Patent Publication Number: US-2019172441-A1

Title: Passive sound enhancement system for a vehicle

Description:
INTRODUCTION 
     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. 
     SUMMARY 
     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. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE 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: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a vehicle having a passive sound enhancement system, in accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  schematically illustrates the passive sound enhancement system of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  schematically depicts a passive sound enhancement system, in accordance with another aspect of an exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG. 4  schematically depicts a passive sound enhancement system, in accordance with yet another aspect of an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     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  FIG. 1 . Vehicle  10  includes a body  14  that defines, at least in part, an occupant compartment  16 . Body  14  also supports a powertrain component  20  having a housing  21  that encloses a mechanical system (not separately labeled). Powertrain component  20  may take the form of an electric motor  23  that provides motive power to vehicle  10 . Powertrain component  20  may also take on other forms including internal combustion engines, electric powertrains, and/or components thereof. Also, the term “electric motor” should be understood to include both dedicated electric and hybrid electric motors. Powertrain component  20  provides a motive force to vehicle  10  through front wheels  25  and/or rear wheels  26 . That is, powertrain component  20  may be operatively connected to one, the other, or both front wheels  25  and rear wheels  26  through a transmission (not shown). 
     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  FIG. 2  and continued reference to  FIG. 1 , passive sound enhancement system  30 , in accordance with an exemplary aspect, includes a first bracket  40  mounted to powertrain component  20  and a second bracket  42  mounted at occupant compartment  16 . The phrase “mounted at occupant compartment  16 ” should be understood to mean that second bracket  42  may be mounted in or near occupant compartment  16 . 
     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  FIG. 3  in describing a sound shaping system  65  in accordance with another aspect of an exemplary embodiment. Sound shaping system  65  includes a bracket  70  having a first end  72  mounted to powertrain component  20  and a second, cantilevered end  74 . Bracket  70  is formed from a material and is shaped so as to respond to a selected vibrational frequency or range of frequencies produced by powertrain component  20 . Bracket  70  will resonate and produce an audible response when exposed to the selected frequency or range of frequencies. The audible response is perceivable in occupant compartment  16 . 
     Reference will now follow to  FIG. 4 , wherein like reference numbers represent corresponding parts in the respective views, in describing a passive sound enhancement system  78  in accordance with another exemplary aspect. Passive sound enhancement system  78  includes a first mass  80  mounted to a first side (not separately labeled) of cantilevered end  74  and a second mass  82  mounted to a second, opposing side (also not separately labeled) of cantilevered end  74 . It should be understood, that while shown with two masses, passive sound enhancement system  78  may only include a single mass. Second mass  82  may include a size and a weight selected to respond when exposed to the selected frequency or range of frequencies. 
     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.