U.S. patent application number 09/957599 was filed with the patent office on 2003-03-20 for apparatus for directing air flow to a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to TRW Inc.. Invention is credited to Butler, Fred W., James, Mark R., Parekh, Bipin D..
Application Number | 20030054751 09/957599 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25499825 |
Filed Date | 2003-03-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030054751 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Parekh, Bipin D. ; et
al. |
March 20, 2003 |
APPARATUS FOR DIRECTING AIR FLOW TO A PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF A
MOTOR VEHICLE
Abstract
An apparatus (10) for directing a flow of air to a passenger
compartment of a motor vehicle comprises a housing (12) including
at least one passage (24) for conveying the flow of air to the
passenger compartment. At least one door (26) has a first position
for allowing the flow of air into the passage (24) and a second
position for preventing the flow of air into the passage (24). The
door (26) includes a seal (32) for sealing against the housing (12)
when the door (26) is in the second position. The seal (32)
includes a main body portion (106) for attaching to the door (26)
and a sealing portion (122) for sealing against the housing (12).
The sealing portion (122) of the seal (32) includes primary sealing
means (124), which extends outwardly of the main body portion (106)
of the seal (32) in a first direction, and secondary sealing means
(130), which extends outwardly of the main body portion (106) of
the seal (32) in a second direction that is different from the
first direction.
Inventors: |
Parekh, Bipin D.; (Plymouth,
MI) ; James, Mark R.; (Northville, MI) ;
Butler, Fred W.; (Oxford, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TAROLLI, SUNDHEIM, COVELL,
TUMMINO & SZABO L.L.P.
1111 LEADER BLDG.
526 SUPERIOR AVENUE
CLEVELAND
OH
44114-1400
US
|
Assignee: |
TRW Inc.
|
Family ID: |
25499825 |
Appl. No.: |
09/957599 |
Filed: |
September 20, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/121 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60H 1/00678 20130101;
B60H 2001/00714 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/121 |
International
Class: |
B60S 001/54 |
Claims
Having described the invention, we claim the following:
1. An apparatus for directing a flow of air to a passenger
compartment of a motor vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a housing
including at least one passage for conveying the flow of air to the
passenger compartment; and at least one door having a first
position for allowing the flow of air into the passage and a second
position for preventing the flow of air into the passage; the door
including a seal for sealing against the housing when the door is
in the second position, the seal including a main body portion for
attaching to the door and a sealing portion for sealing against the
housing, the sealing portion of the seal including primary sealing
means, which extends outwardly of the main body portion of the seal
in a first direction, and secondary sealing means, which extends
outwardly of the main body portion of the seal in a second
direction that is different from the first direction.
2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the secondary
sealing means contacts the housing during movement of the door from
the first position to the second position and the primary sealing
means contacts the housing when the door reaches the second
position, the secondary sealing means flexing during movement from
a position of initial engagement with the housing to the second
position to dampen a force of contact between the primary sealing
means and the housing.
3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein surface area of the
secondary sealing means that engages the housing increases as the
secondary sealing means flexes during movement from the position of
initial engagement to the second position.
4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the secondary
sealing means of the seal has an inner end and an outer end, the
inner end being connected to the main body portion of the seal, the
secondary sealing means curving from the inner end to the outer
end.
5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the outer end of the
secondary sealing means of the seal initially contacts the housing,
contact between the secondary sealing means and the housing
gradually moving from the outer end of the secondary sealing means
toward the inner end of the secondary sealing means as the
secondary sealing means flexes during movement from the position of
initial engagement to the second position.
6. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the secondary
sealing means narrows as it curves from the inner end to the outer
end.
7. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the primary sealing
means of the seal extends outwardly from the main body portion of
the seal in a direction parallel to the main body portion of the
seal.
8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the seal further
includes a member that extends outwardly of a main body portion of
the seal in a direction opposite the secondary sealing means and is
subjected to air pressure from the flow of air when the door is in
the second position, the member being configured to push the
primary and secondary sealing means of the seal toward the housing
when subjected to the air pressure.
9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the member of the
seal is a mirror-image of the secondary sealing means of the
seal.
10. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the member of the
seal has an inner end and an outer end, the inner end being
connecting to the main body portion of the seal, the member being
flexible and curving from the inner end to the outer end, when
subjected to air pressure the member flexing so that the outer end
moves inwardly toward the main body portion of the seal.
11. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the door includes a
first outer surface, a first recess extending into the first outer
surface and terminating at a first recessed surface, the flow of
air traveling longitudinally over the first outer surface and first
recessed surface of the door, a first plurality of ribs extending
laterally across the first recess for providing structural rigidity
to the door, the first plurality of ribs having curved outer
surfaces for shedding moisture that may be carried in the flow of
air.
12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein a second plurality
of ribs extends longitudinally across the recess for providing
additional structural rigidity to the door.
13. The apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein the seal extends
across the lateral extent of the door in a location upstream of the
first recess.
14. The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein a laterally
extending hinge forms an end portion of the door in a location
downstream of the first recess.
15. The apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein the door has a
second outer surface opposite the first outer surface, a second
recess extending into the second outer surface and terminating at a
second recessed surface, a second plurality of ribs extending
laterally across the second recess for providing structural
rigidity to the door, the second plurality of ribs also having
curved outer surfaces for shedding moisture that may be carried in
the flow of air.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for directing
a flow of air to a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A known apparatus for directing a flow of air to a passenger
compartment of a motor vehicle includes a door having a seal. The
seal includes a main body portion and a sealing portion. The main
body portion includes a recess for receiving a portion of the door.
The sealing portion extends outwardly of the main body portion of
the seal in a direction parallel to the door. The sealing portion
of the seal is a flat and elongated member that contacts a portion
of the housing when the door is in a closed position.
[0003] Since the sealing portion of the seal of the known apparatus
is flat and elongated, the entire sealing portion strikes the
housing at the same time when the door is moved to the closed
position. This striking of the seal against the housing creates a
noise that is generally audible in the passenger compartment of the
vehicle. Additionally, the flow of air over the seal when the door
is in the closed position may catch an outer end of the flat
sealing portion and cause the sealing portion of the seal to
flutter. Flutter of the seal may also be audible in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle.
[0004] The door of the known apparatus includes opposite sides,
each side having a recessed surface. A first plurality of ribs
extends longitudinally across each recess of the door. A second
plurality of ribs extends laterally across each recess of the door,
perpendicular to the first plurality of ribs. The ribs of both the
first and second pluralities have rectangular cross-sections with
depths equal to the depth of the recesses. During the flow of air
over the door of the known apparatus, moisture that is carried in
the air may become trapped in the regions between intersecting
ribs. The trapped moisture may result in mildew forming on the
door. The mildew may result in the air flowing over the door
acquiring an odor that is detectable in the passenger compartment
of the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with one aspect, the present invention
includes an apparatus for directing a flow of air to a passenger
compartment of a motor vehicle. The apparatus comprises a housing
including at least one passage for conveying the flow of air to the
passenger compartment. At least one door has a first position for
allowing the flow of air into the passage and a second position for
preventing the flow of air into the passage. The door includes a
seal for sealing against the housing when the door is in the second
position. The seal includes a main body portion for attaching to
the door and a sealing portion for sealing against the housing. The
sealing portion of the seal includes primary sealing means, which
extends outwardly of the main body portion of the seal in a first
direction, and secondary sealing means, which extends outwardly of
the main body portion of the seal in a second direction that is
different from the first direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art
to which the present invention relates upon reading the following
description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a cross-section of a vehicle heating and
ventilating apparatus constructed in accordance with the present
invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a door of the apparatus of
FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is cross-section of a seal of the apparatus of FIG.
1; and
[0010] FIG. 4 is a view of the seal of FIG. 3 in engagement with a
portion of the housing of the apparatus of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT
[0011] FIG. 1 is a cross-section of a vehicle heating and
ventilating apparatus 10 constructed in accordance with the present
invention. The apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a
housing 12 having a single air inlet passage 14 and three air
outlet passages. The three air outlet passages include a defrost
air passage 16, a panel air passage 18, and a floor air passage 20.
Each of the three air outlet passages 16, 18, and 20 conveys the
flow of air to a portion of a passenger compartment (not shown) of
a vehicle (not shown).
[0012] A flow of air, shown schematically in FIG. 1 as F, is
received in the housing 12 of the apparatus 10 through the air
inlet passage 14. Within the housing 12, the air inlet passage 14
divides into a ventilation passage 22 and a heating passage 24. A
first door 26 extends from a first hinge 28 within the housing 12
and terminates in a position within the air inlet passage 14. The
first door 26 forms a portion of a first flap valve 30 and is
movable between various positions within the air inlet passage 14
to direct the flow of air passing through the air inlet passage 14
to either or both of the ventilation passage 22 or the heating
passage 24 within the housing 12. The first door 26 includes a seal
32, the construction of which will be discussed in detail
below.
[0013] The housing 12 of the apparatus 10 includes a main mixing
chamber 34. Both the ventilation passage 22 and the heating passage
24 feed into the main mixing chamber 34. The ventilation passage 22
is partially defined by the first flap valve 30. The heating
passage 24 is partially defined by a wall 36 within the housing 12.
The heating passage includes a heat exchanger 38.
[0014] The first flap valve 30 also includes a second door 40. The
second door 40 extends from the first hinge 28 into the heating
passage 24 near the main mixing chamber 34. The second door 40
regulates the flow of air out of the heating passage 24 and
prevents the back flow of air from the main mixing chamber 34 into
the heating passage 24. The second door 40 of the first flap valve
30 is fixed relative to the first door 26 and is movable with the
first door 26 about the first hinge 28.
[0015] The main mixing chamber 34 of the housing 12 is in fluid
communication with first and second cylindrical chambers 42 and 44.
The first cylindrical chamber 42 provides access to and is in fluid
communication with the defrost air passage 16. The second
cylindrical chamber 44 provides access to and is in fluid
communication with both the panel air passage 18 and the floor air
passage 20.
[0016] A second flap valve 46 is located in the first cylindrical
chamber 42. The second flap valve 46 is rotatable about a second
hinge 48 and includes a third door 50 and a fourth door 52. The
third door 50 extends from the second hinge 48 into an opening 54
between the first cylindrical chamber 42 and the main mixing
chamber 34. The third door 50 includes a seal 56 constructed in
accordance with the present invention. The fourth door 52 extends
from the second hinge 48 into an opening 58 between the first
cylindrical chamber 42 and the defrost air passage 16. The fourth
door 52 includes a flat seal 60. The second flap valve 46 is
movable between an open position where the flow of air may pass
through the first cylindrical chamber 42 and into the defrost air
passage 16 and a closed position (shown in FIG. 1) where the flow
of air is prevented from passing through the first cylindrical
chamber 42 and into the defrost air passage 16.
[0017] A third flap valve 62 is located in the second cylindrical
chamber 44. The third flap valve 62 is rotatable about a third
hinge 64. The third flap valve 62 includes a fifth door 66 and a
sixth door 68. The fifth door 66 extends from the third hinge 64
into an opening 70 between the second cylindrical chamber 44 and
the main mixing chamber 34. The fifth door 66 includes a seal 72
constructed in accordance with the present invention. The sixth
door 68 extends from the third hinge 64 in a direction opposite the
fifth door 66 and is used to regulate the flow of air through the
floor air passage 20. The sixth door 68 includes a flat seal
74.
[0018] The third flap valve 62 is rotatable about the third hinge
64 to regulate the flow of air into both the panel air passage 18
and the floor air passage 20. The third flap valve 62 may be
rotated about the third hinge 64 to allow the flow of air into both
the panel air passage 18 and the floor air passage 20 (shown in
FIG. 1), to allow the flow of air into only one of the panel air
passage 18 and the floor air passage 20, or to prevent the flow of
air into both the panel air passage 18 and the floor air passage
20.
[0019] The apparatus 10 also includes means (not shown) for
adjusting the position of each of the flap valves 30, 46, and 62.
Such means may include a stepper motor (not shown). The driver of
the vehicle controls the position of each flap valve 30, 46, and 62
by adjusting the position of a control knob (not shown) that is
located within the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
[0020] When the flap valves 30, 46, and 62 are located in the
positions shown in FIG. 1, the first door 26 of the first flap
valve 30 directs air into the ventilation passage 22 and prevents
air from entering the heating passage 24. The air entering the
housing 12 passes over the first door 26 and through the
ventilation passage 22 to the main mixing chamber 34. Since no air
passes through the heating passage 24 of the apparatus 10, no
heated air is mixed with the air in the main mixing chamber 34. The
second door 40 of the first flap valve 30 prevents the air from
back flowing into the heating passage 24 from the main mixing
chamber 34.
[0021] From the main mixing chamber 34, the air attempts to flow
through the first and second cylindrical chambers 42 and 44. Since
the second flap valve 46 is in a closed position, air is prevented
from passing through the first cylindrical chamber 42 and into the
defrost air passage 16. The third flap valve 62, however, is
located in a position to allow the air to flow through the second
cylindrical chamber 44 and into both the panel air passage 18 and
the floor air passage 20. The air flowing into the panel air
passage 18 and into the floor air passage 20 is conveyed toward the
panel and the floor of the passenger compartment of the
vehicle.
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a single embodiment of the housing 12 of the
apparatus 10 of the present invention. Alternate embodiments of the
housing 12 are contemplated by the present invention.
[0023] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, each flap valve 30,
46, and 62 includes two doors. Although the physical size of each
door may vary, preferably each door is constructed in a similar
manner. As an example of the construction for the doors of the
apparatus 10, the first door 26 will be described in detail.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, the first door 26 is generally
rectangular and includes opposite first and second sides, only the
first side is shown. The first door 26 extends longitudinally from
the first hinge 28 to a first terminal end 76 and laterally from a
first side surface 78 to a second side surface 80. Preferably, the
first door 26 is molded from plastic.
[0025] The first side of the first door 26 includes a first outer
surface 82. A first recess 84 extends into the first outer surface
82 of the first door 26 and terminates at a first recessed surface
86. Four recess side walls define the outer periphery of the first
recess 84. The four recess side walls extend perpendicularly to the
plane of the first outer surface 82 to connect the first outer
surface 82 to the first recessed surface 86. The four recess side
walls include an upper recess side wall 88, a lower recess side
wall 90, a left recess side wall 92, and a right recess side wall
94. Preferably, a depth of the first recess 84 into the first side
of the first door 26 is no more than one-third of the thickness of
the first door 26. The thickness of the first door 26 is defined as
the distance between the first side and the second side of the
first door 26.
[0026] A first plurality of ribs 96 extends laterally across the
first recess 84 and connects the left recess side wall 92 to the
right recess side wall 94. The first plurality of ribs 96 adds
rigidity to the first door 26 so that the first door 26 may
withstand a load applied by a pressure of the flow of air upon the
first door 26. The ribs 96 preferably extend in a direction
parallel to the upper and lower recess side walls 88 and 90. Each
of the ribs 96 of the first plurality of ribs 96 includes a curved
outer surface 98 and has a maximum depth that is equal to the depth
of the first recess 84. Preferably, a first rib 100 of the first
plurality of ribs 96 abuts the upper recess side wall 88 so that a
peak of the first rib 100 is located in the plane of the first
outer surface 82. Preferably, a second rib 102 of the first
plurality of ribs 96 abuts the lower recess side wall 90 so that a
peak of the second rib 102 is located in the plane of the first
outer surface 82.
[0027] The curved outer surfaces 98 of the first plurality of ribs
96 enables the first door 26 to shed moisture that may be contained
in the flow of air that passes over the first door 26. As shown in
FIG. 1, the flow of air travels longitudinally over the first door
26. The curved outer surfaces 98 of the ribs 96 allow moisture that
forms in the first recess 84 to exit the first recess 84 of the
first door 26. When moisture is removed from the first recess 84 of
the first door 26, the likelihood of mildew forming on the first
door 26 is decreased.
[0028] A second plurality of ribs 104 extends longitudinally across
the first recess 84 and connects the upper recess side wall 88 to
the lower recess side wall 90. The second plurality of ribs 104
adds further rigidity to the first door 26. The ribs 104 of the
second plurality of ribs 104 preferably extend in a direction
parallel to the left and right recess side walls 92 and 94. The
ribs 104 of the second plurality of ribs 104 may be of any
configuration, but preferably have a rectangular cross-section with
a depth equal to the depth of the first recess 84.
[0029] Although not shown, the second side of the first door 26 is
identical to the first side of the first door 26. The second side
of the first door 26 includes a second outer surface (not shown). A
second recess (not shown) extends into the second outer surface of
the first door 26 and terminates at a second recessed surface (not
shown). Four recess side walls (not shown) extend perpendicularly
to the plane of the second outer surface to connect the second
outer surface to the second recessed surface.
[0030] A third plurality of ribs (not shown) extends laterally
across the second recess. The third plurality of ribs adds rigidity
to the first door 26. Each of the ribs of the third plurality of
ribs includes a curved outer surface (not shown) and has a maximum
depth that is equal to the depth of the second recess for shedding
moisture that may be contained in the flow of air that passes over
the first door 26. The flow of air passes over the second side of
the first door 26 when the first door 26 is opened to allow the
flow of air into the heating passage 24.
[0031] A fourth plurality of ribs (not shown) extends
longitudinally across the second recess. The fourth plurality of
ribs adds further rigidity to the first door 26. The ribs of the
fourth plurality of ribs may be of any configuration, but
preferably have a rectangular cross-section with a depth equal to
the depth of the second recess.
[0032] The first door 26 also includes a seal 32 that is
constructed in accordance with the present invention. The seal 32
is preferably made from an elastomer, such as a blend of
ethylene-propylene rubber and polypropylene marketed by Monsanto
Company of St. Louis, Mo. under the trademark SANTOPRENE. The seal
32 has a generally anchor shaped cross-section, as illustrated in
FIG. 3.
[0033] The seal 32 includes a longitudinally extending main body
portion 106. The main body portion 106 includes a narrow end 108
and a wide end 110. The wide end 110 of the main body portion 106
includes a first side surface 112 and a second side surface 114.
The wide end 110 of the main body portion 106 of the seal 32 has a
thickness, defined as the distance between the first and second
side surfaces 112 and 114, of approximately three times a thickness
of the narrow end 108 of the main body portion 106. The thickness
of the narrow end 108 of the main body portion 106 is the distance
between a first side surface 116 and a second side surface 118 of
the narrow end 108 of the main body portion 106. The wide end 110
of the main body portion 106 extends longitudinally for
approximately forty percent of the longitudinal length of the main
body portion 106 of the seal 32. The narrow end 108 of the main
body portion 106 forms the remainder of the longitudinal length of
the main body portion 106 of the seal 32.
[0034] The wide end 110 of the main body portion 106 includes a
recess 120 for receiving a portion of the door 26. To affix the
seal 32 to the door 26, an adhesive is inserted into the recess 120
of the seal 32 and then, the terminal end 76 of the door 26 is
inserted into the recess 120. The adhesive helps to maintain the
seal 32 securely on the door 26.
[0035] A sealing portion 122 of the seal 32 extends from the narrow
end 108 of the main body portion 106 of the seal 32. The sealing
portion 122 includes three members. A first member 124 of the
sealing portion 122 extends longitudinally outwardly from the main
body portion 106 of the seal 32. The first member 124 has a
generally rectangular cross-section and includes a first side
surface 126 and a second side surface 128. The first member 124 has
a thickness, defined as the distance between the first and second
side surfaces 126 and 128, of approximately one-fourth the
thickness of the narrow end 108 of the main body portion 106 of the
seal 32. The first member 124 extends longitudinally outward of the
narrow end 108 of the main body portion 106 of the seal 32 a
distance of approximately ten percent of the longitudinal length of
the main body portion 106 of the seal 32.
[0036] A second member 130 of the sealing portion 122 of the seal
32 extends outward of the first side 116 of the narrow end 108 of
the main body portion 106 of the seal 32. The second member 130
includes an inner end 132 and an outer end 134. The inner end 132
of the second member 130 connects to the main body portion 106 of
the seal 32. The second member 130 initially extends
perpendicularly outwardly of the main body portion 106 of the seal
32 and then curves toward the wide end 110 of the main body portion
106 as the second member 130 extends from the inner end 132 to the
outer end 134. The second member 130 also includes an outer side
surface 136 and an inner side surface 138. The thickness of the
second member 130, defined as the distance between the outer side
surface 136 and the inner side surface 134, narrows from the inner
end 132 to the outer end 134. The distance between the inner end
132 and the outer end 134 of the second member 130 is approximately
sixty percent of the longitudinal length of the main body portion
106 of the seal 32.
[0037] A third member 140 of the sealing portion 122 of the seal 32
is a mirror-image of the second member 130. The third member 140 of
the sealing portion 122 of the seal 32 extends outward of the
second side 118 of the narrow end 108 of the main body portion 106
of the seal 32. The third member 140 includes an inner end 142 and
an outer end 144. The inner end 142 of the third member 140
connects to the main body portion 106 of the seal 32. The third
member 140 initially extends perpendicularly outwardly of the main
body portion 106 of the seal 32 and then curves toward the wide end
110 of the main body portion 106 as the third member 140 extends
from the inner end 142 to the outer end 144. The third member 140
also includes an outer side surface 146 and an inner side surface
148. The thickness of the third member 140, defined as the distance
between the outer side surface 146 and the inner side surface 148,
narrows from the inner end 142 to the outer end 144. The distance
between the inner end 142 and the outer end 144 of the third member
140 is approximately sixty percent of the longitudinal length of
the main body portion 106 of the seal 32.
[0038] When the first door 26 is in the closed position shown in
FIG. 1, the seal 32 of the first door 26 contacts a portion of the
housing 12 to prevent the flow of air into the heating passage 24
of the housing 12 of the apparatus 10. The portion of the housing
12 that is contacted by the seal 32 is layered, as is best shown in
FIG. 4. A first sealing surface 150 of the housing 12 is located
above a second sealing surface 152 of the housing 12. A distance of
approximately one-half the length of the second member 130 of the
sealing portion 122 of the seal 32 separates the first sealing
surface 150 of the housing 12 from the second sealing surface 152
of the housing 12. The first sealing surface 150 is located on a
pedestal 154 that extends outwardly from the second sealing surface
152 of the housing 12. A short lip 156 extends outwardly from an
end of the first sealing surface 150, opposite the second sealing
surface 152.
[0039] During use in the apparatus 10, the first door 26 of the
first flap valve 30 may be in a position to close the ventilation
passage 22, in a position to close the heating passage 24, or in a
position where both the ventilation passage 22 and the heating
passage 24 are partially open. In any of these positions, the flow
of air passes over the first door 26 in a manner such that the seal
32 is upstream of the first recess 84 of the first door 26 and the
first hinge 28 is downstream of the first recess 84 of the first
door 26.
[0040] When the first door 26 is in a position allowing air to flow
into both the ventilation passage 22 and the heating passage 24,
the second and third members 130 and 140 of the sealing portion 122
of the seal 32 curve in the direction of the flow of air so that
the air flows smoothly over the seal 32. As the door 26 is moved
toward the closed position illustrated in FIG. 1, the outer end 134
of the second member 130 of the sealing portion 122 of the seal 32
initially engages the second sealing surface 152 of the housing 12.
The position of initial engagement between the second member 130
and the second sealing surface 152 of the housing 12 is prior to
the door 26 being in the closed position.
[0041] As the door 26 moves from the position of initial engagement
to the closed position, the second member 130 flexes to dampen a
force of contact between the first member 124 and the first sealing
surface 150 of the housing 12. By dampening the force of contact,
noise created by moving the first door 26 to the closed position is
reduced. While flexing, during movement from the position in
initial engagement to the closed position, the amount of surface
area of the second member 130 that engages the second sealing
surface 152 of the housing 12 increases.
[0042] The second member 130 continues to flex until the first door
26 is in the closed position. FIG. 4 illustrates the second member
130 in a completely flexed position. When in the closed position,
the first member 124 of the sealing portion 122 of the seal 32
contacts the first sealing surface 150 of the housing 12. The
contact between the first member 124 of the sealing portion 122 of
the seal 32 and the first sealing surface 150 of the housing 12
forms a primary seal between the first door 26 and the housing 12.
The contact between the second member 130 of the sealing portion
122 of the seal 32 and the second sealing surface 152 of the
housing 12 forms a secondary seal between the first door 26 and the
housing 12. The lip 156 that extends outwardly from the first
sealing surface 150 of the housing 12 helps to prevent the flow of
air from lifting the first member 124 of the sealing portion 122
away from the first sealing surface 150 of the housing 12 and
causing the first member 124 of the seal 32 to flap.
[0043] When the first door 26 is in the closed position illustrated
in FIGS. 1 and 4, the third member 140 of the sealing portion 122
of the seal 32 extends outwardly into the flow of air. The flow of
air over the third member 140 of the sealing portion 122 places air
pressure on the third member 140 in a direction normal to the outer
side surface 146 of the third member 140. The air pressure is
indicated schematically in FIG. 4 at P.sub.A. The air pressure
P.sub.A may be broken into a first vector component, P.sub.F, that
causes the third member 140 to flex so that the outer end 144 of
the third member 140 moves inwardly toward the main body portion
106 of the seal 32 and a second vector component, P.sub.S, that
pushes the third member 140 toward the main body portion 106 of the
seal 32. The second vector component P.sub.S also pushes the seal
32 toward the housing 12 to further prevent flapping of the seal
32.
[0044] When the first door 26 is moved to a closed position in
which the flow of air into the ventilation passage 22 of the
housing 12 is prevented, the third member 140 of the sealing
portion 122 engages the housing 12 to form the secondary seal and
the second member 130 of the sealing portion 122 extends into the
flow of air. As a result, both the first and the second sides of
the seal 32 may be used to seal against the housing.
[0045] From the above description of the invention, those skilled
in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications.
For example, instead of being curved, the second and third members
130 and 140 of the sealing portion 122 of the seal 32 may be formed
from a plurality of angled segments. Such improvements, changes and
modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be
covered by the appended claims.
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