Vehicle Windshield Noise Control Using Laser Scanners
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle occupants are irritated by noise generated from the vibration of the front windshield during vehicle operation, particularly due to airstreams and operating components, which existing noise cancellation systems struggle to effectively mitigate.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a pair of laser scanners mounted inside the vehicle to identify the localized maximum displacement of the windshield and generate a noise-cancelling sound based on the estimated frequency of the vibration, using laser scans to determine the displacement and control the noise cancelling signal generating system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a noise cancellation system is implemented to mitigate windshield vibration noise, then occupant comfort is improved, but the system complexity increases due to the need for precise frequency detection and localization of maximum displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional contact-based vibration sensors with laser scanners that use optical fields to detect windshield displacement. The laser scanners emit laser beams that reflect off the windshield surface, and the reflected light is analyzed to determine displacement and frequency characteristics without physical contact, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces laser beams as an intermediary between the detection system and the windshield. The laser beams serve as a non-contact mediator that transfers information about windshield vibration to the detection system, enabling precise frequency detection without requiring direct mechanical contact or complex sensor arrays on the windshield itself
2Measurement precision
If laser scanners are used to accurately detect maximum displacement location and frequency, then noise cancellation precision is improved, but the measurement and detection difficulty increases due to the need for real-time scanning and analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary scanning of the windshield to identify locations of maximum displacement before implementing the noise cancellation strategy. The laser scanners pre-map the vibration pattern and frequency distribution across the windshield surface, allowing the system to focus computational resources on the identified critical areas rather than analyzing the entire windshield uniformly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the windshield into multiple scanning zones and uses multiple laser scanners to simultaneously detect different regions. Each laser scanner is assigned to scan a specific portion of the windshield, and the data from multiple scanners are integrated to determine the overall maximum displacement location and frequency characteristics, making the detection process more manageable and precise
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 mitigates the irritating noise caused by windshield vibration by accurately determining the frequency and generating a sound to cancel it, enhancing occupant comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of laser scanners configured to be mountable inside the vehicle occupant compartment, each laser scanner being configurable to scan an associated initial portion of the windshield
Implementation Method 2
using laser scans of the initial portions of the windshield, determining a laser scanner of the pair of laser scanners that currently resides closest to a localized maximum displacement of the windshield
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided for actively mitigating noise caused by vibration of a thin vehicle front windshield in an occupant compartment of a vehicle. The system includes a pair of laser scanners configured to be mountable inside the vehicle occupant compartment. Each laser scanner is configurable to scan an associated initial portion of the windshield simultaneously with the other laser scanner, when the windshield is vibrating.