Cabin Frame Vibration Damping Element for Agricultural Vehicle Noise Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sound insulation methods for agricultural vehicle cabs, such as foaming with assembly foam or thermally activatable molded pieces, face challenges with dosing accuracy, material aging, and non-destructive removal, leading to inefficiencies in sealing and noise reduction.

Innovation Solution

A vibration damping element with a sandwich construction, comprising clamping plates and a damping element, is inserted into frame elements to seal the bottom area, allowing reversible expansion and adjustment without damage, providing effective airborne noise insulation and moisture protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If assembly foam is used to seal the frame elements, then airtightness is achieved and foreign body entry is prevented, but the foam is subject to aging and tightness is gradually lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidservice life of sealing material
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the sealing material from a permanent foam to a reversible phase-change material (ice). By controlling temperature parameters, the sealing element can transition between solid (sealing) and liquid (removable) states, solving the aging problem of traditional foams while maintaining reliable sealing during service.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a consumable sealing approach where ice blocks are used as temporary sealing elements. These can be easily replaced when needed, avoiding the long-term degradation issues of permanent sealing materials like foam. The short-living nature of ice is converted into an advantage for maintenance and replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If too much assembly foam is introduced, then the lower area is sealed, but the foam expands uncontrollably and reaches areas not intended to be closed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoiddosing accuracy of sealing material
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical expansion mechanism of foam with a physical placement system. Ice blocks are manually or mechanically positioned and pressed into place, eliminating the uncontrolled chemical expansion process. This allows precise control over the amount and position of sealing material without dosing errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The ice blocks are designed to be self-contained sealing elements that require no additional material or activation process. They are simply inserted and pressed into the frame elements, where they naturally conform to the sealing surface without requiring precise dosing or expansion control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If assembly foam is used to seal the frame elements, then airtightness is achieved, but removal of old foam requires great effort and risks damaging hoses and lines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidease of removal and replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a consumable sealing approach where ice blocks are used as temporary sealing elements. These can be easily replaced when needed, avoiding the long-term degradation issues of permanent sealing materials like foam. The short-living nature of ice is converted into an advantage for maintenance and replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the chemical bonding mechanism of foam with a simple mechanical press-fit system. Ice blocks are held in place by friction and geometric constraints rather than chemical adhesion, allowing for easy removal without the need for solvents, heating, or mechanical force that could damage surrounding components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If thermally activatable molded pieces are used for sealing, then sealing is achieved, but non-destructive removal is no longer possible after thermal activation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidremovability of sealing element
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic sealing system where the sealing element's state can be changed on demand. The ice block transitions from a removable solid state to a sealing state when frozen in place, and can be melted for removal. This dynamic behavior allows the same element to serve both installation and removal needs, unlike permanently bonded thermal seals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the phase transition of water between solid (ice) and liquid states as the basis for the sealing mechanism. The ice block is inserted in solid form, freezes to create the seal, and can be melted for removal. This phase change provides a reversible sealing mechanism that maintains both sealing effectiveness and removability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

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 solution offers improved sound insulation, reduced assembly costs, and the ability to re-adjust the damping element, preventing noise and moisture ingress while maintaining airtightness, unlike traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

the damping element moves in a transverse direction reversibly expands in the direction running to the line of action of force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

reduce the ingress of sound through the respective bottom opening in the frame elements running in the vertical direction into the interior of the cabin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP3459830B1Cabin for an agricultural working device
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH
  • EP3459830B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3459830B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3459830B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Cabin (2) for an agricultural work vehicle (1), comprising a cabin roof (3) and a frame structure (5) receiving the cabin roof (3), which has vertically extending frame elements (8, 9) and transversely extending frame elements (10, 10, 12, 13) designed as hollow profiles, wherein at least the vertically extending frame elements (8, 9) are each lockable on their side facing away from the cabin roof (3) by a vibration damping element (14, 14a) that can be inserted into the vertically extending frame element (8, 9), wherein the respective vibration damping element (14, 14a) comprises at least one damping element (17, 21) arranged between at least two clamping plates (15, 16), wherein the at least two clamping plates (15, 16) in the mounted position of the vibration damping element (14, 14a) are arranged with a substantially perpendicular to the surface of the chipboard (15,16) directed force (F) can be applied, so that the damping element (17, 21) expands reversibly in a direction perpendicular to the line of action of the force and closes off a lower area of ​​the frame element (8, 9) extending in a vertical direction.