Sealing a gap in a vehicle's windshield using an air hose

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing system for sealing a gap between a windshield (1) of a vehicle and an area of ​​a cockpit above an instrument panel (3) of the vehicle, comprising an airtight hose (5), wherein the hose (5) is hermetically sealed at a first end and opens at a second end into a check valve (7), which is connected to an interior blower in such a way that an airflow generated by the interior blower is forced through the check valve (7) into the hose (5), but air cannot escape back out of the hose (5) through the check valve (7).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a sealing system for sealing a gap between a windscreen of a vehicle and an area of ​​a cockpit above an instrument panel of the vehicle, as well as to a vehicle with such a sealing system.

[0002] Installing a windshield on a vehicle naturally involves necessary tolerance adjustments and high demands on sealing the gap between the windshield and the vehicle's cockpit. This often leaves an undesirable gap between the windshield and the vehicle's cockpit. This gap, due to the windshield being excited by the airflow around the vehicle, creates unwanted noise when the vehicle is moving. This noise is perceived as wind noise by the vehicle's occupants.

[0003] While sealing this gap with hardening foam might potentially achieve an effective seal, such foam typically results in visual impairment. If, on the other hand, a sealing lip is glued, there is a risk that the sealing lip will not adhere well to the cockpit surface. Due to the typically large tolerances in the area where the windshield and cockpit transition from one surface to the other, the sealing lip may not adhere properly, at least locally, and thus be ineffective. Furthermore, if such a seal is applied too early, the windshield could be forced out of its bond.

[0004] In the state of the art, various procedures are known for creating sound insulation between components in the area of ​​a vehicle cockpit: DE 60018608 T2 relates to an arrangement for connecting a permanently installed vehicle window, in particular a windshield, to a component adjacent to an edge of the vehicle window, in particular a water tank, by means of a profile part fastened to the window edge, wherein the profile part is a profile strand adhering to the vehicle window, which has a lip which adjoins the exposed outer main surface of the vehicle window in a smooth and flush manner, and in that the lip has means for connecting to the component on its underside.

[0005] DE 20 2004 006 337 U1 also relates to an air guiding element for an instrument panel of a motor vehicle, comprising two thermoplastic molded plastic parts welded to one another, which together define a plurality of air ducts, with at least one air inlet opening, at least two lateral air outlet openings and at least one air outlet opening arranged between the lateral air outlet openings, wherein the plastic molded parts are formed from flexible, closed-cell foam layers formed by means of compressed air and / or vacuum, wherein at least one sound-insulating and / or sound-absorbing section is also formed from the foam layers, which section extends from the outside of at least one of the air ducts in the direction of the windshield or in the direction of the passenger compartment.

[0006] DE 3909389 A1 further relates to a sound insulation for the interior of a vehicle, which is attached in the area of ​​an interior paneling via a support side in a manner fixed to the vehicle body, wherein the sound insulation has an edge formation which can be compressed on the front side or protrudes from its support side and acts elastically relative to this, which resiliently rests against a part fixed to the vehicle body.

[0007] DE 10 2005 035 703 B3 further relates to a sealing arrangement for the in particular sound-insulating sealing of a gap between a windshield of a vehicle and an instrument panel, wherein a first sealing element is arranged between the instrument panel and the windshield, wherein a second sealing element is arranged below the first sealing element between the windshield and a shell part, wherein the sealing arrangement has openings through which air can flow into a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0008] Finally, WO 2013 / 110872 A1 relates to a soundproofing device intended to form part of a front portion of a vehicle dashboard and comprises a wall provided with a receiving area to which a soundproofing seal is fixed by means of an adhesive, said seal being intended to be pressed in a substantially transverse direction against an inner surface of a vehicle windshield. The receiving area has at least one substantially transverse groove capable of preventing partial subsequent rebonding of the detached front portion in the presence of vibrations in the dashboard and / or windshield, in the event of detachment of a front portion of the soundproofing seal with a corresponding portion of the adhesive from the receiving area due to stresses induced by the pressing.

[0009] DE 10 2012 020 802 A1 discloses an instrument panel support structure of a vehicle having a narrow gap between the windshield and the cowl member, which can provide both the anti-twisting performance of the instrument panel in the vehicle width direction and the impact absorption performance for the pedestrian.

[0010] The object of the invention is to provide an effective sealing device for sealing a possible gap between a windshield and a vehicle cockpit. This sealing device is intended, in particular, to represent an improved alternative to known solutions from the prior art.

[0011] The invention is based on the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments and refinements are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0012] A first aspect of the invention relates to a sealing system for sealing a gap between a windscreen of a vehicle and an area of ​​a cockpit above an instrument panel of the vehicle, comprising an air-impermeable hose, wherein the hose is hermetically sealed at a first end and opens with a second end into a check valve which is connected to an interior fan in such a way that an air flow generated by the interior fan forces through the check valve into the hose, but air cannot escape back from the hose through the check valve.

[0013] By closing the gap between an interior element of the vehicle above an instrument panel and the windscreen, the noise level in the interior of the vehicle is significantly reduced because, as described above, the noise is prevented from entering through this gap.

[0014] The gap is sealed using an airtight hose. When an interior fan is started in the vehicle, it creates a pressure drop, which causes air to flow into the vehicle's interior. This pressure drop is advantageously utilized by branching a line from the interior fan into the vehicle interior, allowing the interior fan to function as a pump to force air into the hose.

[0015] The hose, whose first end is hermetically sealed, fills with air, increasing the internal pressure within the hose. The hose wall expands and progressively fills the gap until the hose, geometrically constrained, completely closes the gap.

[0016] There are two possible designs for the hose: One can be made of elastic material, allowing it to conform optimally to components. The other can be made of essentially non-elastic material. In this case, the gap can also be sealed, as the hose expands and fits into the corresponding geometric recesses.

[0017] While the hose fulfills its function as a seal when the interior fan is activated, it can also be initially filled at the factory during vehicle assembly in order to be effective right from the start.

[0018] The check valve ensures that the air pressure built up inside the hose does not escape into the environment, especially into the vehicle's interior. Any relative overpressure outside the hose, especially upstream of the check valve inlet, can thus be utilized to increase the internal pressure within the hose and enhance its sealing function. If the interior fan is switched off, the pressure inside the hose is maintained for a sufficiently long time.

[0019] An advantageous effect of the invention is that the hose can continue to fulfill its function as a seal for the gap between the windshield and the vehicle's interior throughout the product life of the entire vehicle, since the interior fan is also expected to be used throughout the product life. The hose remains flexible throughout, thus providing tolerance compensation and compensation for temperature fluctuations that adhesive bonding cannot provide.

[0020] Another advantage of using such a hose in the described configuration is that it provides a reusable seal, even after the windshield has been replaced. The check valve can be manually manipulated to allow air to escape from the hose under relative positive pressure. Refilling the hose with internal pressure after replacing the windshield can easily be accomplished simply by activating the vehicle's interior fan.

[0021] In addition, the use of the hose is visually quite inconspicuous, and the use of visually impairing foam can be avoided.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment, the hose is designed as a plastic film.

[0023] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the hose is made of elastomer plastic. The use of elastomer plastic allows the hose's outer casing to be reversibly elastically stretchable, allowing it to adapt even better to temperature fluctuations and the associated geometric changes and tolerances. The hose's outer casing can also be made of rubber or similar materials.

[0024] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the hose is sealed at its first end by welding. This requires the material to be weldable; a suitable plastic is preferably used.

[0025] According to a further advantageous embodiment, a diffuser is arranged in the flow direction in front of the second end of the hose, in front of or behind the check valve.

[0026] The diffuser advantageously slows down the airflow from the interior fan while simultaneously increasing the static pressure. In other words, it converts the kinetic energy of the airflow generated by the interior fan into pressure energy. This slowing of the airflow can be achieved by expanding the flow cross-section. This creates a static overpressure inside the hose.

[0027] A further aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle with a sealing system as described above and below.

[0028] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the hose is arranged along a lower edge of the windscreen.

[0029] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the hose is arranged below a cockpit cover.

[0030] Advantages and preferred further developments of the proposed vehicle result from an analogous and analogous transfer of the statements made above in connection with the proposed sealing system.

[0031] Further advantages, features, and details will become apparent from the following description, which – where appropriate with reference to the drawings – describes at least one embodiment in detail. Identical, similar, and / or functionally equivalent parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0032] They show: Fig. 1: A vehicle interior with a sealing system according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2: A sealing system in an installed state and an operating state according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0033] The representations in the figures are schematic and not to scale.

[0034] Fig. 1 shows a sealing system for sealing a gap between a windscreen 1 of a vehicle and an area of ​​a cockpit above an instrument panel 3 of the vehicle.

[0035] Here, an airtight tube 5 is provided along the lower edge of a windshield 1. A gap is typically expected along this lower edge through which noise can penetrate into the vehicle's interior.

[0036] Fig. 2 shows in part (A) and part (B) two states of the sealing system of the Fig. 1. In each partial image, a cross-section of the hose 5 below the windscreen 1 is shown. Partial image (A) shows an installed state, for example, during assembly of the vehicle at the factory, or after a windscreen 1 has been replaced. Partial image (B) shows the hose 5 in its operating state. Here, the hose 5 has an increased volume, since, as described under Fig. 1 described by operating an interior fan of the vehicle, the hose 5 was filled with air and thus seals a gap below the windscreen 1.

[0037] Although the invention has been illustrated and explained in detail by preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of variations exist. It is also clear that exemplary embodiments are truly only examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope, possible applications, or configuration of the invention in any way.Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete terms, whereby the person skilled in the art, with knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, can make various changes, for example with regard to the function or the arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description. List of reference symbols 1 windshield 3 Instrument panel 5 hose 7 Check valve

Claims

[1] Sealing system for sealing a gap between a windscreen (1) of a vehicle and an area of ​​a cockpit above an instrument panel (3) of the vehicle, comprising an air-impermeable hose (5), wherein the hose (5) is hermetically sealed at a first end and opens with a second end into a check valve (7) which is connected to an interior fan in such a way that an air flow generated by the interior fan forces through the check valve (7) into the hose (5), but air cannot escape back from the hose (5) through the check valve (7). [2] Sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the hose (5) is made of plastic film. [3] Sealing system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hose (5) is made of elastomer plastic. [4] Sealing system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hose (5) is closed at its first end by welding. [5] Sealing system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a diffuser is arranged in the flow direction in front of the second end of the hose (5), in front of or behind the check valve (7). [6] Vehicle with a sealing system according to one of the preceding claims. [7] Vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the hose (5) is arranged along a lower edge of the windscreen (1). [8] Vehicle according to one of claims 6 to 7, wherein the hose (5) is arranged below a cockpit cover.

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