Vehicle Sound Generator with Acoustically Coupled Radiation Panel
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current sound generators for vehicles lack the ability to selectively modulate sound quality in the engine compartment and interior, and they are often structurally complex, making them difficult to configure for various tuning requirements.
Innovation Solution
A sound generator comprising a hollow drum with an aperture and a sound radiation panel that is acoustically coupled to the drum, allowing for the modulation of sound energy and frequency, with the panel being tunable to meet specific sound quality requirements by covering the aperture and being in fluid communication with an air conduit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple resonators are used to attenuate several sound waves of different frequencies, then sound quality modulation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sound generator is divided into multiple resonator chambers (first resonator chamber, second resonator chamber, etc.) that can be independently configured. Each chamber can be tuned to different frequencies, allowing the system to modulate multiple sound waves simultaneously while maintaining manageable complexity through modular segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resonator chambers are designed to be tunable and reconfigurable, allowing a single device to perform multiple functions by adjusting the tuning parameters of different chambers. This multi-functionality enables the device to attenuate various sound waves of different frequencies without requiring completely separate dedicated resonators for each function.
2Device complexity
If a single, fixed volume chamber is used for dissipating intake noise, then device complexity is minimized, but sound quality modulation capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The resonator chambers are designed with tunable parameters that can be dynamically adjusted to different frequencies. This dynamic capability allows a single chamber to adapt its resonant frequency, transforming it from a fixed single-function chamber into a multi-functional component that can modulate different sound qualities while maintaining relatively simple overall device structure.
3Power
If the air induction system is disposed in a location that does not permit desired sound to reach the vehicle interior, then sound energy generation is maintained, but sound transmission to interior is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sound generator acts as an intermediary device positioned between the air induction system and the vehicle interior. It receives sound energy from the induction system through its resonator chambers and actively transmits modulated sound waves to the vehicle interior, bridging the gap created by the distant positioning of the induction system and enabling effective sound transmission despite the spatial separation.
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 solution allows for the selective modulation of sound quality in the engine compartment and interior, reducing structural complexity and enabling the sound generator to meet various tuning requirements, providing enhanced sound energy and frequency range with multiple modes of vibration.
Implementation Method 1
a sound radiation panel at least partially covering the aperture and adapted to radiate sound energy to at least one of an engine compartment and an interior of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
The sound radiation panel is structurally and acoustically coupled to the drum. The sound generator is tuned to the desired sound energy and desired frequency range
Data Source
AI summary
A sound generator for a vehicle is provided, including a hollow drum having a sound radiation panel structurally and acoustically coupled thereto. The drum has an aperture formed in an outer wall thereof. The drum is adapted to be in fluid communication with an air conduit of the vehicle. The sound radiation panel covers at least a portion of the aperture and is adapted to radiate sound energy to at least one of an engine compartment and an interior of the vehicle. A vehicle system including the sound generator and a method for manufacturing the sound generator are also provided.