Motor vehicle with improved interior water resistance

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle (1) with a vehicle body (2) having at least one interior space (3), with at least one actuating element (4) adjustably mounted on the vehicle body (2) by which the at least one interior space (3) can be reversibly closed, with a sealing system (5) comprising a first seal (6) and a second seal (7) which, in the closed state of the actuating element (4), define a pressure chamber (8), and with a means (9) for generating overpressure in the pressure chamber (8) in the closed state of the actuating element (4). The first seal (6) has a first sealing surface (10) on the pressure chamber side and, on the opposite side, a first contact surface (11) facing the interior space (3), wherein the second seal (7) has a second contact surface (12) on the pressure chamber side and a water sealing surface (13) on the opposite side.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle with a vehicle body having at least one interior space, with at least one actuating element adjustable to the vehicle body by which the at least one interior space can be reversibly closed, with a sealing system comprising a first seal and a second seal which define a pressure chamber when the actuating element is closed, and with a means for generating overpressure in the pressure chamber when the actuating element is closed, wherein the first seal has a pressure chamber-side first sealing surface and on the opposite side a first contact surface facing the interior space, wherein the second seal has a pressure chamber-side second contact surface and on the opposite side a water sealing surface, wherein the first seal is associated with the actuating element and the second seal with the vehicle body below the first seal, and wherein the second seal is oriented downwards.

[0002] Motor vehicles, especially off-road vehicles, are designed to ford bodies of water. A wading depth can be specified for each vehicle, allowing for a safe crossing of calm water at a reasonable speed without water entering the engine, damaging the electronics, or impairing vehicle functions. The wading depth is greater for off-road vehicles than for vehicles designed and optimized for urban driving. However, even these vehicles require good water protection, for example, in heavy rain.

[0003] The wading depth relates to the aforementioned properties; however, observing the wading depth when crossing a body of water can still lead to water penetrating an interior space.

[0004] In DE 10 2008 028 004 A1, a venting system for a vehicle door seal is described, which serves to discharge compressed air trapped in the sealing gap between two seals when closing a vehicle door through a sealing channel into the vehicle interior in order to reduce the force required to close the vehicle door.

[0005] KR 20 1998 0 022 871 U discloses a sealing system with a vehicle-side seal and a door-side seal that define a pressure chamber when the vehicle door is closed. Air can be introduced into the pressure chamber by means of an air supply device when the door is closed, and escapes to the atmosphere when the door is opened.

[0006] A leak detection device is known from KR 10 2023 0 057 859 A, in which a seal is mounted on the outer circumference of a vehicle door or door opening. Air can be injected into or removed from this seal by means of a blower. A sensor monitors the opening and closing of the vehicle door, and a control unit regulates the blower depending on the state detected by the sensor. Thus, air can be injected into the seal when the vehicle door is closed and released from the seal when the door is open.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a motor vehicle in which the water resistance is improved.

[0008] This problem is solved by a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] The vehicle's design, as described above, with its specific sealing system, allows for the creation of overpressure within the pressure chamber. This overpressure acts on the first sealing surface of the first seal, pressing it firmly against its primary contact surface. The overpressure also acts on the second seal, specifically on its secondary contact surface. This creates a kind of pressure relief valve, limiting the overpressure to a predetermined or adjustable value, thus preventing critical or even dangerous overpressure. Furthermore, the external water pressure exerted on the secondary contact surface of the water seal increases the pressure, thereby improving the sealing effect.The opening pressure of the pressure relief valve is therefore dependent on the water depth and the given hydrostatic pressure, and increases desirablely with increasing water depth. Furthermore, the hydrostatic pressure at the water sealing surface improves the sealing effect.

[0010] Since the first seal is located on the actuator and the second seal is located on the vehicle body below the first seal, the second seal remains stationary within the coordinate system defined by the vehicle and is therefore subject to less wear. Draining any water that has penetrated the seal is also facilitated, as this occurs independently and spatially separate from the first seal. Because the second seal is oriented downwards, the flow direction of water or air from the pressure chamber is also predetermined, directing it downwards towards the ground.

[0011] It has also proven advantageous if the pressure chamber-side second contact surface of the second seal is convexly curved in the closed state of the actuator, as this promotes the function with regard to the overpressure valve and the water drainage.

[0012] Furthermore, the second seal can taper towards its free end, whereby this taper determines the response behavior of the pressure relief valve, because the free end is more flexible.

[0013] The means of generating overpressure can be a compressor or a compressed gas cylinder, preferably containing compressed air, but also other gases or gas mixtures. Nitrox, for example, can be used.

[0014] If the means for generating overpressure is designed in such a way that an overpressure can be generated which exceeds the sealing effect of the second seal, then this promotes the cleaning of the pressure chamber and blows out any substances that have penetrated.

[0015] Preferably, the actuating element is formed by a door through which the interior, which is formed by a passenger compartment, can be closed. The actuating element is then usually a swing door, although sliding doors are also possible, particularly in minivans.

[0016] The invention is not only usable and useful with regard to passenger compartments, i.e., a specific interior space, but for any externally sealed interior space. The actuating element can be formed by a trunk lid, through which the interior space formed by a trunk can be closed.

[0017] It is particularly advantageous if a control unit is present that allows the means of generating overpressure to be activated manually or automatically before or during driving over a body of water, based on sensor data. This avoids the need for the overpressure generating device to be permanently active, since driving over bodies of water is a rare occurrence relative to the total operating time of the vehicle.

[0018] The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those subsequently mentioned in the figure description and / or shown in the figure alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments that are not explicitly shown or explained in the figure, but which can be derived and generated from the explained embodiments by separate combinations of features, are also to be considered as encompassed and disclosed by the invention.

[0019] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the following description of preferred embodiments, and the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1. A depiction of a motor vehicle crossing a body of water, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of applying pressure to a sealing system, and Fig. 3 one of the Fig. 2. Corresponding representation of the sealing system using pressure for drainage.

[0020] In the Fig. Figure 1 schematically depicts a motor vehicle 1 crossing a body of water, being surrounded by water up to a depth not exceeding the fording depth. It can be seen that the lower edge of the door can nevertheless dip into the water, which is particularly the case if the motor vehicle 1 tilts to one side relative to its direction of travel due to the nature of the riverbed.

[0021] To prevent or reduce the ingress of water, a motor vehicle 1 with a vehicle body 2 having at least one interior compartment 3, and with at least one actuating element 4 adjustable on the vehicle body 2 by which the at least one interior compartment 3 can be reversibly closed, is provided with a sealing system 5. The sealing system 5 comprises a first seal 6 and a second seal 7, which, when the actuating element is closed, define a pressure chamber 8. A means 9 for generating overpressure in the pressure chamber 8 when the actuating element 4 is closed is also provided.

[0022] The first seal 6 has a pressure chamber-side first sealing surface 10 and, on the opposite side, a first contact surface 11 facing the interior 3. The second seal 7 has a pressure chamber-side second contact surface 12 and, on the opposite side, a water-sealing surface 13. Fig. 2).

[0023] The first sealing surface 10 increases the sealing effect of the first seal 6 under overpressure in the pressure chamber 8, while the water sealing surface 13, due to the hydrostatic pressure prevailing when crossing the body of water, improves the sealing effect of the second seal 7 and makes it more difficult for water to penetrate the pressure chamber 8. Furthermore, the design of the second seal 7 allows any water that has penetrated to drain away after leaving the body of water, or it can be actively blown out by the means 9 to generate overpressure. Fig. 3).

[0024] The Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows that the first seal 6 is assigned to the actuator 4 and the second seal 7 to the vehicle body 2 below the first seal 6, wherein the pressure chamber-side second contact surface 12 of the second seal 7 is concavely curved in the closed state of the actuator 4.

[0025] The second seal 7 is oriented downwards and tapers towards its free end.

[0026] The means 9 for generating overpressure can be formed by a compressor, as is the case in the Fig. Figure 2 is shown. A pressurized gas cylinder can be used additionally or alternatively.

[0027] The means 9 for generating overpressure is designed such that an overpressure can be generated which exceeds the sealing effect of the second seal 7. It is possible to provide a first operating pressure which does not exceed the sealing effect and serves to improve the sealing effect, and a second operating pressure which exceeds the sealing effect and serves to blow out water that has penetrated the pressure chamber 8 or to remove contaminants.

[0028] The control element 4 is formed by a door through which the interior space 3 can be closed, which then forms a passenger compartment. Alternatively, the control element 4 can be formed by a trunk lid through which the interior space 3 can be closed, which then forms a trunk.

[0029] A control unit is provided through which the agent 9 can be activated manually or automatically, based on data from a sensor, to generate overpressure before or during passage through a body of water. REFERENCE MARK LIST: 1 motor vehicle 2 Vehicle bodies 3 Interior 4 Control unit 5 Sealing system 6 first seal 7 second seal 8 pressure chamber 9 Means of generating overpressure 10 first sealing surface 11 first investment area 12 second investment area 13 Water sealing surface 14 Door 15 liquid levels

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (1) with a vehicle body (2) with at least one interior space (3), with at least one actuating element (4) adjustable on the vehicle body (2) by which the at least one interior space (3) can be reversibly closed, with a sealing system (5) comprising a first seal (6) and a second seal (7) which, in the closed state of the actuating element (4), seal between the actuating element (4) and the vehicle body (2) and define a pressure space (8), and with a means (9) for generating an overpressure in the pressure space (8) in the closed state of the actuating element (4), characterized by, that the first seal (6) has a pressure chamber-side first sealing surface (10) and on the opposite side a first contact surface (11) pointing towards the interior (3), and that the second seal (7) has a pressure chamber-side second contact surface (12) and on the opposite side a water sealing surface (13), that the first seal (6) is assigned to the actuating part (4) and the second seal to the vehicle body (2) below the first seal (6), and that the second seal (7) is oriented downwards. [2] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the pressure chamber-side second contact surface (12) of the second seal (7) is convexly curved in the closed state of the actuating part (4). [3] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the second seal (7) tapers towards its free end. [4] Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that the means (9) for generating overpressure is formed by a compressor or a compressed gas cylinder. [5] Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the means (9) for generating an overpressure is designed in such a way that an overpressure can be generated which exceeds the sealing effect of the second seal (7). [6] Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the actuating element (4) is formed by a door (14) through which the interior space (3) can be closed, which is formed by a passenger compartment. [7] Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the actuating element (4) is formed by a trunk lid through which the interior (3) can be closed, which is formed by a trunk. [8] Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by, that a control unit is present by which the means (9) for generating overpressure can be activated manually or automatically based on data from a sensor before or during passage through a body of water.

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