Integrated Front Speaker Layout for Quiet Vehicle Alert Sounding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle designs that output notification sounds for electric or hybrid vehicles to comply with legal regulations often result in increased noise levels within the vehicle compartment, compromising interior quietness.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus with integrated first and second speakers disposed symmetrically on either side of the vehicle, sharing an amplifier and magnetic circuit, outputs notification sounds that cancel each other out inside the vehicle, while meeting exterior sound pressure requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If notification sounds are outputted from speakers to comply with exterior sound regulations, then pedestrians can recognize the vehicle approach, but noise levels within the vehicle compartment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by configuring speakers to emit notification sounds in opposite phases before the sounds can propagate into the vehicle compartment. The first speaker emits sound in one direction while the second speaker emits sound in the opposite direction, creating destructive interference that cancels the noise before it enters the interior space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of notification sound into a beneficial effect by utilizing acoustic interference. The same sound waves that would normally create interior noise are instead configured to cancel each other out through opposite-phase emission, transforming the harmful noise into a beneficial silence within the vehicle compartment while maintaining exterior notification effectiveness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple speakers are used to output notification sounds in different directions, then sound coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple speaker systems into an integrated structure where the first and second speakers are positioned and configured to work together as a unified noise cancellation system. By combining the speakers with shared mounting and coordinated control, the system achieves multi-directional sound coverage while reducing overall structural complexity compared to separate speaker installations.
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
The solution ensures compliance with exterior sound regulations while significantly reducing noise within the vehicle compartment, enhancing occupant comfort by minimizing interior noise interference.
Implementation Method 1
outputs notification sounds that cancel each other out inside the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus for a vehicle includes a first speaker and a second speaker. The first speaker is disposed at a front part of the vehicle and toward a right side in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle. The first speaker is configured to output a notification sound that notifies the surroundings of the vehicle of an approach of the vehicle. The second speaker is disposed at the front part of the vehicle and toward a left side in the vehicle width direction. The second speaker is configured to output the notification sound. The first speaker and the second speaker have an integrated structure with respect to each other and are opposed to each other in the vehicle width direction. The first speaker and the second speaker are configured to simultaneously receive, from an amplifier, a same audio signal as each other on which the notification sound is based.