Patent Application
20190172441
The subject disclosure relates to vehicles and, more particularly, to a passive sound enhancement system for a vehicle.
Advancements in sound attenuation techniques, and changes in component technology have, at times, made it more difficult for vehicle occupants to perceive sounds produced by vehicle components. Vehicle owners have come to expect certain sounds in a vehicle interior. That is, some owners rely on sounds, produced by various vehicle components, to identify proper operation, or a certain level of vehicle performance. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a system that promotes desirable sound transmission from vehicle components to vehicle occupant spaces.
Disclosed is a powertrain component for a vehicle including a housing, and a mechanical system arranged in the housing. The mechanical system provides motive power to the vehicle. A passive sound enhancement system includes a bracket mounted to the housing. The bracket is selectively tuned to respond to one or more selected frequencies of the powertrain component.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, exemplary embodiments could include another bracket mountable at an occupant compartment of the vehicle, and a sound transmitting device extending between and connecting the bracket and the another bracket.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, exemplary embodiments could include wherein the sound transmitting device comprises a cable.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, exemplary embodiments could include wherein the sound transmitting device comprises a sheathed cable.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, exemplary embodiments could include wherein the sound transmitting device comprises a vehicle control cable.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, exemplary embodiments could include wherein the bracket includes a cantilevered end.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, exemplary embodiments could include wherein the cantilevered end supports a mass.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, exemplary embodiments could include wherein the mass is connected to the cantilevered end through a resilient member.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, exemplary embodiments could include wherein the mass includes a selected size and weight that possess a selected response when exposed to the one or more selected frequencies of the powertrain component.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, exemplary embodiments could include wherein the mechanical system comprises an electric motor.
Also disclosed is a vehicle having a body including an occupant compartment, and a powertrain component supported in the body for providing motive power to the vehicle. The powertrain component includes a housing, a mechanical system arranged in the housing, and a bracket mounted to the housing. The bracket is selectively tuned to respond to one or more selected frequencies of the powertrain component.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, exemplary embodiments could include another bracket mountable at an occupant compartment of the vehicle, and a sound transmitting device extending between and connecting the bracket and the another bracket.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, exemplary embodiments could include wherein the sound transmitting device comprises a cable.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, exemplary embodiments could include wherein the sound transmitting device comprises a sheathed cable.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, exemplary embodiments could include wherein the sound transmitting device comprises a vehicle control cable.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, exemplary embodiments could include wherein the mechanical system comprises an electric motor.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, exemplary embodiments could include wherein the bracket includes a cantilevered end.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, exemplary embodiments could include wherein the cantilevered end supports a mass.
In addition to one or more of the features described herein, exemplary embodiments could include wherein the mass includes a selected size and weight that possess a selected response when exposed to the one or more selected frequencies of the powertrain component and is connected to the cantilevered end through a resilient member.
The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages of the disclosure are readily apparent from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description, the detailed description referring to the drawings in which:
The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.
A vehicle, in accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, is indicated generally at 10 in
In accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, vehicle 10 includes a passive sound enhancement system 30 that enhances acoustics that may be created by powertrain component 20 so as to be perceivable in occupant compartment 16. With reference to
In accordance with an exemplary aspect, first bracket 40 is designed and formed to be responsive to a selected vibrational frequency or range of frequencies produced by powertrain component 20. When exposed to the selected frequency or range of frequencies, first bracket 40 may resonate at the same frequency or range of frequencies or at a different frequency or range of frequencies. First bracket 40 is connected to second bracket 42 by a sound transmitting device 46 that may take the form of a cable 48. In accordance with an exemplary aspect, cable 48 may be a sheathed cable 50. In accordance with another exemplary aspect, cable 48 may take the form of a vehicle control cable 54. The phrase “vehicle control cable” should be understood to describe a cable whose primary purpose is to provide and/or monitor control functions in vehicle 10.
Sound transmitting device 46 carries vibrations from first bracket 40 to second bracket 42. Second bracket 42 may then vibrate at a selected frequency or range of frequencies in response to the vibrations received from first bracket 40. The vibrations may resonate and may be perceivable as sounds in occupant compartment 16. The sounds are selected to provide a particular occupant experience. At this point, it should be understood that the first and second brackets 40 and 42 may be selectively dedicated to sound enhancement or, in accordance with another aspect, may take on multiple roles including sound enhancement and, for example, support members.
Reference will now follow to
Reference will now follow to
In the exemplary aspect shown, first mass 80 is connected to second cantilevered end 74 through a first resilient member 88 which may take the form of a spring 90. Similarly, second mass 82 may be connected to cantilevered end 74 through a second resilient member 92 which may take the form of a second spring 94. First and second masses 80, 82, together with first and second resilient members 88 and 92 are selected so as to enhance the audible response which may be perceived in occupant compartment 16 when bracket 70 is exposed to the selected vibrational frequency or range of frequencies.
At this point, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments provide a system that enhances sound produced by selected power components such as an electric motor, an internal combustion engine, or other propulsion system component, so as to be perceivable in an occupant compartment of a vehicle. The system relies on mechanical technology and does not require any electrical intervention. The use of resonating brackets that may be coupled with a sound transmission device may enhance, and transport sounds from the electric motor to one or more elements located in or near the occupant compartment. Other systems may simply rely on a motor mounted bracket that may resonate at a selected frequency.
While the above disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from its scope. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within the scope thereof.
