Active Acoustic Control System for Vehicle Noise Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Active Noise Control (ANC) systems in vehicles face challenges in effectively reducing noise without prior knowledge of noise sources or patterns, and they struggle to adapt to changing vehicle environments, such as varying passenger counts and open/closed windows, which affects noise reduction efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An Active Acoustic Control (AAC) system that uses a controller with acoustic sensors and transducers to generate a sound control pattern based on real-time noise inputs and vehicle conditions, adapting to changes in noise patterns and environmental factors without requiring a-priori information about noise sources, and dynamically adjusting parameters to optimize noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional ANC systems are used without prior knowledge of noise sources, then the system can operate in unknown environments, but the noise reduction effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The AAC system performs self-characterization by automatically identifying and modeling noise sources and propagation paths without requiring external calibration or prior knowledge. The system uses acoustic sensors to capture noise signals and automatically generates digital twins of the acoustic environment, enabling it to adapt to unknown environments while maintaining effective noise reduction through self-learning capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors acoustic signals through sensors and uses this feedback to dynamically update its digital twin model of the vehicle cabin acoustic environment. This real-time feedback loop allows the system to track changing noise patterns and adjust anti-noise signals accordingly, maintaining effectiveness in evolving conditions.
2Reliability
If the system adapts to changing vehicle environments dynamically, then the noise reduction performance is maintained, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex physical calibration procedures and manual system adjustments with computational modeling and digital twin technology. Instead of requiring mechanical reconfiguration or complex hardware modifications to adapt to different vehicle environments, the system uses software-based acoustic modeling that automatically adjusts to changing conditions through signal processing and algorithmic adaptation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If acoustic sensors and transducers are added to enable real-time adaptation, then the noise control capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic sensors and transducers in the AAC system serve multiple functions: noise detection, acoustic environment characterization, anti-noise signal generation, and validation of noise reduction effectiveness. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while achieving real-time adaptation capability.
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 AAC system effectively reduces noise in vehicles by creating a quiet zone with improved adaptability to changing conditions, enhancing the driving experience by minimizing unwanted sounds while maintaining desired audio inputs, such as music or speech.
Implementation Method 1
Active Noise Control (ANC) is a technology using digitally generated noise to reduce unwanted noise. It is based on the principle of superposition of sound waves. Generally, sound is a wave, which is traveling in space. If another, second sound wave having the same amplitude but opposite phase to the first sound wave can be created, the first wave can be totally cancelled.
Data Source
AI summary
For example, a controller of an Active Acoustic Control (AAC) system may be configured to process input information, the input information including AAC configuration information corresponding to a configuration of AAC in a sound control zone; a plurality of noise inputs representing acoustic noise at a plurality of noise sensing locations; and a plurality of residual-noise inputs representing acoustic residual-noise at a plurality of residual-noise sensing locations within the sound control zone. For example, the controller may determine a sound control pattern to control sound within the sound control zone based on the AAC configuration information, the plurality of noise inputs, and the plurality of residual-noise inputs. For example, the controller may output the sound control pattern to a plurality of acoustic transducers.