Vehicle Acoustic Apparatus for Off-Throttle Downshift Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems fail to provide sufficient auditory feedback to occupants during off-throttle downshifts, leading to a disconnection from the vehicle's operation, as natural engine sounds are insufficient in these situations.
Innovation Solution
An acoustic control system that includes a sound intake valve, a sound symposer, and an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) to regulate and enhance engine sound transmission to the cabin based on engine mode, gear position, and acceleration pedal status, using logic tables to ensure adequate feedback during off-throttle downshifts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If natural engine sound transmission is used during off-throttle downshifts, then the system structure remains simple, but sufficient auditory feedback is not provided to occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an acoustic apparatus as an intermediary system between the engine and the vehicle cabin. This apparatus includes sound intake valves, piping, and a sound symposer with a diaphragm that mediates the transmission of engine sounds to occupants. The intermediary system selectively amplifies and transmits specific engine sounds (particularly during off-throttle downshifts) without requiring direct modification of the engine itself, thus providing adequate auditory feedback while maintaining reasonable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the reliance on natural passive sound transmission with an active acoustic control system. Instead of depending solely on the mechanical coupling of engine sounds through the vehicle structure, the system uses controlled air flow through the acoustic apparatus to actively transmit sounds. This substitution allows for selective sound transmission based on operational conditions, ensuring adequate feedback during specific maneuvers like off-throttle downshifts.
2Loss of information
If engine sound is enhanced during sport/track modes, then driver feedback and connection to vehicle operation is improved, but noise pollution and discomfort to occupants may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic acoustic control system that adjusts sound transmission based on real-time operating conditions. The ECU receives inputs from multiple sensors (engine speed, gear position, accelerator pedal position, brake status) and dynamically controls the sound intake valves and sound symposer accordingly. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to enhance engine sounds during sport/track modes when drivers need performance feedback, while reducing or eliminating sound transmission during normal quiet driving conditions, thus balancing driver connection with occupant comfort and noise pollution reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates multiple feedback loops where the ECU continuously monitors engine operating parameters (RPM, gear selection, accelerator position, brake status) and uses this feedback to adjust sound transmission in real-time. This feedback mechanism ensures that engine sounds are enhanced only when operationally appropriate (such as during sport modes or dynamic driving maneuvers) and suppressed during conditions where quiet operation is desired, thereby managing noise pollution while maintaining driver awareness.
3Loss of information
If sound intake valve is opened during off-throttle downshifts, then adequate engine sound feedback is provided to maintain driver connection, but unwanted engine noise may be transmitted during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by programming the ECU with predetermined conditions for sound transmission. The system is pre-configured with logic tables that specify when sound intake valves should be opened or closed based on combinations of engine parameters (such as off-throttle downshift detection). This preliminary programming allows the system to automatically open the sound intake valve specifically during off-throttle downshifts to provide adequate feedback, while keeping it closed during normal operation to prevent unwanted noise transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by treating different operational conditions with different sound transmission characteristics. Rather than using a uniform sound transmission approach, the system selectively controls sound intake based on the specific operational context. The sound intake valve is opened locally (specifically) during off-throttle downshift events to provide necessary feedback, while remaining closed during other operations. This localized control ensures that sound feedback is provided precisely where needed without creating unwanted noise during normal driving.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively communicates engine operation to vehicle occupants by enhancing engine sound feedback during off-throttle downshifts, thereby maintaining a sense of connection to the vehicle's operation.
Implementation Method 1
a sound symposer having a diaphragm... vibrations from the engine air intake passage travel through the sound intake valve, and vibrate against one side of the diaphragm of the sound symposer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Some embodiments are directed to a control system for a sound controller configured to transmit sounds to a vehicle passenger cabin. The system includes a downshift sensor configured to detect a downshift of a vehicle transmission, and an accelerator pedal sensor that is configured to detect whether an accelerator pedal is actuated above a predetermined threshold. A controller controls operation of the sound controller in accordance with a sound control logic that is based on vehicle engine mode, transmission gear selection, accelerator pedal position, and vehicle engine speed. The controller also controls operation of the sound controller in accordance with an audible downshift logic if the downshift sensor detects a downshift of the vehicle transmission and the accelerator pedal sensor detects that the accelerator pedal is not actuated above the predetermined threshold, the audible downshift logic controlling the sound controller to enhance engine sound transmitted to the passenger cabin.