# US 8,740,293 B1 · Clamshell acoustic insulator assembly for a passenger compartment of a vehicle

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- Number: US 8,740,293 B1
- Document ID: US8740293B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 13/747,518
- Filed: 2013-01-23
- Granted: 2014-06-03
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-23
- Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Inventors: Joseph Hayes
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8740293B1

## CPC

- B60R 13/08: Insulating elements, e.g. for sound insulation {(sound insulating linings for trains B61D17/185; drivers' cabs for load-carrying vehicles insulated against vibrations or noise B62D33/0604; thermal or acoustic insulation of engines F02B77/11; damping of sounds using compensation by electro-acoustic methods G10K11/178)}
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

An acoustic insulator assembly for disposition adjacent a rear wall of a vehicle body, between the rear wall and a trim panel includes a substrate formed as a single unit from an acoustic fiber. The substrate includes a first portion, a second portion and a living hinge interconnecting the first portion and the second portion. The second portion is rotated about the living hinge into interlocking engagement with the first portion to define at least one air pocket with at least one baffle. The air pocket and the baffle limiting sound intrusion between a pressure relief valve in the wall of the body and a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An acoustic insulator assembly for disposition adjacent a rear wall of a vehicle body, between the rear wall and a trim panel, the acoustic insulator assembly comprising:
a substrate formed as a single unit from an acoustic fiber, wherein the substrate includes a first portion, a second portion and a living hinge interconnecting the first portion and the second portion;
wherein the second portion is rotatable about the living hinge into interlocking engagement with the first portion to define at least one air pocket with at least one baffle for limiting sound intrusion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

An acoustic insulator assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion defines at least one three dimensional baffling feature that extends away from a plane of the substrate, wherein the at least one three dimensional baffling feature at least partially forms the at least one baffle when the second portion is rotated into interlocking engagement with the first portion about the living hinge.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

An acoustic insulator assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the acoustic insulator assembly includes an acoustic fiber including one of a synthetic spun fiber or a cotton resonated fiber.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

An acoustic insulator assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first portion defines an attachment depression, and wherein the second portion defines an attachment notch sized to tightly fit within the attachment depression of the first portion to define the interlocking engagement between the first portion and the second portion and secure the second portion relative to the first portion.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

An acoustic insulator assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first portion defines at least one compartment opening in fluid communication with the at least one air pocket.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

An acoustic insulator assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein the second portion defines at least one valve opening in fluid communication with the at least one air pocket.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

An acoustic insulator assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein the compartment opening and the valve opening are disposed in fluid communication with each other via the at least one air pocket.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

An acoustic insulator assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one baffle is configured to deflect and minimize the flow of noise through the at least one air pocket.