Sound generation in a vehicle and a method thereof

Abstract

5 A system (100) being configured to activate one or more sub-systems (106) of a vehicle, the system (100) comprising: a prime mover (104), the prime mover (104) being configured to power the vehicle; a plurality of sensing units, wherein said plurality of sensing units being configured to measure real time state operating parameter(s) of said vehicle; said plurality of sensing 10 units sensing units being connected to one or more sub systems of the vehicle; a control unit, the control unit being configured to receive input(s) from the plurality of sensing units, wherein the control unit being configured to activate one or more sub systems based on said real time state operating parameter(s). 15

Description

SOUND GENERATION IN A VEHICLE AND AMETHOD THEREOFTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a vehicle. More particularly but not exclusively, the present subject matter relates to a system in a vehicle for alerting the nearby environment and a method thereof.BACKGROUND

[0002] Nowadays, with increasing global warming, depletion of fossil fuels, there is advancement in the technology such as an electric or hybrid electric based systems. For example, an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicles which uses one or more battery assemblies that provides electrical power to run a motor which in turn rotates one or more wheels of the vehicle. In conventional vehicles which uses an IC engine generates a sound during its operation. The sound in an IC (internal combustion) engine generates due to combustion and the sound increases with the increasing speed of the vehicle. Usually, the sound of the IC engine vehicle is attenuated using a muffler of the vehicle, however the sound is never reduced to nil or zero. Although this sound is a concern for noise pollution and therefore, controlled through homologation regulations. As the IC engine vehicles are the major portion of transport around the world, customers and pedestrians are used to this sound. Another purpose of the sound is that it creates an awareness or assists in creating an alerting the surrounding about the vehicle’s presence. For example, when a vehicle is approaching the pedestrians or other vehicles, the sound created by the vehicle assists in alerting the surrounding environment about its presence.

[0003] Therefore, the sound assists in avoiding accident on road. On the other hand, the electrical vehicles have lower to almost no sound which is generated when the vehicle is being operated. The lower sound in the electric vehicle is an advantage in terms of noise pollution, but a potential problem for pedestrians or a blind person who is walking on a road and is not much awareabout the surrounding vehicles. Thus, such a soundless vehicle fails to create an awareness or alert in the surrounding environment about it’s presence or approach, due to which there are chances of accidents.

[0004] Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to a person skilled in the art, through comparison of described systems with some aspects of the present disclosure, as set forth in the remainder of the present application and with reference to the drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The present invention is described with reference to a sound generation in a vehicle and a method thereof, for an exemplary embodiment along with the accompanying drawings. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to similar features and components.

[0006] Fig 1-4 exemplarily illustrates a block diagram of the sound generation system in a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention

[0007] Fig 5 exemplarily illustrates a flow chart of the method of sound generation in a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionDETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] Interest in electrically powered vehicles, including but not limited to electrically powered motorcycles and scooters, is increasing due to the rising costs, and environmental impacts of fossil fuel-powered vehicles. An eco friendly vehicle barely generates any noise during its operations, which is an advantage for noise pollution perspective, however it is a problem for nearby living beings such as a pedestrian, an animal lying on the road etc. who are not vigilant of the vehicle which are being operated on the road.

[0009] Additionally, in an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), since the engine sound that is audible to the rider in the vehicle is not generated at all, the rider can hear only so-called road noise and wind noise during the riding. During riding, the volume of the road noise or the like such as wind noise increasesin conjunction with the vehicle traveling speed, but the volume does not directly react to the engine operation in the electric vehicle. Further, in the HEVs, there is a state in which a sound is generated from an engine mounted on the vehicle, but this is not always the case, and the sound is often not linked to the vehicle traveling speed or the engine operation. As a result, in the vehicle, powered by electric the sound of the engine in a state corresponding to an accelerator operation by the rider is not generated, and as a result, the psychological enjoyment of riding is reduced for the riders who prefers the engine sound.

[0010] Therefore, keeping in view the above challenges, the objective of the present invention is to enable emitting a pseudo sound based upon operation of the vehicle which is powered by the electric motor such as EV or HEV.

[0011] As per known state of art, to generate sound from the vehicle when the vehicle is being operated or running a mechanical flap has been employed in the vehicle air inlet area. Thus, when the vehicle is running at certain speed, the wind crossing across enables the mechanical flap to vibrate and generate sound. However, the use of mechanical flaps is limited by the durability of the mechanical system, increased weight and the quality of sound generated by the shape of the flap and the inlet-outlet channel. Moreover, tuning of the mechanical flap for application in wide range of vehicles are also limited.

[0012] As per yet another known art, sound stimulation for EV and HEVs is done by storing or saving sounds to play based on the vehicle speed. Although this work has the possibility of storing different sounds, there could be a possibility of asynchronization of noise with the vehicle speed due to time lag for the processing time required between throttle sensor response and corresponding sound play.

[0013] As per yet another known art, a camera is installed in the front potion of the vehicle which is configured to alert the driver about pedestrians who are not looking at the vehicle. However, this mechanism is complex as it will fail to alert the rider’s who are blind, because they may look at the vehicle but may not realize vehicle’s approach towards them.

[0014] Taking note of the above, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a system and a method thereof for generation of sound based on real time operation state of the engine, such that the nearby pedestrians or any other living beings can notice the approach of the vehicle towards them.

[0015] As per an embodiment, a system is configured to activate one or more sub-systems of a vehicle, the system comprising: a prime mover, the prime mover is configured to power the vehicle; a plurality of sensing units, wherein said plurality of sensing units being configured to measure real time state operating parameter(s) of said vehicle; said plurality of sensing units sensing units being connected to one or more sub systems of the vehicle; a control unit, the control unit being configured to receive input(s) from the plurality of sensing units, wherein the control unit being configured to activate one or more sub systems based on said real time state operating parameter(s).

[0016] As per an embodiment the activation of one or more subsystems is at least based on comparison of the real time state operating parameter(s) and the predetermined operating condition(s).

[0017] As per an embodiment the one or more subsystems being activated when an object being detected within a predetermined range of the vehicle.

[0018] As per an embodiment the predetermined operating condition(s) includes a predetermined throttle opening , a predetermined revolutions per minute (RPM) of said prime mover, and a predetermined mode of operation, wherein the predetermined throttle opening being 0 percent- 100 percent of the maximum throttle range, the predetermined revolutions per minute (RPM) being in the range of 0-700 RPM, and the mode of operating of the vehicle being based on speed of the vehicle.

[0019] As per an embodiment the plurality of sensing units includes a throttle sensing unit (102) configured to detect an angle of throttle opening of the vehicle, a mode sensing unit (110), a location sensing unit (302), a motion sensing unit (202), LIDAR, RADAR, an image capturing device.

[0020] As per an embodiment the control unit (108) being configured with a predefined lookup table to activate one or more sub system (106) of the vehiclebased on comparison of one of the real time state operating parameter values with predetermined state operating parameter(s) values.

[0021] As per an embodiment said control unit being configured with an artificial intelligence model, wherein the artificial intelligence models being configured to enable the control unit (108) to activate the one or more sub-system (106) based on input(s) from the plurality of sensing units.

[0022] As per an embodiment said real time state operating parameters values includes a real time throttle opening, a real time revolutions per minute of said prime mover, and a real time mode of operation.

[0023] As per an embodiment the predefined look up table being a predefined three-dimensional matrix of the predetermined state operating parameter(s) values and a corresponding outputs value for activating the one or more sub-system (106) by the control unit (108).

[0024] As per an embodiment the sub-system (106) includes a dedicated speaker, a horn, lighting systems.

[0025] As per an embodiment the motion sensor (202) being configured to send real time inputs to the control unit (108) relating presence of living beings in a pre-defined radius of the vehicle, wherein the pre-defined radius of the vehicle being in the range of 0 meters to 50 meters from the front most portion of the vehicle.

[0026] As per an embodiment the location sensor (302) being configured to send real time location inputs to the control unit (108) relating the pre-defined radius geographical location of the vehicle, wherein the pre-defined radius of the vehicle being in the range of 0 meters to 50 meters from the front most portion of the vehicle.

[0027] As per an embodiment the control unit (108) being configured to deactivate the sub-system (106) when the vehicle being in a predefined zone, the predefined zone being a silent zone.

[0028] As per an embodiment the system (100) includes a user switch, wherein the user switch enables a user to activate and deactivate the system (100).

[0029] As per an embodiment the sub-system (106) being at least one of a piezoelectric sub-system (106) and an electro-magnetic sub-system (106).

[0030] The present subject matter is further described with reference to the accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.

[0031] The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms or fields of use disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that various alternate embodiments and / or modifications to the present disclosure, whether explicitly described or implied herein, are possible considering the disclosure. Having thus described embodiments of the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the claims.

[0032] Fig 1-Fig. 4 exemplarily illustrates a block diagram of the system (100) in a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The fig. 1. to fig. 4 are explained together for brevity. The system (100) for the vehicle comprises: a prime mover (104) which is configured to power the vehicle; a plurality of sensing units, wherein the plurality of sensing units is configured to measure real time state operating parameter(s) of the vehicle. The plurality of sensing units are connected to one or more sub systems of the vehicle. The system also includes a control unit (108) which is configured to receive input(s) from the plurality of sensing units. The control unit (108) is configured to activate one or more sub systems (106) based on the real time state operating parameter(s) of the vehicle.

[0033] As per an embodiment, the one or more subsystems is activated based on comparison of at least one predetermined operating condition(s) and the real time state operating parameter(s). The predetermined operating condition(s)includes a predetermined throttle opening , a predetermined revolutions per minute (RPM) of said prime mover, and a predetermined mode of operation. For example, the predetermined throttle opening ranges between 0 percent- 100 percent of the maximum throttle range, the predetermined revolutions per minute (RPM) is in the range of 0-700 RPM, and the mode of operating of the vehicle being based on speed of the vehicle. The mode of the vehicle could be ECO mode wherein the speed of the vehicle is below 45kmph, and the power mode, wherein the speed of the vehicle is more than 45kmph.

[0034] The plurality of sensing units includes a throttle sensing unit (102) configured to detect an angle of throttle opening of the vehicle, a mode sensing unit (110) configured to detect mode of operation of the vehicle, a location sensing unit configured to sense location of the vehicle (302), a motion sensing unit (202), LIDAR, RADAR, an image capturing device. As per an embodiment, the one or more subsystems is activated when an object being detected by the plurality of sensors within a predetermined range of the vehicle . The predetermined range being between 0-50 meters of the vehicle. The motion sensor (202) is configured to send real time inputs to the control unit (108) relating presence of living beings in a predefined radius of the vehicle. The pre-defined radius of the vehicle is in the range of 0 meters to 50 meters from the front most portion of the vehicle. The location sensor (302) is configured to send real time location inputs to the control unit (108) relating the pre-defined radius geographical location of the vehicle. Here as well the pre-defined radius of the vehicle being in the range of 0 meters to 50 meters from the front most portion of the vehicle. The control unit (108) is configured to deactivate the sub-system (106) when the vehicle being in a predefined zone, the predefined zone is a silent zone such as school, hospitals etc.

[0035] The control unit (108) is configured with a predefined lookup table based on predetermined state operating parameter(s) values. The control unit (108) to activate one or more sub system (106) of the vehicle based on comparison of one of the real time state operating parameter values with predetermined state operating parameter(s) values. The real time state operating parameters values include a realtime throttle opening, a real time revolutions per minute of said prime mover, and a real time mode of operation.

[0036] As per another embodiment the control unit (108) is configured with an artificial intelligence model. The artificial intelligence models are configured to enable the control unit (108) to activate one or more sub-system (106) based on input(s) from the plurality of sensing units. As per another embodiment, the system (100) also includes a user switch, wherein the user switch enables a user to activate and deactivate the system (100).

[0037] As per an embodiment, the sub-system (106) is a dedicated speaker, wherein the dedicated speaker could be one of a piezoelectric sub-system (106) and an electro-magnetic sub-system (106).

[0038] As per an embodiment, the sub-system (106) is a dedicated speaker which is configured to provide output or produce acoustics or sound based upon output signal generated by the control unit (108). Thus, the sub-system can generate plurality of sounds based on the vehicle riding conditions. Since the control unit (108) and the output unit (106) are not dependent on storage unit which stores plurality of sounds, the system (100) is not dependent on synchronization of the vehicle speed.

[0039] As per an embodiment, the sub-system (106) could be of either a piezo-electric speaker or an electro-magnetic speaker. In case of the piezo-electric speaker, the voltage is varied with speed of the vehicle to generate plurality of sounds. The piezo-electric speaker is a speaker that generates an electric charge when subjected to mechanical stress or pressure. In the context of the present invention, the piezoelectric speaker that can produce sound by applying an alternating voltage through the control unit (108). In the case of the electromagnetic speaker, the current is varied with speed to generate plurality of sounds. In other words, the control unit varies an electrical current flowing through a coil in the electromagnetic speaker to produce plurality of sounds electromagnetic speaker

[0040] The mode unit (110) is particularly implemented in hybrid electric vehicle which has multiple modes of operation such as pure eco mode, hybrid mode.In hybrid mode both the motor and the fuel powers powering the engine, and in pure eco mode only the motor powers the vehicle. Each mode of operation of the vehicle is differentiated by the maximum speed, rate of acceleration, regenerative braking and alerts.

[0041] The motion sensor (202) is positioned in front of the vehicle to have faster response. The location sensor (302) is kept away from metal parts to avoid signal interference. The control unit (108) is electrically connected to output unit (106), one or more sensor (102) and the prime mover (104). The system (100) can be used for emergency sound generation after accident for grasping attention of nearby help.

[0042] Fig 5 exemplarily illustrates a flow chart of the method of actuating a sub-system (106) of the vehicle. When the vehicle is started at step 600, the control unit (108) receives one or more real time state operating parameter values from the plurality of sensing unit at step 604. The control unit compares the one or more real time state operating parameter values with a predetermined real time state operating parameter values. Based on the comparison the control unit (108) activates one or more sub systems (106) of the vehicle. Thus, based on different values of the real time state operating parameter the control unit (108) can generate output of current, voltage and signal to actuate the one or more sub-systems for generating plurality of outputs therefrom. Based on the look up table a corresponding output signal enables generation of plurality of sounds from a dedicated speaker. Further, the system includes at least one of a motion sensor (202), and a location sensor. As per an embodiment, the control unit (108) is configured to deactivate the system (100) while the vehicle is in a silent zone as per step 610 and 612. Further, as per another embodiment, the control unit (108) is configured to activate the system when a motion is determined within a predefined at a pre-defined radius of the vehicle. The pre-defined radius of the vehicle is in the range of 0 meters to 50 meters from the front most portion of the vehicle.

[0043] The present invention provides the system (100) which eliminates the prior art problems and existing challenges by generating sound from an EV with the increase in vehicle speed helping the pedestrians aware of the approachingvehicles. The proposed system (100) generates sound to alert the pedestrians and living beings to avoid accidents. The sound of the system (100) increases with speed of the vehicle to give a feel of the standard engine of a vehicle to the rider. Further, the sound of vehicle can be customized, and the sound of vehicle is turned-off automatically the vehicle is at silent zones e.g., hospital, school.

[0044] It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible considering the above disclosure. Therefore, within the scope of claims of the present subject matter, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.

Claims

U We claim:

1. A system (100) being configured to activate one or more subsystems (106) of a vehicle, the system (100) comprising: a prime mover (104), the prime mover (104) being configured to power the vehicle; a plurality of sensing units, wherein said plurality of sensing units being configured to measure real time state operating parameter(s) of said vehicle; said plurality of sensing units sensing units being connected to one or more sub systems of the vehicle; a control unit, the control unit being configured to receive input(s) from the plurality of sensing units, wherein the control unit being configured to activate one or more sub systems based on said real time state operating parameter(s).

2. The system of the vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said activation of one or more subsystems is at least based on comparison of the real time state operating parameter(s) and the predetermined operating condition(s).

3. The system of the vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the one or more subsystems being activated when an object being detected within a predetermined range of the vehicle.

4. The system of the vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined operating condition(s) includes a predetermined throttle opening, a predetermined revolutions per minute (RPM) of said prime mover, and a predetermined mode of operation, wherein the predetermined throttle opening being 0 percent- 100 percent of the maximum throttle range, the predetermined revolutions per minute (RPM) being in the range of 0-700 RPM, and the mode of operating of the vehicle being based on speed of the vehicle.

5. The system of the vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensing units includes a throttle sensing unit (102) configured to detect an angle of throttle opening of the vehicle, a mode sensing unit (110), a location sensing unit (302), a motion sensing unit (202), LIDAR, RADAR, an image capturing device.

6. The system (100) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (108) being configured with a predefined lookup table to activate one or more sub system (106) of the vehicle based on comparison of one of the real time state operating parameter values with predetermined state operating parameter(s) values.

7. The system (100) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit being configured with an artificial intelligence model, wherein the artificial intelligence models being configured to enable the control unit (108) to activate the one or more sub-system (106) based on input(s) from the plurality of sensing units.

8. The system of the vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said real time state operating parameters values includes a real time throttle opening, a real time revolutions per minute of said prime mover, and a real time mode of operation.

9. The system (100) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 6, wherein the predefined look up table being a predefined three-dimensional matrix of the predetermined state operating parameter(s) values and a corresponding outputs value for activating the one or more subsystem (106) by the control unit (108).

10. The system (100) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sub-system (106) includes a dedicated speaker, a horn, lighting systems.

11. The system (100) for a vehicle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the motion sensor (202) being configured to send real time inputs to the control unit (108) relating presence of living beings in a pre-defined radius of the vehicle, wherein the pre-defined radius of the vehiclebeing in the range of 0 meters to 50 meters from the front most portion of the vehicle.

12. The system (100) for a vehicle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the location sensor (302) being configured to send real time location inputs to the control unit (108) relating the pre-defined radius geographical location of the vehicle, wherein the pre-defined radius of the vehicle being in the range of 0 meters to 50 meters from the front most portion of the vehicle.

13. The system (100) for a vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the control unit (108) being configured to deactivate the sub-system (106) when the vehicle being in a predefined zone, the predefined zone being a silent zone.

14. The system (100) for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (100) includes a user switch, wherein the user switch enables a user to activate and deactivate the system (100).

15. The system (100) for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sub-system (106) being at least one of a piezoelectric sub-system (106) and an electro -magnetic sub-system (106).

16. A method of activating a sub-system (106) of a vehicle, the method comprises the steps of receiving, by the control unit, one or more real time state operating parameter values from plurality of sensing unit, comparing, by the control unit, one or more real time state operating parameter values with a predetermined real time state operating parameter values, activating, by the control unit, one or more sub systems of the vehicle.

17. The method of activating the sub-system (106) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein said activation of one or more subsystems is at least based on predetermined operating condition(s).

18. The method of activating the sub-system (106) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein the one or more subsystems being activated when an object being detected within a predetermined range of the vehicle.

19. The method of activating the sub-system (106) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein the predetermined operating condition(s) includes a predetermined throttle opening, a predetermined revolutions per minute (RPM) of said prime mover, and a predetermined mode of operation, wherein the predetermined throttle opening being 0 percent- 100 percent of the maximum throttle range, the predetermined revolutions per minute (RPM) being in the range of 0-700 RPM, and the mode of operating of the vehicle being based on speed of the vehicle.

0. The method of activating the sub-system (106) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein the plurality of sensing unit includes a throttle sensing unit (102), a mode sensing unit (110), a location sensing unit (302), a motion sensing unit (202), LIDAR, RADAR, an image capturing device.

1. The method of activating the sub-system (106) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein the control unit (108) being configured with a predefined lookup table to activate one or more sub system (106) of the vehicle.

2. The method of activating the sub-system (106) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein said control unit being configured with an artificial intelligence model, wherein the artificial intelligence models being configured to enable the control unit (108) to activate the one or more sub-system (106) based on input(s) from the plurality of sensing units.

3. The method of activating the sub-system (106) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein the plurality of sensing units includesa throttle sensing unit (102) being configured to detect an angle of throttle opening of the vehicle. The method of activating the sub-system (106) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein said real time state operating parameters values includes a real time throttle opening, a real time revolutions per minute of said prime mover, and a real time mode of operation. The method of activating the sub-system (106) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein the predefined look up table being a predefined three-dimensional matrix of the predetermined state operating parameter(s) values a corresponding outputs value for activating the one or more sub-system (106) by the control unit (108). The method of activating the sub-system (106) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein the sub-system (106) includes a dedicated speaker, a horn, lighting systems. The method of activating the sub-system (106) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein the system includes a motion sensor (202), wherein the motion sensor (202) being configured to send real time inputs to the control unit (108) relating presence of living beings in a pre-defined radius of the vehicle, wherein the predefined radius of the vehicle being in the range of 0 meters to 50 meters from the front most portion of the vehicle. The method of activating the sub-system (106) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein the system (100) includes a location sensor (302), the location sensor (302) being configured to send real time location inputs to the control unit (108) relating the geographical location of the vehicle at a pre -defined radius of the vehicle, wherein the pre-defined radius of the vehicle being in the range of 0 meters to 50 meters from the front most portion of the vehicle.

29. The method of activating the sub-system (106) of the vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein the control unit (108) being configured to deactivate the sub-system (106) when the vehicle being in a predefined zone, the predefined zone being a silent zone.

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