GB2452976A - Ventilated in-vehicle storage compartment for use with wet or soiled items - Google Patents

Abstract

A storage compartment 10 that may be located beneath the seating, cargo compartment or central console of a vehicle, is provided for excluding odours from the interior of the vehicle. The storage compartment is formed by side walls 11, 12, 13 or 14, a floor 15 that may be a non-absorbent surface, and a closure 16 that may have a seal and be pivotally attached to at least one of the walls. A first valve 18 provides gaseous communication into the storage compartment and a second valve 19 provides gas flow from inside the storage compartment to outside the vehicle. Valve 18 may be a one-way valve additionally configured to introduce air from the HVAC system if the vehicle has one. Valve 19 may be a one-way valve serving as drafter.

Description

1 2452976

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO IN-VEHICLE STORAGE

The present invention relates to a storage compartment for use in a vehicle and, in particular, to a storage compartment that is suitable for use with wet or soiled items.

There is currently a trend in the automotive sector towards larger vehicles such as SUVs MPVs, Combi-vans and Hatchbacks. One of the reasons for this trend is the size and flexibility of the storage facilities within such vehicles. These facilities make larger vehicles suitable for transporting individuals or groups to sporting events in which they wish to participate.

In the context of these larger passenger vehicles, there has been a blurring of the boundary between what would traditionally have been considered to be the cargo compartment and the occupant compartment. For example, it is now not unusual to find a third row of seating within a vehicle that is intended for occasional use. The third row is usually foldable so that the space can be used as luggage space when the seats are not in use. As a result, the space occupied by the third row is sometimes part of the cargo compartment and, at other times, it is part of the occupant compartment. As a result of this flexible seating, it is often not practical to close off the cargo compartment.

As many of these larger passenger vehicles are used for sport related activity, the cargo compartment is frequently required to house soiled sports kit and equipment. As the cargo compartment is not separated from the occupant compartment, an unpleasant odour can permeate throughout the vehicle detracting from the overall comfort of the vehicle occupants.

It is against this background that the present invention has been made.

According to the present invention there is provided a storage compartment for excluding odours from the interior of a vehicle, the storage compartment comprising: at least one wall, a floor and a closure forming an enclosed space; a first valve providing gaseous communication into the enclosed space; and a second valve providing gas flow from the enclosed space to outside the vehicle.

The provision of a storage compartment that has two valves providing, between them, a through-flow of air enables the contents of the storage compartment to be aerated without the possibility of odours permeating the interior of the vehicle. The storage compartment is well suited to use for soiled sports kit, dog blankets or pungent foodstuffs.

Although the present invention was made against a background of the problems associated with SUVs, the invention could equally be applied to small vehicles and saloon cars where the cargo compartment or boot space needs to be divided to keep malodorous items separate from the remaining contents of the boot.

The first valve may be configured to introduce air from the vehicle interior into the enclosed space. This is the simplest implementation which also provides the greatest choice of locations within the vehicle.

Alternatively, if the vehicle has a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system then the first valve may be configured to introduce air from the HVAC system into the enclosed space. It is becoming increasingly common that the air conditioning system within a vehicle is zoned. As an extension of this principle, the storage compartment can be designated as a separate zone allowing the contents of the storage compartment to be heated in order to encourage drying, or kept cool, independent of the temperature of the remainder of the interior of the vehicle.

The first and second valves may be one-way valves. The provision of one-way valves prevents the flow of air and potentially unpleasant odours from the storage compartment, or even the vehicle exterior, to the occupant compartment.

If the vehicle has a drafter then the second valve may be the drafter. This is only suitable when the first valve connects to the occupant compartment. In this case, the storage compartment is simply an intermediate step for the air between the occupant compartment and the exterior of the vehicle. If there is a pre-existing drafter or rear air extractor then the pre-existing functionality of this part must not be compromised.

Alternatively, the second valve may be a dedicated one-way valve that is used only by the storage compartment. Depending on the location of the storage compartment it may or may not be convenient for the drafter or rear air extractor to be used as the second valve. If the storage compartment is positioned at some considerable distance from the drafter then the efficiency of the drafter could be compromised by re-routing the air flow through the storage compartment and therefore in these cases a separate second valve will be required.

The closure member may be provided with a seal that ensures that air cannot escape from the interior of the storage compartment into the vehicle. The closure may be pivotally attached to at least one of the walls. This configuration ensures that the closure cannot be separated from the storage compartment.

The storage compartment may further comprise means for enabling liquid to exit the vehicle. The means for enabling liquid to exit the vehicle takes the form of an indentation in the floor leading to the second valve. Liquid can flow into the indentation and then leave the vehicle through the second valve. The removal of liquid from within the storage compartment helps to increase the efficiency of drying the contents.

The floor may have a non-absorbent surface. The floor may be provided with a non-absorbent or wipe-clean surface which ensures that the interior of the storage compartment does not retain moisture, and therefore potentially odours, after the storage compartment has been emptied.

If the vehicle comprises seating, a cargo compartment and a central console then the storage compartment may be located beneath the seating, cargo compartment or central console. The location of the storage compartment dictates the maximum size of the compartment. Storage compartments in different locations may be optimised for different uses. For example, a storage compartment in the central console will be smaller than a storage compartment in the cargo compartment of the vehicle. However, the provision of a compartment in the central console enables the vehicle occupants to access the contents of the compartment during the journey.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a storage compartment according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic cross section of a ventilation device used in the storage compartment shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 shows an example of a storage compartment according to the present invention in the cargo compartment of an SUV.

Figure 1 shows a storage compartment 10 according to the present invention. The storage compartment 10 has four substantially orthogonal walls 11, 12, 13, 14, a floor 15 and a lid 16. The walls 11-14, floor 15 and lid 16 form, between them, an enclosed space. The lid 16 is opened by pivoting the lid 16 about a hinge 17. When the lid 16 is closed, a seal (not shown) prevents movement of air out of the compartment 10. The floor 15 is provided with a wipe-clean, non-absorbent surface so that once soiled items have been removed from the compartment, the odour does not linger within the compartment 10.

The floor 15 is removable from the storage compartment so that it can be cleaned. The floor 15 is configured to be connected to the walls 11, 12, 13, 14 using a seal so that air cannot escape from the storage compartment between the walls and the floor.

In an alternative example, not shown in the drawings, the whole compartment 10 is removable in order to permit access to the spare wheel which is typically located under the floor in the cargo compartment. In order to allow the compartment 10 to be removed from the vehicle, additional seals are provided in the vicinity of the valves so that air cannot escape between the valves and the walls. At least one retaining clip is provided in order to locate and retain the storage compartment in the correct position relative to the vehicle interior.

The walls 11 and 13 are provided with one way valves 18, 19. The detailed construction of the valves 18, 19 is shown in more detail in Figure 2.

Valves similar to the valves 18, 19 are sometimes used in the automotive industry to provide a through flow of air in the occupant compartment. In this context, these valves are sometimes known as drafters or rear air extractors.

In the storage compartment illustrated in Figure 1, the first valve 18 allows air to enter the storage compartment 10 and the second valve 19 allows air to leave the storage compartment 10.

Referring to Figure 2, a valve 18 is shown in detail. The valve 18 is mounted in the wall 11. The valve 18 consists of one or more of fins 20. Although the example shown in Figure 2 shows a plurality of fins 20, a single large fin 20 can be used. The fin or each fin 20 is provided with a pivot 21 that attaches the fin 20 to the valve 18 and a smooth land area 24 on which a distal portion 23 of the flap 22 rests when the valve is closed.

The fin or each fin is inclined at an acute angle to the vertical. This angle encourages the valve 18 to remain closed if there is insufficient air pressure to open the valve thereby ensuring that odours from the storage compartment cannot escape into the occupant compartment when the vehicle is stationary or parked.

The provision of a valve 18 with a land area 24 for each fin 20 ensures that gaseous flow is only permitted in one direction. For example, in Figure 2, if a pressure differential arises between the left side of the valve 18 and the right side such that the left side is at a higher pressure, the gas will try to flow through the valve to the right. This will result in each of the distal portion 23 of each of the flaps 22 being lifted away from the land area 24 to allow the gas to move through the valve. Conversely, if the right side of the valve 18 is at a higher pressure, each of the flaps 22 will be forced into close contact with the land area 24 of the fin 20. The flaps 22 therefore close the valve 18 and do not allow the gas to move through the valve 18 from right to left.

Figure 3 shows one example of a storage compartment 10 in situ within an SUV 30. The storage compartment 10 is located in the cargo compartment of the vehicle. The walls 11, 12, 13 and 14 of the storage compartment 10 are coterminous with the sides of the cargo compartment. Therefore, although there are four walls, they are curved to match the styling contours of the cargo compartment and do not necessarily have sharp corners clearly delineating one wall from the adjacent wall.

The lid 16 provides a closure for the storage compartment 10 and, in addition, it acts as the floor of the cargo compartment. The lid 16 is provided with a seal 31 to prevent air from escaping from the storage compartment 10 back into the interior of the SUV 30.

The lid 16 is provided with a handle 33 that enables the user to open the lid 16 to gain access to the storage compartment. The handle 33 is slightly recessed into the surface of the lid 16 so that it does not protrude into the cargo compartment of the SUV 30.

The valve 18 connects directly with the interior of the SUV 30. Rather than the air from the interior of the vehicle passing directly from the vehicle, through a one way valve to the outside of the vehicle, instead the air is diverted through the storage compartment 10 before exiting the vehicle. This is the simplest way in which the storage compartment can be realised within a vehicle as it requires no alternations to the HVAC system.

Furthermore, as there is no direct connection with the HVAC system, the presence of the storage compartment does not have any impact of the energy consumption of the vehicle.

In an alternative example, the valve 18 in the wall his provided with a constant positive pressure from the HVAC system. The temperature of the air passing through the storage compartment 10 can be controlled by the driver via a control (not shown) provided along with the other controls for the vehicle air conditioning system. In this way, if the contents of the storage container are wet, a warm air input can at least partially dry the contents during the journey.

The separate air supply to the storage compartment 10 can, of course, be switched off when the storage compartment is not in use. The presence of the one way valve 18 between the HVAC system and the storage compartment 10 ensures that it is not possible for soiled air to move from the storage compartment 10 back through to the HVAC system.

In a further alternative example, the valve 18 in the wall 11 can be provided either with a constant positive pressure from the HVAC system or, when that air supply is switched off, air can be permitted to flow through from the vehicle interior. The provision of these two alternatives enables the driver to choose between the HVAC supply which may result in more effective drying of the contents of the compartment, and optimising fuel economy by using the air from the vehicle interior.

Moreover, the valve 18 in the wall 11 can alternatively be supplied with air from the exterior of the vehicle. By supplying air from the exterior of the vehicle, there is no gaseous communication between the vehicle interior and the storage compartment.

In order to improve the quality of the air within the storage compartment 10, a filter (not shown) is provided. The filter is positioned on the reverse face of the valve 18 so that it can filter the air as it enters the storage compartment.

In an alternative example not shown in the accompanying figures, a fan is provided in order to improve the flow of air through the storage compartment. The fan is solar powered so that it continues to work even when the vehicle engine is inactive. In this way, the air within the storage compartment 10 continues to be refreshed even when the vehicle is not in use, provided that there is sufficient ambient light to power the solar cell.

The valve 19 is positioned in wall 13 and enables the malodorous air from the storage compartment 10 to leave the SUV 30. The valve 19 may be a pre-existing valve 32 that is provided to allow through-flow of air. However, if the pre-existing valve 32 is not conveniently positioned for communication with the interior of the storage compartment then an additional valve 19 is provided to allow the compartment to be vented to the environment.

The valve 19 is positioned in or close to the part of the wall 13 nearest to the floor 15. In addition to the fins 20 for allowing gaseous transfer, the valve 19 is configured to provide an unimpeded path for liquid to flow downwardly, under the influence of gravity, from the floor 15 of the storage compartment 10, through the valve 19 and out of the vehicle.

Although the storage compartment 10 shown in Figure 3 is located in the cargo compartment of an SUV, similar storage compartments could be provided beneath the seats or the central console area or on the side of the luggage area. Any location within a vehicle can be used provided that access can easily be obtained to the exterior of the vehicle and the location can be supplied by the HVAC system or have easy gaseous communication with the occupant compartment. Depending on the configuration of the space enclosed by the storage compartment, it may be more practical to provide the lid on the side of the box and provide the first valve in the lid instead of in the wall as set out with reference to Figure 3 above.

Claims (12)

1. A storage compartment for excluding odours from the interior of a vehicle, the storage compartment comprising: at least one wall, a floor and a closure forming an enclosed space; a first valve providing gaseous communication into the enclosed space, and a second valve providing gas flow from the enclosed space to outside the vehicle.

2. The storage compartment of claim 1, wherein the first valve is configured to introduce air from the vehicle interior into the enclosed space.

3. The storage compartment of claim 1, wherein the vehicle has an HVAC system and wherein the first valve is configured to introduce air from the HVAC system into the enclosed space.

4. The storage compartment of any one of claims I to 3, wherein the first and second valves are one-way valves.

5. The storage compartment according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle has a drafter and then second valve is the drafter.

6. The storage compartment according to any one of claims I to 4, wherein the second valve is a dedicated one-way valve that is used only by the storage compartment.

7. The storage compartment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure has a seal.

8. The storage compartment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure is pivotally attached to at least one of the walls.

9. The storage compartment according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprises means for enabling liquid to exit the vehicle.

10. The storage compartment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floor has a non-absorbent surface.

11. The storage compartment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle comprises seating, a cargo compartment and a central console and wherein the storage compartment is located beneath the seating, cargo compartment or central console.

12. The storage compartment as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.