Virtual Engine Sound System Intake Speaker Valve Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Environmentally friendly vehicles, such as electric and hybrid vehicles, generate excessively low noise while operating in EV mode, making it difficult for pedestrians, especially those who are blind or visually impaired, to perceive their approach, potentially leading to safety accidents.
Innovation Solution
A virtual engine sound system that includes a speaker mounted on the intake system of the vehicle, generating anti-noise or virtual sounds, controlled by an ECU and a valve system to effectively transmit sounds outside the vehicle, ensuring the air intake is not blocked and maintaining cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a speaker is mounted on the intake system to generate virtual engine sound in EV mode, then pedestrian awareness is improved, but the air intake path may be blocked affecting cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The intake system is divided into separate functional zones: the air cleaner outlet remains open for air intake, while the speaker is mounted on the upstream side intake conduit or air cleaner body. This segmentation allows the speaker to generate virtual engine sound without blocking the air intake path, resolving the contradiction between pedestrian awareness and cooling efficiency.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the speaker generates anti-noise sound to reduce engine noise, then noise pollution is reduced, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The speaker is integrated into the existing intake system structure, merging the noise control function with the air intake system. The ECU utilizes existing sensor data (engine operating conditions, RPM, vehicle speed) to control the speaker, combining multiple functions (air intake, noise control, pedestrian warning) into a unified system without adding separate complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The speaker serves multiple functions: generating virtual engine sound in EV mode for pedestrian awareness, generating anti-noise sound when the engine is running to reduce noise pollution, and potentially serving as a warning device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and lowers overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If the valve is controlled to open/close based on engine operation, then sound transmission is optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve controller automatically adjusts the valve position based on engine operating conditions (running or stopped) without requiring manual intervention. The system uses existing engine management data to autonomously control the valve, optimizing sound transmission while minimizing the need for additional control complexity.
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 transmits virtual sounds to the outside in EV mode and reduces engine noise when the internal combustion engine is operating, enhancing pedestrian awareness and safety without compromising cooling efficiency or increasing vehicle weight.
Implementation Method 1
a speaker mounted on an intake system, and generating an anti-noise sound with inverted phase to an engine noise of an internal combustion engine or a virtual sound
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual engine sound system for a vehicle includes: a speaker mounted on an intake system, and generating an anti-noise sound with inverted phase to an engine noise of an internal combustion engine or a virtual sound; and a valve which is movable between an open position in which an outlet of an air cleaner is opened and a closed position in which the outlet of the air cleaner is closed. The speaker is controlled by an ECU, and the valve is controlled by a valve controller. The ECU controls the speaker to generate the anti-noise sound in an operating condition in which the internal combustion engine is operating, and controls the speaker to generate the virtual sound in an operating condition in which the internal combustion engine is not operating.