Electronic Sound Enhancement for Extended-Range Electric Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Extended-range electric vehicles face challenges in providing a consistent and desired engine sound experience to the driver, as the actual engine operation noise is influenced by the state of charge of the propulsion battery, which can be inconsistent and unappealing.
Innovation Solution
An electronic sound enhancement system that selects a preferred engine order equalization to generate a desired engine sound in the passenger compartment, decoupled from the actual engine operation and battery state of charge, using a controller and amplifier to produce audio signals that enhance the engine sound based on operator inputs and vehicle conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the actual engine operation noise is used to provide sound in the passenger compartment, then the sound reflects the true engine state, but the sound becomes inconsistent and unappealing due to variations in battery state of charge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a desired engine sound profile that copies the characteristics of an ideal engine operation, rather than using the actual engine noise directly. The system generates a target sound spectrum that represents how the engine sound should ideally sound, and uses this as a reference to guide the sound enhancement process, ensuring consistency regardless of actual engine operating conditions or battery state of charge.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts sound enhancement parameters based on the difference between the actual engine sound and the desired engine sound profile. By changing parameters such as equalization filters and gain adjustments in response to measured sound deviations, the system maintains consistent and appealing engine sound characteristics across varying battery states of charge and engine operating modes.
2Manufacturing precision
If the engine sound is coupled to actual engine operation and battery state of charge, then the sound accurately represents vehicle operation, but the perceived performance and character become inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a desired sound profile that copies the essential characteristics of authentic engine sound while filtering out inconsistent elements. This desired profile serves as a stable reference that maintains consistent vehicle character perception, allowing the system to accurately represent engine operation intent without being bound by the variability of actual engine noise under different battery states of charge.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic sound enhancement that adapts to actual engine operation while maintaining a stable desired sound profile. The system continuously adjusts the enhancement parameters based on real-time engine conditions and measured sound, creating a dynamic response that preserves consistent vehicle character and perceived performance across varying operating modes and battery states of charge.
3Reliability
If electronic sound enhancement is used to create desired engine sound, then consistent and appealing sound is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sound modification systems with electronic sound enhancement. Instead of using mechanical components to physically alter engine noise, the system uses electronic signal processing including microphones, processors, and speakers to capture, analyze, and enhance engine sound electronically. This substitution achieves consistent and appealing sound with greater precision while avoiding the complexity and reliability issues associated with mechanical sound modification mechanisms.
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 creates a consistent and desired engine sound experience, enhancing the perceived performance and character of the vehicle, regardless of the battery state of charge or engine operation mode, thereby improving driver satisfaction and vehicle perception.
Implementation Method 1
Sound is generated in the passenger compartment by the electronic sound enhancement system responsive to the preferred engine order equalization
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling an extended-range electric vehicle including an internal combustion engine and an electronic sound enhancement system includes selecting a preferred engine order equalization, said preferred engine order equalization achieving a desired engine sound in a passenger compartment of the vehicle responsive to an operator input to an accelerator pedal and decoupled from actual engine operation responsive to a state of charge (SOC) of a propulsion battery. Sound is generated in the passenger compartment by the electronic sound enhancement system responsive to the preferred engine order equalization.