Electronic Variable Valve for Automatic Exhaust Sound Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engine exhaust sound control systems for smart vehicles require manual driver operation to change exhaust sounds, limiting convenience and flexibility in achieving desired sounds based on driving modes and habits.

Innovation Solution

An exhaust system that automatically interlocks engine exhaust sound with vehicle traveling modes, using an electronic variable valve to switch between quiet and sporty exhaust sounds based on accelerator pedal strokes, without driver intervention, through SMART DRIVE MODE-ECO, COMFORT, and SPORT states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual operation is used to change exhaust sound, then driver has direct control over exhaust sound selection, but convenience is reduced and manual operation hassle increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of exhaust sound controlVSAvoidautomatic exhaust sound switching

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects driving conditions (accelerator pedal stroke, vehicle speed, engine load) and switches exhaust sound modes without driver intervention. The exhaust control system serves itself by making autonomous decisions based on sensor inputs, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining appropriate exhaust sound selection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors driving conditions through sensors (accelerator pedal position, vehicle speed, engine parameters) and uses this feedback to automatically adjust exhaust sound modes. The control unit processes real-time feedback signals and switches between quiet and sporty exhaust sounds accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to driving conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If electronic variable valve is used to change exhaust sound, then exhaust sound can be adjusted dynamically, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexhaust sound adjustment capabilityVSAvoidexhaust system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces fixed exhaust configurations with dynamic control through an electronically operated valve. The valve can adjust its opening degree in real-time based on driving conditions, allowing the exhaust system to transition between different sound modes (quiet, sporty) and maintain adaptability while using a relatively simple mechanical actuation mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical state of the exhaust flow by adjusting the valve opening degree parameter. By varying this single parameter electronically, the system achieves multiple exhaust sound characteristics without requiring complex mechanical reconfigurations or multiple fixed valves, thus maintaining simplicity while providing versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Extent of automation

If accelerator pedal stroke is used to determine exhaust sound mode, then exhaust sound automatically matches driving style, but measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic mode switching accuracyVSAvoidaccelerator pedal stroke detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses accelerator pedal stroke as the primary control parameter for exhaust sound selection, focusing measurement resources on this single dominant factor. While other parameters (vehicle speed, engine load) are monitored, the pedal stroke provides sufficient precision for mode switching decisions, avoiding the need for equally precise measurement of all parameters simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Enables automatic and seamless changes in engine exhaust sound to match driving styles and habits, enhancing driving experience by increasing vehicle/engine outputs and reducing manual operation hassles, while maintaining low back pressure and differentiated sound effects.

Implementation Method 1

performing a SMART SHIFT control in which the engine exhaust sound is automatically switched, the engine exhaust sound being generated by a muffler discharging an exhaust gas to an atmosphere according to a valve opening of an electronic variable valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectValve opening control: Valve

Data Source

PatentUS11859524B2Method for interlocking engine exhaust sound with traveling mode and exhaust system for smart vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A method for automatically changing the engine exhaust sound in conjunction with the traveling mode implemented by the exhaust system applied to the vehicle may vary the valve opening of an electronic variable valve provided in a first tail pipe of first and second tail pipes of muffler discharging the exhaust gas coming from an engine by a mode recognition logic connected to an engine ECU to the atmosphere, and control the variation of the valve opening with the engine torque and the engine RPM based on a change in an accelerator pedal stroke in any one of a SMART DRIVE MODE-ECO state, a SMART DRIVE MODE-COMFORT state, and a SMART DRIVE MODE-SPORT state, implementing a quiet engine exhaust sound and a sporty engine exhaust sound depending on various vehicle traveling states provided by the SMART DRIVE MODE and increasing vehicle/engine outputs.