Circuit board with an accelerometer that generates a characteristic signal for sound production

Abstract

Printed circuit board (21) for a motor vehicle (1), wherein the printed circuit board (21) comprises the following: - a transducer (17) configured to measure a value indicating the vibration of a base body (41) of the motor vehicle (1) and to generate a corresponding signal, - several fastening points for fastening the printed circuit board (21) to the base body (41), wherein the fastening points are arranged such that they encircle an area (25) of the printed circuit board (21), characterized in that the transductor (17) is arranged in this area (25).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The invention relates to a printed circuit board and in particular a printed circuit board with a transducer for generating a characteristic signal which can reproduce vibrations or a sound by means of a corresponding emission device and which is configured to generate a sound or vibrations on the basis of the characteristic signal. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] As is well known, some motor vehicles are equipped with electric drives, i.e., with devices that include at least one electric motor for driving the respective motor vehicle.

[0003] During operation, the electric motor produces a sound or vibrations that could be perceived as unpleasant and / or could not correspond to the driving experience expected by the driver.

[0004] This leads to a perception problem for the driver regarding the operating conditions of the electric motor and, more generally, regarding the performance of the motor vehicle equipped with the electric motor.

[0005] In practice, from the driver's point of view, the sound and vibration performance of the aforementioned vehicles is unsatisfactory.

[0006] Therefore, it became necessary to improve the acoustic or vibration performance of motor vehicles or to increase the driver's perception of how the engine works.

[0007] Furthermore, some drivers are known to have an interest in perceiving the sound or vibrations associated with the operation of the motor vehicle in order to enjoy the driving experience.

[0008] Therefore, the need arose to increase the driver's enjoyment of driving.

[0009] For this reason, some solutions are known in which an emission device generates a sound that is associated with a characteristic signal that represents a sign of the behavior of the electric motor, or more generally, of an axle that encloses the electric motor.

[0010] For example, the characteristic signal could correspond to a vibration or acceleration of the electric motor during its operation.

[0011] This led to the need to improve the reliability of the characteristic signal compared to the actual operating behavior of the electric motor. In fact, the known transducers and the corresponding integration archetype of the measured value used to generate the characteristic signal produce significant noise in the characteristic signal, as well as a generally insufficient bandwidth, especially at higher frequencies.

[0012] The reliability of the characteristic signal directly influences the accuracy and richness of the sound produced by the emission device, which is why fulfilling this last-mentioned requirement also entails fulfilling the other requirements mentioned above.

[0013] The problem of the reliability of the characteristic signal can generally also affect numerous other types of applications in the automotive sector, where a method or algorithm uses as an input signal the characteristic signal of a transducer that can measure a vibration or acceleration of any component or structure of the motor vehicle (not necessarily electrical, i.e., not necessarily including the electric motor), such as the axle, chassis part, suspension element, body element, drive wheel, etc.

[0014] Examples of these other types of applications in the automotive sector include, in particular, devices for suppressing road noise, which are known to use algorithms based on an incoming reference signal indicating a vibration of a suspended ground point of the motor vehicle, or devices for monitoring the occurrence of malfunctions in motor vehicle machinery, where the presence of malfunctions is detected by an input signal indicating a vibration of a component of the monitored machine, or systems for controlling motor vehicle stability, where input signals indicating vibrations of the wheels, chassis or parts of the suspension can be used as information for controlling motor vehicle dynamics.

[0015] In all these types of applications, it is very important that the input signal reproduces the vibration or vibration response that must be indicated by the input signal itself in an extremely reliable manner, i.e. with the highest coherence and precision.

[0016] Therefore, in general, there is a need to increase the reliability of the signals generated by the corresponding converters or transducers that indicate a vibration, acceleration, or vibration response of a component of the motor vehicle.

[0017] One objective of the invention is to fulfill at least one of the above-mentioned requirements, preferably in a simple, reliable and repeatable manner. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The objective is achieved by a printed circuit board for a motor vehicle as defined in claim 1.

[0019] The dependent claims describe particular embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] For better understanding, an embodiment of the invention is described below by way of example and without limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings; these show: - Fig. 1 a schematic side view of a motor vehicle according to the invention, - Fig. 2 a representation of a part of the motor vehicle made of Fig. 1, - Fig. 3. An enlarged perspective view of an axis of the motor vehicle, - Fig. 4 an exploded view of part of an inverter of the axis from 3, and - Fig. 5 an enlarged perspective view of a circuit board inside the inverter Fig. 4. FORMS OF EXECUTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] In Fig. 1. Reference number 1 is used to designate a motor vehicle in its entirety.

[0022] The motor vehicle 1 comprises several wheels 2, an engine or drive 3, for example an electric motor, and a transmission 4 configured to connect the engine 3 to the wheels 2 so that the engine 3 can deliver power to the wheels 2 via the transmission 4.

[0023] Furthermore, the motor vehicle 1 comprises a chassis 5 which is suspended relative to the wheels 2 by means of suspensions of a known type (not shown).

[0024] The body 5 defines an interior 6 of the motor vehicle 1 for accommodating at least one driver and preferably one or more passengers or, more generally, at least one user.

[0025] More generally, the engine 3 and the transmission 4 are part of an axle 11 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0026] The axle 11 comprises an outer housing 12, which in turn can comprise an outer casing 13 of the motor 3 or an outer casing 14 of the gearbox 4. The casings 13, 14 could be fastened to one another by (not shown) fastening elements or be part of a single body without losing general applicability.

[0027] Motor 3 is an electric motor, which is why the axle can also be defined as an electric axle.

[0028] As in Fig. As shown schematically in Figure 2, the motor vehicle 1 or axle 11 therefore includes a power grid 15 configured to supply the motor 3; the power grid 15 in turn includes a DC-AC converter or inverter 40.

[0029] Furthermore, the power grid 15 more precisely includes one or more direct current lines 16 to connect the inverter 40 to a power source not shown, for example a battery.

[0030] Furthermore, the power grid 15 includes, for example, but not necessarily, a three-phase connection 17 [sic!] (i.e. with three phases) between the inverter 40 and the motor 3 for the passage of alternating current, which represents the supply current of the motor 3.

[0031] The inverter 40 comprises a housing 41, which is attached to the housing 12 and more precisely to the casing 13, therefore the housing 41 is attached to both the casing 13 and the casing 14. In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the housing 41 is located above (in detail directly above) the housing 12 or more precisely the casing 13.

[0032] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, the housing 41 defines an internal seat 42 for the inverter [reference symbol missing].

[0033] The motor vehicle 1 has at least one sensor or transducer 17 to measure the vibration response or vibration magnitude of the axle 11, for example, absolutely or relative to a chassis of the motor vehicle 1 during its operation.

[0034] More generally, the transductor 17 can be part of a unit of sensors or transductors that measure corresponding operating values ​​of the axis 11, i.e. values ​​that indicate the functioning of the axis 11 itself and therefore vary depending on it.

[0035] The sensors or transducers, including transducer 17, generate signals corresponding to the measured response or quantity. These signals are combined in a processor or controller 20, which may be part of a control unit associated with or integrated into the audio system of the motor vehicle 1. This processor processes a characteristic signal of the operation of the engine 3, or more generally, the axle 11. This characteristic signal possesses dynamics that indicate the status or manner in which the motor vehicle 1 is driven. For this purpose, the characteristic signal can be frequency-filtered by the controller 20 using a bandpass filter.

[0036] More generally, the control unit 20 could also have other functions that are different from the possible example of integration into the audio system.

[0037] In general, the transducer 17 is coupled to the controller 20, or the controller 20 is coupled to the transducer [reference missing], to receive the signal generated by the transducer 17 and is configured to condition the received signal.

[0038] Transducer 17 is independent of the other sensors or transducers of the entire unit, which could therefore also be omitted. Therefore, transducer 17 is configured in itself to generate a corresponding signal, i.e., in particular, the characteristic signal.

[0039] Transducer 17 is configured to measure a quantity indicating vibration or acceleration, i.e., in particular, the vibration response or vibration value of axis 11.

[0040] Specifically, the characteristic signal is subject to transposition, preferably but not necessarily, in which the characteristic signal is processed in real time after possible filtering, so that the corresponding frequency content belonging to one or more predetermined frequency bands is transposed into one or more different bands higher or lower on the frequency scale via a technique called "pitch shifting" (here rendered in Italian as "scalamento di passo" [sound pitch change] for purely linguistic reasons) or frequency transposition, in order to emphasize the desired acoustic content according to the taste of a particular user category and yet maintain the characteristic of the response of axis 11 during operation.

[0041] This frequency-modified (“pitch-shifted”) signal, i.e., the signal obtained by transposition, is then transmitted to or received from the audio system, which can further adjust it for filtering and treble and output it via the audio system's loudspeakers as feedback to the driver of the motor vehicle 1 about its operating status.

[0042] In this way, the unpleasant or even disturbing vibration and acoustic properties (which, for example, are associated with high-frequency whistling of the gearbox 4, the motor 3 or the moving parts, especially with frequencies above 500 Hz or, in particular, above 1 kHz) or, at least, the undesirable properties of the characteristic signal are shifted into a frequency band that is typically associated with acceptable or pleasant acoustic sensations.

[0043] The sound emission can take place exclusively in the interior of the motor vehicle 1 or, in a further embodiment, by a combination of internal and external loudspeakers, the latter serving to warn pedestrians of the presence or approach of the motor vehicle 1.

[0044] The transductors or sensors, including transductor 17, can be part of a transduction unit comprising several transductors configured to measure corresponding values ​​associated with the operation, movement, or vibration of motor 3 or, more generally, axis 11, in order to generate corresponding signals.

[0045] The transduction unit could possibly comprise only transductor 17 or any combination of transductor 17 with at least one other specific transductor.

[0046] The motor vehicle 1 can include a sensor 18 configured to generate a sound or vibrations, particularly in the interior 6.

[0047] The transmitter 18 includes the transduction unit and thus, in detail, the transductor 17.

[0048] Furthermore, the encoder 18 can include the control 20 or, more generally, the axis 11.

[0049] Consequently, the controller 20 could also not be part of the encoder 18; in other words, the controller 20 can be independent of the encoder 18.

[0050] The transmitter 18 outputs the sound or vibrations depending on the values ​​mentioned above or the signals generated by the transduction unit (in particular the signal generated by the transductor 17).

[0051] The transmitter 18 can, for example, comprise one or more sound transmitters or loudspeakers 19, which are held individually in the interior 6, for example, by the chassis 5.

[0052] The 19 loudspeakers are configured to emit or reproduce the sound in the interior 6, specifically in detail.

[0053] Alternatively or additionally, the transmitter 18 can, for example, comprise one or more vibration transmitters 19b, which are connected or coupled to a solid body or a control panel of the motor vehicle 1, particularly in the interior 6.

[0054] The loudspeakers 19 and the vibration sensors 19b are not essential and could therefore be omitted. The controller 20 could also be configured only to process or only receive the signal from the transducer 17, and optionally to execute generic operations and methods depending on the received or processed signal from the transducer 17.

[0055] Each vibration generator 19b (for example, electrodynamic actuators or shakers) is configured to produce a vibration of the solid or control panel to which it is coupled or attached, for example, in a coordinated manner with the sound emitted by the loudspeakers 19.

[0056] The vibration encoders 19b are coupled with the signal processing unit 20 or the encoder 18.

[0057] The control panel could, for example, be part of the bodywork 5. More precisely, the control panel could be part of a dashboard, a seat, a pedal, or a steering wheel of the motor vehicle 1.

[0058] The transductor 17 is configured to measure a value representing, for example, an absolute value or a value relative to the chassis 5, specifically a linear acceleration or vibration of the motor 3 or a component of the axle 11 or of the axle as a whole. Furthermore, the transductor 17 is configured to generate the signal corresponding to a measured value.

[0059] Specifically, the value measured by the transductor 17 indicates the vibration of the housing 41 of the inverter 40.

[0060] The value measured by transducer 17 can coincide with the acceleration.

[0061] For example, the transductor 17 includes an accelerometer which is based on MEMS technology (acronym for micro-electromechanical system or Micro Electromechanical System in English).

[0062] The accelerometer is specifically configured to measure the value of vibration or acceleration.

[0063] The motor vehicle 1, or more precisely the sensor 18, comprises a printed circuit board 21, which in particular includes a carrier or printed circuit 22. The transducer 17 can be considered part of the printed circuit board 21, since it is coupled to or attached to the printed circuit 22.

[0064] In particular, but not necessarily, the circuit board 21 is attached to the housing 41 of the inverter 40, specifically in the seat 42.

[0065] The printed circuit board 22 has a thickness and extends in length and width along two mutually perpendicular axes A and B, which form a surface. Therefore, the printed circuit board 21 also extends along axes A and B.

[0066] The printed circuit 22 has two ends opposite each other in axis A 22a, 22b, and two further opposite ends 22c, 22d in axis B.

[0067] In particular, the printed circuit 22 is rectangular, which is why the ends 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d encompass the four corners of the printed circuit 22. Of course, the rectangular shape is only one example and other embodiments would be possible.

[0068] Preferably, especially in the case of a rectangular shape, the length of the printed circuit 22 in the axis B (between the ends 22c, 22d) is greater than the width of the printed circuit 22 in the axis A (between the ends 22a, 22b).

[0069] Advantageously, the thickness of the printed circuit board 22 is greater than or equal to 1.6 mm, even more advantageous is greater than or equal to 2 mm.

[0070] The circuit board 21 includes a connector 23, specifically for connecting the circuit board 21 to the controller 20. In fact, the circuit board 21 is connected to the controller 20 via the connector 23.

[0071] For example, but not necessarily, the connector 23 is attached to the printed circuit board 22 and is located at one of the ends 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, in the specific case the end 22c.

[0072] The control unit 20 is preferably connected to the connector 23, for example via an audio connection channel of the transmitter 18, i.e. via an automotive audio bus, in particular with A2B technology.

[0073] The control unit 20 is coupled to the transductor 17 in order to receive the signal generated by the transductor 17 individually via the connector 23 and individually via the audio communication channel.

[0074] For example, the circuit board 21 (and thus also the transductor 17) is supplied with power via the connector 23 and, more specifically, via the audio communication channel. In other words, the circuit board 21 is supplied by phantom power, i.e., the supply current is supplied via the audio communication channel, through which the signal generated by the transductor 17 reaches the control unit 20.

[0075] In detail, the transductor 17 is therefore connected to the control unit 20 via the printed circuit 22, the plug connection 23 and optionally the audio communication channel, so that the control unit 20 receives the signal generated by the transductor 17.

[0076] The printed circuit board 21 or the printed circuit 22 has several mounting points for attachment to a base body, in particular (but not necessarily) the housing 41 of the inverter 40.

[0077] As can also be deduced from the figures, the circuit board 21 or the printed circuit 22 is attached to the base body at the mounting points, specifically directly (for example without intermediate elements between circuit board 21 and base body) or rigidly.

[0078] As will become clear from the following, and also with reference to the last part of this description, the base body does not necessarily coincide with the housing 41.

[0079] The transducer 17 is configured to detect a vibration value (or acceleration value) of the base body and generate the corresponding signal.

[0080] For example, the base body can be part of motor 3 or axis 11 (or be defined by it or by it). In fact, this derives directly from the fact that the description stated how transducer 17 is configured to measure a value for the specific linear acceleration or vibration of motor 3 or a component of axis 11.

[0081] In more detail, the printed circuit board 21 has several corresponding mounting devices 24 at the mounting points. The mounting devices 24 are configured to allow the printed circuit board 21 to be attached to the base body, specifically (but not necessarily) to the housing 41. As mentioned above, the mounting by means of the mounting devices 24 is direct and rigid, i.e., in a direct and / or rigid manner.

[0082] The mounting points are arranged such that a special area 25 of the printed circuit 22 or the circuit board 21, in which the transductor 17 is mounted or arranged, is outlined.

[0083] In other words, the attachment points form a pattern around transducer 17, which, for example, defines a encirclement of area 25. Specifically, the pattern is a polygon.

[0084] More precisely, the attachment points can be connected to each other by an imaginary closed line 30 (possibly subdivided), specifically in the plane of axes A, B, which defines a polygonal perimeter of the area 25. In this particular case, the imaginary line optionally also includes a section 31 of an outer edge 32 of the printed circuit 22 or the circuit board 21, or more precisely, of the end 22d.

[0085] Specifically, the area 25 is arranged at least between two mounting points in axis A and two mounting points in axis B, or, as in the illustrated embodiment, between a mounting point and the edge of the printed circuit 22 or circuit board 21 in axis B.

[0086] More precisely, but not necessarily, the transductor 17 is aligned at least at one attachment point along a line parallel to axis B or along axis B itself; furthermore, two attachment points are arranged on the respective sides of the transductor 17 in axis A, and more precisely in a line parallel to axis A. In this way, the attachment points are configured in a preferably isosceles triangle. For example, one of the vertices of the triangle could be a section of the edge 32 of the printed circuit 22, i.e., in this specific case, a section of the edge or end 22d.

[0087] More generally, the attachment points are arranged in a polygonal configuration, ideally including a section of the edge of the printed circuit board 22 as a side of the polygonal configuration. The attachment points represent vertices of the polygonal configuration.

[0088] In other words, the attachment points are arranged in a polygon or pattern around the transducer 17, such that they represent the perimeter of the area 25.

[0089] The area 25 is preferably arranged at the level of the end 22d, i.e. in other words in a position opposite to the plug connection 23 in axis B.

[0090] Preferably, the two attachment points are located at the end 22c or on the sides of the connector 23 in axis A. The connector 23 is generally located away from the area 25 in axis B, or more precisely, it is located on the opposite side of the area 25 in axis B.

[0091] In this specific case, these last two attachment points can be arranged in a line parallel to axis A and they can independently have a distance in axis A that is greater than that of the two attachment points on the sides of the transductor 17 in axis A.

[0092] The fastening devices 24 each include through holes whose centers coincide with the fastening points. More generally, the holes are arranged at the level of the fastening points.

[0093] The circuit board 21 is attached to the base body, specifically (but not necessarily) to the inverter 40, by means of fastening elements 26, for example threaded parts (more precisely screws, specifically self-tapping screws) of the sensor 18 or the axis 11. The fastening elements 26 pass through the bores or are arranged and configured through the bores to fasten the circuit board 21 to the base body.

[0094] Consequently, the fastening elements 26 attach the circuit board 21 directly or rigidly to the base body.

[0095] The housing 41 or base body includes corresponding seats 44 to accommodate the fastening elements 26, which are configured for fastening in the seats 44, which, for example, include threaded holes or can be defined as threaded holes.

[0096] This allows the circuit board 21 to be attached to the housing 41 by fastening or screwing the fasteners 26 into the seats 44 with the circuit board 21 between corresponding ends or heads 45 of the fasteners 26 and the seats 44, i.e. by coupling the seats 44 with the fasteners 26 after they have been guided through the holes of the fastening device 24.

[0097] There, the fastening elements 26 secure the circuit board 21 by placing the seats 44 with the circuit board 21 between the housing 41 or the base body and the ends 45.

[0098] When the fastening elements 26 are in the seats 44, they interact with the seats 44 (individually they screw themselves into the seats 44), so that the fastening elements 26 and the seats 44 are coupled or attached to each other.

[0099] Preferably, the fastening elements 26 attach the circuit board 21 directly to the housing 41, thus making a special enclosure for the circuit board 21 unnecessary.

[0100] Preferably, the printed circuit board 21 comprises a group of electronic components 27 configured to adapt or conform the signal generated by the transducer 17 to a network protocol suitable for the audio communication channel. In this particular case, the network protocol is an A2B protocol.

[0101] Specifically, the group of electronic components 27 is attached to the printed circuit board 22 and, more precisely (but not necessarily), is located between the area 25 and the connector 23 in axis B, i.e., between the ends 22c, 22d.

[0102] Preferably, but not necessarily, a fastening point is arranged between the group of electronic components 27 and the area 25 or the transductor 17.

[0103] For example, the group of electronic components 27 is located outside the area 25.

[0104] Conveniently, all electronic components of the printed circuit board 21, including the transducer 17 and the group 27, are attached to a single side of the printed circuit 22 in the direction of the thickness. Specifically, this side is the one opposite the side facing the seats 44, always in the direction of the thickness.

[0105] When the circuit board 21 is attached to the housing 41, the side opposite the side with the electronic components is in contact with the housing 41 (more precisely with the walls that define the seats 44), while the side with the electronic components faces the seat 42.

[0106] The transmitter 18 generates the sound or vibrations depending on the signal generated by the transduction unit and, in this specific case, by the transductor 17.

[0107] It is useful to condition the signal generated by the transduction unit, or more precisely by the transducer 17, appropriately before it is delivered to the loudspeakers 19 or the vibration generators 19b for the emission of sound or vibrations.

[0108] After conditioning, transmitter 18 emits the sound or vibrations depending on the conditioned signal. The loudspeakers 19 and the vibration transmitters 19b could be combined to form, generally speaking, part of a transmitter configured to generate a sound and / or vibrations depending on the received conditioned signal. For example, the controller 20 could be configured to perform this conditioning.

[0109] Specifically, the conditioning involves filtering the signal generated by the transduction unit or transductor 17 using a frequency filter, i.e., a bandpass filter, in particular a low-pass filter. The controller 20 is configured to filter the signal generated by the transduction unit or transductor 17 using the filter.

[0110] Advantageously, but not necessarily, the conditioning following any filtering includes the application of a technique called "pitch shifting" (referred to here in Italian as "scalamento di passo" [pitch change]) to the (possibly filtered) signal generated by the transduction unit or transductor 17. The control 20 can be configured to perform the pitch shifting on the (possibly filtered) signal generated by the transduction unit or transductor 17.

[0111] More precisely, pitch shifting means that one or more frequencies of a component of the signal are transposed from a first frequency interval to a second frequency interval that is different from the first interval, in particular by applying a corresponding deflection (offset) to each frequency of the first frequency interval, so that each frequency of the first frequency interval falls into the second frequency interval.

[0112] For the sake of simplicity, the first frequency interval and the second frequency interval will be referred to as the first and second intervals, respectively, in the following.

[0113] Not all frequencies of the first interval necessarily need to be transposed into the second interval; therefore, the transposition could also affect only some specific frequencies of the frequencies of the first interval or all frequencies of the first interval according to an alternative embodiment.

[0114] In practice, the actual execution of pitch shifting can be carried out according to any of the numerous known methods, including, for example, the "Phase Vocoder" method, OLA (Overlap-Add), PSOLA (Pitch-Synchronous Overlap-Add), WSOLA (Waveform-Similarity Based OLA), "Ocean" (publication "Low Latency Audio Pitch Shifting in The Frequency Domain" by Juilleart & Hirsbunner, published on November 1, 2010 at the "International Conference on Audio, Language and Image Processing"), etc.

[0115] The first and second intervals are not necessarily continuous or within the real numbers, but could also be discrete numbers or numbers from another number range.

[0116] As already mentioned, the term transpose can also be understood as the application of a deviation (offset in English), where the deviation could be a function of the frequency to which it is applied, for example linearly or non-linearly decreasing as the frequency decreases, or constant, i.e., frequency-independent.

[0117] Specifically, the applied deviation involves a frequency reduction. In other words, the transposition is downward. Strictly speaking, however, this is not necessary, as the transposition could also be upward, or even exclusively upward, according to other embodiments.

[0118] Therefore, the second interval has a smaller lower limit than the first interval.

[0119] The first and second intervals can overlap, specifically based on the applied deviation. In fact, with small deviations, for example, decreasing deviations, it's clear that a deviation applied at the upper limit of the first interval results in a frequency that lies both within the first and second intervals. Alternatively, the first and second intervals may not overlap; that is, they are separate, or their overlap is zero.

[0120] Furthermore, the first and second intervals could have different amplitudes, especially since the deviation is a function of the frequency at which it is made. Preferably, the second interval has a smaller amplitude than the first interval.

[0121] The conditioned signal can therefore be the result of pitch-shifting after possible filtering of the signal generated by the transduction unit.

[0122] The loudspeakers 19 receive the conditioned signal from the controller 20 to which they are connected, and they are configured to produce the sound according to the received conditioned signal.

[0123] In other words, the conditioned signal can be reproduced by the loudspeakers 19. In practice, the loudspeakers 19 reproduce the received conditioned signal; that is, they produce the sound by reproducing the conditioned signal.

[0124] More generally, the signal could be directly reproduced by the loudspeakers 19 depending on the sound generated by the transmitter 18. In practice, the transmitter 18 could reproduce the signal specifically via the loudspeakers 19, thus generating a signal-dependent sound.

[0125] The expression “in a corresponding manner” or “correspondingly” implies in particular that the sound is a unique function of the conditioned signal, but this does not mean that the loudspeakers 19 (which are, for example, part of the audio system) do not perform further conditioning on the conditioned signal, for example, depending on the conditioned signal itself.

[0126] The operating principle of the loudspeakers 19, which convert a signal received as sound, is known in itself and is therefore not described in detail.

[0127] Here, the term "convert" could be understood as a synonym for "reproduce".

[0128] In particular, the loudspeakers 19 generate the sound in the interior 6 of the motor vehicle 1, i.e. they are located inside the interior 6.

[0129] Alternatively, the loudspeakers 19 can be directed towards the outside of the motor vehicle 1, so that the sound is emitted towards the outside of the motor vehicle 1.

[0130] Furthermore, the vibration sensors 19b receive the conditioned signal from the controller 20 to which they are connected, for example independently or in a coordinated manner, and they are configured to generate vibrations according to the received conditioned signal.

[0131] Here too, the expression “in a corresponding manner or accordingly” implies in detail that the vibrations are a clear function of the conditioned signal, but this does not mean that the vibration transmitters 19b do not perform further conditioning on the conditioned signal itself, for example depending on the conditioned signal.

[0132] The loudspeakers 19 and the vibration transmitters 19b could more generally be combined to form a transmitter configured to produce a sound or vibrations in a manner corresponding to the received conditioned signal.

[0133] The advantages of the printed circuit board 21 are clearly evident from the above.

[0134] Thanks to the placement of the mounting points, the area 25, in which the transductor 17 is mounted, is rigid. Therefore, the vibrations of the axis 11 are transmitted to the transductor 17 with a gain of approximately one. More precisely, the resulting gain has an upper limit of 1.5, meaning it is less than or equal to 1.5. Here, the gain is understood as the magnitude of the transfer function between the vibration of the axis and the vibration of the area 25.

[0135] This allows for a relatively large bandwidth of the generated signal, in particular at least greater than or equal to 6 kHz or preferably up to 8 kHz.

[0136] The transductor 17 is integrated into the inverter 40 and does not require its own casing.

[0137] The use of an A2B network protocol and a phantom power supply is particularly advantageous in terms of the simplicity and efficiency of the required cabling.

[0138] Finally, it is clear that changes and variations can be made to the printed circuit board according to the invention without falling outside the scope of protection defined by the claims.

[0139] The number of components shown and described may vary. Similarly, the shape of the components may differ from the description and illustration.

[0140] Furthermore, the transmitter 18 could coincide with one of the loudspeakers 19 or one of the vibration transmitters 19b.

[0141] Furthermore, the circuit board 21 can also be used for applications other than sound generation. Therefore, the circuit board 21 could be attached to components other than the inverter 40. For example, the circuit board 21 could be attached to a component of the transmission 4 for preventive maintenance purposes. Alternatively, the circuit board 21 could be attached to the chassis 5 or to the wheels 2 to monitor the vibrations of the sprung and unsprung parts of the vehicle 1, or for active road noise control systems. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited non-patent literature

[0000] Phase Vocoder", OLA (Overlap-Add), PSOLA (Pitch-Synchronous Overlap-Add), WSOLA (Waveform-Similarity Based OLA), "Ocean" (publication "Low Latency Audio Pitch Shifting in The Frequency Domain" by Juilleart [sic!] & Hirsbunner, published on November 1st, 2010 as part of the conference "International Conference on Audio, Language and Image Processing

[0114]

Claims

[1] Printed circuit board (21) for a motor vehicle (1), wherein the printed circuit board (21) comprises the following: - a transducer (17) configured to measure a value indicating the vibration of a base body (41) of the motor vehicle (1) and to generate a corresponding signal, - several attachment points for attaching the printed circuit board (21) to the base body (41), wherein the attachment points are arranged such that they encircle an area (25) of the printed circuit board (21), characterized by , that the transductor (17) is located in this area (25). [2] Printed circuit board according to claim 1, wherein the mounting points can be connected to each other by an imaginary closed line which defines a polygonal perimeter of this area [reference missing]. [3] Printed circuit board according to claim 2, wherein the imaginary line comprises at least one section of a first outer edge of the printed circuit board (21). [4] Printed circuit board according to any one of the preceding claims, which extends along a first axis (A) and a second axis (B) which are perpendicular to each other and wherein said area (25) is arranged at least between a first point of the mounting points and a second edge of the printed circuit board (21) according to the second axis (B) and at least between two second points of the mounting points in the first axis (A). [5] Printed circuit board according to claim 4, wherein the second points are aligned with each other in a first line parallel to the axis (A) or wherein the first point is aligned with the transducer (17) along a second line parallel to the second axis (B). [6] Printed circuit board according to any one of the preceding claims with a plug connection (23) which is arranged at a distance from this area (25) in the second axis (B) and between two third points of the mounting points in the first axis (A). [7] Printed circuit board according to any one of the preceding claims with several fastening devices (24) at the level of the fastening points, so that the printed circuit board (21) can be attached to the base body. [8] Printed circuit board according to claim 7, wherein the fastening devices (24) comprise corresponding through holes for passage of fastening elements (26) of the motor vehicle (1) configured to fasten the printed circuit board (21) to the base body. [9] Motor vehicle [without reference number] comprising a chassis (5), a base body supported by the chassis (5) and a printed circuit board (21) according to claim 8, wherein the base body comprises corresponding seats (44) to receive the fastening elements (26) which in turn are arranged through the bores and fasten the printed circuit board (21), wherein the printed circuit board (21) is inserted into the seats (44) between the base body and the corresponding ends (45) of the fastening elements (26). [10] Sensor (18) for a motor vehicle (1) with - a printed circuit board (21) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, - a controller (20) coupled to the transducer (17) to receive the signal generated by the transducer (17) and configured to condition the received signal, and - at least one transmitter (19, 19b) connected to the controller (20) to receive the conditioned signal and configured to produce a sound or vibration corresponding to the received conditioned signal.

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