Vehicle Vent Valve Actuator for Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vent valves in vehicles fail to effectively prevent excessive air pressure in the passenger compartment when doors are closed, leading to increased pressure and potential noise and vibration issues.
Innovation Solution
A vent valve assembly with an actuator assembly that moves the vent valve from a closed to an open position before excessive pressure occurs, utilizing a door position sensor, force transmitting member, closing spring, and friction damper to maintain the vent valve in a partially open state, allowing air to escape and preventing significant pressure increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a known pressure relief valve is used to relieve pressure after door closure, then pressure can be relieved, but the valve responds too late to prevent excessive pressure buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The vent valve is opened in advance before door closure occurs, proactively preventing pressure buildup rather than reacting after pressure has increased. The actuator assembly detects door opening and opens the vent valve beforehand, so when the door closes and pressure would normally build up, the valve is already open to allow pressure equalization.
2Reliability
If the vent valve remains open to maintain airflow and prevent pressure buildup, then pressure increases are prevented, but the valve should close to maintain vehicle sealing and insulation
Solution Approach 1:
The vent valve operates periodically rather than remaining continuously open or closed. It opens before door closure to prevent pressure buildup, then closes after door closure to maintain sealing. This periodic operation pattern allows the system to achieve both pressure control and noise reduction by being open only when needed for pressure equalization.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator assembly serves as an intermediary between door position detection and vent valve control. It processes the door position signal and controls the vent valve timing, enabling precise control of when the valve opens and closes to balance pressure control and noise reduction requirements.
3Reliability
If the vent valve closes quickly after door closure, then sealing is restored, but pressure equalization is incomplete causing sudden pressure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The vent valve transitions from a static fully open/closed system to a dynamic system with controlled timing. The valve opens before door closure and closes after door closure, creating a dynamic timing pattern that allows pressure equalization to occur during the transition period, then restores sealing after pressure stabilization.
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
The solution effectively prevents significant air pressure increases in the passenger compartment, allowing doors to close easily and quietly by maintaining airflow, thus reducing noise and vibration.
Implementation Method 1
A friction damper may be provided to delay closing of the vent valve
Implementation Method 2
A closing spring may be provided to urge the vent valve to a closed position
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a vent valve movable between a closed condition blocking air flow through a vent opening and an open condition enabling air flow through the vent opening. A door position sensor assembly is operable from a first condition to a second condition in response to movement of a vehicle door from a closed position to an open position and is operable from the second condition to the first condition in response to movement of the vehicle door from the open position to the closed position. An actuator assembly operates the vent valve from the closed condition to the open condition upon operation of the door position sensor assembly from the first condition to the second condition and releases the vent valve for movement from the open condition to the closed condition upon operation of the door position sensor assembly from the second condition to the first condition.