Vehicle Cabin Vent Valve Layout for Noise and Pollutant Blocking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle ventilation systems face issues with noise ingress and pollutant entry, particularly when pressure limitation valves open due to turbulent flows, compromising passenger safety and comfort.

Innovation Solution

A ventilation apparatus with a dual pressure limitation valve system and a ventilator device, featuring a calming zone and check valves, along with an optional sensory system and actuated ventilator, to prevent pollutant ingress and reduce noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the pressure limitation valve is designed to be as small as possible to reduce noise ingress, then noise protection is improved, but the pressure compensation rate deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise ingressVSAvoidpressure compensation rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure limitation valve is divided into multiple separate valves instead of a single large valve. This segmentation allows each individual valve to remain small (reducing noise ingress when open) while the collective arrangement of multiple valves provides sufficient total opening area (maintaining pressure compensation rate). The multiple valves are distributed across the frame structure, enabling parallel pressure relief functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stress or pressure

If the pressure limitation valve is opened to achieve pressure compensation, then pressure relief is improved, but noise ingress and pollutant entry worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure reliefVSAvoidnoise ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple smaller pressure limitation valves are used instead of one large valve. When pressure compensation is needed, these distributed small valves can open to provide relief while their smaller individual sizes reduce the noise ingress and pollutant entry compared to a single large opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure limitation valves are designed to be dynamically controllable, allowing selective opening and closing based on pressure conditions. This dynamic behavior enables the system to open valves only when necessary for pressure relief, minimizing the time that openings are present and thus reducing overall noise ingress and pollutant entry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a muffler space is added to reduce noise, then noise protection is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise reductionVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the pressure limitation valves, acts as a mounting structure, and simultaneously functions as a flow-calming zone that reduces noise. By making the frame multi-functional, a muffler-like noise reduction effect is achieved without adding separate dedicated noise reduction components, thus avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The flow-calming zone is merged with the frame structure rather than being a separate component. This integration combines the structural support function with the noise reduction function in a single element, achieving noise reduction without increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Effectively prevents pollutant entry and noise ingress while maintaining low flow resistance, enhancing vehicle safety and comfort by actively managing airflow and pollutant detection.

Implementation Method 1

an airflow from the interior of the vehicle can pass outwardly via the vent opening, namely in that this airflow lifts the at least one flap of the pressure limitation valve assembly away from the frame due to the adjustment of pressure ratios

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure ratio adjustment: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The check valve is configured such that the closing element is pressed into a sealing seat associated with the closing element by way of gravity and by the flow pressure of the gas flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

The check valve is configured such that the closing element is pressed into a sealing seat associated with the closing element by way of gravity and by the flow pressure of the gas flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20250381821A1Vehicle Interior Ventilation Device with a Pressure Relief Valve Arrangement

Publication Date: 2025.12.18 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a vehicle cabin ventilation apparatus (20) having a pressure limitation valve assembly (21) and a frame-like component (22) for laterally enclosing and/or fixing the pressure limitation valve assembly (21) in a receptacle opening of a vehicle body component (30). The vehicle cabin ventilation apparatus (20) comprises a ventilator device (23) that is or can be actuated as needed.