Sound transmission system for a vehicle with an electric motor

Abstract

Noise transmission system (10) for a vehicle with an electric motor (22) and a passenger compartment, with a sound-conducting connecting element (14, 16), wherein the sound-conducting connecting element (14, 16) is designed at its first end for coupling to the electric motor (22) of the vehicle, and wherein the sound-conducting connecting element (14, 16) is designed at its second end for coupling to the passenger compartment, characterized in that the sound-conducting connecting element (14, 16) is designed at its first end for connection to an interior (24) of the electric motor (22).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a noise transmission system for a vehicle with an electric motor and a passenger compartment according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a vehicle with an electric motor, a passenger compartment and a noise transmission system as described above, and to the use of a noise transmission system as described above in a vehicle with an electric motor.

[0002] Various types of vehicles with electric motors are known in the prior art, with the electric motor serving as a drive motor for the vehicle. For example, a vehicle can have one or more electric motors as its sole drive system, or in combination with, or alternatively with, a drive motor of another type. A vehicle that combines different drive systems is typically referred to as a hybrid drive. Such hybrid drives nowadays usually consist of a combination of an internal combustion engine and at least one electric motor.

[0003] Electric motors typically produce significantly quieter engine noise than internal combustion engines. Furthermore, electric motors eliminate the noise associated with air intake or exhaust gases through a muffler or similar system. Overall, the operating noise of a purely electric vehicle is minimal.

[0004] However, this presents the problem that a driver who associates speed with operating noise lacks acoustic feedback while driving, which would allow them to assess the driving situation. In particular, the driver receives no acoustic feedback about the speed when driving with the electric motor. Airflow noise from the vehicle itself is only of limited use as a substitute for such operating noise, especially at low speeds, to assess a driving situation through acoustic feedback.

[0005] Furthermore, particularly in sports cars, the lack of engine noise can lead drivers to misjudge the engine's power output, potentially resulting in a loss of control in critical situations. Moreover, operating noise, especially engine noise, is often desirable in sports cars as an emotional element.

[0006] Additionally, it is common practice to equip passenger compartments with sound insulation to shield against external noise. This automatically dampens even the already low noise levels generated when driving with the electric motor.

[0007] A noise transmission system for a vehicle with an electric motor and a passenger compartment of the type mentioned above is known from DE 10 2011 113 635 A1. Further noise transmission systems are described in DE 10 2009 017 085 A1, DE 10 2011 056 615 A1, DE 100 16 104 A1 and DE 10 2014 017 570 A1.

[0008] Based on the aforementioned prior art, the invention is thus based on the objective of providing a sound transmission system for a vehicle with an electric motor and a passenger compartment, a vehicle with an electric motor, a passenger compartment and such a sound transmission system, and the use of a sound transmission system, in particular a sound transmission system as described above, in a vehicle with an electric motor, which provides the driver with acoustic feedback about a driving situation. Furthermore, it is an objective of the invention to enhance the emotional experience of driving.

[0009] The problem is solved according to the invention by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0010] A noise transmission system for a vehicle with an electric motor and a passenger compartment is provided, comprising a sound-conducting connecting element. The sound-conducting connecting element is configured at its first end for coupling to the vehicle's electric motor, and at its second end for coupling to the passenger compartment. According to the invention, the sound-conducting connecting element is configured at its first end for connection to an interior space of the electric motor. For this purpose, the first end of the sound-conducting connecting element can, for example, be configured with a connecting sleeve that is guided through an opening in a motor housing to connect the sound-conducting connecting element to the interior space of the electric motor.

[0011] According to the invention, a vehicle is further provided with an electric motor, a passenger cell and a noise transmission system according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sound-conducting connecting element is coupled to the electric motor at its first end, and wherein the sound-conducting connecting element is coupled to the passenger cell at its second end.

[0012] According to the invention, the use of a noise transmission system according to one of claims 1 to 7 in a vehicle with an electric motor is also provided.

[0013] The basic idea of ​​the present invention is therefore to provide the noise of the electric motor in the vehicle in such a way that it is transmitted directly to the passenger compartment via the noise transmission system. This creates a targeted transmission path for the noise of the electric motor into the passenger compartment. Dampers, which normally shield the passenger compartment from unwanted noise, especially from external vehicle noise, can continue to shield the passenger compartment as usual, while still allowing reliable sound transmission from the electric motor to the passenger compartment.

[0014] This allows the driver to, for example, "hear" the vehicle's speed or other driving conditions through the sound of the electric motor, enabling a rough estimate of speed without having to look at a speedometer. The driver can thus associate the operating noise with the speed or driving situation and take this into account while driving.

[0015] Depending on the driving situation, the introduction of the electric motor's noise into the passenger compartment allows the driver, for example, to correctly assess the motor's power output, which can lead to improved vehicle control, especially when driving in critical situations. Furthermore, the motor noise from the electric motor can enhance the driving experience.

[0016] The electric motor is a drive motor for the vehicle. The vehicle with an electric motor can have one or more electric motors as the sole drive, or in combination with, or alternatively with, a drive motor of another type. The electric motor is a conventional electric motor of the type used for driving a vehicle. Preferably, it is a centrally located electric motor for driving at least one axle of the vehicle. A combination of different drive types in a vehicle is typically referred to as a hybrid drive. Such hybrid drives usually comprise a combination of an internal combustion engine and at least one electric motor.

[0017] The passenger compartment, also called passenger space, refers to the area in which the driver and passengers are located while the vehicle is in motion. The passenger compartment does not necessarily have to be enclosed, as is the case, for example, in a convertible.

[0018] The sound-conducting connecting element can be a single unit or composed of various individual elements. It can be designed as a hose or tube, with the sound being transmitted primarily within the interior of the tube or hose. The connection of the sound-conducting connecting element to the passenger compartment or the electric motor can be achieved in virtually any way.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the noise transmission system includes a resonance device arranged in the sound-conducting connecting element. The resonance device serves to amplify the noise transmitted by the electric motor. The resonance device can be configured to preferentially amplify selected frequencies. Furthermore, the resonance device can be configured to attenuate selected frequencies. This allows for the creation of a desired sound profile. For example, it enables the targeted generation of sounds "appropriate" to driving situations, allowing for intuitive acoustic recognition of these situations. This also allows for the imbuing of electric vehicles with a desired emotional character.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sound-conducting connecting element has a first sound-conducting conductor section and a second sound-conducting conductor section, and the resonance device is arranged between the first and the second sound-conducting conductor section.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sound-conducting connecting element comprises a first sound-conducting conductor section and a second sound-conducting conductor section, and the resonance device is formed by the first sound-conducting conductor section. The first sound-conducting conductor section is thus integrally designed with the resonance device. Preferably, the length of the first sound-conducting conductor section is selected such that the first sound-conducting conductor section forms or comprises a so-called A / 4 resonator. This eliminates the need for a separate resonance device. With this advantageous further development of the invention, the noise level within the interior of a motor vehicle can be adjusted particularly easily and preferably, and thus a noise transmission device with improved noise transmission characteristics can be provided.Particularly preferably, the first sound-conducting line section has a shut-off device, whereby the first sound-conducting line section itself acts as a resonance device by actuating the shut-off device.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the noise transmission system comprises a shut-off device arranged in the sound-conducting connecting element, with which the sound-conducting connecting element can be acoustically shut off or connected. The shut-off device is preferably designed as a flap arranged in the sound-conducting connecting element. Preferably, the shut-off device is arranged in the first sound-conducting conduit section. This allows the noise level prevailing in the interior of the vehicle to be adjusted particularly advantageously with the noise transmission system. When the shut-off device is open, the passenger compartment is connected to the electric motor, so that the noise transmission system can function for noise transmission. When the shut-off device is closed, the passenger compartment is separated from the electric motor.Partially opening the barrier allows for adjustment of the acoustic coupling between the electric motor and the passenger compartment. This allows the noise level in the passenger compartment to be set accordingly.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the noise transmission system includes a control device, and the control device is configured to actuate the locking device. The control device allows for easy adjustment of the locking device, for example by a driver, even while driving. Thus, for instance, the locking device can be open in sport mode and closed in comfort mode.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control device has an interface for receiving dynamic driving information from the vehicle, in particular from the electric motor, and the control device is configured to actuate the barrier device based on this driving information. Thus, the acoustic coupling of the passenger compartment to the electric motor can be influenced depending on, for example, desired driving situations. For instance, the control device can be configured to open the barrier device depending on the load in order to obtain the necessary acoustic feedback during strong acceleration. The control device can also be configured to open the barrier device depending on the speed. Alternatively or additionally, the control device can be configured to open the barrier device depending on the vehicle speed.

[0025] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawing and preferred embodiments.

[0026] They show Fig. 1 A schematic view of a noise transmission system according to the invention in a first, preferred embodiment of the invention in conjunction with an electric motor.

[0027] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a noise transmission system 10 according to a first, preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0028] In this embodiment, the noise transmission system 10 comprises a resonance device 12 arranged between a first and a second sound-conducting conductor section 14, 16. The two sound-conducting conductor sections 14, 16 together form a sound-conducting connecting element. In this embodiment, the sound-conducting connecting element 14, 16 is designed as a sound-conducting tube. In an alternative embodiment, the sound-conducting connecting element 14, 16 is designed as a sound-conducting hose.

[0029] In this embodiment, the resonance device 12 is configured to amplify selected frequencies. Furthermore, the resonance device 12 is configured to attenuate selected frequencies.

[0030] The noise transmission system 10 of the first embodiment further comprises a shut-off device 18, which is arranged in the sound-conducting connecting element 14, 16. The sound-conducting connecting element 14, 16 can be acoustically shut off or connected to the shut-off device 18. In this embodiment, the shut-off device 18 is designed as a flap and is arranged in the first sound-conducting conduit section 14.

[0031] The noise transmission system 10 of the first embodiment further comprises a control device 20. The control device 20 is configured to control the shut-off device 18. The control device 20 includes an interface 28 for receiving dynamic driving information from an electric motor 22 of a vehicle. The control device 20 is configured to control the shut-off device 18 based on the driving information. In this embodiment, the control device 20 is configured to open or close the shut-off device 18 depending on the load.

[0032] The sound-conducting connecting element 14, 16 is designed at its first end, which is formed by the first sound-conducting conductor section 14, for coupling to the electric motor 22 of the vehicle. For this purpose, the sound-conducting connecting element 14, 16 is provided at its first end with a connecting sleeve 26, which connects the sound-conducting connecting element 14, 16 to an interior 24 of the electric motor 22. The connecting sleeve 26 is inserted into an opening in a motor housing of the electric motor 22.

[0033] The sound-conducting connecting element 14, 16 is designed at its second end, which is formed by the second sound-conducting line section 16, for coupling to a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Claims

[1] Noise transmission system (10) for a vehicle with an electric motor (22) and a passenger compartment, comprising a sound-conducting connecting element (14, 16), wherein the sound-conducting connecting element (14, 16) is configured at its first end for coupling to the electric motor (22) of the vehicle, and wherein the sound-conducting connecting element (14, 16) is configured at its second end for coupling to the passenger compartment, characterized by , that the sound-conducting connecting element (14, 16) is designed at its first end to connect to an interior (24) of the electric motor (22). [2] Noise transmission system (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the noise transmission system (10) has a resonance device (12) which is arranged in the sound-conducting connecting element (14, 16). [3] Noise transmission system (10) according to claim 2, characterized by, that the sound-conducting connecting element (14, 16) has a first sound-conducting conductor section (14) and a second sound-conducting conductor section (16), and the resonance device (12) is arranged between the first and the second sound-conducting conductor section (14, 16). [4] Noise transmission system (10) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the sound-conducting connecting element (14, 16) has a first sound-conducting conductor section (14) and a second sound-conducting conductor section (16), and the resonance device (12) is formed by the first sound-conducting conductor section (14). [5] Noise transmission system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the noise transmission system (10) has a shut-off device (18) which is arranged in the sound-conducting connecting element (14, 16) and with which the sound-conducting connecting element (14, 16) can be acoustically shut off or interconnected. [6] Noise transmission system (10) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the noise transmission system (10) has a control device (20), and the control device (20) is designed for controlling the shut-off device (18). [7] Noise transmission system (10) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the control device (20) has an interface (28) for receiving dynamic driving information from the vehicle, in particular from the electric motor (22), and the control device (20) is designed to control the locking device (18) based on the driving information. [8] Vehicle comprising an electric motor, a passenger compartment and a noise transmission system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sound-conducting connecting element (14, 16) is coupled to the electric motor (22) at its first end, and wherein the sound-conducting connecting element (14, 16) is coupled to the passenger compartment at its second end. [9] Use of a noise transmission system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7 in a vehicle with an electric motor (22).

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