Continuously Variable Tuned Resonator for Engine Noise Attenuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional resonators fail to effectively attenuate engine induction noise across a wide range of engine speeds due to their fixed volume design, leading to inadequate noise reduction and unwanted side band amplification, which increases motor load and causes wear on seals.

Innovation Solution

A continuously variable tuned resonator with an adjustable cover portion and programmable control module that adjusts the inlet area in response to engine speed, allowing for real-time attenuation of specific sound frequencies by varying the position of valves to achieve optimal noise cancellation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional fixed volume resonators are used, then the resonator structure is simple, but the noise attenuation effectiveness deteriorates across wide range of engine speeds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise attenuation effectivenessVSAvoidresonator structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the resonator volume adjustable through a movable partition wall that can shift between multiple positions. This allows the resonator to adapt its volume dynamically to match different engine speed conditions, thereby maintaining effective noise attenuation across a wide range of frequencies without requiring multiple fixed resonators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by varying the resonator volume as a key parameter in response to engine speed. The movable partition wall enables continuous adjustment of the resonator volume, allowing the system to optimize noise attenuation performance for different operating conditions by changing the volume parameter rather than requiring structural redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple fixed resonators are used to attenuate different frequencies, then the noise attenuation coverage improves, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency attenuation coverageVSAvoidnumber of resonators

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single resonator that can perform multiple functions across different operating conditions. Through the movable partition wall mechanism, one resonator structure can attenuate various frequency ranges corresponding to different engine speeds, eliminating the need for multiple specialized resonators and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple fixed resonators into a single adjustable resonator. By combining the volume adjustment mechanism with the resonator chamber, the design integrates what would otherwise require separate resonator units, thereby reducing the total number of components and simplifying the overall system while maintaining broad frequency attenuation coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If variable volume resonators are used to match engine speed, then the noise attenuation effectiveness improves, but the motor load and seal wear increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise reduction effectivenessVSAvoidmotor load and seal wear

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the resonator chamber into two separate volumes using a movable partition wall. This segmentation allows the resonator to achieve variable volume operation by shifting the partition wall position, thereby matching engine speed conditions without requiring large sealed areas to move, thus reducing motor load and seal wear while maintaining noise attenuation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 resonator effectively attenuates sound waves across a wide range of frequencies, reducing noise levels while minimizing motor load and eliminating the need for sealing, thus enhancing durability and performance.

Implementation Method 1

Resonators of various types such as a Helmholtz type, for example, have been employed to reduce engine intake noise by reflecting sound waves generated by the engine 180 degrees out of phase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound wave reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

Resonators of various types such as a Helmholtz type, for example, have been employed to reduce engine intake noise

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHelmholtz resonance: Helmholtz Resonance

Implementation Method 3

the second connector having a neck diameter and an adjustable cover portion movable between an open position, a plurality of intermediate positions, and a closed position to change an inlet area of the neck diameter to facilitate attenuation of a desired frequency of sound wave entering the resonator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic attenuation: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentUS7690478B2Continuously variable tuned resonator

Publication Date: 2010.04.06 HANON SYST CO LTD

AI summary

A resonator for a vehicle air intake system is disclosed, wherein the resonator is variable tuned to militate against the emission of sound waves caused by the engine and other sources at a wide range of engine speeds.