Vehicle Active Noise Control Wading Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Active noise systems in vehicles, particularly those in hybrid electric vehicles, face damage when submerged in water due to the inability of existing protective methods to effectively mitigate the increased pressure and physical stress on speaker components, leading to design and cost complications.

Innovation Solution

An active noise system with a wading detection means that deactivates audible output devices upon detection of a predetermined wading depth, preventing damage by disconnecting power and reactivating them after the wading condition ends, using sensors such as ultrasonic and geospatial positioning systems to monitor water depth and vehicle conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If physical protective methods (waterproofing, pressure compensating surge tanks, speaker diaphragm stabilisers, actuator snorkels) are used to protect speaker systems against water damage, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeaker system protection against water damageVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is configured to deactivate the audible output means before water damage can occur. The wading detection means detects water presence in advance, and the controller proactively switches off the speakers to prevent damage, eliminating the need for complex physical protective structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces mechanical/physical protective methods (waterproofing, surge tanks, stabilisers, snorkels) with an electronic control system that uses detection and signal processing to prevent damage, thereby reducing mechanical complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeaker system protection against water damageVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The control system deactivates the audible output means before water damage can occur by detecting wading conditions in advance and proactively switching off the speakers, eliminating the need for expensive physical protective structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive mechanical/physical protective methods with a cost-effective electronic control system that uses sensors and signal processing to prevent damage, thereby reducing manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the audible output means remains active during wading, then the system maintains its noise control functionality, but the speaker components are damaged by water pressure and physical stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise control functionality during wadingVSAvoidwater pressure and physical stress on speakers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control system applies preliminary anti-action by deactivating the audible output means before water damage can occur. The wading detection means detects water presence in advance, and the controller switches off the speakers to counteract the harmful effects of water pressure and physical stress

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the wading detection means to continuously monitor water conditions and automatically adjust the operation of the audible output means, ensuring protection while maintaining functionality when appropriate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Prevents damage to audible output devices by automatically deactivating them during water submersion and reactivating them when safe, thus avoiding physical stress and maintaining system functionality without the complexity and cost of prior protective methods.

Implementation Method 1

using sensors such as ultrasonic and geospatial positioning systems to monitor water depth and vehicle conditions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic detection: Ultrasound

Data Source

PatentUS10284948B2Active noise control for vehicles

Publication Date: 2019.05.07 JAGUAR LAND ROVER LTD

AI summary

Aspects of the present invention relate to an active noise system (4), a vehicle (1) with an active noise system (4), a method for controlling an active noise system (4), a computer program for controlling an active noise system (4) and an active noise controller (40). The wading detection system (3) includes sensors (30, 31, 32, 33) for detecting a wading depth and a wading detection controller (34). The active noise system (4) includes speakers (41, 42) for modifying the exhaust noise emitted from the vehicle (1). The wading detection controller (34) is operable to detect or anticipate a predetermined wading depth (W1, W2) at which the speakers (41, 42) will come into contact with the water. The active noise controller (40) is configured to deactivate the speakers (41, 42) when the predetermined wading depth (W1, W2) is detected or anticipated by the wading detection controller (34).