US5598479A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for reducing tire/road surface noise
Assignee: Continental AG
•
Filing: 1995-01-30
•
Granted: 1997-01-28
•
Expires: 2015-01-30
Abstract
Abstract A device for reducing certain sound ranges of tire/road surface noise of a motor vehicle includes sound absorbers in the form of resonators positioned at the inner wall of a wheel well of the vehicle in the area of sound projection of the tire/road surface noise. The device has an electronic control device for receiving a signal preferably derived from an ABS system in the form of the wheel rpm. The control device adjusts the resonators according to the number of tread blocks of the tire, the sound emission characteristics, and the wheel rpm. In another embodiment the electronic control device is supplied with signals received from a sound receiver that records the course over time of the sound pressure. The control device adjusts the resonators such that the measured sound pressure signal is minimized. In another alternative the device has a data processing unit including an electronic control device. The control device is supplied with a signal from sound receiving devices that record the course over time of the sound pressure. The data processing unit together with an adjusting device adjusts the resonators such that the measured sound pressure signal for selected frequency ranges is minimized.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Dodt
- 👤 Frank Gauterin
- 👤 Thomas Schulze
- 👤 Geert Roik
- 👤 Heinrich Huinink
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:04
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/16; G10K11/172; B; B60; B60C; B60C19/00; B60C19/002; G10K2210/00; G10K2210/10; G10K2210/101; G10K2210/121; G10K2210/128; G10K2210/1282; G10K2210/12821; G10K2210/30; G10K2210/321; G10K2210/3212; G10K2210/3227; G10K2210/32272
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 86
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A device for reducing certain sound ranges of tire/road surface noise emitted by a motor vehicle equipped with an ABS system, said device comprising: sound absorbers in the form of resonators positioned in an area of sound projection of the tire/road surface noise, said resonators adjustable to sound ranges that are proportional to the rpm of the wheel; said resonators connected to the inner wall of a wheel well of the motorized vehicle; an electronic control device for receiving a signal derived from the ABS system in the form of the rpm of the wheel; said electronic control device adjusting said resonators as a function of a total number of tread blocks of the tire, the sound emission characteristics, and the rpm of the wheel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
125 words
A device for reducing certain sound ranges of tire/road surface noise emitted by a motor vehicle equipped with an ABS system, said device comprising: sound absorbers in the form of resonators positioned in an area of sound projection of the tire/road surface noise, said resonators adjustable to sound ranges that are proportional to the rpm of the wheel; said resonators connected to the inner wall of a wheel well of the motorized vehicle; an electronic control device for receiving a signal derived from the ABS system in the form of the rpm of the wheel; said electronic control device adjusting said resonators as a function of a total number of tread blocks of the tire, the sound emission characteristics, and the rpm of the wheel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said resonators are narrow band resonators having characteristic frequency ranges that are adjustable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein said characteristic frequency ranges of each said resonator is adjusted at least with respect to one of said frequencies of the tire/road surface noise, said frequencies changing with the rpm of the wheel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said resonators is selected from the group consisting of a Helmholtz resonator, a Lambda/4 resonator, and a hole resonator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said resonator is a Helmholtz resonator having an adjustable component selected from the group consisting of an adjustable resonator neck length and an adjustable resonator opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 5, wherein said resonator comprises a double wall bellows having an interior chamber that is inflatable with a variable air pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 6, wherein said bellows is made of a material selected from the group consisting of rubber and plastic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 5, wherein said resonator comprises a resonator neck in the form of a bellows-shaped hollow body having an inner wall with a wedge-shaped projection, wherein said bellows-shaped body is inflatable with a variable air pressure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 5, wherein said resonator neck comprises an adjusting mechanism for adjusting an inner diameter of said resonator neck.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 9, wherein said mechanism comprises a pressure-sensitive diaphragm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
A device according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of said Helmholtz resonators are arranged in a common housing, wherein said Helmholtz resonators each have a different interior volume and each have an opening, said device further comprising a slidable grid structure with holes, wherein in an initial position of said grid structure said holes and said openings of said Helmholtz resonators are positioned congruent to one another.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 11, wherein said openings of said Helmholtz resonators have different sizes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said resonator has a variable hollow chamber volume.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
75 words
A device according to claim 13, wherein a plurality of said resonators are arranged adjacent to one another in a linear arrangement and wherein adjacent ones of said resonators have a common wall, wherein said common walls and external walls of said resonators positioned in end positions of said linear arrangement are in the form of double walls with expandable walls wherein the interior of said double walls is inflatable with a variable air pressure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
78 words
A device according to claim 13, wherein a plurality of said resonators are arranged adjacent to one another in a linear arrangement and wherein adjacent ones of said resonators have a common wall, wherein said common walls and external walls of said resonators positioned in end positions of said linear arrangement are in the form of double walls with at least partially expandable walls wherein the interior of said double walls is inflatable with a variable air pressure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said electronic control device comprises adjusting means for adjusting said resonators, said means selected from the group consisting of electric, pneumatic, and hydraulic adjusting means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said resonator comprises walls and an element for changing the wall impedance of at least one of said walls.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device according to claim 17, wherein said element is a loudspeaker.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 17, wherein said element is connected to the surface of said at least one wall and is selected from the group consisting of a piezo foil and a piezoceramic element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 17, wherein said resonator comprises a sound receiver for providing an input variable for said control device for controlling said resonator.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 20, wherein said sound receiver is a microphone.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said control device comprises a device for switching said resonators.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said control device adjusts the resonance frequencies of the spatially distributed resonators to the spatial and variable distribution of the impinging sound.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein intermediate spaces between said resonators are filled with sound-absorbing material selected from the group consisting of foam rubber, foamed plastic, glass wool, and rock wool.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein air flows through said resonators.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said resonators have openings that are covered so as to be substantially sound transmissive, wherein a material for covering is selected from the group consisting of a diaphragm, a foil, and a fabric.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said resonators are positioned in areas of main sound projection of the tire/road surface noise.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
114 words
A device for reducing certain sound ranges of tire/road surface noise emitted by a motor vehicle, said device comprising: sound absorbers in the form of resonators positioned in an area of sound projection of the tire/road surface noise, said resonators adjustable to sound ranges of adjustable frequencies; said resonators connected to the inner wall of a wheel well of the motorized vehicle; an electronic control device; at least one sound receiver for receiving the sound emissions; said at least one sound receiver transmitting signals of the sound pressure as a function of time to said electronic control device; an adjusting device for adjusting said resonators such that the measured sound pressure signal is minimized.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
114 words
A device for reducing certain sound ranges of tire/road surface noise emitted by a motor vehicle, said device comprising: sound absorbers in the form of resonators positioned in an area of sound projection of the tire/road surface noise, said resonators adjustable to sound ranges of adjustable frequencies; said resonators connected to the inner wall of a wheel well of the motorized vehicle; an electronic control device; at least one sound receiver for receiving the sound emissions; said at least one sound receiver transmitting signals of the sound pressure as a function of time to said electronic control device; an adjusting device for adjusting said resonators such that the measured sound pressure signal is minimized.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 28, wherein said resonators are narrow band resonators adjustable in their characteristic frequency ranges.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 29, wherein said characteristic frequency ranges of each said resonator is adjusted at least with respect to one of said frequencies of the tire/road surface noise, said frequencies changing with the rpm of the wheel.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 28, wherein at least one of said resonators is selected from the group consisting of a Helmholtz resonator, a Lambda/4 resonator, and a hole resonator.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 28, wherein said resonator is a Helmholtz resonator having an adjustable component selected from the group consisting of an adjustable resonator neck length and an adjustable resonator opening.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 32, wherein said resonator comprises a double wall bellows having an interior chamber that is inflatable with a variable air pressure.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 33, wherein said bellows is made of a material selected from the group consisting of rubber and plastic.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 32, wherein said resonator comprises a resonator neck in the form of a bellows-shaped hollow body having an inner wall with a wedge-shaped projection, wherein said bellows-shaped body is inflatable with a variable air pressure.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 32, wherein said resonator neck comprises an adjusting mechanism for adjusting an inner diameter of said resonator neck.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 36, wherein said mechanism comprises a pressure-sensitive diaphragm.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
68 words
A device according to claim 32, wherein a plurality of said Helmholtz resonators are arranged in a common housing, wherein said Helmholtz resonators each have a different interior volume and each have an opening, said device further comprising a slidable grid structure with holes, wherein in an initial position of said grid structure said holes and said openings of said Helmholtz resonators are positioned congruent to one another.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 38, wherein said openings of said Helmholtz resonators have different sizes.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 28, wherein said resonator has a variable hollow chamber volume.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
74 words
A device according to claim 40, wherein a plurality of said resonators are arranged adjacent to one another in a linear and wherein adjacent ones of said resonators have a common wall, wherein said common walls and external walls of said resonators positioned in end positions of said linear arrangement are in the form of double walls with expandable walls wherein the interior of said double walls is inflatable with a variable air pressure.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
78 words
A device according to claim 40, wherein a plurality of said resonators are arranged adjacent to one another in a linear arrangement and wherein adjacent ones of said resonators have a common wall, wherein said common walls and external walls of said resonators positioned in end positions of said linear arrangement are in the form of double walls with at least partially expandable walls wherein the interior of said double walls is inflatable with a variable air pressure.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 28, wherein said electronic control device comprises adjusting means for adjusting said resonators, said means selected from the group consisting of electric, pneumatic and hydraulic adjusting means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 28, wherein said resonator comprises walls and an element for changing the wall impedance of at least one of said walls.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device according to claim 44, wherein said element is a loudspeaker.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 44, wherein said element is connected to the surface of said at least one wall and is selected from the group consisting of a piezo foil and a piezoceramic element.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 44, wherein said resonator comprises a sound receiver for providing an input variable for said control device for controlling said resonator.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 47, wherein said sound receiver is a microphone.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 28, wherein said control device comprises a device for switching said resonators.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device according to claim 28, wherein said control device adjusts the resonance frequencies of the spatially distributed resonators to the spatial and variable distribution of the impinging sound.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 28, wherein intermediate spaces between said resonators are filled with sound-absorbing material selected from the group consisting of foam rubber, foamed plastic, glass wool, and rock wool.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device according to claim 28, wherein air flows through said resonators.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 28, wherein said resonators have openings that are covered so as to be substantially sound transmissive, wherein a material for covering is selected from the group consisting of a diaphragm, a foil, and a fabric.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 28, wherein said resonators are positioned in areas of main sound projection of the tire/road surface noise.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device according to claim 28, wherein said at least one sound receiver is positioned in front of said resonators and wherein said electronic control device adjusts said resonators according to a data analysis selected from the group consisting of a frequency analysis and an order analysis.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device according to claim 28, wherein said at least one sound receiver is positioned at said resonators and wherein said electronic control device adjusts said resonators according to a data analysis selected from the group consisting of a frequency analysis and an order analysis.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
147 words
A device for reducing certain sound ranges of tire/road surface noise emitted by a motor vehicle equipped with an ABS system, said device comprising: sound absorbers in the form of resonators positioned in an area of sound projection of the tire/road surface noise, said resonators adjustable to sound ranges that are proportional to the rpm of the wheel; said resonators connected to the inner wall of a wheel well of the motorized vehicle; a data processing unit comprising an electronic control device; at least one sound receiver for receiving the sound emissions; said at least one sound receiver transmitting signals of the sound pressure as a function of time to said electronic control device; an adjusting device, connected downstream of said data processing unit, for adjusting said resonators such that for selected frequency ranges of the rpm of the wheel the measured sound pressure signal is minimized.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
147 words
A device for reducing certain sound ranges of tire/road surface noise emitted by a motor vehicle equipped with an ABS system, said device comprising: sound absorbers in the form of resonators positioned in an area of sound projection of the tire/road surface noise, said resonators adjustable to sound ranges that are proportional to the rpm of the wheel; said resonators connected to the inner wall of a wheel well of the motorized vehicle; a data processing unit comprising an electronic control device; at least one sound receiver for receiving the sound emissions; said at least one sound receiver transmitting signals of the sound pressure as a function of time to said electronic control device; an adjusting device, connected downstream of said data processing unit, for adjusting said resonators such that for selected frequency ranges of the rpm of the wheel the measured sound pressure signal is minimized.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 57, wherein said resonators are narrow band resonators adjustable in their characteristic frequency ranges.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 58, wherein said characteristic frequency ranges of each said resonator is adjusted at least with respect to one of said frequencies of the tire/road surface noise, said frequencies changing with the rpm of the wheel.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 57, wherein at least one of said resonators is selected from the group consisting of a Helmholtz resonator, a Lambda/4 resonator, and a hole resonator.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 57, wherein said resonator is a Helmholtz resonator having an adjustable component selected from the group consisting of an adjustable resonator neck length and an adjustable resonator opening.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 61, wherein said resonator comprises a double wall bellows having an interior chamber that is inflatable with a variable air pressure.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 62, wherein said bellows is made of a material selected from the group consisting of rubber and plastic.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 61, wherein said resonator comprises a resonator neck in the form of a bellows-shaped hollow body having an inner wall with a wedge-shaped projection, wherein said bellows-shaped body is inflatable with a variable air pressure.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 61, wherein said resonator neck comprises an adjusting mechanism for adjusting an inner diameter of said resonator neck.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 65, wherein said mechanism comprises a pressure-sensitive diaphragm.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
68 words
A device according to claim 61, wherein a plurality of said Helmholtz resonators are arranged in a common housing, wherein said Helmholtz resonators each have a different interior volume and each have an opening, said device further comprising a slidable grid structure with holes, wherein in an initial position of said grid structure said holes and said openings of said Helmholtz resonators are positioned congruent to one another.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 67, wherein said openings of said Helmholtz resonators have different sizes.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 57, wherein said resonator has a variable hollow chamber volume.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
74 words
A device according to claim 69, wherein a plurality of said resonators are arranged adjacent to one another in a linear and wherein adjacent ones of said resonators have a common wall, wherein said common walls and external walls of said resonators positioned in end positions of said linear arrangement are in the form of double walls with expandable walls wherein the interior of said double walls is inflatable with a variable air pressure.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
79 words
A device according to claim 69, wherein a plurality of said resonators 10 are arranged adjacent to one another in a linear arrangement and wherein adjacent ones of said resonators have a common wall, wherein said common walls and external walls of said resonators positioned in end positions of said linear arrangement are in the form of double walls with at least partially expandable walls wherein the interior of said double walls is inflatable with a variable air pressure.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 57, wherein said electronic control device comprises adjusting means for adjusting said resonators, said means selected from the group consisting of electric, pneumatic and hydraulic adjusting means.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 57, wherein said resonator comprises walls and an element for changing the wall impedance of at least one of said walls.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device according to claim 73, wherein said element is a loudspeaker.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 73, wherein said element is connected to the surface of said at least one wall and is selected from the group consisting of a piezo foil and a piezoceramic element.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 73, wherein said resonator comprises a sound receiver for providing an input variable for said control device for controlling said resonator.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 76, wherein said sound receiver is a microphone.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 57, wherein said control device comprises a device for switching said resonators.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device according to claim 57, wherein said control device adjusts the resonance frequencies of the spatially distributed resonators to the spatial and variable distribution of the impinging sound.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 57, wherein intermediate spaces between said resonators are filled with sound-absorbing material selected from the group consisting of foam rubber, foamed plastic, glass wool, and rock wool.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device according to claim 57, wherein air flows through said resonators.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 57, wherein said resonators have openings that are covered so as to be substantially sound transmissive, wherein a material for covering is selected from the group consisting of a diaphragm, a foil, and a fabric.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 57, wherein said resonators are positioned in areas of main sound projection of the tire/road surface noise.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-01-28 | 2000-07-29 | 2001-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-28 | 2004-07-29 | 2005-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-28 | 2008-07-29 | 2009-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |