ES2836876B2 - Active plug of a drain hole, vehicle door and vehicle comprising said active plug - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Active plug of a drain hole, vehicle door and vehicle comprising said active plug

Field of the invention

The present invention concerns, according to a first aspect, an active plug with a hole that allows a drainage of fluids and external agents while preventing the entry of water and dust into the interior of the doors of a vehicle through said drain holes.

A second aspect of the present invention concerns a vehicle door that includes, in at least one of the drain holes of said door, the active plug of the first aspect.

In a third aspect, the present invention concerns a vehicle that includes at least one door of the second aspect.

State of the art

The problem that causes the entry of water and dust into the interior of the doors of a vehicle through the drain holes is known. This entry carries with it the loss of functionality and durability of the internal mechanisms of the door. Specifically, the accumulation of water on the inside of the door is detrimental by causing its corrosion.

By door is understood in the present invention any mobile element of the vehicle that closes an access opening to the interior of the passenger compartment of said vehicle. Therefore, it can be both a side door of the vehicle and a hatch or rear access door to the trunk of the vehicle.

There is, therefore, a need to eradicate premature oxidation that can cause water and dust to enter and accumulate inside doors.

The following structure of the doors of a vehicle is known:

• a structural panel, located inside the door, which provides structural rigidity to the components that make up said door,

• a cladding panel, located on the outside of the door, which provides a satisfactory surface finish to said door,

• a cavity located between both panels. Different elements are arranged inside the cavity, such as, for example, the glass and the mechanisms for lifting said glass.

The cavity comprises an upper access zone, which is the longitudinal opening through which the door glass moves in its upward or downward movement, according to the user's needs. Water, dirt and particles enter the cavity through this opening. For this reason, the cavity is also known as the wetted area of the door.

So that water and other external agents that enter the interior of the cavity of the door can escape, there are openings or drainage holes located in the lower area of the door. Said external agents move by gravity towards the lower area of the door and are extracted from said cavity through the drain holes located in the lowermost areas of the door cavity. However, said lower openings of the door also generate an entry of dust and particles due to a suction effect that occurs when the vehicle is in circulation.

Therefore, the drain holes, although they are useful for emptying the water and the aforementioned external agents existing in the cavities of the door, also cause the entry of both water and dust due to the aforementioned suction effect.

There is, then, the need to find a means capable of covering these holes but also allowing the exit of any element that had entered the interior of the cavity of the door.

Summary of the invention

To this end, the present invention concerns, in a first aspect, an active plug of a drain hole. Said plug makes it possible to prevent the entry of external agents through said hole and also makes it possible to evacuate the water and dust existing in the cavity.

The cap object of the invention comprises:

- a first part configured to be attached to at least one part of a perimeter wall that defines the drain hole,

- a second part joined to the first part, where said second part is configured to move between a first rest position in which, at least partially, it does not cover the drain hole allowing the cavity to drain, and a second position of use in which it is arranged so that it covers the drain hole,

where the second part is configured to move from the first position of rest to the second position of use by pushing an air flow that runs into the cavity.

According to the above, the cap is made up of a second mobile part and a first fixed part. The moving part reacts to the thrust of an air flow that runs into the cavity due to the pressure difference that occurs when the vehicle is in motion.

When the vehicle is in motion, the air flowing through the lower area of the vehicle has a lower speed than the speed of the air flowing through the upper area of the vehicle. Consequently, there is a pressure difference between the upper and lower area of the vehicle that causes air flows that tend to rise.

Therefore, in the upper part of the door, that is, in the area adjacent to a passage opening of a door pane, the pressure is lower and, in the lower part of the door, that is, in the area adjacent to the at least one drain hole arranged in the lower area of the door, the pressure is higher. In this way, there is a pressure difference between the air existing in the lower area of the door and, therefore, near the lower cavity of the door, with the air existing in the upper area of the door, near the top opening. This produces an air flow from the lower area to the upper area that causes dust and dirt to enter through the drain hole.

When this type of pressure difference occurs, the second part of the active plug, which is mobile, reacts and is pushed by said air flow, thus covering the drain hole.

In this way, it prevents the flow of air, and more importantly, it prevents the entry of any fluid and / or dust.

When the vehicle is stationary and / or traveling at very low speeds, the air pressure in the lower area of the door is essentially equal to the air pressure in the upper area. As the aforementioned pressure difference does not occur, the second part of the plug falls slightly due to the effect of gravity. Therefore, it leaves enough space to discharge any type of fluid that is in the cavity of the door through the drain hole.

The main advantages of the active stopper object of the invention are the following:

• Reduction of the cost of the door by eliminating parts of the cavity that are intended to protect the door against dust and water. For example, KTL or anti-corrosion primer procedures.

• Increased durability of the mechanisms and internal components of the door.

• Reduction of aerodynamic noises.

Another object of the present invention is a vehicle door, which comprises a cladding panel and a structural panel, where the cladding panel and the structural panel define a cavity between both panels. At least one passage opening for a door pane is arranged in an upper region of the door cavity. At least one drain hole is arranged in a lower area of said cavity of the door. The door is characterized by comprising an active stopper which in turn comprises:

- a first part configured to be attached to a perimeter wall of the structural panel or of the cladding panel that defines said drainage hole,

- a second part joined to the first part, where the second part is configured to move between a first rest position in which, at least partially, it does not cover the drain hole allowing the cavity to drain, and a second position of use in which it is arranged so that it covers the drain hole

The second part is configured to move from the first rest position to the second position of use by pushing an air flow that runs through the interior of the cavity from the at least one drain hole to the at least one passage opening. of the door glass, where said air flow occurs when the pressure of the air adjacent to the at least one passage opening of the door glass is lower than the pressure of the air adjacent to at least one drain hole, as the moving vehicle.

Finally, a vehicle comprising a door according to the above characteristics is also an object of the present invention.

Description of the figures

To complete the description and in order to provide a better understanding of the invention, figures are provided. Said figures form an integral part of the description and illustrate an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a schematic side sectional view of a drain hole and an embodiment of the drain plug in a rest position.

Figure 2 shows a schematic side sectional view of the drain hole of Figure 1 and the drain plug in a position in which it covers said drain hole.

Figure 3 shows a schematic side sectional view of an embodiment of a vehicle door.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an active cap.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of an active cap.

Detailed description of the invention

Figures 1 and 2 represent an example of embodiment of the cap object of the invention located in a drain hole (10) of the cavity (14). The active plug (1) comprises:

- the first part (2) attached to the perimeter wall that defines the drain hole (10),

- the second part (3) joined to the first part (2).

Figure 1 represents the rest position in which the second part (2) does not cover the drain hole (10) allowing the cavity (14) to drain. Figure 2 represents the position of use in which the second part (3) is arranged so that it covers the drain hole (10).

Furthermore, the second part (3) of the active plug (1) comprises an overlapping surface, where said overlapping surface is configured to contact the perimeter wall that defines the drain hole (10) when the second part (3) is in position of use.

In this way, the active plug (1) has dimensions greater than those of the drain hole (10) in the position of use, so that the second part (3) comes into contact with the wall of the drain hole. drain (10), preventing the entry of air into the cavity (4) and preventing the second part (3) from passing through the drain hole (10) due to the pushing force of the air that flows through the interior of the cavity (14 ) of the door.

More specifically, the overlapping surface contacts the outer surface of the perimeter wall that defines the drain hole (10). Said outer surface is defined according to the direction of extraction of fluids from the interior of the cavity (14). It is noted that if the second part (3) were to pass through the drain hole (10) and remain arranged in the interior zone, an effect contrary to that desired would be produced. Thus, in a resting situation, the second part (3) would contact the interior surface of the perimeter wall that defines the drain hole (10), preventing the drainage of water and external agents disposed inside the cavity (14) of the door. In addition, in use, the second part (3) would be pushed by the pressure of the air that flows through the interior of the cavity (14) when the vehicle is in motion, not contacting the perimeter wall that defines the orifice of drain (10) and allowing the entry of dust and other external agents into the cavity (14) of the door. The need for the dimensions to be substantially larger is therefore highlighted. to the dimensions of the drain hole (10), to avoid bending of the second part (3) and its involuntary arrangement inside the cavity (14).

In the exemplary embodiment, the first part (2) of the drain plug comprises two ends, a first end (2.1) configured to be attached to a portion of the perimeter of the drain hole (10). A second end (2.2) joined to the second part (3), where the second part (3) extends from said second end (2.2) to cover the remaining drain hole portion (10), when the second part (3 ) is in the second position of use.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, the first part (2) comprises a clipping means for its attachment to the portion of the perimeter wall that defines the drain hole (10).

The first part (2) is preferably made of rigid material, which must prevent it from bending and shifting due to the difference in existing pressures, thereby ceasing to perform its function. In more detail, said first part (2) has an outer peripheral groove configured to be attached to the perimeter of the drain hole (10), so that the active plug is snap fit with the perimeter wall that defines said drain hole (10). Furthermore, the first part (2) is made of a material with certain elastic properties, such as a plastic material, which recovers its original shape when it is snapped inside the drain hole (10).

The first part (2) is preferably made of rigid material, which must prevent it from bending and shifting due to the difference in existing pressures, thereby ceasing to perform its function. In more detail, said first part (2) has an outer peripheral groove configured to be attached to the perimeter of the drain hole (10), so that the active plug is snap fit with the perimeter wall that defines said drain hole (10). Furthermore, the first part (2) is made of a material with certain elastic properties, such as a plastic material, which recovers its original shape when it is snapped inside the drain hole (10).

The second part (3) is located on the perimeter and the first part (2) would be in the central area. For its fixation, in an example of embodiment, a clip would be used that comes out through the area central and which is compressed at the entrance to the cavity (4) and extends once the cavity (4) has passed through for its fixation on the perimeter wall of the drain hole (10).

More specifically, the first part (2) comprises a means of fixing to the perimeter wall that defines the drain hole (10). Said fixing means extends into the cavity (14) through the drain hole (10). The fixing means comprises at least two flanges (2.3) and at least two retention projections (2.4). The retention projections (2.4) extend radially towards the perimeter wall that defines the drain hole (10), so that the at least two flanges (2.3) are configured to contact the outer surface of the perimeter wall that defines the Drain hole (10) and the at least two retention projections (2.4) are configured to contact the inner surface of the perimeter wall that defines the drain hole (10), the active plug (1) being in its position of mounting in the drain hole (10).

In this way, the retention projections (2.4) are capable of being bent in the assembly operation. Thus, the walls of the drain hole (10) contact the retention projections (2.4), bending them inwards. Once the active plug (1) has been inserted into the drain hole (10), the retention projections (2.4) return to their original position to act as a stop, together with the tabs (2.3).

The second part (3) is preferably a sheet, which can be made of flexible plastic material, membrane type. Thus, the dimensions and material of said second part (3) are chosen such that they are configured and arranged to be bent under the force of gravity and the pressure exerted by external agents arranged inside the cavity (14), such as drops of water or other particles that by gravity are deposited in the area of the drain hole (10) to be extracted from said cavity (14).

The first (2) and the second part (3) can be joined by gluing, clipping, bi-injection or other ways of joining.

In figure 3 the door (11) and the flow of water and dust are represented. Due to the pressure distribution mentioned above, the second part (3) moves from the first position of rest to the second position of use by pushing the air flow that runs into the cavity (14), from the area bottom of the door (11) to the top of the door.

The door (11) comprises the cladding panel (12) and the structural panel (13), both defining the cavity (14). The opening (15) for the passage of a glass of the door (11) in the upper area of the cavity (14) and the drain hole (10) in the lower area of said cavity (14) are also represented.

The second part (3) of the active cap (1) moves from the first position of rest to the second position of use by pushing an air flow that runs through the interior of the cavity (14) from the at least one hole drain (10) to the at least one opening (15) for the passage of the door glass (11). Said air flow occurs when the pressure of the air adjacent to the at least one opening (15) for the passage of the door glass (11) is lower than the pressure of the air adjacent to the at least one drain hole (10), when the vehicle is in motion.

The second part (3) of the active plug (1) is furthermore configured and arranged to bend with respect to the first part (2) under the action of gravity so that they do not cover, at least partially, the drain hole (10). Said bending of the second part (3) can occur in the absence of the air flow that runs through the interior of the cavity (14) from the at least one drain hole (10) to the at least one opening (15) of passage of the door glass (11).

The drain holes (10) are preferably arranged in a horizontal plane or inclined with respect to said horizontal plane, that is to say, with respect to the plane of movement of the vehicle, for example, between 0 ° to 45 ° with respect to said horizontal plane. However, the drain holes (10) are not arranged in a vertical or substantially vertical plane. In this way, the second part (3) is not in a vertical position and can be moved by the action of gravity from the position of use to the position of rest in the absence of air flow.

In addition to gravity, the bending of the second part (3) can be additionally generated by the own weight of the water that causes the second part (3) to bend and the water can exit through the drain hole (10). The space or distance between the second part (3) in its position of use with respect to the perimeter walls that define the drain hole (10) is such that it allows at least one drop of water to pass through, avoiding that, by capillarity , said drop of water remains between both components.

Additionally, said bending of the second part (3) occurs if the air flow that runs through the interior of the cavity (14) from the at least one drain hole (10) to the at least one opening (15) of door glass pitch (11) is less than a predefined value. For example, when the vehicle's speed of movement is low, there is a pressure difference less than a predefined value, insufficient to push the second part (3), so that said second part (3) remains essentially in its position. rest position.

Claims (14)

1. - Active plug (1) of a drain hole (10), where the drain hole (10) is configured and arranged to extract fluids from a cavity (14), characterized in that the active plug (1) comprises: - a first part (2) configured to be attached to at least one part of a perimeter wall that defines the drain hole (10), - a second part (3) joined to the first part (2), where said second part (2) is configured to move between a first rest position in which, at least partially, it does not cover the drain hole (10 ) allowing the cavity (14) to drain, and a second position of use in which it is arranged so that it covers the drain hole (10), where the second part (3) is configured to move from the first position of rest to the second position of use by pushing an air flow that runs into the cavity (14). 2. - Active cap (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second part (3) of the active cap (1) comprises an overlapping surface, where said overlapping surface is configured to contact the perimeter wall that defines the drain hole (10), said second part (3) being in the position of use. 3. - Active plug (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the overlapping surface is configured to contact the outer surface of the perimeter wall that defines the drain hole (10), according to a direction of extraction of fluids from the inside the cavity (14). 4. - Active plug (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first part (2) comprises two ends, a first end (2.1) configured to be attached to a portion of the perimeter wall of the drain hole (10), and a second end (2.2) joined to the second part (3), where the second part (3) extends from said second end (2.2) to cover the remaining drain hole portion (10), being the second part (3) in the second position of use. 5. - Active plug (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the first part (2) comprises a means of clipping for attachment to the portion of the perimeter wall that defines the drain hole (10). 6. - Active plug (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first part (2) is arranged in an area approximately centered with respect to the drain hole (10), the second part (3) being in the second position of use, the second part (3) of the active cap (1) being arranged peripherally to said first part (2). 7. - Active plug (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the first part (2) comprises a means of fixing to the perimeter wall that defines the drain hole (10), where said means of fixing is configured to extend into the cavity (14) through the drain hole (10), where the fixing means comprises at least two tabs (2.3) and at least two retention projections (2.4), where said retention projections (2.4) extend radially towards the perimeter wall that defines the drain hole (10), so that the at least two flanges (2.3) are configured to contact the outer surface of the cavity (4) of the perimeter wall that defines the hole drain (10) and the at least two retention projections (2.4) are configured to contact the interior surface of the cavity (4) of the perimeter wall that defines the drain hole (10), the second part (3 ) in the second position of u SW. Active cap (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first part (2) is made of rigid plastic material. 9. - Active cap (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second part (3) is a sheet. 10. - Active cap (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second part (3) is made of flexible plastic material. 11.- Vehicle door (11), comprising a cladding panel (12) and a structural panel (13), where the cladding panel (12) and the structural panel (13) define a cavity (14) between both panels (12, 13), where at least one opening (15) for passing a glass of the door (11) is arranged in an upper area of the cavity (14) of the door (11), where at least one hole drain (10) is arranged in a lower area of said cavity (14) of the door (11), characterized in that it comprises an active plug (1) which in turn comprises: - a first part (2) configured to be attached to a perimeter wall of the structural panel (13) or of the cladding panel (12) that defines said drain hole (10), - a second part (3) joined to the first part (2), where the second part (3) is configured to move between a first rest position in which, at least partially, it does not cover the drain hole (10 ) allowing the cavity (14) to drain, and a second position of use in which it is arranged so that it covers the drain hole (10); where the second part (3) is configured to move from the first position of rest to the second position of use by pushing an air flow that runs through the interior of the cavity (14) from the at least one drain hole ( 10) to the at least one opening (15) for the passage of the glass of the door (11), where said air flow occurs when the pressure of the air adjacent to the at least one opening (15) for the passage of the glass of the door (11) is lower than the pressure of the air adjacent to at least one drain hole (10), when the vehicle is in motion. 12. - Vehicle door (11) according to claim 11, characterized in that the second part (3) is configured and arranged to bend with respect to the first part (2) by the action of gravity. 13. - Vehicle door (11) according to claim 12, characterized in that the bending of the second part (3) occurs in the absence of the air flow that runs through the interior of the cavity (14) from the at least one drain hole (10) to the at least one opening (15) for the passage of the door glass (11). 14. - Vehicle door (11) according to any one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the bending of the second part (3) occurs if the air flow that runs through the interior of the cavity (14) from the at least one drain hole (10) to the at least one opening (15) for passage of the door glass (11) is less than a predefined value. - Vehicle comprising at least one door according to any of claims 14.