Removable Engine Cover Mounting for Truck Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercial vehicles, particularly trucks with tilting cabs, face challenges in installing extensive soundproofing structures due to limited installation space while ensuring accessibility to the engine for inspection and maintenance, and compliance with noise regulations and crash performance.

Innovation Solution

A commercial vehicle design featuring a ladder frame with engine cover brackets that support a removable sound-insulating engine cover, secured by quick-release fasteners, allowing easy access to the engine compartment for maintenance and providing effective noise reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If extensive soundproofing structures are installed to reduce engine noise, then noise reduction performance is improved, but installation space is insufficient and accessibility to engine components deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine noiseVSAvoidaccessibility to engine components

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The engine cover is designed as a segmented, removable component that can be detached from the engine assembly. This allows the soundproofing function to be separated from the engine access requirement - when the cover is removed, full engine accessibility is restored for maintenance work, while when installed, it provides noise reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The engine cover transitions from a static permanent installation to a dynamic removable component. It can be installed to provide noise reduction during operation, and removed or tilted away to provide access during maintenance, adapting to different operational states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If permanent soundproofing structures are installed to reduce engine noise, then noise reduction is improved, but ease of maintenance and inspection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine noiseVSAvoidease of maintenance and inspection

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The soundproofing function is segmented into a separate removable engine cover rather than being permanently integrated into the engine assembly. This allows maintenance personnel to remove the cover for inspection and maintenance, then reinstall it to restore noise reduction functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The engine cover is designed to be temporarily discarded (removed) during maintenance operations and then recovered (reinstalled) afterward. This temporary removal enables access to engine components while the cover itself is preserved for future use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Object-affected harmful factors

If extensive soundproofing structures are installed to reduce engine noise, then noise reduction performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine noiseVSAvoidcomplexity of soundproofing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The engine cover serves multiple functions: it provides soundproofing when installed, can be removed for maintenance access, and when tilted away provides both access and structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The soundproofing function is merged with the existing engine cover structure rather than adding separate soundproofing components. The cover itself becomes the soundproofing element, eliminating the need for additional soundproofing structures.

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

The solution ensures sufficient accessibility to the engine for inspection and maintenance while significantly reducing engine noise, adhering to noise regulations, and enhancing crash performance.

Implementation Method 1

an engine cover (e.g., sound-insulating and/or sound-damping) to reduce engine noise

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound insulation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

an engine cover (e.g., sound-insulating and/or sound-damping) to reduce engine noise

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound damping: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP4613563A1Commercial vehicle with an engine cover for reducing engine noise

Publication Date: 2025.09.10 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE

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Figure 3~4B
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AI summary

The invention relates to a commercial vehicle (10) comprising a ladder frame (12) with two main longitudinal members (12.1, 12.2), a driver's cab (14) supported by the ladder frame (12), an engine device (15) arranged beneath the driver's cab (14), and an engine cover (16) arranged between the driver's cab (14) and the engine device (15) for reducing engine noise toward the driver's cab (14). Furthermore, the commercial vehicle (10) comprises at least one engine cover mount (18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4) which is fastened to the ladder frame (12) and to which the engine cover (16) is releasably held. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for inspecting an engine device (15) of such a commercial vehicle (10).