Virtual Engine Noise Generation for Efficient Driver Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines with a reduced number of cylinders tend to operate at high rev rates due to drivers shifting gears based on noise, leading to inefficient operation and increased fuel consumption, counteracting the objectives of downspeeding and downsizing.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that generate a virtual engine noise by determining the time period between successive ignition events and superimposing noise to simulate a higher number of cylinders, influencing driver shift behavior towards more efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the number of cylinders is reduced, then fuel consumption is reduced and frictional losses are reduced, but the engine noise becomes less frequent causing drivers to shift at high rev rates which increases fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent generates a synthetic noise signal that copies the acoustic characteristics of a multi-cylinder engine. The control unit creates a virtual engine noise by synthesizing combustion sounds at intervals corresponding to the desired higher cylinder count, playing this synthesized noise through the audio system to simulate what a multi-cylinder engine would sound like, thereby influencing driver behavior without actually increasing cylinder count
Solution Approach 2:
The audio system acts as an intermediary between the actual single-cylinder engine operation and the driver's perception. By introducing a synthesized noise signal as an intermediary acoustic element, the system mediates the driver's gear shifting decisions, making them shift at lower rev rates based on the perceived multi-cylinder noise pattern, thus resolving the contradiction between actual engine performance and driver behavior
2Productivity
If the number of cylinders is reduced, then the engine size is reduced and efficiency is improved, but the acoustic feedback to drivers is insufficient leading to inefficient driving behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The system copies the acoustic information pattern of a multi-cylinder engine by synthesizing noise signals at intervals corresponding to multiple firing events per revolution. This copied acoustic pattern provides the driver with appropriate feedback for efficient driving behavior, even though the actual engine has fewer cylinders and operates more efficiently
3Loss of energy
If downspeeding and downsizing are implemented, then frictional losses are reduced, but the engine operates outside efficient parameter ranges due to driver behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces artificial acoustic feedback that influences driver behavior. By playing synthesized engine noise that mimics multi-cylinder firing patterns, the system provides feedback that encourages drivers to shift at lower rev rates, keeping the engine operating within efficient parameter ranges and maintaining the benefits of downspeeding and downsizing
Data Source
AI summary
A device to generate an engine noise and a method to generate the engine noise at a time period between two directly successive ignition events of an internal combustion engine wherein the engine noise increases the number of cylinders of the internal combustion engine in a virtual fashion.