IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,605,988
Granted Patent B2
US 12,605,988 · App. 18/494,214 · Granted Apr 21, 2026

Hood closure assist system

Inventors: Mark Doroudian (Novi, MI); Milind Khedkar (Pune, IN); D Vamsidhar (Chennai, IN)
Assignee: FCA US LLC
B60H1/248B60R5/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,605,988
App. No.
18/494,214
Granted
Apr 21, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle storage space closing assist system has an air inlet portal in the storage space to enable air to exit from the storage space upon closing a hood covering the storage space. A conduit directs air away from the storage space upon closing of the hood. A bladder couples with the conduit to receive pressurized air upon closing of the hood. An outlet portal is coupled with the conduit to enable exiting of the pressurized air back into the storage space upon opening of the hood.

Claims (21)

1 . A vehicle storage space closing assist system comprising:

an air inlet portal in the storage space for enabling air to exit from the storage space upon closing a hood covering the storage space;

a conduit for directing air away from the storage space upon closing of the hood; and

a bladder coupled with the conduit for receiving pressurized air upon closing of the hood; and

an outlet portal coupled with the conduit for enabling exiting of the pressurized air into the storage space upon opening of the hood.

2 . The closing assist system of claim 1 , wherein the system is a closed loop system.

3 . The closing assist system of claim 1 , wherein the inlet and outlet are the same portal.

4 . The closing assist system of claim 1 , wherein the bladder expands upon receiving the pressurized air.

5 . The closing assist system of claim 1 , wherein the storage space is sealed by the hood.

6 . A vehicle with a storage space comprising:

an open box shaped containment member including a wall and a floor positioned inside the vehicle;

a hood covering the opening of the containment member;

a seal surrounding the opening of the containment member, the seal contacting the hood when it is closed to provide an airtight seal pressurizing air in the containment member;

an air inlet portal in the storage space for enabling air to exit from the storage space upon closing a hood covering the storage space;

a conduit for directing air away from the storage space upon closing of the hood;

a bladder coupled with the conduit for receiving pressurized air upon closing of the hood; and

an outlet portal coupled with the conduit for enabling exiting of the pressurized air from the bladder into the storage space upon opening of the hood.

7 . The vehicle with storage space of claim 1 , wherein the system is a closed loop.

8 . The vehicle with storage space of claim 6 , wherein the inlet and outlet are the same portal.

9 . The vehicle with storage space of claim 6 , wherein the bladder expands upon receiving the pressurized air.

10 . The vehicle with storage space of claim 6 , wherein the storage space is sealed by the hood.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 25, 2023
From: DOROUDIAN, MARK; KHEDKAR, MILAND; VAMSIDHAR, D
To: FCA US LLC
Reel/Frame 065340/0273 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250135839A1 · May 1, 2025
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Cited By (1)
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