Virtual Gear Shift Sound Reproduction for Electric Sports Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles lack the auditory feedback associated with gear shifts, reducing driver engagement and pleasure, especially in high-performance sports vehicles.
Innovation Solution
An acoustic system that generates sound associated with gear shifts by exciting structural resonances in the electric motor's mechanical components using acoustical signals, allowing drivers to perceive vehicle performance through impulsive sounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an electric power train system is used, then performance is improved and the need for gear shifting is eliminated, but driver involvement and driving pleasure are reduced due to lack of audible feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration by causing a mechanical element to vibrate at its resonant frequency through an acoustical signal injected into the electric motor. This vibration generates audible sounds that provide driver feedback during virtual gear shifts, thereby improving driver involvement and driving pleasure while maintaining the performance benefits of the electric power train system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an acoustical signal as an intermediary to transfer energy from the electric motor to a mechanical element. This intermediary approach allows the electric motor to produce audible sounds without requiring mechanical gear shifting components, thus maintaining performance while restoring driver feedback.
2Device complexity
If an electric motor is used, then the need for gear shifting is eliminated, but the driver's awareness of vehicle performance is reduced due to insufficient audible feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses mechanical vibration of a resonant mechanical element to generate audible sounds that convey vehicle performance information to the driver. This resolves the information loss by providing audible feedback about virtual gear shifts and motor operation without requiring complex mechanical gear shifting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the concept of changing acoustic characteristics (analogous to color changes) by varying the acoustical signal frequency to match the resonant frequency of the mechanical element. This produces distinct audible tones that communicate different vehicle states to the driver, compensating for the loss of traditional gear shift sounds.
3Device complexity
If the electric motor operates without acoustical excitation, then the system remains simple, but the sound produced is not perceptible or is unsatisfactory for high-performance sports vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mechanical vibration at resonant frequency to amplify the acoustic output. By exciting the mechanical element at its natural resonant frequency through an acoustical signal, the system produces perceptible and satisfying sounds for high-performance sports vehicles while adding minimal complexity to the electric motor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the electric motor by injecting an acoustical signal at specific frequencies. This parameter change causes the mechanical element to vibrate at its resonant frequency, significantly enhancing sound perceptibility without requiring a complete acoustic system redesign.
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
Enhances driver engagement and pleasure by providing audible feedback on gear shifts without requiring additional physical components, leveraging existing vehicle architecture for a cost-effective and customizable sound experience.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor (4), arranged to drive said at least one pair of wheels (3)
Implementation Method 2
said mechanical element (9) being resonant at a resonant frequency and said control unit (8) being configured to control said electric motor (4) so as to excite said mechanical element (9) to vibrate at said resonant frequency
Data Source
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AI summary
Road vehicle (1) comprising: four wheels (2, 3), of which at least two drive wheels (3); a passenger compartment (5) configured to accommodate at least one driver (DR); at least one electric motor (4) configured to deliver drive torque to the at least two drive wheels (3); a gear shift system (19), which is configured to allow the driver (DR) to select one of a plurality of virtual gears and to switch from one virtual gear to another while driving; an acoustic system (6), which comprises at least one reproduction device (7) configured to generate a sound (8) associable with a switch from one virtual gear to another; a control unit configured to detect a gear shift request from the driver (DR) to the gear shift system (19) and control the acoustic system (6) to reproduce the sound (S).