Roof Module Acoustic Integration for Autonomous Vehicle Warning Sound
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric and autonomously driving motor vehicles pose a risk to other road users due to being hardly audible and insufficient consideration of ambient sounds in driving behavior, leading to potential dangers.
Innovation Solution
Integration of sound-generating and sound-recording means, such as loudspeakers and microphones, within the roof module, which are covered by the roof skin, allowing for improved sonic communication with the environment while maintaining the optical appearance, including the use of vibration generators for audible vibrations and acoustic insulation to minimize interior noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sound-generating means are integrated into the roof module, then traffic safety and communication with the environment are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sound-generating means (loudspeakers) and sound-recording means (microphones) directly into the roof module structure, merging multiple functions (structural support, acoustic emission, acoustic reception) into a single integrated component. This reduces the need for separate mounting structures and simplifies the overall system architecture while improving traffic safety through enhanced auditory communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The roof module is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the vehicle roof, houses sound-generating means for emitting audible signals to pedestrians and other road users, and incorporates sound-recording means for capturing ambient sounds. This multi-functionality approach improves reliability by ensuring safe communication without adding separate dedicated structures for each function.
2Illumination intensity
If the roof skin is made transparent to realize a see-through roof portion, then the optical appearance and visibility are improved, but the acoustic insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The roof skin is designed with different properties in different regions: certain areas are made transparent to allow visibility and light transmission for aesthetic purposes, while other areas maintain acoustic insulation properties. The sound-generating means are positioned to emit sounds through specific zones where the roof skin's acoustic properties are optimized for sound transmission, while maintaining overall acoustic insulation for the vehicle interior.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If acoustic insulation is added between the roof skin and roof headliner, then interior noise is reduced, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic insulation is integrated into the roof module structure itself, combining the functions of structural support and acoustic insulation. The insulation material is positioned between the roof skin and roof headliner as part of the modular assembly, eliminating the need for separate acoustic treatment components and reducing overall system complexity while effectively reducing interior noise from sound-generating means.
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
Enhances traffic safety by enabling active communication with the environment and other road users through audible signals and warnings, particularly for autonomously driving vehicles, and allows interaction with visually impaired individuals, improving safety and awareness.
Implementation Method 1
the means for generating sound can also be realized as what is known as an exciter and can in particular comprise a vibration generator which can cause a body of the roof module to vibrate, these vibrations being audible on the outside of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
acoustic insulation is disposed between the roof skin and a roof headliner, the roof headliner forming the underside of the roof module, in order to keep the noise emitted by the sound generating means low in the vehicle interior
Data Source
AI summary
A roof module for a motor vehicle having a roof skin and a roof substructure as well as a means for autonomous driving or semi-autonomous driving of the motor vehicle. The means having at least one sensor module having at least one environmental sensor for detecting a vehicle environment, the sensor module being covered by the roof skin, having a means for generating sound which are covered by the roof skin and means for recording sound which are covered by the roof skin. The environmental sensor and the means for generating sound and the means for recording sound are connected to a controller which is part of the means for autonomous driving or semi-autonomous driving of the motor vehicle. The means for generating sound and the means for recording sound are part of the means for autonomous driving or semi-autonomous driving of the motor vehicle.