Development of the Active Sound Generation Technology using Motor Driven Power Steering System

As original engine sound is usually not enough to satisfy the driver’s desire for the sporty and fascinating sound, active noise control (ANC) and active sound design (ASD) have been great technologies in automobiles for a long time. However, these technologies which enhance the sound of vehicle using loud speakers or electromagnetic actuators etc. lead to the increase of cost and weight due to the use of external amplifier or external actuators. This paper presents a new technology of generating a target sound by the active control of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) which is already mounted in vehicle. Firstly, an algorithm of this technology, called an active sound generation (ASG), is introduced with those signal conversion process, and then the high frequency noise issue and its countermeasure are presented. Secondly, ASG test bench is designed using a motor driven power steering (MDPS) system and then it is checked if ASG has any influence on an original function of MDPS. Thirdly, motor-induced vibration is measured in the transfer path and then the appropriate level of steering wheel vibration is presented in the view of human perception. Finally, various target sounds are implemented in this ASG system. From the results, it is verified that ASG is a useful way in vehicle to reproduce a target signal without adding actuators. Also, this technology is expected to provide various sounds in vehicle such as a warning sound and music as well as a virtual engine sound.