Cover for a pressure-limiting valve arrangement of a vehicle, pressure-limiting valve arrangement, and method for producing a cover for a pressure-limiting valve arrangement

Abstract

A cover (1) for a pressure-limiting valve arrangement of a vehicle, wherein the cover (1) has at least one side wall (2a, 2b, 2c), preferably at least two side walls, and has a wall region (3) serving as a lid region of the cover (1), wherein the cover (1) is transferable from a state of manufacture into a state of use, wherein, in the state of manufacture, the at least one side wall (2a, 2b, 2c) and the wall region (3) serving as a lid region are situated at least substantially and/or at least regionally in a common plane, and wherein, in the state of use, the at least one side wall (2a, 2b, 2c) and the wall region (3) serving as a lid region are situated in mutually different planes.

Claims

1. A cover for a pressure-limiting valve arrangement of a vehicle, comprising: at least one side wall including has a wall region serving as a lid region of the cover, wherein the cover is transferable from a state of manufacture into a state of use, wherein, in the state of manufacture, the at least one side wall and the wall region serving as a lid region are situated at least substantially and/or at least regionally in a common plane, and wherein, in the state of use, the at least one side wall and the wall region serving as a lid region are situated in mutually different planes; wherein the at least one side wall and the wall region serving as a lid region each have a first surface, which, in the state of manufacture of the cover, face in a common direction, that points perpendicularly to the common plane, and which, in the state of use of the cover, at least regionally form an inner surface of a silencer space, wherein a sound absorption material is arranged at least regionally on the first surface of the at least one side wall and/or on the first surface of the wall region serving as a lid region.

2. The cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in the state of use, the at least one side wall and the wall region serving as a lid region at least regionally delimit a three-dimensional silencer space.

3. The cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sound absorption material is connected to the first surface of the at least one side wall, and/or to the first surface of the wall region serving as a lid region, via at least one materially bonded, form-fitting and/or force-fitting connection.

4. The cover as claimed in claim 3, wherein, for the purpose of at least temporarily fixing the sound absorption material, at least one connection element, serving as a snap-action and/or latching connection element, is provided on the first surface of the at least one side wall and/or on the first surface of the wall region serving as a lid region.

5. The cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein a partition formed via at least one web which is formed integrally with the material of the at least one side wall and/or of the wall region serving as a lid region is formed on a surface opposite the first surface of the at least one side wall and/or on a surface opposite the first surface of the wall region serving as a lid region.

6. The cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one side wall is articulately connected to the wall region serving as a lid region via at least one film hinge.

7. The cover as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one side wall, the at least one film hinge and the wall region serving as a lid region are formed integrally, during a plastic injection-molding process.

8. The cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one side wall comprises at least two side walls, wherein each side wall of the at least two side walls is, in each case via a connecting edge region, articulately connected to a connecting edge region of the wall region serving as a lid region, wherein, a first side wall of the at least two side walls, which includes a first edge region on which at least one first snap-action or latching element is formed, wherein, in the state of use of the cover, the first edge region directly adjoins a second edge region of a second side wall of the at least two side walls, wherein the at least one first snap-action or latching element is formed at least regionally in a manner complimentary to a second snap-action or latching element formed on the second edge region wherein the second edge region, in the state of use of the cover, directly adjoins the first edge region.

9. The cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein, an edge region of the at least one side wall faces in a direction away from the wall region serving as a lid region, the edge region has at least one snap-action and/or latching element formed thereon for a connection of the cover to the pressure-limiting valve arrangement.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention also relates to a cover which has been produced according to the previously described method.

(2) The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments of the cover according to the invention and of the production method according to the invention that are shown in the drawings, in which:

(3) FIG. 1 shows, schematically and in an isometric view, a cover, which is known from the prior art, for a pressure-limiting valve arrangement of a vehicle;

(4) FIG. 2 shows, schematically and in an isometric view, an exemplary embodiment of the cover according to the invention for a pressure-limiting valve arrangement of a vehicle, wherein the cover is present in its state of use;

(5) FIG. 3A shows, schematically, an isometric view of the second surfaces, opposite the first surfaces of the side walls, and of the second surface, opposite the first surface of the wall region serving as a lid region, of the exemplary embodiment of the cover according to the invention according to FIG. 2, but in the state of manufacture of the cover;

(6) FIG. 3B shows, schematically, and in an isometric view of the first surfaces of the side walls and of the wall region serving as a lid region of the exemplary embodiment of the cover according to the invention according to FIG. 2, but in the state of manufacture of the cover;

(7) FIG. 4 shows, schematically and in an isometric view, the exemplary embodiment of the cover according to the invention according to FIG. 3B with the sound absorption material applied to the first surface of the side walls and to the first surface of the wall region serving as a lid region;

(8) FIG. 5 shows, schematically and in an isometric view, the cover according to FIG. 4 during its transfer into its state of use;

(9) FIG. 6 shows, schematically and in an isometric view, the exemplary embodiment of the cover according to the invention according to FIG. 4 in its transferred state of use;

(10) FIG. 7A shows, schematically and in an isometric view, a latching element arrangement on corresponding edge regions of mutually adjacent side walls of the exemplary embodiment of the cover according to the invention, specifically before formation of a latching connection;

(11) FIG. 7B shows, schematically and in an isometric view, the latching element arrangement according to FIG. 7A in the latched state;

(12) FIG. 8A shows, schematically and in an isometric view, a latching element arrangement on corresponding edge regions of mutually adjacent side walls of the exemplary embodiment of the cover according to the invention, specifically before formation of a latching connection;

(13) FIG. 8B shows, schematically and in an isometric view, the latching element arrangement according to FIG. 8A in the latched state;

(14) FIG. 9 shows, schematically and in an isometric view, a first method step of an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention for manufacturing the cover according to the invention, wherein, in the first method step, a housing of the cover is provided by said housing being placed into a die-like device;

(15) FIG. 10 shows, schematically and in an isometric view, the housing of the cover that is placed in the die-like device;

(16) FIGS. 11A-11B show, schematically and in each case in an isometric view, a further method step for producing the cover according to the invention, wherein, in said further method step, a pressing punch is dressed with a provided (at least substantially flat) sound absorption material;

(17) FIGS. 12A-12C show, schematically and in each case in an isometric view, a further method step for producing the cover according to the invention, wherein, in said further method step, the previously dressed pressing punch is introduced into the housing of the cover that is held in the die-like device;

(18) FIG. 13 shows, schematically and in an isometric partially sectioned view, the dressed pressing punch in its state introduced into the housing of the cover that is held in the die-like device;

(19) FIG. 14 shows, schematically and in an isometric view, a further method step for producing the cover according to the invention, wherein, in this further method step, the pressing punch together with the housing of the cover and the sound absorption material fixed to the housing of the cover is withdrawn from the die-like device; and

(20) FIG. 15 shows, schematically and in an isometric view, a further method step for producing the cover according to the invention, wherein, in said further method step, the pressing punch withdrawn from the die-like device is separated from the housing of the cover and from the sound absorption material fixed to the housing of the cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(21) In order to dissipate the buildup of the air pressure in the interior of a vehicle during the closing, for example, of the tailgate, a vehicle can be provided with an opening and with a pressure-limiting valve located in the opening. The pressure-limiting valve can open when there is increased air pressure in the interior of the vehicle, in order to allow air in the interior to escape, as a result of which the air pressure in the interior of the vehicle is dissipated and the effort for closing the tailgate is reduced.

(22) Furthermore, a vehicle with a pressure-limiting valve can influence the airflow from the vehicle passenger compartment in order to increase the passenger comfort. Since an air conditioning system sucks up ambient air from outside the vehicle and the air is introduced into the vehicle passenger compartment, venting by means of the pressure-limiting valve is required in order to achieve proper circulation and to dissipate the buildup of pressure in the passenger compartment.

(23) Since, when a pressure-limiting valve is opened, noise can penetrate from the outside through the opening, it is known in general from the prior art to assign a cover 10 serving as a sound-insulating space (silencer space) to the pressure-limiting valve.

(24) An embodiment of a cover 10, which is known from the prior art, for a pressure-limiting valve arrangement is shown, schematically and in an isometric view, in FIG. 1.

(25) The cover 10 which is known in general from this prior art has an overall three-dimensionally formed configuration which is formed by a multiplicity of side walls 20a, 20b, 20c and a wall region 30 serving as a lid region. Latching or snap-action connection elements 50 are provided on corresponding edge regions of the side walls 20a, 20b, 20c, which regions point away from the wall region 30 serving as a lid region, and enable the cover 10 to be connected to the frame of a pressure-limiting valve arrangement via a latching connection.

(26) In order to reduce the sound as efficiently as possible, a sound absorption material (not shown in FIG. 1) generally in the form of at least one nonwoven mat or similar sound-insulating material is customarily arranged on the respective inner surfaces of the cover 10.

(27) However, the manufacturing of a conventional cover 10 which is known from the prior art and as is illustrated, for example, in FIG. 1 requires at least two process steps which have to be carried out separately from one another and can be automated only with a relatively high outlay, if at all. In a first process step, the three-dimensional configuration of the cover 10 has to be manufactured, which conventionally takes place in an automated manner within the scope of a plastic injection molding process.

(28) The attaching of a sound absorption material to the inner surfaces of the cover 10 is, however, relatively complicated and generally takes place manually since the three-dimensional configuration of the cover 10 means that conventionally usable automation techniques cannot be used or can be used only with a relatively great outlay.

(29) In order to solve this problem, a cover 1 is proposed according to the invention which can be manufactured as a substantially flat injection molded component in one and the same system to an extent such that all the features necessary for the functioning of the cover 1 in the state of use are already formed in the same installation. This applies in particular to the application of sound absorption material 4 to the inner surface of the walls 2a, 2b, 2c, 3 forming the cover 1.

(30) Subsequently, the three-dimensional configuration of the cover 1 is formed—preferably in the form of folding operations.

(31) FIG. 2 shows, schematically and in an isometric view, an exemplary embodiment of the cover 1 according to the invention in its state of use.

(32) The exemplary embodiment of the cover 1 according to the invention has a total of three sides walls 2a, 2b, 2c and a wall region 3 serving as a lid region of the cover 1. The side walls 2a, 2b, 2c and the wall region 3 serving as a lid region of the cover 1 are present in planes different form one another in the state of use shown in FIG. 2.

(33) As will be described below with reference to the illustrations in FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B and FIG. 4, the corresponding side walls 2a, 2b, 2c and the wall region 3 serving as a lid region of the cover 1 are present, however, in the state of manufacture has an at least substantially flat component (injection molded component) in a preferably (substantially) common plane.

(34) Like the cover 10 which is known from the prior art according to FIG. 1, the exemplary embodiment of the cover 1 according to the invention according to FIG. 2 is provided with a corresponding sound absorption material 4 on the inner side.

(35) The production method of the cover 1 according to the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the illustrations in FIG. 3A to FIG. 6.

(36) Specifically, and as is shown schematically and in an isometric view in FIG. 3A, during the manufacturing of the cover 1 according to the invention, in a first step, an at least substantially flat component (injection molded component) consisting of the side walls (here: the three side walls 2a, 2b, 2c) and the region 3 serving as a cover region is provided. Each side wall 2a, 2b, 2c is in each case articulatedly connected via an edge region to an adjacent edge region of the wall region 3 serving as a lid region.

(37) For the articulated connection of the side walls 2a, 2b, 2c to the wall region 3 serving as a lid region, use is preferably made in each case of a film hinge arrangement 7.

(38) The component shown in FIG. 3A is preferably formed integrally during an injection molding process.

(39) A partition is formed with the aid of corresponding webs 6 on the surface, visible in FIG. 3A, of the side walls 2a, 2b, 2c and/or of the wall region 3 serving as a lid region, in order, despite saving on material, to design the side walls 2a, 2b, 2c and/or the wall region 3 serving as a lid region to be torsion proof and flexurally rigid.

(40) Furthermore, snap-action or latching elements 5 are formed on edge regions of the side walls 2a, 2b, 2c, which edge regions are not connected articulatedly to the wall region 3 serving as a lid region, said snap-action or latching elements serving, in the state of use of the cover 1 (cf. FIG. 2 of FIG. 6) to fix the side walls 2a, 2b, 2c of the cover 1 to one another.

(41) Embodiments of suitable snap-action or latching elements 5 are shown in FIG. 7A (in the non-latched state) and in FIG. 7B (in the latched state) and in FIG. 8A (in the non-latched state) and in FIG. 8B (in the latched state).

(42) FIG. 3B shows the at least substantially flat component according to FIG. 3A from the rear side (i.e. looking at the first surface of the side walls 2a, 2b, 2c and of the wall region 3 serving as a lid region).

(43) After the substantially flat component according to FIG. 3A is provided, a sound absorption material 4 is applied to the first surface of the side walls 2a, 2b, 2c and to the first surface of the wall region 3 serving as a lid region.

(44) This preferably takes place by fixing a nonwoven material made of sound absorption material 4, said nonwoven material being adapted to the contour of the at least substantially flat component according to FIG. 3A, wherein, in the region of the film hinges 7, the nonwoven material can be provided with corresponding notches 8 in order to facilitate the subsequent folding up of the wall regions 2a, 2b, 2c. Notches 8 of this type are recommended in particular if the sound absorption material 4 is not sufficiently flexible in order, during the subsequent folding operation, to form as neat a folding edge as possible.

(45) Various embodiments are suitable for fixing the sound absorption material 4 to the first surface of the side walls 2a, 2b, 2c and/or to the first surface of the wall region 3 serving as a lid region. For example, it is conceivable for the nonwoven material to be fixed initially temporarily with the aid of a snap-action or latching connection, wherein subsequently, and preferably in an automated manner, for example with the aid of a spot-welding installation, the final fixing of the sound absorption material 4 to the first surface of the at least substantially flat component takes place.

(46) After the application of the sound absorption material 4 to the first surface of the at least substantially flat component according to FIG. 3B, the individual side walls 2a, 2b, 2c are pivoted or folded relative to the wall region 3 serving as a lid region of the cover 1 and are at least pre-fixed to one another with the aid of the snap-action or latching elements 5 provided on the corresponding edge regions, as is shown by way of example in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

(47) In particular for transportation of the cover 1 or for storage of the cover 1, subsequent fixing in addition to the pre-fixing may possibly be desired. Such subsequent fixing can take place, for example, using a welding or adhesive bonding process. Of course, it is also conceivable in this connection for the cover to be stabilized in some other manner.

(48) In particular, it should be emphasized in this connection that a pre-fixing of the side walls 2a, 2b, 2c to one another and/or to the wall region 3 serving as a lid region of the cover 1 with the aid of snap-action or latching elements 5 is not absolutely necessary. A corresponding pre-fixing is purely optional and can thus also be dispensed with here. A pre-fixing—should this be desirable—can also take place in some other way than with snap-action or latching elements 5, for example with the aid of a latching, adhesive bonding and/or welding connection.

(49) In particular, it is preferred that the fixing of the side walls 2a, 2b, 2c to one another and/or to the wall region 3 serving as a lid region of the cover 1, and the necessary stability of said multi-dimensional form is ultimately achieved by assembling the cover 1 with preferably the frame of a corresponding pressure-limiting valve arrangement.

(50) It should furthermore be emphasized in this connection that the formation of the multi-dimensional cover 1 does not depend on the sequence of folding operations shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

(51) An alternative production method for producing the cover according to the invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 9 to FIG. 14.

(52) During this production method, first of all a housing 9 of the cover 1 is provided, wherein the housing 9 is preferably embodied as an injection molded component and is composed of at least one side wall 2a, 2b, 2c and preferably at last two side walls, and a wall region 3 serving as a lid region.

(53) As schematically illustrated in FIG. 9, said housing 9, which has a shape which at least regionally constitutes a multi-dimensional silencer space, is placed into a suitable die-like device 101.

(54) Subsequently, a sound absorption material 4 is applied and/or fixed at least regionally to an inner surface of the previously provided housing 9.

(55) As illustrated schematically in FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, it is provided, in the exemplary embodiment of this production method, that, for applying and/or fixing the sound absorption material 4 to the inner surface of the housing 9, first of all the sound absorption material 4 is provided in an at least substantially flat form, wherein the outline of the sound absorption material 4 provided corresponds to the network of the regions of the inner surface of the housing 9 that are to be covered by the sound absorption material 4.

(56) As is shown schematically in particular in FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, a pressing punch 100 is subsequently dressed with the (substantially flat) sound absorption material 4 provided, wherein, for dressing the pressing punch 100, the (substantially flat) sound absorption material 4 provided is placed at least regionally on an end surface of the pressing punch 100 and is temporarily fixed there.

(57) It is provided in particular here that the pressing punch 100 has an end surface which is preferably matched to the size and/or shaping of the wall regions 3 of the housing 9 of the cover 1, said wall region serving as lid region.

(58) After appropriate dressing of the pressing punch 100 (cf. FIG. 11B), the pressing punch 100 dressed in this manner is introduced into the provided housing 9 of the cover 1. It is illustrated schematically in FIG. 10 how the housing 9 of the cover 1 is provided in the die-like device 101.

(59) On the other hand, FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C schematically show the introduction of the dressed pressing punch 100 into the correspondingly provided housing 9 of the cover 1.

(60) Accordingly, the dressed pressing punch 100 is introduced into the provided housing 9 of the cover 1 in such a manner that the sound absorption material 4 placed at least regionally on the end surface of the pressing punch 100 is deformed at least partially or regionally and lies at least regionally against the inner surface of the housing 9.

(61) As shown schematically and in a partially sectioned illustration in FIG. 13, when the dressed pressing punch 100 is introduced into the provided housing 9 of the cover 1, the at least partially or regionally deformed sound absorption material 4 is fixed at least regionally to the inner surface of the housing 9.

(62) In the subsequent method step (cf. FIG. 14), the pressing punch 100 is withdrawn from the die-like device 101 in which the housing 9 of the cover 1 is placed.

(63) Specifically, it is in particular provided here that the pressing punch 100 is dressed with the sound absorption material 4 provided, and, with the introduction of the dressed pressing punch 100 into the housing 9 of the cover 1 that is provided in the die-like device 101, the at least partially or regionally deformed sound absorption material 4 is fixed at least regionally to the inner surface of the housing 9, in such a way that, with the withdrawal of the pressing punch 100 from the die-like device 101, the housing 9 of the cover 1 with the at least partially or regionally deformed sound adsorption material 4, which is fixed at least regionally to the inner surface of the housing 9, is, together with the pressing punch 100, withdrawn from the die-like device 101.

(64) Subsequently, as is shown schematically in FIG. 15, the pressing punch 100 can be separated from the manufactured and in particular sound isolated housing 9.

(65) The invention relates not only to a cover 1 for a pressure-limiting valve of the type described previously and to a corresponding production method therefore, but also to a pressure-limiting valve arrangement for vehicles, wherein the pressure-limiting valve arrangement has at least one ventilation grille with at least one valve flap held in a frame, and has a cover 1 of the previously described type, wherein, as illustrated for example in FIG. 2 or FIG. 6, the cover 1 is present in its state of use. The cover 1 is connected or connectable here to the ventilation grille, preferably via at least one corresponding latching connection 15 via at least one side wall 2a, 2b, 2c.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(66) 1 Cover 2a-c Side wall 3 Wall region serving as a lid region 4 Sound absorption material 5 Snap-action and/or latching connection element 6 Web 7 Hinge 8 Notch in the nonwoven material 9 Housing of the cover 15 Snap-action and/or latching connection element 10 Cover (Prior Art) 20a-c Side wall (Prior Art) 30 Wall region serving as a lid region (Prior Art) 50 Snap-action and/or latching connection element (Prior Art) 100 Pressing punch 101 Die-like device