Driver Seat Vibration Control for Natural EV Engine Feel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric vehicles lack the familiar vibro-acoustic sensations associated with thermal engines, leading to an unnatural driving experience due to the absence of combustion noise and mechanical vibrations, which are compensated for by artificial sound generation that feels unnatural.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating mechanical exciters into the driver's seat to generate vibrations mimicking those of a thermal engine, modulated by the speed and torque of the electric machine, providing a control unit to adjust frequency and intensity based on vehicle parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If speakers are used to generate artificial thermal engine noise, then the absence of combustion noise is compensated, but the generated noise is perceived as unnatural and unpleasant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabsence of thermal engine noiseVSAvoidnaturalness of noise perception

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the acoustic system (speakers generating artificial noise) with a mechanical vibration system (exciters in the driver's seat). This substitution transforms the approach from generating audible noise to creating tactile vibrations that mimic the physical sensations of thermal engine operation, thereby achieving natural perception through direct mechanical contact rather than artificial sound reproduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The driver's seat acts as an intermediary between the electric drive system and the driver. By embedding exciters in the seat, the system mediates the transmission of vibrations from the vehicle structure to the driver's body, creating a natural tactile connection that bridges the gap between the silent electric powertrain and the driver's expectations of engine presence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If the electric machine operates at high speeds (0-20000 rpm), then power delivery is improved, but the vibro-acoustic frequencies are much higher and less familiar to drivers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower delivery capabilityVSAvoidunfamiliar high-frequency vibrations

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system actively modifies the vibration parameters (frequency and intensity) generated by the exciters to match the characteristics of thermal engine vibrations. By dynamically adjusting these parameters based on vehicle operating conditions, the system transforms the high-frequency electric machine vibrations into familiar low-frequency tactile sensations that replicate thermal engine behavior across different driving scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If mechanical exciters are added to the driver's seat, then natural vibro-acoustic sensations are recreated, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenaturalness of driving experienceVSAvoidadditional mechanical components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The driver's seat is transformed into a multi-functional component that not only provides seating but also serves as the mounting structure for vibration exciters and the interface for delivering tactile feedback. This universalization allows the seat to fulfill both its traditional support function and the new function of generating thermal engine-like vibrations, thereby adding functionality without proportionally increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Recreates a natural and pleasant vibro-acoustic experience by simulating thermal engine sensations, enhancing the driving experience without artificial noise.

Implementation Method 1

meccanismi vibratori (detti exciters), in particolare di tipo elettrodinamico

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

provvisto di un controllore che comanda gli exciters in modo che questi ultimi generino vibrazioni aventi una frequenza e un'intensità dipendenti dalla coppia e dalla velocità di rotazione della macchina elettrica

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration modulation: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3498562B1Road vehicle provided with an electric drive

Publication Date: 2025.11.26 FERRARI SPA

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AI summary

Road vehicle (1) provided with an electric drive and having: at least one pair of drive wheels (3); at least one electric machine (8; 15); a mechanical transmission (7; 16) that connects the electric machine (8; 15) to the drive wheels (3); a passenger compartment (17); at least one seat (22), which is housed in the passenger compartment (17) and is provided with at least one mechanical exciter (26) that is designed to generate mechanical vibrations at variable frequencies and intensities; and a control unit (27), which is designed to drive the mechanical exciter (26) using a driving signal that derives from the noise generated by an internal combustion thermal engine and based on the speed of rotation of the electric machine (8 15) and/or on the speed of rotation of the drive wheels (3) and/or on the torque generated/absorbed by the electric machine (8; 15).