Regulating or control device and method for improving a noise quality of an air-conditioning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air-conditioning systems in vehicles produce noticeable acoustic noise, especially when stationary, due to the fan, which interferes with multimedia devices as vehicle noise levels decrease, and existing noise reduction methods are costly and physically limited, such as using porous absorbers or active noise cancellation.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that influence the psychoacoustic variable 'sharpness' of the sound by adjusting the low-frequency and medium-frequency spectral components of the air-conditioning system's noise, using an actuator like a speaker and potentially a porous absorber, to reduce perceived sharpness without requiring additional active systems, thereby improving noise quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If porous absorbers are used to reduce high-frequency spectral components, then sound pressure level is reduced, but manufacturing costs and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical acoustic absorption system (porous absorbers) with an electronic signal processing system. A microphone captures the fan noise, a processor analyzes the spectral components and calculates psychoacoustic parameters, then an actuator generates anti-noise signals that cancel the original noise through destructive interference, achieving noise reduction without physical absorptive materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from physically absorbing sound energy to electronically manipulating acoustic parameters. By analyzing the frequency spectrum and psychoacoustic characteristics (sharpness, roughness, etc.) and generating counter-signals with opposite phase and adjusted amplitude, the system achieves noise cancellation through parameter manipulation rather than material absorption
2Object-affected harmful factors
If active noise cancellation systems are used, then psychoacoustic variables are reduced, but device complexity and hardware costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the air conditioning fan serve multiple functions: it provides the necessary airflow for climate control while also acting as the noise source to be canceled. The same fan motor and blades that generate cooling airflow also generate the acoustic noise, which is then captured and processed. This eliminates the need for separate noise generation equipment and reduces overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the air conditioning system's own components for noise cancellation. The microphone captures noise from the fan, the processor analyzes it, and the actuator (which can be an existing speaker in the vehicle or a dedicated element) generates the canceling signal. The system essentially cancels its own noise using its own resources without requiring external active noise control equipment
3Object-affected harmful factors
If high-frequency spectral components are reduced using traditional methods, then noise quality improves, but physical space requirements and package problems increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical acoustic treatment materials (which occupy significant volume) with electronic signal processing. Instead of installing bulky porous absorbers in the air ducts or passenger compartment, the system uses a microphone to capture noise, processes it electronically, and uses an actuator to generate canceling signals, achieving noise reduction without consuming additional package space
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
This approach enhances the noise quality by reducing the perceived sharpness of the air-conditioning system's noise, reducing manufacturing costs and weight, and allowing for more variations in sound weighting, while effectively minimizing the need for high-frequency spectral component reduction, thus improving passenger comfort.
Implementation Method 1
produces sound waves that, through destructive interference, are designed to dampen the sound waves emitted by a fan
Implementation Method 2
using porous absorbers to reduce or to absorb high-frequency spectral components of a frequency spectrum of the noise
Data Source
AI summary
A method for influencing an acoustic noise of an air-conditioning system of a vehicle, wherein a psychoacoustic variable, in particular a sharpness of the sound, of the air-conditioning system is reduced by influencing a low-frequency and/or medium-frequency spectral component of a frequency spectrum of the sound of the air-conditioning system. A regulating or control device for carrying out the method.