Mapped Sound Generator for Engine Throttle Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intake sound generators, such as the Mann+Hummel Symposer, provide confusing and unhelpful aural feedback to drivers due to their dependence on the position of the engine throttle, which is influenced by sophisticated electronic engine management systems and not directly related to the driver's intended vehicle accelerations.
Innovation Solution
An intake sound generator with a sound throttle that varies in dependence on the position of the engine throttle lever, independent of the engine throttle position, and includes a flexible diaphragm or microphone/speaker system to regulate and transmit engine-generated sound pulses into the vehicle cabin, with adjustable modes for different driving conditions and engine speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a Symposer is connected directly before the engine throttle to transfer engine-generated pulsations, then the aural feedback from the engine is improved, but the feedback becomes confusing and unhelpful when the engine throttle position is controlled by an electronic engine management system
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of connecting the sound transmission tube before the engine throttle (as in the Symposer), this patent connects the sound transmission tube to the intake manifold after the throttle. The sound throttle is controlled to follow the engine throttle lever position rather than the actual engine throttle position, inverting the control reference from the electronic system to the driver's direct input, thereby making the feedback intuitive and directly correlated with driver intent.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If soundproofing materials are used to reduce road and wind noise in the cabin, then the noise levels are lowered, but the aural feedback from the engine is significantly diminished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sound transmission path from the general cabin environment. By using a dedicated sound transmission tube that bypasses the soundproofing materials in the cabin, the engine sound pulses are delivered directly to the driver through a separate acoustic channel, while the soundproofing materials continue to block road and wind noise through the main cabin structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sound transmission tube acts as an intermediary that carries engine sound pulses directly from the intake manifold to the driver's ear, bypassing the soundproofing barrier. This intermediary pathway allows engine feedback to reach the driver without being blocked by the soundproofing materials that are necessary for reducing road and wind noise.
3Extent of automation
If the sound throttle position follows the engine throttle position controlled by the electronic management system, then the system operates automatically, but the feedback does not align with the driver's intended vehicle accelerations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the sound throttle position is controlled to follow the engine throttle lever position (the driver's direct input) rather than the actual engine throttle position. This creates an acoustic feedback loop that is directly correlated with driver intent, allowing the driver to hear the feedback they expect based on their input, while the electronic engine management system continues to control the actual throttle position independently.
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 configuration provides more natural and effective aural feedback to the driver, improving the quality of engine sound transmission and reducing confusion by aligning sound levels with the driver's intended throttle position and driving style, while maintaining low levels of road and wind noise.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible diaphragm being connected across the chamber and configured such that, in response to engine-generated sound pulses being conducted along the first sound transmission tube into the chamber, the flexible diaphragm vibrates so as to transmit the engine-generated sound pulses across the diaphragm
Implementation Method 2
a first sound transmission tube connected to the sound outlet port and adapted to conduct engine-generated sound pulses from the intake manifold
Data Source
AI summary
An intake sound generator for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, the internal combustion engine having an intake manifold for distributing a combustion mixture to a plurality of cylinders of the engine, and an engine throttle controlled by an electronic engine management system for regulating the flow of the combustion mixture into the intake manifold, the engine management system being coupled to an engine throttle lever whose position indicates the engine throttle position desired by a driver of the vehicle, and the intake sound generator comprising: a sound outlet port at an intake manifold; a first sound transmission tube connected to the sound outlet port and adapted to conduct engine-generated sound pulses from the intake manifold; sound receiving means coupled to the first sound transmission tube and operable to receive engine-generated sound pulses conducting along the first sound transmission tube; a sound throttle connected along the first sound transmission tube at a point intermediate between the sound receiving means and the sound outlet port, the sound throttle being operable to regulate engine-generated sound pulses conducted along the first sound transmission tube; and sound providing means operable to provide engine-generated sound pulses received at the sound receiving means into a vehicle cabin; wherein the intake sound generator is configured such that the sound throttle position varies in dependence on the position of the engine throttle lever and is independent of the engine throttle position.