3D Maze Silencer Structure for Electric Vacuum Pump NVH

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current silencers for electric vacuum pumps are inadequate in reducing noise levels, failing to meet noise reduction requirements.

Innovation Solution

A silencer with a three-dimensional maze silencing path formed by alternately stacked first and second silencing members, each with dispersed and gathered flow guide channels, creating a maze-like gas flow path for shock absorption and noise reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If sound-absorbing materials or planar blocking structures are used in silencers, then the noise reduction level is limited, but the structure is simple and easy to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise reduction levelVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional planar blocking structures to a three-dimensional maze configuration. The silencer includes a housing with side walls forming a three-dimensional maze silencing path that extends from the intake port to the exhaust port, creating multiple spatial layers and directions for noise attenuation. This 3D structure significantly improves noise reduction effectiveness compared to conventional flat designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The silencer is divided into multiple functional segments including a housing, baffle plate with through-holes, and side walls with flow guide channels. These segmented components work together to create the maze path, allowing each segment to contribute specifically to noise reduction while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a three-dimensional maze silencing path is implemented, then noise reduction effectiveness is significantly improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise reduction effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The complex three-dimensional maze structure is segmented into modular components (housing, baffle plate, side walls) that can be manufactured separately and assembled. This segmentation reduces manufacturing difficulty while preserving the effectiveness of the overall maze configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The side walls serve multiple functions: they form the boundaries of the maze path, contain flow guide channels for gas flow control, and provide structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If dispersed and gathered flow guide channels are used alternately, then gas flow is effectively guided and shock absorption is improved, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas flow guidanceVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow guidance system is segmented into alternating dispersed and gathered flow guide channels within the side walls. This segmentation creates distinct zones that sequentially guide gas flow through the maze path, improving flow control effectiveness while allowing each segment to be relatively simple in design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The side walls alternately provide dispersed and gathered flow guide channels in a periodic pattern along the maze path. This periodic alternation creates a rhythmic flow guidance pattern that effectively controls gas flow and enhances shock absorption through repeated expansion and compression cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The silencer effectively reduces noise levels to 70 dB or below, addressing the NVH problem of electric vacuum pumps.

Implementation Method 1

the three-dimensional maze silencing path for alternately dispersing and gathering a gas is formed, which not only effectively reduces the pressure and noise of the gas, but also effectively guides the gas to achieve shock absorption and noise reduction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShock wave: Shock Wave

Implementation Method 2

first silencing members and second silencing members are alternately stacked, each first silencing member is provided with dispersed first flow guide channels, and each second silencing member is provided with gathered second flow guide channels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 3

the first silencing member is made of a porous material, and the first flow guide channel includes pores dispersed in the porous material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP4542042B1Silencer and electric vacuum pump
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 ZF COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS (QINGDAO) CO LTD
  • EP4542042B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4542042B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4542042B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to the technical field of silencing, and provides a silencer and an electric vacuum pump. The silencer includes: first silencing members (10) and second silencing members (20), which are alternately stacked, each first silencing member being provided with dispersed first flow guide channels, and each second silencing member being provided with gathered second flow guide channels; and an exhaust member (30) provided with an exhaust hole (33), an edge of the exhaust member being connected to an edge of each silencing member, and the silencer forming a three-dimensional maze silencing path (P) leading to the exhaust hole (33) from an intake port (800) through the alternating first flow guide channels and second flow guide channels. The silencer according to the present invention can effectively reduce the noise level by means of the three-dimensional maze silencing path. When the silencer according to the present invention is assembled to an electric vacuum pump, the NVH problem of the electric vacuum pump can be effectively solved.