FORM-2
THE PATENT ACT,1970
(39 OF 1970)
AND
THE PATENT RULES, 2003
(As Amended)
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10;rule 13)
"SUNROOF WATER DRAIN HOSE ASSEMBLY WITH PLASTIC BODY"
Polyrub Cooper Standard FTS Pvt. Ltd., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of India, of Gat No. 389, Plot No. C43, Village Mhalunge, Chakan-Talegaon Road Chakan, Pune – 410501, MS, India.
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:
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TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a sunroof of a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a sunroof water drain system in automobile manufacturing through which water falling on the vehicle sunroof area (top side of the car) drains out.
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BACKGROUND
As is well known, the sunroof is a convenient device installed in the roof of the vehicle so as to be opened and closed to control the amount of sunlight flowing into the vehicle and to safely and easily ventilate the enclosed interior. The sunroof is installed between the roof panel of the vehicle body and the head liner, and the sunshade is slidably mounted on the guide rail of the 10 frame to open and close the slot of the headliner. A glass for opening and closing the slot of the roof panel is mounted by a drive mechanism to be relatively movable to the frame.
On the other hand, since the sunroof is provided on the roof of the vehicle, even if it has a tight watertight structure, water can penetrate between the roof panel and the glass during rainy 15 weather and is provided with a drainage structure to prevent water from entering the room.
In the current art, the automotive industry uses the various types of Sunroof water drain hose assembly for Passenger cars as mentioned below:
• Sunroof drain hose assemblies of Rubber material 20
• Sunroof drain hose assemblies of Rubber + PVC material
• Sunroof drain hose assemblies of Rubber + Plastic material
Its type, shape and size vary with respect to the routing in the car space available for mounting the hose assemblies. 25
In the conventional method, the sunroof drain hose assembly is manufactured of either rubber (generally EPDM/TPV) or PVC where the extruded tube (generally called Hose) is joined with the bellows (generally EPDM) by moulding or other joining process. The complete
assembly is fixed in the vehicle by inserting it in to snap fitted mounting clips, attached to BIW 30 whereas the water receiving end is attached to the Sunroof assembly & water drain side is fixed facing towards ground to drain out the water.
Referring to the Fig. 1, shows the details of conventional view of sunroof water drain hose
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assembly. In said assembly the hose is generally made of EPDM or TPV. Bellow at roof side & drain side it is generally of EPDM and the drain side below is fitted with S valve of EPDM.
Function of the individual parts are:
Hose – To carry water from top side (receiving side) to drain side 5
Roof side bellow – To receive water falling in the Sunroof area
Drain side bellow – To drain out the water receiving from hose
S valve – To avoid reverse entry of water in the system
The above conventional design has few issues of reverse water entry & the air noise issue 10 during running of the vehicle. Therefore, there is a need for blocking the reverse entry of water as well as the air.
In addition to above type of Sunroof drain hose assembly, another variety is being used in automotive (refer Fig. 2). In the said drain assembly, the grommet & Rigid body are moulded 15 together to form a single component. EPDM Hose is passed through the grommet and rigid body assembly.
In view of the aforesaid shortcomings of the present sunroof water drain assembly there is an urgent need for an improved sunroof water drain assembly which can obviate the limitations 20 and drawbacks of the present art.
OBJECTIVES
An objective of present invention is to obviate the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a sunroof water drain assembly for automobiles. 25
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
It is intended that all such features, and advantages included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention. The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the disclosed embodiment and is 30 not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein can be gained by taking the entire specification, drawings, and abstract as a whole.
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The present invention provides a water drain assembly for automobile vehicle sunroof comprising:
a hose (1) having a receiving side and a drain side;
a S Connector (3) press fitted in the receiving side of hose (1), the S Connector is connected with a protection sleeve (2); 5
a rigid body (4) press fitted with the drain side of hose (1);
a grommet (5) press fitted to the drain side of hose (1) and rigid body (4);
O Rings (7, 8) fitted in both ends of the rigid body (4) with the help of retainer rings (6,9); and a flap holder (10) press fitted in the drain tube and snap fitted to the rigid body (4).
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Therefore, in order to overcome limitations of the prior art and achieve the afore-said objectives, the present invention provides a cost effective arch shaped portable gnathodynamometer having various sizes to measure different ranges of dental arch in human population. All arch shapes are fabricated based on occlusal scans of humans. The present invention further uses soft material such as silicone which is soft to tough but not hard and 15 gives the physiological bite experience and therefore avoids any shift of lower jaw while closing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further 20 illustrate aspects of the present invention. The invention may be better understood by reference to the drawings in combination with the detailed description of the specific embodiments presented herein.
It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of 25 the present subject matter, and are therefore, not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the subject matter may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
Embodiments of the inventions will be described by example, with reference to the following accompanying drawings: 30
Figure 1 illustrates the conventional sunroof water drain assembly.
Figure 2 illustrates the sunroof water drain hose assembly of the present invention.
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Figure 3 illustrates the detailed view (cross sectional view) of drain side part of the present invention sunroof assembly.
Figure 4 illustrates the sunroof water drain hose assembly of the invention (assembly view and 5 exploded view)
Figure 5 illustrates the Sunroof Connector side exploded and cross section view
Figure 6 illustrates the exploded view of the drain side rigid body assembly. 10
Figure 7 illustrates the cross-section view of the rigid body assembly with hose.
Figure 8 illustrates insertion force testing for S connector.
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Figure 9 illustrates grommet and rigid body assembly.
Figure 10 illustrates acoustic testing for grommet and rigid body assembly.
Figure 11 illustrates acoustic testing graph. 20
These and other features of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the detailed description.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION: 25
The disclosure will now be illustrated with the working examples, which are intended to illustrate the workings of the present subject matter and not intended to restrict or imply any limitations on the scope of the present subject matter. Other examples are also possible which are within the scope of the present subject matter.
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For following description is provided only for purposes of explanation of certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the disclosure. It is to be understood that not all the advantages of the disclosure may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure may be implemented in a manner
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that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages without necessarily achieving other advantages.
It will also be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed here and may be embodied in many different forms. The 5 embodiments and description used in the disclosure is not intended to be limiting.
The specification may refer to “an”, “one” or “some” embodiment(s) in several locations. This does not necessarily imply that each such reference is to the same embodiment(s), or that the feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also 10 be combined to provide other embodiments.
As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including” and/or “comprising” when used in this specification, 15 specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be 20 present. Furthermore, “connected” or “coupled” as used herein may include operatively connected or coupled. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations and arrangements of one or more of the associated listed items.
It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the exemplified structure may also comprise 25 other functions and structures. It should be appreciated that the functions, structures, elements and the protocols used in communication are irrelevant to the present disclosure. Therefore, they need not be discussed in detail here.
All units described include the software and/or hardware components required for the unit to 30 function. Further, each unit may comprise within itself one or more components which are implicitly understood. These components may be operatively coupled to each other and be configured to communicate with each other to perform the function of the said unit.
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It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in this art that various modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein, consistent with the present disclosure, without departing from its spirit and scope.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have 5 the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 10
The present invention provides an improved sunroof water drainage hose assembly wherein assembly child parts are made from Rubber (EPDM) and various plastic materials and combined to form a final product with respect to the desired intent.
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This is unique part assembly when compared to current sunroof water drain hose assemblies
commonly used in the passenger car segment.
An embodiment of present invention provides a water drain assembly for automobile vehicle sunroof comprising: 20
a hose (1) having a receiving side and a drain side;
a S Connector (3) press fitted in the receiving side of hose (1), the S Connector is connected with a protection sleeve (2);
a rigid body (4) press fitted with the drain side of hose (1);
a grommet (5) press fitted to the drain side of hose (1) and rigid body (4); 25
O Rings (7, 8) fitted in both ends of the rigid body (4) with the help of retainer rings (6,9); and a flap holder (10) press fitted in the drain tube and snap fitted to the rigid body (4).
In another embodiment of present invention, the sunroof water drain assembly comprises retainer rings (6, 9) fitted in the rigid body (4) against the projection provided on the inner 30 surface.
In yet another embodiment of present invention, a flap (11) is press fit inserted on the projection of flap holder (10).
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Referring to the Figures 4 and 6, which shows the details of sunroof water drain hose assembly of the present invention along with its function. The assembly comprises of the following parts:
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Hose (1)– made of EPDM, to carry water from top side (receiving side) to drain side.
S Connector (3)– made of Plastic, to receive water falling in the Sunroof area.
Grommet (5) – made of Rubber, to hold Rigid body assembly & fitment with BIW.
Rigid body (4)– made of Plastic, to hold the water drain system in place.
O Rings (7, 8) – made of EPDM, to avoid noise, dust/air and water entry in the vehicle. 10
Retainer rings (6, 9)– made of Plastic, to hold the O rings in place.
Flap holder (10) – made of Plastic to drain out the water receiving from hose and avoid reverse water entry.
The afore-said parts and assembly is not present in the currently available sunroof drain 15 assembly & fitment in the vehicle.
The present invention provides the assembly fitment in the sunroof side (top side) with snipping features & drain side with insertion in BIW (Body in White) which allows positive fitment in the vehicle. 20
In the drain side due to presence of unique design flap holder 10, it opens only in the single
direction (in the direction of water draining) and doesn’t allow the reverse water entry in the
system.
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Further, due to presence of rigid body 4 and O ring system (7, 8) at drain side, it satisfies NVH criteria (specifically noise – acoustic criteria)
Further, referring to Figure 5, S Connector 3 is press fitted with the water drain tube/hose 1. On the drain side, water drain tube/hose is press fitted in the Rigid body 4 and Grommet 5 30 assembly (Pl. refer Fig. 6 and 7). In the sub assembly of Rigid body 4 & Grommet 5 all child parts fitted as follows:
o Rigid body 4 is press fitted in Grommet 5;
o O Rings 7, 8 (at both ends of Rigid body) are fitted in the grooves of rigid body 4;
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o Retainer ring/Retainer 6, 9 (at both ends of Rigid body) are fitted in the rigid body 4 against the projection provided on the inner surface;
o Flap holder 10 is press fitted in the water drain tube and also it’s snaps are fitted in the rigid body 4. So, the fitment and position of flap holder 10 is ensured in two ways making the assembly sturdier. 5
o Flap 11 is press fit (elliptical slot) inserted on the projection of flap holder 10.
Regarding the functioning of the sunroof water drain assembly of the present invention, the S connector 3 is open at top side to receive water falling and coming the Sunroof system to redirect towards the drain side to drain out. It’s snaps will be inserted in the BIW (vehicle) 10 retaining it in the fixed position and not allowing to come out/lose its position. The water drain tube/hose 1 being hollow allows the water received from the S connector 3 side and which flows towards drain side since the routing/fixing is made in such a way that by gravity water will not stop in between. The grommet 5 is designed to press fit in the BIW (vehicle) at drain side sealing its position. It also receives the rigid body 4 which is press fitted. The rigid body 15 4 is press fitted in the grommet 5 & also snap fitted in the BIW (vehicle). At the same time it allows other child parts (O Rings 7, 8, Retainers 6, 9 & Flap holder 10) to fit inside it to perform their individual functions. The O Rings 7, 8 plays major role of sealing by not allowing water/noise/air entry inside the vehicle. The retainer rings 6, 9 holds the O rings 7, 8 in it’s place in turn supports in not allowing water/noise/air entry inside the vehicle. The flap holder 20 10 is the joining feature of water drain tube/hose 1 and Flap 11. The flap 11 opens in one direction only (due to the water pressure flowing from top side to drain side) allowing the water to drain out and not allowing the reverse entry of water/air.
Technical advantage of the sunroof water drain assembly: 25
o In the drain side due to presence of unique design flap holder, it opens only in the single direction (in the direction of water draining) and doesn’t allow the reverse water entry in the system.
o Due to presence of rigid body and O ring system at drain side, it satisfies NVH criteria 30 (Specifically noise – Acoustic criteria is applicable for this design)
Benefits of the Invention
o Positive locking of the assembly in vehicle with the help of snipping features.
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o Flap at Drain side – Neither Water nor Air can enter in the reverse direction.
o In the vehicle moving condition, inside Passengers will not have Noise disturbance coming from Sunroof water drain hose assembly.
EXPERIMENTAL DATA: 5
Product validation is part of intended product design proving. Following are the validation details carried out in the same regard.
 Sunroof side and Drain side Fitment: Push In force testing
 Acoustic testing
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TESTING DETAILS
Below are the Testing’s performed for Design validation:
1. Insertion force testing – Applicable for S connector w.r.t. insertion in the Sunroof panel 15
o S connector is checked on the cut out of mating part. Cut out part belongs to the actual sunroof panel received from Customer for fitment trials and to calculate the insertion force required to assemble it to sunroof panel.
o S connector is preassembled to cut out sample to avoid any slippage as seen in the setup 20 image on UTM machine (Ref. Fig. 8)
o S connector is inserted at the speed of 50mm/min in the axial direction of the hole onto sunroof cut out sample.
o Machine is stopped when the snips of S connector makes click sound after full assembly to sunroof panel. 25
o Resultant force required to insert is recorded. The acceptance criteria for the insertion force is 50N.
Test Report for the “Insertion Force Testing for S Connector”:
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2. Acoustic testing – Applicable for Grommet + Rigid body assembly testing w.r.t. Noise 5 level due to reverse air entry in the vehicle.
The testing procedures and acoustic testing data:
o Acoustic testing is carried out at Customer end in approved Insulation chamber.
o Drain side of the sunroof assembly is placed in Insulation chamber in such a way that 10 the assembly is isolated at various levels in order to check whether the required insulation is achieved by each child part.
o On the open end (flap side) of drain side of sunroof hose assembly there is source capable of producing high frequency sound up to 10000Hz and detector is present of the rigid part opening end (it is the opening onto passenger cabin). 15
o This testing is done for high frequencies ranging from 400Hz to 10000Hz.
o As shown in Figure 11, the acceptance criteria are the resultant frequencies should be proximity to navy blue line up to 4000Hz as seen in the test report.
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Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, present description should not be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that such modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope 5 of the present invention as defined.
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WE CLAIM:
1. A water drain assembly for automobile vehicle sunroof comprising:
a hose (1) having a receiving side and a drain side;
a S Connector (3) press fitted in the receiving side of hose (1), the S Connector is 5 connected with a protection sleeve (2);
a rigid body (4) press fitted with the drain side of hose (1);
a grommet (5) press fitted to the drain side of hose (1) and rigid body (4);
O Rings (7, 8) fitted in both ends of the rigid body (4) with the help of retainer rings (6,9); and a flap holder (10) press fitted in the drain tube and snap fitted to the rigid 10 body (4).
2. The water drain assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sunroof water drain assembly comprises retainer rings (6, 9) fitted in the rigid body (4) against the projection provided on the inner surface. 15
3. The water drain assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a flap (11) is press fit inserted on the projection of flap holder (10).