Solenoid-Driven Shielding Member for External Vehicle Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing noise reduction systems in vehicles primarily focus on reducing noise inside the cabin but fail to effectively mitigate noise emissions to the environment from sources like engines.

Innovation Solution

A noise emission reduction system using a solenoid coupled to a shielding member and a vehicle frame, controlled by a controller that receives signals from an accelerometer and microphone to induce anti-phase vibrations in the shielding member, reducing noise emissions by aligning vibrations with sound emissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a piezoelectric transducer is used to reduce noise, then noise cancellation can be provided, but vibration of the vehicle causes signal saturation and errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise cancellation accuracyVSAvoidsignal saturation from vehicle vibration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the piezoelectric transducer (which is sensitive to vibration) with a solenoid actuator. The solenoid uses electromagnetic fields to drive a diaphragm, making it immune to vehicle vibrations. This substitution eliminates signal saturation while maintaining noise cancellation capability, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and vibration interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If active noise cancelation is used inside the cabin, then noise affecting driver and passengers is reduced, but noise emitted to the environment is not reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise inside cabinVSAvoidnoise emitted to environment

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the noise cancellation function from the cabin interior and applies it to the external environment. By placing the microphone outside the cabin and using the solenoid-driven diaphragm to generate anti-phase sound waves externally, the system specifically targets environmental noise emission while leaving cabin noise reduction as a separate, optional function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a solenoid is used to induce vibration of the shielding member, then the system works effectively in vibrating conditions, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise cancellation in vibrating systemVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex vibration-isolation mechanisms with a simple solenoid actuator that is inherently immune to vibration. The solenoid's electromagnetic operation eliminates the need for complex mechanical isolation systems, achieving reliable noise cancellation in vibrating conditions while actually reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system provides efficient noise cancellation by avoiding signal saturation and enhancing accuracy, enabling robust noise reduction from vehicle noise sources to the environment.

Implementation Method 1

a solenoid couplable to a shielding member configured to at least partly surround a noise source comprised in a vehicle, and to a frame of the vehicle, the solenoid being controllable to induce vibration of the shielding member in relation to the frame of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolenoid: Solenoid

Implementation Method 2

an accelerometer couplable to the frame; and a controller coupled to the solenoid, to the microphone, and to the accelerometer, the controller being configured to: receive a first signal from the accelerometer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 3

a microphone configured to receive sound emitted by the noise source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrophone:

Data Source

PatentUS12466340B2Noise emission reduction system

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

AI summary

A noise emission reduction system includes a solenoid couplable to a shielding member, and to a frame of a vehicle. The solenoid is controllable to induce vibration of the shielding member in relation to the frame of the vehicle. A microphone is configured to receive sound emitted by a noise source. An accelerometer is couplable to the frame and a controller is coupled to the solenoid, to the microphone, and to the accelerometer. The controller is configured to: receive a first signal from the accelerometer; receive a second signal from the microphone; determine a control signal for the solenoid based on the first signal and the second signal; and control the solenoid using the determined control signal to induce vibration of the shielding member in relation to the frame.