Patent ID: 9102217
Filing Date: 2015-08-11
Classification: B60H,B60J

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for providing an air shield over a portal access opening between a vehicle access member and a stationary vehicle trim member, the vehicle access member providing access to a compartment of an interior of the vehicle, the apparatus comprising: an air supply device disposed within the vehicle, the air supply device producing a burst of air that discharges upon opening of the vehicle access member; an air concentrator device in fluid communication with the air supply device, the air concentrator device outputting the burst of air that forms the air shield in a direction substantially transverse to the portal access opening, wherein the air shield is formed across at least a portion of a perimeter of the portal access opening between the vehicle access member and the stationary vehicle trim member, and wherein the air shield inhibits precipitation from entering the compartment of the vehicle during a pressure equalization phase that occurs in response to the opening of the vehicle access member, the air concentrator device including an elastomeric seal creating a seal between the stationary vehicle trim member and the vehicle access member, the elastomeric seal including an internal cavity and at least one orifice, the burst of air is directed through the internal cavity in the elastomeric seal and flows out of the at least one orifice of the elastomeric seal in the transverse direction; wherein the air supply device includes an accumulator, wherein the accumulator is compressible, and wherein the accumulator is discharged by the vehicle access member compressing the accumulator during opening of the vehicle access member.