Air extractor to prevent wind throb in automobiles

Abstract

An air extraction apparatus for automotive vehicles opens an air flow path through the passenger compartment of the vehicle when wind throb conditions are sensed in the operation of the vehicle. The air extraction opening is located in a rear facing surface of the vehicle and is covered by a closure member that is movable by an actuator to selectively open the air extraction opening. The air extraction opening can be variable in cross-sectional area through the operation of the closure member to vary the rate of air flowing through the passenger compartment. The actuator is operatively coupled to a sensor that can sense wind throb conditions to affect an automatic opening of the air extraction opening. Wind throb conditions can be the existence of a single open window coupled with a minimum operating speed, or a threshold interior air pressure within the passenger compartment.

1 . An automotive vehicle having a body defining a passenger compartment having a plurality of laterally facing windows that are respectively movable between open and closed positions and a rearwardly facing portion, comprising:
 an air extractor apparatus including an air extraction opening formed in said passenger compartment and a closure member movably mounted at said air extraction opening, said closure member being movable between an open position in which air can flow through said air extraction opening from said passenger compartment exteriorly of said automotive vehicle, and a closed position in which said air extraction member is closed to the passage of air therethrough.   
   
   
       2 . The automotive vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said air extraction opening is located in said rearwardly facing surface. 
   
   
       3 . The automotive vehicle of  claim 2  wherein said rearwardly facing surface is a rear hatch door, said air extraction opening being located centrally on said rear hatch door. 
   
   
       4 . The automotive vehicle of  claim 2  wherein said rearwardly facing surface is a one or more lighting fixtures on a rear portion of said automotive vehicle. 
   
   
       5 . The automotive vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said closure member is a planar member mounted in a guide track for vertical movement within said rear hatch door to open and close said air extraction opening. 
   
   
       6 . The automotive vehicle of  claim 5  wherein said closure member is connected to an actuator to affect movement thereof. 
   
   
       7 . The automotive vehicle of  claim 6  wherein said actuator is operably connected to a control mechanism that causes operation of said actuator upon sensing wind throb conditions. 
   
   
       8 . The automotive vehicle of  claim 7  wherein said control mechanism identifies when a predetermined number of said windows is opened and said vehicle is operating above a threshold velocity. 
   
   
       9 . The automotive vehicle of  claim 7  wherein said control mechanism identifies a pressure pulsation within said passenger compartment. 
   
   
       10 . An air extractor apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle having a passenger compartment defining a plurality of windows movable between open and closed positions and a rearwardly facing surface, comprising:
 an air extraction opening formed in said passenger compartment to provide a discharge opening for air from said passenger compartment other than through said windows;   a closure member mounted at said air extraction opening and being selectively movable to open and close, respectively, said air extraction opening;   an actuator coupled to said closure member to affect movement thereof; and   a control mechanism operatively connected to said actuator to sense wind throb conditions and cause said actuator to move said closure member to open said air extraction opening to allow air to flow through said passenger compartment and exit said vehicle through said air extraction opening.   
   
   
       11 . The air extraction apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said rearwardly facing surface is a rear hatch door, said air extraction opening being located centrally on said rear hatch door. 
   
   
       12 . The air extraction apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said closure member is a planar member mounted in a guide track for vertical movement within said rear hatch door to open and close said air extraction opening. 
   
   
       13 . The air extraction apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said closure member is pivotally mounted at a pivot axis on said rear hatch door, said actuator being operable to affect pivotal movement of said closure member to open and close said air extraction opening. 
   
   
       14 . The air extraction apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said closure member is formed as a plurality of interconnected louvers, each said louver being pivotable about a transverse pivot axis. 
   
   
       15 . The air extraction apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said control mechanism identifies when a predetermined number of said windows are opened and said vehicle is operating above a threshold velocity. 
   
   
       16 . The air extraction apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said control mechanism identifies a pressure pulsation within said passenger compartment. 
   
   
       17 . A method of alleviating wind throb in an automotive vehicle having a passenger compartment defining a plurality of windows movable between open and closed positions, comprising the steps of:
 sensing wind throb conditions within said passenger compartment;   opening an air extraction opening formed within said passenger compartment in response to said sensing step to open an air flow path for air within said passenger compartment to be discharged from said passenger compartment; and   closing said air extraction opening upon alleviation of said wind throb conditions.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said sensing step includes the steps of:
 detecting the presence of only one open window within said passenger compartment; and   determining that said automotive vehicle is being operated at a velocity that exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity,   said opening step including the step of moving a closure member covering said air extraction opening.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said sensing step includes the step of:
 sensing pressure pulsations within said passenger compartment,   said opening step including the step of moving a closure member covering said air extraction opening until said pressure pulsations cease.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said step of sensing pressure pulsations is pulse monitored to control a closing of said closure member in response to a failure to sense pressure pulsations.