Waffle Pattern Housing Seal for HVAC Noise Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC air handling system sealing assemblies fail to effectively attenuate noise and vibrations from external sources, allowing unfavorable sound transmission into the vehicle passenger compartment while inadequately preventing fluid ingress and egress.
Innovation Solution
A sealing assembly featuring a housing with a waffle-patterned first housing portion and a second housing portion with a groove and lip configuration, combined with a resilient seal, to enhance sound absorption and fluid sealing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing components are positioned proximate to the passenger compartment to prevent fluid ingress and egress, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but sound transmission loss is minimized allowing noise to enter the passenger compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing component is divided into multiple segments including a first sealing surface, second sealing surface, and an acoustic attenuation segment positioned between them. This segmentation allows the component to simultaneously provide fluid sealing through the sealing surfaces and sound attenuation through the intermediate acoustic segment with its cellular structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the sealing component have different properties: the sealing surfaces are designed for fluid tightness while the acoustic attenuation segment between them has a cellular structure specifically optimized for absorbing sound energy. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both sealing and acoustic performance.
2Ease of manufacture
If the sealing assembly includes minimal features to reduce complexity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but sound attenuation is inadequate allowing unfavorable quantities of sound to enter the passenger compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic attenuation segment incorporates a cellular or porous structure that effectively absorbs sound energy. This porous configuration increases sound attenuation capability while the structure can be integrated into the sealing component during molding, maintaining ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing component uses composite construction combining sealing surfaces with an acoustic attenuation segment having different material properties optimized for sound absorption. This composite approach enables both functions within a single integrated component without significantly complicating manufacturing.
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 significantly increases sound attenuation and transmission loss, reducing noise experienced by passengers while maintaining effective fluid sealing, thereby improving the overall sealing performance.
Implementation Method 1
The first housing portion has a plurality of ribs formed in a waffle pattern... maximize sound attenuation and sound transmission loss
Implementation Method 2
A seal engages an outer surface of the housing and receives the fluid conduits
Data Source
AI summary
A seal assembly of an air handling system includes a housing formed by a first housing portion coupled to a second housing portion. The first housing portion has a plurality of ribs formed in a waffle pattern. The housing receives a portion of the fluid conduits. A seal engages an outer surface of the housing and receives the fluid conduits.