One-Way Valve Assembly for Vehicle Cowl Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle body structures with one-way valves at the cowl end in the vehicle width direction are inefficient and costly to install, as they require a large frame to cover the cross section of the water channel and cannot be installed from the outside of the dash panel plate, leading to slow assembly and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle body structure with a one-way valve assembly comprising a flapper and frame, where the frame is smaller than the water channel cross section, allowing installation from the inside of the dash panel plate, and a flexible blocking member with slits that operates to open and close the drain opening in response to air flow pressure, ensuring a seal and efficient water discharge and heat prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a large frame is used to cover the cross section of the water channel, then the one-way valve can be installed from the outside of the dash panel plate, but the assembly speed is slow and costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional installation direction by installing the one-way valve from the inside of the dash panel plate rather than from the outside. This is achieved by making the frame smaller than the water channel cross-section, allowing it to fit through the dash panel plate opening from the interior side, thereby enabling faster assembly without requiring a large external frame structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified version of the traditional valve structure by using a frame that is smaller than the water channel cross-section. This reduced-size frame serves as an alternative embodiment that achieves the same functional purpose (supporting the flexible member and blocking the drain opening) while enabling installation from the inside of the dash panel plate, thus improving assembly efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the one-way valve is installed after assembling the remainder of the vehicle body, then the valve frame can be attached to the cowl, but the installation process is complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the installation sequence and direction by attaching the one-way valve from the inside of the dash panel plate rather than from the outside after body assembly. This reversal allows the valve to be installed through the existing opening in the dash panel plate, eliminating the need for complex external frame attachment procedures and reducing assembly time significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the one-way valve assembly as a separate, self-contained unit with a simplified frame structure that can be installed independently through the dash panel plate opening. This extracted design removes the complexity of integrating a large external frame with the cowl structure, allowing for faster, more straightforward installation after the main vehicle body is assembled.
3Reliability
If a frame large enough to cover the water channel cross section is used, then the one-way valve can block the drain opening effectively, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified frame structure that is smaller than the water channel cross-section, serving as an alternative to the traditional large covering frame. This reduced-size frame maintains blocking effectiveness by positioning the flexible member to seal the drain opening, while eliminating the complexity and cost associated with manufacturing and installing a large external frame structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential functional elements needed for blocking the drain opening, removing the unnecessary portions of a large frame structure. The frame is designed to be just large enough to support the flexible blocking member and fit through the dash panel plate, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable blocking functionality.
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
This solution enables a faster, more cost-effective installation of the one-way valve assembly, ensuring reliable discharge of water and prevention of engine heat from entering the vehicle cabin, with improved sealing and reduced residual water in the discharge channel.
Implementation Method 1
a flapper operable to open and close the drain opening in response to a differential pressure generated when air flows through the air inlet
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle body structure includes a cowl extending in a vehicle transverse direction at an upper rear section of an engine compartment, an air inlet to introduce outside air into a vehicle cabin from the cowl, a fluid discharge channel provided at the bottom of the cowl, the fluid discharge channel inclined to guide fluid entering the cowl to a drain opening disposed at a transverse end of the cowl, a one-way valve disposed inside the cowl at a position corresponding to the drain opening, the one-way valve including a flapper operable to open and close the drain opening in response to a differential pressure generated when air flows through the air inlet and a frame comprising a valve opening corresponding to the drain opening, wherein the one-way valve covers the drain opening.