Patent Publication Number: US-2019184791-A1

Title: Pressure Relief Assembly Having Latchable Cover

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application relates to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/381,652, entitled “Pressure Relief Assembly Having Latchable Cover,” filed Aug. 31, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a venting or pressure relief device configured for use in an enclosed area, such as an automobile, and more to a pressure relief assembly that includes a cover that latchably secures to a main body or housing. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Interior cabins of vehicles typically include cabin vents or pressure relief devices. Without such devices, air pressure inside the vehicle cabin could damage occupants&#39; ear drums. Further, when a vehicle door is closed, air pressure within the vehicle needs to be relieved or the door will not close. If an air bag is activated in a vehicle that does not have a venting or pressure relief device, an occupant&#39;s ear drums may be damaged. 
     Pressure relief devices are usually hidden from view. For example, a pressure relief device may be found in a trunk or on a body frame pillar structure. Each pressure relief device is adapted to allow air to pass out of an enclosed structure, while also preventing a significant amount of air, dust, water or other contaminants into the enclosed area. Thus, pressure relief devices are, in essence, one-way valves or one-way check valves, and are configured to maintain a small amount of back pressure per customer specifications. 
     A conventional pressure relief device includes a plastic housing having a plurality of air passages. A light membrane is positioned over the air passages, and is configured to allow air to pass in one direction. In order to allow air to pass, the light membrane opens off of the main body in response to air flow. Typically, a seal is provided around the main body and acts to seal the hole in the mating structure upon assembly. The seal is typically molded around the main body in a secondary molding operation, or may be adhesively or chemically attached to the main body. 
     During installation, the pressure relief device may be snap fit to a structure. Typically, a user presses on the four corners of the pressure relief device in order to secure it within a reciprocal hole in a structure, such as a frame or sheet within a vehicle. 
     A cover may be secured over a main body of a pressure relief assembly. The cover is used to prevent debris, moisture, and the like from passing into and through the pressure relief assembly. Further, the cover may be configured to dampen noise. 
     Typically, a pressure relief assembly that includes a cover is larger than one without a cover. For example, a connecting interface between the cover and the main body generally adds height to the pressure relief assembly, as the cover is secured over the main body. The increased height of the pressure relief assembly may not be well suited to fit within certain areas of a vehicle. 
     Further, the connecting interface may include components that outwardly project from the main body. The components may include projecting beams that may be damaged, such as by being snapped or cracked, during handling and assembly. 
     SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     A need exists for a pressure relief assembly including a main body and a cover that secure to one another via a low profile interface. Further, a need exists for a pressure relief assembly having a cover secured to a main body that has a reduced height as compared to known assemblies. Additionally, a need exists for a pressure relief assembly including a cover that is less susceptible to being damaged during handling. 
     With those needs in mind, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a pressure relief assembly that includes a main body including at least one air passage chamber defined between one or more outer walls. At least one flap covers at least one air opening within the air passage chamber(s). The outer wall(s) include one or more first latch members. A cover includes one or more second latch members that are configured to securely latch to the first latch member(s). In at least one embodiment, the first latch member(s) are disposed outside of one or more airflow openings within the air passage chamber(s). 
     The first latch members may include four first latch members (such as proximate to four corners), and the second latch members may include four corresponding second latch members. Four corner latch members provide a secure and stable connection between the main body and the cover. 
     In at least one embodiment, wherein the first latch member(s) are contained by the outer wall(s). For example, the first latch member(s) do not extend over exposed edges of the outer wall(s), and do not extend past outer surfaces of the outer wall(s). The first latch member(s) may inwardly extend from at least one interior surface of the outer wall(s) into the air passage chamber(s). 
     In at least one embodiment, the first latch member(s) include a protuberance having a latching recess. At least a portion of the second latch member(s) passes into the latching recess. The latching recess may connect to an underside ridge onto which the second latch member(s) latch. 
     The main body may also include one or more panel-securing members that are configured to secure the main body within an opening of a panel. 
     In at least one embodiment, the second latch member(s) include a beveled tab extending from an inner surface of the cover. The beveled tab includes an expanded base proximate to the inner surface and a narrowed expanded end distally away from the inner surface. The exposed end includes a protruding clip that is configured to securely latch to the first latch member(s). 
     In at least one embodiment, one or more latch interfaces between the one first latch member(s) and second latch member(s) are underneath flap hinge area(s) of the main body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a main body of a pressure relief assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective interior view of a cover of a pressure relief assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pressure relief assembly including a cover securely coupled to a main body, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Before the embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a pressure relief assembly that includes a main body or housing and a cover that is configured to be latchably secured to the main body. The main body includes latch members that may be akin to wire channel latches. The latch members may be formed in a die draw of the main body and/or the cover, thereby eliminating or otherwise reducing the need for expensive side action tooling. 
     Reciprocal latch members on the cover are low profile, and minimize or otherwise reduce the potential for being damaged, such as when being handled. The latch interfaces between the main body and the cover may be in low airflow areas of the pressure relief assembly. As such, the latch interfaces generally do not (or minimally) affect airflow through the pressure relief assembly. For example, upper latches may be under a flap hinge, while lower latches may be located in a scoop of the main body. Further, during assembly, the latch members of the main body engage the reciprocal latch members of the cover with little to no increase in assembly force. 
     Pressure relief assemblies having covers are disclosed in PCT/US2017/022087, entitled “Impact-Absorbing Pressure Relief Assembly Having Cover,” which was filed Mar. 13, 2017, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Pressure relief assemblies are also shown and described in U.S. Application Publication No. 2010/0243083, entitled “Pressure Relief Assembly,” which is also hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a housing or main body  100  of a pressure relief assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A cover (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) is configured to secure over the main body  100  to form the pressure relief assembly. The pressure relief assembly is configured to secure to a component, such as a panel of sheet metal of a vehicle, for example. The pressure relief assembly secures into an opening formed through the panel. For example, the pressure relief assembly snapably secures into the opening formed through the panel. The cover then secures over the main body  100 . 
     The main body  100  may be formed of a plastic, such as acrylic. In at least one embodiment, the main body  100  is formed of injection-molded polypropylene. The main body  100  may be formed through a thermoforming process, which is generally an efficient and economical way of making various plastic devices. During the manufacturing process, a roll of plastic may be fed into a cavity, and then the plastic is formed using heat and pressure. 
     The main body  100  includes a plurality of air passage chambers  102  that define airflow openings. Flaps secure in the air passage chambers  102  over the airflow openings. The main body  100  may include more or less air passage chambers  102  than shown. Instead of a plurality of air passage chambers  102 , the main body  100  may include a single air passage chamber. Also, optionally, the air passages  102  may be coplanar with a flat base, instead of being angled (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     The main body  100  includes a base  106 , onto and/or around which a seal  108  may be secured. The seal  108  may be formed of an elastomeric material and is configured to sealingly engage to the panel around the opening. 
     The air passage chambers  102  are defined between one or more outer walls, such as a lower wall  110  integrally connected to an upper wall  114  by lateral walls  112 . Optionally, the outer walls may include more or less than four wall portions. For example, three outer walls in the shape of a triangle may define the air passage chambers  102  therebetween. As another example, a s single, circular outer wall may define the air passage chambers  102  therebetween. 
     In at least one embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 1 , a first or lower wall  110  integrally connects to lateral (for example, second and third) walls  112 , which, in turn integrally connect to an upper or fourth wall  114 . The terms first, second, third, and fourth are used to identify the number of walls extending from the base  106 . It is to be understood that the first wall may be considered a second, third, or fourth wall, and vice versa. The lower wall  110 , the lateral walls  112  and the upper wall  114  outwardly extend (upwardly, as shown in  FIG. 1 ) from the base  106 . The air passage chambers  102  are defined between the lower wall  110 , the lateral walls  112  and the upper wall  114 . 
     In closed positions, the flaps cover airflow openings within the air passage chambers  102 . Each flap may be anchored to the main body  100 . For example, each flap may mount to the main body  100  through first attachments, such as connecting posts, which outwardly extend above the airflow openings defined by the air passage chambers  102 . The flaps may be formed of a flexible thermoplastic elastomer, such as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, polypropylene, Hytrel, Lexan, Tyvac or Mylar, for example. 
     In at-rest positions, the flaps cover the airflow openings. As air pressure builds and is exerted into undersides of the flaps, the flaps pivotally flap open so that the airflow openings are exposed, thereby allowing air to vent through the pressure relief assembly. 
     The main body  100  also includes one or more latch members  120  that are configured to mate with reciprocal latch members of a cover in order to latchably secure the cover to the main body  100 . In at least one embodiment, the main body  100  includes four latch members  120 . For example, the main body  100  may include latch members  120   a,    120   b,    120   c,  and  120   d  proximate to four corners. 
     The latch members  120   a - d  are formed on and/or in wall portions of the main body  100 , such as proximate to four corner areas. Because the latch members are formed on and/or in the wall portions, the latch members do not outwardly protrude from the main body  100 . The outer walls (for example, the lower wall  110 , the lateral walls  112 , and the upper wall  114 ) of the main body  100  contain the latch members  120   a - d.  That is, the latch members  120   a - d  do not extend above upper edges of the outer walls, or extend past outer surfaces of the outer walls. 
     In at least one embodiment, the latch members  120   a  and  120   b  extend from interior surfaces  124  of the upper wall  114 . For example, the latch members  120   a  and  120   b  may be or including protuberances  126 , which may include a spanning block  128  integrally connected to lateral ends  130 . Latching recesses  129  may be formed in and/or through an exposed surface  131  of the protuberances  126 . The latching recesses  129  may lead to an exposed underside ridge (as shown and described with respect to  FIG. 3 ). The protuberances  126  are configured to latchably secure to reciprocal latch members of a cover. Optionally, the protuberances  126  may be sized and shaped differently in order to securely couple to a reciprocal latch structure, depending on the size and shape of the reciprocal latch members of the cover. For example, the protuberances  126  may be or include one or more barbs, clasps, hooks, studs, tabs, slots, and/or the like. 
     As shown, the latch members  120   a  and  120   b  do not extend above a height of the upper wall  114 . Also, the latch members  120   a  and  120   b  do not extend outwardly past the upper wall  114  or the lateral walls  112 . As such, the latch members  120   a  and  120   b  are contained within the main body  100  (such as within a volume defined between the lower wall  110 , the lateral walls  112  and the upper wall  114 ), and do not add height, length, width, or the like thereto. The latch members  120   a  and  120   b  are contained within longitudinal, lateral, and height envelopes of the main body  100 . In particular, the latch members  120   a  and  120   b  do not extend above upper edges of the upper wall  114 , or past outer surfaces of the upper wall  114  and the lateral walls  112 . Therefore, the main body  100  provides a low profile. 
     Panel-securing members  132  may be formed in relation to outer surfaces  134  of the upper wall  114  opposite from the latch members  120   a  and  120   b.  The panel-securing members  132  are configured to securely clip the main body  100  to a panel. The panel-securing members  132  may also include clips that are configured to securely clip an edge of a panel between the base  106  and/or the seal  108  and the clips. The clips extend from the outer surface  134  of the upper wall  114 , and are therefore located away from the latch members  120   a  and  120   b.  Accordingly, the latch members  120   a  and  120   b  do not affect the securing force of the panel-securing members  132 . 
     The latch members  120   c  and  120   d  extend from interior surfaces  135  of the lower wall  110 . For example, the latch members  120   c  and  120   d  may be protuberances  136  including a spanning block  138  integrally connected to lateral ends  140 . Latching recesses  139  may be formed in and/or through an exposed surface  141  of the protuberances  136 . The latching recesses  129  may lead to an exposed underside ridge (as shown and described with respect to  FIG. 3 ). As shown, the protuberances  126  and  136  may be sized and shaped the same, but extend from different walls of the main body  100 . Optionally, the protuberances  136  may be sized and shaped differently in order to securely couple to a reciprocal latch structure, depending on the size and shape of the reciprocal latch structures of the cover. For example, the protuberances  126  may be or include one or more barbs, clasps, hooks, studs, tabs, slots, and/or the like. 
     Similar to the latch members  120   a  and  120   b,  the latch members  120   c  and  120   d  do not extend above a height of the lower wall  110 . Also, the latch members  120   c  and  120   d  do not extend outwardly past the lower wall  110  or the lateral walls  112 . As such, the latch members  120   c  and  120   d  are contained within the main body  100  (such as within a volume defined between the lower wall  110 , the lateral walls  112  and the upper wall  114 ), and do not add height, length, width, or the like thereto. The latch members  120   c  and  120   d  are contained within longitudinal, lateral, and height envelopes of the main body  100 . In particular, the latch members  120   c  and  120   d  do not extend above upper edges of the upper wall  114 , or past outer surfaces of the upper wall  114  and the lateral walls  112 . Therefore, the main body  100  provides a low profile. 
     Panel-securing members  132  may extend from outer surfaces  134  of the upper wall  114  opposite from the latch members  120   c  and  120   d.  The panel-securing members  132  are configured to securely clip the main body  100  to a panel. The panel-securing members  132  may include clips  137  that are configured to securely clip an edge of a panel between the base  106  and/or the seal  108  and the clips  137 . The clips  137  extend from the outer surface  134  of the upper wall  114 , and are therefore located away from the interior latch members  120   c  and  120   d.  Consequently, the latch members  120   c  and  120   d  do not affect the securing force of the panel-securing members  132 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective interior view of a cover  200  of a pressure relief assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The main body  100  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and the cover  200  couple together to form the pressure relief assembly. As shown in  FIG. 2 , reciprocal latch members  202  are formed at areas of the cover that coincide with the latch members  120   a - d  of the main body  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The cover  200  couples to the main body  100  in order to protect the components of the main body  100  (such as the flaps) from foreign objects/debris, impacts, and the like. 
     The cover  200  includes a covering panel  204 . A sound-dampening layer  205  may extend inwardly from an inner surface  222 . The sound-dampening layer  205  may be formed from open or closed cell foam, an elastomeric material, and/or the like. Optionally, the cover  200  may not include the layer  205 . An upper shroud  206  extends from an upper end  208  of the covering panel  204 , while a lower ledge  210  extends from a lower end  212  of the covering panel  204 . It is to be understood that throughout the present disclosure, the terms upper, lower, and lateral are used in connection with the orientations as shown in the Figures. Depending on how a component is oriented, an upper portion may be a lower portion, a lateral portion, and/or the like. 
     Each latch member  202   a - d  includes a beveled tab  220  extending from the inner surface  222  of the cover  200 . The beveled tabs  220  include an expanded base  224  proximate to the inner surface  222  and a narrowed exposed end  226  distally away from the inner surface  222 . The exposed end  226  may include a protruding clip  228  that is configured to securely latch into a recess  129  of a counterpart latch member  120  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). Optionally, the latch members  202   a - d  may be sized and shaped differently, depending on the size and shape of the counterpart latch members  120 . In at least one embodiment, the latch members  202   a - d  shown in  FIG. 2  may be sized and shapes as the latch members  120   a - d  shown in  FIG. 1 , and vice versa. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the latch members  202   a - d  (for example, first or second latch members  202   a - d ) are configured to latchably secure to the latch members  120   a - d  (for example, the other of first or second latch members  120   a - d ), respectively. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the latch members  120  of the main body  100  and the reciprocal latch members  202  of the cover  200  are positioned away from (that is, outside of) main airflow areas  150  proximate to the air passage chambers  102  of the main body  100 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the pressure relief assembly  300  including the cover  200  securely coupled to the main body  100 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 3  shows a latch interface  302  between the main body  100  and the cover  200 . The latch interface  302  may be the same or similar in relation to the couplings between the latch members  120   a - d  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and the reciprocal latch members  202   a - d  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
     The latch interface  302  is recessed within a volume of space between the cover  200  and the main body  100 , as opposed to an outwardly-protruding portion. Further, the latch interface  302  is underneath a flap hinge area  304 , and, as such, is substantially outside of an air passage  306  of the main body  100 . That is, the latch interface  302  abuts into a wall segment  308  of the air passage chamber  102  that is outside of the air passage  306 . A flap  320  is configured to flap open and close about the flap hinge area  304 . 
     As shown, the tab  220  mates with the protuberance  126  such that the protruding clip  228  is passed into the recess  129  and latches onto an exposed underside ridge  133  of the protuberance  126 . In this manner, the latch member  202  securely latches to the latch member  120 . Each of the latch members  202   a - d  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) may securely latch to the latch members  120   a - d  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) in such manner. Because the latch interfaces  302  are outside of the air passages  306 , airflow is not interrupted by the latch interface  302 . Alternatively, at least a portion of at least one latch interface  302  may extend into an air passage  306 . 
     As indicated, the latch members  120  and the latch members  202  may be sized and shaped differently than shown, in order to latchably couple to one another. For example, the latch members  120  may include tabs, while the latch members  202  may include reciprocal slots, or vice versa. In at least one other embodiment, the latch members  120  and/or the latch members  202  may include various other sized and shaped detents than shown. For example, the latch members  120  may include ramps that fit within reciprocal retaining slots of the latch members  202 , or vice versa. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the pressure relief assembly  300  includes the main body or housing  100  and the cover  200  that latchably secures to the main body  100  via one or more of the latch interfaces  302 . The latch members  120  of the main body  100  may be akin to wire channel latches. The latch members  120  and  202  may be formed in a die draw of the main body  100  and/or the cover  200 , thereby eliminating or otherwise reducing the need for expensive side action tooling. 
     The latch members  202  of the cover are low profile. For example, the latch members  202  may not extend outwardly past an exposed edge of the upper shroud  206 , which may provide protection for the latch members  202 . As such, the low profile latch members  202  are less susceptible to being damaged, such as when being handled. As shown in  FIG. 3 , in particular, the latch interfaces  302  between the main body  100  and the cover  200  may be outside of the air passages  306 , in low airflow areas of the pressure relief assembly  300 . As such, the latch interfaces  306  generally do not (or minimally) affect airflow through the pressure relief assembly  300 . For example, upper latches may be under a flap hinge, while lower latches may be located in a scoop of the main body  100 . 
     As described herein, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a pressure relief assembly including a main body and a cover that secure to one another via a low profile interface. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a pressure relief assembly having a cover secured to a main body that has a reduced height as compared to known assemblies. Additionally, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a pressure relief assembly including a cover that is less susceptible to being damaged during handling as compared to other known pressure relief devices having covers. 
     While various spatial and directional terms, such as top, bottom, lower, mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, front and the like may be used to describe embodiments of the present disclosure, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations may be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portion is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and the like. 
     Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present disclosure. It is understood that the embodiments disclosed and defined herein extend to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present disclosure. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the disclosure and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the disclosure. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art. 
     To the extent used in the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, to the extent used in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure. 
     Various features of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.