Virtual Engine Sound Control via Auto-Cruise Speed Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid and electric vehicles generate reduced noise when driven by electric motors, making it difficult for pedestrians, especially the visually impaired, to detect their approach, and existing virtual engine sound systems do not effectively adapt to changes in auto-cruise speed settings.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize a CAN communication unit to determine the activation status and speed settings of the auto-cruise function, generating a CAN signal to control the output of a virtual engine sound signal through a signal processing and digital amplification unit, ensuring no sound is produced when auto-cruise is activated at a constant speed, but producing a sound when speed settings are changed, mimicking actual engine sounds based on engine RPM and average piston speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If virtual engine sound is continuously output during auto-cruise operation, then pedestrian awareness is maintained, but noise pollution and monotony increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system outputs virtual engine sound periodically or conditionally rather than continuously. Specifically, sound is output when the auto-cruise function is deactivated or when speed settings are changed, and stopped when auto-cruise maintains constant speed, creating a periodic action pattern that reduces noise while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and removes the virtual engine sound output during specific steady-state auto-cruise conditions. By taking out the sound generation function when it's least needed (constant speed auto-cruise), the system reduces noise pollution while maintaining pedestrian awareness when actually needed
2Reliability
If virtual engine sound is output during steady-state auto-cruise, then safety is maintained, but sound monotony increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the virtual engine sound output based on real-time operating conditions. The sound generation is dynamically enabled or disabled according to whether the vehicle is in steady-state auto-cruise or experiencing changes in speed settings, making the system adaptive rather than static
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the auto-cruise control unit about speed setting changes to control sound output. When the feedback indicates constant speed maintenance, sound is stopped; when feedback indicates speed changes, sound is activated, creating a closed-loop control system
3Reliability
If virtual engine sound system continuously operates, then pedestrian detection is ensured, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sound system operates periodically based on detected changes in auto-cruise speed settings rather than continuously. This periodic operation pattern reduces energy consumption while maintaining pedestrian detection capability during critical moments when speed changes occur
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for controlling a virtual engine sound in response to auto-cruise speed settings may include: a controller area network (CAN) communication unit configured to receive information on one or more of auto-cruise speed settings and whether an auto-cruise function is activated, and generate a CAN signal; a control unit configured to control a virtual engine sound function in response to the CAN signal; a signal processing unit configured to process and output a virtual engine sound signal according to control of the control unit; and a digital amp unit configured to amplify the virtual engine sound signal outputted from the signal processing unit and produce a virtual engine sound.