EP0955626B1 - Device for generating the noise of technical apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for generating a perceptible by the driver in the interior of a motor vehicle noise of a switching relay, wherein the device includes a drive unit and can be used in a contactless turn signal control, which is actuated by the drive unit, and wherein the drive unit drives a microprocessor unit, the generated by means of an acoustic output device, the noise of a switching relay.

Many technical devices, especially older versions, generate noise that is characteristic of this device. Therefore, it is possible that persons who operate or use the devices identify them by the sound or recognize their operating state. Based on the noise, the device can therefore be operated intuitively.

Due to the constant development of the technical execution of common commodities, especially in the fields of automotive technology, household appliances and consumer electronics, the typical noise sources of these items, such as buttons, locks, relays, motors, the user intuitively to identify these devices or the appropriate operating conditions were used, increasingly replaced by low-noise or noise-free successor.

Because of the lack of noise, the user is therefore taken away from the possibility of intuitive operation.

It is known to replace the lack of noise sources, especially in the automotive sector by simple beeps. Nevertheless, an intuitive operation by the user is made difficult by the fact that there is usually no similarity between the sounds of the original devices or elements and its acoustic equivalent noise. For example, in contactless turn signal controls, it is known to support the turn signal function acoustically by the fact that the pulses of the pulse generator simultaneously with the flashing function and a buzzer or buzzer is controlled, which generates a uniform beeping. However, as mentioned, this noise generated does not show any resemblance to the original cracking of a relay known to the user.

From the publication DE 196 41 493 C2 It is known to generate electronic signals when operating switching elements, which are delivered via a speaker in the vehicle interior. In this way, the driver can be communicated with simple means, which switching elements are activated, so that incorrect operations detected and a timely termination of the selected function is possible. However, there is a risk that the selected function does not correspond to the actually performed function due to technical problems, without the driver is aware of this.

The invention has for its object to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

The object is achieved in that at a defect of the turn signal control a modified noise is generated.

The subclaims relate to preferred embodiments of the invention.

Figur 1

Eine Blinkersteuerung entsprechend dem Stand der Technik;

Figur 2

Eine Blinkersteuerung unter Einsatz einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Simulation des Relaisgeräusches.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the following drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1

A turn signal control according to the prior art;

FIG. 2

A turn signal control using a device according to the invention for simulating the relay noise.

FIG. 1 shows a typical known turn signal control. In this turn signal control is a relay 2, periodically controlled by means of a drive unit 1, which is given by an interval timer. According to the switching clock of this relay 2, the bulbs B are made to periodically light up. During the periodic switching of the relay 2, a sound indicated by the sound waves W is generated, which is known, for example, to the driver of a vehicle and thus enables him to intuitively operate the turn signal.

The figure 2, however, shows a modern contactless turn signal control, in turn, by a drive unit 1, so the timer, the control takes place. In this case, however, instead of the relay 2 of Figure 1, a transistor 2 'is driven, which in turn brings the incandescent bulbs B to the periodic by contactless switching.

In addition to the control of the transistor 2 ', the microprocessor unit 3 is simultaneously controlled, for example, based on the edge profile of the controlling signal S from its memory, the corresponding associated sound images selects and controls the speaker 4 by means of these sound images.

In the microprocessor unit, the sound images are retrieved from the memory in such a way that a sound indicated by the sound waves is generated, which simulates the original sound of a switching relay on the basis of the edge profile. Thus, even in the case of a contactless turn signal control is given the possibility that the driver of a vehicle intuitively recognizes the function of the turn signal based on the characteristic noise.

In case of a defect of the controlled device, a modified noise can be generated. By this modification, the user is thus immediately made aware of the malfunction of the device.

The device according to the invention for generating noises of technical devices, which is capable of generating both continuous and periodic repetitive noises, can thus also contribute to the safety of the devices used.

Claims (5)

1. Apparatus for generating a noise of a switching relay, which noise can be perceived by the driver in the interior of a motor vehicle, with the apparatus containing an actuation unit (1) and it being possible to use the said apparatus in a contactless indicator control system (2) which can be operated by the actuation unit (1), with the actuation unit (1) actuating a microprocessor unit which generates the noise of a switching relay by means of an acoustic output device (4), characterized in that a modified noise is generated in the case of a fault in the indicator control system.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the noise replicates the typical clicking of a switching relay.
3. Apparatus according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the output device (4) is a loudspeaker or buzzer.
4. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in order to replicate the noise, the output device (4) is actuated by means of the microprocessor unit (3) with different items of sound which, in particular together, produce the desired noise.
5. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the items of sound from the microprocessor unit (3) can be selected on the basis of a signal (S) from the actuation unit (1).

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