Simulated Engine Sound Controller for Pedestrian Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Silent operation of hybrid or electric vehicles at low speeds poses a safety risk for visually impaired pedestrians who rely on audio cues, as they may not detect the approaching vehicle, leading to potential accidents.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle system that generates simulated engine sounds externally, controlled by a decider and controller, which decides when and how loud to produce these sounds based on proximity to pedestrians, road conditions, and environmental factors, ensuring safe coexistence while maintaining the advantage of low noise operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If hybrid or electric vehicles operate silently at low speeds, then environmental noise is reduced, but visually impaired pedestrians cannot detect the approaching vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental noiseVSAvoidpedestrian safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different sound generation strategies to different spatial locations and pedestrian scenarios. Simulated engine sounds are generated selectively based on pedestrian detection, road type, and environmental conditions, rather than uniformly across all operating conditions. This allows the vehicle to maintain silence in safe conditions while providing audio warnings when pedestrians are detected in vulnerable positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The sound generation system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on real-time detection of pedestrian presence, vehicle speed, road type, and environmental noise levels. The controller modulates the simulated engine sound output according to these changing conditions, enabling the vehicle to transition between silent operation and active audio warning as circumstances require.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If simulated engine sounds are generated continuously, then pedestrian awareness is improved, but the vehicle loses its low noise operation advantage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepedestrian awarenessVSAvoidenvironmental noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic or intermittent sound generation rather than continuous operation. Simulated engine sounds are activated only during specific periods when pedestrians are detected in the vicinity or when operating on road types where pedestrian presence is likely, and deactivated during periods when no pedestrians are present or when operating on dedicated vehicle roads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by generating simulated engine sounds only to the extent necessary for pedestrian awareness in specific scenarios, rather than continuously. The sound output is modulated based on pedestrian distance, detection confidence, and environmental conditions, providing just enough audio signal to alert pedestrians without excessive noise generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If simulated engine sounds are generated suddenly, then pedestrian detection is immediate, but pedestrians may be startled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepedestrian detection speedVSAvoidpedestrian psychological impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies beforehand cushioning by gradually increasing the intensity of simulated engine sounds before reaching full volume, or by using softer sound characteristics initially. This gradual introduction of audio signal allows pedestrians to acclimate to the sound without being suddenly startled, while still providing timely awareness of the approaching vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 system effectively informs pedestrians of an approaching vehicle without startling them, enhancing safety while preserving the quiet operation of hybrid or electric vehicles, by adjusting sound levels and patterns in response to pedestrian presence, road type, and environmental noise.

Implementation Method 1

a sound generator for generating simulated engine sounds outside the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroacoustic conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS9352688B2Vehicle capable of low noise runs

Publication Date: 2016.05.31 NL GIKEN

AI summary

A vehicle comprises electric motor, generator of simulated engine sounds, decider of whether or not to generate simulated engine sounds and controller of the level of simulated engine sounds. The controller smoothly increases level of simulated engine sounds upon decision of sound generation on detection of pedestrian, crosswalk, narrow road, or road with no sidewalk. The decider is responsive to vehicle navigation system, or ETC, or camera of EDR. EDR records the decision as circumstantial evidence. The decision may be optionally possible, but is forcibly made upon necessity. Simulated engine sounds can be greater than, or equal to, or less than real engine sounds. The controller makes a soft peak of simulated engine sound upon brake or accelerator operated. Balance of simulated engine sounds among front, rear, right and left of vehicle is changeable in response to shift lever or blinker lever operation. The decision is visually indicated inside vehicle.