Soundproof cover

Abstract

To provide a soundproof cover capable of maintaining a second cover unit open at a predetermined angle of less than 180 degrees with respect to a first cover unit.SOLUTION: A soundproof cover 10 is provided with: a first cover 20 having a first cutout 28 at a first circular arc-shaped outer edge 26A of a first outer edge 26; a second cover 30 having a second cutout 38 at a second circular arc-shaped outer edge 36A of a second outer edge 36 and capable of abutting the second outer edge 36 on the first outer edge 26 in a state where the first cutout 28 and the second cutout 38 are opposed to each other; and a hinge 12 connecting the first cover 20 and the second cover 30 and closing the first cutout 28 and the second cutout 38 opposed to each other. In the hinge 12, a central region in a circumferential direction of the first circular arc-shaped outer edge 26A and the second circular arc-shaped outer edge 36A deforms into a convex shape protruding inward of the first cover 20 and the second cover 30 when the second cover 30 is opened to a predetermined angle of less than 180 degrees with respect to the first cover 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a soundproof cover. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Soundproof covers having a pair of cover parts connected by a hinge part made of an integral hinge and molded to cover the entire outer surface of a noise source have been known in the art (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-170086 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the case of a soundproof cover connected by a hinge part made of an integral hinge, it is difficult to maintain one cover part in an open state at a predetermined angle of less than 180 degrees relative to the other cover part. In other words, in the case of a soundproof cover configured as described above, one cover part may wobble relative to the other cover part and become unstable, making it difficult to handle.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a soundproof cover that can maintain a state in which the second cover portion is open at a predetermined angle less than 180 degrees relative to the first cover portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a soundproof cover according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a housing-like first cover part, a first outer edge part of which is a first arc-shaped outer edge part and has a first notch in the first arc-shaped outer edge part; a housing-like second cover part, a second outer edge part of which is a second arc-shaped outer edge part and has a second notch in the second arc-shaped outer edge part, and the second outer edge part can abut against the first outer edge part with the first notch and the second notch facing each other; and an elastically deformable hinge portion that connects the first notch portion and the second cover portion and closes the opposing first notch portion and second notch portion, and the hinge portion is configured such that when the second cover portion is opened to a predetermined angle less than 180 degrees relative to the first cover portion, at least the central regions in the circumferential direction of the first arc-shaped outer edge portion and the second arc-shaped outer edge portion are deformed into a convex shape that protrudes inward toward the first cover portion and the second cover portion.

[0007] According to the first aspect of the invention, a part of a first outer edge of a housing-like first cover part is a first arc-shaped outer edge part, and a first notch is formed in the first arc-shaped outer edge part, and a part of a second outer edge of a housing-like second cover part is a second arc-shaped outer edge part, and a second notch is formed in the second arc-shaped outer edge part. The second outer edge part can abut against the first outer edge part when the first notch and the second notch are opposed to each other, and an elastically deformable hinge part connecting the first cover part and the second cover part closes the opposed first notch and second notch.

[0008] Here, the hinge portion is configured so that when the second cover portion is opened to a predetermined angle less than 180 degrees relative to the first cover portion, at least central regions in the circumferential direction of the first arc-shaped outer edge portion and the second arc-shaped outer edge portion are deformed into a convex shape that protrudes inward from the first cover portion and the second cover portion. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the second cover portion in a state where it is opened to a predetermined angle less than 180 degrees relative to the first cover portion, making the soundproof cover easier to handle.

[0009] Furthermore, a second aspect of the soundproof cover according to the present invention is the soundproof cover of the first aspect, wherein the hinge portion is such that when the second cover portion is opened to a predetermined angle less than 180 degrees relative to the first cover portion, the circumferential ends of the first arc-shaped outer edge portion and the second arc-shaped outer edge portion form an arc shape.

[0010] According to the second aspect of the invention, when the second cover portion is opened to a predetermined angle less than 180 degrees relative to the first cover portion, the circumferential ends of the first and second arc-shaped outer edges of the hinge portion form an arc shape. Therefore, when the second cover portion is opened to a predetermined angle less than 180 degrees relative to the first cover portion, the second cover portion is more likely to be maintained at the predetermined angle less than 180 degrees relative to the first cover portion than when the circumferential ends of the first and second arc-shaped outer edges of the hinge portion form a straight line. Note that the term "arc shape" in this invention also includes a substantially arc shape.

[0011] Furthermore, a third aspect of the soundproof cover according to the present invention is the soundproof cover of the first aspect, wherein the hinge portion is configured such that when the second cover portion is closed relative to the first cover portion, at least the circumferential central regions of the first arc-shaped outer edge portion and the second arc-shaped outer edge portion are deformed into a convex shape that protrudes outward from the first cover portion and the second cover portion.

[0012] According to the third aspect of the invention, when the second cover part is closed relative to the first cover part, at least the central regions in the circumferential direction of the first and second arcuate outer edges of the hinge part are deformed into a convex shape that protrudes outward from the first and second cover parts, thereby making it possible to maintain the second cover part closed relative to the first cover part.

[0013] A soundproof cover according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the soundproof cover according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the plate thickness of the hinge portion is constant.

[0014] According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the plate thickness of the hinge portion is constant. Therefore, compared to a case where the plate thickness of the central portion of the hinge portion is thinner than the plate thickness of other portions, even when the second cover portion is repeatedly opened and closed relative to the first cover portion, cracks are less likely to occur in the hinge portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] As described above, according to the present invention, the second cover portion can be maintained in a state where it is open at a predetermined angle less than 180 degrees relative to the first cover portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1A is a schematic plan view showing a closed state of the soundproof cover according to the present embodiment, FIG. 1B is a schematic plan view showing an open state of the soundproof cover according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 1C is a schematic side view showing an enlarged view of a hinge portion of the soundproof cover according to the present embodiment in the open state. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are schematic cross-sectional views taken along the line XX and YY in Fig. 1A, respectively. [Figure 3] 1(A) and 1(B) are schematic cross-sectional views taken along the line XX and YY in FIG. 1(B). [Figure 4] 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an enlarged view of a hinge portion of the soundproof cover according to the embodiment in an open state. FIG. [Figure 5] 3A to 3D are enlarged schematic perspective views showing the state of the hinge portion when the soundproof cover according to the present embodiment is closed. [Figure 6] 1A is a schematic perspective view showing, in an enlarged manner, the harness drawn out from inside the soundproof cover according to the embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a schematic perspective view showing, in an enlarged manner, the state of the harness when the soundproof cover according to the embodiment is closed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. For ease of explanation, the top and bottom of the soundproof cover 10 will be defined as follows: the first cover portion of the soundproof cover 10 will be referred to as the lower cover portion 20, and the second cover portion of the soundproof cover 10 will be referred to as the upper cover portion 30, and the top and bottom will be described based on this.

[0018] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lower cover portion 20 and the upper cover portion 30 are each formed in the shape of a roughly hemispherical housing, but as long as the lower arc-shaped outer edge portion 26A as the first arc-shaped outer edge portion and the upper arc-shaped outer edge portion 36A as the second arc-shaped outer edge portion, which will be described later, are each formed in a roughly arc-shaped form when viewed from the bottom and in a plan view, the shapes of the other parts of the soundproof cover 10 are not limited to the shapes shown in the figures.

[0019] 1 to 4, the soundproof cover 10 according to this embodiment is configured to include a substantially hemispherical lower cover portion 20, a substantially hemispherical upper cover portion 30, and a hinge portion 12 that connects the lower cover portion 20 and the upper cover portion 30. The hinge portion 12 is made of resin with a constant plate thickness and is configured to be elastically deformable.

[0020] Examples of the resin material constituting the hinge portion 12 include resin materials known as film substrates, such as polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), etc. In this embodiment, the hinge portion 12 extends so as to serve as the substrate for the lower cover portion 20 and the upper cover portion 30.

[0021] That is, the lower cover portion 20 is formed in an approximately hemispherical shape by attaching an outer layer portion 22 and an inner layer portion 24 made of a porous material with sound-absorbing properties such as felt or urethane to both sides of the lower base portion 14 (see Figures 2 and 3), which is formed in an approximately hemispherical shape and is integral with the hinge portion 12, using an adhesive or the like.

[0022] Similarly, the upper cover portion 30 is formed in an approximately hemispherical shape by attaching an outer layer portion 32 and an inner layer portion 34 made of a porous material with sound absorption properties such as felt or urethane to both sides of the upper base portion 16 (see Figures 2 and 3), which is formed in an approximately hemispherical shape and is integral with the hinge portion 12, using an adhesive or the like.

[0023] Furthermore, a lower flange portion 14A and an upper flange portion 16A, each of which has a generally rectangular shape in plan view, are integrally formed on the 180-degree opposite side of the hinge portion 12 in the lower base portion 14 and the upper base portion 16. When the soundproof cover 10 is closed by abutting (contacting) a lower outer edge portion 26, which serves as a first outer edge portion of the lower cover portion 20, against an upper outer edge portion 36, which serves as a second outer edge portion of the upper cover portion 30, the upper flange portion 16A is overlapped on the lower flange portion 14A.

[0024] The lower flange portion 14A and the upper flange portion 16A have through holes 14B, 16B that penetrate each other, and fixing clips or the like (not shown) are attached to the through holes 14B, 16B, so that the soundproof cover 10 is closed so that it does not open, with the lower outer edge portion 26 of the lower cover portion 20 and the upper outer edge portion 36 of the upper cover portion 30 in close contact with each other.

[0025] In the following description, the side of the lower flange portion 14A and the upper flange portion 16A will be referred to as the front side of the soundproof cover 10, the side of the hinge portion 12 of the soundproof cover 10 will be referred to as the rear side, and the view from that rear side will be referred to as the rear view of the soundproof cover 10. The direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-to-back direction of the soundproof cover 10 will be referred to as the left-to-right direction of the soundproof cover 10, and the view from that left-to-right direction will be referred to as a side view.

[0026] A rear portion (part) of the lower outer edge portion 26 of the lower cover portion 20 on the hinge portion 12 side is a lower arc-shaped outer edge portion 26A as a first arc-shaped outer edge portion, and a lower cutout portion 28 as a first cutout portion is formed in the lower arc-shaped outer edge portion 26A. The lower cutout portion 28 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with the circumferential direction of the lower arc-shaped outer edge portion 26A as the longitudinal direction when viewed from behind.

[0027] Similarly, a rear portion (part) of the upper outer edge portion 36 of the upper cover portion 30, which is on the hinge portion 12 side, is an upper arcuate outer edge portion 36A as a second arcuate outer edge portion, and an upper cutout portion 38 as a second cutout portion is formed in the upper arcuate outer edge portion 36A. The upper cutout portion 38 is also formed in a substantially rectangular shape with the circumferential direction of the upper arcuate outer edge portion 36A as the longitudinal direction when viewed from behind.

[0028] Furthermore, the lower notch 28 and the upper notch 38 are configured to face each other vertically when the upper outer edge 36 is butted against (contacted with) the lower outer edge 26, and the hinge portion 12 is exposed from the notch 18, which is generally rectangular in rear view and formed by the lower notch 28 and the upper notch 38. In other words, the hinge portion 12 connects the lower cover portion 20 and the upper cover portion 30, and also closes the notch 18, which is generally rectangular in rear view and formed by the opposed lower notch 28 and upper notch 38.

[0029] Furthermore, when the upper cover part 30 is closed on the lower cover part 20, the hinge part 12 is configured so that at least a predetermined central region (a region that is also central in the up-down direction) in the circumferential direction (the circumferential direction of the lower arc-shaped outer edge part 26A and the upper arc-shaped outer edge part 36A) is deformed into a convex shape that protrudes outward from the lower cover part 20 and the upper cover part 30. In other words, at least the central region of the hinge part 12 at this time is formed with an outer protrusion part 12A that extends in the circumferential direction (see FIG. 2(A)).

[0030] On the other hand, when the upper cover part 30 is opened to a predetermined angle less than 180 degrees relative to the lower cover part 20, at least a predetermined central region (a region that is also central in the up-down direction) in the circumferential direction (the circumferential direction of the lower arc-shaped outer edge part 26A and the upper arc-shaped outer edge part 36A) of the hinge part 12 is configured to deform (protrude by warping) into a convex shape that protrudes inward of the lower cover part 20 and the upper cover part 30. In other words, at least the central region of the hinge part 12 at this time is configured to have an inner protrusion part 12B that extends in the circumferential direction (see FIGS. 3(A) and 4).

[0031] The shape-retaining force of this inner protrusion 12B keeps the upper cover part 30 open at a predetermined angle less than 180 degrees relative to the lower cover part 20. The reversal movement of the hinge part 12 when the outer protrusion 12A and the inner protrusion 12B are formed creates a clicking sensation when the upper cover part 30 is opened or closed relative to the lower cover part 20.

[0032] Furthermore, this hinge portion 12 is configured so that when the upper cover portion 30 is opened to a predetermined angle of less than 180 degrees relative to the lower cover portion 20, the end portion 12C in the circumferential direction (the circumferential direction of the lower arc-shaped outer edge portion 26A and the upper arc-shaped outer edge portion 36A) forms an approximately arc-shaped shape that convex inward when viewed from the side (see Figures 1(C) and 4).

[0033] Next, the operation of the soundproof cover 10 according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described.

[0034] As described above, the rear portion (part) of the lower outer edge 26 of the lower cover part 20 is the lower arc-shaped outer edge 26A, and the lower arc-shaped outer edge 26A is formed with the lower cutout 28. Similarly, the rear portion (part) of the upper outer edge 36 of the upper cover part 30 is the upper arc-shaped outer edge 36A, and the upper cutout 38 is formed in the upper arc-shaped outer edge 36A.

[0035] The upper outer edge portion 36 can abut against the lower outer edge portion 26 with the lower cutout portion 28 and the upper cutout portion 38 facing each other, and the elastically deformable hinge portion 12 connecting the lower cover portion 20 and the upper cover portion 30 closes the opposed lower cutout portion 28 and upper cutout portion 38. In other words, the hinge portion 12 closes the cutout portion 18.

[0036] Here, when the upper cover part 30 is opened relative to the lower cover part 20 to a predetermined angle less than 180 degrees, at least the central region in the circumferential direction of the hinge part 12 is deformed into a convex shape that protrudes inward of the lower cover part 20 and the upper cover part 30. In other words, an inner protrusion part 12B extending in the circumferential direction is formed in at least the central region of the hinge part 12. Therefore, the upper cover part 30 can be maintained in a state where it is opened relative to the lower cover part 20 at a predetermined angle less than 180 degrees, which makes it easier to handle the soundproof covers 10, for example, when transporting a plurality of soundproof covers 10 stacked together.

[0037] Furthermore, in this soundproof cover 10, when the upper cover part 30 is opened relative to the lower cover part 20 to a predetermined angle less than 180 degrees, the circumferential end part 12C of the hinge part 12 forms a substantially arc shape in a side view. Therefore, when the upper cover part 30 is opened relative to the lower cover part 20 to a predetermined angle less than 180 degrees, the upper cover part 30 is more likely to be held in a stable state relative to the lower cover part 20 at the predetermined angle less than 180 degrees without wobbling, compared to when the circumferential end part of the hinge part 12 forms a straight line.

[0038] On the other hand, in this soundproof cover 10, when closing the upper cover part 30 against the lower cover part 20, it is sufficient to lightly (with little force) push the upper cover part 30 in the closing direction, and when covering a unit that is a noise source such as a motor or compressor (not shown), the lower cover part 20 and the upper cover part 30 can be easily aligned and closed.

[0039] 5, when the upper cover part 30 is pressed in the closing direction relative to the lower cover part 20, the inner protrusion part 12B is inverted (warped), and at least the central region in the circumferential direction of the hinge part 12 is deformed into a convex shape that protrudes outward from the lower cover part 20 and the upper cover part 30. In other words, an outer protrusion part 12A extending in the circumferential direction is formed in at least the central region of the hinge part 12.

[0040] The upper cover part 30 is automatically closed by the biasing force generated when the hinge part 12 is flipped from the inner ridge part 12B to the outer ridge part 12A, which makes it easy to align and close the lower cover part 20 and the upper cover part 30, as described above. Furthermore, the outer ridge part 12A can maintain the closed state of the upper cover part 30 relative to the lower cover part 20, so that the fixing clip can be easily attached to the overlapping lower flange part 14A and upper flange part 16A.

[0041] In this way, when the soundproof cover 10 is closed (the lower outer edge portion 26 and the upper outer edge portion 36 are brought into tight contact with each other), sound generated from the noise source unit is prevented from leaking out of the soundproof cover 10. Furthermore, in this soundproof cover 10, the plate thickness of the hinge portion 12 is constant. Therefore, compared to when the plate thickness of the central portion of the hinge portion 12 is formed thinner than the plate thickness of other portions, for example, cracks are less likely to occur in the hinge portion 12 even when the upper cover portion 30 is repeatedly opened and closed relative to the lower cover portion 20.

[0042] As shown in Figure 6, a power harness 40 is connected to the unit that is the noise source, and the harness 40 can be pulled out to the outside of the soundproof cover 10 through the gap between the circumferential end 12C of the hinge portion 12 and the circumferential end of the cutout portion 18 (lower cutout portion 28 or upper cutout portion 38).

[0043] That is, with this soundproof cover 10, the upper cover part 30 can be closed (sealed) relative to the lower cover part 20 with the harness 40 pulled out through the gap, so there is no need to form a separate hole or the like in the lower cover part 20 or the upper cover part 30 for pulling out the harness 40. Therefore, compared to a cover (not shown) that requires the formation of a hole for pulling out the harness, the soundproof cover 10 has better sealing properties and can improve the soundproofing effect.

[0044] In addition, in this soundproof cover 10, a lower cover portion 20 is formed by attaching a resin outer layer portion 22 and an inner layer portion 24 to both sides of a lower base portion 14 that is integral with the hinge portion 12, and an upper cover portion 30 is formed by attaching a resin outer layer portion 32 and an inner layer portion 34 to both sides of an upper base portion 16 that is integral with the hinge portion 12. Therefore, the rigidity of the lower cover portion 20 and the upper cover portion 30 can be ensured, and the number of parts can be reduced, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0045] While the soundproof cover 10 according to this embodiment has been described above with reference to the drawings, the soundproof cover 10 according to this embodiment is not limited to the one shown in the drawings and can be modified in design as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. For example, as long as the upper cover part 30 can be maintained in a closed state when closed relative to the lower cover part 20, the hinge part 12 may not be configured to have the outer protrusion part 12A.

[0046] In addition, in the lower cover portion 20, either the outer layer portion 22 or the inner layer portion 24 may be made of a resin having sound absorbing properties. Similarly, in the upper cover portion 30, either the outer layer portion 32 or the inner layer portion 34 may be made of a resin having sound absorbing properties. Furthermore, the plate thickness of the hinge portion 12 does not need to be constant as long as the hinge portion 12 is configured such that cracks are unlikely to occur even when the upper cover portion 30 is repeatedly opened and closed relative to the lower cover portion 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 10 Soundproof cover 12 Hinge part 20 Lower cover part (first cover part) 26 Lower outer edge (first outer edge) 26A Lower arc-shaped outer edge (first arc-shaped outer edge) 28 Lower notch (first notch) 30 Upper cover part (second cover part) 36 Upper outer edge (second outer edge) 36A Upper arc-shaped outer edge (second arc-shaped outer edge) 38 Upper notch (second notch)

Claims

1. a housing-like first cover portion having a first arc-shaped outer edge portion as a part thereof and a first notch portion in the first arc-shaped outer edge portion; a housing-like second cover portion, a portion of which is a second arc-shaped outer edge portion and which has a second notch portion in the second arc-shaped outer edge portion, and which allows the second outer edge portion to abut against the first outer edge portion with the first notch portion and the second notch portion facing each other; an elastically deformable hinge portion that connects the first cover portion and the second cover portion and closes the opposed first notch portion and second notch portion; Equipped with The hinge portion is configured such that when the second cover portion is opened to a predetermined angle of less than 180 degrees relative to the first cover portion, at least the central regions in the circumferential direction of the first arc-shaped outer edge portion and the second arc-shaped outer edge portion are deformed into a convex shape that protrudes inward from the first cover portion and the second cover portion.

2. 2. The soundproof cover according to claim 1, wherein when the second cover part is opened to a predetermined angle less than 180 degrees relative to the first cover part, the circumferential ends of the first arc-shaped outer edge part and the second arc-shaped outer edge part form an arc shape.

3. 2. The soundproof cover according to claim 1, wherein the hinge portion is configured such that when the second cover portion is closed relative to the first cover portion, at least the central regions in the circumferential direction of the first arc-shaped outer edge portion and the second arc-shaped outer edge portion are deformed into a convex shape that protrudes outward from the first cover portion and the second cover portion.

4. The soundproof cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plate thickness of the hinge portion is constant.

Images