Engine sound distribution apparatus for a motor vehicle
AssigneeMann+Hummel GmbH
InventorKeat Boon Mah
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sound distribution apparatus provides a driver with an audible impression of the operating speed, load and performance of a vehicle engine. The sound distribution apparatus includes an assembly of one or more sound transmission ducts interconnected to conduct or transmit engine sounds from the air intake tract into the passenger compartment and to distribute the sound in a uniform fashion from behind the dashboard at the front to the passenger compartment. The sound distribution duct includes a plurality of sound diffusion apertures arranged on the outer wall, each configured to diffuse a portion of the transmitted sound into the passenger compartment. A sound permeable airflow blockage device seals the sound transmission duct interior in a gas-tight way preventing airflow.
Claims8
A sound distribution apparatus transmitting engine sounds into a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, comprising:
- a sound transmission duct arranged in an engine compartment of said vehicle, said sound transmission duct having a first end in acoustic communication with an air intake tract of said engine and a second end extending through a firewall into an interior of said passenger compartment;
- an elongated sound distribution duct having a length, said sound distribution duct arranged entirely within said passenger compartment,
- said elongated sound distribution duct connected to and in acoustic communication with a second end of said sound transmission duct,
- said sound distribution duct having a circumscribing outer wall and a hollow interior,
- said outer wall including a plurality of sound diffusion apertures arranged on and extending through said outer wall,
- said sound diffusion apertures spaced apart along said length of said sound distribution duct outer wall,
- said sound diffusion apertures opening directly into an interior of said passenger compartment,
- said apertures transmitting a portion of transmitted sound from said hollow interior into said passenger compartment;
- a sound permeable air flow blockage device closing off an interior of said sound distribution apparatus in a substantially gas-tight way while permitting sound to be conducted through said blockage device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.