Abstract: A sound insulating trim part is provided. The sound insulating trim part includes an absorbing area and an insulating area. The absorbing area includes at least a first portion of a porous fibrous layer. The insulating area includes a mass layer and a decoupling layer. The mass layer includes a second portion of the same porous fibrous layer. The second portion has a dynamic Young's modulus (Pa) of at least about (96·AW·t) with AW being an area weight (g/m2), and t being a thickness (mm) of the porous fibrous layer. The mass layer also includes at least a substantially air impervious barrier layer between the porous fibrous layer and the decoupling layer. The thickness of the first portion of the porous fibrous layer in the absorbing area is larger than the thickness of the second portion of the same porous fibrous layer in the insulating area.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lightweight structural trim part is comprising the following steps: (A) inserting a plurality of layers into a molding tool comprising a first molding half (6) and a second molding half (7). The second molding half (7) comprises a plurality of cup-like indentation (8). The plurality of layers at least comprises a first air permeable skin layer (1) facing the first molding half (6), a second air tight skin layer (3,4) facing the second molding half (7), and a film layer (2) between the two skin layers. (B) Closing the molding tool and discharging gas from one side in order to press the first skin layer against the first molding half. (C) Shaping and consolidating the first porous skin layer. (D) Charging with pressurized air the first space in order to press the second skin layer against the second molding half. (E) Shaping and consolidating the second skin layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lightweight structural trim part is comprising the following steps: (A) inserting a plurality of layers into a molding tool comprising a first molding half (6) and a second molding half (7). The second molding half (7) comprises a plurality of cup-like indentation (8). The plurality of layers at least comprises a first air permeable skin layer (1) facing the first molding half (6), a second air tight skin layer (3,4) facing the second molding half (7), and a film layer (2) between the two skin layers. (B) Closing the molding tool and discharging gas from one side in order to press the first skin layer against the first molding half. (C) Shaping and consolidating the first porous skin layer. (D) Charging with pressurized air the first space in order to press the second skin layer against the second molding half. (E) Shaping and consolidating the second skin layer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for the production of three-dimensionally thin products using injection moulding of polymer based material. By dividing one of the mould halves in at least two groups of elements, whereby at least a first group of at least one element forms a rim cavity and a stop, defined as an area of the element contacting the other halve if the mould is in the closed position, and at least a second group of at least one element forms the main body part of the cavity, whereby all the elements together form with the other mould halve one cavity, and whereby each of the groups of elements is connected to its own means for clamping, it is possible to produce a set of different products with a constant rim thickness and a variable thickness of the main body part of the product.

Abstract: The sound-absorbing insulation element is used everywhere sound and/or heat sources have to be shielded, preferably in automotive engineering as a heat shield. The insulation element comprises at least one studded sheet-shaped element which is provided with strengthening embossments. The strengthening embossments have an embossment base and embossment flanks. According to the invention, the sheet-shaped element exhibits material compression, that is to say material hardening, in the region of the embossment flanks. Fissures which have a bizarrely shaped contour lie in the embossment base. These fissures are produced by the stretching and tearing of the embossment base.

Abstract: A lightweight engine compartment shielding (1) is suitable for increasing the passenger's acoustic and climatic comfort. This compartment shielding is mounted on to the car body of the engine compartments and completely covers the engine compartment in one part or in several partitions. The compartment shielding (1) is build up as a self-supporting double-walled assembly comprising an upper-shell (2), an under-shell (3) and an airspace (5) in between.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thin sound absorbing multi-layer assembly, which is intended, in particular, to reduce interior or exterior noise of a motor vehicle. The assembly according to the invention comprises at least three stacked layers consisting respectively of: a first layer (4) being impervious and having an area weight of between (20) to (100 g/m2); a second layer (3) having an air flow resistance of between (250) to (2500 Ns/m3) and an area weight of between (15) to (250 g/m2); a third layer (2) being an open pored, acoustic spring type layer having a thickness of between (2) to (30 mm) and an area weight of between (50) to (1000 g/m2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a vibration damper for application to a vehicle bottom plate (1), comprising an under floor panel (3) as a constraining layer and a damping layer (2) as a constrained layer, wherein the damping layer (2) has a lower modulus of elasticity than the under floor panel (3), and wherein the damping layer (2) is located between the vehicle bottom plate (1) and the under floor panel (3) when the vibration damper is fixed to the vehicle bottom plate (1). The vibration damper is characterized in that the under floor panel (3) is pre-shaped and stays in this shape when fixed to the vehicle bottom plate (1) and is made of a first polymeric material, and that the damping layer (2) is made of a non-foamy second polymeric or bitumen material and is placed on the under floor panel (3) prior to fixation of the vibration damper to the vehicle bottom plate (1). In addition, the invention relates to a respective damping arrangement and a method of producing a vibration damper.

Abstract: The sound-absorbing insulation element is used everywhere sound and/or heat sources have to be shielded, preferably in automotive engineering as a heat shield. The insulation element comprises at least one studded sheet-shaped element which is provided with strengthening embossments. The strengthening embossments have an embossment base and embossment flanks. According to the invention, the sheet-shaped element exhibits material compression, that is to say material hardening, in the region of the embossment flanks. Fissures which have a bizarrely shaped contour lie in the embossment base. These fissures are produced by the stretching and tearing of the embossment base.

Abstract: An ultra light, noise reducing composite (1) comprises an acoustically transparent, light weight film (6) between an underlay layer (5) and an air flow resistance layer (4). This composite allows to easily tune the acoustic properties by balancing the absorption and sound transmission behaviour of the composite (1). This air flow resistance layer (4) has an air flow resistance of between 500 Ns/m3 and 10,000 Ns/m3 and an area mass between 200 g/m2 and 3,000 g/m2. The underlay layer (5) has a stiffness value in the range between 100 Pa and 100,000 Pa. The light weight film (6) may consist of a synthetic foil and preferably has a thickness of 0.01 mm.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an optirising method for vibration damping treatments and panel shape layouts of vehicle body structure parts in view of acoustic performance. This new optimisation tool is based on a genetic algorithm and is able to efficiently predict the optimum damping package on vehicle body panels in terms of materials, thickness and local damping distribution without the use of any experimental methodology for determining the vibration response. The present invention allows the efficient exploration of very large solution domains and has the possibility of taking into account high numbers of variables, even in full vehicle computations (metal sheet and damping treatment type, shape, thickness, temperature and distribution). The optimisation method according to the present invention has an open architecture, which makes it easy to modify and link to any simulation methodology.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an automotive protective mat (1), also known as throw in mat or protective mat. This mat comprises a microporous stiffening layer (2) (acoustical membrane). This layer may be composed of several sheets. The overall air flow resistance is between 500 Ns/m3–4000 Ns/m3. It is essential for this mat (1) that it is hydrophobic. In order to achieve an enhanced acoustical effectiveness a decoupling layer (6) is foreseen between the microporous stiffening layer (2) and the vehicle floor (8). This decoupling layer might be incorporated in the mat (1) or constituted by the underlaying carpet or sound absorber of the vehicle floor. Further layers or sheets such as adhesive layers, non skid layers, face fabrics or carpets and/or loft layers can be added to the claimed mat.