Vehicle Wiper Noise Cancellation Using Feedforward Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing noise cancellation systems for vehicle wiper systems are inaccurate and lack reactivity, leading to increased costs due to the use of materials and mechanisms that are not specifically adapted to wiper noise.
Innovation Solution
A noise cancellation method using feedforward data from sensors and a model of wiper noise propagation, combined with machine learning, to generate a noise cancellation control signal for a vehicle's speaker system, reducing the need for acoustic sensors and improving accuracy and reactivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If feedforward data and propagation models are used for noise cancellation, then accuracy and reactivity are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-acquires feedforward data from sensors and pre-processes it through the propagation model before noise cancellation is needed. This preliminary preparation of noise characteristics and propagation parameters enables rapid, accurate noise cancellation when activated, without requiring complex real-time computation during the cancellation process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that transforms raw sensor data into processed feedforward data using propagation models. This intermediary step decouples the complexity of accurate noise characterization from the real-time cancellation operation, allowing the speaker system to receive pre-processed, optimized control signals rather than raw sensor inputs.
2Measurement precision
If acoustic sensors are added to improve noise detection accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing sensors in the vehicle serve multiple functions: they simultaneously monitor vehicle operation parameters and provide feedforward data for noise cancellation. By processing these existing sensor inputs through propagation models, the system achieves accurate noise detection without requiring dedicated acoustic sensors, thus avoiding additional complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the vehicle's existing sensor infrastructure to provide the data needed for noise cancellation. Rather than requiring separate, dedicated noise detection sensors, the vehicle's own operational sensors serve the dual purpose of vehicle monitoring and noise characterization, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding additional hardware requirements.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If materials and mechanisms are changed to reduce wiper noise, then noise reduction is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical noise reduction approaches (changing wiper materials and mechanisms) with an acoustic cancellation system using speakers. Instead of modifying the physical wiper system to reduce noise at the source, the invention uses electromagnetic/acoustic fields to generate anti-phase sound waves that cancel the wiper noise, thereby avoiding costly material and mechanical modifications while achieving noise reduction.
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 method enhances the accuracy and reactivity of noise cancellation by estimating wiper system noise without additional acoustic sensors, thereby reducing costs while effectively canceling motor and arm noise in the vehicle cabin.
Implementation Method 1
generating an acoustic signal to cancel the wiper noise
Implementation Method 2
model of propagation of the wiper noise in the cabin
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a method of cancelling noise produced in a cabin of a vehicle by a wiper system. The method is implemented by a noise cancellation device, and comprises receiving (401) feedforward data related to wiper noise. Such feedforward data can be issued from sensors collocated with elements of the wiper system, or from an ECU controlling motor operation of the wiper system. It further comprises generating (403) a noise cancellation control signal based on the feedforward data and based on a model of propagation of the wiper noise in the cabin and transmitting (404) the noise cancellation control signal to a speaker system of the vehicle.