POWERED DIAPHRAGM AIR EXTRACTOR AND CONTROL SYSTEM

• US 20130095738A1
• Filed: 10/12/2011
• Published: 04/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Marleau, Jim Antime, Petniunas, Alexander, Dishman, Todd William, Reo, Kenneth Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,410,717 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 454/141
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/249 using one-way valves
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/06 Outlets for directing or distributing air into rooms or spaces, e.g. ceiling air diffuser
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/24 Means for preventing or suppressing noise

Abstract

An air extractor assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a diaphragm seat attached to a panel of the vehicle'"'"'s interior, a diaphragm movable between a closed position and an open position with respect to the diaphragm seat, and a position controller that regulates movement of the diaphragm. The position controller may be any one of a variety of linear movers and may be selected from the group consisting of a solenoid, a motor, a vacuum, and a plunger. The diaphragm includes a resilient member so that when the diaphragm is in its closed position a tight seal is formed between the diaphragm seat and the diaphragm. The position controller is by any one of a variety of several regulating mechanisms operating alone or in combination. The regulating mechanism include but are not limited to the vehicle HVAC system, an oxygen sensor, door latches, and a humidity sensor.

Claims

1. An air extractor assembly for an automotive vehicle, the vehicle having an interior compartment and a body panel separating the interior compartment from the outer atmosphere, the air extractor assembly comprising:

a diaphragm seat attached to the body panel;

a diaphragm movable between a closed position and an open position with respect to said diaphragm seat; and

a linear mover to which said diaphragm is attached for controlling movement of said diaphragm.

2. The air extractor assembly of claim 1 further including a regulator and a sensor.

3. The air extractor assembly of claim 2 further wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of an HVAC system sensor, an oxygen sensor, a door latch sensor, a humidity sensor, or an air pressure sensor.

4. The air extractor assembly of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm seat includes an inside surface and an outside surface.

5. The air extractor assembly of claim 4 wherein said inside surface has a diaphragm seat formed thereon.

6. The air extractor assembly of claim 4 wherein said outside surface has a diaphragm seat formed thereon.

7. The air extractor assembly of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm is disc-shaped.

8. The air extractor assembly of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm includes a resilient member and said diaphragm has a central area, said resilient member being located in said central area.

9. The air extractor assembly of claim 1 wherein said linear mover is selected from the group consisting of a solenoid, a motor, a vacuum, and a plunger.

10. An air extractor assembly for an automotive vehicle, the vehicle having an interior compartment and a body panel separating the interior compartment from the outer atmosphere, the air extractor assembly comprising:

a diaphragm seat attached to the body panel;

a diaphragm movable between a closed position and an open position with respect to said diaphragm seat; and

a position controller to which said diaphragm is attached for controlling movement of said diaphragm.

11. The air extractor assembly of claim 10 wherein said position controller is selected from the group consisting of a solenoid, a motor, a vacuum, and a plunger.

12. The air extractor assembly of claim 10 further including a regulator operatively associated with said position controller and a sensor operatively associated with said regulator, said sensor being selected from the group consisting of an HVAC system sensor, an oxygen sensor, a door latch sensor, a humidity sensor, or an air pressure sensor.

13. The air extractor assembly of claim 10 wherein said diaphragm seat includes an inside surface and an outside surface.

14. The air extractor assembly of claim 13 wherein said inside surface has a diaphragm seat formed thereon.

15. The air extractor assembly of claim 14 wherein said outside surface has a diaphragm seat formed thereon.

16. The air extractor assembly of claim 10 wherein said diaphragm is disc-shaped.

17. The air extractor assembly of claim 10 wherein said diaphragm includes a resilient member.

18. The air extractor assembly of claim 17 wherein said diaphragm has a central area and wherein said resilient member is located in said central area.

19. A method for controlling the flow of air into and out of an interior compartment of a vehicle, the vehicle including a movable occupant door and a body panel separating the interior compartment from the outer atmosphere, the method comprising the steps of:

forming an air extractor assembly comprising a diaphragm seat attached to the body panel, a diaphragm movable between a closed position and an open position with respect to said diaphragm seat, and a position controller to which said diaphragm is attached for controlling movement of said diaphragm;

positioning said diaphragm seat on the body panel; and

moving said diaphragm from said closed position to said open position to equalize air pressure within the interior compartment relative to the outer atmosphere.

20. The method for controlling the flow of air of claim 19 wherein said position controller is selected from the group consisting of a solenoid, a motor, a vacuum, and a plunger.