Methods for noise optimization

Abstract

Method for operating a device (1) for noise optimization of a noise for generating a noise in the vehicle interior to convey an enhanced drive sound of a drive, for a vehicle with an electric motor or a hybrid drive with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor as drive (2) and a drive train downstream of the drive, wherein the drive (2) and / or elements of the drive train are mounted on the body (5) by means of bearing elements (4, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 34, 53, 54), wherein at least one bearing element (4, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 34, 53, 54) has an actuator as a vibration generator (6) which can be controlled by a control unit (56), with a microphone (55) for noise detection, wherein an analysis of the detected noise is performed by the control unit (56) is carried out, whereby the actuator is then controlled as a vibration generator (6),if the detected noise deviates from a predefined noise value, such that the actuator generates vibrations whose frequencies are superimposed on the order spectrum of a drive noise, wherein the vibrations correspond to at least one order of vibration of the drive noise that is weak or not pronounced in the drive noise, and wherein the orders of vibration fill in or reinforce orders of the drive noise that are weak or not pronounced.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for noise optimization of a noise, in particular in the vehicle interior, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Motor vehicles with an internal combustion engine and / or electric motor, i.e., motor vehicles with only an internal combustion engine, only an electric motor, or with a hybrid drive with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, generate drive noise that is typical of the respective drive system or drive concept used. The noise is transmitted from the drive system to the passenger compartment of the vehicle, with a first transmission path via airborne sound or airborne sound paths and a second transmission path via structure-borne sound paths or via the body.

[0003] In this case, the drive noise is further modified through so-called "downsizing," i.e., the reduction of the displacement of the combustion engine, for example, by reducing the number of cylinders or temporarily deactivating cylinders, as well as through the use of alternative drive concepts with electric motors or hybrid drives with a combustion engine and electric motor, resulting in a rather unspecific engine noise. With such drive noise, the driver misses the acoustic feedback from the vehicle via the drive noise, so that during acceleration, this feedback is also perceived as an audible experience.

[0004] DE 10 2004 044 513 A1 discloses a device for interior noise control. Vibration generators are mounted in or on an engine mount and controlled by a control unit to generate a sound pattern corresponding to the vehicle's operating parameters. For this purpose, the engine speed, engine load, and transmission gear are determined, and a noise excitation corresponding to these parameters is generated.

[0005] Controllable bearing elements have also become known through DE 102 33 783 B4.

[0006] US 5841876 A shows a vehicle with an internal combustion engine and a device for noise optimization in a vehicle interior, wherein an engine mounting element has an actuator.

[0007] EP 0 479 367 A2 shows a vehicle with a noise reduction device with a loudspeaker arranged between an engine and a mounting frame.

[0008] US 5386372 A shows a vehicle with an internal combustion engine and a device for noise optimization in a vehicle interior.

[0009] DE 10 2004 062 471 B3 shows a method for canceling vibrations of an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle.

[0010] US 2004 / 0 086 135 A1 shows a method for controlling an intake noise of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle.

[0011] DE 10 2005 060 064 A1 shows a system for actively influencing noise in a motor vehicle.

[0012] However, this has the disadvantage that the engine-specific characteristics are not sufficiently taken into account, so that the noise generated in the passenger compartment is still sometimes perceived as rather artificial.

[0013] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to create a method for noise optimization that is easy to implement and generates noises in the passenger compartment that convey an enhanced drive sound. The object of the invention is also to create a related device by means of which an enhanced drive sound can be generated.

[0014] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0015] The invention relates to a method for operating a device for noise optimization of a noise in the vehicle interior for a vehicle with an electric motor or a hybrid drive with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor as the drive and a drive train arranged downstream of the drive, wherein the drive and / or elements of the drive train are mounted on the body by means of bearing elements, wherein at least one bearing element has an actuator as a vibration generator which can be controlled by a control unit, with a microphone for noise detection, wherein an analysis of the detected noise is carried out by a control unit, wherein the actuator is controlled as a vibration generator when the detected noise deviates from a predefinable noise value, so that the actuator generates vibrations whose frequencies are superimposed on the order spectrum of a drive noise.Thus, depending on the noise actually detected, an analysis can be carried out and, depending on the detected noise, control can be carried out in such a way that specific frequencies of vibrations or vibration orders are selected in order to improve the existing noise.

[0016] The control unit carries out a control procedure or a regulation procedure.

[0017] It is useful for the control unit to subject the detected noise to an order analysis, whereby the noise for an order is compared with the preset noise value for the respective order. If the amplitude of the order deviates from the preset noise value for the order, a vibration is excited so that the amplitude of the order of the detected noise is adjusted to the preset noise value for the order. This allows for targeted sound improvement.

[0018] It is also useful if the adjustment is carried out by repeated or continuous comparison between the detected noise and the specified noise level, with the controlled vibration being carried out according to the comparison between the detected noise level and the specified noise level. This achieves a continuous improvement of the sound.

[0019] It is also advisable to not generate an oscillation to increase the detected noise amplitude if the amplitude of the detected noise is essentially the same as the order of the specified noise value. Thus, frequencies or orders can be left unchanged if their amplitudes essentially correspond to the specified values.

[0020] It is also advantageous if, in the event of a positive deviation of the amplitude of the noise of the order compared to the predeterminable noise value of the order, an oscillation is excited so that the detected low amplitude of the detected noise of the order is adjusted to the predeterminable noise value for the order.

[0021] It is also useful to excite an oscillation 180° out of phase when the amplitude of the noise of the order deviates negatively from the preset noise value for the order, so that the detected larger amplitude of the detected noise of the order is adjusted to the preset noise value for the order. This also allows frequencies or orders of the noise with particularly high amplitudes to have their amplitude reduced, resulting in a harmonious sound.

[0022] Furthermore, in one embodiment, it is expedient if the predeterminable noise value is available in the control unit using a table. Alternatively, other data structures can also be used.

[0023] It is also advantageous if the control of the generation of vibrations to influence the sound is carried out depending on the current driving condition.

[0024] It is also advantageous if the engine load of the drive, the speed of the drive, the gear engaged and, if applicable, other vehicle signals are taken into account when controlling the vibrations.

[0025] It is expedient if the at least one bearing element is a bearing element of an engine mount, a transmission mount, a torque support, a differential mount, a rear axle transmission mount and / or a cardan shaft mount, such as a cardan shaft center bearing.

[0026] It is also advantageous if bearing elements with actuators are arranged in different structure-borne sound transmission paths, whereby the actuators of different structure-borne sound transmission paths are controlled individually.

[0027] In this way, the bearing element of a structure-borne sound transmission path can be controlled according to the individual transmission behavior of the transmission path.

[0028] An embodiment of the invention relates to a device for noise optimization of a noise, in particular in the vehicle interior, in particular for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine and / or with an electric motor as the drive and a drive train arranged downstream of the drive, wherein the drive and / or elements of the drive train are mounted on the body by means of bearing elements, wherein at least one bearing element has an actuator as a vibration generator, which can be controlled by a control unit, wherein the actuator is controlled as a vibration generator in such a way that it generates vibrations whose frequencies are superimposed on the order spectrum of the drive noise, in particular for carrying out a method as described above.

[0029] According to the invention, it is expedient if the at least one bearing element is a bearing element of an engine mount, a transmission mount, a torque support, a differential mount, a rear axle transmission mount and / or a cardan shaft mount, such as a cardan shaft center bearing.

[0030] It is expedient if the actuator is integrated into the bearing element, the actuator engages the bearing element or is arranged adjacent to the bearing element.

[0031] Furthermore, it is expedient if a bearing element with actuator is arranged at a specific bearing position of the unit bearings.

[0032] It is also useful to arrange a defined number of bearing elements with actuators at specific bearing positions on the engine mounts. This allows for a customized arrangement of actuators to generate vibrations, depending on the vehicle and drivetrain. It is particularly useful to control the actuators depending on their arrangement, ensuring vibration control that corresponds to the transmission path. When vibrations are excited at the engine mount, the second engine order can be preferentially excited, while the area around the transmission mount is particularly transparent to the fourth engine order and transmits these frequencies well.

[0033] According to the invention, the vibrations, in particular as sinusoidal vibrations, correspond to at least one order of the drive noise, which is little or not pronounced in the drive noise.

[0034] According to the invention, the vibration orders fill in or amplify orders of the drive noise that are only slightly or not at all pronounced.

[0035] It is also expedient if the actuator is an electrical, electromagnetic, electrodynamic, piezoelectric, pneumatic and / or hydraulic actuator.

[0036] Furthermore, it is expedient if the transmission of the vibrations takes place from the bearing element with actuator of the engine mount and / or from the actuator, via the drive, via an optional torque support of the drive, a steering gear and a steering column, from the drive via the engine mount elements with actuator to a subframe and from there to a front end of the body of the vehicle, from the bearing element of the engine mount element with actuator to a subframe and from there to a front end of the body and / or from a front end into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0037] It is expedient if the transmission of the vibrations takes place from the bearing element with actuator and / or from the actuator, via an engine mount, a gearbox mount, a torque support, a differential mount, a rear axle transmission mount and / or a cardan shaft mount, such as a cardan shaft center mount, via a structure-borne sound path to the body and from there into the vehicle interior.

[0038] The invention is explained in detail below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a device according to the invention, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a device according to the invention in an installation situation in the vehicle, Fig. 3 a representation of the Fig. 2 from below, Fig. 4 a motor vehicle with an arrangement of bearing elements, and Fig. 5 a motor vehicle with an arrangement of bearing elements to illustrate the method.

[0039] The Fig. 1 shows a bottom view of a device 1 for noise optimization, wherein the device 1 serves for noise optimization for an internal combustion engine as the drive 2 in a vehicle 3. The internal combustion engine as the drive 2 is mounted in the body 5 of the vehicle by means of engine mounting elements 4, so that it is accommodated in the body 5. At least one engine mounting element 4 is assigned an actuator as a vibration generator 6, which generates vibrations and can transmit them directly to the body 5 via the engine mounting element or via the drive 2 to the body 5.

[0040] The drive is designed as an electric motor or as a hybrid drive with combustion engine and electric motor.

[0041] The actuator as vibration generator 6 is either integrated into the engine mounting element 4 or attached to the engine mounting element 4 or arranged adjacent to the engine mounting element 4.

[0042] The actuator as a vibration generator 6 can be controlled via a control unit 7, wherein the control unit 7 receives signals for processing. This can, for example, receive signals 9 from other control units or from sensors 8 in order to be able to adequately control the vibration generator 6. Signals can also be received as CAN signals via CAN bus. CAN signals are advantageously used here, which represent a measure of the respective driving situation and / or driving condition. This includes, for example, the engine load, the engine speed, the gear position, the clutch slip and / or the position of a driving mode switch. The control unit can also receive a high-resolution speed signal from the crankshaft sensor. The more signals the control unit receives, the more authentic the sound can be.

[0043] According to the invention, the control unit 7 controls the vibration generator 6 such that it generates vibrations whose frequency corresponds to an order of the vibration of the drive 2. Sinusoidal vibrations are preferably excited, wherein, in an advantageous embodiment, the frequency of the sinusoidal vibrations corresponds to at least one order of the drive vibrations or the drive noise.

[0044] In an alternative embodiment, the oscillation of the oscillation generator 6 can also be in antiphase.

[0045] The Fig. Figure 1 shows the engine mount element 4, in which the actuator is housed in the housing as a vibration generator 6. The engine mount element 4 is preferably formed with a bearing element, such as a hydraulic mount, with the actuator of the vibration generator 6 generating the vibration excitation within the engine mount element.

[0046] It is advantageous if the actuator of the vibration generator 6 is an electromagnetic actuator that can be controlled by the control unit 7. Alternatively, the actuator can also be an electric, electrodynamic, piezoelectric, pneumatic, and / or hydraulic actuator.

[0047] The Fig. Figure 2 shows the arrangement of an internal combustion engine as drive 2 in a front section 10 of the motor vehicle body 5. Two engine mounting elements 4 with an actuator as a vibration generator 6 are provided, which are arranged in the front area of ​​the motor vehicle between the drive 2 and a subframe 12. The subframe 12 carries the engine mounting element 4, wherein the engine mounting element 4 carries the drive 2. For this purpose, the subframe 12 has eyelets into which projections of the engine mounting element 4 can be received, as shown in Fig. 1. The transmission paths of the sound or vibrations from the engine mount element 4 occur either from the engine mount element 4 via the subframe 12 to the front end 10 of the vehicle body, and from there via other body components into the interior of the vehicle. Alternatively, the vibration can also be introduced from the engine mount element 4 directly into the front end 10 via the drive or from the drive via a steering gear and a steering column directly into the vehicle interior.

[0048] The Fig. 3 shows again the representation of the Fig. 2 from below, wherein an internal combustion engine as drive 2 is arranged in a subframe 12 and supported by the engine mounting elements 4. The engine mounting elements 4 are in turn held by the subframe 12 and support the drive 2. The subframe 12 is attached from below to the struts 13 of the front end 10 of the body, preferably by screwing. The transmission of the vibration can therefore be initiated directly via the subframe 12 to the front end into the body or via the drive 2 into the body, so that the vibrations are transmitted along the same transmission path as the vibrations emanating directly from the drive 2.

[0049] The Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle 20 with a drive motor 21, a transmission 22, a cardan shaft 23 to a rear axle transmission 24.

[0050] The respective assemblies are provided with bearing elements 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 for mounting in the body 32. The bearing elements 25, 26 are designed as engine mounting elements that support the drive motor 21. Furthermore, a torque support 33 is provided on the drive motor 21, which is also attached to the body by means of a bearing element 34.

[0051] The bearing element 27 mounts the transmission in the body 32. The bearing element 28 mounts the propshaft 23 in the body 32. The bearing elements 29, 30 and 31 mount the rear axle transmission 24 in the body 32.

[0052] According to the invention, it is advantageous if at least one of the bearing points is provided with an actuator in order to excite vibrations.

[0053] It is advantageous if vibrations are excited at at least one engine mount 25, 26 and one gearbox mount 27, whereby the vibration frequencies of the excitation can be quite different. Thus, vibrations of the second engine order can be excited at the engine mount, while vibrations with frequencies of the fourth engine order are triggered in the area of ​​the gearbox mount 27, because the gearbox mount is essentially transparent to these frequencies and transmits them well.

[0054] The Fig. 5 shows a further schematic representation of a motor vehicle 50 with a drive motor 51 and a transmission 52.

[0055] The respective units 51, 52 are provided with bearing elements 53, 54 for mounting in the body 32. The bearing element(s) 53, 54 are designed as engine mounting elements and / or transmission mounting elements or other mounting elements that support the drive motor 51 or the transmission or other units. Furthermore, a torque support is provided on the drive motor 51, which is also provided on the body by means of a bearing element, which, however, Fig. 5 is not recognizable.

[0056] According to the invention, it is also advantageous if at least one of the bearing points is provided with an actuator to excite vibrations. It is also advantageous if vibrations are excited at at least one engine mount 53, 54 and / or at least one transmission mount, whereby the vibration frequency of the excitation can be quite different. Thus, vibrations of the second engine order can be excited at the engine mount 53, 54, while vibrations with frequencies of the fourth engine order are triggered in the area of ​​the transmission mount.

[0057] Furthermore, a microphone 55 is provided in the interior of the vehicle, which records the noises there and transmits them to the control unit 56. The control unit 56 receives signals from other sensors, control units, or via a data bus, such as a CAN bus 57, to control the actuators in the bearing points 53, 54 for sound enhancement.

[0058] The microphone detects the current sound, and the control unit evaluates this sound. It performs an order analysis so that the sound can be enhanced according to frequency or order. This allows a sound of a certain order to be analyzed and compared with predefined noise values, allowing a targeted increase or reduction of the amplitude of the sound of that order to be controlled.

Claims

[1] Method for operating a device (1) for noise optimization of a noise for generating a noise in the vehicle interior to convey an enhanced drive sound of a drive, for a vehicle with an electric motor or a hybrid drive with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor as drive (2) and a drive train arranged downstream of the drive, wherein the drive (2) and / or elements of the drive train are mounted on the body (5) by means of bearing elements (4, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 34, 53, 54), wherein at least one bearing element (4, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 34, 53, 54) has an actuator as a vibration generator (6), which can be controlled by a control unit (56), with a microphone (55) for noise detection, wherein an analysis of the detected noise is carried out by the control unit (56), wherein the actuator is then controlled as a vibration generator (6),if the detected noise deviates from a predeterminable noise value, so that the actuator generates vibrations whose frequencies are superimposed on the order spectrum of a drive noise, wherein the vibrations correspond to at least one vibration order of the drive noise which is little or not pronounced in the drive noise, and wherein the vibration orders fill in or amplify orders of the drive noise which are only little or not pronounced. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized bythat the control unit (56) subjects the detected noise to an order analysis, wherein the noise for an order is compared with the predeterminable noise value of the respective order, wherein in the event of a deviation of the amplitude of the order compared to the predeterminable noise value of the order, an oscillation is excited so that the amplitude of the order of the detected noise is adjusted to the predeterminable noise value for the order. [3] Method according to claim 2, characterized by that the adjustment is carried out by repeated or continuous comparison between the detected noise and the predeterminable noise value, whereby the controlled vibration is carried out in each case according to the comparison between the detected noise value and the predeterminable noise value. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat when the amplitude of the order of the detected noise is essentially the same as that of the predeterminable noise value, no oscillation is generated to increase the detected noise amplitude. [5] Method according to claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized by that in the event of a positive deviation of the amplitude of the noise of the order compared to the predeterminable noise value of the order, an oscillation is excited so that the detected lower amplitude of the detected noise of the order is adjusted to the predeterminable noise value for the order. [6] Method according to claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterized bythat in the case of a negative deviation of the amplitude of the noise of the order compared to the predeterminable noise value of the order, an oscillation which is 180° out of phase is excited, so that the detected larger amplitude of the detected noise of the order is adjusted to the predeterminable noise value for the order. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the predeterminable noise value is available from a table in the control unit (56). [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the control of the generation of vibrations to influence the sound is carried out depending on the current driving condition. [9] Method according to claim 8, characterized by that the engine load, the engine speed, the gear engaged and, if applicable, other vehicle signals are taken into account when controlling the vibrations. [10] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one bearing element (4, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 34, 53, 54) is a bearing element of an engine mount, a transmission mount, a torque support, a differential mount, a rear axle transmission mount and / or a cardan shaft mount, such as a cardan shaft center bearing. [11] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that bearing elements (4, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 34, 53, 54) with actuator are arranged in different structure-borne sound transmission paths, wherein the actuators of different structure-borne sound transmission paths are controlled individually. [12] Method according to claim 11, characterized by that the bearing element of a structure-borne sound transmission path is controlled according to the transmission behavior of the transmission path.

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