Vehicle Audio Control for EV Acoustic Feedback Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrified vehicles lack consistent acoustic feedback during driving due to the absence of powertrain noise, which affects the driving experience and compliance with acoustic vehicle alerting systems.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle audio control device with an electronic controller, computer-readable medium, and audiovisual system that generates customizable sound outputs based on vehicle states detected by sensors, allowing users to select and control sound profiles through a user interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If electrified vehicles operate without powertrain noise, then energy efficiency is improved, but acoustic feedback for the driver is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an audio control device as an intermediary that generates artificial sound outputs to compensate for the lost powertrain noise. The device receives vehicle state information from sensors and produces corresponding acoustic feedback through speakers, serving as a mediator between the electrified powertrain and the driver's auditory perception.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates artificial copies of traditional powertrain acoustic feedback by generating sound outputs that mimic the acoustic characteristics of internal combustion engines. These synthesized sounds replicate the information previously conveyed through natural powertrain noise, allowing drivers to receive similar feedback without the actual mechanical noise.
2Loss of information
If active sound design is implemented, then acoustic feedback is restored, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The audio control device is designed to perform multiple functions: it monitors various vehicle states through sensor integration, stores multiple sound profiles, processes user preferences, and generates appropriate acoustic feedback. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate systems into a single integrated unit, managing complexity while providing comprehensive acoustic feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a nested structure where the audio control device contains embedded components including sensor interfaces, memory storage for sound profiles, processing logic, and speaker outputs. The electronic controller is programmed with nested layers of functionality from basic sound playback to adaptive sound selection based on multiple vehicle parameters, creating a compact hierarchical system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If customizable sound outputs are provided, then user preference is satisfied, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-stores multiple sound outputs corresponding to different vehicle states and user preferences in memory before operation. During driving, the electronic controller simply retrieves and plays the appropriate pre-configured sound profile based on current vehicle conditions, avoiding the need for real-time sound synthesis and reducing control complexity while maintaining extensive customization options.
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
Provides consistent acoustic feedback reflecting driving conditions, enhances the driving experience, and ensures compliance with legal noise requirements by generating tailored sound effects using speakers.
Implementation Method 1
The audiovisual system has at least one speaker controlled by the electronic controller to generate the sound outputs when the electrified vehicle is in the corresponding state of the vehicle drive cycle
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle audio control device includes an electronic controller, a computer-readable medium and an audiovisual system. The electronic controller is programmed to be in communication with a sensor system of an electrified vehicle to receive signals from the sensor system regarding a state of the electrified vehicle during a vehicle drive cycle. The computer-readable medium stores a plurality sound outputs. Each of the sound outputs corresponds to one or more states of the vehicle drive cycle. The user interphase is operable to set the sound outputs with respect to the one or more states of the vehicle drive cycle. The audiovisual system has at least one speaker controlled by the electronic controller to generate the sound outputs when the electrified vehicle is in the corresponding state of the vehicle drive cycle.