Acoustics – Sound-modifying means – Muffler – fluid conducting type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-13
2001-03-13
Ip, Paul (Department: 2837)
Acoustics
Sound-modifying means
Muffler, fluid conducting type
C181S224000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199657
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an intake muffler duct for motor vehicles which guide air to the motor vehicle engine as well as reduce the intake noise.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The intake duct which supplies air to the engine of a motor vehicle is equipped with an intake muffler in order to reduce the intake noise, and with regard to such intake mufflers there are expansion type mufflers, Helmholtz type mufflers, side branch type mufflers, etc. Since it is difficult to reduce the intake noise in all frequency regions using a single intake muffler, multiple intake mufflers each of which reduces the intake noise in a specific frequency range are combined so as to reduce the intake noise over a wide frequency range (see for example Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 4-318269).
However, since an engine and a large number of accessories are placed in the motor vehicle engine compartment, it is difficult to ensure that there is space to install multiple intake mufflers. In addition, if multiple intake mufflers are installed independently, the number of components, the number of processing steps and the number of assembly steps increase, resulting in an increase in cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been conducted in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and it is an objective of the present invention to provide a motor vehicle intake muffler duct which has a compact structure with a small number of components and can effectively reduce intake noise.
In accordance with a first feature of the present invention in order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, a motor vehicle intake muffler duct which introduces air to the engine of the motor vehicle and reduces the intake noise is characterized in that it is formed by integrally bonding a flattened upper duct and a flattened lower duct with a board or plate-shaped separator interposed between them. An airway whose ends are communicated with an air inlet and an air outlet, is formed between the upper duct and the separator, and a multiple number of muffler chambers which are separated from each other by partitions, are formed between the lower duct and the separator. The airway and the muffler chambers are communicated with each other through vent holes which are formed in the separator.
In accordance with the above-mentioned arrangement, since the airway is formed between the upper duct and the separator, the multiple number of muffler chambers are formed between the lower duct and the separator and the airway and the multiple number of muffler chambers are communicated with each other through the vent holes which are formed in the separator, not only can an intake muffler duct integrally comprising an airway and multiple muffler chambers be formed from only the three components of the upper duct, lower duct and separator, but intake noise can also be reduced effectively. In addition, the entire intake muffler duct has a flattened shape and therefore it can be compactly stored in a small space inside motor vehicle engine compartment. Furthermore, the partitions which separate the multiple muffler chambers function as reinforcing ribs thus enhancing the rigidity of the lower duct.
In accordance with a second feature of the present invention, the motor vehicle intake muffler duct is characterized in that multiple airways are formed in parallel by partitions which are formed in the upper duct.
In accordance with the above-mentioned arrangement, since the multiple airways are formed in parallel by forming the partitions in the upper duct, it becomes easier to tune the muffler characteristics in comparison with the case where there is only one airway. Furthermore, since the partitions which separate the multiple airways function as reinforcing ribs, the rigidity of the upper duct is thus enhanced.
In accordance with a third feature of the present invention, the motor vehicle intake muffler duct is characterized in that a side branch type muffler is formed by introducing one vent hole into one muffler chamber.
In accordance with the above-mentioned arrangement, since one vent hole is introduced into the one muffler chamber, the side branch type muffler is formed and thus a muffler effect can be exhibited.
In accordance with a fourth feature of the present invention, the motor vehicle intake muffler duct is characterized in that an interference type muffler is formed by introducing two vent holes into one muffler chamber.
In accordance with the above-mentioned arrangement, since the two vent holes are introduced into the one muffler chamber, the interference type muffler is formed and thus a muffler effect can be exhibited.
In accordance with a fifth feature of the present invention, the motor vehicle intake muffler duct is characterized in that the periphery of a vent hole is made so as to protrude with a tubular or cylindrical shape.
In accordance with the above-mentioned arrangement, since the periphery of the vent hole is made so as to protrude with a tubular shape, the above-mentioned vent hole functions as a vent tube having a predetermined length and thus the degrees of freedom in setting the muffler characteristics can be increased.
The above-mentioned objectives, other objectives, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be elucidated by a preferred embodiment described in detail below by reference to the attached drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4295416 (1981-10-01), Gorchev et al.
patent: 5559310 (1996-09-01), Hoover et al.
patent: 5783782 (1998-07-01), Sterret et al.
patent: 5928043 (1999-07-01), Rinzaki
patent: 6079516 (2000-06-01), Pearson
patent: 4-318269 (1992-11-01), None
Hasegawa Minoru
Misawa Kichiji
Yamamura Michio
Arent Fox Kintner & Plotkin & Kahn, PLLC
Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Ip Paul
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