Control system for a vehicle

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to a control system (100) for a vehicle (400). The control system (100) 5 comprises one or more processors (120) collectively configured to receive a signal (145) indicative of a change in a power consumption level at which one or more electrodynamic speakers (310), (320) of an audio system (300) of the vehicle (400) is to be operated, wherein the change is from a first power consumption level to a second power consumption level lower than the first level. The one or more processors (120) are collectively configured to determine, in dependence on the received signal (145), a mode of operation of one or more 10 haptic modules (200) disposed in one or more seating assemblies (210) of the vehicle (400) and to output a signal (155) to control the one or more haptic modules (200) to implement the determined mode. The output of the one or more haptic modules (200) operating in the determined mode provides one or more vibrational effects and the output of the one or more electrodynamic speakers (310), (320) operating at the lower power consumption level provides an audio effect. The determined mode of operation of the one or more haptic 15 modules (200) provides a combination of the audio effect and the one or more vibrational effects that is associated with a higher audio quality than an audio quality associated with the audio effect.

Description

[0001] CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a control system for a vehicle. Aspects of the invention relate to a control system for a vehicle, and a vehicle comprising the control system.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Vehicle audio systems typically employ loudspeakers. In battery-electric and hybrid vehicles, power draw from the audio system can affect available driving range, particularly at low states of charge. Conventional energy-saving measures limit power consumption by the loudspeakers. While this reduces electrical consumption, it can lead to a reduction in audio quality and / or increase in distortion of audio.

[0006] It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Aspects of the invention are defined in the appended claims.

[0009] According to a first aspect of this disclosure there is provided a control system for a vehicle. The control system comprises one or more processors collectively configured to receive a signal indicative of a change in a power consumption level at which one or more electrodynamic speakers of an audio system of the vehicle is to be operated. The change is from a first power consumption level to a second power consumption level lower than the first level. The one or more processors are further collectively configured to determine, in dependence on the received signal, a mode of operation of one or more haptic modules disposed in one or more seating assemblies of the vehicle; and to output a signal to control the one or more haptic modules to implement the determined mode. The output of the one or more haptic modules operating in the determined mode provides one or more vibrational effects and the output of the one or more electrodynamic speakers operating at the lower power consumption level provides an audio effect. The determined mode of operation of the one or more haptic modules may provide a combination of the audio effect and the one or more vibrational effects that is associated with a higher audio quality than an audio quality associated with the audio effect.

[0010] Advantageously, coordinating reduced-power operation of the electrodynamic loudspeakers with control of the seat-integrated haptic modules can maintain audio quality and / or avoid increased audio distortion whilst decreasing electrical power consumption.

[0011] By selecting an operating mode for the haptic modules when loudspeaker power is at the second power consumption level lower than the first power consumption level, the system can prevent a significant detriment to perceived audio quality under energy-saving operation, supporting extended vehicle range when operating under electrical traction power.

[0012] Optionally, the audio effect provided by the one or more electrodynamic speakers operating at the lower power consumption level is a first audio effect and the control system is further configured to: control, in dependence on the received signal, one or more electrostatic speakers of the audio system of the vehicle to provide asecond audio effect, wherein the combination of the first audio effect, the one or more vibrational effects and the second audio effect is associated with a higher audio quality than the audio quality associated with the combination of the first audio effect and the one or more vibrational effects.

[0013] Optionally, the one or more electrodynamic speakers are at least one of a woofer and a sub-woofer.

[0014] Optionally, the control system is further configured to control, in dependence on the received signal, the one or more electrodynamic speakers to operate at the lower power consumption level.

[0015] Optionally, the change in the power consumption level at which the one or more electrodynamic speakers is to be operated is based on a charge state of a battery of a traction system of the vehicle.

[0016] According to a second aspect of this disclosure there is provided a vehicle comprising a control system according to the first aspect.

[0017] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a control system according to embodiments of the invention;

[0020] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a haptic module of a vehicle according to embodiments of the invention;

[0021] Figure 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of an audio system of a vehicle according to embodiments of the invention; and

[0022] Figure 4 shows a vehicle in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] A control system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying Figure 1. As shown in Figure 4, the control system 100 is installed in a vehicle 400. The vehicle 400 comprises one or more haptic modules 200, as illustrated in Figure 2, and an audio system 300, as illustrated in Figure 3.

[0025] The control system 100 comprises one or more processors 120 (one is shown), collectively configured to receive a signal 145 indicative of a change in a power consumption level at which one or more electrodynamic speakers 310, 320 of an audio system 300 of the vehicle 400 is to be operated. The change in the power consumption level is from a first power consumption level to a second power consumption level lower than the first power consumption level. The one or more processors 120 are collectively configured to determine, in dependence on the received signal 145, a mode of operation of one or more haptic modules 200 disposed in one or more seating assemblies 210 of the vehicle 400 and to output a signal 155 to control the one or more haptic modules 200 to implement the determined mode. The output of the one or more haptic modules 200 operating in the determined mode provides one or more vibrational effects (e.g., to at least one occupant 220 of the vehicle 400) and the output of the one or more electrodynamic speakers 310, 320 operating at the lower power consumption level provides an audio effect (e.g., to the at least one occupant 220). The one or moreelectrodynamic speakers 310, 320 may be moving coil speakers. The determined mode of operation of the one or more haptic modules 200 provides a combination of the audio effect and the one or more vibrational effects that is associated with a higher audio quality than an audio quality associated with the audio effect.

[0026] Operating the one or more electrodynamic speakers 310, 320 at the lower power consumption level may reduce the energy drawn from the vehicle 400 when providing audio output. However, the operating of the one or more electrodynamic speakers 310, 320 at the lower power consumption level may also lead to a loss of audio quality. Advantageously, combining the one or more vibrational effects output by the one or more haptic modules 200 with the output of the one or more electrodynamic speakers 310, 320 operating at the lower power consumption level may reduce the perceived loss of audio quality by the occupant(s) 220, while still reducing the overall energy drawn from the vehicle 400.

[0027] The control system 100 may comprise one controller 110, although it will be appreciated that this is merely illustrative. The control system 100 (or controller 110 thereof) comprises processing means 120. The control system 100 may also comprise memory means 130. The processing means 120 may be one or more electronic processing device 120 which operably executes computer-readable instructions. The memory means 130 may be one or more memory device 130. The memory means 130 may be electrically coupled to the processing means 120. The memory means 130 may be configured to store instructions, and the processing means 120 may be configured to access the memory means 130 and execute the instructions stored thereon.

[0028] The control system 100 (or controller 110 thereof) may comprise input means 140 and / or may comprise output means 150. The input means 140 may comprise an electrical input of the controller 110. The input means 140 may be arranged to receive the signal 145 from a sensor 160 or control system 160 of the vehicle 400. Alternatively, the input means 140 may be configured to receive the signal 145 from a manual input 160 (e.g., from the occupant 220). The signal 145 is an electrical signal which is indicative of a change in a power consumption level at which the one or more electrodynamic speakers 310, 320 is to be operated. The output means 150 may comprise an electrical output 155 of the control system 100. The output means 150 may be arranged to output a control signal 155 indicative of a determined mode of operation for controlling the one or more haptic modules 200.

[0029] The one or more haptic modules 200, as illustrated in Figure 2, are disposed in a seating assembly 210 of the vehicle. The one or more haptic modules 200 may be disposed within the seating assembly 210 to transmit the one or more vibrational effects to the occupant 220 to emulate an effect felt by the occupant 220 that arises when the occupant 220 is subjected to a low frequency acoustic wave (e.g., a bass component of an output of the audio system 300). The one or more haptic modules 200 may comprise transducers. The one or more haptic modules 200 may be configured to provide an output in the frequency range of 20 Hz to 400 Hz. The one or more haptic modules may be configured to provide the output based on features extracted from an input signal to the one or more electrodynamic speakers 310, 320. The features may correspond to bass features in an audio signal. It may be that the one or more haptic modules are disposed within the seating assembly 210 to transmit the one or more vibrational effects to one or more pre-determined physical locations on the body of the occupant 220, such as, one or more locations in proximity to the occupant’s 220 spine.The audio system 300 of the vehicle 400, as illustrated in Figure 3, comprises one or more electrodynamic speakers 310, 320. It may be that the one or more electrodynamic speakers 310, 320 are woofers, subwoofers, or a combination thereof. For example, it may be that the one or more electrodynamic speakers are configured to provide an output in the frequency range 20 Hz to 200 Hz (for woofers) or 20 Hz to 80 Hz (for sub-woofers). It may be that the one or more electrodynamic speakers 310, 320 are primarily disposed in relation to a frame, or an interior trim component, of the vehicle 400. It may be that the operation of the electrodynamic speakers 310, 320 at the lower power consumption level decreases a sound intensity (e.g., perceived volume) output by the one ore more electrodynamic speakers 310, 320.

[0030] The control system 100 may be further configured to control, in dependence on the received signal, the one or more electrodynamic speakers 310, 320 to operate at the lower power consumption level. The change in the power consumption level at which the one or more electrodynamic speakers 310, 320 is to be operated may be dynamic, e.g., may change with time. The change may be based on a charge state of a battery of a traction system of the vehicle 400. For example, it may be that the operation (and control) of the one or more electrodynamicspeakers 310, 320 may be changed with time, for example, to balance a provided audio quality with a power consumption (and e.g., a range) of the vehicle 400, orto prioritise a range of the vehicle 400 over an audio quality (or vice versa). This may be advantageous for an electric or hybrid vehicle, where the audio system 300 may draw power from a shared battery of the traction system of the vehicle 400. For example, it may be that the operation (and control) of the one or more electrodynamic speakers 310, 320 is (dynamically) configurable to extend a range of the vehicle 400 (such as an electric or hybrid vehicle).

[0031] It may be that the control system 100 is further configured, in dependence on the received signal 145, to control one or more electrostatic speakers 340 of the audio system 300 of the vehicle 400 to output an additional audio effect. The audio effect output by the one or more electrodynamic speakers 310, 320 operating at the lower power consumption level may be a first audio effect and the audio effect output by the one or more electrostatic speakers 340 may be a second audio effect. The combination of the first audio effect, the one or more vibrational effects and the second audio effect may be associated with a higher audio quality than the audio quality associated with the combination of the first audio effect and the one or more vibrational effects.

[0032] The one or more electrostatic speakers 340, as illustrated in Figure 3, may be disposed in one or more head rests of the seat assemblies 210 of the vehicle 400. The one or more electrostatic speakers 340 may provide an output in the frequency range 125 Hz to 50 kHz. It may be that the one or more electrostatic speakers 340 are more energy efficient than the one or more electrodynamic speakers 310, 320. Advantageously, the one or more electrostatic speakers 340 may efficiently provide an audio output that may at least partially compensate for the loss of audio quality associated with the operation of the one or more electrodynamic speakers 310, 320 at the lower power consumption level, and may therefore reduce the perception of the loss of audio quality by the occupant 210 resulting from the operation of the one or more electrodynamic speakers 310, 320 at the lower power consumption level. Controlling the one or more electrostatic speakers 340 in combination (e.g., collectively) with the one or more haptic modules 200 may still reduce the energy drawn from the vehicle, while further reducing the perceived loss of audio quality by the occupant(s) 220.Figure 4 illustrates a vehicle 400 comprising a control system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A control system for a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more processors collectively configured to:receive a signal indicative of a change in a power consumption level at which one or more electrodynamic speakers of an audio system of the vehicle is to be operated, wherein the change is from a first power consumption level to a second power consumption level lower than the first level;determine, in dependence on the received signal, a mode of operation of one or more haptic modules disposed in one or more seating assemblies of the vehicle; andoutput a signal to control the one or more haptic modules to implement the determined mode, wherein the output of the one or more haptic modules operating in the determined mode provides one or more vibrational effects and the output of the one or more electrodynamic speakers operating at the lower power consumption level provides an audio effect, andwherein the determined mode of operation of the one or more haptic modules provides a combination of the audio effect and the one or more vibrational effects that is associated with a higher audio quality than an audio quality associated with the audio effect.

2. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the audio effect provided by the one or more electrodynamic speakers operating at the lower power consumption level is a first audio effect and the control system is further configured to:control, in dependence on the received signal, one or more electrostatic speakers of the audio system of the vehicle to provide a second audio effect,wherein the combination of the first audio effect, the one or more vibrational effects and the second audio effect is associated with a higher audio quality than the audio quality associated with the combination of the first audio effect and the one or more vibrational effects.

3. The control system of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more electrodynamic speakers are at least one of a woofer and a sub-woofer.

4. The control system of any preceding claim, wherein the control system is further configured to control, in dependence on the received signal, the one or more electrodynamic speakers to operate at the lower power consumption level.

5. The control system of any preceding claim, wherein the change in the power consumption level at which the one or more electrodynamic speakers is to be operated is based on a charge state of a battery of a traction system of the vehicle.

6. A vehicle comprising the control system of any preceding claim.

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