Adaptive Noise Shield Flap for Vehicle Bumper Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional noise shielding structures for vehicles are not versatile enough to accommodate different vehicle models and bumper designs, leading to increased manufacturing costs and potential interference with components like exhaust pipes.

Innovation Solution

A noise shielding structure featuring a noise shield with a fixed portion attached to the outer panel and a deformable flap portion that contacts the rear bumper, utilizing a flexible hinge to adapt to various bumper designs without interfering with other components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional noise shield with fixed structure is used, then manufacturing cost increases due to customization for each bumper design, but manufacturing simplicity is maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different bumper designsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The noise shield is divided into a fixed portion and a flap portion that can be detached. The flap portion is separated from the main body, allowing it to be independently configured or removed based on specific vehicle models and bumper designs, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flap portion is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to flex and adapt to different bumper positions and shapes. This dynamic structure enables a single noise shield design to accommodate multiple bumper configurations without requiring custom manufacturing for each variant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed noise shield structure is used, then installation simplicity is maintained, but interference with exhaust pipe and other components occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclearance with exhaust pipeVSAvoidnoise shield structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the noise shield into fixed and movable flap portions, the design allows the flap to be positioned or removed to clear exhaust pipes and other components, preventing interference while maintaining the overall noise shielding function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The movable flap portion can dynamically adjust its position to accommodate exhaust pipes and other components that may interfere with a fixed structure, providing clearance where needed while maintaining noise shielding effectiveness in other areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a noise shield is installed to prevent road noise transmission, then quietness in rear compartment is improved, but interference with exhaust pipe and other components occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroad noise transmissionVSAvoidclearance with exhaust pipe

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented design allows the flap portion to be configured to block noise transmission paths while providing clearance for exhaust pipes, simultaneously addressing both noise reduction and component clearance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic flap portion can be positioned to optimize noise blocking while accommodating exhaust pipes and other components, achieving both quietness improvement and clearance maintenance in the same structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of manufacture

If a universal noise shield design is created, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but interference with exhaust pipe and other components may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidinterference with components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A universal noise shield design with a detachable flap portion can be manufactured once and used across multiple vehicle models. The flap can be removed or adjusted for specific models where exhaust pipes or other components would be interfered with, maintaining both cost efficiency and component clearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The universal design incorporates a movable flap that can be configured differently for different vehicle models, allowing a single base design to serve multiple applications without causing component interference through flexible positioning or removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11718246B2Noise shielding structure

Publication Date: 2023.08.08 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A noise shielding structure is provided that is highly versatile with no limitation to vehicle models and bumper designs, and effectively reduces road noise in the rear compartment. The noise shielding structure includes: an outer panel at a rear vehicle body; a rear bumper provided so as to cover the outer panel; and a noise shield arranged between the outer panel and the rear bumper, wherein the noise shield includes a fixed portion to be fixed to the outer panel and a flap portion to contact the rear bumper when the rear bumper is attached to the rear vehicle body, and the flap portion is deformable on a hinge of the noise shield provided between the fixed portion and the flap portion.