Driving-linked Sound Generation Device for Vehicle Acoustic Simulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engine sound synthesizers face complexity in reading out different engine sound data based on operation states, leading to high computational load and monotonous sounds lacking depth, which are not comfortable for passengers and those around the vehicle.

Innovation Solution

A running-linked sound producing device that generates synthetic sound data by changing the tone of first component sound data according to motor rotation speed and adjusting the volume of second component sound data based on accelerator command value without altering its tone, resulting in a deeper and more comfortable sound experience with a simpler configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If different engine sound data are read out depending on operation state to produce natural comfortable sounds, then sound quality is improved, but device complexity and computational load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound qualityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments engine sound into two distinct components: order sound (periodic components correlated with engine rotation) and random sound (non-periodic components not correlated with engine rotation). By separating these components and processing them independently with different synthesis methods, the system achieves natural sound quality without requiring complex operation-state-dependent data selection. The order sound component uses tone changes based on rotation speed while the random sound component uses volume changes, simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters of sound components based on engine rotation speed: the tone (frequency) of the order sound component is varied with rotation speed, while the volume of the random sound component is adjusted according to rotation speed and accelerator opening. This parameter-based approach replaces the need for storing and selecting different sound data sets for various operation states, reducing device complexity while maintaining sound quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If different engine sound data are read out depending on operation state to produce natural comfortable sounds, then sound quality is improved, but computational load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound qualityVSAvoidcomputational load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting engine sound into order and random components, the patent enables independent processing of each component with computationally efficient methods. The order sound component requires only tone modulation based on rotation speed, while the random sound component requires volume adjustment, both of which are computationally simpler than reading and processing different sound data sets for each operation state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes (tone and volume adjustments) instead of data set switching. This approach requires minimal computational resources compared to reading, processing, and synthesizing different sound data sets for various operation states, significantly reducing computational load while maintaining sound quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If monotonous sound is produced by simple sound device, then device complexity is reduced, but sound depth and comfort are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration simplicityVSAvoidsound depth
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments sound into two components with distinct characteristics: order sound providing tonal variation correlated with engine rotation, and random sound providing spectral depth not correlated with rotation. This segmentation enables a simple device configuration to produce rich, deep sound by combining two independently processed components rather than requiring a single complex sound synthesis system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

By applying parameter changes to both sound components - tone changes for order sound and volume changes for random sound - the patent achieves sound depth and natural variation without complex device configuration. The combination of these parameter-modulated components creates a comfortable, dynamic sound experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2628640B1Driving-linked sound generation device
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2628640B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2628640B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2628640B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A running-linked sound generation unit includes an order sound data generation unit, a random sound data generation unit, and a synthesis unit. The order sound data generation unit generates order sound data by changing the tone of basic order sound data according to a motor rotation speed of a vehicle. The random sound data generation unit generates random sound data by changing the volume of basic random sound data according to a motor rotation speed and an accelerator command value of a vehicle, without changing the tone of the basic random sound data. The synthesis unit generates synthetic sound data by combining synthesized order sound data and random sound data.