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Apparatus and method for noise reduction in a vehicleRelated Patent Categories: Land Vehicles: Bodies And Tops, Bodies, Structural Detail, Ducts Or ConduitsApparatus and method for noise reduction in a vehicle description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070182213, Apparatus and method for noise reduction in a vehicle. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001] The present invention is in the field of noise reduction in vehicles generally, and in particular to apparatus and methods for reducing noise caused by vibration of wire harnesses and other conduits. [0002] Vehicles such as automobiles contain long runs of HVAC ducts, cables, wiring and wire harnesses secured at spaced points to hidden surfaces and parts, for example underneath seats and steering columns, behind interior panels, and in engine compartments and trunks. Unsecured lengths of ducts, cables, wiring, wire harnesses and other conduits between fastener points are prone to vibration against adjacent hard surfaces when the vehicle is moving, resulting in noise problems known in the art as "BSR" (buzz, squeak, and rattle). Efforts to reduce the noise made by vibrating wire harnesses and other conduits typically involve increasing clearances to adjacent hard surfaces and parts, and/or wrapping the wiring with foam or a similar noise-reducing material. [0003] Increasing clearances is often not practical due to space limitations, and often unsuccessful due to variations from ideal clearances that occur during installation. [0004] Wrapping or cushioning the wiring with foam and similar materials increases the cost and complexity of the wire harness, adds weight, and in some cases might not fit existing clearances. SUMMARY [0005] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a noise-reducing component is provided for a vehicle equipped with at least one conduit. The component includes at least one component surface which is adapted to be placed adjacent to a conduit when the component surface is installed in a vehicle. A plurality of texture structures are on the component surface. These texture structures define a plurality of spaced-apart contact surfaces for the conduit. The total surface area of the contact surfaces is less than the total area of the component surface. This reduction in surface area reduces noise caused by interaction between the conduit and the component surface. [0006] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for installing a conduit in a vehicle. The method includes installing in the vehicle a component having a noise-prone surface with a plurality of texture structures, the texture structures defining a plurality of spaced-apart contact surfaces. The total surface area of the contact surfaces is less than the total area of the noise-prone surface. The method also includes installing in the vehicle a conduit adjacent to the vehicle component so that an unsecured portion of the conduit is in close proximity to the contact surfaces defined by the plurality of texture structures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the passenger-compartment side of a vehicle instrument panel, with portions of the panel cut away to show a wire harness connected to hidden sides of the panel and the steering column. [0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the engine-compartment side of the vehicle instrument panel of FIG. 1, illustrating a reduced area surface texture applied to noise-prone areas according a first embodiment. [0009] FIG. 2A is an enlarged detail view of one of the textured noise-prone areas of FIG. 2, showing structures raised from the original surface. [0010] FIG. 2B is an end elevation view of the wire harness and textured area of FIG. 2A, with the wire harness sectioned. [0011] FIGS. 3 and 3A are perspective and side elevation views of the noise-prone area of FIG. 2 with a first alternate surface texture. [0012] FIGS. 4 and 4A are perspective and side elevation views of the noise-prone area of FIG. 2 with a second alternate surface texture. [0013] FIGS. 5 and 5A are perspective and side elevation views of the noise-prone area of FIG. 2 with a third alternate surface texture. [0014] FIGS. 6 and 6A are perspective and side elevation views of the noise-prone area of FIG. 2 with a fourth alternate surface texture. [0015] FIGS. 7 and 7A are perspective and side elevation views of the noise-prone area of FIG. 2 with an alternate surface texture similar to that in FIG. 5, but with structures recessed into the original surface. [0016] FIGS. 8 and 8A are perspective and side elevation views of the noise-prone area of FIG. 2 with a fifth alternative surface texture. [0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the passenger-compartment side of a vehicle instrument panel, with portions of the panel cut away to show an HVAC duct and a cable adjacent to hidden sides of the panel and the steering column. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0018] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a typical run of wire harness 16 along hidden portions of instrument panel 12 and steering column 14 of a vehicle 10. Wire harness 16 is secured at spaced points with conventional clips or other fastener means 18, as is well known in the art. Substantial portions 16a of the wire harness between clips 18 are accordingly unsupported, and given the somewhat flexible nature of a typical wire harness (which may be a single wire or a bundle of wires), the unsupported portions 16a are prone to movement and vibration against adjacent surfaces of instrument panel 12 and steering column 14. It is well known to the people who design and install wire harnesses in vehicles that certain areas of relatively hard panels and parts such as instrument panels 12 and steering column 14 are prone to making noise known as "BSR" (buzz, squeak, rattle) when in contact with an unsecured portion of wire harness 16. Examples of noise-prone areas are illustrated in phantom lines at 12a and 14a. Some of unsupported portions 16a may be covered with foam 16b or other similar noise-reducing material, as shown in FIG. 1. [0019] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that other types of panel and part located throughout a vehicle can be subject to BSR noise problems, and that the invention described here in relation to an instrument panel and steering column part can be applied to such other panels and parts. It will also be understood that although the noise problems usually occur against plastic or metal parts, there may be other relatively hard materials used in a vehicle where wire harness noise can be a problem, and where the invention can be applied. [0020] It will further be understood that while the typical noise problem is caused by wire harness vibration against an adjacent panel or part, it might also be caused by vibration of a panel or part against the wire harness, and that the invention described below will have the same effect and benefit. Continue reading about Apparatus and method for noise reduction in a vehicle... Full patent description for Apparatus and method for noise reduction in a vehicle Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Apparatus and method for noise reduction in a vehicle patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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