Active control of automotive induction noise

Abstract

 An air induction system comprises an air induction body (10), a speaker (14) with a first diaphragm (18) disposed about the air induction body, and a second diaphragm (22) spaced from the first diaphragm. A signal is generated from the first diaphragm and transmitted to the second diaphragm. The second diaphragm generates a noise attenuating sound.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an active control of automotive induction noise and, in particular, to an active dipole inlet using a drone cone speaker driver.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Manufacturers have employed active and passive methods to reduce engine noise within the passenger compartment of motor vehicles. Such noise frequently emanates from the engine, travels through the air induction system and emanates out of the mouth of the air intake into the passenger compartment. Efforts have been made to reduce the amount of engine noise traveling through the air induction system. These efforts include the use of both passive devices such as expansion chambers and Helmholtz resonators and active devices involving anti-noise generators.

[0003] Active noise attenuation systems use a speaker to create a sound that attenuates engine noise. The sound created is out of phase with the engine noise and combines with the engine noise to result in its reduction. Generally, this sound is generated in proximity to the air induction system. In one such system, the speaker is placed in the mouth of air intake duct.

[0004] At low sound frequencies, speakers of current active noise attenuation systems may experience a significant reduction of speaker response. As a consequence, current active noise attenuation systems reduce engine noise less than optimally at these frequencies. Undesirable engine sound may find its way back to the passenger compartment as a consequence.

[0005] A need therefore exists to improve speaker response of such systems at low sound frequencies without affecting the effectiveness of the speakers at higher frequencies.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention seeks to overcome the above mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In a disclosed embodiment of this invention, an air induction system comprises an air induction body, a speaker with a first diaphragm disposed about the air induction body, and a second diaphragm spaced from the first diaphragm. A signal, a sound wave, is generated from the first diaphragm and transmitted to the second diaphragm. The second diaphragm generates a noise attenuating sound.

[0008] A flow body may interconnect the first diaphragm to the second diaphragm. A tube may be used as the flow body. Further, seals may interconnect the flow body to the first and second diaphragms, creating an inductive mass. This inductive mass serves to improve speaker response at low frequency ranges. While the first diaphragm may be disposed in the air induction body, the second diaphragm may be placed about the mouth of the body. The second diaphragm is preferably flexible. An air filter may also be disposed with the air induction body.

[0009] In communication with the speaker is a control unit, which serves to control noise attenuation by the invention. The control unit generates a signal for the speaker with the first diaphragm. The signal is then transmitted to the second diaphragm spaced from the first diaphragm. The signal may be transmitted through a flow body. From the second diaphragm, a noise attenuating sound is created to limit engine noise.

[0010] In this way, the invention improves speaker response for noise attenuation systems at a low frequency range without sacrificing speaker response at higher frequencies. Noise attenuation systems are thereby better able to respond to engine noises of low frequency. The improved response is afforded without significant alteration to existing noise attenuation systems. Indeed, the system is easily implemented into existing air induction systems without much additional expense, cost, or labor to install.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a graph of the improved acoustic response afforded by the invention.

Figure 3 shows the embodiment of Figure 1 in relation to a vehicle throttle body and engine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0012] There will now be described, by way of example, the best mode contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. In the following description, numerous specific details are set out in order to provide a complete understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art, that the present invention may be put into practise with variations of this specific.

[0013] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the invention. The air induction system comprises air induction body 10, speaker 14 with first diaphragm 18, and second diaphragm 22, which is spaced from first diaphragm 18. As can bee seen from the drawing, speaker 14 and first diaphragm 18 are disposed about air induction body 10. While first diaphragm 18 may be of a design well known, second diaphragm 22 is preferably flexible.

[0014] The air induction system may include flow body 26 interconnecting first diaphragm 18 and second diaphragm 22. Here, the flow body is a tube, although one skilled in the art may employ other forms to perform the same function of creating an inductive mass. Seal 30 and seal 34 may serve to interconnect flow body 26 to first diaphragm 18 and second diaphragm 22, respectively. Mouth 38, an opening as known in the art, may be part of air induction body 10. It is preferable that second diaphragm 22 be disposed about mouth 38 as pictured. Additionally, air filter 42 may also be disposed in air induction body 10 to filter incoming air in the direction of arrow A, which is in the direction of the vehicle engine.

[0015] Control unit 46, as known in the art, may be in communication with speaker 14 to thereby control sound output to attenuate engine noise. In this configuration, control unit 46 may generate a signal through speaker 14 and first diaphragm 18. The signal is transmitted to second diaphragm 22. The signal may be transmitted through a sealed flow body such as a tube. In response to this signal, second diaphragm 22 generates a noise attenuating sound, which, as known, is generally out of phase with engine noise to thereby cancel sound. The signal is thus transmitted through an inductive mass, which improves speaker response at low frequency ranges.

[0016] Figure 2 illustrates the benefit of the system. Speaker response is shown over sound frequency. Line 50 illustrates speaker response of prior art systems over a wide frequency range. As shown, speaker response deteriorates at low sound frequencies. With the device of Figure 1, as shown by line 54 (dashed lines), speaker response improves to permit noise attenuation at low frequency ranges without sacrificing speaker response at higher frequency ranges.

[0017] Figure 3 shows the system in relation to vehicle throttle body 50 and vehicle engine 54. Throttle body 50 and vehicle engine 54 are both shown schematically. The system may be connected to throttle body 50 by means known in the art.

Claims

1. An air induction system comprising:

an air induction body;

a speaker; a first diaphragm associated with said speaker; and

a second diaphragm spaced from said first diaphragm.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the first diaphragm is disposed about said speaker.

3. The system of claim 2 further including a flow body interconnecting said first diaphragm and said second diaphragm.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the first diaphragm is disposed within said air induction body and wherein a flow body is provided, which body interconnects said first diaphragm and said second diaphragm.

5. The system according to claim 3 or 4 wherein said flow body is a tube.

6. The system according to any one of claims 2 to 5 further including at least one seal interconnecting said flow body to said first diaphragm.

7. The system according to any one of claims 2 to 6 further including at least one seal interconnecting said flow body to said second diaphragm.

8. The system of any preceding claim further including a mouth operatively connected to said air induction body wherein said second diaphragm is disposed within said mouth.

9. The system of any preceding claim further including an air filter disposed in said air induction body.

10. The system of any preceding claim further including a control unit in communication with said speaker, controlling output to attenuate engine noise.

11. The system of any preceding claim wherein said second diaphragm is flexible.

12. A method of noise attenuation comprising the steps of:

generating a signal from a first diaphragm in an air induction body;

transmitting the signal to a second diaphragm; and

generating a noise attenuating sound from the second diaphragm.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the signal is transmitted through a flow body.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the flow body is sealed.

Drawing