GB2429518A

GB2429518A - Vehicle roof mounted air extraction unit

Info

Publication number: GB2429518A
Application number: GB0516743A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Alexander Smith; Carolyn Yndra Smith
Original assignee: Michael Smith & Associates Ltd
Current assignee: Michael Smith & Associates Ltd
Priority date: 2005-08-12
Filing date: 2005-08-12
Publication date: 2007-02-28
Also published as: GB0516743D0

Abstract

An air extraction unit mounted on a rearward section of the exterior of a roof of a vehicle to remove air that has been heated by the sun from inside of the vehicle when it is stationary comprises an electrically powered fan 2a to withdraw air through a slot 2c in the roof and exhaust the air through a rearward facing exhaust vent 2d. The fan 2a is described as a roller fan and may be powered by a photovoltaic panel 2b mounted on a top surface of the unit. The unit may be installed or retrofitted to the vehicle after it has been purchased or incorporated into the manufacture of the vehicle when it is being constructed. The fan 2a may be operated by the use of a remote infrared signal sender unit on a key ring of the vehicle's owner or incorporated into the vehicles remote locking system. A drainage channel 2e located below the vent 2d may be provided to expel any moisture entering the vent 2d. A flexible gasket 2g may be provided so that the unit can be adapted to fit varying roof contours.

Description

VEHICLE ROOF MOUNTED EXTERIOR AIR EXTRACTION UNIT

Background

Owners of motor vehicles obliged to park in sunny, hot conditions are faced with a choice between locking securely and facing oven like conditions on return or providing for some limited air throughput by leaving windows open and compromising the security of the vehicle and/or its contents.

Car manufacturers have not addressed this issue even though it is a continuing source of discomfort and a risk to occupants and possessions subject to the extreme temperatures that can be reached even in a short time in the peak of summer conditions.

By developing an extraction system powered by the very source of the problem (sun/solar) an air extractor mounted on the exterior of the vehicle allows cooler air from outside the vehicle to be drawn through the vehicle's existing ventilation ducting during the most oppressive period of the day. This can be done without compromising the security of the vehicle.

Statement of Invention

The Vehicle Roof Mounted Air Extraction Unit is an exterior attachment for a motor vehicle that uses solar energy to power a roller fan that draws air through an access slot cut into the roof of the vehicle.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings (1, 2, 3 and 414) in which: Fig la shows the general location of the unit on the vehicle roof.

Fig lb shows proximity to the rear window.

Fig 2 side elevation with section through unit showing location of roller fan and mounting to vehicle roof.

Fig 3 front elevation highlighting the spread top to accommodate the solar panel.

Fig 4 rear elevation illustrating the exhaust vent and drainage hole.

Fig 5 the plan view.

The essential ingredient of the Vehicle Roof Mounted Air Extraction Unit is a design concept that compliments modern vehicle profiles. A low drag shape that blends to the vehicles original design objectives and overall enhances the presentation of the vehicles final appearance to make this a desirable accessory with strong practical values. (Fig. 2 side elevation Fig. 3 front elevation, Fig 4 rear elevation and Fig 5 plan view showing unit mounted on vehicle roof).

The roller fan motor ( see Fig. 2a and 3a) is direct solar powered (no storage battery by a photovoltaic solar energy panel mounted on the top surface of the unit (see Fig 2b, 3b and 5b plan view). This will ensure that the unit will function at its most efficient when the sun is striking directly on the vehicle and the need for the fan is at its most critical.

The Vehicle Roof Mounted Air Extraction Unit is installed at the rear of the roofline just ahead of the rear window. This ensures that air entering through the vehicles own ducting system is drawn across the full length of the interior space before entering the extraction unit through the access slot (see Fig 2c, 3c and 5c) and then discharged out the exhaust vent ( see Fig 2d, 4d and 5d). Its aerodynamic shape and minimal size limits its impact on vehicle performance. A drainage channel is located immediately below the exhaust vent to expel any moisture entering the exhaust vent (see Fig 2e and 4e).

To install the Vehicle Roof Mounted Air Extraction Unit requires a small slot to be cut in the rear portion of roof and holes to be drilled for the mounting screws which in addition to securing the unit to the vehicle also attaches the interior vent trim panel to the main unit ( see Fig 2f and 3f).To adapt the unit to varying roof contours will be an important characteristic to gain widespread acceptance. This is done by supplying a selection of flexible mounting gaskets (see Fig 2g and 3g) of varying contours to achieve a secure mount and a watertight fit.

The unit will be offered in a range of colours to enable complementary matching to existing body colours.

The Vehicle Roof Mounted Air Extraction Unit is activated only when the vehicle is stationary and is brought into use using an infra-red signal of the same type as that used for activating the vehicle remote locking system with the sender unit located on the drivers key chain.

The Vehicle Roof Mounted Air Extraction Unit can either be supplied as an accessory to be fitted after the purchase of the vehicle or incorporated into the vehicles specification by the vehicle manufacturer at the time of assembly. In this instance the infra-red signal can be common to both the remote locking system and fan activation.

It will be appreciated that the invention broadly consists in the parts, elements and features described in this specification, and is deemed to include any equivalents known in the art which if substituted for the described integers, would not materially alter the substance of the invention.

Claims

The Claims defining the invention are as follows: Claim 1 An exterior air

extraction unit that is mounted on the rearward section of a motor vehicle roof and is complementary in styling to modem automotive profiles and that uses an electrically powered roller fan to remove warm air from inside the passenger space, when the vehicle is stationary, through a slot cut into the roof to which the unit is securely mounted, drawing air through the vehicles existing venting ducts, and combining in its design criteria a compact stylised shape with a rearward facing exhaust vent and the need for low wind resistance that does not detract from the vehicle performance when operating on the open highway nor permit the entry of moisture into the vehicles interior.

Claim 2 That the roof mounted air extraction unit as claimed in Claim I be supplied with electrical energy from the sun through the use of a photovoltaic solar panel located on the flat top of the unit which directly operates the fan so that at times of highest direct sun levels and consequently most extreme interior temperatures the fan will operate at maximum efficiency to fulfil its ventilation function.

Claim 3 That the air extraction unit as claimed in claim 1 may be installed either after initial purchase of the vehicle as an accessory or incorporated into the manufacture of the vehicle at the time of its construction.

Claim 4 That the activation of the roller fan as cited in claim 1 when the vehicle is stationary be controlled by the use of a remote infra-red signal sender unit retained by the vehicle's owner on the vehicle key ring and in the case of installations of the air extraction unit as claimed under claim 1, undertaken at the time of the vehicles manufacture that the infra-red sender be capable of combining commands for both the air extraction unit and the vehicle remote locking system allowing the vehicle operator to instigate only a single command for both functions if that is a preferred option.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

Claim 1 A Vehicle roof mounted exterior air extraction unit of an elevated profile to ensure superior weatherproofing that is located on the rearward section of a motor vehicle roof and is complementary in styling to modern automotive profiles and that uses an electrically powered roller fan to remove warm air from inside the passenger space, when the vehicle is stationary, through a slot cut into the roof to which the unit is securely mounted, drawing air through the vehicles existing venting ducts, and combining in its design criteria a low air resistant shape with a rearward and downward facing exhaust vent that will not permit the entry of moisture into the vehicles interior.

Claim 2 That the roof mounted air extraction unit as claimed in Claim I be supplied with electrical energy from the sun through the use of a photovoltaic solar panel located on the flat top of the unit which directly operates the fan so that at times of highest direct sun levels and consequently most extreme interior temperatures the fan will operate at maximum efficiency to fulfil its ventilation function.

Claim 3 That the air extraction unit as claimed in claim 1 may be installed either after initial purchase of the vehicle as an accessory or incorporated into the manufacture of the vehicle at the time of its construction.

Claim 4 That the activation of the roller fan as cited in Claim I when the vehicle is stationary be controlled by the use of a remote infra-red signal sender unit retained by the vehicle's owner on the vehicle key ring and in the case of installations of the air extraction unit as claimed under claim I undertaken at the time of the vehicles manufacture as claimed in claim 3 that the infra-red sender be capable of combining commands for both the air extraction unit and the vehicle remote locking system allowing the vehicle operator to instigate only a single command for both functions if that is a preferred option.