METHOD OF SELECTING AN OPERATING MODE OF AN ACTIVE SOUND GENERATING DEVICE OF AN EXHAUST SYSTEM, EXHAUST SYSTEM, AND MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

A method of selecting an operating mode of an active sound generating device of an exhaust system for a motor vehicle includes acquiring information on the operation of the motor vehicle and/or information on the environment of the motor vehicle. On this basis, one of at least two predefined operating modes of the active sound generating device is selected. The selected operating mode or an operating mode to be selected in the future is displayed for the driver. Alternatively or additionally, a characteristic value associated with the selected operating mode or the operating mode to be selected in the future is displayed for the driver. Furthermore, an associated exhaust system and a motor vehicle equipped therewith are described.

Claims

1. A method of selecting an operating mode of an active sound generating device) of an exhaust system for a motor vehicle, the exhaust system comprising at least one exhaust pipe carrying exhaust gas and an active sound generating device configured to generate sound waves that interact with the exhaust gas carried in the at least one exhaust pipe, comprising the steps of: (a) acquiring an information on an operation of the motor vehicle, in particular on the operation of an internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle, and/or acquiring an information on an environment of the motor vehicle; (b) selecting one of at least two predefined operating modes of the active sound generating device on a basis of information acquired in step (a); and (c) displaying a selected operating mode or an operating mode, to be selected in the future, of the active sound generating device for the driver, and/or displaying a characteristic value associated with the selected operating mode or the operating mode, to be selected in the future, of the active sound generating device for the driver.

2. The method according to claim 1 including: communicating with a unit external to the motor vehicle, in particular an infrastructure unit, wherein an information on a state of the motor vehicle, in particular on the selected operating mode of the active sound generating device), is transmitted to the unit external to the motor vehicle, and/or a limit value information is transferred to the motor vehicle from the unit external to the motor vehicle.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein a limit value information transferred to the motor vehicle from the unit external to the motor vehicle and/or an information derived therefrom is displayed to the driver.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein a preference of a motor vehicle user for an operating mode of the active sound generating device is additionally taken into account when selecting the operating mode of the active sound generating device.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information on the environment of the motor vehicle comprises at least one camera image captured by a vehicle-mounted camera and/or at least one information captured by a vehicle-mounted camera and provided by a traffic sign.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein one of the operating modes of the active sound generating device is a sound suppression mode, in which a sound carried by the exhaust gas is at least partly cancelled out, preferably completely cancelled out, by the sound of the active sound generating device, and/or one of the operating modes of the active sound generating device is an imitation mode, in which a sound carried by the exhaust gas is influenced to the effect that a resultant total sound equals or corresponds to an imitation target, and/or one of the operating modes of the active sound generating device is a warning mode, in which a warning noise is added to a sound carried by the exhaust gas.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in wherein the information on the operation of the motor vehicle) and/or the information on the environment of the motor vehicle is/are continuously acquired in a specified time cycle.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information on the operation of the motor vehicle comprises an information on a travel speed of the motor vehicle, an information on an operating noise emitted by the motor vehicle, an information on an operating location of the motor vehicle, and/or an information on an operating time of the motor vehicle.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information on the operation of the internal combustion engine comprises an information on a speed of the internal combustion engine, an information on a torque output by the internal combustion engine, and/or an information on a power output by the internal combustion engine.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein different types of information on the operation of the motor vehicle and/or different types of information on the environment of the motor vehicle each have a priority value assigned thereto, so that when information is acquired that is inconsistent with regard to the operating mode to be selected of the active sound generating device, the operating mode is always selected on the basis of that information that has the higher priority value.

11. An exhaust system for a motor vehicle, comprising: at least one exhaust pipe carrying exhaust gas; an active sound generating device configured to generate sound waves that interact with the exhaust gas carried in the at least one exhaust pipe, the active sound generating device having at least two different operating modes, the active sound generating device including a drive interface, via which the active sound generating device is connectable, in terms of signaling, to a control unit of a drive engine of the motor vehicle, the active sound generating device including an environment interface, via which the active sound generating device is directly or indirectly connectable, in terms of signaling, to at least one sensor which detects an environment of the motor vehicle, and an operating mode of the active sound generating device being selectable by a control unit of the active sound generating device taking into account a signal provided at the drive interface and/or the environment interface; and a display device provided for a driver of the motor vehicle, on which a currently selected or a future operating mode of the active sound generating device and/or a characteristic value associated with the currently selected or future operating mode of the active sound generating device is/are displayable.

12. The exhaust system according to claim 11, wherein a communication interface is provided, via which an information on a state of the motor vehicle, in particular on the selected operating mode, can be transmitted to a unit external to the motor vehicle, in particular an infrastructure unit, and/or via which a limit value information can be transferred from the unit external to the motor vehicle, in particular an infrastructure unit, to the motor vehicle.

13. The exhaust system according to claim 11, wherein a limit value information transferred to the motor vehicle from the unit external to the motor vehicle and/or an information derived therefrom is/are displayable on the display device for the driver.

14. The exhaust system according to claim 11, wherein an input device is provided by which preferences in regard to the selection of the operating mode can be entered, in particular wherein the display device and the input device are realized as one single, combined device.

15. The exhaust system according to any of claim 11, wherein a camera is coupled to the environment interface in terms of signaling, and the information on the environment of the motor vehicle is detectable by the camera.

16. The exhaust system according to claim 11, wherein the active sound generating device is in the form of an active sound damper, a sound generator, or a combination thereof.

17. A motor vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine which is coupled to the exhaust system according to claim 11.

18. A method of selecting an operating mode of an active sound generating device of an exhaust system for a motor vehicle, the exhaust system comprising at least one exhaust pipe carrying exhaust gas and an active sound generating device configured to generate sound waves that interact with the exhaust gas carried in the exhaust pipe, comprising the steps of including: (a) acquiring an information on the operation of the motor vehicle, in particular on the operation of the internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle, and/or acquiring the information on the environment of the motor vehicle; (b) selecting one of at least two predefined operating modes of the active sound generating device on the basis of the information acquired in step (a); and (c) communicating with a unit external to the motor vehicle, in particular an infrastructure unit, wherein an information on a state of the motor vehicle, in particular on the selected operating mode of the active sound generating device, is transmitted to the unit external to the motor vehicle, and/or a limit value information is transferred to the motor vehicle from the unit external to the motor vehicle.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The disclosure will now be discussed below with reference to an exemplary embodiment which is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle according to an exemplary disclosure, including an exhaust system according to an exemplary disclosure and having an active sound generating device, the operating mode of which is selected via a method according to an exemplary disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 2 shows the exhaust system according to FIG. 1 in a schematic overview; and

[0040] FIG. 3 schematically shows the flow of the method according to the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle 10 which is equipped with an internal combustion engine 12 that serves as a drive engine.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, the internal combustion engine 12 is coupled to an exhaust system 14, which comprises at least one exhaust pipe 16 carrying exhaust gas. An exhaust gas flow existing there is schematically symbolized by the arrow 18.

[0043] The exhaust system 14 further includes an active sound generating device 20, which is configured to generate sound waves that interact with the exhaust gas carried in the exhaust pipe 16 (cf. arrow 18).

[0044] The sound generating device 20 is coupled to the exhaust pipe 16 only by way of example here. A sound generating device that is arranged beside the exhaust pipe 16 so that the sound waves generated by the sound generating device are superimposed with the sound waves carried by the exhaust gas flow (arrow 18) outside the exhaust pipe 16 is also conceivable.

[0045] In the illustrated example, the active sound generating device 20 comprises a loudspeaker which is arranged inside the housing 21 and used for generating the aforementioned sound waves. In this context, the active sound generating device 20 can act both as an active sound damper, which damps a sound carried by the exhaust gas flow in the exhaust pipe 16, and as a so-called sound generator. In this connection, a sound generated by the active sound generating device 20 supplements the sound carried by the exhaust gas flow in the exhaust pipe 16, so that a total sound having specified characteristics is produced.

[0046] The active sound generating device 20 further includes a control unit 22, by which an operating mode of the active sound generating device 20 can be set.

[0047] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the active sound generating device 20 has three different operating modes.

[0048] A first operating mode here is a sound suppression mode, in which a sound carried by the exhaust gas is preferably completely cancelled out by the sound generated by the active sound generating device 20.

[0049] A second operating mode is a so-called imitation mode. In this mode, a sound carried by the exhaust gas is influenced to the effect that a resultant total sound equals or corresponds to an imitation target. In this way, for example, a total sound can be set that corresponds to the sound of a six-cylinder engine, irrespective of the number of cylinders of the internal combustion engine.

[0050] A third operating mode is a warning mode. In this mode, the sound carried by the exhaust gas is supplemented by a warning noise that alerts other road users to the presence and/or movement of the motor vehicle 10.

[0051] The sound generating device 20, more precisely the control unit 22, further includes a plurality of interfaces.

[0052] The sound generating device 20 can be connected in terms of signaling to a control unit of a drive engine or drive motor of the motor vehicle 10 via a drive interface 24. In the present case, the internal combustion engine 12 is the drive engine.

[0053] Furthermore, an environment interface 26 is provided, via which the sound generating device 20 is directly or indirectly connectable, in terms of signaling, to at least one sensor which detects an environment of the motor vehicle 10.

[0054] In the illustrated embodiment, a camera 28 is coupled to the environment interface 26 in terms of signaling, so that information on the environment of the motor vehicle 10 is captured by the camera 28. LIDAR, LADAR, radar and/or ultrasonic systems are also conceivable as an alternative or in addition to the camera.

[0055] Additionally, the control unit 22 includes a communication interface 30, via which an information on a state of the motor vehicle 10, in particular on the selected operating mode, can be transmitted to a unit 32 external to the motor vehicle, which in the present case is an infrastructure unit. In addition, a limit value information can be transferred from the unit external to the motor vehicle via the communication interface 30 to the motor vehicle 10, more precisely to the control unit 22.

[0056] In addition, a display device 34 is provided for the driver of the motor vehicle 10, on which a currently selected operating mode of the active sound generating device 20 can be displayed in an area 36. An operating mode to be selected in the future can also be depicted in an area 38. Furthermore, characteristic values that relate to the currently selected or the future operating mode may also be displayed in the areas 36, 38.

[0057] Moreover, limit value information or information derived therefrom which is transferred to the motor vehicle 10 from the unit 32 external to the motor vehicle can be displayed in an area 40.

[0058] In the present case, the display device 34 also doubles as an input device. Thus, the display device 34 can be used to enter preferences of the driver regarding the operating mode to be selected. An area 42 is provided for this. This means that the driver can indicate, for example, that he prefers the imitation mode over the sound suppression mode and the warning mode if a sporty and emotionally appealing sound of his motor vehicle 10 is important to him.

[0059] For example, the display device 34 comprises a touch display.

[0060] The operating mode of the sound generating device 20 is selected by the control unit 22 taking into account signals provided at the drive interface 24 and the environment interface 26. The sequence or flow of the associated method of selecting the operating mode of the active sound generating device 20 is illustrated in detail in FIG. 3.

[0061] In a first step 44, an information on the operation of the motor vehicle 10, in this case on the operation of the internal combustion engine 12, is acquired via the drive interface 24.

[0062] In addition, an information on the environment of the motor vehicle 10 is provided via the environment interface 26. As already discussed, the environment interface 26 is connected to the camera 28. The information on the environment of the motor vehicle 10 is thus available in the form of a camera image. Furthermore, traffic signs can be captured by the camera 28. In this way, information provided by traffic signs can also be taken into account.

[0063] The above-mentioned information provided via the drive interface 24 and the environment interface 26 is continuously acquired in a specified time cycle. This is illustrated by arrow 46. Changes in the information provided via the drive interface 24 and the environment interface 26 are thus reliably detected and can be included in the selection of the operating mode.

[0064] In a second step 47, the selection of one of the predefined operating modes of the active sound generating device 20, which were already discussed, is carried out.

[0065] The selection is made here on the basis of the information acquired in the first step 44.

[0066] In the event that in the first step 44, information is acquired which is inconsistent with regard to the operating mode to be selected of the active sound generating device 20, a priority value 48 is assigned to each information acquired in the first step 44. The pieces of information acquired in the first step 44 are thus hierarchized, so that no inconsistencies can occur when selecting the operating mode of the active sound generating device 20.

[0067] In addition, when selecting the operating mode, preferences 50 of a motor vehicle user for an operating mode of the active sound generating device 20 are also taken into account.

[0068] Subsequent to the second step 47, in step 52, the selected operating mode, or an operating mode to be selected in the future, of the active sound generating device 20 can be displayed for the driver on the display device 34. As already discussed, associated characteristic values can also be displayed as part of step 52.

[0069] Alternatively or in addition to step 52, a step 54 may be carried out. A communication of the motor vehicle 10 with the unit 32 external to the motor vehicle takes place here. In this connection, an information on the state of the motor vehicle 10, in particular on the selected operating mode of the active sound generating device 20, is sent to the unit 32 external to the motor vehicle. Also, as already discussed, a limit value information may be transferred from the unit 32 external to the motor vehicle to the motor vehicle 10.

[0070] On the basis of the information communicated, a motor vehicle user, the motor vehicle 10 and/or the unit 32 external to the motor vehicle can then make a decision as to whether the currently set operating mode is retained or a different operating mode is selected.

[0071] The limit value information transferred from the unit 32 external to the motor vehicle to the motor vehicle 10 and/or information derived therefrom may also be displayed on the display device 34.

[0072] Although various embodiments have been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this disclosure. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this disclosure.