Discharge Plug Mass Damper

Abstract

A discharge plug mass damper is disclosed. A cargo compartment of a vehicle includes: a metal panel defining a discharge port; a mass damper plug disposed in the discharge port and including a mass casting having a predetermined mass configured to adjust the frequency of sound waves of the metal panel and the mass damper plug to within a predetermined range, and the mass casting defining a bolt thread; a bolt engaged with the bolt thread and configured to fix the mass damper plug and the metal panel together.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a mass damper assembly for a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Vehicle components, such as engines, generate noise or vibration signals during normal operation. For example, a vehicle component may have moving elements or subcomponents that generate noise or vibration signals having a predetermined frequency. Passengers in the vehicle's passenger compartment may receive or perceive these vibrations. Summary of the invention

[0003] A cargo compartment of a vehicle includes: a metal panel defining an exhaust port; a mass damper plug disposed in the exhaust port and including a mass casting having a predetermined mass configured to adjust the frequency of sound waves of the metal panel and the mass damper plug to within a predetermined range, and the mass casting defining bolt threads; and a bolt engaged with the bolt threads and configured to secure the mass damper plug to the metal panel.

[0004] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cargo box further includes a retaining cover engaged with the bolt and the metal panel.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the invention, the retaining cover is configured to cover the mass damper plug.

[0006] A cargo compartment of a vehicle includes: a metal panel defining an exhaust port; a mass damper plug disposed within the exhaust port and including a mass casting having a predetermined mass configured to adjust a frequency of vibration of the metal panel and the mass damper plug to exclude a predetermined range; and a bolt engaged with the mass damper plug and configured to secure the mass damper plug to the metal panel.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cargo box further includes a retaining cover engaged with the bolt and the metal panel.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the invention, the retaining cover is configured to cover the mass damper plug.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the mass damper plug comprises a housing configured to surround the mass casting and contact the metal panel.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cargo box includes a retaining cover and an outer shell, wherein the retaining cover is engaged with the bolts and the metal panel, and the outer shell is constructed to surround the mass casting and contact the metal panel, wherein the retaining cover and a portion of the outer shell are located on opposite sides of the metal panel.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the component is an element of an engine.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the excluded frequencies are frequencies between 75 Hertz (Hz) and 90 Hz.

[0013] A cargo compartment of a vehicle includes: a metal panel defining a discharge outlet; a mass damper plug disposed within the discharge outlet and including a mass casting having a predetermined mass configured to change the frequency of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) sound waves of the metal panel and the mass damper plug to exclude second-order frequencies and third-order frequencies; and a retaining cover configured to engage the mass damper plug through the discharge outlet to secure the mass damper plug relative to the metal panel, thereby sealing the discharge outlet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle body;

[0015] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a water management system of a cargo bed portion;

[0016] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the water management system of the tonneau cover;

[0017] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B is a perspective view of an exemplary drain plug assembly for a vehicle;

[0018] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5B is a perspective view of an exemplary drain plug mass damper;

[0019] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view of a discharge plug mass damper. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and that other embodiments may take various and alternative forms. The drawings need not be drawn to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show the details of specific components. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to apply the present invention in a variety of ways. As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the various features shown and described with reference to any of the drawings may be combined with the features shown in one or more of the other drawings to produce embodiments that are not explicitly shown or described. The combination of features shown provides representative embodiments for typical applications. However, various combinations and variations of features consistent with the teachings of the present disclosure may be desired for specific applications or implementations.

[0021] Sound can be defined as changes in pressure in air, water or other media that are detectable by the human ear. Noise is an undesirable sound that may be harmful to health, interfere with conversation and verbal communication, or otherwise be annoying, irritating or annoying. The amplitude and frequency characteristics of a given sound or noise can be helpful in analyzing and changing it or eliminating it.

[0022] Components of motor vehicles can output vibrations or noise during operation. For example, the vehicle's internal combustion engine or other components can generate second-order and / or third-order broadband vibrations generated by mechanical components in the engine. These frequencies may travel through the air or through vehicle components into the vehicle's passenger compartment, which results in undesirable sound pressure at the driver's or passenger's ears. In addition, since the engine is attached to the vehicle body structure, these vibrations can excite the structural system of the vehicle body structure. This energy excitation can generate structure-borne noise, which can cause changes in sound pressure in the passenger compartment or cause noise, resulting in irritation or dissatisfaction of the passengers.

[0023] The mass damper plug may be disposed within an opening defined by a vibrating metal panel to seal the opening and modulate the frequency of sound or vibration. In one example, the mass damper plug may include a body configured to modulate the frequency of sound waves of the mass damper plug and the panel defining the opening into one or more predetermined frequency ranges or bands. Additionally or alternatively, the body of the mass damper plug may have a predetermined mass configured to modulate, minimize, block, or exclude one or more frequencies or bands of sound waves of the mass damper plug and the panel defining the opening.

[0024] As an example, the body of the mass damper plug may have a predetermined mass configured to adjust the frequency of sound waves or vibration waves of the mass damper plug and the panel defining the opening to a range corresponding to the engine speed. As another example, the body of the mass damper plug may have a predetermined mass configured to reconcile, minimize, block or exclude at least one of the second-order frequency or frequency band and the third-order frequency or frequency band of sound waves of the mass damper plug and the panel defining the opening. As yet another example, the mass damper plug may have a predetermined mass configured to adjust the frequency of sound waves or vibration waves to a value equal to or falling within a range between 25 Hz and 30 Hz. As yet another example, the mass damper plug may have a predetermined mass configured to reconcile, minimize, block or exclude frequencies or frequency bands of sound waves of the mass damper plug and the panel that are equal to or falling within a range between 50 Hz and 60 Hz and / or that are equal to or falling within a range between 75 Hz and 90 Hz.

[0025] The amplitude of a sound wave, or the height of the wave from crest to trough, can determine the loudness or intensity of the sound. The length (i.e., wavelength) of a sound wave can determine the frequency, pitch, or tone of the sound. The frequency of a sound can be expressed in wavelengths per second or cycles per second (commonly referred to as Hertz). Low-frequency noise can be defined as noise with a frequency equal to or less than 250 Hertz (Hz), and high-frequency noise can be defined as noise with a frequency equal to or greater than 2kHz. Intermediate-frequency noise can be defined as noise with a frequency value that falls between high-frequency noise and low-frequency noise. The amplitude of a given sound wave can be expressed in a logarithmic compression scale or decibels (dB) using increment values ​​of several powers of 10, so that a smaller change in dB can correspond to a larger change in sound energy.

[0026] The wavelength of sound can be defined as the linear measurement of one complete displacement cycle, during which the motion of air molecules is first compressed and then diluted or expanded. In some cases, the ratio of the speed of sound relative to the frequency can be used to determine the wavelength of a sound wave.

[0027] The frequency range of audio acoustics may extend from about 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The ultrasonic region (a region of sound to which the common human ear may be completely insensitive) may contain frequencies above 20 kHz. Vibration signals may include signals with frequencies as low as 0.1 Hz. Noise and vibration signals may be analyzed according to their respective frequency components. A pure tone of sound may include simple harmonic pressure fluctuations with a constant frequency and amplitude, while a complex harmonic may include several frequency components that may be harmonically related or non-harmonically related, and a random noise signal may include a wideband spectrum or a narrowband spectrum. Therefore, each noise and vibration signal may be one of a complex signal, a deterministic signal, or a random signal, and may be analyzed within a frequency band.

[0028] An octave band may be a standard frequency band for frequency analysis, and multiple sets of frequencies may be defined such that the high frequency value of a given band is twice the low frequency value of the band. Thus, using octave bands, the performance of different acoustic materials may be compared to each other. Equipment noise levels and measurement devices (dB meters) may also conform to one or more predetermined octave bands. As an example, 1 kHz may be the center frequency of an octave band and may be defined as a reference frequency. Thus, the corresponding center frequencies of other octave bands may be defined relative to the reference frequency, for example by starting from the reference frequency, passing

[0029] By multiplying or dividing the previous center frequency by (factor of 2) to identify each of the subsequent center frequencies immediately following the previous center frequency. The upper and lower boundaries of each octave band can be divided into

[0030] Do not multiply or divide the calculated center frequency by (The factor is ) is obtained so that the upper boundary frequency value of a given octave band can correspond to twice the corresponding lower boundary frequency value of the octave band.

[0031] Since the frequency bandwidth is always a constant percentage of the center frequency, the frequency bandwidths such as octave bands and one-third-octave bands are constant percentage bandwidths. Therefore, the frequency bandwidth can increase with frequency. When the amplitude of the frequency components within each frequency band is relatively constant (broadband noise), octave band and one-third octave band analysis may be sufficient. Broadband noise has a spectrum or frequency characteristic in which there is no discrete or main tone. The sound pressure fluctuations of broadband noise are essentially non-periodic, with relatively random phases and amplitudes. Despite the absence of discrete frequencies, the acoustic energy of broadband noise can still be concentrated in one or more areas of a given spectrum. Examples of broadband noise include noise generated by one of shop air blow-offs, gas burners, jet engines, and grinding tools.

[0032] When certain frequencies within a given octave band are favored over others, narrow bandwidth analysis, such as one-third octave band analysis, may be applied. Narrow bandwidth analysis may include limiting the bandwidth so that a constant frequency occurs throughout the bandwidth. Tonal noise is often referred to as discrete frequency noise, which is characterized by spectral tones having "pure tone" characteristics or sound waveforms occurring at a single frequency. Tonal noise may be generated by rotating components and may be characterized by a predetermined frequency related to the rotational speed of a shaft and the number of compressor blades, fan blades, engine pistons, gear teeth, etc.

[0033] The fundamental tone (F) may also manifest itself in integer harmonic multiples (2F, 3F, etc.) at gradually decreasing intensity levels. The tolerance level of tonal noise may generally be at a lower threshold. Spectral data measured using a frequency filter bank may be necessary to evaluate tonal components. Characterizing source noise frequencies in full octave bands may not provide the spectral definition of a fractional one-third octave bandwidth, and the discernible tones shown in one-third octave format may not be obvious in full octave analysis. In these cases, narrowband frequency analysis may be used to identify one or more different tones. Examples of tonal noise may include, but are not limited to, noise generated by fans, rotary blade blowers, compressors, gears, transformers, saws, and piston-driven engines. In addition, noise control strategies for tonal noise sources may result in discrete frequencies.

[0034] Figure 1An example of a portion of a vehicle body (generally referred to herein as vehicle body 10) is shown. Vehicle body 10 includes a passenger compartment portion 12, an engine compartment portion 14, and a cargo compartment portion 16, wherein passenger compartment portion 12, engine compartment portion 14, and cargo compartment portion 16 are interconnected by a chassis and / or vehicle frame (not shown). Engine compartment portion 14 may house an engine, such as via one or more engine mounts (not shown) that secure the engine to one or more engine compartment beams (not shown).

[0035] As an example, the cargo box portion 16 may be defined by a base panel 18, a front panel 20, one or more side panels 22, and a rear panel 24. The front panel 20, the side panels 22, and the rear panel 24 may be disposed around the outer edge of the base panel 18, thereby forming an open-top cargo box having an inner portion and an outer portion. The front panel 20, the side panels 22, and the rear panel 24 may be further fixed relative to each other and relative to the base panel 18 using one or more front and rear beams and / or one or more cross beams (not shown). Each of the panels 18, 20, 22, and 24 may include one or more sheet metal portions having a predetermined thickness (or gauge) and formed, for example, using a stamping operation to define a plurality of channels 26, which are configured to increase the stiffness of the corresponding panel, accommodate cargo separation, etc. In one example, the sheet metal portion may be defined as steel, aluminum, or another substance, material, metal or non-metal alloy, and one or more other compositions and composites.

[0036] like Figure 2 As shown, one or more portions of the cargo compartment portion 16 may further define a water management system 30, which includes a plurality of dispensing features, such as water channels 32, drains 34, etc. The dispensing features may be configured to direct, isolate, and / or drain water, moisture, debris, and other substances from one or more areas of the cargo compartment portion 16. Thus, the dispensing features of the water management system 30 may be configured to reduce, minimize, or prevent water, moisture, debris, and other substances from accumulating in one or more areas of the cargo compartment portion 16. One or more of the drains 34 may be configured to receive a corresponding drain cover (hereinafter referred to as a drain plug) 36. When the drain plug 36 is disposed in the corresponding drain 34, the drain plug 36 may be configured to seal the drain 34 and prevent components, elements, materials, etc. from entering or exiting the cargo compartment portion 16 via the drain 34. The drain plug 36 may be selectively removed to allow water, moisture, debris, and other substances to drain or leave one or more areas of the cargo compartment portion 16.

[0037] Custom improvements or modifications to the vehicle body 10 may include adding or modifying one or more portions of the vehicle body 10, including adding or modifying the cargo bed portion 16. As some examples, custom modifications to the cargo bed portion 16 may include installing one or more tool boxes, storage boxes, and / or pockets, such as Figure 1 As shown in the element 36, the inserted or sprayed cargo box liner, the rear hatch, etc.

[0038] Figure 3 An embodiment of an exemplary water management system 40 is shown for a tonneau cover 44 disposed about the outer edges of the front panel 20, the side panels 22, and the rear panel 24 relative to the base panel 18. The system 40 may include a hose 42 connected to the tonneau cover 44 at a first end 46 and connected to the drain 34 at a second end 48. In some cases, the first end 46 of the hose 42 may be connected about the perimeter of a first aperture defined by the tonneau cover 44 and the second end 48 of the hose 42 may be connected about the perimeter of a second aperture defined by the drain plug 36 such that the second end 48 is aligned to dispense material through the drain 34 when the drain plug 36 is disposed within the drain 34.

[0039] Thus, the hose 42 of the water management system 40 can be configured to selectively direct (or drain) water, moisture, debris, or other matter that enters the first aperture away from one or more areas or adjacent components of the cargo compartment portion 16 (e.g., from an exterior portion of the tonneau cover 44 toward the drain outlet 34). As an example, the tonneau cover 44 can be configured to define a first closed position that blocks or prohibits access to an interior portion of the cargo compartment portion 16 and a second open position that allows or facilitates access to the interior portion of the cargo compartment portion 16. Thus, when the tonneau cover 44 is placed in the second open position, the hose 42 can be configured to direct water, moisture, debris, or other matter located near the exterior portion of the tonneau cover 44 toward the drain outlet 34.

[0040] Although the system 40 is shown using one or more drains 34 to direct material located near an exterior portion of the tonneau cover 44, the use of the drains 34 is not limited thereto. Other embodiments using the drains 34 and other drainage features of the water management system 40 are also contemplated. For example, one or more of the drains 34 may be used during sheet metal processing, painting, or other manufacturing, testing, or finishing operations.

[0041] As a non-limiting example, an electrocoating process (e.g., electroplating, electrophoretic deposition (EPD), cathodic electrodeposition, electrophoretic coating, or electrophoretic painting) may define a metal panel finishing process that includes fully or partially immersing the panel in a wet paint and using an electric current to attract (or deposit) the paint onto the surface of the immersed portion of the panel. The panel, which is charged with an opposite polarity to the paint particles suspended in the paint, may cause the particles to adhere to the immersed portion of the panel. The process may result in the formation of a low-profile film on the surface of the panel, wherein the thickness of the film may be defined by the magnitude of the applied voltage difference.

[0042] During one or more machining, testing, and / or finishing operations, the drain ports 34 of a given metal panel may allow material to pass between one or more surfaces of the panel, thereby equalizing or otherwise affecting the relative pressures or temperatures of the surfaces, etc. As a non-limiting example, submerging the drain ports 34 of the panel in wet paint during electrocoating (by allowing encapsulated material to pass more quickly or more evenly between the various surfaces) may reduce the amount of time (or reduce the amount of force) used to complete the operation, further ensuring uniformity of the paint coating, etc.

[0043] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B A perspective view of an exemplary drain plug 36a is shown that is configured to be removably disposed within one or more of the drain ports 34, such as with reference to at least Figure 2 The discharge port 34 described. The discharge port plug 36a may include a predetermined material formed using one or more material processing methods, techniques and machines (such as but not limited to bending, pressing, rolling, molding, casting, cutting and permanent or semi-permanent connection). As an example, the discharge port plug 36a may include a plastic formed using at least one of blow molding, computer numerical control (CNC) processing, centrifugal casting, continuous strip molding, compression molding, profile extrusion, continuous lamination, injection molding, filament winding, thermoforming, vacuum forming, pressure bag molding, pressure molding, stretching (pulshaping), double sheet molding, pultrusion, liquid resin molding, reaction injection molding (RIM), rotational molding and resin transfer molding (RTM). As another example, the discharge port plug 36a may include a natural or synthetic rubber mixture formed using at least one of compression molding, transfer molding and injection molding. As some other examples, the discharge port plug 36a may include materials or substances including but not limited to wood, metal, glass and petroleum products formed using corresponding manufacturing techniques to be removably disposed in one or more of the discharge ports 34.

[0044] The outlet plug 36a may be defined as follows Figure 4A The cover portion 54 shown and the cover portion 54 disposed opposite to the cover portion 54 are Figure 4BThe base 56 shown. The base 56 of the drain plug 36a can define a protrusion 58 extending outward from the center of the base 56 to define a flange 60 extending from the periphery of the base 56 to the protrusion 58. The protrusion 58 can be selectively disposed within the drain port 34, and the protrusion 58 can be sized to fit tightly in the drain port 34, for example, to seal the drain port 34. As an example, the protrusion 58 can include a plurality of ridges 62 configured to engage the periphery of the drain port 34 so that an outer wall 64 of the protrusion 58 fits tightly in the drain port 34.

[0045] The outer wall 64 of the protrusion 58 may define a plurality of flexible clips 66 configured to selectively secure the drain plug 36a to the cargo bed portion 16 when the drain plug 36a is disposed within the drain port 34. As one example, the flexible clips 66 may be configured to be compressed inwardly and toward the center of the protrusion 58 so that the protrusion 58 may be inserted into the drain port 34. The flexible clips 66 may be configured to be released outwardly when the drain plug 36a is disposed to seal the drain port 34 so that the drain plug 36a is pressed against the cargo bed portion 16. The flexible clips 66 forcibly pulling against the outer surface of the cargo bed portion 16 may oppose or counteract the force of the flange 60 engaging the inner surface of the cargo bed portion 16, thereby stably securing the drain plug 36a to seal the drain port 34.

[0046] Figures 5A to 5B A perspective view of an exemplary mass damper plug 68 is shown, which is configured to be removably disposed within one or more of the exhaust ports 34, such as with reference to at least Figure 2 As an example, the mass damper plug 68 has a predetermined mass configured to bring the frequency of the sound waves of the panel and the plug into one or more predetermined frequency ranges or bands. As another example, the mass damper plug 68 has a predetermined mass configured to harmonize, minimize, prevent or exclude one or more frequencies or bands of sound waves appearing at the mass damper plug 68 and the panel defining the exhaust port 34 (e.g., the base panel 18, the front panel 20, the side panel 22, the rear panel 24, etc., respectively).

[0047] Vibration emitting sources including, but not limited to, the engine, moving parts of the engine, and the vehicle suspension system may emit vibration energy that may be further transferred to the vehicle body structure (including the passenger compartment portion 12, the cargo compartment portion 16, etc.). Examples of moving parts of the engine that may generate undesirable noise and / or vibration sound waveforms that may be perceived by vehicle occupants include, but are not limited to, timing chains, gears, valves, bearings, and the intake system.

[0048] The source and nature of noise and vibration waveforms can be determined based on how the operating behavior of moving parts changes over time. As an example, rotating or reciprocating parts of a vehicle may produce different levels of noise and vibration disturbances at different rotational speeds. Order analysis of sound waveforms can separate the desired sound from the noise and vibration signals and pinpoint the physical element or component of the mechanical system from which a given waveform originates.

[0049] Order analysis or order-based analysis may include, but is not limited to, order tracking, order extraction, and tachometer signal processing. Thus, noise and vibration signals received via one or more sensors, microphones, accelerometers, displacement detectors, or tachometers located near the vehicle may then be analyzed in a related coordinate system or reference scale (e.g., Bode diagram, polar coordinate diagram, shaft centerline diagram, trajectory diagram, and time base diagram, decibel (dB) reference scale, etc.). The order of noise and vibration waveforms may be based on the rotational speed of a given component or a specific multiple of the rotational speed. Thus, a vibration signal having a frequency equal to twice the rotational frequency of the motor corresponds to a second order (e.g., second order), and a vibration signal having a frequency equal to 0.5 times the rotational frequency of the motor corresponds to a 0.5 order (e.g., half order). Different orders in a sound or vibration signal may be identified, for example, using a spectrogram or an order power spectrum layout diagram. In addition, one or more orders of a signal may be extracted for further analysis, such as a combination of orders of an analysis signal, etc.

[0050] The mass damper plug 68 may include a body 70 that defines an outer portion 72 and a raised inner portion 74 and is configured to adjust the frequency of sound waves of the mass damper plug and the panel defining the exhaust port 34 (e.g., the base panel 18, the front panel 20, the side panel 22, the rear panel 24, etc., respectively) to one or more predetermined frequency ranges or bands. As an example, the body 70 of the mass damper plug 68 may have a predetermined mass configured to adjust the frequency of sound waves or vibration waves of the mass damper plug and the panel defining the exhaust port 34 to a range corresponding to the engine speed. As another example, the mass damper plug 68 may have a predetermined mass configured to adjust the frequency of sound waves or vibration waves to a value equal to or falling within a range between 25 Hz and 30 Hz.

[0051] The body 70 of the mass damper plug 68 may have a predetermined mass configured to harmonize, minimize, block, or exclude one or more frequencies or frequency bands of sound waves of the mass damper plug 68 and the panel defining the exhaust port 34. As an example, the body 70 of the mass damper plug 68 may have a predetermined mass configured to harmonize, minimize, block, or exclude at least one of a second order frequency or frequency band and a third order frequency or frequency band of sound waves of the mass damper plug 68 and the panel defining the exhaust port 34. As another example, the mass damper plug 68 may have a predetermined mass configured to harmonize, minimize, block, or exclude frequencies or frequency bands of sound waves of the mass damper plug 68 and the panel 80 that are equal to or fall within a range between 50 Hz and 60 Hz and / or that are equal to or fall within a range between 75 Hz and 90 Hz.

[0052] As an example, the outer portion 72 can be dome-shaped to extend over the raised inner portion 74, thereby forming a cap over the top of the raised inner portion 74. The raised inner portion 74 can have a size to be selectively disposed within the discharge port 34. For example, the raised inner portion 74 can have a size to fit tightly within the discharge port 34 to securely seal the discharge port 34 when disposed in the discharge port 34. The outer periphery of the outer portion 72 can extend substantially beyond the outer periphery of the raised inner portion 74 to define the skirt 76. The raised inner portion 74 can also define a raised portion opening 78 having a size to receive a fastener 88 therethrough, wherein the fastener 88 defines a stem 98 and a head 100, the head 100 being disposed at a first end of the stem 98 and having a diameter greater than the diameter of the stem 98.

[0053] Fig. 6A 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a mass damper plug 68a configured to be removably disposed within at least one drain port 34 defined by a metal panel 80 (e.g., one of the base panel 18, the front panel 20, the side panel 22, and the rear panel 24 of the cargo bed portion 16). The metal panel 80 may define an inner surface 80a and an outer surface 80b, wherein the inner surface 80a defines the inner surface of the cargo bed portion 16 and the outer surface 80b defines the outer surface of the cargo bed portion 16. In one example, the drain port 34 may be disposed substantially within the channel 26 defined by the cargo bed portion 16 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1 ). Figure 2 described).

[0054] The outer portion 72 and the raised inner portion 74 of the mass damper plug 68a may define a cavity 82 that is configured to receive a mass casting 84 therein. As an example, one or more portions of the body 70 of the mass damper plug 68a (such as the outer portion 72 and the raised inner portion 74) may include a molded housing that defines a pocket configured to receive the mass casting 84 therein. The molded housing may include nylon, plastic, or another flexible, ductile, and / or moldable material that can be formed or shaped using one or more material processing techniques. The body 70 of the mass damper plug 68a may be configured to selectively engage an inner surface 80a of a metal panel 80. For example, a skirt 76 defined by the outer portion 72 of the body 70 may be configured to engage the inner surface 80a substantially around the outer perimeter of the exhaust port 34 (which is defined by the metal panel 80).

[0055] The mass casting 84 may include a metal or non-metal material having a predetermined mass that is configured to adjust the frequency of the sound waves of the panel 80 and the plug 68a to one or more predetermined frequency ranges or bands. The mass casting 84 may define a material that includes one or more of a pure metal, a metal alloy, a carbon fiber or another carbon product, a natural or synthetic polymer, etc. As an example, the mass casting 84 may have a predetermined mass configured to adjust the frequency of the sound waves or vibration waves of the plug and the panel defining the exhaust port 34 to a range corresponding to the engine speed. As another example, the mass casting 84 may have a predetermined mass configured to adjust the frequency of the sound waves or vibration waves to a value equal to or falling within a range between 25 Hz and 30 Hz.

[0056] The mass casting 84 may have a predetermined mass configured to harmonize, minimize, block, or exclude one or more frequencies or frequency bands of sound waves of the mass damper plug 68a and the panel 80 defining the exhaust port 34. As an example, the mass casting 84 may have a predetermined mass configured to harmonize, minimize, block, or exclude at least one of a second-order frequency or frequency band and a third-order frequency or frequency band of sound waves of the mass damper plug 68 and the panel defining the exhaust port 34. As another example, the mass casting 84 may have a predetermined mass configured to harmonize, minimize, block, or exclude frequencies or frequency bands of sound waves of the mass damper plug 68 and the panel 80 that are equal to or greater than a range between 50 Hz and 60 Hz and / or that are equal to or fall within a range between 75 Hz and 90 Hz.

[0057] The mass casting 84 may define a recess 86 (e.g., an annular or square recess) that is configured such that the recess 86 may be aligned with the protrusion opening 78 along the longitudinal axis and is sized to receive at least a portion of the shank 98 of the fastener 88 therein. As an example, the recess 86 may be generally annular or tubular in shape and may define threads 90 that correspond to the threads 92 of the fastener 88.

[0058] The mass damper plug 68a may include a retaining cap 94 defining a cap opening 96. The retaining cap 94 may be selectively disposed to engage the outer surface 80b of the panel 80 of the cargo bed portion 16 such that the cap opening 96 may be disposed concentrically with the drain opening 34 to seal the drain opening 34 using the raised inner portion 74 of the mass damper plug 68a. The cap opening 96 of the retaining cap 94 may be sized to selectively receive at least a portion of the stem 98 therethrough. In some cases, the cap opening 96 may be sized smaller than the head 100 of the fastener 88 such that the retaining cap 94 defining the perimeter of the cap opening 96 may selectively engage the underside 102 of the fastener head 100. Thus, the fastener 88 screwed into the recess 86 of the mass casting 84 can secure the retaining cover 94 and the body 70 of the mass damper plug 68a together relative to the metal panel 80, wherein the retaining cover 94 engages the outer surface 80b of the metal panel 80 and the body 70 (for example) engages the inner surface 80a of the metal panel 80 via the skirt 76.

[0059] Figure 6B A cross-sectional view of a mass damper plug 68b is shown, which is configured to be removably disposed within at least one exhaust port 34 defined by a metal panel 80, the metal panel 80 including an inner surface 80a corresponding to the inner surface of the cargo bed portion 16 and an outer surface 80b corresponding to the outer surface of the cargo bed portion 16. One or more recesses 112 formed around the middle portion of the retaining cover 94 can be configured to increase the structural rigidity of the cover 94 relative to vibration waveforms transmitted by the panel 80.

[0060] FIG. 6C to FIG. 6DCross-sectional views of mass damper plugs 68c and 68d are shown, respectively. The mass casting 84c may define a pair of cavities 104a and 104b that are diametrically opposed to each other about the center of the recess 86, and each cavity is offset a distance d relative to the center of the recess 86. The cavities 104a and 104b may each define threads and may be sized to receive a fastener (not shown) therein, such as via corresponding fastener threads. As an example, the center of each of the cavities 104a and 104b may be aligned with the center of the auxiliary openings 106a and 106b of the protruding inner portion 74, and the auxiliary openings 106a and 106b are configured to receive at least a portion of the fastener therethrough. As shown in FIG. Fig.6D As shown, the retaining cover 94 may also be defined by retaining clips 110a and 110b, which are configured to engage the protruding inner portion 74 to secure the retaining cover 94 and the body 70 of the mass damper plug 68d relative to the metal panel 80, wherein the retaining cover 94 engages the outer surface 80b of the metal panel 80 and the body (for example) engages the inner surface 80a of the metal panel 80 via the skirt 76.

[0061] The processes, methods or algorithms disclosed herein may be transmitted to or implemented by a processing device, a controller or a computer, which may include any existing programmable electronic control unit or a dedicated electronic control unit. Similarly, the processes, methods or algorithms may be stored as data and instructions executable by a controller or a computer in many forms, including but not limited to: information permanently stored on a non-writable storage medium (such as a ROM device) and information variably stored on a writable storage medium (such as a floppy disk, a tape, a CD, a RAM device and other magnetic and optical media). The processes, methods or algorithms may also be implemented in the form of a software executable object. Optionally, the processes, methods or algorithms may be implemented in an open form or in part using suitable hardware components (such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a state machine, a controller or other hardware components or devices) or a combination of hardware, software and firmware components.

[0062] The words used in the specification are descriptive words rather than restrictive words, and it should be understood that, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, various changes can be made. As described above, the features of each embodiment can be combined to form further embodiments of the present invention that may not be clearly described or shown. Although each embodiment may be described as providing advantages or being superior to other embodiments or prior art embodiments in one or more desired characteristics, it should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that, according to specific applications and embodiments, one or more features or characteristics can be compromised to achieve desired overall system properties. These properties may include, but are not limited to: cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, maintainability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. Therefore, embodiments described as being less desirable than other embodiments or prior art embodiments in one or more characteristics are not outside the scope of the present disclosure, and can be expected to be used for specific applications.

Claims

1. A cargo compartment of a vehicle, comprising: A metal panel defining a discharge port; a mass damper plug, a portion of the mass damper plug having a size to be inserted into the exhaust port and being removably disposed within the exhaust port, and the mass damper plug comprising a mass casting, wherein the mass casting has a predetermined mass configured to adjust a frequency of an acoustic wave of the metal panel and the mass damper plug to within a predetermined range, and the mass casting defines a bolt thread; A bolt is threadably engaged with the bolt and is configured to secure the mass damper plug with the metal panel. 2 . The cargo box of claim 1 , further comprising a retaining cover engaged with the bolt and the metal panel and configured to cover the mass damper plug.

3. The cargo compartment according to claim 1, wherein: The mass damper plug also includes a housing configured to surround the mass casting and contact the metal panel.

4. The cargo box according to claim 1, further comprising: a retaining cover engaged with the bolt and the metal panel; A housing is configured to surround the mass casting and contact a metal panel, wherein the retaining cover and a portion of the housing are located on opposite sides of the metal panel.

5. The cargo box according to claim 1, wherein: The predetermined range excludes at least one of a second order frequency and a third order frequency defined based on a change in a rotation speed of a component of the vehicle within a predetermined period of time.

6. The cargo box according to claim 5, wherein: The frequencies excluded are those between 75 Hertz (Hz) and 90 Hz.

7. The cargo box according to claim 1, wherein: The metal panel is at least one of a base panel, a front panel, a side panel, and a rear panel defining an outer periphery of the cargo box.

8. A cargo compartment of a vehicle, comprising: A metal panel defining a discharge port; a mass damper plug, a portion of the mass damper plug having a size to be inserted into the discharge port and being removably disposed in the discharge port, and the mass damper plug including a mass casting having a predetermined mass configured to adjust a frequency of a sound wave or a vibration wave of the metal panel and the mass damper plug to within a predetermined range; A bolt is engaged with the mass damper plug and is configured to secure the mass damper plug with the metal panel.

9. The cargo box of claim 8, further comprising a retaining cover engaged with the bolt and the metal panel and configured to cover the mass damper plug.

10. The cargo box of claim 9, further comprising an outer shell configured to surround the mass casting and to contact the metal panel, wherein: The retaining cover and a portion of the housing are located on opposite sides of the metal panel.

11. The cargo box according to claim 8, wherein: The predetermined range excludes at least one of a second order frequency and a third order frequency defined based on a change in a rotation speed of a component of the vehicle within a predetermined period of time.

12. A cargo compartment of a vehicle, comprising: A metal panel defining a discharge port; a mass damper plug disposed within the exhaust port and comprising a mass casting having a predetermined mass configured to change the frequency of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) sound waves of the metal panel and the mass damper plug to exclude second and third order frequencies; A retaining cap is configured to engage the mass damper plug through the drain opening to secure the mass damper plug relative to the metal panel to seal the drain opening, wherein the retaining cap and the mass damper plug are located on opposite sides of the metal panel.

13. The cargo box according to claim 12, wherein: The mass damper plug also includes a housing configured to surround the mass casting and contact the metal panel.

14. The cargo box according to claim 12, wherein: The second-order frequency and the third-order frequency are defined based on a change in a rotation speed of an engine of the vehicle within a predetermined period of time.

15. The cargo box according to claim 14, wherein: The second order frequency is a frequency between 50 Hertz (Hz) and 60 Hz, and the third order frequency is a frequency between 75 Hz and 90 Hz.

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