SOUND DAMPENING COATING FOR A TRANSMISSION HOUSING AND METHOD FOR APPLYING A SOUND DAMPENING COATING ON A TRANSMISSION HOUSING

Abstract

A method for applying a sound dampening coating on a surface of a vehicle transmission housing includes providing the transmission housing, and applying a sound dampening material directly on a surface of the transmission housing.

Claims

1. A transmission for coupling a prime mover to a drive member in a vehicle, the transmission comprising: a housing enclosing power transmitting components coupled to the prime mover and drive member; and a sound dampening coating directly on a surface of the housing.

2. The transmission of claim 1, wherein the sound dampening coating varies in thickness across the surface.

3. The transmission of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises an external surface of the housing.

4. The transmission of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises an inner surface of the housing.

5. The transmission of claim 1, further comprising a second sound dampening coating on the sound dampening coating.

6. The transmission of claim 1, wherein the characteristics of the sound dampening coating vary across a thickness of the coating.

7. A method for applying a sound dampening coating on a surface of a vehicle transmission housing, the method comprising: providing the transmission housing; and applying a sound dampening material directly on a surface of the transmission housing.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein applying the sound dampening material comprises spraying the sound dampening material on the surface.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising masking portions of the surface prior to spraying the sound dampening material on the surface.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein applying the sound dampening material comprises vacuum forming the sound dampening material on the surface.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprises applying heat to cure the sound dampening material on the surface.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein applying the sound dampening material comprises dipping the transmission housing in liquid sound dampening material.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein the applying comprises varying a thickness of the sound dampening material on the surface.

14. The method of claim 7, further comprising subsequently applying a second sound dampening material having characteristics different than the previously applied sound dampening material.

15. The method of claim 7, further comprising preparing the surface prior to applying the sound dampening material.

16. The method of claim 7, wherein the surface forms a portion of an external surface of the transmission housing.

17. The method of claim 7, wherein the surface forms a portion of an inner surface of the transmission housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0029] FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a transmission housing enclosing power transmitting components with a sound dampening coating applied directly on a surface of the housing. In contrast, with conventional sound dampening systems and methods, the present invention completely avoids the cost and complexity of providing an entirely separate transmission housing acoustic cover.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The method starts at step 102 and continues to step 104. In step 104, the method provides a transmission housing and continues to step 106. In step 106, the method cleans a surface of the transmission housing and continues to step 108. In step 108, the method applies a sound dampening material on a surface of the transmission housing and continues to step 110. In step 110, the method cures the applied dampening material by, for example, permitting an elapse of time, applying heat or a vacuum, or the like and continues to step 112. The method ends in step 112.

[0032] The application of the sound dampening material may be done in any manner without limitation. For example, the sound dampening material may be applied by spraying the material on the surface of the housing, painted on, vacuum formed onto the housing, molded onto the housing during a casting process, the housing may be dipped into a liquid solution of the sound dampening material and subsequently cured and/or dried onto the surface, and the like without limitation. The exemplary method provides contact between the surface of the housing and the sound dampening material such that the sound reducing coating is directly on the surface of the housing as opposed to being spaced a distance off the housing as has conventionally been done with pre-existing transmission acoustic shields or covers.

[0033] In an exemplary method, the material may be selectively applied only to those portions of the housing surface where such material may be most effective. For example, some hybrid automotive transmission include an electric motor which may generate substantial noise. The sound dampening material may be applied only to those portions of the housing which receive the greatest portion of the sound from the motor. In this manner, the amount of sound dampening material may be minimized and optimized to effectively provide sound dampening effects for those portions of the housing which may most benefit.

[0034] As explained above, in contrast to conventional methods, the present methods and systems obviate the need to maintain, track, and store a large variety of acoustic shields. When applied directly to the housing, the large variances in the shape of the housing surfaces between the different types of transmission components can be easily accommodated.

[0035] Optionally, for those applications where a housing surface may need to be exposed, prior to the coating process, areas may be masked to limit application of the sound deadening coating directly onto the housing surface. Such areas may include access openings, areas which include indicia or markings on the housing surface, vent holes, or the like.

[0036] The coating may be applied using varying methods such as, for example, spraying, painting, brushing, vacuum forming, dipping the housing and the like without limitation.

[0037] While the present disclosure refers generally to transmission housings, those of ordinary skill in the art understand that the present methods and systems are intended to include any housing which may incorporate power transmission components such as, for example, transmission housings, power takeoff housings, power transmission unit housings, differential housings, other surfaces generally defining the exterior surface of the transmission, and the like without limitation.

[0038] This description is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. The broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent upon a study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims.