Spare Tire Cover Exciter Layout for Compact Vehicle Sound Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS) speakers are expensive, bulky, and difficult to package, necessitating a cost-effective and compact solution for sound generation in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sound exciter into a spare tire cover, comprising an attaching ring and a center panel with a temperature sensor, power source, and controller, which mounts a sound generating speaker hidden from view, allowing for selective sound generation and power adjustment based on temperature variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional AVAS speakers are used, then sound generation function is achieved, but cost, size, and packaging difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sound generation function with the existing spare tire cover structure by mounting the exciter directly to the cover. This integration eliminates the need for separate AVAS speaker components, reducing overall system cost and simplifying packaging while maintaining the required sound generation capability for vehicle alerting
Solution Approach 2:
The spare tire cover is transformed into a multi-functional component that serves both its traditional protective function and a new sound generation function. By mounting the exciter to the cover, the same structural element performs dual purposes, reducing the total number of components needed in the vehicle and lowering overall system complexity
2Illumination intensity
If multiple AVAS speakers are installed throughout the vehicle, then sound coverage is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple sound generation functions into a single integrated exciter unit mounted on the spare tire cover. This centralized approach provides adequate sound coverage for vehicle alerting purposes while significantly reducing the number of separate speaker components needed compared to traditional distributed AVAS speaker installations
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 solution provides a compact, cost-effective speaker system that can serve as an alarm, auxiliary audio, or powertrain sound enhancer, reducing the need for multiple AVAS speakers and enhancing vehicle safety and entertainment features.
Implementation Method 1
At least one exciter is mounted to the center panel... the at least one exciter comprises a sound generating speaker
Implementation Method 2
at least one temperature sensor measures a temperature of the center panel
Implementation Method 3
a control controls power supplied to the at least one exciter based on the temperature of the center panel
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes, among other things, a spare tire cover comprising an attaching ring configured to surround an outer circumference of a tire and a center panel that is attached to the attaching ring. At least one exciter is mounted to the center panel. A method includes, among other things, molding at least one temperature sensor to a center panel, mounting the center panel to enclose one open side of an attaching ring to form a spare tire cover, and mounting at least one exciter to the center panel to selectively generate a desired sound.