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US 12,607,045 B2Granted
Acoustic improvements in vehicle using electromagnetically latched liftgate
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorMurali K. Konga
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An in vehicle noise improvement system includes a liftgate hingedly attached and mechanically latched to a body structure in a closed position. At least one selectively energized electromagnetic latch reduces liftgate induced structure borne noise by constraining liftgate displacements under vehicle running condition.
Claims20
A system for attenuating low frequency acoustic noise in a cabin of a vehicle, comprising:
- a liftgate;
- at least one hinged attachment of the liftgate to the vehicle;
- a mechanical latch securing the liftgate in a closed position;
- at least one selectively engageable electromagnetic latch effective in an energized state to attract the liftgate toward the vehicle to constrain liftgate displacement when the liftgate is in the closed position;
- and
- a control module responsive to a plurality of inputs for controlling the electromagnetic latch in one of the energized state and a deenergized state,
- wherein the selectively engageable electromagnetic latch comprises an electromagnet and a magnetic mass, the magnetic mass being mounted behind an inner panel of the liftgate such that the inner panel is intermediate the magnetic mass and the electromagnet.
4 more elements
A method for attenuating low frequency acoustic noise in a vehicle cabin, comprising:
- monitoring a plurality of vehicle operating conditions;
- and
- based upon the vehicle operating conditions, energizing at least one electromagnetic latch to constrain acoustic reinforcing or exciting motions of a liftgate that is in a closed position,
- wherein the at least one electromagnetic latch comprises an electromagnet and a magnetic mass, the magnetic mass being mounted behind an inner panel of the liftgate such that the inner panel is intermediate the magnetic mass and the electromagnet, and
- wherein the electromagnet latch is selectively energized through controllable contacts of an electromechanical relay electrically disposed between a control module and the electromagnetic latch.
2 more elements
A vehicle, comprising:
- a unibody structure including a D-ring defining a rear opening into a cabin of the vehicle;
- a liftgate hingedly attached to the vehicle at the D-ring;
- a mechanical latch securing the liftgate to the D-ring in a closed position;
- and
- at least one selectively engageable electromagnetic latch effective in an energized state to attract the liftgate toward the D-ring to constrain liftgate displacement when the liftgate is in the closed position,
- wherein the electromagnet latch is selectively energized through controllable contacts of an electromechanical relay electrically disposed between a control module and the electromagnetic latch, and
- wherein the selectively engageable electromagnetic latch comprises an electromagnet and a magnetic mass, the magnetic mass being mounted behind an inner panel of the liftgate such that the inner panel is intermediate the magnetic mass and the electromagnet.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.