TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The subject matter in general relates to a ventilator for venting out air
from within the inside of the vehicle. More particularly, but not exclusively, the subject matter relates to a ventilator duct for covering the ventilator.
BACKGROUND
[002] Background description includes information that may be useful in
understanding the present subject matter. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed subject matter, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] Referring to FIGs. 1 and 2, vehicle 100 comprises an air outlet
component namely ventilator 104. The ventilator 104 is located near the rear 208 of the vehicle 100. The main function of the ventilator 104 is venting out the air from the inside of the vehicle 100. Vehicle cabins today are practically sealed air tight to prevent exterior noises entering the passenger cabin. Since the cabins are sealed, any air source within the vehicle 100 can build up pressure in the vehicle cabin when the windows are closed. This can either be caused by the door closure event or by the heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC). Any perceptible increase in cabin pressure also lowers the perceived quality of the vehicle 100. Thus, the outlet ventilator 104 are installed in the vehicle 100 to relieve the steady state airflow.
[004] During the closing of the door in the vehicle 100, the air inside the
vehicle cabin tries to escape out of the vehicle 100 around the door in the direction 106. This increases the force needed to close the door. However, the presence of the ventilator 104 reduces this force, thereby providing comfort to the person trying to close the door. The air within the vehicle cabin flows in the direction 108 towards the ventilator 104. The ventilator 104 comprises of hinged flaps 204 that are operable to be opened away from the rear 208 of the vehicle. The ventilator thus

allows the air to be vented out of the vehicle cabin in the direction 110.
[005] The ventilators 100 are to be covered with a cover to prevent the entry
of foreign elements such as small reptiles, rodents, etc. However, existing ventilator designs fail to prevent the entry of foreign elements due to large openings in the cap (or the cover provided on the other side of the rear 208 of the vehicle) which was necessary for the discharge of air.
[006] In conventional ventilator covers, the surface facing the ventilator exit
is closed. Only one opening area is provided for the discharge of air which is transverse to the direction of the air exit from the ventilator, thereby posing a limited pathway for air to exit. The non-straight pathway generates the backpressure which is not desired.
[007] Furthermore, in recent vehicles the cabin space is being reduced,
thereby generating more compression of air. The change in the door inclination in recent vehicles has also added to the increased efforts in closing the door.
[008] Thus, there is a need for an improved ventilator duct design that can
discharge the high volume of air.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[009] In view of the foregoing limitations inherent in the state of the art, some
of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.
[010] It is an object of the present disclosure to propose a ventilator duct to
cover a ventilator in a vehicle.
[011] It is another obj ect of the present disclosure to propose a ventilator duct
that prevents the entry of foreign elements such as small reptiles, rodents, etc. into the vehicle cabin through the ventilator.
[012] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to propose a ventilator

duct that increases the air discharge from the vehicle cabin.
[013] It is still yet another object of the present disclosure to propose a
ventilator duct that improves the door closing experience of the vehicle.
[014] It is still yet another object of the present disclosure to propose a
ventilator duct that prevents water leakage into the vehicle cabin.
[015] It is still yet another object of the present disclosure to propose a
ventilator duct that improves the demist performance of the vehicle.
[016] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be
apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.
SUMMARY
[017] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to venting out
the air from within the inside of the vehicle. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[018] The present disclosure relates to a ventilator duct to cover a ventilator
in a vehicle. The ventilator duct defines a hollow box structure. The ventilator duct comprises a front face, fins, a bottom surface and a drain channel. The front face is configured to face the ventilator. The front face defines a plurality of horizontal slots for at least a portion of the front face. The fins are provided for each of the plurality of horizontal slots. The fins extend from top side of the slot towards inside of the ventilator duct. The drain channel is defined by at least a portion of the bottom surface.
[019] Other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will

become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[020] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out
and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as forming the present subject matter, it is believed that the present disclosure will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals designate like structural and other elements, in which:
[021] FIG. 1 illustrates the use of a ventilator 104 in a vehicle 100.
[022] FIG. 2 illustrates the placement of the ventilator 104 in the vehicle 100.
[023] FIGs. 3 and 4 illustrates an isometric view of a ventilator duct 302, in
accordance with an embodiment.
[024] FIG. 5a illustrates a sectional view of the ventilator duct 302 as water
flow path, in accordance with an embodiment.
[025] FIG. 5b illustrates a sectional view of the ventilator duct 302 as air flow
path, in accordance with an embodiment.
[026] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the
purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[027] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the
disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[028] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised
that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[029] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "consisting" and/or "including" when used herein, 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.
[030] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the
functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.

[031] In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", "third", and the like in
the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
[032] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific
terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., 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.
[033] Referring to FIGs. 3-4, disclosed is a ventilator duct 302 configured to
cover the ventilator 104 (shown in FIG. 1) in a vehicle 100 (shown in FIG. 1). The ventilator duct 302 has a hollow box cross section that is mounted on rear skirt panel 200 to cover the ventilator 104.
[034] In an embodiment, the ventilator duct 302 is snap fitted to the rear skirt
panel 200 or connected to the rear skirt panel 200 using any one of the several connecting means that exists conventionally.
[035] In an embodiment, the ventilator duct 302 comprises a front face 304
configured to face the ventilator 104.
[036] In an embodiment, the front face 304 is configured to extend away from
the ventilator 104 in the downward direction. Referring specifically to FIG. 3, the gap between the front face 304 and the rear skirt panel 200 at top portion 310 is lesser than the gap between the front face 304 and the rear skirt panel 200 at bottom portion 312.
[037] In an embodiment, the ventilator duct 302 comprises a top surface 408

that extends transversely to the surface of the rear skirt panel 200. The front face 304 is configured to extend downward transversely from the top surface 408.
[038] In an embodiment, the top surface 408 is wider at first end 414 than at
second end 416. Thus, the front face 304 is closer to the rear skirt panel 200 at the second end 416 than at the first end 414.
[039] In an embodiment, the front face 304 defines a plurality of horizontal
slots 402 for at least a portion of the front face 304.
[040] In an embodiment, the ventilator duct 302 comprises a side surface 404.
The side surface 404 defines a plurality of horizontal side slots 406. The width of the side surface 404 is lesser at the top portion 310 compared to the width of the side surface 404 at the bottom portion 312.
[041] In an embodiment, a honeycomb structure 306 is provided within the
ventilator duct 302. The honeycomb structure 306 is transverse to the front face 304. The honeycomb structure 306 divides the ventilator duct 302 into a first compartment 508 (as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 5) and a second compartment 308 (as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3).
[042] In an embodiment, the first compartment 508 is defined by the
honeycomb structure 306, the side surface 404 and the portion of the front face 304 defining the plurality of horizontal slots 402.
[043] In an embodiment, the plurality of horizontal slots 402 are defined in
the front surface 304 adjacent to a position where the honeycomb structure 306 is in contact with the front surface 304. The plurality of horizontal slots 402 extend from the honeycomb structure 306 towards the side surface 404.
[044] In an embodiment, the plurality of horizontal slots 402 may be equal in
length.
[045] The presence of the honeycomb structure 306 in the ventilator duct 302

prevents the entry of foreign elements, such as small reptile, rodents, etc., into the vehicle cabin.
[046] The honeycomb structure 306 in the ventilator duct 302 can be of
different shapes such as a mesh structure, circular holes (or other shape of holes) instead of hexagonal holes, etc. ensuring size of holes or apertures optimum to vent out the air and prevent entry of the foreign elements.
[047] Referring to FIG. 5 A, disclosed is a sectional view of the ventilator duct
302 along the line AA shown in FIG. 4 to define water path line or way. Fins 502 are provided for each of the plurality of horizontal slots 402, such that the fins 502 protrude from top side 410 of the slot 402 and extend towards inside (or the first compartment 508) of the ventilator duct 302.
[048] In an embodiment, the ventilator duct 302 comprises a bottom surface
504. The bottom surface 504 connects the front surface 304 to the rear skirt panel 200 at the bottom portion 312. Similar to the top surface 408, the bottom surface 504 is wider at first end 414 than at second end 416.
[049] In another embodiment, the plurality of horizontal slots 402 are unequal
so that the fins 502 of the corresponding horizontal slots 402 do not obstruct the movement of the flap 204 (shown in FIG. 2).
[050] In an embodiment, at least a portion of the bottom surface 504 defines
a water drain channel 506 or water path way.
[051] In an embodiment, the water drain channel 506 is defined in the first
compartment 508.
[052] In an embodiment, the water drain channel 506 may be a slot provided
in the bottom surface 504.
[053] In another embodiment, the water drain channel 506 may comprise a
drain fin that extends from the drain channel 506 towards the outside of the

ventilator duct 302.
[054] There are chances that water may enters the ventilator duct 302 through
the horizontal slots 402. However, the presence of the fins 502 in the horizontal slots 402 prevents the flow of water onto the flaps 204 of the ventilator 104, thereby into the cabin space of the vehicle. Instead, the angular projection of the fins 502 direct the water towards the bottom surface 504 of the ventilator duct 302. The water thus collected at the bottom surface 504 of the ventilator duct 302 is directed out of the ventilator duct 302 through the drain channel 506, thereby preventing the entry of the water into the vehicle cabin.
[055] Furthermore, the presence of the horizontal slots 402 in the front surface
304 of the ventilator duct 302 allows the venting of the air through the ventilator 104 along a straight line without directing the air in a different direction, thereby preventing back pressure. Accordingly, the horizontal slots 402 define an air path way 510.
[056] The presence of the horizontal slots 402 in the front surface 304, the
honeycomb structure 306, the horizontal side slots 406 increases the discharge area of the ventilator duct 302, without compromising on the entry of foreign particles and the water. This improves the door closing experience of the vehicle. The presence of large discharge area also improves the demist performance of the vehicle.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGE
[057] The present disclosure proposes a ventilator duct to cover a ventilator
in a vehicle.
[058] The present disclosure proposes a ventilator duct that prevents the entry
of foreign elements such as small reptiles, rodents, etc. into the vehicle cabin through the ventilator.
[059] The present disclosure proposes a ventilator duct that increases the air

discharge from the vehicle cabin.
[060] The present disclosure proposes a ventilator duct that improves the door
closing experience of the vehicle.
[061] The present disclosure proposes a ventilator duct that prevents water
leakage into the vehicle cabin.
[062] The present disclosure proposes a ventilator duct that improves the
demist performance of the vehicle.
[063] Furthermore, each of the appended claims defines a separate invention,
which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[064] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention
disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.
[065] Furthermore, those skilled in the art can appreciate that the terminology
used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or

unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[066] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended,
encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[067] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the present
disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is determined by the claims that follow. The present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
[068] The term "automobile" as used throughout this detailed description and
in the claims refers to any moving automobile that is capable of carrying one or more human occupants and is powered by any form of energy. The term "automobile" is a motor vehicle which includes, but is not limited to: cars, trucks, vans, minivans, hatchback, sedan, MUVs, and SUVs.

We claim:

1. A ventilator duct (302) to cover a ventilator (104) in a vehicle (100), the
ventilator duct (302) defining a hollow box structure, the ventilator duct (302)
comprising:
a front face (304) configured to face the ventilator (104), wherein the front face (304) defines a plurality of horizontal slots (402) for at least a portion of the front face (304);
fins (502) provided for each of the plurality of horizontal slots (402), wherein the fins (502) extend from top side (410) of the slot (402) towards inside of the ventilator duct (302);
a bottom surface (504); and
a drain channel (506) defined by at least a portion of the bottom surface (504).
2. The ventilator duct (302) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a honeycomb
structure (306) provided within the ventilator duct (302), wherein,
the honeycomb structure (306) is transverse to the front face (304).
3. The ventilator duct (302) as claimed in claim 2, comprising a honeycomb
structure (306) provided within the ventilator duct (302), wherein,
the honeycomb structure (306) divides the ventilator duct (302) into a first compartment (508) and a second compartment (308).
4. The ventilator duct (302) as claimed in claim 2, comprising a side surface (404), wherein the side surface (404) defines a plurality of horizontal side slots (406).
5. The ventilator duct (302) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first compartment (508) is defined by the honeycomb structure (306), the side surface (404) and the portion of the front face (304) defining the plurality of horizontal slots (402).

6. The ventilator duct (302) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second compartment (308) is defined by the honeycomb structure (306), portion (412) of the front face (304) that is solid.