Description:AN UNDERBODY STRUCTURE FOR IMPROVING AVAS PERFORMANCE

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter described herein relates to an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) in Electric Vehicles (EVs) or Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs). The present invention is particularly related to providing an underbody structure to minimize cabin noise discomfort in a vehicle cabin.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present subject matter. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] AVAS stands for “Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System.” It is a safety feature implemented in Quiet Road Transport Vehicles (QRTVs) such as electric and hybrid vehicles to alert pedestrians and cyclists about the presence of quiet-running vehicles. Since electric and hybrid vehicles produce significantly less noise than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, it can be difficult for pedestrians, especially those with visual impairments, to detect when the vehicle is approaching or moving at low speeds. AVAS system generates artificial sounds, to provide an audible cue to people in the vicinity of the vehicle, thereby enhancing pedestrian safety.
[0004] The primary goal of the AVAS is to ensure pedestrian safety, and as such, the noise emitted from the AVAS is intentionally designed to minimize its penetration into the vehicle cabin. This is to prevent unnecessary noise disturbance to the occupants of the vehicle.
[0005] In an existing state of the art (refer to Fig. 1), the AVAS speakers (101) are positioned near the front bumper area of the vehicle. The front bumper area (102) has openings (103) to dissipate the speaker noise in the outside environment (104). This placement allows the emitted sound waves to propagate outward, effectively alerting pedestrians and other road users to the presence of a relatively quiet electric or hybrid vehicle. Also, some of the noise reflects inside the engine room (105) and some of the noise gets penetrated inside the cabin (106).
[0006] The sound emitted from the AVAS is carefully designed to be audible to pedestrians and other road users in the vehicle's vicinity, especially at lower speeds when the vehicle is operating quietly. The sound frequency and volume levels are regulated by standards or regulations to ensure that the sound is effective in alerting pedestrians without causing unnecessary noise pollution.
[0007] Further, in specific scenarios, a notable problem arises in which the sound produced by the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) inadvertently permeates into the vehicle cabin, leading to passenger discomfort. This issue is particularly noticeable when the AVAS system is not optimally configured to direct the emitted sound waves outward. Instead, these sound waves encounter reflective surfaces within the vehicle's vicinity and subsequently find their way into the cabin space. This can significantly disrupt the otherwise serene cabin ambiance, causing vehicle occupants to experience an unwanted and disconcerting auditory intrusion.
[0008] The root cause of this problem often lies in the placement and direction of the AVAS speakers, as well as the acoustic properties of the surrounding materials.
[0009] Also, the existing design inadequately addresses the potential ingress of dust and dirt particles into the engine bay area through openings required for sound emission. The penetration of contaminants poses concerns not only for vehicle maintenance but also for the integrity of critical components within the engine compartment.
[0010] This situation emphasizes the critical need to ensure that the AVAS-generated sound is precisely directed outward to effectively alert pedestrians, while simultaneously preventing any unintended noise into the vehicle cabin.
[0011] By achieving this balance, the present invention aims to reduce cabin noise due to the AVAS system in the electric and hybrid vehicles for a quiet and comfortable in-cabin experience.

OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0012] It forms an object of the present disclosure to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks/limitations in the existing solutions available in the form of related prior arts.
[0013] It is a primary objective of the present disclosure to provide a solution that optimizes the output of the AVAS by directing sound energy away from the engine room and cabin, thereby maximizing its audibility and effectiveness in alerting pedestrians to the presence of Quiet Vehicles (EV / Hybrid Electric Vehicles).
[0014] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an underbody structure that effectively reduces the penetration of AVAS-generated noise into the vehicle cabin and directs sound energy away from the engine room and cabin, ensuring a quieter and more comfortable environment for vehicle occupants.
[0015] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution that improves AVAS performance and also safeguards the engine bay area by restricting the ingress of contaminants, such as dust and debris, through opening holes.
[0016] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution that aligns with current and future regulatory standards for pedestrian safety while offering an effective approach for cabin noise reduction that meets comfort requirements.
[0017] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a cost-effective solution to achieve the above objectives.
[0018] These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed description taken into consideration with accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.

SUMMARY
[0019] A solution to one or more drawbacks of existing technology and additional advantages are provided through the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be a part of the claimed disclosure.
[0020] The present disclosure provides a solution in the form of an underbody structure that aims to enhance the performance of an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) in a vehicle. This structure consists of a surface with a plurality of raised profiles located beneath an AVAS speaker. The plurality of raised profiles extends towards a vehicle's hood. Each raised profile is characterized by a top face and a plurality of side faces. Notably, one of these side faces, oriented towards the front end of the vehicle, features an opening. This configuration is strategically designed to optimize the dispersion of sound energy generated by the AVAS system, improving pedestrian awareness and safety.
[0021] In an aspect, the underbody structure enhances the AVAS performance, featuring a side surface parallel to the front-facing side with an opening, which incorporates a closed wall design for improved acoustic properties.
[0022] In an aspect, each of the plurality of raised profiles defines a cuboidal shaped structure with one face open.
[0023] In an aspect, each of the plurality of raised profiles defines a pyramid shape with a sliced top portion or frustum of pyramid shape, where the pyramid is in shape of rectangular or square.
[0024] In an aspect, the opening provided on the raised profile defines a shape selected from rectangular, circular, oval, trapezoid, polygonal shape.
[0025] In an aspect, a bottom surface of the side faces is greater in size than the top surface of the side faces.
[0026] In an aspect, the raised profiles and the AVAS speaker are placed vertically parallel to each other in the vehicle hood area.
[0027] In an aspect, the underbody structure is provided inside a bumper cover in a vehicle width direction.
[0028] In an aspect, the vehicle is either an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.
[0029] In an aspect, the underbody structure is one of a bumper absorber, a radiator undercover, and an engine undercover.
[0030] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0031] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the present disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods or structure in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0032] Fig. 1 illustrates an AVAS system mounted on the front of a vehicle according to the existing state of art;
[0033] Fig. 2a illustrates a perspective view of an underbody structure according to the present disclosure;
[0034] Fig. 2b illustrates a bottom view of the underbody structure according to the present disclosure;
[0035] Fig. 3a illustrates a top view of the underbody structure according to the present disclosure;
[0036] Fig. 3b illustrates an exploded cross-section view of the underbody structure according to the present disclosure;
[0037] Fig. 3c illustrates a perspective view of the underbody structure according to the present disclosure
[0038] Fig. 4 illustrates a cross-section view of the underbody structure according to the present disclosure.
[0039] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0040] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0041] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0042] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0043] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0044] In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration of specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0045] Hereinafter, a description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0046] The present invention offers a solution that provides an underbody structure that effectively redirects sound energy outward from the vehicle while simultaneously ensuring vehicle occupant comfort inside the vehicle cabin.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 2a-2b, an underbody structure (201) is illustrated according to the present disclosure. The underbody structure (201) is integrated into the overall design of the bumper assembly and is securely connected to the bumper. In another aspect, the underbody structure can be a separate part and connected to underbody of the vehicle. In another aspect, the underbody structure can be a bumper absorber, a radiator undercover, and an engine undercover. The underbody structure (201) disclosed herein is designed to enhance the performance of an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) in vehicles, particularly electric or hybrid vehicles.
[0048] In an embodiment of the present invention, the underbody structure (201) is provided beneath the AVAS speaker (101 as provided in Fig. 1). The underbody structure (201) is positioned across the width of the vehicle. The underbody structure has a surface (202). On an upper surface (204) of the surface (202), a plurality of raised profiles (203a, 203b, 203c) are located. Further, to improve the performance of AVAS, the plurality of raised profiles (203a, 203b, 203c) are strategically positioned beneath the AVAS speaker (101 as provided in Fig. 1) and the raised profiles (203a, 203b, 203c) extends towards the vehicle hood (102 as provided in Fig. 1).
[0049] The placement of the raised profiles (203a, 203b, 203c) beneath the AVAS speaker (101 as provided in Fig. 1) and their extension towards the vehicle hood (102 as provided in Fig. 1) is a crucial component of the functionality of the present invention.
[0050] Refer to FIG. 3a-3c, each raised profile (203a, 203b, 203c) is defined by a top face (301) and four side faces (302a, 302b, 302c, 302d), extending out from the top face (301) in a downwards direction and towards the underbody structure (201).
[0051] Further, the raised profiles (203a, 203b, 203c) may have various geometric shapes. In an embodiment, the raised profiles (203a, 203b, 203c) define a cuboidal shape with one face open. Also, the plurality of raised profiles (203a, 203b, 203c) defines a pyramid shape with sliced top portion or frustum of pyramid shape, where pyramid is in shape of rectangular or square.
[0052] The four side faces (302a, 302b, 302c, 302d) face multiple sides of the vehicle. Further, the side face (302a) facing the front end of the vehicle features an opening (303). The opening (303) is designed to facilitate the efficient release of sound energy generated by the AVAS speaker (101 as provided in Fig. 1). The opening (303) serves as a key design element for optimizing sound emission while ensuring a controlled pathway for sound energy release.
[0053] Also, the bottom surface of each side face (302a, 302b, 302c, 302d) is greater in size than its top surface, leading to a larger bottom surface area for sound waves to interact with. As sound waves exit through the opening (303) of the raised profiles (203a, 203b, 203c), the larger bottom surface allows for more efficient sound energy transmission to the exterior environment.
[0054] Lastly, the opening (303) in the front-facing side face (302a) of the raised profiles (203a, 203b, 203c) allows the AVAS-generated sound to be efficiently released outside the vehicle, significantly improving audibility and enhancing pedestrian safety. Simultaneously, the shape and orientation of the opening (303) minimize the penetration of sound into the passenger cabin, safeguarding passenger comfort during travel. Further, due to the opening (303), same external audibility can be maintained with lower sound levels generated by the AVAS speaker leading to decreased power consumption and improved energy efficiency. This mechanism further reduces the penetration of sound into the passenger cabin.
[0055] Refer to FIG. 4. Further, the side face (302c) that parallels the front-facing side face (302a) with the opening (303) incorporates a closed wall (401). By incorporating the closed wall (401), the underbody structure (201) creates a safeguard against the potential ingress of dust, dirt, debris, and other contaminants into the internal components of the vehicle.
[0056] In a vehicle's operational environment, external contaminants may pose a significant threat to the vehicle's functionality, particularly within the engine bay and the surrounding areas. These contaminants, if allowed to infiltrate sensitive components, can lead to issues such as reduced engine efficiency, increased wear and tear, and potential malfunctions. The closed wall (401) acts as a barrier, mitigating the risk of these unwanted substances entering the engine bay and related systems.
[0057] Further, in an embodiment, the closed wall (401) may have multiple shapes, such as rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, or even curved profiles. Each shape can be strategically chosen based on factors like aerodynamics, aesthetics, and ease of manufacturing.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0058] The present invention significantly reduces sound penetration into the passenger cabin, ensuring a quieter and more comfortable environment for vehicle occupants.
[0059] By efficiently directing sound energy outward, the present invention enhances the audibility of the AVAS system, thus effectively alerting pedestrians to the presence of approaching electric and hybrid vehicles.
[0060] The positioned opening prevents the influx of contaminants, such as dust and dirt, into the engine room area, thereby maintaining the integrity and performance of vehicle components.
[0061] The present invention allows the AVAS speaker to emit lower sound levels while maintaining the same external audibility, leading to decreased power consumption and improved energy efficiency.
[0062] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation, no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to disclosures containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. Also, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general, such construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general, such construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
[0063] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present disclosure contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the disclosure, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. Also, while a feature of the present disclosure may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present disclosure. The present disclosure also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature. , Claims:We claim:
1. An underbody structure (201) to improve performance of an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) in a vehicle, the underbody structure (201) comprising of:
a surface (202) having a plurality of raised profiles (203a, 203b, 203c) located beneath an AVAS speaker (101), the plurality of raised profiles (203a, 203b, 203c) extends towards a vehicle hood (102),
wherein each of the plurality of raised profiles (203a, 203b, 203c) has a top face (301) and a plurality of side faces (302a, 302b, 302c, 302d),
wherein one side (302a) from the plurality of side faces (302a, 302b, 302c, 302d) that faces front end of the vehicle has an opening (303).
2. The underbody structure (201) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side surface (302c) that is parallel to the side surface (302a) having the opening (303) defines a closed wall (401).
3. The underbody structure (201) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of raised profiles (203a, 203b, 203c) defines a cuboidal shaped structure with one face open.
4. The underbody structure (201) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of raised profiles (203a, 203b, 203c) defines a pyramid shape with a sliced top portion or frustum of pyramid shape, where pyramid is in shape of rectangular or square.
5. The underbody structure (201) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening (303) provided on the raised profile (203a, 203b, 203c) defines a shape selected from rectangular, circular, oval, trapezoid, polygonal shape.
6. The underbody structure (201) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of the side faces (302a, 302b, 302c, 302d) is greater in size than the top surface of the side faces (302a, 302b, 302c, 302d).
7. The underbody structure (201) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the raised profiles (203a, 203b, 203c) and the AVAS speaker (101) are placed vertically parallel to each other in vehicle hood area.
8. The underbody structure (201) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the underbody structure (201) is provided inside a bumper cover in a vehicle width direction.
9. The underbody structure (201) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle is either an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.
10. The underbody structure (201) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the underbody structure (201) is one of a bumper absorber, a radiator undercover, and an engine undercover.