Vehicle Window Voice Pickup for Microphone-Free Passenger Amplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voice amplification systems in vehicles require each seat to be equipped with a microphone, necessitating precise positioning, which is cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing side windows equipped with vibration sensors to capture sound vibrations, convert them into electrical signals, process these signals, and transmit them to audio transducers to amplify voice, eliminating the need for individual microphones by using the vehicle's windows as sound receptors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a speaker is mounted in a vehicle door to provide audio output, then passenger entertainment is improved, but the speaker is susceptible to damage from door closure forces and environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
A foam material is introduced as an intermediary between the speaker and the door closure force. The foam absorbs the impact energy when the door is closed, preventing direct transmission of force to the speaker components. This mediator protects the speaker while allowing the door to close normally, resolving the contradiction between maintaining speaker functionality for entertainment and protecting it from damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The door closure force, which is harmful to the speaker, is converted into a beneficial protective mechanism. The foam material transforms the harmful impact into a cushioning effect, where the compression of the foam during door closure actively protects the speaker. The previously harmful force becomes part of the protection system, allowing the door to close while simultaneously safeguarding the speaker.
2Ease of operation
If a speaker is mounted in a vehicle door, then audio output is provided to passengers, but condensation and door closure forces can damage the speaker
Solution Approach 1:
The foam material serves as an intermediary barrier between the speaker and harmful environmental factors including condensation. The foam's structure prevents direct contact between moisture and the speaker components, while still allowing the speaker to function for audio output. This mediator layer protects the speaker from condensation damage without compromising entertainment functionality.
3Strength
If adhesive is used to mount the speaker to the door, then the speaker is secured in place, but the adhesive bond may fail under door closure forces
Solution Approach 1:
The foam material provides beforehand cushioning between the speaker and the door closure force. By placing the foam in advance during assembly, it creates a protective buffer that absorbs future impact forces before they reach the adhesive bond. This pre-positioned cushioning prevents the adhesive from failing under door closure forces, maintaining both speaker mounting strength and bond integrity.
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
Enables effective voice amplification between passengers without the need for seat-specific microphones, improving communication clarity by enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio and reducing installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
positioned between the speaker and the door closure force to protect the speaker from the door closure force
Implementation Method 2
a speaker mounting system for mounting a speaker to a vehicle door or the like includes an adhesive material disposed on an inner panel of the vehicle door
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a vehicle comprising: at least one side window; at least one vibration sensor arranged on the side window to detect sound vibrations propagating on the window; at least one audio transmitter; and a computing unit connected to the vibration sensor and to the audio transmitter; characterised in that the computing unit is arranged to receive an electrical signal representative of a sound signal from the vibration sensor to process said signal in order to isolate a useful signal representative of a voice, the useful signal representative of a voice being sent by the computing unit to the audio transmitter.