System And Method For Controlling A Speaker In A Vehicle Cabin To Play Sounds Produced By An Engine And/Or A Driveline During A Vehicle Launch And A Transmission Upshift

Abstract

A system according to the present disclosure includes a launch identification module and a speaker control module. The launch identification module is configured to monitor a speed of a vehicle and identify a vehicle launch when the vehicle speed increases from zero to a value greater than zero. The speaker control module is configured to monitor an acceleration of the vehicle control a speaker in a cabin of the vehicle to play a first sound that simulates a sound produced by at least one of an engine and a driveline during a vehicle launch when a vehicle launch is identified and the vehicle acceleration is greater than a predetermined acceleration. The speaker control module is also configured to control the speaker to not play the first sound during a vehicle launch when a vehicle launch is identified and the vehicle acceleration is less than or equal to the predetermined acceleration.

Description

INTRODUCTION[0001]The information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.[0002]The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for controlling the speaker in a vehicle cabin to play sounds produced by an engine and / or a driveline during a vehicle launch and a transmission upshift.[0003]When a vehicle having a high performance engine and driveline launches from zero to a speed greater than zero, the high performance engine and driveline produce a grunt sound. The high performance engine and the driveline also produce a grunt sound when the vehicle is upshifted (i.e., shifted from a lower gear to a higher gear). The grunt sounds produced by the ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes how modern vehicles have reduced noise levels during acceleration and how this has impacted the customer's perception of the engine's performance. The text also mentions that electric and hybrid vehicles don't make a lot of noise and can be mistaken for being less powerful. The technical effects of the patent text are that better sound reduction can make vehicles feel like they're performing better even if they're not, and that customers may be misled by the lack of engine noise in electric and hybrid vehicles.

Problems solved by technology

Thus, while the performance of a newer engine may be the same as or better than the performance of an older engine, a customer may perceive that the newer engine does not perform as well as the older engine due to the noise reduction.

Thus, a customer may incorrectly perceive that these vehicles have low power performance.

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