DESC:SOUND EMITTING DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is related to an electric drive system, more particularly to a sound emitting device for an electric vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The following description of related art is intended to provide background information pertaining to the field of the present disclosure. This section may include certain aspects of the art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that this section be used only to enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the present disclosure, and therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.

[0003] At present, developments are increasingly made towards electric vehicles. An electric vehicle, also be referred to as battery electric vehicle (BEV) can operate by driving electric motors using electricity charged in an electric battery.

[0004] The electric motors replace a typical Internal Combustion (IC) engine used in vehicles. Due to the electric motor, the electric vehicle does not make enough sound or noise during motion, so that spectators may not be alerted about a moving state of the electric vehicle. Since there is no intimation/alert about the moving state of the electric vehicle, there may be chances of accidents or collisions. The accidents can result in fatality or substantial damages to an operator of the electric vehicle and/or the spectators and also to properties involved in events of the accidents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Consequently, there is a need for a device or an arrangement that alerts spectators about a moving state of an electric vehicle, which alleviates at least some of the above cited problems.

[0006] According to the present disclosure, a sound emitting device for an electric vehicle is provided. The sound emitting device is mounted on a suitable component of the electric vehicle. The sound emitting device comprises a rotor and a stator. The rotor comprising a plurality of rotor blades is connected to the suitable component of the electric vehicle either directly or through a transmission element and is configured to receive power to operate from an electric motor of the electric vehicle either directly or through the transmission element. The stator is mounted coaxially with the rotor in a fixed configuration to create a cavity between the rotor and the stator. The stator comprises a plurality of vents/slots. The plurality of rotor blades is configured to rotate along with the transmission element. Said rotation of the plurality of rotor blades causes surrounding air to be sucked into the cavity between the rotor and the stator at high velocity and escape through the plurality of vents radially on the stator due to a pressure difference, thereby, generating harmonic sound through the plurality of vents arranged on the stator.

[0007] Thus, the generated harmonic sound alerts spectators (passers-by or pedestrians) about a moving state of the electric vehicle, so that possible collisions or accidents may be potentially avoided. In addition, with the proposed sound emitting device, air circulation near the electric motor of the electric vehicle may be enhanced, which results in better thermal management by improving overall efficiency of the electric vehicle.

[0008] In an embodiment, the plurality of rotor blades and the stator are arranged in a turbine like configuration.

[0009] In another embodiment, the plurality of rotor blades are directional blades parted by vanes in a symmetric manner and being configured to reduce eccentricity while it is at high rotational speed and cut up incoming air into impulsive wind. The rotation and an axial movement of the plurality of rotor blades being controlled for tuning the generated harmonic sound. Advantageously, precise control of speed of the rotor blades may give full range to the sound emitting device regulated by precise and highly responsive throttle.

[0010] In yet another embodiment, the stator is configured to absorb vibrations caused by the rotation of the plurality of rotor blades at higher speed. In yet another embodiment, the stator is further configured to move coaxially with respect to the rotor to change a size of the cavity created between the rotor and the stator.

[0011] In yet another embodiment, the stator comprises the plurality of vents being cut out in a fixed ratio to control air gushing in and flowing out to channelize an air flow in a transitional and uniform manner, thereby regulating air pressure using the plurality of vents, wherein protrusions of the cut out of each vent being varied for tuning the generated harmonic sound.

[0012] In yet another embodiment, the plurality of vents of the stator is continuously covered and uncovered by the rotation of the rotor blades, and thereby fragmented air in the cavity is forced out of the plurality of vents.

[0013] In yet another embodiment, the plurality of vents is uncovered or muted to regulate a volume of the generated sound.

[0014] In yet another embodiment, a frequency of air flow that is gushing in and flowing out from the plurality of vents of the stator is used to determine a pitch of the sound.

[0015] In yet another embodiment, a distinct tone of the sound is generated in accordance with a selection and operation of proportionate number of rotor blades and vents at a particularly set rotation per minute (rpm).

[0016] In yet another embodiment, the harmonic sound is varied in accordance with a motion of the electric vehicle. In yet another embodiment, the harmonic sound is varied by moving the stator axially with respect to the rotor and changing the size of the cavity between the rotor and the stator.

[0017] According to the present disclosure, a method for generating harmonic sound for an electric vehicle using a sound emitting device is provided. The sound emitting device comprises a rotor comprising a plurality of rotor blades and a stator comprising a plurality of vents. The method comprises connecting the rotor to the component of the electric vehicle either directly or through a transmission element, said rotor is configured to receive power to operate from an electric motor either directly or through the transmission element. The method comprises mounting the stator coaxially with the rotor in a fixed configuration to create a cavity between the rotor and the stator. The method further comprises configuring the plurality of rotor blades to rotate along with the transmission element, said rotation of the plurality of rotor blades causes surrounding air to be sucked into the cavity between the rotor and the stator at high velocity and escape through the plurality of vents radially on the stator due to a pressure difference, thereby, generating harmonic sound through the plurality of vents arranged on the stator.

[0018] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0019] The invention will now be described in relation to the accompanying drawings in which

[0020] Figure 1 illustrates an example sound emitting device for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment herein;

[0021] Figure 2 illustrates a rotor in a sound emitting device according to an embodiment herein;

[0022] Figure 3A illustrates a stator in a sound emitting device according to an embodiment;

[0023] Figures 3B and 3C illustrate a rotor with air flow direction and controlling of the air flow using a stator according to an embodiment; and

[0024] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating method steps of a method performed for generating harmonic sound for an electric vehicle using a sound emitting device according to an embodiment herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[0026] The present invention provides a sound emitting device for an electric vehicle, which alerts spectators about a movement of the electric vehicle by generating harmonic sound.

[0027] Figure 1 illustrates an example sound emitting device 100 provided for an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle referred herein may correspond to an electric battery based operating vehicle, having an electric motor. In some examples, the electric vehicle may include, but are not limited to, a two-wheeler, a three-wheeler, a four-wheeler, and so on.

[0028] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the sound emitting device 100 is configured to generate harmonic sound. Thereby, alerting spectators (including passersby, pedestrians, or the like) about a movement or a moving state of the electric vehicle, which further results in potentially avoiding collisions or accidents.

[0029] The sound emitting device 100 may be driven by a traction/electric motor of the electric vehicle. The sound emitting device 100 is mounted on a suitable component of the electric vehicle. In an example, the suitable component of the electric vehicle may include, but is not limited to, a motor, a gearbox or any similar component of the electric vehicle.

[0030] As illustrated in Figure 1, the sound emitting device 100 comprises a rotor 20 and a stator 40.

[0031] The rotor 20 is connected to the suitable component of the electric vehicle either directly or through a transmission element 35. Examples of the transmission element 35 may include, but are not limited to, a shaft, universal joint, a direct coupling sleeve, gears, pulleys with belts, sprockets with chains, friction couplings like clutch plates, and so on. As would be understood, any other transmission element or similar coupling element may be used along with the above described examples for connecting the rotor 20 with the suitable component of the electric vehicle. Further, the rotor 20 is configured to receive power to operate from the electric motor either directly or through the transmission element 35. The rotor 20 comprises a plurality of internal involute rotor blades 10 (as shown in Figure 2).

[0032] The stator 40 is mounted coaxially with the rotor 20 in a fixed configuration to create a cavity between the rotor 20 and stator 40. The stator 40 comprises a plurality of a plurality of vents/slots 30 (as shown in Figure 3A) being arranged on the stator 40. In an embodiment, the rotor 20 and the stator 40 are arranged in a turbine like configuration.

[0033] Further, the plurality of rotor blades 10 is configured to rotate along with the transmission element 35. When the plurality of rotor blades 10 starts rotating, surrounding air is sucked into the cavity created between the rotor 20 and the stator 40 at high velocity and escapes through the plurality of vents 30 radially on the stator 40 due to a pressure difference. Such a translational motion generates harmonic sound through the plurality of vents 30 arranged on the rotor blades 10. Thereby, alerting the spectators about the movement of the electric vehicle.

[0034] The generated harmonic sound varies in accordance with a motion/speed of the electric motor. For example, the harmonic sound increases along with the increased speed of the electric motor. Alternatively, the generated harmonic sound may be varied by moving the stator 40 axially with respect to the rotor 20 and changing the size of the cavity between the rotor 20 and the stator 40.

[0035] In an embodiment, a distinct tone of the sound is generated in accordance with a selection and operation of proportionate number of rotor blades 10 and vents 40 at a particular set rotation per minute (rpm).

[0036] Various embodiments describing components of the sound emitting device 100 are described in later parts of description.

[0037] Figure 2 illustrates the rotor 20 of the sound emitting device 100. The rotor 20 is connected to the suitable component of the electric vehicle using the transmission element 35 and is configured to operate by receiving the power from the electric motor either directly or through the transmission element 35.

[0038] As illustrated in Figure 2, the rotor 20 comprises the plurality of rotor blades 10 (also be referred to as fan blades, rotor vanes, or the like). The plurality of rotor blades 10 may be directional blades parted by vanes in a symmetric manner to reduce eccentricity while in high rotational speed and to cut up the incoming air stream into impulsive wind. Further, a precise control of the rotor speed gives full range to the sound emitting device 100 regulated by precise and highly responsive throttle.

[0039] The plurality of rotor blades 10 are arranged such that it is free to rotate with the transmission element 35. Rotation of the rotor blades 10 causes the surrounding air to be sucked into the cavity between the rotor 20 and the stator 40 at high velocity. The sucked air in the cavity escapes through the plurality of vents 30 radially due to the pressure difference, thereby generating the harmonic sound. In addition, the rotation and an axial movement of the rotor blades 10 is controlled for better tuning of the generated harmonic sound.

[0040] Figure 3A illustrates the stator 40 of the sound emitting device 100. The stator 40 is mounted coaxially with the rotor 20 in a fixed configuration to create a cavity between the rotor 20 and the stator 40. The stator/envelope 40 may be assembled in a turbine like configuration and is configured to absorb vibrations caused by the rotation of the plurality of rotor blades 10 at higher speed. Further, the stator 40 moves axially with respect to the rotor 20 to change a size of the cavity created between the rotor 20 and the stator 40.

[0041] As illustrated in Figure 3A, the stator 40 comprises the plurality of vents 30 (also be referred to as slots, shutters, or the like), through which the sucked air inside the cavity escapes.

[0042] Further, the plurality of vents 30 are optimized slots cut out in a fixed ratio to control air gushing in and flowing out to channelize an air flow in a transitional and uniform manner, as illustrated in Figures 3B and 3C. The cut out of each vent may have protrusions. The protrusions of each cut out of the vent may be varied for better tuning of the generated harmonic sound.

[0043] Due to the rotation of the rotor blades 10 of the rotor 20, the plurality of vents/slots 30 are continuously covered and uncovered, so that the fragmented wind/air is forced out of the vents/slots 30. A frequency of such a wind/air motion (i.e., air gushing in and flowing out from the vents/slots 30) determines a pitch of the generated sound. In addition, uncovering or muting of the vents/slots 30 of the stator 40 may regulate the volume of the generated sound.

[0044] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating method steps performed by the method 400 for generating the harmonic sound for the electric vehicle using the sound emitting device 100. The sound emitting device 100 comprises the plurality of rotor blades 10 and the stator 40 comprising the plurality of vents 30.

[0045] At step 402, the method 400 comprises connecting the rotor 20 to the suitable component of the electric vehicle either directly or through the transmission element 35. The rotor 20 is configured to receive power to operate from the electric motor of the electric vehicle either directly or through the transmission element 35. At step 404, the method 400 comprises mounting the stator 40 coaxially with the rotor 20 in a fixed configuration to create a cavity between the rotor 20 and the stator 40. At step 406, the method 400 comprises enabling the plurality of rotor blades 10 to rotate along with the transmission element 35. Said rotation of the plurality of rotor blades 10 causes surrounding air to be sucked into a cavity at high velocity and escape through the plurality of vents 30 on the stator 40 due to a pressure difference. Thereby, generating harmonic sound through the plurality of vents 30 arranged on the stator 40.

[0046] The present disclosure provides a sound emitting device for an electric vehicle, which generates harmonic sound. The sound emitting device comprises a rotor with rotor blades and a stator with vents/slots. The harmonic sound/sound spectrum is generated by:
? precisely controlling a speed of the rotor/rotor blades, which gives a full range to the sound emitting device regulated by precise and highly responsive throttle;
? controlling the airflow to the sound emitting device using the vents/shutters of the stator, which regulates the wind/air pressure; and
? muting the vents/slots of the stator to regulate the volume of the generated sound; and
? controlling the size of the cavity between the rotor and the stator by axial movement of the rotor or the stator.

[0047] The generated harmonic sound is used for alerting spectators about a movement of the electric vehicle, which potentially avoids collisions or accidents. Further, with the proposed sound emitting device, air circulation near the electric motor of the electric vehicle may be enhanced, which results in better thermal management by improving overall efficiency of the electric vehicle.

[0048] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments and examples thereof, other embodiments and equivalents are possible. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with functional and procedural details, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in terms of the procedural steps within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms. Thus, various modifications are possible of the presently disclosed system and process without deviating from the intended scope of the present invention.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A sound emitting device (100) for an electric vehicle, the sound emitting device (100) is mounted on a component of the electric vehicle, the sound emitting device (100) comprising:
a rotor (20) comprising a plurality of rotor blades (10) being connected to the component of the electric vehicle either directly or through a transmission element (35), said rotor is configured to receive power to operate from an electric motor of the electric vehicle either directly or through the transmission element (35); and
a stator (40) being mounted coaxially with the rotor (20) in a fixed configuration to create a cavity between the rotor (20) and the stator (40), wherein the stator (40) comprises a plurality of vents (30) being arranged on the stator (40),
wherein the plurality of rotor blades (10) is configured to rotate along with the transmission element (35), said rotation of the plurality of rotor blades (10) causes surrounding air to be sucked into the cavity between the rotor (20) and the stator (40) at high velocity and escape through the plurality of vents (30) radially on the stator (40) due to a pressure difference, thereby, generating harmonic sound through the plurality of vents (30) arranged on the stator (40).

2. The sound emitting device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of rotor blades (10) and the stator (40) are arranged in a turbine like configuration.

3. The sound emitting device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of rotor blades (10) are directional blades parted by vanes in a symmetric manner and being configured to reduce eccentricity while it is at high rotational speed, wherein the rotation and an axial movement of the plurality of rotor blades (10) being controlled for tuning the generated harmonic sound.

4. The sound emitting device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the stator (40) is configured to absorb vibrations caused by the rotation of the plurality of rotor blades (10) at higher speed, wherein the stator (40) is further configured to move axially with respect to the rotor (20) to change a size of the cavity between the rotor (20) and the stator (40).

5. The sound emitting device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the stator (40) comprises the plurality of vents (30) being cut out in a fixed ratio to control air gushing in and flowing out to channelize an air flow in a transitional and uniform manner, thereby regulating air pressure using the plurality of vents (30), wherein protrusions of the cut out of each vent (30) being varied for tuning the generated harmonic sound.

6. The sound emitting device (100) according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of vents (30) of the stator (40) is continuously covered and uncovered by the rotation of the rotor blades (10), and thereby fragmented air in the cavity is forced out of the plurality of vents (30),
wherein the plurality of vents (30) is uncovered or muted to regulate a volume of the generated sound.

7. The sound emitting device (100) according to claim 5, wherein a frequency of air flow that is gushing in and flowing out from the plurality of vents (30) of the stator (40) is used to determine a pitch of the sound.

8. The sound emitting device (100) according to claim 1, wherein a distinct tone of the sound is generated in accordance with a selection and operation of proportionate number of rotor blades (10) and vents (30) at a particular set rotation per minute (rpm).

9. The sound emitting device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the harmonic sound is varied in accordance with a speed of the electric motor, wherein the harmonic sound is further varied by moving the stator (40) axially with respect to the rotor (20) and changing the size of the cavity between the rotor (20) and the stator (40).

10. A method (400) for generating harmonic sound for an electric vehicle using a sound emitting device (100), the sound emitting device (100) comprises a rotor (20) comprising a plurality of rotor blades (10) and a stator (40) comprising a plurality of vents (30), the method (400) comprising:
connecting (402) the rotor (20) to the component of the electric vehicle either directly or through a transmission element (35), said rotor (20) is configured to receive power to operate from an electric motor of the electric motor either directly or through the transmission element (35); and
mounting (404) the stator (40) coaxially with the rotor (20) in a fixed configuration to create a cavity between the rotor (20) and the stator (40),
the method further comprises:
configuring (406) the plurality of rotor blades (10) to rotate along with the transmission element (35), said rotation of the plurality of rotor blades (10) causes surrounding air to be sucked into the cavity between the rotor (20) and the stator (40) at high velocity and escape through the plurality of vents (30) radially on the stator (40) due to a pressure difference, thereby, generating harmonic sound through the plurality of vents (30) arranged on the stator (40).