Agricultural Vehicle Noise Attenuation via Context-Based Frequency Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural work vehicles face challenges in noise attenuation systems that fail to distinguish between important operational noises and background noises, leading to reduced awareness of critical sounds necessary for safe operation.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that determine the operating context of the work vehicle by evaluating parameters such as control commands and sensor signals, allowing for context-based control of noise attenuation, emphasizing important frequencies while suppressing unwanted noise through active and passive noise compensation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If noise attenuation system suppresses all external noises to improve comfort, then noise insulation is improved, but operator awareness of critical operational sounds deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise pollution in cabinVSAvoidoperator awareness of critical sounds
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The noise attenuation system segments the noise spectrum into different frequency ranges and applies different processing to each. Critical frequency ranges containing operational sounds are preserved or emphasized, while other noise frequencies are attenuated. This selective frequency-based segmentation allows simultaneous noise reduction and operational awareness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies local quality by treating different frequency ranges differently within the same noise attenuation system. Specifically, certain frequency bands associated with critical operational sounds are maintained or enhanced locally, while other frequency bands are suppressed. This creates a differentiated noise treatment that preserves important sounds while reducing overall noise pollution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If noise attenuation system uses fixed attenuation strategy, then system complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different operating contexts deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise attenuation controlVSAvoidresponse to different operating contexts
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The noise attenuation system implements dynamics by continuously adapting its attenuation strategy based on detected operating contexts. The system transitions from static fixed attenuation to dynamic context-dependent attenuation, where attenuation levels are adjusted in real-time according to the operational state of the work vehicle and surrounding environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring operating parameters and using this information to adjust noise attenuation levels. The detection unit provides feedback about the operating context, which the control unit uses to modify the attenuation strategy, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing conditions.

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

Enhances the operator's perception of relevant noises by differentiating between useful and background noise, improving operational safety and awareness in various working contexts.

Implementation Method 1

which serve to cancel out sound by means of destructive interference

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDestructive interference: Interference

Implementation Method 2

This involves active noise compensation and/or active noise recording

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectActive noise compensation: Acoustic Radiation Pressure

Data Source

PatentEP3799033B1Method for driving a noise damping system for an agricultural working vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 CLAAS E SYSTEMS GMBH
  • EP3799033B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3799033B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3799033B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for controlling a noise reduction system (60) for an agricultural work vehicle (1, 2, 30), with at least one working unit (10, 13, 23, 34, 44, 46, 47, 48) which is controlled by at least one control device (9, 43) of the work vehicle (1, 2, 30), and with a soundproofed cabin (4, 32), characterized by the steps: - determining operating parameters of the work vehicle (1, 2, 30); - deriving an operating context of the work vehicle (1, 2, 30) based on the operating parameters; and - Control of the noise reduction system (60) depending on the derived operating context, wherein, depending on the operating context, predetermined frequency ranges are transmitted from the noise reduction system (60) to an operator of the work vehicle (1, 2, 30) located in the cabin (4, 32).