Transition System Sound Absorber Gap Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transition systems for movably connected vehicles face challenges in achieving optimal sound insulation without compromising mobility, as traditional methods often result in thicker, heavier, and more expensive bellows with limited effectiveness in specific frequency ranges.

Innovation Solution

The integration of sound absorbers in gaps between the bellows and surface elements within the transition system, which are designed to follow vehicle movements, enhances sound insulation without restricting mobility by using materials like lightweight foam and strategically placing absorbers to target specific frequency ranges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If sound-absorbing layers are attached to bellows, then sound insulation is improved, but bellows become thicker, heavier and more expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound insulationVSAvoidbellows weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sound absorption function is extracted from the bellows structure itself and relocated to separate sound absorber components positioned in the gap between bellows and surface elements. This allows the bellows to remain lightweight while achieving sound insulation through the dedicated sound absorber elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Sound absorbers are introduced as intermediary elements positioned in the gap between the bellows and surface elements. These mediators provide sound absorption without being integrated into the bellows structure, thus avoiding increased bellows weight and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If sound-absorbing materials are used in bellows, then sound insulation is improved, but mobility of the transition system is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound insulationVSAvoidmobility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sound absorption function is extracted from the bellows and implemented in separate, movable sound absorber components. This separation allows the bellows to maintain full mobility while the sound absorbers provide acoustic treatment without restricting movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The sound absorbers are designed as dynamic components that can move with the transition system. They are positioned and configured to follow the movement of the bellows and surface elements, ensuring sound insulation is maintained throughout the range of motion without restricting mobility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If sound absorbers are placed in the gap between bellows and surface elements, then sound insulation is improved, but the gap space is occupied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound insulationVSAvoidgap space
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Sound absorbers are strategically positioned in specific locations within the gap where they provide maximum acoustic benefit. Rather than filling the entire gap volume, sound absorbers are placed at key positions where they effectively address sound transmission paths while minimizing space occupation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The dimensions, shapes, and positions of sound absorbers are optimized to provide effective sound insulation with minimal volume occupation. By adjusting parameters such as absorber size, placement distance from bellows, and configuration, effective sound control is achieved while preserving gap space for other functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach significantly improves sound insulation, particularly in the 1 kHz to 2 kHz frequency range, while maintaining the mobility and reducing wear on components, by using flexible and spaced sound absorbers that can deform with vehicle movements without colliding.

Implementation Method 1

at least one sound absorber is arranged in the intermediate space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP4091900A1Transition system with sound absorber
Publication Date: 2022.11.23 HUBNER GMBH
  • EP4091900A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4091900A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4091900A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a transition system (1) for arrangement between two vehicles movably connected to one another. The transition system (1) comprises a bellows (2) extending in the direction of passage (4) of the transition system (1) and separating an interior space (6) of the transition system (1) from a region (7) outside the transition system (1). Furthermore, the transition system (1) comprises at least one surface element (11) arranged in the interior space (6) at a distance from the bellows (2) and designed to follow relative movements of the two connected vehicles occurring during operation. A space (17) is formed between the bellows (2) and the surface element (11). According to the invention, at least one sound absorber (18) is arranged in the space (17).