Vehicle Sound Enhancement via Sensor-Based Audio Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle occupants often desire to hear enhanced sounds from components like the induction, engine, or exhaust systems, but these sounds may not be present in sufficient quantities due to sound-reducing developments in vehicle design.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising sensors and a processor that measure and enhance sounds and vibrations from vehicle components, such as the powertrain, suspension, and exhaust systems, for audible display within or near the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If sound-reducing developments are implemented in vehicle design, then noise pollution and occupant comfort are improved, but desired vehicle sounds become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to capture ambient sounds including engine noise, then processes and enhances these sounds through audio processing algorithms to create desirable vehicle sounds that are played back through speakers, converting the harmful noise into a beneficial auditory experience
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an audio processing system with sensors, processors, and speakers as an intermediary between the vehicle components and occupants, capturing original sounds, enhancing them through processing, and replaying them to compensate for sound loss from noise-reducing design
2Ease of operation
If sound enhancement is applied to all vehicle sounds, then auditory experience is improved, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system selectively enhances specific frequency ranges and sound characteristics associated with desired vehicle sounds (engine, induction, exhaust) while leaving other sounds unchanged, applying enhancement only where needed rather than to all sounds uniformly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies sound enhancement selectively to particular vehicle sounds and frequency ranges that contribute to the desired auditory experience, rather than processing all sounds equally, optimizing the balance between auditory improvement and system resource usage
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
The system effectively amplifies desired sounds, providing a more natural, pleasing, and sporty auditory experience for vehicle occupants by selectively enhancing engine-related sounds based on measured vibrations and parameters, ensuring better sound feedback during vehicle operation.
Implementation Method 1
enhancing the sound for audible display
Implementation Method 2
measuring a sound, a vibration, or both, produced by one or more vehicle components; and enhancing the sound for audible display
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for enhancing vehicle sound are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, a vehicle includes a powertrain, one or more sensors, and a processor. The one or more sensors are configured to measure a sound, a vibration, or both, produced by one or more vehicle components pertaining to the engine. The processor is configured to enhance the sound for audible display for one or more individuals within or in proximity to the vehicle.