Vehicle Window Throb Mitigation via Acoustic Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern vehicles experience aerodynamic disruptions and pressure differentials when a window is open, causing an unpleasant 'wind throb' or buffeting sensation for passengers, especially at high speeds, and existing solutions like structural modifications or opening additional windows are either ineffective or increase manufacturing complexity.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle system equipped with occupancy sensors, a microphone, and a processor that detects sound pressure levels and automatically opens a second window based on occupancy data to mitigate wind throb, prioritizing windows on the same side or nearest to the open window to minimize discomfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a window is opened for ventilation, then air circulation is improved, but aerodynamic disruption and wind throb increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair circulationVSAvoidwind throb

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses microphones to detect sound pressure levels inside the vehicle cabin and feeds this information back to the control unit. When wind throb is detected above a threshold level, the system automatically responds by opening a second window to mitigate the effect, creating a closed-loop feedback control system that dynamically adjusts window positions based on real-time acoustic conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a control unit and acoustic sensors as intermediary elements between the driver's window opening action and the aerodynamic consequences. This intermediary system detects wind throb through sound pressure monitoring and mediates the solution by automatically opening a second window, eliminating the need for the driver to manually adjust multiple windows

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If structural modifications are made to reduce wind throb, then passenger comfort is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind throbVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or structural aerodynamic modifications with an electronic control system consisting of microphones, a control unit, and window actuators. Instead of redesigning the vehicle's aerodynamic structure, the system uses acoustic sensing and automated window control to mitigate wind throb, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the windows dynamically based on detected sound pressure levels. Rather than fixing window positions or aerodynamic structures, the patent adjusts window opening states in response to real-time acoustic conditions, using parameter changes to control wind throb without structural modifications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If additional windows are opened to reduce wind throb, then passenger comfort is improved, but energy loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind throbVSAvoidenergy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system opens a second window only partially or selectively based on the severity of detected wind throb. The control unit monitors sound pressure levels and opens windows only when necessary to mitigate discomfort, rather than keeping all windows closed or fully open, achieving a balanced partial action that reduces wind throb while minimizing energy loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 reduces wind throb by automatically adjusting window positions based on sound pressure levels and occupancy data, enhancing passenger comfort without increasing manufacturing complexity.

Implementation Method 1

determine, based on microphone data, that a sound pressure level is above a threshold level

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound pressure: Sound

Data Source

PatentUS10487562B2Systems and methods for mitigating open vehicle window throb

Publication Date: 2019.11.26 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

Method and apparatus are disclosed for determining and mitigating wind throb caused by an open vehicle window. An example vehicle includes a plurality of windows corresponding to a plurality of seats having respective occupancy sensors, a microphone, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine that a first window is open, determine, based on microphone data, that a sound pressure level is above a threshold level, and responsively open a second window selected based on occupancy data determined by the occupancy sensors.