Unified Engine and Road Noise Control via Signal Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current engine order and road noise control systems require separate technologies and sensors for each type of noise, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A unified system that uses a first sensor to pick up road noise and a second sensor to detect engine harmonics, combining these signals through cross-over filtering and broadband active noise control to generate anti-noise, which is then radiated to reduce both road and engine noise within the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate systems are used for engine order control and road noise control, then each noise type can be controlled independently, but the device complexity and sensor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines engine order control and road noise control into a single unified system. The combiner component merges the engine harmonics signal and road noise signal into one combined signal that is then processed by a single active noise control filter. This eliminates the need for separate parallel systems while maintaining the ability to control both noise types effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified system uses a single sensor arrangement and signal processing chain that handles both engine order and road noise control functions. The first sensor picks up road noise while the second sensor detects engine harmonics, and both signals are processed through the same active noise control filter and loudspeaker system, making the system multi-functional rather than requiring separate dedicated systems.
2Measurement precision
If separate sensors are used for engine harmonics and road noise, then each noise source can be detected accurately, but the quantity of sensors and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the noise control function into two distinct sensing paths: one for road noise (first sensor) and one for engine harmonics (second sensor). Each sensor is optimized for its specific function, but the segmented signals are then combined rather than processed separately, reducing the total sensor quantity while maintaining detection accuracy for each noise source.
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 approach enhances noise reduction efficiency by combining signals from multiple sources, reducing the need for separate systems and improving the overall noise cancellation performance within the vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
a loudspeaker configured to convert the filtered combination signal provided by the active noise control filter into anti-noise and to radiate the anti-noise to a listening position in an interior of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a first sensor configured to directly pick up road noise from a structural element of a vehicle
Implementation Method 3
a second sensor configured to detect harmonics of an engine of the vehicle
Implementation Method 4
The combiner is further configured to combine the first sense signal and the second sense signal through cross-over filtering
Implementation Method 5
a broadband active noise control filter configured to generate a filtered combination signal from the combination signal, wherein the filtered combination signal is configured so that the anti-noise reduces the road noise and engine sound at the listening position
Data Source
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AI summary
Exemplary engine order and road noise control systems and methods include directly picking up road noise from a structural element of a vehicle to generate a first sense signal representative of the road noise, detecting harmonics of an engine of the vehicle to generate a second sense signal representative of the engine harmonics, and combining the first sense signal and the second sense signal to provide a combination signal representing the combination of the first sense signal and the second sense signal. The systems and methods further include broadband active noise control filtering to generate a filtered combination signal from the combination signal, and converting the filtered combination signal from the active noise control filtering into anti-noise and radiating the anti-noise to a listening position in an interior of the vehicle. The filtered combination signal is configured so that the anti-noise reduces the road noise and engine sound at the listening position.