Vehicle Acoustic Decoupling Layer Sealing Against Water Ingress

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing acoustic protection systems for motor vehicles face challenges in preventing liquid penetration, particularly water, into the decoupling layer when it is close to the ground, while maintaining its compressibility and acoustic insulation properties.

Innovation Solution

The acoustic protection system incorporates an elastically compressible decoupling layer bagged in a plastic film pocket with a waterproof barrier and strategically positioned air passage orifices to prevent liquid penetration and allow air evacuation during compression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the decoupling layer is placed close to the ground for acoustic protection, then acoustic insulation performance is improved, but liquid penetration risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacoustic insulation performanceVSAvoidliquid penetration risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A waterproof pocket made of plastic film is introduced as an intermediary barrier between the decoupling layer and the external environment. The pocket encloses the decoupling layer completely, preventing direct contact with liquids while maintaining the acoustic insulation function. The pocket acts as a protective mediator that isolates the decoupling layer from harmful liquid penetration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The decoupling layer is extracted from direct exposure to the environment and placed inside a sealed waterproof pocket. This separation removes the decoupling layer from the harmful liquid environment while preserving its acoustic function, allowing it to operate in a protected state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the decoupling layer is sealed in a waterproof pocket, then liquid protection is improved, but air compression during assembly becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid protectionVSAvoidassembly compression difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pocket is designed with air passage orifices that allow air to escape during compression. These orifices create a controlled porous pathway that permits air evacuation while maintaining the overall waterproof seal of the pocket structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

Air passage orifices are pre-provided in the pocket structure before assembly. This preliminary action ensures that air can escape during the compression process, preventing air trapping and making the assembly process easier while maintaining liquid protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If air passage orifices are provided in the pocket, then air evacuation during compression is improved, but liquid penetration risk through orifices increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair evacuation capabilityVSAvoidliquid penetration risk through orifices
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The orifices are positioned at a specific distance from the edge of the decoupling layer, creating a spatial separation. This dimensional arrangement allows air to pass through the orifices while the seal formed by the pocket's contact with the wall prevents liquid from reaching the orifices, effectively separating the air evacuation function from liquid exposure.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the pocket have different functions: the orifices provide air passage in specific locations, while the sealed portions of the pocket maintain liquid protection. The seal around the orifices creates a localized protective zone that allows air flow while blocking liquid penetration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

This configuration effectively protects the decoupling layer from liquids, ensures optimal damping performance by allowing compression, and reduces the need for additional damping materials, resulting in a simplified and lighter vehicle design.

Implementation Method 1

an elastically compressible acoustic decoupling layer arranged in compression at least along its periphery between said walls

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic compression: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The presence of such a compressed decoupling layer provides a damping effect resulting in an improvement in the processing of 'structure-borne' noise

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

said layer is bagged in a plastic film pocket closed so as to form a sealed barrier on said edge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 4

at least one air passage orifice is provided in said pocket opposite at least one of said faces, said orifice being arranged at a distance from said edge so as to provide around said orifice a seal produced by the support of said pocket on said corresponding wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir passage:

Data Source

PatentEP4096968B1Acoustic protection system for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 TREVES PROD
  • EP4096968B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to an acoustic protection system (1) for a motor vehicle, the system comprising: two walls (2, 3) extending opposite each other; an elastically compressible acoustic decoupling layer (4) arranged in compression at least along its periphery between the walls, the layer having two opposing faces (5, 6) pressed respectively against each of the walls, the faces being connected to each other by an edge (7), the layer being enclosed in a bag (8) made from plastic film closed so as to form a sealed barrier on the edge, at least one air passage hole (9) being provided in the bag opposite at least one of the faces, the hole being arranged at a distance (10) from the edge so as to provide, around the hole, a seal (11) created by the bag bearing on the corresponding wall.