Virtual Engine Sound Control for Enclosure Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtual engine sound systems for hybrid and electric vehicles fail to dynamically adjust the volume and operation of the sound based on the vehicle's environment, leading to overly loud sounds in enclosed spaces.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize sensors, such as GPS, photo sensors, and object detection sensors to determine the vehicle's environment and adjust the virtual engine sound accordingly, reducing volume and sound pressure when inside an enclosure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the virtual engine sound is generated based on vehicle operating parameters in an outdoor environment, then pedestrian safety is improved, but the sound becomes overly loud and disturbing in interior environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the virtual engine sound volume based on the detected environment type. The control unit changes the sound output from high volume (outdoor) to low volume (indoor) in real-time, making the system adaptable to different operating conditions rather than using a fixed volume level
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses detecting sensors to continuously monitor environmental conditions and provides feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback about whether the vehicle is in an indoor or outdoor environment, the control unit automatically adjusts the sound volume accordingly
2Reliability
If the virtual engine sound volume is increased to ensure pedestrian awareness, then safety is improved, but the sound becomes disturbing in enclosed spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different sound volume levels to different local environments. Instead of using a single uniform volume setting, the control unit adjusts the sound characteristics based on the specific environment detected, providing appropriate noise levels for each location type
3Measurement precision
If the system uses multiple sensors to detect environment, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple detecting sensors (GPS receiver, photo sensor, object detection sensor) into a unified environment detection system. The control unit integrates information from all sensors to determine whether the vehicle is in an indoor or outdoor environment, leveraging the complementary strengths of each sensor type
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
Effectively controls the virtual engine sound to ensure appropriate noise levels in various environments, enhancing pedestrian safety by maintaining adequate sound awareness without being overly loud in enclosed spaces.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a receiving ratio of a Global Positioning System (GPS) in the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
measuring a quantity of light outside the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system and method for controlling a virtual engine sound of a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle. More specifically, the system includes a sensor for detecting when the vehicle is inside an enclosure; a virtual engine sound generation portion for generating the virtual engine sound of the vehicle; and a control portion for receiving data detected by the sensor to control the virtual engine sound based upon whether or not the vehicle is inside the enclosure, and transmitting a control signal corresponding to the data to the virtual engine generation portion.