Integrated Muffler Resonator for Wideband Sound Attenuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional muffler arrangements for air ducts in combustion engines are complex, requiring multiple parts for assembly and resulting in increased costs and manufacturing complexity, while also failing to effectively manage sound attenuation across a wide frequency range without compromising vent resistance.

Innovation Solution

A muffler arrangement featuring a flexible air duct with integrated broad band resonators, comprising a first and second shell forming a housing around a resonator chamber, where the duct includes input, central, and output ducts with openings in the peripheral wall, and the resonator is integrated without additional assembly parts, using materials like rubber or TPE for flexibility and polyamide for sealing, allowing for reduced parts and processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional muffler arrangements use multiple parts for assembly, then sound attenuation can be achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound attenuationVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resonator is integrated directly into the air duct as a single molded piece, combining the air duct and resonator functions into one component. This eliminates the need for separate resonator assemblies and multiple connection parts, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining sound attenuation performance across a wide frequency range

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional muffler arrangements use multiple parts for assembly, then sound attenuation can be achieved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound attenuationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The air duct and resonator are manufactured as a single integrated component using injection molding, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing processes and assembly operations. This reduces manufacturing complexity and costs while achieving effective sound attenuation across a wide frequency range

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both an air duct for fluid transport and a resonator for sound attenuation. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed and simplifies the manufacturing process

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

3Reliability

If conventional muffler arrangements use additional assembly parts, then sealing can be achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing tightnessVSAvoidnumber of assembly parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is integrated into the single molded component through self-sealing features formed during injection molding, eliminating the need for separate sealing elements or gaskets. This maintains reliable sealing tightness while reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 simplifies manufacturing and mounting, achieves effective sound attenuation across a wide frequency range, maintains low vent resistance, and ensures tightness, making it suitable for both dirty and clean air applications with reduced material costs.

Implementation Method 1

a resonator, wherein the resonator comprises at least a first shell (26) and a second shell (28) forming a housing around at least one resonator chamber (52)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic resonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP3112658B1Muffler arrangement
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 MANN HUMMEL GMBH
  • EP3112658B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3112658B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3112658B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a muffler arrangement (100) having at least an air duct (12) and a resonator (10), wherein the resonator (10) comprises at least a first shell (26) and a second shell (28) forming a housing around at least one resonator chamber (52). The air duct (12) comprises at least an input duct (14), a central duct (16) and an output duct (18). Openings (20) are formed in a peripheral wall (42) of the central duct (16), and the resonator (10) is arranged around the peripheral wall (42) of the central duct (16) covering the openings (20) and sealing against the surroundings.