Panel structure for reducing noise, vibration and acoustic vibration roughness in front cabin of vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a panel structure (10) for reducing noise, vibration, and vibration roughness within a front cabin (30) of a vehicle (1), the panel structure (10) comprising: a first attachment device (14) configured to attach the panel structure (10) to a front cabin structure (31) of the front cabin (30) of the vehicle (1) such that the front cabin (30) is divided into a first cabin (32) and a second cabin (33); second attachment means (15) configured for attaching the climate control system (20) to the panel structure (10) such that the climate control system (20) is located in the first cabin (32) when the panel structure (10) is attached to the front cabin structure (31); and a sealing device (17) configured to seal a first compartment (32) of the front compartment (30) with respect to a second compartment (33) in an airflow limiting manner when the panel structure (10) is attached to the front compartment structure (31).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a panel structure for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a vehicle front cabin, a climate control structure, a vehicle front cabin, a vehicle, and a method for manufacturing the vehicle front cabin. Background Art

[0002] In vehicles, even in electric vehicles, the design of the front cabin is complex, taking into account the different systems and their components, such as a climate control system, that are arranged in the front cabin, as well as the individual requirements of these systems and the preferences of the vehicle design. One exemplary preference is that it is desirable to deliver clean air from the cabin of the climate control system in the front cabin to the passenger cabin in the vehicle. Furthermore, for example, it is desirable to have low NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) in the passenger cabin, which can be a result of the operation of different systems, such as a climate control system, but also a drive system including an internal combustion engine or an electric motor, or for example from the environment. Summary of the invention

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a cost-effective and simple front cabin design for a vehicle that satisfies several design preferences of the vehicle, particularly at least those mentioned above.

[0004] This object is at least partially solved by the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0005] According to a first aspect, a panel structure for reducing noise, vibration and acoustic harshness in a front cabin of a vehicle is provided, the panel structure comprising: a first attachment device configured to attach the panel structure to a front cabin structure of a front cabin of the vehicle so that the front cabin is divided into a first cabin and a second cabin; a second attachment device configured to attach a climate control system to the panel structure so that when the panel structure is attached to the front cabin structure, the climate control system is located in the first cabin; and a sealing device configured to seal the first cabin of the front cabin relative to the second cabin in an airflow-restricting manner when the panel structure is attached to the front cabin structure.

[0006] The panel structure of the first aspect of the present disclosure may provide a design for the front compartment of a vehicle that satisfies several preferences for improving the user experience of the vehicle and its components when it is inserted therein, as explained in more detail below.

[0007] One of these preferences may be low NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) levels within the passenger cabin of the vehicle, which may be provided by the panel structure. The panel structure may be substantially rigid, for example, which further increases the NVH reduction capabilities of the vehicle. Substantially rigid may mean that the panel structure is able to resist deformation caused by dynamic forces acting thereon, in particular up to a level limited by its design and / or materials. The panel structure may reinforce the entire front cabin structure, thereby reducing NVH transmitted from the front cabin (e.g., from the road, electric motor and / or climate control system) to the passenger cabin.

[0008] Another of these preferences may be to assemble the climate control system safely, simply and quickly in the front cabin. In this regard, the panel structure includes a second attachment device configured to attach the climate control system thereto. Thus, the panel structure together with the climate control system may be preassembled into a climate control structure, which is then inserted into the front cabin and attached to the front cabin structure via the first attachment device. Such preassembly outside the narrow front cabin may be made easier, more ergonomic and faster.

[0009] Another of these preferences may be to supply clean air from the climate control system in the front cabin to the passenger compartment of the vehicle where the passengers are located. To achieve this, the panel structure has a sealing device that can seal the first compartment (which can also be referred to as the air climate control system compartment) at least partially in an airflow-restricted manner, in particular in a substantially airtight manner, relative to the second compartment of the front cabin, which can correspond to the front cabin without the first compartment. In this regard, at least partially airflow restriction particularly means that a seal is provided at least along the panel structure. In other words, the airflow restriction seal is provided at least between the panel structure and the front cabin structure to which it is attached. Airflow restriction means that air is restricted from flowing through the seal, but there may be minor air leaks that may not be prevented, i.e. when the seal is damaged. However, the seal may be substantially airtight, which means as airtight as possible. It is preferred, but not necessary, that the first compartment is completely, i.e., substantially sealed in an airflow-restricted manner from the side outside the panel structure, in particular substantially airtightly sealed, so as to prevent air that may be contaminated from entering the first compartment. The airtight seal does not include specific air ducts for the climate control system for air entry and exhaust. Thus, the climate control system can substantially or exclusively use air via one or more air ducts as air inlets for the climate control system, instead of using air from inside the second compartment of the front cabin, which may be contaminated or undesirable for use as passenger cabin air. In particular, the sealing device can be configured to seal the climate control system compartment in an airflow-restricted manner, in particular substantially airtightly, relative to the second compartment of the front cabin. In this case, the air for the climate control system can come exclusively from one or more air ducts of the climate control system.

[0010] The panel structure may in particular be configured as a shear plane structure. Thus, the shear plane structure is particularly designed to withstand shear forces acting thereon.

[0011] In one example, the panel structure may include a panel section and at least one beam section extending along a side of the panel section. At least one beam section may be shaped as a beam. Such a beam may be a polygonal cross-section, such as a rectangular or rigid shape. The beam may be a hollow and / or long structure. At least one beam section further strengthens the panel structure, thereby further strengthening the entire front cabin or front cabin structure, thereby further effectively reducing NVH. Therefore, this may provide a further reduction in NVH and a more secure attachment of the climate control system and the front cabin structure to the panel structure. The side of the panel section along which at least one beam section extends may be a long side of the panel section.

[0012] In one example, the panel section may be thinner than at least one beam section. This means that the thickness of the panel section is less than the thickness of at least one beam section. In particular, the panel section may be thinner than at least one beam section in the extension direction of the panel section, wherein the extension direction of the panel section is perpendicular to the direction in which the at least one beam section extends along the side of the panel section. In particular, the panel section may be substantially planar. This provides a light and stiff panel structure.

[0013] In one example, the panel structure may include two beam sections. This further strengthens the panel structure to enhance NVH reduction. In addition, the attachment means may be arranged on two beam sections, which makes the attachment to the front cabin structure and the climate control system stronger.

[0014] In one example, the two beam sections may extend along opposite sides of the panel section. The opposite sides may be the long sides of the panel structure. In particular, the two beam sections may extend substantially parallel to each other. It has been found that this provides a particularly rigid and easily attachable design of the panel structure.

[0015] In one example, the first attachment means may be arranged on at least one of the panel section and the at least one beam section. Thus, both types of sections may be used to improve the attachment to the front cabin structure.

[0016] In one example, the second attachment means may be arranged on at least one of the panel section and the at least one beam section. Thus, both types of sections may be used to improve attachment to the climate control system.

[0017] In one example, the sealing means may be arranged at least at opposite sides of the panel section. In particular, the opposite sides may be short sides of the panel section, opposite to long sides of the panel section, along which at least one beam section may extend. Furthermore, the sealing means may be arranged on a substantially flat surface of the panel section at opposite short sides of the panel section.

[0018] In one example, the sealing means may be configured as at least one sealing strip. In particular, several sealing strips may be used to achieve the desired airtight seal. The sealing strip may be made of an elastomer or the like and attached to the panel structure, for example, by an adhesive.

[0019] In one example, the panel structure may include at least one recessed portion. At least one recessed portion may be recessed relative to a portion of the panel structure adjacent thereto. The at least one recessed portion may have a surface configured to be arranged opposite the front cabin structure, in particular in contact with an opposite surface of the front cabin structure. In particular, the panel structure may include two or more recessed portions. Thereby, the sealing of the panel structure to the first cabin and the attachment of the panel structure to the front cabin structure are further facilitated. At least one recessed portion may be arranged at a panel section. It may be arranged between two beam sections. In particular, the two recessed portions may be arranged opposite to each other, in particular at the short sides of the panel structure, so as to conform in shape to the side structure of the front cabin structure.

[0020] In one example, the panel structure may be designed as an extrusion. The extrusion may be obtained by an extrusion process. For extrusion, the material for manufacturing the panel structure may be pushed through a die having the desired cross-section of the extruded portion. This makes the panel structure particularly cost-effective. Thus, the recess may be provided by recessing a portion of the panel structure.

[0021] In one example, the panel structure may be made of aluminum. Aluminum has been found to make the panel structure sufficiently rigid yet lightweight for use in vehicles. It can be easily and cost effectively processed by extrusion.

[0022] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a climate control structure comprising the panel structure of the first aspect of the present disclosure and a climate control system attached to the panel structure.

[0023] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a front cabin of a vehicle is provided, the front cabin comprising a front cabin structure and a climate control structure of the second aspect of the present disclosure, a panel structure being attached to the front cabin structure, and a sealing device sealing a first cabin of the front cabin relative to the second cabin in an airflow-restricting manner.

[0024] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided, comprising the front cabin of the third aspect of the present disclosure.

[0025] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a method for partially assembling a front compartment of a vehicle according to the third or fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the method comprising:

[0026] - assembling the climate control structure by attaching the climate control system to the panel structure,

[0027] - inserting the assembled climate control structure into the front cabin, and

[0028] - Attach the assembled climate control structure to the forward cabin structure.

[0029] It should be noted that the above examples can be combined with each other, regardless of the aspects involved. Thus, the method can be combined with structural features, and likewise, the panel structure, climate control structure, front cabin and vehicle can be combined with the features described above with respect to the method.

[0030] These and other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the following drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 showing a perspective view of the front of a panel structure according to the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a panel structure;

[0034] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 A perspective view of the back side of the panel structure;

[0035] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a portion of a vehicle including a front cabin is shown, wherein Figures 1 to 3 The panel structure is installed in the forward cabin; and

[0036] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the steps of a method for partially assembling a front cabin of a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The drawings are only schematic representations and serve only to illustrate examples of the present disclosure. Identical or equivalent elements are in principle provided with the same reference numerals.

[0038] Figures 1 to 3 A front compartment 30 for a vehicle 1 is shown (see Figure 4 ) of different views on the same panel structure 10.

[0039] Figure 4 Components of a front cabin 30 of the vehicle 1 are schematically shown.

[0040] Several systems or at least some of their components may be housed in the front compartment 30. In an electric vehicle, for example, an electric motor (not shown) may be included in the front compartment 30. Another system within the front compartment 30 is the climate control system 20. The climate control system 20 may include or be the air conditioning system of the vehicle 10. Thus, the climate control system 20 may include components such as a compressor, a condenser, a valve, a filter, and / or an air duct. Several other systems may also be located within the front compartment 30.

[0041] The front cabin 30 may transmit noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) to the adjacent passenger cabin 40, which may come from systems or components within the front cabin 30 and the environment, such as from the road. In order to reduce NVH in the passenger cabin 40, the panel structure 10 may have a substantially rigid design, thereby strengthening the front cabin structure 31 to which it is attached, as will be further explained below.

[0042] In particular, the panel structure 10 comprises three sections, namely the panel section 11, the first beam section 12 and the third beam section 13. The panel section 11 may be substantially flat, or in other words, planar. The panel section 11 comprises opposite planes, Figure 2 One of the planes is shown in Figure 3 1 and 12. In addition, the panel section 11 includes sides located at the sides of these planes. The beam sections 12, 13 can be located at such opposite long sides of the panel section 11 and extend along the opposite long sides in length. The beam sections 12, 13 can be rectangular or other shaped beams to strengthen the entire panel structure 10.

[0043] The panel structure 10 may be made of a single piece, or in other words, integrally designed. For example, the panel structure 10 may be an extrusion. It may include or be made of aluminum, including aluminum alloys.

[0044] The panel structure 10 includes a plurality of first attachment means 14 configured to attach the panel structure 10 to the front cabin structure 31 of the front cabin 30, and second attachment means 15 configured to attach the climate control system 20 to the panel structure 10. For example, the first and / or second attachment means 14, 15 may be designed as through holes, threaded holes and / or bushings.

[0045] In addition to reducing NVH, the panel structure 10 also provides for easier, more ergonomic and faster assembly of the front cabin 30 of the vehicle 1, such as Figure 5 1, which illustrates the steps of such an improved assembly.

[0046] In a first step 102 of the method 100, the climate control structure 50 is assembled by attaching the climate control system 20 to the panel structure 10 by means of the second attachment means 15. Any means corresponding to the second attachment means 15, such as screws or bolts, can be used for this attachment. Thus, the first step 102 can be performed outside the front cabin 30 or the vehicle 1 and is a pre-assembly step. Pre-assembly has the advantage that workers and / or robots have enough space outside the front cabin 30 for assembly, easily reach all the second attachment means 15 and establish the attachments.

[0047] Then, in a second step 104 of method 100 , assembled climate control structure 50 is inserted into front cabin 30 in the correct position and orientation for attachment to front cabin structure 31 .

[0048] Finally, in a third step 106 of the method 100 , the assembled climate control structure 50 , in particular the panel structure 10 thereof, is attached to the front cabin structure 31 via the first attachment means 14 .

[0049] Furthermore, the panel structure 10 can ensure that clean air is supplied from the climate control system 20 in the front cabin 30 to the passenger compartment 40 where the passengers of the vehicle 1 are located. To achieve this, the panel structure 10 has a sealing device 17, which seals the first compartment 32 as part of the front cabin 30 in an airflow-restricted manner, in particular substantially airtightly, with respect to the second compartment 33 of the front cabin 30 (i.e. the front cabin 30 without the first compartment 32), the first compartment 32 can be configured to include the climate control system 20. Therefore, by means of the panel structure 10, there can be substantially no or no significant air leakage between the first compartment 32 and the second compartment 33, between the panel structure 10 and the front cabin structure 31. Therefore, the climate control system 20 can substantially or only use air via one or more air ducts 21 as air inlets of the climate control system 20, instead of using air from the rest of the interior of the front cabin 30, which may be polluted or undesirable as air for the passenger compartment 40.

[0050] from Figure 3 It can be seen that the sealing device 17 is designed as a sealing strip, for example made of an elastomer, extending on the back side of the panel section 11 between the two beam sections 12, 13 of the panel structure 10. In addition, the sealing device 17 can be arranged on the beam sections 12, 13, or the beam sections 12, 13 can be arranged as the sealing device 17. When assembling the front cabin 30, the sealing device 17 is pressed, for example when attaching the panel structure 10 to the front cabin structure 31, and optionally adhered to the front cabin structure 31, which can be made of metal, so that an airflow-restricting seal is formed between the first cabin 32 and the second cabin 33.

[0051] The panel structure 10 also includes recessed portions 16 at its short sides and located on the panel section 11. These recessed portions 16 are recessed relative to the general planar shape of the panel section 11. When the panel structure 10 is attached to the front cabin structure 31, the recessed portions 16 conform to the front cabin structure 31 in shape, in particular, conform to the front cabin structure 31 through surface contact. Thereby, sealing and attachment can be enhanced. For example, when the shapes of the panel structure 10 and the front cabin structure 31 correspond highly, it is not necessary to use excessive sealing devices 17, which is achieved in this article by simple but effective recessed portions 16. Figure 2 Another recess or bend at the panel section 11 can best be seen in FIG. 1 , which in particular extends substantially along the entire length of the panel section 11 and is also arranged to conform to the shape of the front cabin structure 31 .

[0052] As used herein, the phrase "at least one" in relation to a list of one or more than one entities should be understood to mean at least one entity selected from any one or more than one entity in the list of entities, but does not necessarily include at least one of each entity specifically listed in the list of entities, and does not exclude any combination of entities in the list of entities. This definition also allows that entities other than the entities specifically identified within the list of entities to which the phrase "at least one" refers may optionally be present, whether related or unrelated to those specifically identified entities. Thus, as a non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or equivalently, "at least one of A or B", or equivalently, "at least one of A and / or B") may refer to at least one, optionally including more than one A, but no B (and optionally including entities other than B) in one example; to at least one, optionally including more than one B, but no A (and optionally including entities other than A) in another example; and to at least one, optionally including more than one A and at least one, optionally including more than one B (and optionally including other entities) in yet another example. In other words, the phrases "at least one," "one or more," and "and / or" are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions "at least one of A, B, and C," "at least one of A, B, or C," "one or more than one of A, B, and C," "one or more than one of A, B, or C," and "A, B, and / or C" may mean A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, A, B, and C together, and any of the above, optionally in combination with at least one other entity.

[0053] Other variations to the disclosed examples will be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed disclosure by studying the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite word "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality or a plurality. Any reference sign in a claim should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claim.

[0054] Reference numerals list

[0055] 1 Vehicle

[0056] 10 Panel Structure

[0057] 11 Panel Area

[0058] 12 First beam section

[0059] 13 Second beam area

[0060] 14 first attachment device

[0061] 15 Second attachment device

[0062] 16 Depression

[0063] 17 Sealing device

[0064] 20 Climate Control System

[0065] 21 Air duct

[0066] 30 Forward Cabin

[0067] 31 Front cabin structure

[0068] 32 First Cabin

[0069] 33 Second Cabin

[0070] 40 Cabins

[0071] 50 Climate Control Structures

[0072] 100 Methods

[0073] 102 First Step

[0074] 104 Second Step

[0075] 106 Third Step

Claims

1. A panel structure (10) for reducing noise, vibration and harshness in a front cabin (30) of a vehicle (1), the panel structure (10) comprising: A first attachment device (14) configured to attach the panel structure (10) to a front cabin structure (31) of a front cabin (30) of the vehicle (1) so that the front cabin (30) is divided into a first cabin (32) and a second cabin (33); a second attachment device (15) configured to attach a climate control system (20) to the panel structure (10) so that when the panel structure (10) is attached to the front cabin structure (31), the climate control system (20) is located in the first cabin (32); and a sealing device (17) configured to seal the first cabin (32) of the front cabin (30) relative to the second cabin (33) in an airflow-restricting manner when the panel structure (10) is attached to the front cabin structure (31).

2. The panel structure (10) according to claim 1, comprising a panel section (11) and at least one beam section (12, 13) extending along a side edge of the panel section (11).

3. The panel structure (10) as described in claim 2, wherein the panel section (11) is thinner than the at least one beam section (12, 13) in the extension direction of the panel section (11), and the extension direction of the panel section (11) is perpendicular to the extension direction of the at least one beam section (12, 13) along the side edge of the panel section (11).

4. The panel structure (10) according to claim 2 or 3, comprising two beam sections (12, 13).

5. The panel structure (10) according to claim 4, the two beam sections (12, 13) extending along opposite sides of the panel section (10).

6. The panel structure (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, the first attachment means (14) being arranged on the panel section (11) and on at least one of the at least one beam section (12, 13).

7. The panel structure (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, the second attachment means (15) being arranged on the panel section (11) and on at least one of the at least one beam section (12, 13).

8. The panel structure (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the sealing device (17) is arranged at least at opposite sides of the panel section (11).

9. The panel structure (10) according to any of the preceding claims, the sealing means (17) being configured as at least one sealing strip.

10. A panel structure (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one recessed portion (16), which is recessed relative to a portion of the panel structure (10) adjacent thereto and has a surface configured to be arranged opposite the front cabin structure (31).

11. The panel structure (10) according to any of the preceding claims, being designed as an extrusion and made of aluminium.

12. A climate control structure (50) comprising a panel structure (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and a climate control system (20) attached to the panel structure (10).

13. A front cabin (30) of a vehicle (1), the front cabin (30) comprising a front cabin structure (31) and a climate control structure (50) as claimed in claim 12, the panel structure (10) being attached to the front cabin structure (31), and the sealing device (17) sealing the first cabin (32) of the front cabin (30) relative to the second cabin (33) in an airflow-restricting manner.

14. A vehicle (1) comprising a front cabin (30) as claimed in claim 13.

15. A method (100) for assembling a front compartment (30) of a vehicle (1) according to claim 13, the method (100) comprising: - assembling the climate control structure (50) by attaching the climate control system (20) to the panel structure (10), - inserting the assembled climate control structure (50) into the front compartment (30), and - Attaching the assembled climate control structure (50) to the front cabin structure (31).

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