Using expertise gained from decades of vehicle alarm system experience, Delphi has developed two sound generators—called sounders—that enable pedestrians to detect nearby hybrid and electric vehicles which, without the sound generator, are nearly silent. The generators are designed to comply with legislation expected to mandate minimal sound for both hybrid and electric vehicles to warn pedestrians of the approaching vehicle. The single-box solutions are lead-free, waterproof and temperature resistant.
The first, Delphi’s electronic sounder system, is approximately three times lighter than a conventional multi-box system and uses 90% less power. Its single-box configuration helps to reduce design, test and manufacturing cost, and its size and weight simplify packaging. The system provides a frequency range of 500Hz to 10 kHz and can reproduce melodies that represent the identity of individual vehicle manufacturers.
For applications requiring higher quality sound, Delphi has developed a high-fidelity sounder system that uses a cone speaker activated by a light-weight magnet and extends base range to 150Hz. The magnet-based system weighs 66% less than a conventional speaker system.
Both Delphi systems are robust enough to be mounted in the harsh environment under the vehicle’s hood and incorporate a 32-bit microprocessor with flash memory, a link to the vehicle’s data bus and an audio class-D amplifier.
As a system integrator, Delphi can increase the value of its sound generators by connecting them with other systems through the vehicle’s data bus. Instead of implementing several alert systems, OEMs can benefit from one flexible system that offers multiple features. For instance, using unique sounds, the system can remind a driver that the battery needs to be charged, confirm that a charging sequence is in progress and notify the driver when the charge is complete.
Delphi’s first Vehicle Sound Generator will be introduced by a leading European OEM in mid 2012.