DE102020201156B4 - Ventilation portal, use of such a and motor vehicle with forced ventilation - Google Patents

Abstract

Ventilation portal (10), comprising
- a rigid frame (18) surrounding an air passage opening (24) and
- an absorber textile (20) made of a flexible, air-permeable, sound-absorbing material, which is fixed to the frame (18) and covers the air passage opening (24), characterized in that the absorber textile (20) is designed as a bag which is fully fixed to the frame (18) with its edge and which can be collapsed under its own weight.

Description

• - einen eine Luftdurchsatzöffnung umlaufenden, steifen Rahmen und
• - ein dichtend an dem Rahmen fixiertes, die Luftdurchsatzöffnung abdeckendes Absorbertextil aus einem flexiblen, luftdurchlässigen, schallabsorbierenden Material.

The invention relates to a ventilation portal comprising

• - a rigid frame surrounding an air passage opening and
• - an absorber textile made of a flexible, air-permeable, sound-absorbing material, tightly fixed to the frame and covering the air passage opening.

The invention further relates to the use of such a ventilation portal as a ventilation portal for a motor vehicle forced ventilation system, wherein the frame is inserted sealingly into a body opening of the motor vehicle.

• - eine einen Fahrzeuginnenraum mit dem Fahrzeugäußeren verbindende Karosserieöffnung sowie
• - ein dichtend in die Karosserieöffnung eingesetztes Entlüftungsportal mit einem eine Luftdurchsatzöffnung umgebenden, steifen Rahmen und einem dichtend an dem Rahmen fixierten, die Luftdurchsatzöffnung abdeckenden Absorbertextil aus einem flexiblen, luftdurchlässigen, schallabsorbierenden Material.

The invention ultimately relates to a motor vehicle with a forced ventilation system, comprising

• - a body opening connecting the interior of a vehicle with the exterior of the vehicle as well as
• - a ventilation portal inserted into the body opening with a sealing effect, comprising a rigid frame surrounding an air passage opening and an absorber textile made of a flexible, air-permeable, sound-absorbing material, which is sealed to the frame and covers the air passage opening.

A ventilation portal of this type, its use as a generic instrument, and a motor vehicle of this type are known from the DE 10 2012 020 683 A1 .

Motor vehicles are typically equipped with a forced ventilation system that allows for rapid pressure equalization in the event of overpressure in the interior, for example, caused by slamming a door, as well as precise, automated climate and dehumidification management. Such a forced ventilation system usually includes a ventilation duct that connects the vehicle interior to a body opening in the bodywork separating the interior from the exterior. This body opening is usually located in a concealed position, such as behind a bumper, where it is not visible from the outside and is largely protected against moisture and dirt ingress. However, such a body opening also represents a disadvantageous acoustic leakage point through which external noises can penetrate the vehicle interior. These include, in particular, exhaust noise, wind noise at body edges, tire noise, and similar sounds. It is therefore known to seal the body opening with an absorber fabric, such as acoustic fleece. This is typically achieved using a frame covered with absorbent fabric, which is inserted into the body opening to create a seal. The ventilation portal, which spans at least the frame and its airflow opening and can be inserted into the body opening as a module, may include further components such as pivoting flaps, additional layers of absorbent fabric, membrane valves, and similar elements.

Thus reveals the DE 10 2015 219 743 A1 a frame covered on both sides, i.e. inside and outside, with an absorber textile, in whose air passage opening between the two absorber textile layers an arrangement of several pivotable closure flaps is positioned.

From the aforementioned generic publication, it is known to provide the frame with tension ribs that curve towards the outside of the vehicle, over which the absorber fabric is stretched in order to maintain a defined distance to the other areas of the ventilation portal or to the body opening. The publication states that the motivation for these measures is to avoid collisions between the absorber fabric and the rubber diaphragm valves located in the area of the air passage opening of the frame.

The problem with conventional forced ventilation systems lies in the conflict between effectively reducing noise transmission on the one hand and ensuring sufficient air permeability of the absorber fabric for effective pressure equalization on the other. For optimized noise reduction, an absorber fabric that is as thick as possible and has low air permeability would be ideal; however, this would create too much airflow resistance to dissipate pressure, such as that generated when a door slams, quickly enough. Conversely, an open frame would be optimal for pressure equalization; however, this would offer no damping whatsoever to noise penetrating from the outside.

From the DE 10 2018 100 851 A1 A system is known in which an absorber textile is stretched over a frame surrounding an air passage opening of a motor vehicle by means of tensioning ribs that curve towards the outside of the vehicle. However, in this system, the tension of the stretched absorber textile can be varied by means of an adjustable tensioning device. The resulting variability in the elongation of the absorber textile, and thus in the size of the spaces between its fibers, allows for adjustments to the tension. This allows for targeted adjustment of air permeability and thus also of sound absorption properties to the specific situation. However, such a system is technically extremely complex and expensive.

The object of the present invention is to further develop a generic ventilation portal, its generic use and a generic motor vehicle in such a way that a good compromise with regard to noise reduction and pressure equalization is achieved in an economical manner.

This problem is solved in conjunction with the features of the preamble of claim 1 by the fact that the absorber textile is designed as a sack that is fully fixed to the frame with its edge and can collapse under its own weight.

The problem is further solved by the features of claim 5, i.e. by using a ventilation portal according to the invention as a ventilation portal of a motor vehicle forced ventilation system, wherein the frame is sealed and inserted into a body opening of the motor vehicle in such a way that the bag projects beyond the frame towards the outside of the vehicle.

The problem is finally solved in conjunction with the features of the preamble of claim 7 by the fact that the absorber textile is designed as a bag which is fully fixed to the frame with its edge, is collapsible under its own weight and projects beyond the frame towards the outside of the vehicle.

Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent patent claims.

The basic idea of the present invention is based on the concept of increasing the surface area of the absorber fabric through which a corresponding airflow passes during pressure equalization. This increase in surface area can be used to improve the acoustic damping effect—namely, by selecting a material with higher flow resistance—and/or to improve the overall air permeability due to the larger throughput area. In the case of inactive forced ventilation, i.e., when no pressure equalization from the vehicle interior to the vehicle exterior is currently required, the bag hangs slackly, collapsed under its own weight, at the outer edge of the body opening or on the frame of the ventilation portal. In this state, it is typically acoustically inactive or irrelevant, since the ventilation flaps or valves preferably contained in the ventilation portal are closed, and the airflow opening of the ventilation portal is thus (especially acoustically) sealed. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, pivotally mounted ventilation flaps, opening towards the interior of the bag or the exterior of the vehicle, are arranged in the airflow opening. During active forced ventilation, for example, when overpressure is generated by the air conditioning system inside the vehicle, the bag inflates due to its flow resistance. Incident sound is effectively absorbed. Simultaneously, the maximized flow area allows for a total airflow sufficient for rapid pressure equalization. This enables a high airflow from the inside to the outside and, at the same time, a high acoustic damping effect from the outside to the inside. The inflating bag adapts to the surrounding structures, such as the interior of a bumper covering the body opening. The same ventilation portal can therefore be readily used across different vehicle models with varying positions of the body opening and/or different designs of the elements covering it. In particular, no model-specific tension rib structure is required.

However, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bag may be loosely placed over a spacer structure connected to the frame. This spacer structure can be designed to be small in size and limited to its basic function of maintaining a minimum distance between the absorber fabric and the airflow opening. In this way, any collision between the absorber fabric and any ventilation flaps or similar components is avoided. At the same time, the size and shape of the spacer frame do not impose any (upper) restrictions on the size and shape of the bag in its inflated state.

Alternatively or additionally, the bag can have one or more spaced-apart, stiffened sections. Such bag stiffeners, which can be designed, for example, as webs or ribs, also act effectively as spacers, as they prevent the bag from collapsing completely.

Alternatively or additionally, the bag can be fixed at one or more points to vehicle structures located on the outside opposite the frame. In particular, such structures opposite the frame could be the interior of a bumper covering the body opening. This point-fixation of the bag to such vehicle structures also contributes to the overall stability of the vehicle. This prevents the bag from collapsing in the unpressurized state, so that this measure also has an effective spacing effect.

Regarding the preferred selection and dimensioning of the absorber textile, reference should be made to the information already mentioned at the beginning. DE 10 2015 219 743 A1 referred.

Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following, specific description and the drawings.

• 1 eine stark schematisierte Darstellung einer ersten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Entlüftungsportals im Montageendzustand,
• 2 eine stark schematisierte Darstellung einer zweiten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Entlüftungsportals im Montageendzustand,
• 3 eine stark schematisierte Darstellung einer dritten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Entlüftungsportals im Montageendzustand,
• 4 eine stark schematisierte Darstellung einer vierten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Entlüftungsportals im Montageendzustand.

They show:

• 1 a highly schematic representation of a first embodiment of a ventilation portal according to the invention in its final assembly state,
• 2 a highly schematic representation of a second embodiment of a ventilation portal according to the invention in its final assembly state,
• 3 a highly schematic representation of a third embodiment of a ventilation portal according to the invention in its final assembly state,
• 4 a highly schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of a ventilation portal according to the invention in its final assembly state.

Identical reference symbols in the figures indicate identical or analogous elements.

The 1 to 4 Figure 1 shows, in highly schematic sectional views, preferred embodiments of a ventilation portal 10 according to the invention in its final assembly state in the body 12 of a motor vehicle. The ventilation portal 10 is inserted into a body opening 14, i.e., an opening in the body 12 separating the vehicle interior from the vehicle exterior. The body opening 14 is located in an area covered by a bumper 16 mounted externally on the body. The essential elements of the ventilation portal 10 are its frame 18 and a flexible, bag-like absorber textile 20 attached to the outer edge of the frame in a sealing manner. The absorber textile 20 is shown in the illustrations of the 1 to 4 Each is shown twice: once in its inflated state (with a solid bold line) and once in its collapsed state (with a bold dashed line). In the illustrated embodiments, the frame 18 is inserted into the body opening 14 by means of a sealing flange 22. At the inner edge of the frame, the air passage opening 24 formed or surrounded by the frame 18 is closed by means of a further absorber textile 26 stretched over the air passage opening 24.

Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiments, a flap arrangement 28 consisting of several outwardly pivoting ventilation flaps is arranged within the frame 18. When the pressure between the vehicle interior and exterior is equal, and when there is negative pressure inside the vehicle, the flaps are closed, as indicated by the dashed lines. When there is positive pressure inside the vehicle, the flaps open outwards to allow pressure equalization.

Such pressure equalization is associated with an airflow from the inside to the outside, which inflates the bag-like absorber textile 20, as shown by the solid lines. This maximizes the interaction area of the absorber textile 20, so that even with a comparatively high flow resistance of the absorber textile 20, good airflow and thus efficient ventilation or pressure equalization between the vehicle interior and exterior is possible. At the same time, the flow resistance of the absorber textile 20 ensures effective sound absorption, which is thereby prevented from penetrating the vehicle interior. The absorber textile bag 20 conforms to the structures surrounding the body opening 14, in this case the bumper 16.

In the inactive state of such a forced ventilation system, i.e. with the flap arrangement 28 closed, the absorber textile bag 20 hangs down slackly.

In order to counteract in particular a possible collision between the absorber textile bag 20 and the flap arrangement 28, the absorber textile bag 20 is, in the embodiment of 2 The absorber textile bag 20 is fixed to the bumper 16 at two fixing points 30. This means that the absorber textile bag 20 hangs significantly apart from the flap arrangement 28, even when relaxed.

In the embodiment of 3 This effect is achieved by a spacer structure 32 that extends beyond the outer edge of the frame 18 in a rib- or frame-like manner.

In the embodiment of 4 The absorber textile 20 is provided with its own stiffening elements 34, which counteract its complete collapse in the relaxed state and thus create an effective spacer effect.

Of course, the embodiments discussed in the specific description and shown in the figures are only illustrative. The following are examples of the present invention. In light of the disclosure herein, a wide range of possible variations is available to the person skilled in the art.

Reference symbol list

10

Ventilation portal

12

body

14

Body opening

16

Bumper

18

Frame

20

Absorbent textile

22

flange

24

Air passage opening

26

further absorber textile

28

Flap arrangement

30

Fixation point

32

Spacer structure

34

stiffening element

Claims (11)

Ventilation portal (10), comprising - a rigid frame (18) surrounding an air passage opening (24) and - an absorber textile (20) made of a flexible, air-permeable, sound-absorbing material and sealed to the frame (18) and covering the air passage opening (24), characterized in that the absorber textile (20) is designed as a bag that is fully fixed to the frame (18) with its edge and is collapsible under its own weight. Ventilation portal (10) after Claim 1 , characterized in that ventilation flaps (28) which are pivotably mounted in the air passage opening (24) and which can be opened towards the inside of the bag are arranged. Ventilation portal (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bag is loosely placed over a spacer structure (32) connected to the frame (18). Venting portal (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bag has one or more spaced-apart, stiffened areas (34). Use of a vent portal (10) according to one of the preceding claims as a vent portal (10) of a motor vehicle forced ventilation system, wherein the frame (18) is sealed and inserted into a body opening (14) of the motor vehicle in such a way that the bag extends beyond the frame (18) towards the outside of the vehicle. Use according Claim 5 , characterized in that the bag is fixed at one or more points (30) on the frame (18) on the outside opposite vehicle structures (16). Motor vehicle with forced ventilation, comprising - a body opening (14) connecting a vehicle interior with the vehicle exterior, and - a ventilation portal (10) inserted sealingly into the body opening (14) with a rigid frame (18) surrounding an air passage opening (24) and an absorber textile (20) made of a flexible, air-permeable, sound-absorbing material and sealed to the frame (18), characterized in that the absorber textile (20) is designed as a bag that is fully fixed to the frame (18) with its edge, is collapsible under its own weight, and projects beyond the frame (18) towards the vehicle exterior. motor vehicle Claim 7 , characterized in that ventilation flaps (28) which are pivotably mounted in the air passage opening (24) and which can be opened towards the outside of the vehicle are arranged. motor vehicle according to one of the Claims 7 until 8 , characterized in that the bag is loosely placed over a spacer structure (32) connected to the frame (18). motor vehicle according to one of the Claims 7 until 9 , characterized in that the bag has one or more spaced-apart, stiffened areas (34). motor vehicle according to one of the Claims 7 until 10 , characterized in that the bag is fixed at one or more points (30) on the frame (18) on the outside opposite vehicle structures (16).