Vehicle Noise Testing via Sensor Correlation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current noise testing methods for vehicles lack automation, making it difficult to objectively assess noise emissions under controlled conditions, particularly for S&R noises, engine, chassis, and wind noises, which are critical for ensuring optimal acoustic product quality.

Innovation Solution

A method involving sensors inside the vehicle for noise measurements while driving over a test track, correlating these measurements with known noise characteristics of comparison vehicles, using airborne and structure-borne sound sensors, and evaluating data with methods like FFT, to provide an objective assessment decoupled from environmental influences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual noise testing methods are used, then subjective assessment is possible, but automation and objectivity are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of noise testingVSAvoidobjectivity of noise assessment

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual, subjective noise assessment with an automated measurement system using sensors, signal processing equipment, and computer-based analysis. This substitution of mechanical/manual processes with automated systems enables both automation and objective measurement, resolving the contradiction between automation extent and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces comparison vehicles as intermediaries to establish objective reference standards. By comparing test vehicle noise characteristics against pre-established noise profiles from comparison vehicles with known acoustic qualities, the system achieves objective assessment automatically, without requiring subjective human judgment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If noise measurements are taken in controlled environments, then environmental influences are minimized, but real driving conditions are not representative

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepresentativeness of noise dataVSAvoidenvironmental influences on measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary characterization of comparison vehicles under controlled conditions to establish reference noise profiles. These pre-established profiles serve as benchmarks that can be used during actual road tests, allowing real-world measurements to be objectively evaluated against known standards while maintaining representativeness of both controlled and real driving conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If multiple sensors are distributed in the vehicle interior, then noise source localization is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise source identification capabilityVSAvoidsensor distribution system

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the vehicle interior into multiple measurement zones with distributed sensors, allowing localized noise detection and source identification. By segmenting the measurement space and using multiple sensors positioned at different locations, the system can triangulate and identify specific noise sources while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular sensor placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 automated, objective noise testing that identifies noise trends and potential issues early, optimizing subsequent work and improving vehicle quality by comparing noise behavior over time and across vehicle series.

Implementation Method 1

carrying out noise measurements in the vehicle interior by means of sensors arranged inside the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound: Sound

Implementation Method 2

The measuring system may have airborne and/or structure-borne sound sensors. These sound sensors are particularly well suited to carrying out the noise measurements in the vehicle interior.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic energy detection: Acoustics

Data Source

PatentUS11085813B2Method for testing the noise of vehicles when driving over a test track

Publication Date: 2021.08.10 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

A method is provided for testing noise of vehicles when driving over a test track. This method includes carrying out noise measurements in a vehicle driving over the test track by means of sensors arranged inside the vehicle, determining the positions of the vehicle driving on the test track and assigning the respective measurement to the position of the vehicle on the test track, evaluating the measurement results of the noise measurements, based on the respective test track position, during a comparison with known noise characteristics of comparison vehicles. The method enables an efficient objective noise test of vehicles when driving over a test track.