EV Sound and Torque Emulation for Pedestrian Audibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles lack the noise associated with combustion engines, posing safety risks, especially for pedestrians and visually impaired individuals, as they can be difficult to perceive when in motion, leading to increased accident likelihoods.
Innovation Solution
A sound and performance emulator for electric propulsion vehicles that simulates the sound and performance of combustion engines, including torque and power curves, gear ratios, and regenerative braking, using sensors and a control unit to mimic the experience of driving a combustion engine vehicle, with optional vibration emulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If electric vehicles operate without combustion engines, then energy efficiency is improved and emissions are reduced, but safety is worsened due to reduced audibility for pedestrians and cyclists
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful silence of electric vehicles into a beneficial safety feature by implementing artificial sound generation systems that emit characteristic vehicle sounds, making the vehicle audible to pedestrians and cyclists while maintaining the energy efficiency benefits of electric propulsion
2Reliability
If electric vehicles emit artificial noise to improve safety, then pedestrian recognition is improved, but noise pollution is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the artificial sound emission location-specific and context-dependent, emitting sounds primarily in urban areas where pedestrian safety is a concern while reducing or eliminating artificial noise in rural or low-traffic areas, thus balancing safety improvement with noise pollution reduction
3Ease of operation
If electric vehicles simulate combustion engine performance, then driving experience is improved, but device complexity is worsened due to additional sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing control units and sensors that serve multiple functions: they monitor vehicle parameters for both the electric motor and simulated combustion engine operations, manage both real and artificial sound generation, and coordinate performance emulation across different driving conditions, thereby reducing the need for entirely separate systems
Data Source
AI summary
This invention concerns a sound and performance emulator (1) for an electric propulsion vehicle (100) with a first sensor (2) to emit a clutch signal (2a) relative to the position of a clutch (101) of the electric propulsion vehicle (100); a second sensor (3) to emit a gear signal (3a) relative to the position of a gear-switch (102) of the electric propulsion vehicle (100); a control unit (4) which receives an acceleration signal (5) relating to an accelerator position (103) of the electric propulsion vehicle (100); a vehicle speed signal (6) and/or an engine revolutions signal (7) relating to the engine revolutions (RpmExt) of the electric motor (104); the clutch signal (2a); and the gear signal (3a). The control unit (4) calculates a simulated engine revolutions value (RpmFinal) and a simulated gear inserted value (GearInserted) of a simulated endothermic combustion vehicle. The control unit (4) provides a requested simulated torque value and/or an output throttle signal (OutputThrottle) to be sent to the electric propulsion vehicle (100) to control it.