; Fig. 3 schematically and in an isometric view the cover of the exemplary pressure relief valve arrangement according to Fig. 2; Fig. 4a schematically and in an isometric view a detail of the cover according to Fig. 3; Fig. 4b schematically and in an isometric view a detail of a second exemplary embodiment of the cover according to the invention; Fig. 4c schematically and in an isometric view a detail of a third exemplary embodiment of the cover according to the invention; Fig. 5 schematically and in a first isometric view an exemplary embodiment of a molding tool with an at least substantially flat sound absorption material for producing the cover according to Fig. 3; Fig. 6 schematically and in a second isometric view the forming tool according to Fig. 3 with the essentially flat sound absorption material; Fig. 7 schematically and in a semi-transparent isometric view the forming tool according to Fig. 5 during the shaping of the provided sound absorption material; Fig. 8 schematically and in an isometric semi-transparent view the forming tool according to Fig. 7 at the end of the forming process; Fig. 9 schematically and in an isometric view the embossing die of the forming tool according to Fig. 5; Fig. 10. Schematic and in an isometric view, the die (negative mold) of the molding tool according to Fig. 5; and Fig. Figure 11 schematically and in an isometric view another embodiment of a cover for a pressure relief valve arrangement.

[0061] To reduce the build-up of air pressure inside a vehicle when closing, for example, the tailgate, a vehicle can be equipped with an opening and a pressure relief valve located within that opening. The pressure relief valve can open when the air pressure inside the vehicle increases, allowing air to escape and thus reducing the pressure inside the vehicle and making it easier to close the tailgate.

[0062] Furthermore, a vehicle equipped with a pressure relief valve can influence the airflow from the passenger compartment to enhance passenger comfort. Since an air conditioning system draws in ambient air from outside the vehicle and introduces it into the passenger compartment, venting through the pressure relief valve is necessary to achieve proper circulation and reduce pressure buildup within the cabin.

[0063] Since, for example, noise from outside can penetrate the vehicle interior when a pressure relief valve opens or even when it is closed, it is generally known in the art to equip the pressure relief valve with a cover that serves as a sound-insulating chamber (silencer chamber). This cover serves both to absorb the sound and to dampen, in particular, the closing noise of the pressure relief valve (valve closing noise).

[0064] An embodiment of a cover 101 known from the prior art for a pressure relief valve arrangement 2 is shown schematically and in an isometric view in Fig. 1 shown.

[0065] The cover 101, which is generally known from this prior art, has a three-dimensional configuration formed by a plurality of side walls 106 and a wall area serving as a cover area 107. Snap-fit ​​or latching connection elements 110 are provided at corresponding edge areas of the side walls 106, which point away from the wall area serving as the cover area 107. These elements allow the cover 101 to be connected to the frame or an edge area 4 of a pressure relief valve arrangement 2 via a snap-fit ​​connection.

[0066] To achieve the most efficient sound reduction possible, a (in Fig. 1 Sound absorption material (not shown) usually arranged in the form of at least one fleece mat or similar sound-insulating material.

[0067] The production of a conventional cover 101 known from the prior art, as used, for example, in Fig. The process shown in Figure 1, however, requires at least two separate process steps that can only be automated with considerable effort, if at all: in a first process step, the three-dimensional design of the cover 101 must be manufactured, which is usually done automatically using a plastic injection molding or injection molding process. In a second process step, the three-dimensional design of the cover 101 must be coated with a sound-absorbing material.

[0068] However, applying a sound absorption material to the inner surfaces of the cover 101 is relatively complex and is usually done manually, since the three-dimensional design of the cover 101 means that commonly applicable automation techniques cannot be used or can only be used with greater effort.

[0069] To solve this problem, a cover 1 is proposed according to the invention which is no longer designed as an injection-molded component with additional sound absorption material, but which has a uniform base body 19 made of a sound absorption material 12 with regard to the material composition, wherein the base body as such is designed to be self-supporting and can be connected to, in particular, an edge region 4 of a pressure limiting valve arrangement 2.

[0070] In this way it is possible for the cover 1 to be manufactured in one and the same plant to such an extent that all features necessary for the functioning of the cover 1 in its intended use are already formed in the same plant.

[0071] An exemplary embodiment of such a cover 1 according to the invention, which is connected to a pressure relief valve arrangement 2, is shown schematically and in an isometric view in Fig. 2 shown.

[0072] It should be emphasized that the basic body of the cover 1 is formed entirely from a sound absorption material and is designed to be self-supporting, so that it can be connected to, in particular, an edge area 4 of a pressure limiting valve arrangement 2 without additional injection molded parts, etc.

[0073] As can be seen, for example, in the representation in Fig. 2 or in Fig. As can be seen from section 3, the base body of the cover 1 has, in particular, honeycomb-, rib-, or strut-shaped areas 5 in which, during the manufacture of the base body, the sound-absorbing material was manipulated, in particular thermally treated and / or compressed or otherwise densified, such that the base body exhibits increased stiffness and / or strength, at least in these areas 5. The honeycomb-, rib-, or strut-shaped areas 5 contribute to the overall self-supporting design of the base body.

[0074] As furthermore, as can be seen in particular from the representations in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the base body is a one-piece, in particular monolithic, base body and has side walls 6 and a cover area 7, wherein the side walls 6 and the cover area 7 ultimately define the three-dimensional silencer chamber of the cover 1.

[0075] During the manufacture of the base body, the sound absorption material in an end region 8 of the side walls 6 opposite the cover region 7 was at least partially or partially manipulated, in particular thermally treated and / or compressed or otherwise densified, such that the base body in this region 8 has increased stiffness and / or strength. In this way, the base body can be connected in a defined manner to the edge region 4 of the pressure relief valve arrangement 2 within the cover 1.

[0076] For example, in Fig. 3 or in Fig. As indicated in 4a, a rim or flange area 9, projecting radially outwards at least in part, can be formed on the end area 8 of the side walls 6 opposite the cover area 7, via which the base body can be connected to a pressure limiting valve arrangement 2 and in particular to an edge area 4 of a pressure limiting valve arrangement 2, preferably designed as a vent grille arrangement.

[0077] In this context, for example, reference should be made to the presentation in Fig. 2 referred.

[0078] However, as in Fig. 4b and Fig. 4c shown - other embodiments are also conceivable.

[0079] For example, in Fig. 4b shows in sections that the base body of the cover 1 can also be designed without a rim or flange area 9, in which case the cover 1 or the base body of the cover 1 is preferably connected to the edge area 4 of the pressure limiting valve arrangement 2 by gluing or welding.

[0080] Alternatively, it is also conceivable that locking connecting elements 10, in particular locking projections, are formed in or on the end area 8 of the side walls 6 opposite the cover area 7, via which the base body can be preferably detachably connected to a pressure limiting valve arrangement 2 and in particular to an edge area 4 of a pressure limiting valve arrangement 2 preferably designed as a vent grille arrangement.

[0081] In this context, for example, reference should be made to the presentation in Fig. 4c referred.

[0082] According to implementations of the cover 1 according to the invention, the sound absorption material from which the base body is completely formed is a sound absorption fleece, in particular made of mineral wool, synthetic fibers and / or natural fibers.

[0083] In this context, it is particularly conceivable that the sound absorption material contains plastic fibers made of a thermoplastic material. In this case, for example, the honeycomb, rib-shaped, or strut-shaped areas 5 of the base body can also be formed by thermal treatment of the sound absorption material.

[0084] The following refers to the representations in Fig. 5 to Fig. 10 describes a manufacturing variant of the cover 1 according to the invention.

[0085] In particular, the flat sound absorption material 12 is first provided, for example in the form of a surface structure made of a non-woven material.

[0086] The provided sound absorption material 12 is then reshaped to form a basic body with side walls 6 and a cover area 7, which together define a three-dimensional silencer chamber.

[0087] To reshape the provided sound absorption material 12, it can be done - as in Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 shows that, for example, the sound absorption material 12 is formed using a forming tool, preferably according to a compression molding or deep-drawing process. For this purpose, the forming tool preferably has a corresponding stamping die 13 and a die 14 in the form of a negative mold.

[0088] The embossing die 13 and the die 14 preferably have corresponding and complementary punching areas and / or groove areas 17, through which holes 18 are introduced into the edge or rim area 9 of the base body of the cover 1 during the compression molding or deep drawing process. The holes 18 preferably serve to position / align and fasten the cover 1 to the edge area 4 of a pressure relief valve assembly 2.

[0089] As the isometric views in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, the embossing die 13 and the matrix 14 have corresponding protruding areas 15 with which the sound absorption material 12 is manipulated during the forming process, in particular thermally treated and / or compressed or densified, so that in the base body the aforementioned honeycomb, rib or strut-shaped areas 5 are formed, in which the base body has an increased stiffness or strength.

[0090] The other areas of the embossing die 13 or the die 14 are designed in such a way that during the forming process the sound absorption material 12 is only slightly compressed or densified, if at all, so that the sound insulation behavior of the sound absorption material 12 is maintained in these areas.

[0091] In this context, it is also conceivable that the protruding or recessed areas 15 of the embossing die 13 and / or the die 14 can be heated locally, for example by means of induction or heating coils, in order to cause thermal deformation in the corresponding areas of the sound absorption material 12 during the forming process.

[0092] The following refers to the presentation in Fig. 11 another embodiment of a cover 1 for a pressure relief valve arrangement 2 is described.

[0093] As in Fig.As shown in Figure 11, the cover 1 has a base body 19 made of a sound-absorbing material with a uniform material composition, wherein the base body 19 is partially supplemented with a plastic 20 to form a self-supporting composite component and can be connected to an edge region 4 of a pressure relief valve arrangement 2. The plastic 20 is partially formed onto the base body 19 by injection molding to create the self-supporting composite component.

[0094] In its intended use, the cover has inner wall areas pointing towards the pressure limiting valve arrangement 2 and outer wall areas pointing away from the pressure limiting valve arrangement 2, wherein the plastic 20 is preferably present exclusively and in particular partially on the outer wall areas of the base body 19.

[0095] When the plastic 20 is injection molded onto the base body 19, locking means, in particular in the form of locking lugs 21, are preferably formed on an edge area of ​​the composite component, which are designed to form a locking connection with correspondingly complementary locking means in or on the edge area 4 of the pressure limiting valve arrangement.

[0096] Preferably, the base body 19 is formed by pressing, compression molding and / or deep drawing a semi-finished product containing the sound absorption material using a tool, wherein in a further step the base body is provided with the plastic 20 by injection molding. In the further step, the base body 19 is preferably provided with the plastic 20 by injection molding in the same tool.

[0097] The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in the drawings, but results from a combination of all the features disclosed herein. Reference symbol list 1 cover 2 Pressure relief valve arrangement 4 Edge area of ​​the pressure relief valve arrangement 5 rib- / strut-shaped areas of the base body 6 side walls of the base body 7 Cover area of ​​the base body 8 End area of ​​the side walls of the base body 9. Rim or flange area of ​​the base body 10 snap-fit ​​connectors 11 Pressure relief valve / valve flap 12 flat sound absorption material 13 embossing dies of the forming tool 14. Die of the forming tool 15 protruding rib areas of the embossing die 17 Punching area 18 holes 19 basic shapes 20 injection-molded plastic 21 Locking devices / locking lugs 101 Coverage (State of the art) 106 Side walls of the cover (state of the art) 107 Cover area (state of the art) 110 Snap-in connection element (state of the art)

Claims

[1] Cover (1) for a pressure relief valve assembly (2) of a vehicle, wherein the cover (1) has a base body (19) made of a sound absorption material (12) with a uniform material composition, wherein the base body (19) is designed to be self-supporting and is connectable to an edge region (4) of a pressure relief valve assembly (2), wherein the base body (19) is a one-piece, in particular monolithic, base body (19) and has side walls (6) and a cover region (7) which together define a three-dimensional silencer chamber, wherein, in the manufacture of the base body (19), the sound absorption material (12) in an end region (8) of the side walls (6) opposite the cover region (7) was at least partially or partially manipulated, in particular thermally treated and / or compressed or otherwise densified,that the base body (19) has increased stiffness and / or strength in this area (8). [2] Cover (1) according to claim 1, wherein the base body (19) has areas, in particular honeycomb, rib or strut-shaped areas (5), in which, during the manufacture of the base body (19), the sound absorption material (12) was manipulated, in particular thermally treated and / or compressed or otherwise densified, such that the base body (19) has increased stiffness and / or strength at least in these areas (5). [3] Cover (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base body (19) is formed by shaping the sound absorption material (12), in particular by pressing, compression molding and / or deep drawing. [4] Cover (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a rim or flange area (9) is formed on the end area (8) of the side walls (6) opposite the cover area (7), projecting radially outwards at least in part, via which the base body (19) can be connected to a pressure relief valve arrangement (2) and in particular to an edge area (4) of a pressure relief valve arrangement (2) preferably designed as a vent grille arrangement; and / or wherein snap-fit ​​connection elements (10), in particular snap-fit ​​projections, are formed in or on the end area (8) of the side walls (6) opposite the cover area (7), via which the base body (19) can be preferably detachably connected to a pressure relief valve arrangement (2) and in particular to an edge area (4) of a pressure relief valve arrangement (2) preferably designed as a vent grille arrangement. [5] Cover (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sound absorption material (12) is a sound absorption fleece, in particular made of mineral wool, synthetic fibers and / or natural fibers; or wherein the sound absorption material (12) is a sound absorption fleece, in particular made of plastic fibers of a thermoplastic material. [6] Cover (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the base body (19) is in particular partially supplemented with a plastic (20) to form a self-supporting component, in particular a composite component. [7] Cover (1) according to claim 6, wherein, to form the self-supporting component, the base body (19) is in particular partially provided with the plastic (20) by injection molding; or wherein, to form the self-supporting component, the base body (19) is connected to a plastic support structure, in particular in the form of a plastic frame, in particular by means of a positive joining connection, preferably a clamping and / or snap connection, or in particular by means of a material-joining joining connection, in particular welding or gluing. [8] Cover (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein in the intended use of the cover (1) it has inner wall areas pointing towards the pressure limiting valve arrangement (2) and outer wall areas pointing away from the pressure limiting valve arrangement (2), wherein the plastic (20) is preferably present exclusively and in particular partially on the outer wall areas. [9] Cover (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the base body (19) is formed by pressing, compression molding and / or deep drawing a semi-finished product comprising the sound absorption material (12) by means of a tool, wherein in a further step the base body (19) is provided with the plastic (20) by injection molding, wherein in the further step the base body (19) is preferably provided with the plastic (20) by injection molding in the same tool; or wherein the base body (19) is formed by pressing, compression molding and / or deep drawing a semi-finished product having the sound absorption material (12) by means of a tool, wherein in a further step the base body (19) is attached to or in a plastic support structure, in particular designed as a plastic frame, in particular by means of a positive joining connection, preferably a clamping and / or snap connection, or in particular by means of a material-joining joining connection, in particular welding or gluing. [10] Pressure relief valve arrangement (2) for vehicles, wherein the pressure relief valve arrangement (2) comprises at least one vent grille with at least one pressure relief valve received in a frame or edge region (4) and / or with at least one valve flap received in a frame or edge region (4), and a cover (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the base body (19) of the cover (1) is connected via at least one side wall (6) of the base body (19) preferably via at least one snap and / or latch connection (10) to the vent grille and preferably to the frame or edge region (4) of the vent grille.

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