Method and an active device for treating noise on board a vehicle, and a vehicle provided with such a device

• US 9,305,541 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2013
• Issued: 04/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
• Original Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
• Inventors: Caillet, Julien, Marrot, Franck
• Primary Examiner(s): Sniezek, Andrew L
• Application Number:
  US14/059,469
• Publication Number:
  US 20140112490A1
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/879 with additional features not related to head-rest positioning, e.g. heating or cooling devices or loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17817 between the output signals and the error signals, i.e. secondary path
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17821 characterised by the analysis of the input signals only
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17833 by using a self-diagnostic function or a malfunction prevention function, e.g. detecting abnormal output levels
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17854 the filter being an adaptive filter
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17857 Geometric disposition, e.g. placement of microphones
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17861 using additional means for damping sound, e.g. using sound absorbing panels
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17875 using an error signal without a reference signal, e.g. pure feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17879 using both a reference signal and an error signal
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1281 Aircraft, e.g. spacecraft, airplane or helicopter
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3055 Transfer function of the acoustic system
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3221 Headrests, seats or the like, for personal ANC systems

Abstract

A noise treatment device (D) comprising at least one local noise sound sensor (30) and at least one sound system having a support (11, 12) and at least one sound actuator (21, 22, 21′, 22′). The device also includes a position sensor for determining the position of a person'"'"'s head, at least one treatment unit (40, 40′) connected to the local noise sound sensor to receive a local noise signal and configured to deliver a control signal to each sound actuator (21, 22, 21′, 22′), the control signal being a function of the local noise signal and of at least one transfer function per ear, and active matching means (70) co-operating with the position sensor in order to keep each transfer function used in preparing each control signal representative of the path to be traveled by the anti-noise.

Claims

1. A device for treating noise in the proximity of the head of a passenger of a vehicle, the device having at least one local noise sound sensor, the device also having at least one sound system for generating an anti-noise, each sound system being provided with a support and at least one sound actuator carried by the support, wherein the device comprises:

a position sensor for determining the position of the head of a passenger;

at least one treatment unit connected to the local noise sound sensor to receive a local noise signal, the treatment unit being configured to deliver a control signal to each sound actuator, which control signal is a function at least of the local noise signal and of at least one transfer function per ear and relating to transferring soundwaves between a sound actuator and a passenger; and

active matching means co-operating with the position sensor to keep each transfer function that is used in preparing each control signal representative of a path to be traveled by the anti-noise, wherein the support includes respective support means for each sound system, with each support means carrying at least one sound actuator, and the active matching means including a movement system for continuously moving each support means as a function of the position of the head of a passenger so as to keep each transfer function used in preparing each control signal representative of the path to be traveled by the anti-noise.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the active matching means comprise maintaining means configured to act on each sound system so as to keep each transfer function used by the treatment unit constant.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the active matching means comprise determination means configured to select, from in a library each transfer function that matches a current position of the head.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein each sound system has a plurality of actuators, and the active matching means comprise control means for continuously controlling each sound actuator as a function of the position of a passenger'"'"'s head.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the active matching means have a library of transfer functions, each associated with one position of the head, and determination means configured to determine which transfer function to use as a function of the position, the treatment unit then using the transfer function as determined by the determination means.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein each support includes passive soundproofing means.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein each support of a sound system includes support means carrying a respective sound actuator of the sound system, with each support means including a shell, and the passive soundproofing means include foam soundproofing material arranged in each shell.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device includes a dose-metering device configured to determine the “

dose”

of noise received by a passenger on the basis of information coming from the local noise sensor, the dose-metering device co-operating with the treatment unit.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the local noise sound sensor is arranged on the head of a passenger when a passenger is present.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device has two sound systems arranged on either side of the head of a passenger when a passenger is present.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device includes a primary noise sensor for sensing noise correlated with a source of noise to be treated, the primary noise sensor being connected to the treatment unit in order to provide it with a primary noise signal.

12. A vehicle having at least one seat for receiving a passenger, the vehicle having a noise treatment device around the head of a passenger when sitting in the seat and wherein the noise treatment device is a device according to claim 1.

13. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the support is a headrest.

14. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the device includes a primary noise sensor connected to the treatment unit of the device to provide it with a primary noise signal, the vehicle being an aircraft having a main gearbox between an engine and a rotor, the main gearbox being arranged in a given compartment, and the primary noise sensor being placed in the compartment.

15. A device for treating noise in the proximity of the head of a passenger of a vehicle, the device having at least one local noise sound sensor, the device also having at least one sound system for generating an anti-noise, each sound system being provided with a support and at least one sound actuator carried by the support, wherein the device comprises:

a position sensor for determining the position of the head of a passenger;

at least one treatment unit connected to the local noise sound sensor to receive a local noise signal, the treatment unit being configured to deliver a control signal to each sound actuator, which control signal is a function at least of the local noise signal and of at least one transfer function per ear and relating to transferring soundwaves between a sound actuator and a passenger; and

active matching means co-operating with the position sensor to keep each transfer function that is used in preparing each control signal representative of a path to be traveled by the anti-noise, wherein each sound system has a plurality of actuators, and the active matching means comprise control means for continuously controlling each sound actuator as a function of the position of a passenger'"'"'s head.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the active matching means comprise maintaining means configured to act on each sound system so as to keep each transfer function used by the treatment unit constant.

17. The device according to claim 15, wherein the active matching means comprise determination means configured to select, from in a library each transfer function that matches a current position of the head.

18. A vehicle having at least one seat for receiving a passenger, the vehicle having a noise treatment device around the head of a passenger when sitting in the seat and wherein the noise treatment device is a device according to claim 15.

19. The vehicle according to claim 18, wherein the device includes a primary noise sensor connected to the treatment unit of the device to provide it with a primary noise signal, the vehicle being an aircraft having a main gearbox between an engine and a rotor, the main gearbox being arranged in a given compartment, and the primary noise sensor being placed in the compartment.

20. A device for treating noise in the proximity of the head of a passenger when seated in a seat of a vehicle, the device having at least one local noise sound sensor, the device also having at least one sound system for generating an anti-noise, each sound system being provided with a support and at least one sound actuator carried by the support, wherein the device comprises:

a position sensor for determining the position of the head of a passenger when seated in a seat of a vehicle;

at least one treatment unit connected to the local noise sound sensor to receive a local noise signal, the treatment unit being configured to deliver a control signal to each sound actuator, the control signal being a function at least of the local noise signal and of at least one transfer function per ear and relating to transferring soundwaves between a sound actuator and a passenger when seated in a seat of a vehicle; and

active matching means co-operating with the position sensor to keep each transfer function that is used in preparing each control signal representative of a path to be traveled by the anti-noise, wherein the support includes respective support means for each sound system, with each support means carrying at least one sound actuator, and the active matching means including a movement system for continuously moving each support means as a function of the position of the head of a passenger when seated in a seat of a vehicle so as to keep each transfer function used in preparing each control signal representative of the path to be traveled by the anti-noise.