Method and system for active, temporary noise suppression during the operation of actuators within a vehicle

Abstract

A method is provided for active, temporary noise suppression when components are actuated within a vehicle, wherein the following steps are carried out: S1: monitoring whether an actuation of an operating element for controlling a predetermined component in the interior of the vehicle is detected, S2: in the event that an actuation is detected, activating a microphone associated with the component and recording the noise generated when the component moves and transmitting the noise to a control unit for further processing, S3: further processing of the noise in the control unit to form a counter-noise signal, and S4: outputting the counter-noise signal via a loudspeaker in the vicinity of the component.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a system for active, temporary noise suppression during the operation of actuators within a vehicle.

[0002] Methods for suppressing noises that a person might find disturbing are known from various fields of technology. This technology is widely known as "noise canceling" and uses what is known as counter-noise technology, which can largely or completely eliminate the frequency and / or amplitude of the noises perceived as disturbing. This method of noise canceling is particularly widespread in headphones. But it is now also being used to eliminate or at least reduce background noise in vehicle interiors.

[0003] For example, DE 10 2020 000 918 A1 proposes a method in which a loudspeaker is provided for emitting counter-sound, which can be moved by means of a movement device such that it can be positioned relative to at least one ear of the vehicle occupant and can change its position accordingly when the head moves. DE 10 2021 109 580 A1 also discloses a method for masking noises, in which noise is generated by means of a fluid escaping from a nozzle of the vehicle into the interior in order to mask the frequency range identified as disturbing. Furthermore, DE 10 2020 203 119 A1 discloses a method for suppressing noises in partial areas of the vehicle.

[0004] Methods for noise suppression during the actuation of components are also known from DE 10 2023 002 651 A1 and DE 10 2014 220 602 A1. Further prior art can also be found in JP 2009-269 530 A, DE 10 2016 223 701 A1, and DE 197 42 741 A1.

[0005] Since there is still room for improvement in the suppression of disturbing noises in the interior of a vehicle, it is an object of this invention to provide a method and system for improved suppression of disturbing noises in the interior of a vehicle. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0006] A method is provided for active, temporary noise suppression when components are actuated within a vehicle, wherein the following steps are carried out: S1: monitoring whether an actuation of an operating element for controlling a predetermined component in the interior of the vehicle is detected, S2: in the event that an actuation is detected, activating a microphone associated with the component and recording the noise generated when the component moves and transmitting the noise to a control unit for further processing, S3: further processing of the noise in the control unit to form a counter-noise signal, and S4: outputting the counter-noise signal via a loudspeaker in the vicinity of the component.

[0007] Furthermore, it is intended that the procedure is carried out in real time.

[0008] Furthermore, it is provided that in a further step, which can be carried out simultaneously with step S2, a monitoring is carried out as to whether a noise is detected which should be perceived in the interior under all circumstances, and if this is the case, no output of the counter-noise signal is carried out, or the further processing of all detected noises in the control unit is carried out in such a way that the counter-noise signal generated only cancels out the interference noise generated by the component.

[0009] According to the invention, it is further provided that the movement of the component is delayed after detecting the actuation of the operating element in order to detect in advance whether a noise is present that should be perceived in the interior under all circumstances.

[0010] Furthermore, it is planned that for each component several counter-noise signals are stored and can be retrieved, which can be used depending on the past service life of the component.

[0011] Furthermore, a computer program product with program code for carrying out the method is provided when it is executed on a control unit of the vehicle.

[0012] Furthermore, a system for active, temporary noise suppression when components are actuated within a vehicle is provided, the vehicle comprising: at least one component arranged in the interior of the vehicle, operable by means of an actuator, which component generates a noise when moved, the noise being generated by an actuator or a means of movement of the component, at least one loudspeaker and at least one microphone located in the vicinity of each component, at least one control unit which is in signal connection with the microphone, loudspeaker and actuator of the component and which is configured to carry out the method.

[0013] Furthermore, it is intended that components include: a sunroof, one or more vehicle seats, a tailgate, one or more window regulators.

[0014] Furthermore, it is intended that at least the loudspeaker and microphone of the system are deactivated until an actuation of a control element for controlling the associated component is detected.

[0015] Furthermore, a vehicle is provided comprising the system.

[0016] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, with reference to the figures of the drawing, which illustrate details of the invention, and from the claims. The individual features can be implemented individually or in combination in a variant of the invention.

[0017] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of important components for carrying out the method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a flow of the method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] As mentioned, methods for noise suppression in the interior of a vehicle are already known. These methods are generally aimed at ensuring that occupants are not disturbed while performing an activity or, for example, that telephone conversations cannot be overheard by other people. Methods are also already known that can suppress noise penetrating the vehicle's interior from outside.

[0019] However, no method is known to date by which noise generated by local interference sources located in the interior of the vehicle 1, such as actuators or moving means such as slide rails or roller bearings of components 10-12 in the interior of a vehicle 1, can be at least largely eliminated. Actuators, slide rails, or roller bearings in the interior are installed, for example, in components such as sunroofs 10, vehicle seats, tailgates 12, or window lifters 11.

[0020] Such friction noises, motor noise from gearing, gear noise and track noise generated by local sources of interference can be reduced mechanically, but not completely eliminated. Due to aging or the number of operating cycles, these noises change dynamically over the service life. Static noise suppression with a fixed frequency response is therefore not practical over the service life, as this would lead to a deterioration in noise suppression over time. Every maintenance operation, every re-lubrication and greasing of, for example, a track, will develop a different noise background over the service life. Known systems can reduce or modify the interference by increasing the level and exaggerating acoustic effects, but they cannot eliminate the noise over a longer period due to the change over time.Global noise cancellation is not possible in the vehicle due to reflections from the built-in interior.

[0021] The basic idea of ​​the invention is, as in Fig. 1, various loudspeakers 2 and microphones 3 are placed in the area of ​​a panel and housing or of vehicle actuator mounts in the vehicle interior, which drive a component 10-12, in order to suppress (cancel out by means of counter-noise) the noise generated by this driven component 10-12, more precisely its actuator or means of movement. Preferably, loudspeakers 2 and microphones 3 already present and installed in the interior are used, provided they are provided close enough to the corresponding local noise source (component 10-12). Otherwise, additional loudspeakers 2 and microphones 3 can be provided at suitable positions in the interior of the vehicle 1.

[0022] In order to be able to carry out the procedure, it is monitored whether the component 10-12 should be controlled, i.e. whether an electronic control signal (operation of a control element) is detected (S1 in Fig. 2). If this is the case, the microphone 3 associated with the actuator of the component 10-12 to be controlled is specifically enabled and the sound of the movement is recorded and transmitted, if possible in real time, to a control unit 4 for further processing (S2 in Fig. 2). The received sound (the noise spectrum) is analyzed in a dedicated control unit 4 (S3 in Fig. 2) and a counter-noise (counter-noise signal with corresponding frequency and / or amplitude) for noise cancelling (noise suppression by means of counter-noise). This counter-noise is output immediately (also in real time) by a loudspeaker 2 provided close to the component 10, 12 (S4 in Fig. 2). The control unit 4 is therefore in communication with the component 10-12 as well as with the loudspeakers 2 and microphones 3 in order to receive and output signals so that the method can be carried out as in Fig. 1 indicated.

[0023] Noise suppression is performed for the duration of a predicted actuation mechanism, i.e., a predicted runtime until the end position is reached. This duration can be identified in real time via bus systems as status and control messages. After reaching the end position or after the end of the runtime, the system, i.e., in particular, loudspeaker 2 and microphone 3, are deactivated again until the actuation of a control element (control signal) for one of the components 10-12 for which the noise suppression method is implemented, is detected again. This prevents unnecessary, continuous load on the on-board power system.

[0024] This method allows for noise suppression (cancellation by means of counter-noise) directly at the point of origin, i.e., at component 10-12 as the local source of interference. If an external noise is picked up by microphone 3 near component 10-12, a check is performed to determine whether this noise is a noise that should be perceived in the interior under all circumstances (S5 in Fig. 2). To avoid the cancellation of such noises, which should be perceived in the interior under all circumstances, one embodiment provides for predefined noises for which the method may not be activated. For this purpose, upon receipt of a control signal for activating a predetermined component 10-12, a check is simultaneously carried out to determine whether such a noise is present and superimposed on the noise of component 10-12. In this case, the method is either not activated, or the part of the noise coming from component 10-12 is determined, and only this part is suppressed (S6 in Fig.2). Sounds that should be perceived in the interior under all circumstances include, for example, country-specific and codable warning signals from government vehicles, which must not be suppressed or made difficult to detect. It is also sensible for some vehicle-specific signals, such as a warning signal (e.g., distance warning from a parking sensor), to be perceived at all times. Sounds that should be perceived in the interior under all circumstances can, for example, be stored accordingly in the control unit 4 or a connected in-vehicle database and / or be retrievable via an external information unit and taken into account when evaluating the sounds detected by the microphones 3 so as not to be suppressed.

[0025] Since, for the most optimal execution of the method, it is necessary to transmit signals as quickly as possible, preferably in real time, between control unit 4, control element (which receives the control command from the occupant), microphone 3, and loudspeaker 2. It is advantageous if a real-time capable communication network (networked vehicle data bus system, e.g., Flexray or Ethernet based) is available, which is capable of interpreting and evaluating various input options from control units in real time.

[0026] In one version, the process is started with a delay. This may be necessary to check whether a specified noise is present in the interior under all circumstances and must not be suppressed.

[0027] In one embodiment, one or more predefined counter-noise signals, e.g., determined through test series, are stored for each component 10-12. These counter-noise signals preferably vary depending on the already elapsed service life of the component 10-12 and are used accordingly. This can be advantageous because the background noise of the component 10-12 changes with its service life. Such a stored counter-noise signal can be used directly, i.e., without further adjustment, or it can serve as the basis for determining an optimized counter-noise signal, which is determined based on the noise currently detected by the microphone 3 at the start of operation.

[0028] The process, which is only carried out during the operating time, i.e. until an end stop is reached, is very energy-efficient because it is not constantly active, but only when a control signal is received via a specified control element.

[0029] The described method for suppressing noise generated by local interference sources within a vehicle is realized as a computer program product implemented in one (or more) control units 4, which is executed on the control unit(s) 4.

[0030] As already mentioned, the loudspeakers 2 and microphones 3 used can be part of an entertainment and / or sound system installed in the vehicle, but can also be separately installed and controllable components.

[0031] A control unit 4 is required to implement the method. This control unit 4 can, for example, be a head unit already present in the vehicle 1, which also controls the entertainment system, sound and volume, as well as the surround system. Furthermore, a database can be provided, which is, for example, integrated into the control unit 4, with stored current position data of the components 10-12 and information that these are local sources of interference. The position data is generally available in the vehicle 1 in real time. Furthermore, a corresponding, processor-controlled sound processor must be integrated into the system, e.g., in the control unit 4, in order to be able to calculate the counter-noise. A control unit, which can also be the control unit 4, to accept and implement commands for controlling the components 10-12, as well as the actuators required to move the components 10-12 are also required for the method and it is assumed that these are present.

[0032] The system is particularly useful in electric or hybrid vehicles during electric driving, as the noise level is significantly lower than in combustion-engine vehicles, making local noises even more intense and disruptive. However, the process can also be used with combustion engines.

[0033] The method can suppress noise generated by local interference sources such as actuators, slide rails or roller bearings during operation by emitting corresponding counter-noise, preferably in real time. List of reference symbols 1 vehicle 10 Component sunroof 11 Component window regulator 12 Component tailgate 2 speakers 3 Microphone 4 Control unit S1-S6 process steps

Claims

[1] Method for active, temporary noise suppression during operation of components (10-12) within a vehicle (1), wherein the following steps are carried out: - S1: Monitoring whether an actuation of a control element for controlling a predetermined component (10-12) in the interior of the vehicle (1) is detected, - S2: in the event that an actuation is detected, activating a microphone (3) associated with the component (10-12) and recording the noise generated during the movement of the component (10-12) and transmitting the noise to a control unit (4) for further processing - S3: Further processing of the noise in the control unit (4) to a counter-noise signal, and - S4: Output of the counter-noise signal via a loudspeaker (2) in the vicinity of the component (10-12), wherein in a further step (S5), which can be carried out simultaneously with step S2, monitoring is carried out to determine whether a noise is detected which is to be perceived in the interior under all circumstances, and if this is the case, no counter-noise signal is output, or further processing of all detected noises in the control unit (4) is carried out in such a way that the generated counter-noise signal only cancels out the interference noise generated by the component (10-12), wherein the movement of the component (10-12) is delayed after detection of the actuation of the operating element in order to detect in advance whether a noise is present which is to be perceived in the interior under all circumstances. [2] The method of claim 1, wherein the method is performed in real time. [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein for each component (10-12) a plurality of counter-noise signals are stored in a retrievable manner, which can be used depending on the past service life of the component (10-12). [4] Computer program product with program code for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims when it is executed on a control unit (4) of the vehicle (1). [5] System for active, temporary noise suppression during operation of components (10-12) within a vehicle (1), the vehicle (1) comprising: - at least one component (10-12) arranged in the interior of the vehicle (1) and operable by means of an actuator, which generates an interfering noise when moved, the interfering noise being generated by an actuator or a means of movement of the component (10-12), - at least one loudspeaker (2) and at least one microphone (3) located near each component (10-12), - at least one control device (4) which is in signal connection with the microphone (3), loudspeaker (2) and actuator of the component (10-12) and which is configured to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims. [6] System according to claim 5, wherein components (10-12) comprise: a sunroof (10), one or more vehicle seats, a tailgate (12), one or more window regulators (11). [7] System according to claim 5 or 6, wherein at least the loudspeaker (2) and microphone (3) of the system are deactivated until an actuation of an operating element for controlling the associated component (10-12) is detected. [8] Vehicle (1) comprising the system according to claim 5, 6 or 7.

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