1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for assembling an active noise attenuation system for an air induction system. Specifically, a speaker is assembled into a housing and includes front facing electrical connectors for connection to a controller.
2. Related Art
Internal combustion engines include air induction systems for conducting air to engine cylinders. Engine noise is propagated through the air induction systems, which is undesirable. Noise attenuation mechanisms have been installed within the air induction systems to reduce these noises. Typically these noise attenuation mechanisms include a speaker, a microphone, and a signal generator that are mounted within an air inlet duct housing. The microphone detects the noise and generates a noise signal that is sent to the signal generator. The signal generator phase-shifts the signal and sends the signal to the speaker to generate a sound field that cancels out the noise that is being detected by the microphone.
The signal generator is part of an electronics center that is mounted inside the air inlet duct housing behind the speaker. Typically, the speaker includes a wire connector that extends off the back of the speaker to engage a corresponding connector on the electronics center. This connection orientation results in a time consuming and difficult assembly process. Additionally, the noise attenuation system is difficult to repair because the electronics center is mounted behind the speaker.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a simple and effective apparatus and method to assemble the speaker within the housing that overcomes the deficiencies outlined above. Further, this method will allow repairs to the system to be easily performed.
In a disclosed embodiment of this invention, an active noise attenuation system includes an air inlet duct housing having an open end into which air is drawn. A speaker is mounted within the air inlet duct and includes a first connector extending toward the open end of the housing. A sound detector senses noise that emanates from the air flow duct housing to generate a corresponding noise signal. A controller has a second connector for engaging the first connector to electrically connect the controller to the sneaker. The controller receives the signal and phase shifts the signal to attenuate the noise emanating for the air inlet duct. Preferably, the first connector includes at least one wire that extends outward from a central location within the speaker towards the open end or front of the air inlet duct housing. A flex cable is used to interconnect the first and second connectors.
In a preferred embodiment, the controller includes a controller housing that is mounted to an external surface of the air inlet duct housing. A printed circuit board and heat conducting foam are installed within the controller housing and a controller housing cover is snap-fit to the controller housing.
In one embodiment, the sound detector is mounted on a support arm that is attached to controller housing. The support arm positions the sound detector at a location between the speaker and the open end of the air inlet duct housing.
A method for assembling an active noise attenuation system includes the following steps. The air inlet duct housing is mounted to a vehicle structure and the speaker assembly is positioned within the air inlet duct housing such that a speaker face defines a plane that faces the open end of the air inlet duct housing. The sound detector is supported by the housing and generates a signal corresponding to noise from the airflow duct housing. The controller is connected to the speaker assembly through an electrical connection extending outwardly through a front plane of the speaker. The controller phase shifts the noise signal to attenuate the noise emanating from the air inlet duct housing.
The preferred method includes mounting a controller housing to an external surface of the air inlet duct housing, installing a printed circuit board and heat conducting foam within the controller housing, and snap-fitting a housing cover to the controller housing to enclose the printed circuit board within the controller housing. The sound detector is supported on an arm extending from the housing cover and is positioned between the speaker face and the open end of the air inlet duct housing.
The subject apparatus provides a simple method for assembling an active noise attenuation system. As a result, repairs and adjustments can easily be made without requiring extensive disassembly.
These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.
Referring to the drawings,
Mounted within the air inlet duct housing 12 is a mid-body portion 20. The mid-body portion 20 is concentrically positioned within air inlet duct housing 12 on a pair of integrally formed struts 22, 24 to define an annular passage 26 between an exterior surface 28 of the mid-body portion 20 and an interior surface 30 of the air inlet duct housing 12. The mid-body portion 20 is preferably parabola shaped to define a central chamber 32 with a tapered bottom end facing the engine 14 and an open end facing away from the engine 14.
A speaker assembly 34 is mounted within the chamber 32 and includes a speaker connector 36 that extends outwardly from the speaker 34 towards the open forward facing end 16 of air inlet duct housing 12. An electronics center 38 is operably connected to the speaker 34 via a connector 40. The electronics center 38 can include a controller, microprocessor unit, or other similar device whose operation is well known in the art.
A sound detector 42, such as a microphone for example, is mounted within the air induction system to sense noise emanating from the engine 14. The sound detector 42 generates a noise signal that is sent to the electronics center 38 where the signal is phase-shifted by approximately 180 degrees. The phase-shifted signal is then sent to the speaker 34 to generate a sound field that cancels out or attenuates the noise detected by the sound detector 42.
As shown in
The electronics center 38 is mounted to an exterior surface 50 of the air in let duct housing 12 and includes a plurality of connections 52 for interfacing with various vehicle components. Preferably, there are at least three (3) connections 52. One connection 52a is to ground, one connection 52b is to a battery for power, and one connection 52c is a serial port interface for connection to an engine management control system 74.
The sound detector 42 is preferably mounted adjacent to the annular passage 26 in a forward position extending beyond plane A. The sound detector 42 can be supported on an arm 54 that mounts the air inlet duct housing 12. The arm 54 can be a separate piece or integrally formed with the housing 12 as one piece. A flex cable or flex circuit 56 preferably interconnects the sound detector 42 to the electronics center 38.
As shown in
As shown in
The method for assembling the active noise attenuation system includes the following steps. The air inlet duct housing 12 is mounted to the vehicle structure 76. The speaker assembly 34 is positioned within the air inlet duct housing 12 such that a speaker face defining the plane A is facing the open end 16. The sound detector 42 is supported on the housing 12 to generate a noise signal corresponding to noise caused by airflow through the air inlet duct housing 12. The electronics center 38 is connected to the speaker assembly 34 through an electrical connection extending outwardly toward the plane A to phase shift the noise signal.
Additional steps include concentrically mounting the speaker 34 to the mid-body portion 20 concentrically formed within the air inlet duct housing 12 to define the annular flow passage 26 between the housing 12 and the mid-body portion 20. The sound detector 42 is positioned beyond the open end 16 and the plane A. Further steps include mounting the controller housing 58 to the exterior surface 50 of the air inlet duct housing 12, installing a printed circuit board 64 and heat conducting foam 66 within the controller housing 58, and snap-fitting the housing cover 62 to the controller housing to enclose the printed circuit board 64 within the controller housing 58. A support arm 54 for the sound detector 42 can be extended or supported from the housing cover 62 or the air inlet duct housing 12. The speaker 34 and sound detector 42 are connected to the controller with flex cables or flex circuits.
The subject invention provides a simple method for assembling a speaker into an air inlet duct housing for an active, noise attenuation system from a right to left orientation. As a result, repairs and adjustments can easily be made without requiring extensive disassembly.
Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, it should be understood that a worker of ordinary, skill in the art would recognize many modifications come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.
This application claims priority to provisional application No. 60/193,225 filed on Mar. 30, 2000.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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60193225 | Mar 2000 | US |