U.S. patent application number 11/211726 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-23 for apparatus for transmitting sound in a motor vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mann & Hummel GmbH. Invention is credited to Matthias Alex, Ruediger Knauss, Daniel Weber.
Application Number | 20060060419 11/211726 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35058933 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060060419 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Alex; Matthias ; et
al. |
March 23, 2006 |
Apparatus for transmitting sound in a motor vehicle
Abstract
An apparatus for transmitting sound in a motor vehicle including
a housing (1) with an inside partition (2), which together define
or delimit two separate subspaces (3, 4), which in turn are
separated by a transmission valve (6) which opens through the
partition (2) and can pivot about a pivot axis (5). The first
subspace (3) is connected to an intake manifold of an internal
combustion engine, and the second subspace (4) is connected to an
interior of the motor vehicle. An elastic and at least partially
perforated sealing element (8) is provided in a gap (25) between a
peripheral edge (7) of the transmission valve (6) and the housing
(1).
Inventors: |
Alex; Matthias; (Heilbronn,
DE) ; Weber; Daniel; (Asperg, DE) ; Knauss;
Ruediger; (Kernen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CROWELL & MORING LLP;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GROUP
P.O. BOX 14300
WASHINGTON
DC
20044-4300
US
|
Assignee: |
Mann & Hummel GmbH
Ludwigsburg
DE
|
Family ID: |
35058933 |
Appl. No.: |
11/211726 |
Filed: |
August 26, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
181/250 ;
181/273; 181/276 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02M 35/1222 20130101;
G10K 11/22 20130101; F02M 35/10301 20130101; F02M 35/10019
20130101; F02M 35/1294 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
181/250 ;
181/273; 181/276 |
International
Class: |
F01N 1/02 20060101
F01N001/02; F01N 1/08 20060101 F01N001/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 28, 2004 |
DE |
10 2004 041 698.2 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for transmitting sound in a motor vehicle,
comprising a housing with an inside partition, said housing and
partition together defining two separate subspaces, and a
transmission valve which opens through the partition and separates
the two subspaces and which can pivot about a pivot axis; one of
said subspaces being connected to an intake manifold of an internal
combustion engine, and the other subspace being connected to an
interior space of the motor vehicle in a manner capable of
transmitting sound; wherein an elastic and at least partially
perforated sealing element is arranged in a gap between a
peripheral edge of the transmission valve and the housing.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein perforations are
provided in the sealing element in the vicinity of longitudinal
edges of the transmission valve adjacent the pivot axis, and the
sealing element is constructed as a continuous, gas-tight membrane
in the area of its end edges extending along the longitudinal edges
parallel to the pivot axis.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the perforations are
in the form of slots.
4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein perforations are
provided in corner areas of the transmission valve.
5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the corner areas are
rounded.
6. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the perforations are
in the form of slots.
7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sealing element
is constructed as a continuous membrane having an elastically
deformable crimp in an area inward of the perforations.
8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a residual peripheral
gap is formed along the peripheral edge of the transmission
valve.
9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal
edges of the transmission valve are pivotably mounted by two
elastically rotatable axle journals in the area of the pivot
axis.
10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the axle journals
are constructed in one piece with the sealing element.
11. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the transmission
valve is held in a form-fitting manner in the axle journals.
12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission
valve has a web extending along the pivot axis of the transmission
valve, and an elastic sealing strip rests against said web such
that the sealing strip is situated between the transmission valve
and the partition.
13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said web is
disposed between the axle journals and together with the axle
journals forms a continuous axle element.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for sound
transmission in a motor vehicle.
[0002] The propulsion motors of modern vehicles are very
smooth-running internal combustion engines which generate operating
noise that is hardly audible in the interior of the vehicle. Under
some circumstances, the operating noise of the internal combustion
engine is audible through the secondary noise of the turning
wheels, a ventilation system that is turned on, etc. Under certain
circumstances, it may be desirable to audibly transmit the
operating noise of the driving engine into the interior of the
vehicle.
[0003] Published European patent application no. EP 1,306,829
discloses a device for transmitting the noise of an internal
combustion engine in which a housing having a partition defines or
delimits two separate subspaces. The partition is interrupted by a
pivotable valve which separates the two subspaces. The first
subspace is connected to the intake manifold of the internal
combustion engine, while the second subspace leads to a wall of the
vehicle or directly into the interior of the vehicle. In the first
subspace, sound pressure vibrations in the intake manifold act on
the half of the transmission valve which protrudes into that space
and is thereby excited to execute a pivoting movement. In the
second subspace, the vibrating pivoting movement of the
transmission valve results in transmission of sound to the interior
of the vehicle.
[0004] In an illustrative embodiment of the arrangement described
above, a gap which serves to equalize static pressure differences
is provided between the housing and a peripheral edge of the
transmission valve. Due to the manufacturing process, the gap must
have a certain width, but this has an adverse effect on the sound
transmission performance. In an alternative embodiment, the gap is
designed to be wider and is filled with a peripheral sealing frame.
The peripheral sealing frame may have a desired damping effect on
the pivoting movement of the valve. The sound transmission
performance is improved by the sealing effect. The membrane-like
sealing frame is subjected to high loads due to the resulting
pressure differences in operation, particularly with supercharged
internal combustion engines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved apparatus for transmitting sound in a motor vehicle.
[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide a device for
transmitting sound in a motor vehicle which achieves good sound
transmission with a low load on the components.
[0007] These and other objects are achieved in accordance with the
present invention by providing an apparatus for transmitting sound
in a motor vehicle comprising a housing having an inside partition,
with the housing and partition together defining two separate
subspaces, and a transmission valve which opens through the
partition and separates the two subspaces and which can pivot about
a pivot axis; one of the subspaces being connected to an intake
manifold of an internal combustion engine, and the other subspace
being connected to an interior space of the motor vehicle in a
manner capable of transmitting sound; wherein an elastic and at
least partially perforated sealing element is arranged in a gap
between a peripheral edge of the transmission valve and the
housing.
[0008] In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus for
transmitting sound in a motor vehicle is proposed in which an
elastic sealing element that is at least partially perforated is
provided in a gap between a peripheral edge of the transmission
valve and the housing. The gap may have a certain width which is
bridged by the sealing element. The perforations in the sealing
element allow a static pressure equalization on both sides of the
transmission valve, thereby reducing the static load on the
transmission valve, and particularly on the sealing element. At the
same time, the gap is essentially sealed with regard to dynamic
pressure fluctuations due to noise, so that the sound energy is
converted into a dynamically vibrating pivoting movement of the
transmission valve with little or no loss. Shape and position
tolerances in the gap area between the transmission valve and the
housing can be compensated due to the elastic material properties
of the sealing element. Only minor demands are made of the
manufacturing tolerances.
[0009] In one advantageous embodiment, perforations in the sealing
element are provided in the area of longitudinal edges of the
transmission valve adjacent the pivot axis, while the sealing
element is constructed as a membrane which is uniformly tight in
the area of the end edges extending across the longitudinal edges
and the pivot axis. On the end edges, the membrane-like sealing
element is subject to an essentially one-dimensional bending load.
This load can also be absorbed by the membrane even at high
amplitudes without any risk of damage.
[0010] In addition to its sealing function, the membrane also
assumes the function of a vibration damper to prevent unwanted
resonant vibrations of the transmission valve. At the same time,
the perforations on the longitudinal edges allow a static pressure
equalization, so that the stress on the end faces of the membrane
is limited to dynamic vibrating loads. The perforations may be in
the form of a gap between the sealing element and the transmission
valve or in the form of a slot in the sealing element. The width of
the gap may advantageously be greater than or equal to zero in the
neutral position of the transmission valve. In the case of mutual
contact of the adjacent gap walls in the neutral position of the
valve, with or without a prestress, the result is a frictional
damping effect, while the gap opens in the deflected position of
the transmission valve and induces a static pressure
equalization.
[0011] In one advantageous embodiment, perforations are provided in
corner areas of the transmission valve, and the corner areas are
rounded in particular. In this way, a multidimensional spatial
deformation of the sealing element with a high stress level in this
area is thereby prevented.
[0012] In an area designed as a membrane, the sealing element
expediently has an elastically deformable crimp beyond the
perforations. The rigidity of the sealing element is reduced due to
this crimp. This has hardly any adverse effect on the free
oscillating movement of the transmission valve, and the sealing
function is completely preserved. The crimp allows a high degree of
deformation of the sealing element and thus a large movement
amplitude of the transmission valve without overstressing the
sealing material.
[0013] In a preferred variant, a peripheral residual gap is formed
along the peripheral edge. The elastic sealing element seals the
peripheral gap to a substantial extent, but not completely, and
also can compensate for tolerances in position. The residual
peripheral gap prevents unwanted friction and allows a certain
pressure equalization and/or air exchange.
[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, the transmission valve is
held pivotably on its longitudinal edges in the area of the pivot
axis by two elastically rotatable axle journals. The axle journals
are advantageously constructed in one piece with the sealing
element, in particular with the transmission valve being held in a
form-fitting manner on the axle journals. The pivotable bearing of
the transmission valve results from the torsionally elastic
deformability of the axle journals. Additional devices for
pivotable mounting of the transmission valve are not necessary. At
the same time the elastic axle journals also act as sealing
elements, thereby preventing unwanted leakage in the axle area.
[0015] The transmission valve advantageously may have a web along
its pivot axis with an elastic sealing strip resting on the web
between the transmission valve and the partition. The elastic
sealing strip may be designed to be comparatively narrow in cross
section. This results in a narrow sealing contact line of the
sealing strip with a comparatively high pressure per unit of
surface area. In combination with the lack of a static pressure
difference, a reliable seal is provided while the pivoting movement
of the transmission valve is essentially unimpeded as a result of
the low rigidity of the narrow sealing strip due to the narrow
cross section.
[0016] The web of the transmission valve is held in particular
between the elastic axle journals, forming a continuous axle
element together with the axle journals. The sealing strip may be
in continuous contact with the web and the axle journals, thus
providing a good seal even in the corner areas and/or in the area
of the axle journals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The invention will be described in further detail
hereinafter with reference to illustrative preferred embodiments
depicted in the accompanying drawing figures, in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional diagram of a
prior art device for transmitting sound in a motor vehicle;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective sectional view of an illustrative
embodiment of a sound transmitting device according to the
invention having a partially perforated sealing membrane extending
around the periphery of the transmission valve;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective overview diagram of a module
composed of the transmission valve and the membrane according to
FIG. 2;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a sectional diagram of the arrangement of FIG. 3
showing details of end face membrane crimps with adjacent
perforations;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a sectional diagram of a variant of the
arrangement of FIG. 2 with a sealing element in the form of a
frame;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective overview diagram of a module
composed of the frame element and the transmission valve according
to FIG. 5;
[0024] FIG. 7 is an enlarged detail VII according to FIG. 6 with
the web held in a form-fitting manner in the axle journals;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the arrangement of FIG. 6;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional diagram of the module of FIG. 8
viewed along line IX-IX showing details of the connection between
the web and the axle journals;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional diagram of the module of
FIG. 8; and
[0028] FIG. 11 is an enlarged diagram of the detail XI of FIG. 10
with a gap-shaped perforation on the sealing element.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a sectional diagram depicting a prior art
device for transmitting sound in a motor vehicle. The device
includes a housing 1 having an inside partition 2. Housing 1 and
partition 2 together define or delimit two separate subspaces 3 and
4. A part of the housing 1 is integrally molded on an intake
manifold 17 of an internal combustion engine (not shown) of a motor
vehicle, with the first subspace 3 being connected to the interior
of the intake manifold 17 in a manner that transmits sound
pressure. The partition 2 creates a fluid separation between the
first subspace 3 and the second subspace 4.
[0030] A transmission valve 6 is provided which opens through the
partition 2 and is mounted to pivot about a pivot axis 5 situated
in the partition 2. The transmission valve 6 extends on both sides
from the pivot axis 5 up to close to the inside wall of the housing
1, leaving only a narrow gap, and thereby divides the two subspaces
3, 4 into individual spaces 3', 3'', 4', 4''. The individual space
4'' of the subspace 4 is connected via an outlet 19 to a wall of
the interior of the motor vehicle (not shown) in a manner
sufficient to transmit sound pressure or is connected directly to
the interior of the motor vehicle.
[0031] The transmission valve 6 is shown in its neutral position,
from which it can execute an oscillating pivoting movement in the
direction of double arrow 28. The pivot range is approximately
10.degree.. The static pressure in the intake manifold 17 acts on
the transmission valve 6 on both sides via the gap between the
transmission valve 6 and the housing 1 in the first subspace 3 and
thus does not have any effect on the deflection of the transmission
valve. An oscillating sound pressure in the intake manifold 17 acts
on the transmission valve 6 in the direction of arrow 18 without
being able to penetrate through the narrow gap to a significant
extent. Vibration is induced in the transmission valve 6 by the
applied oscillating sound pressure. In the second subspace 4, the
vibrating transmission valve 6 causes a similar sound pressure
offset by 180.degree. to be created in the individual space 4'' and
to be rendered audible in the interior of the motor vehicle via the
outlet 19.
[0032] The transmission valve 6 is supported in a fluid-tight
manner in the partition 2. Due to the seal of the two subspaces 3,
4 with respect to one another in combination with the gap between
the transmission valve 6 and the housing 1, the arrangement
functions independently of the static pressure in the intake
manifold 17 and is thus particularly suitable for use with a
supercharged propulsion motor, e.g., in an intake manifold area
between a turbocharger and the engine.
[0033] FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a sound transmitting device
according to the present invention. The basic principle of this
device is similar to that of the arrangement according to FIG. 1.
In this device, the housing 1 consists of two housing halves 20, 21
which are bolted together through a flange 22. A membrane 27 is
thereby sealingly mounted in the flange 22. The partition 2 is
integrally molded in one piece on the two housing halves 20 and
21.
[0034] As shown in the sectional perspective view of FIG. 2, the
transmission valve 6 is mounted to pivot about the pivot axis 5 and
has a peripheral edge 7, and a gap 25 is formed between peripheral
edge 7 and the inside wall of the housing 1. The gap 25 is widened
at two opposing ends 11 of the transmission valve 6 and is bridged
by the membrane 27. Along the longitudinal edges 10 extending
perpendicular to the pivot axis 5, the gap 25 is designed to be
comparatively narrow and is also bridged by the membrane 27. The
peripheral membrane 27 forms a peripheral sealing element 8 which
has slotted perforations 9 (described in greater detail in
conjunction with FIG. 3) in the area of the longitudinal edges 10
adjacent to the pivot axis 5. In the area of the ends 11 of the
transmission valve 6 extending transversely to the longitudinal
edges 10 and parallel to the pivot axis 5, the membrane 27 is
designed to be pressure-tight at all points and is provided with a
crimp 13.
[0035] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a module comprised of the
transmission valve 6 and the membrane 27 of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 clearly
shows that the membrane 27 is constructed with a larger base area
than the transmission valve 6. The membrane 27 is provided with
screw holes (not shown in greater detail here) for clamping
fastening in the flange 22 between the two housing halves 20 and 21
as shown in FIG. 2.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, the membrane 27 is constructed as a
continuous, essentially flat component which is connected over its
surface to the transmission valve 6. It can be seen from FIG. 3
that the membrane 27 with the crimps 13 seals the end edges 11
which extend parallel to the pivot axis 5. In the rounded corner
areas 12 of the transmission valve 6, the membrane 27 is
perforated. Corresponding perforations 9 continue from the rounded
corner areas 12 along the longitudinal edges 10 up to the vicinity
of the pivot axis 5.
[0037] In the undeflected position of the transmission valve 6
shown here, the perforations 9 in the rounded corner areas 12 are
open as can be seen clearly in FIG. 4. In the vicinity of the
longitudinal edges 10, the perforations 9 are formed by a
slot-shaped cut in the membrane 27, and in an unloaded resting
position the slit is essentially closed due to the elastic forces
of the rubber-like membrane 27. The slot-shaped perforation 9 is
opened only when an external pressure difference is applied or due
to a pivoting deflection of the transmission valve 6.
[0038] The sectional view of FIG. 5 depicts a variant of the
arrangement according to FIGS. 2 through 4, in which the peripheral
edge 7 of the transmission valve 6 is secured in an annular
rubber-elastic, i.e., resilient, frame 26. The frame 26 has an
inside groove in which the transmission valve 6 is held in a
form-fitting manner. The outer area of frame 26 is attached in a
form-fitting manner in the flange 22 between the two housing halves
20 and 21. The two housing halves 20, 21 are bolted together
through screw holes 29 in the flange 22 and thereby hold the frame
26. The frame 26 thus forms a sealing element 8 between the
peripheral edge 7 of the transmission valve 6 and the inside wall
of the housing 1.
[0039] The projecting ends of the two halves of the partition 2 are
spaced a distance from the transmission valve 6, and each partition
end has a groove 23 in this area. A sealing strip 16 is held in
each groove 23, forming a surface sealing contact with the
transmission valve 6 in the area of the pivot axis 5. The elastic
design of the peripheral sealing element 8 and the sealing strips
16 permits pivoting movement of the transmission valve 6 about the
pivot axis 5 in the direction of the double arrow 28. The other
features and reference numerals of the arrangement according to
FIG. 5 correspond to the arrangement of FIG. 2.
[0040] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a module comprised of the
transmission valve 6 and the frame 26 according to FIG. 5. In the
area of the pivot axis 5, the frame 26, which is made of a rubber
elastic material, has inwardly protruding axle journals 14
integrally molded in one piece from the same elastic material, and
the transmission valve 6 is mounted pivotably in the axle journals.
A continuous web 15 extending along the pivot axis 5 is provided on
the transmission valve 6 and transitions smoothly into the two axle
journals 14. The web 15 together with the two axle journals 14
forms an axle element 31 which is continuous in the direction of
the pivot axis 5.
[0041] FIG. 7 shows an enlarged detail view VII from FIG. 6 where
the web 15 engages the adjacent axle journal 14 via a corresponding
recess formed in a connecting section 30. The transmission valve 6
is thus mounted together with the web 15 on the two axle journals
14 in a form-fitting ir interlocking manner. It can be seen from
FIG. 7 that the web 15 and the adjacent axle journal 14 lie in a
common plane and form a continuous surface against which the
sealing strip 16 (FIG. 5) rests to produce a seal.
[0042] FIG. 8 shows a top view of the arrangement according to FIG.
6 in which the transmission valve 6 has an essentially rectangular
cross section with rounded corner areas 12. The elastic frame 26
completely encloses the transmission valve 6, thereby forming the
sealing element 8. Along the peripheral edge 7 of the transmission
valve 6 a peripheral residual gap 32 is formed, indicated here only
as a continuous line and shown in greater detail in FIG. 11. The
two axle journals 14 protrude inward from the frame 26, partially
extending over the transmission valve 6 along the pivot axis 5.
This illustration also shows that the contour of the web 15
transitions in a flush design into the two axle journals 14
adjacent the ends of web 15.
[0043] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional diagram of the arrangement
according to FIG. 8 along the line IX-IX. This shows that the web
15 has an approximately semicircular protrusion on the end of each
of the two connecting sections 30, which protrusions engage in a
form-fitting manner in corresponding recesses in the two axle
journals 14.
[0044] FIG. 10 shows a longitudinal section view of the arrangement
of FIG. 8 along line X-X. As shown in FIG. 10, web 15 projects
outwardly from both sides of the transmission valve 6 and forms
contact surfaces for the sealing strips 16 arranged on both sides
(FIG. 5). The area of the edge 11 adjacent the frame 26 is shown in
an enlarged scale as detail XI in FIG. 11. The sealing element in
the form of frame 26 is arranged in the gap 25 between the edge 11
of the transmission valve 6 and the housing 1 (FIG. 5), with a
residual gap 32 remaining between the edge 11 and the sealing
element 8.
[0045] The residual gap 32 shown here as an example for the edge 11
in combination with the sealing element 8 and the frame 26
corresponds in its design to the rounded corner areas 12 and the
areas of the longitudinal edges 10. Taking into account the diagram
according to FIG. 8 this yields an identical design around the
entire peripheral edge 7 except for the area of the connecting
journal axle 14. It may also be advantageous to construct the
residual gap in the various edge areas with a differing width. The
sealing element 8 may also be in contact with the edge(s) of the
transmission valve 6, with or without a prestress.
[0046] The foregoing description and examples have been set forth
merely to illustrate the invention and are not intended to be
limiting. Since modifications of the described embodiments
incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur
to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed
broadly to include all variations within the scope of the appended
claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *