Multi-purpose sign for placement in a vehicle

Abstract

A shield 100 for an assembly, such as a reversing camera assembly 150 attached to the tailgate of a vehicle, can have a layered structure with an inner layer 102 made of a heat-absorbing material and an outer layer 104 made of a sound-absorbing material. The shield 100 defines an enclosed space for housing the assembly 150. The inner layer 102 consists of an aluminum plate with a plurality of funnel-shaped structures 204 with perforations 202 to allow sound waves to pass through and attenuate them due to absorption by the outer layer 104.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the technical field of motor vehicles. In particular, it relates to a shield for covering an assembly in order to reduce noise, vibrations and shocks emanating from the assembly. BACKGROUND

[0002] The background description contains information that may be useful for understanding the present invention. It does not constitute an admission that the information contained herein forms part of the prior art or is relevant to the present invention, or that any publication to which express or implicit reference is made forms part of the prior art.

[0003] Automation in vehicles requires an increasing number of electronic control units in various locations. These control units constantly generate heat while driving. Furthermore, the trim used for their installation contributes to the noise, vibration, and harshness already caused by other components and trim. For example, the swiveling rear-view camera mounted in the vehicle door during operation, and its associated assembly, generate NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness). Combined with airborne noise from the rear wheel wells, this disturbs the occupants.

[0004] To prevent or reduce noise emanating from such arrangements, the arrangement is typically covered with a noise-absorbing cover. However, such an enclosure impairs the cooling of the heat-generating electronic components within the arrangement, leading to a temperature increase. This is because, while the absorbers in the cover reduce noise transmission, they do not allow for heat transfer or dissipation. Therefore, finding a balance between NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) issues and temperature remains a constant engineering challenge. Often, the conflict is resolved by prioritizing one over the other.

[0005] Patent US7445084B2 discloses a sound-absorbing shield, particularly for motor vehicles, comprising an aluminum carrier, a sound-absorbing layer, and an aluminum heat-resistant cover. The sound-absorbing layer is a permeable mat made of knitted aluminum, wherein the knitted aluminum is layered on top of each other and pressed to form the permeable mat. The carrier consists of a micro-perforated aluminum sheet, while the cover preferably consists of an aluminum foil.

[0006] While the aforementioned patent document provides for a soundproof thermal shield with sound-absorbing properties, there is a way to find a better and more cost-effective solution to the above-mentioned problem with a less complex structure.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to find a simple and cost-effective solution that prevents noise, vibration and roughness of an assembly and effectively dissipates the heat generated by the electronic parts of the assembly during vehicle operation. OBJECTS OF INVENTION

[0008] A general object of the present invention is to provide a shield for arrangements with absorbing properties for noise, vibration, hardness, and also to dissipate the heat generated by elements such as ECUs of the arrangement.

[0009] One object of the present invention is to provide a simple, effective and cost-efficient solution that can eliminate the problems mentioned above.

[0010] One object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-mount, shaped shield that rigidly covers the arrangement in order to achieve better performance. SUMMARY

[0011] Aspects of the present invention relate generally to the technical field of automobiles. In particular, it relates to a shield for a cover assembly to reduce noise, vibration, and shock while simultaneously managing the heat generated by the electronic components of the assembly during vehicle operation. The shield is shaped to enclose the assembly when placed over it to prevent the transmission of noise and comprises a layered structure of different materials to absorb heat and sound. The shield improves NVH absorption and protects the assembly from overheating that can be caused by the enclosure of the assembly by the shield.

[0012] One aspect is that the proposed shield for an arrangement in a vehicle has a layered structure comprising an inner layer of a heat-absorbing material and an outer layer of a sound-absorbing material, and defines an enclosed space to accommodate the arrangement therein.

[0013] In one embodiment, the layered structure can be shaped and rigidly mounted to cover the arrangement and thus absorb noise, vibrations and shocks as well as the heat generated by the arrangement.

[0014] In one embodiment, the heat-absorbing material can be made of aluminum and the noise-absorbing material is selected from at least one of the following materials: polyurethane foam, elastomeric rubber, open- and closed-cell microcellular foam and sponge.

[0015] In one embodiment, the inner layer can consist of an aluminum plate that has a multitude of perforations to allow sound waves to penetrate and decay due to absorption by the outer layer of sound-absorbing material.

[0016] In one embodiment, the shield can contain a plurality of funnel-shaped sound-conducting structures attached to the plurality of perforations and extending towards the outer layer to direct the sound from the enclosed space to the outer layer.

[0017] In one embodiment, the plurality of sound-conducting structures can include a locking device that engages the outer layer and locks the outer layer to the inner layer.

[0018] In one embodiment, the arrangement may be a reversing camera attached to the tailgate of the vehicle, which generates noise when focusing, and the reversing camera arrangement includes an electronic control unit that generates heat when the reversing camera is in operation.

[0019] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments together with the accompanying drawings, in which the same numbers represent the same components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings serve to further understand the present invention and are an integral part of this description. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. Fig. Figure 1 shows an exemplary representation of the disclosed shield for an arrangement according to embodiments of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 shows an exemplary representation of the heat absorption by the heat-absorbing inner layer and the path of the sound to the sound-absorbing outer layer according to embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] A detailed description of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings follows. The embodiments are described in sufficient detail to ensure the invention is clearly understandable. However, this level of detail is not intended to limit foreseeable variations of the embodiments; on the contrary, it is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

[0022] The embodiments described here relate generally to the technical field of motor vehicles. In particular, they concern a shield for a cover arrangement to reduce noise, vibrations, shocks, and heat generated by the electronic components, such as control units, of the arrangement during vehicle operation.

[0023] In one embodiment, the disclosed shield for an arrangement in a vehicle can have a layered structure comprising an inner layer of a heat-absorbing material and an outer layer of a sound-absorbing material. The shield defines an enclosed space for housing an arrangement, such as a reversing camera attached to the vehicle's tailgate. The inner layer consists of an aluminum plate with a multitude of perforations and a funnel-shaped structure extending beyond the perforations to allow sound waves to pass through and be attenuated by absorption from the outer layer. The perforated aluminum allows for better heat dissipation and does not cause a temperature increase even if swallowed.

[0024] In one embodiment, the layered structure is formed and rigidly mounted to cover the arrangement and thus absorb noise, vibrations and shocks as well as the heat generated by the arrangement.

[0025] In one embodiment, the noise-absorbing material is selected from at least one of the following materials: polyurethane foam, elastomeric rubber, open-cell and closed-cell microcellular foam, and sponge. The inner layer consists of an aluminum plate with a multitude of perforations to allow sound waves to penetrate and decay due to absorption by the outer layer of noise-absorbing material.

[0026] In one embodiment, the shield comprises a plurality of funnel-shaped sound channel structures attached to the plurality of perforations and extending towards the outer layer to direct sound from the enclosed space to the outer layer. The plurality of sound-conducting structures includes a locking means that engages with the outer layer and locks the outer layer to the inner layer.

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 shows an exemplary sectional view of the shield 100 with an inner layer 102, an outer layer, an assembly 150, and the electronic control unit. The shield 100 forms an enclosure around the assembly with soundproof and heat-absorbing properties.

[0028] In one embodiment, the shield 100 can have a multi-layered structure with an inner layer 102 and an outer layer 104. Both the inner layer 102 and the outer layer 104 define an enclosed space for receiving the arrangement 150. The shield 100 covers the arrangement 150 by being rigidly attached, and it is fastened to the BiW by at least one fastening means through the fastening hole 106 provided in the inner layer 102.

[0029] In one embodiment, the inner layer 102 consists of a heat-absorbing material and the outer layer 104 of a sound-absorbing material. The heat-absorbing material is aluminum, and the sound-absorbing material is selected from at least one of the following materials: polyurethane foam, elastomeric rubber, open-cell and closed-cell microcellular foam, and sponge.

[0030] In one embodiment, the layered structure is formed and rigidly mounted to cover the arrangement 150 in order to absorb noise, vibrations and shocks as well as the heat generated by the arrangement 150.

[0031] In one embodiment, the arrangement 150 may be a reversing camera arrangement attached to a tailgate of the vehicle, which generates noise when focusing, and the reversing camera arrangement 150 includes an electronic control unit 152 which generates heat when the reversing camera 150 is in operation.

[0032] In one embodiment, the inner layer 102 of the aluminum material has perforations. The perforations enable interlocking with the outer layer 104 and interlocking of the outer layer 104 with the inner layer 102. The perforated aluminum thermal shield offers good heat absorption capacity while simultaneously allowing noise to be transmitted to the sound-absorbing outer layer 104 through the perforations.

[0033] Fig. Figure 2 shows an exemplary cross-sectional view 200, which shows the heat absorption through the inner layer 102 and a path 208 for the transmission of sound to the outer layer 104.

[0034] In one embodiment, the heat generated by the electronic control unit 152 of the reversing camera arrangement 150 is radiated towards the inner layer 102 of the shield 100, as shown by the waves 206, and absorbed by the inner layer 102, which consists of an aluminum plate (see Fig. 2).

[0035] In one embodiment, the inner layer 102 of the aluminum plate has a plurality of perforations 202 through which sound waves can pass and decay due to absorption by the outer layer 104 made of sound-absorbing material.

[0036] In one embodiment, the shield 100 also comprises a plurality of funnel-shaped sound-conducting structures, such as the structure 204, which extend outwards from the plurality of perforations 202 into the outer layer 104 to channel sound waves generated by the reversing camera arrangement 150 during reversing, e.g., when the reversing camera moves during focusing. The camera movement mechanism generates noise that is conducted from the enclosed space into the outer layer 104 and eventually decays.

[0037] Thus, the present invention provides an improved, simple, and cost-effective shield 100 for absorbing noise generated by the arrangement 150, including its electronic components such as the ECU 152, while simultaneously preventing overheating of the arrangement by enclosing it within the shield 100. The shield 100 is configured with two layers to dampen both heat and noise and is easy to attach to the camera arrangement 150, thereby reducing costs.

[0038] Optionally, the shield 100 can be used for different arrangements by shaping it into the required forms according to the arrangement to be protected in order to reduce NVH problems.

[0039] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention can be developed without deviating from the fundamental scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, variants, or examples, provided that they are included to enable a person with ordinary technical knowledge to manufacture and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to such a person. ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0040] The present invention provides a shield for arrangements that absorbs noise, vibrations and shocks and also dissipates the heat generated by components such as control units of the arrangement.

[0041] The present invention offers a simple, effective and cost-efficient solution that can eliminate the aforementioned problems.

[0042] The present invention provides an easy-to-mount, shaped shield that rigidly covers the arrangement for improved performance. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 7445084B2

[0005]

Claims

[1] Shield (100) for an arrangement (150) in a vehicle, wherein the shield (100) has a layered structure comprising an inner layer (102) made of a heat-absorbing material and an outer layer (104) made of a sound-absorbing material, and defines an enclosed space for receiving the arrangement (150) therein. [2] Shield according to claim 1, wherein the layer structure is shaped and rigidly fixed to cover the arrangement (150) in order to absorb noise, vibration and roughness together with the heat generated by the arrangement (150). [3] Shield according to claim 1, wherein the heat-absorbing material is aluminium and the noise-absorbing material is selected from at least one of the following materials: polyurethane foam, elastomeric rubber, open- and closed-cell microcellular foam and sponge. [4] Shield according to claim 2, wherein the inner layer (102) has a plurality of perforations (202) to allow sound waves to pass through and to decay due to absorption by the outer layer (104) of noise-absorbing material. [5] Shield according to claim 4, wherein the shield (100) comprises a plurality of funnel-shaped sound channel structures (204) attached to the plurality of perforations (202) and extending towards the outer layer (104) to channel sound from the enclosed space to the outer layer (104). [6] Shield according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of sound channel structures (204) comprises a locking means to engage with the outer layer (104) and to lock the outer layer (104) to the inner layer (102). [7] Sign according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement (150) comprises the following: arrangement (150) of the reversing camera which is attached to a tailgate of the vehicle, wherein the reversing camera arrangement further comprises an electronic control unit (152).

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