Vehicular Notification Device Using Frequency-Filtered Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle notification devices face challenges in providing precise vibration control and distinguishability, as notification vibrations can be masked by road noise, making it difficult for drivers to recognize alerts without disturbing passengers.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle notification system that includes a vibrator, signal generator, measurement unit, frequency analyzer, and frequency variable unit to detect and filter out masking frequencies, generating a notification vibration using a sweep signal with adjusted frequency ranges to ensure the vibration is recognizable only to the driver.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a notification vibration is generated using a motor or vibrator in the vehicle interior, then the driver can be notified of lane departure, but the vibration may be masked by road noise during vehicle travel, reducing distinguishability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification effectivenessVSAvoidvibration distinguishability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanical vibration by using a vibrator to generate notification vibrations in the driver's seat. The system utilizes vibration mechanisms disposed in different interior members (such as the seat and steering wheel) to create distinguishable notification vibrations that can be felt by the driver during lane departure events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by positioning vibration mechanisms in specific locations within the vehicle interior, particularly in the driver's seat and steering wheel. This localized placement ensures that the notification vibration is transmitted directly to the driver while minimizing transmission to passengers in other seating positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 3:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the notification system into multiple independent vibration mechanisms disposed in different interior members. This allows the system to control and differentiate vibration sources, enabling precise notification control and improving distinguishability by activating specific mechanisms based on detection results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If an alarm sound is used for notification, then the driver can recognize the alert, but passengers other than the driver would also become aware and feel annoyed or anxious

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification recognizabilityVSAvoidpassenger discomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by positioning vibration mechanisms in specific locations within the vehicle interior, particularly in the driver's seat and steering wheel. This localized placement ensures that the notification vibration is transmitted directly to the driver while minimizing transmission to passengers in other seating positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies mechanical vibration by using a vibrator to generate notification vibrations in the driver's seat. The system utilizes vibration mechanisms disposed in different interior members (such as the seat and steering wheel) to create distinguishable notification vibrations that can be felt by the driver during lane departure events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Reliability

If rumble strips are used to generate vibrations, then the driver alarming effect is increased, but passengers would also distinguish the vibration and feel uncomfortable or anxious

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver alarming effectVSAvoidpassenger discomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by positioning vibration mechanisms in specific locations within the vehicle interior, particularly in the driver's seat and steering wheel. This localized placement ensures that the notification vibration is transmitted directly to the driver while minimizing transmission to passengers in other seating positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the notification system into multiple independent vibration mechanisms disposed in different interior members. This allows the system to control and differentiate vibration sources, enabling precise notification control and improving distinguishability by activating specific mechanisms based on detection results.

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

The system effectively increases the distinguishability of notification vibrations for the driver while minimizing passenger awareness, using resonant properties to enhance vibration amplitude without increasing power consumption.

Implementation Method 1

a measurement unit configured to measure a vibration in a vehicle interior

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a frequency analyzer configured to calculate vehicle-stop-time frequency characteristics and vehicle-travel-time frequency characteristics by measuring a vibration using the measurement unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFrequency analysis:

Implementation Method 3

a vibrator disposed in a seat in a vehicle interior... generate a notification vibration on the basis of the second sweep signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3378706B1Vehicular notification device and vehicular notification method
Publication Date: 2021.07.07 FAURECIA CLARION ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3378706B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3378706B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3378706B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To make a notification to the driver so that the driver can distinguish or recognize the notification. A vehicle notification device (1a) inputs a first sweep signal whose frequency is changed in a predetermined frequency range, to a vibrator (4), calculates frequency characteristics of a vibration in the vehicle interior, detects a frequency range in which the signal level of vehicle-travel-time frequency characteristics is higher than the signal level of vehicle-stop-time frequency characteristics by a predetermined level amount or more, generates a second sweep signal whose frequency is changed in a range obtained by excluding the detected frequency range from the predetermined frequency range of the first sweep signal, and outputs the second sweep signal from the vibrator (4).