EP3415243B1 - Acoustic device for warning sound and acoustic system - Google Patents

Acoustic device for warning sound and acoustic system Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3415243B1
EP3415243B1 EP18172887.4A EP18172887A EP3415243B1 EP 3415243 B1 EP3415243 B1 EP 3415243B1 EP 18172887 A EP18172887 A EP 18172887A EP 3415243 B1 EP3415243 B1 EP 3415243B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
voltage
time period
frequency
piezoelectric buzzer
peak
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EP18172887.4A
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
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EP3415243A1 (en
Inventor
Morio Nakamura
Masaya Hanazono
Minoru Fukushima
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Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
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Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B3/00—Audible signalling systems; Audible personal calling systems
    • G08B3/10—Audible signalling systems; Audible personal calling systems using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
    • B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
    • B06B1/00—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
    • B06B1/02—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy
    • B06B1/0207—Driving circuits
    • B06B1/0215—Driving circuits for generating pulses, e.g. bursts of oscillations, envelopes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
    • B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
    • B06B1/00—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
    • B06B1/02—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy
    • B06B1/0207—Driving circuits
    • B06B1/0223—Driving circuits for generating signals continuous in time
    • B06B1/0269—Driving circuits for generating signals continuous in time for generating multiple frequencies
    • B06B1/0276—Driving circuits for generating signals continuous in time for generating multiple frequencies with simultaneous generation, e.g. with modulation, harmonics
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K9/00—Devices in which sound is produced by vibrating a diaphragm or analogous element, e.g. fog horns, vehicle hooters or buzzers
    • G10K9/12—Devices in which sound is produced by vibrating a diaphragm or analogous element, e.g. fog horns, vehicle hooters or buzzers electrically operated
    • G10K9/122—Devices in which sound is produced by vibrating a diaphragm or analogous element, e.g. fog horns, vehicle hooters or buzzers electrically operated using piezoelectric driving means

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to acoustic devices for warning sound and acoustic systems.
  • the present invention specifically relates to an acoustic device for warning sound including a piezoelectric buzzer and an acoustic system including the acoustic device.
  • a warning device including a piezoelectric buzzer (piezoelectric diaphragm) and an acoustic controller configured to control the piezoelectric buzzer is known (see, for example, Patent Literature 1: JP 2009-157447 A ).
  • the piezoelectric buzzer is formed by bonding together a piezoelectric element polarized in a thickness direction and a thin metal plate.
  • the acoustic controller periodically changes a drive voltage to be applied to the piezoelectric element so as to vibrate the piezoelectric buzzer to generate a sound wave.
  • the frequency of a drive voltage at which a sound pressure of an output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer is maximum depends on characteristics of the piezoelectric buzzer.
  • the piezoelectric buzzer is caused to output a warning sound at a frequency lower than the frequency at which the sound pressure of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer is maximum, the sound pressure of the warning sound is not maximum, and thus, it is difficult to increase the sound pressure level of the warning sound.
  • EP 1 507 603 discloses an acoustic device for warning sound, configured to mechanically vibrate a piezoelectric buzzer to output an warning sound
  • the acoustic device comprising: a switching circuit configured to periodically repeat a time period including an ON time period and an OFF time period and to output a first voltage, a voltage level of the first voltage during the ON time period being a high level, the voltage level of the first voltage during the OFF time period being a low level; and the piezoelectric element being configured to receive the first voltage and resonate free wherein a relationship among a frequency fn of an Nth harmonic, a fundamental frequency fO of the drive voltage, and the resonant frequency fr of the piezoelectric element is fn-1/2fO ⁇ fr ⁇ fn+ 1/2fO, where the Nth harmonic is one harmonic of a plurality of harmonics of the drive voltage, a sound pressure level of an output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer at the Nth harmonic being higher than a sound pressure level of
  • an object of the present invention to provide an acoustic device for warning sound and an acoustic system which are configured to increase, also when a warning sound at a relatively low frequency is output, a sound pressure level of the warning sound.
  • the present invention relates to an acoustic device according to claim 1 and an acoustic system according to claim 8.
  • Claims 2 to 7 refer to specifically advantageous realizations of the acoustic device according to claim 1.
  • An acoustic device for warning sound is an acoustic device for warning sound configured to mechanically vibrate a piezoelectric buzzer to output a warning sound.
  • the acoustic device for warning sound includes a resonance circuit and a switching circuit.
  • the switching circuit is configured to periodically repeat a time period including an ON time period and an OFF time period and to output a first voltage.
  • a voltage level of the first voltage during the ON time period is a high level.
  • the voltage level of the first voltage during the OFF time period is a low level.
  • the resonance circuit is configured to receive the first voltage.
  • the resonance circuit is configured to generate, from electrical energy applied during the ON time period, a second voltage which oscillates at an oscillation frequency f1 during the OFF time period and to output a composite voltage of the first voltage and the second voltage to the piezoelectric buzzer.
  • the composite voltage serves as a drive voltage.
  • a relationship among a frequency fn of an Nth harmonic, a fundamental frequency f0 of the drive voltage, and the oscillation frequency f1 is fn-1/2f0 ⁇ f1 ⁇ fn+1/2f0, where the Nth harmonic is one harmonic of a plurality of harmonics of the drive voltage, a sound pressure level of an output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer at Nth harmonic being higher than a sound pressure level of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer at the fundamental frequency f0.
  • An acoustic system includes the acoustic device for warning sound and the piezoelectric buzzer.
  • an acoustic device 1 for warning sound and an acoustic system 100 will be described below.
  • a first embodiment (including variations) and a second embodiment described below are mere examples of various embodiments of the present invention.
  • the following embodiments may be modified in various ways depending on design and the like as long as the object of the present invention is achieved.
  • an acoustic system 100 includes an acoustic device 1 for warning sound (hereinafter also referred to simply as an acoustic device 1) and a piezoelectric buzzer 10.
  • the acoustic system 100 is a system which outputs from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 a warning sound based on the frequency of an alternating-current (AC) voltage applied to the piezoelectric buzzer 10.
  • a voltage applied to the piezoelectric buzzer 10 (the AC voltage) is hereinafter referred to as a "drive voltage”.
  • the piezoelectric buzzer 10 includes, for example, two piezoelectric elements and a diaphragm forming a bimorph structure. Each of the piezoelectric elements and the diaphragm is disk-shaped, and the diaphragm is disposed between the two piezoelectric elements.
  • the piezoelectric buzzer 10 further includes a housing that holds the diaphragm. Each piezoelectric element expands and contracts due to the AC voltage applied between two input terminals 11 and 12 of the piezoelectric buzzer 10, thereby vibrating the diaphragm of the piezoelectric buzzer 10 in a thickness direction thereof.
  • the diaphragm (and the housing) is(are) mechanically vibrated at a frequency of the drive voltage applied to each piezoelectric element, so that the piezoelectric buzzer 10 outputs an output sound.
  • the piezoelectric buzzer 10 may have a unimorph structure instead of the bimorph structure.
  • the relationship between a frequency and a sound pressure of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 is determined based on, for example, characteristics (e.g., the quality of materials, shapes, and sizes) of the two piezoelectric elements, the diaphragm, and the housing of the piezoelectric buzzer 10.
  • characteristics e.g., the quality of materials, shapes, and sizes
  • the relationship between the frequency and a sound pressure level of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 is hereinafter also referred to as a frequency characteristic of the piezoelectric buzzer 10.
  • the frequency and the sound pressure level of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 have, for example, a relationship (frequency characteristic) as shown in the upper section in FIG. 3 .
  • the sound pressure level denotes the magnitude of the sound pressure with respect to a reference sound pressure (e.g., 20 ⁇ 10 -6 Pa).
  • the piezoelectric buzzer 10 has, for example, a frequency characteristic which achieves a maximum sound pressure level at, for example, about 4 kHz.
  • a frequency closer to a prescribed frequency band tends to correspond to a higher sound pressure level, and a frequency farther away from the prescribed frequency band tends to correspond to a lower sound pressure level.
  • the sound pressure level of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 at a frequency closer to the prescribed frequency band is higher, whereas the sound pressure level of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 at a frequency farther away from the prescribed frequency band is lower.
  • a piezoelectric buzzer having a frequency characteristic according to which the sound pressure level peaks (has a global maximum) at about 1 kHz is at least adopted in order to increase the sound pressure level of the warning sound.
  • the size (e.g., diameter) of a piezoelectric buzzer and power consumption of the piezoelectric buzzer for outputting an output sound increase with a reduction in frequency at which a sound pressure level of the output sound shows a peak.
  • the acoustic system 100 of the present embodiment emphasizes at least one harmonic included in the drive voltage to increase the sound pressure level of the warning sound. That is, the drive voltage includes a fundamental wave and a plurality of harmonics.
  • the term “harmonics” denotes frequency components that are integral multiples of the fundamental frequency of the drive voltage.
  • fundamental frequency mentioned in the present disclosure means the frequency of the fundamental wave.
  • the plurality of harmonics of the drive voltage include at least one harmonic that causes the sound pressure level of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 to be higher than at the fundamental frequency of the drive voltage.
  • emphasizing the at least one harmonic enables the sound pressure level of the harmonic of the warning sound to be increased, which consequently enables the sound pressure level of the warning sound to be increased.
  • emphasizing a harmonic in the vicinity of the peak of the sound pressure level of the output sound in the frequency characteristic of the piezoelectric buzzer 10 enables the sound pressure level of the warning sound to be increased significantly.
  • the acoustic device 1 is configured to vibrate the piezoelectric buzzer 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the acoustic device 1 includes a resonance circuit 2 and a switching circuit 3. The acoustic device 1 further includes a voltage measuring device 4 and a voltage controller 5.
  • the resonance circuit 2 is electrically connected between the two input terminals 11 and 12 of the piezoelectric buzzer 10. That is, the resonance circuit 2 is electrically connected in parallel to the piezoelectric buzzer 10.
  • the voltage controller 5 includes a voltage control circuit including, for example, a three-terminal regulator.
  • the voltage controller 5 controls the magnitude of a direct-current (DC) voltage applied from a power supply 200 to output a DC voltage VI.
  • the voltage controller 5 controls the magnitude of the DC voltage V1 based on, for example, a control signal provided from a controller 31 of the switching circuit 3.
  • the voltage controller 5 is electrically connected to the one input terminal 11 of the two input terminals 11 and 12 of the piezoelectric buzzer 10.
  • the voltage controller 5 applies the DC voltage V1 to a parallel circuit of the piezoelectric buzzer 10 and the resonance circuit 2 with the other input terminal 12 of the two input terminals 11 and 12 of the piezoelectric buzzer 10 being electrically connected to a circuit ground via a transistor 32 of the switching circuit 3.
  • the voltage controller 5 is not limited to including the three-terminal regulator but may include a step-down chopper circuit or a step-up/down chopper circuit.
  • the switching circuit 3 includes the controller 31 and the transistor 32.
  • the transistor 32 is, for example, an NPN transistor.
  • the transistor 32 has a collector end electrically connected to the input terminal 12 of the piezoelectric buzzer 10.
  • the transistor 32 has an emitter end electrically connected to the circuit ground.
  • the transistor 32 has a base end connected to the controller 31.
  • the transistor 32 is provided to switch between a state where the DC voltage V1 is applied to the piezoelectric buzzer 10 from the voltage controller 5 and a state where the DC voltage V1 is not applied to the piezoelectric buzzer 10 from the voltage controller 5.
  • the controller 31 is realized, for example, in such a way that a microcomputer included in the acoustic device 1 reads a program from memory included in the microcomputer, external memory included in the acoustic device 1, or the like and executes the program.
  • the controller 31 outputs a control signal VB by a pulse width modulation (PWM) control method.
  • PWM pulse width modulation
  • the control signal VB is a voltage signal whose voltage level alternately switches between a high level and a low level.
  • the voltage waveform of the control signal VB is, for example, a square waveform.
  • the controller 31 outputs the control signal VB to the base end of the transistor 32.
  • the controller 31 realizes a conduction state (so-called ON state) between the collector end and the emitter end of the transistor 32 when the voltage level of the control signal VB is the high level.
  • the controller 31 realizes a non-conduction state (so-called OFF state) between the collector end and the emitter end of the transistor 32 when the voltage level of the control signal VB is the low level. That is, the controller 31 outputs the control signal VB to the base end of the transistor 32 to periodically alternates between a state where the DC voltage V1 is applied to the piezoelectric buzzer 10 and a state where the DC voltage V1 is not applied to the piezoelectric buzzer 10.
  • the resonance circuit 2 receives a first voltage having a square waveform in which the voltage level periodically alternates between the high level and the low level.
  • a voltage value of a case where the voltage level of the first voltage is the high level is, for example, substantially equal to the voltage value of the DC voltage V1.
  • a voltage value of a case where the voltage level of the first voltage is the low level is, for example, substantially zero.
  • a drive voltage V2 including a composite voltage of the first voltage and a second voltage which will be described later appears across the resonance circuit 2, but the appearance of only the first voltage across the resonance circuit 2 does not occur.
  • the switching circuit 3 is configured to periodically repeat a time period including an ON time period and an OFF time period and to output the first voltage to the resonance circuit 2.
  • a voltage level of the first voltage during the ON time period is a high level
  • the voltage level of the first voltage during the OFF time period is a low level.
  • the resonance circuit 2 includes, for example, a coil L1.
  • the coil L1 is connected between the two input terminals 11 and 12 of the piezoelectric buzzer 10 and is electrically connected in parallel to the piezoelectric buzzer 10.
  • the piezoelectric buzzer 10 includes a capacitance component including piezoelectric elements and a diaphragm, and therefore, the coil L1 and the capacitance component of the piezoelectric buzzer 10 form an LC resonance circuit. That is, the piezoelectric buzzer 10 serves as both a buzzer for outputting a warning sound and a capacitance component of the LC resonance circuit.
  • the resonance circuit 2 generates, from electrical energy applied during the ON time period, the second voltage which oscillates at an oscillation frequency f1 during the OFF time period.
  • the resonance circuit 2 outputs to the piezoelectric buzzer 10a composite voltage of the second voltage and the first voltage as the drive voltage V2.
  • the oscillation frequency f1 of the second voltage is adjusted by, for example, an inductive
  • the resonance circuit 2 can generate the second voltage through the capacitance component of the piezoelectric buzzer 10 without being provided with an additional capacitor. Thus, the resonance circuit 2 realizes downsizing and a reduction in manufacturing cost of the acoustic device 1.
  • the voltage measuring device 4 is connected between the two input terminals 11 and 12 of the piezoelectric buzzer 10 and is electrically connected in parallel to the resonance circuit 2.
  • the voltage measuring device 4 performs A/D conversion of a voltage across the resonance circuit 2 by, for example, an A/D conversion function of the microcomputer included in the acoustic device 1 to measure a value of the voltage.
  • the voltage measuring device 4 measures, for example, voltage values of the second voltage during a period longer than one period so as to measure a peak-to-peak value of the second voltage.
  • the peak-to-peak value means an absolute value of the difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of the second voltage during one period.
  • the controller 31 of the switching circuit 3 performs feedback control of the magnitude of the DC voltage V1 to be output from the voltage controller 5. For example, when the peak-to-peak value of the second voltage is larger than a specified value, the controller 31 controls the voltage controller 5 such that the magnitude of the DC voltage V1 is reduced and the peak-to-peak value of the second voltage approximates to the specified value.
  • the voltage controller 5 at least increases the voltage level (i.e., the DC voltage VI) of the first voltage of the ON time period as the peak-to-peak value of the second voltage measured by the voltage measuring device 4 decreases.
  • the peak-to-peak value of a case where the second voltage is not the AC voltage means, for example, an absolute value of the difference between a maximum value and a minimum value during one time period of a case where the second voltage periodically changes.
  • the acoustic device 1 will be described in detail. Basic operation of an acoustic device 1, operation of a comparative example, and operation of the acoustic device 1 according to the present embodiment are sequentially described below.
  • the comparative example mentioned herein denotes an acoustic device including a resistance component instead of the resonance circuit 2 of the acoustic device 1 of the present embodiment.
  • the controller 31 is configured to cause the piezoelectric buzzer 10 to periodically output a warning sound for about several seconds (two to three seconds), but in the following description, a warning sound which the piezoelectric buzzer 10 outputs during a predetermined time (e.g., one second) will be described.
  • the controller 31 includes a timer configured to measure an elapsed time, and based on the elapsed time measured by the timer, the controller 31 sets a time period T0, an ON time period T1, and an OFF time period T2 as shown in FIG. 2 .
  • the time period T0 is a time period corresponding to the sum of the ON time period T1 and the OFF time period T2.
  • FIG. 2 shows waveforms of the control signal VB and the drive voltage V2, where the abscissa is a time axis.
  • the controller 31 maintains the voltage level of the control signal VB at a high level (denoted by "H” in FIG. 2 ) during the ON time period T1.
  • a high level denoted by "H” in FIG. 2
  • the transistor 32 of the switching circuit 3 conducts between the collector end and the emitter end.
  • the first voltage (DC voltage VI) having a high voltage level is applied to the piezoelectric buzzer 10 and the resonance circuit 2 during the ON time period T1, and the magnitude of the drive voltage V2 applied to the piezoelectric buzzer 10 becomes substantially equal to the magnitude of the DC voltage V1.
  • the controller 31 sets the OFF time period T2 following the ON time period T1 in the time period T1 and switches the voltage level of the control signal VB from the high level to the low level (denoted by "L" in FIG. 2 ).
  • the OFF time period T2 corresponds to a length obtained by subtracting the length of the ON time period T1 from the length of the time period T0.
  • the OFF time period T2 is, for example, longer than or equal to one period of the second voltage.
  • the length of the OFF time period T2 is determined such that the OFF time period T2 includes a plurality of periods of the second voltage.
  • the controller 31 maintains the voltage level of the control signal VB at the low level during the OFF time period T2.
  • the transistor 32 of the switching circuit 3 does not conduct between the collector end and the emitter end.
  • the first voltage whose voltage level is the low level is applied to the piezoelectric buzzer 10 and resonance circuit 2 during the OFF time period T2.
  • the DC voltage V1 is no longer applied to the piezoelectric buzzer 10 and the resonance circuit 2.
  • the switching circuit 3 periodically repeats the time period T0 including the ON time period T1 and the OFF time period T2 and outputs the first voltage to the resonance circuit 2.
  • the voltage level of the first voltage during the ON time period T1 is the high level
  • the voltage level of the first voltage during the OFF time period T2 is the low level.
  • the length of a period, namely the time period T1 is set to, for example, 1/1,000[sec] in length, where the voltage level of the first voltage is switched from the low level to the high level at beginning and end of the period.
  • the period of the first voltage is 1/1,000[sec]
  • the frequency of the first voltage is 1 kHz.
  • the frequency of the first voltage is a fundamental frequency f0 of the drive voltage V2 applied to the piezoelectric buzzer 10.
  • the fundamental frequency f0 of the drive voltage V2 is 1 kHz.
  • the length of the ON time period T1 is, for example, 1/8,000[sec].
  • the OFF time period T2 includes a plurality of periods of (in this embodiment, at least three periods of) the second voltage.
  • the peak-to-peak value of the second voltage is relatively larger than the peak-to-peak value of the first voltage.
  • the embodiment is not limited to this example, but the peak-to-peak value of the second voltage may be relatively smaller than the peak-to-peak value of the first voltage.
  • the comparative example includes a resistance component instead of the resonance circuit 2 of the acoustic device 1 according to the present embodiment.
  • the configuration of the acoustic device according to the comparative example is the same as the configuration of the acoustic device 1 according to the present embodiment except that the resistance component is included instead of the resonance circuit 2. Therefore, in the following description, elements similar to those in the acoustic device 1 according to the present embodiment are denoted by the same reference signs as those in the present embodiment, and the description thereof is accordingly omitted.
  • the upper section, middle section, and lower section in FIG. 3 respectively show the frequency characteristic of the piezoelectric buzzer 10, the frequency characteristic of a drive voltage Vc2 of the comparative example, and the frequency characteristic of a warning sound of the comparative example.
  • the first voltage is a voltage applied to a parallel circuit of the resonance circuit 2 and the piezoelectric buzzer 10, and therefore, when the resonance circuit 2 is omitted, the first voltage equals to the drive voltage Vc2.
  • the voltage waveform of the first voltage is a square waveform, and therefore, the drive voltage Vc2 includes a fundamental wave and a plurality of harmonics.
  • the frequency of the fundamental wave is denoted by f0.
  • the fundamental frequency (the frequency of the fundamental wave) f0 in this case is 1 kHz.
  • the plurality of harmonics of the drive voltage Vc2 include a second harmonic whose frequency is denoted by 2f0 and a third harmonic whose frequency is denoted by 3f0.
  • the drive voltage Vc2 further includes, for example, a fourth harmonic whose frequency is denoted by 4f0, a fifth harmonic whose frequency is denoted by 5f0, and a sixth harmonic whose frequency is denoted by 6f0.
  • the fundamental frequency f0 in the present comparative example is 1 kHz, and therefore, the frequencies 2f0, 3f0, 4f0, 5f0, and 6f0 respectively correspond to 2 kHz, 3 kHz, 4 kHz, 5 kHz, and 6 kHz.
  • a component of the fundamental frequency f0 of frequency components included in the drive voltage Vc2 has the largest peak-to-peak value, and the peak-to-peak value of each harmonic component decreases as the order of the harmonic increases.
  • the sound pressure level of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 is higher at each of the frequencies 2f0, 3f0, 4f0, 5f0, and 6f0 of the second to sixth harmonics of the drive voltage Vc2 than at the fundamental frequency f0 of the drive voltage Vc2.
  • the drive voltage Vc2 includes harmonics at frequencies of which the sound pressure level of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 is higher than at the fundamental frequency f0.
  • the sound pressure level of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 at the fundamental frequency f0 is assumed to correspond to a prescribed value fN
  • the sound pressure level of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 at each of the frequencies 2f0, 3f0, 4f0, 5f0, and 6f0 is higher than the prescribed value fN.
  • a frequency at which the sound pressure level peaks in the frequency characteristic is a synonymous with a frequency at which the sound pressure level of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 becomes maximum within a prescribed frequency range (e.g., 0 kHz to 6f0).
  • the frequency characteristic of a warning sound provided from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 at the time of application of the drive voltage Vc2 to the piezoelectric buzzer 10 is as shown in the lower section in FIG. 3 . That is, in the warning sound of the comparative example, the sound pressure level at the frequency 4f0 of the fourth harmonic is higher than sound pressure levels at the frequencies of the harmonics other than the fourth harmonic or a sound pressure level at the fundamental frequency f0.
  • the upper section, middle section, and lower section in FIG. 4 respectively show the frequency characteristic of the piezoelectric buzzer 10, the frequency characteristic of the drive voltage V2, and the frequency characteristic of the warning sound.
  • the oscillation frequency f1 of the second voltage is adjusted by the inductive component and the like of the coil L1 as described above.
  • the oscillation frequency f1 of the second voltage has a relationship satisfying the following Formula 1 fn ⁇ 1 / 2 f 0 ⁇ f 1 ⁇ fn + 1 / 2 f 0 , where fn is a frequency of an Nth harmonic, and f0 is the fundamental frequency.
  • the Nth harmonic is one harmonic of the plurality of harmonics of the drive voltage V2, a sound pressure level of an output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 at the Nth harmonic being higher than a sound pressure level of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 at the fundamental frequency f0 of the drive voltage V2.
  • the sound pressure level of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 at the fundamental frequency f0 is assumed to correspond to a prescribed value fN
  • the sound pressure level of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 at each of the frequencies 2f0, 3f0, 4f0, 5f0, and 6f0 is higher than the prescribed value fN.
  • each of the second to sixth harmonics of the drive voltage V2 can correspond to the Nth harmonic of the specific frequency.
  • the oscillation frequency f1 of the second voltage has a relationship satisfying the following Formula 2 4 f 0 ⁇ 1 / 2 f 0 ⁇ f 1 ⁇ 4 f 0 + 1 / 2 f 0 , where f0 is the fundamental frequency.
  • the oscillation frequency f1 of the second voltage is adjusted to correspond to integral multiples of (in the present embodiment, four times) the fundamental frequency f0 of the drive voltage V2.
  • integral multiples does not strictly mean the integral multiples but may include a tolerance. That is, the oscillation frequency f1 of the second voltage is not strictly integral multiples of the oscillation frequency (fundamental frequency fO) of the first voltage but may include a tolerance.
  • the fundamental frequency f0 is 1 kHz
  • the oscillation frequency f1 is adjusted to be about 4 kHz corresponding to a frequency four times the fundamental frequency f0.
  • the Nth harmonic here, fourth harmonic
  • FIG. 4 the Nth harmonic (here, fourth harmonic) is emphasized as illustrated in FIG. 4 .
  • the frequency characteristic of the warning sound provided from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 at the time of application of the drive voltage V2 to the piezoelectric buzzer 10 is as shown in the lower section in FIG. 4 . That is, in the acoustic device 1 according to the present embodiment, a warning sound in which the fourth harmonic of the frequency 4f0 is emphasized more than in the warning sound (see FIG. 3 ) of the comparative example is output from the piezoelectric buzzer 10. Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 4 , in the acoustic device 1 according to the present embodiment, not only the fourth harmonic but also the third harmonic and the fifth harmonic around the fourth harmonic are emphasized in the warning sound.
  • An increased sound pressure level of a harmonic corresponding to an integer multiple of the fundamental frequency f0 in the warning sound provides an effect that a person who hears the warning sound is more likely to sense the sound at the fundamental frequency f0.
  • This effect is known as a missing fundamental based on psychoacoustics.
  • emphasizing the harmonic of the warning sound simulatively causes the warning sound at the fundamental frequency f0 to sound loud to a person who hears the warning sound.
  • the Nth harmonic (here, fourth harmonic) of the warning sound as described above, a person who hears the warning sound is more likely to sense a sound at the fundamental frequency f0 due to the missing fundamental based on psychoacoustics.
  • the piezoelectric buzzer 10 is caused to output a warning sound at a frequency (here, 1 kHz) lower than a frequency (here, 4 kHz) at which the sound pressure of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 is maximum, the sound pressure level of the warning sound can be increased.
  • the oscillation frequency f1 of the second voltage is at least set to satisfy Formula 1, but as described above, the oscillation frequency f1 does not have to correspond to integer multiples of the fundamental frequency f0 of the drive voltage V2. That is, when the fourth harmonic is emphasized as described above, the oscillation frequency f1 is only required to be within a range of ⁇ 1/2f0 from 4f0. That is, the oscillation frequency f1 is only required to be within a range indicated by A1 in FIG. 4 . In FIG. 4 , “fa” denotes "4f0-1/2f0", and “fb” denotes "4f0+1/2f0".
  • a difference between the frequency of the Nth harmonic and a frequency at which the sound pressure level of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 becomes maximum within a prescribed frequency range is preferably smaller than or equal to the fundamental frequency f0.
  • the Nth harmonic is preferably a harmonic included in the plurality of harmonics of the drive voltage V2 and having a frequency which is different by at most the fundamental frequency f0 from the frequency 4f0 at which the sound pressure level of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 peaks (has a global maximum).
  • the oscillation frequency f1 of the second voltage can be determined by, for example, adjusting the inductive component of the coil L1 of the resonance circuit 2.
  • the oscillation frequency f1 of the second voltage is set at least to satisfy Formula 1, and thus, an adjustment width of the inductive component of the coil L1 of the resonance circuit 2 is relatively large.
  • the inductive component of the coil L1 is easily adjusted.
  • the piezoelectric buzzer 10 can maintain a state where the sound pressure of the warning sound is high as long as Formula 1 is satisfied.
  • the frequency characteristic of the piezoelectric buzzer 10 An example in which in the frequency characteristic of the piezoelectric buzzer 10, the sound pressure level of the output sound peaks (has global maximum) at 4 kHz has been described.
  • the frequency is not limited to this example, and the sound pressure level of the output sound may peak at any frequency lower than or equal to 4 kHz or higher than or equal to 4 kHz.
  • the fundamental frequency f0 of the drive voltage V2 is not limited to 1 kHz but is required only to be a frequency lower than the frequency (in the present embodiment, 4 kHz) at which the sound pressure level of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 shows a peak.
  • the oscillation frequency f1 of the second voltage is not limited to 4 kHz but may have any value that satisfies Formula 1.
  • the sound pressure level of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 peaks (has a global maximum) at the frequency 2f0 of the second harmonic of the drive voltage V2
  • the sound pressure of the warning sound becomes high with the oscillation frequency f1 of the second voltage being set to about the frequency 2f0 (within the range of ⁇ f0 from 2f0).
  • the acoustic device 1 for warning sound in the first embodiment is an acoustic device for warning sound configured to mechanically vibrate the piezoelectric buzzer 10 to output a warning sound.
  • the acoustic device 1 for warning sound includes the resonance circuit 2 and the switching circuit 3.
  • the switching circuit 3 is configured to periodically repeat the time period T0 including the ON time period T1 and the OFF time period T2.
  • the switching circuit 3 is configured to output a first voltage.
  • a voltage level of the first voltage during the ON time period T1 is a high level.
  • the voltage level of the first voltage during the OFF time period T2 is a low level.
  • the resonance circuit 2 is configured to receive the first voltage.
  • the resonance circuit 2 is configured to generate, from electrical energy applied during the ON time period T1, a second voltage which oscillates at an oscillation frequency f1 during the OFF time period T2 and to output a composite voltage of the first voltage and the second voltage to the piezoelectric buzzer 10.
  • the composite voltage serves as a drive voltage V2.
  • a relationship among a frequency fn of an Nth harmonic, a fundamental frequency f0, and the oscillation frequency f1 is fn-1/2f0 ⁇ f1 ⁇ fn+1/2f0, where the Nth harmonic is one harmonic of a plurality of harmonics of the drive voltage V2, a sound pressure level of an output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 at the Nth harmonic being higher than a sound pressure level of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 at the fundamental frequency f0 of the drive voltage V2.
  • the resonance circuit 2 generates the second voltage of the oscillation frequency f1 to emphasize the Nth harmonic in the drive voltage V2 to be output to the piezoelectric buzzer 10.
  • the Nth harmonic is one harmonic of the plurality of harmonics of the drive voltage V2, the sound pressure level of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 at the Nth harmonic being higher than a sound pressure level of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 at the fundamental frequency f0 of the drive voltage V2.
  • emphasizing the Nth harmonic of the drive voltage V2 enables the sound pressure level of the warning sound to be increased.
  • the piezoelectric buzzer 10 when the piezoelectric buzzer 10 is caused to output a warning sound of a frequency lower than a frequency at which the sound pressure of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 is maximum, the sound pressure level of the warning sound can be increased. Consequently, the acoustic device 1 provides the advantage that the sound pressure level of the warning sound can be increased also when a warning sound at a relatively low frequency is output.
  • a difference between the frequency of the Nth harmonic and a frequency at which the sound pressure level of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 becomes maximum within a prescribed frequency range is preferably smaller than or equal to the fundamental frequency f0.
  • emphasizing the Nth harmonic of the drive voltage V2 can increase the sound pressure level of the warning sound at about the frequency at which the sound pressure level of the output sound from the piezoelectric buzzer 10 becomes maximum within the prescribed frequency range.
  • the sound pressure level of the warning sound can be further increased.
  • the OFF time period T2 preferably has a length longer than or equal to one period (here, period T3) of the second voltage.
  • period T3 one period of the second voltage.
  • the OFF time period T2 preferably includes a plurality of periods (here, three periods) of the second voltage. For example, as the number of periods of the second voltage included in the OFF time period T2 increases, the sound pressure of the warning sound increases.
  • the acoustic device 1 for warning sound of the present embodiment preferably further includes the voltage measuring device 4 and the voltage controller 5.
  • the voltage measuring device 4 is configured to measure a peak-to-peak value of the second voltage.
  • the voltage controller 5 is configured to increase the voltage level of the first voltage (here, DC voltage VI) of the ON time period T1 as the peak-to-peak value decreases. With this configuration, the voltage controller 5 increases the voltage level of the first voltage of the ON time period T1 as the peak-to-peak value of the second voltage decreases, which can suppress a reduction of the peak-to-peak value of the second voltage.
  • the voltage controller 5 reduces the voltage level of the first voltage of the ON time period T1 as the peak-to-peak value of the second voltage of the OFF time period T2 increases, which can suppress an increase of the peak-to-peak value of the second voltage.
  • the peak-to-peak value of the second voltage may vary for each OFF time period T2 due to, for example, a temperature change around the resonance circuit 2, the aging of the resonance circuit 2, or the like.
  • the acoustic device 1 for warning sound is capable of adjusting the voltage level of the ON time period T1 based on the peak-to-peak value of the second voltage, and therefore, variations of the sound pressure of the warning sound can be reduced.
  • the acoustic system 100 of the present embodiment includes the acoustic device 1 for warning sound and the piezoelectric buzzer 10. With this configuration, since the acoustic system 100 includes the acoustic device 1 for warning sound, the acoustic system 100 provides the advantage that the sound pressure level of the warning sound can be increased also when a warning sound at a relatively low frequency is output.
  • the resonance circuit 2 may include a resistor, a capacitor, and the like in addition to the coil L1.
  • the switching circuit 3 may include a semiconductor switching element such as a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) instead of the transistor 32.
  • MOSFET metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor
  • the peak-to-peak value of the second voltage becomes maximum during a time period corresponding to the first half period has been described, but the time period is not limited to this example.
  • a timing at which the peak-to-peak value of the second voltage becomes maximum is determined based on resonance characteristics of the resonance circuit 2 and the piezoelectric buzzer 10.
  • the peak-to-peak value of the second voltage may become maximum after the first half period.
  • the ON time period T1 is at least a time period during which the voltage level of the first voltage is the high level.
  • the ON time period T1 is not limited to a time period during which the controller 31 of the witching circuit 3 turns on the transistor 32, but the ON time period T1 may be a time period during which the controller 31 turns off the transistor 32.
  • the OFF time period T2 is at least a time period during which the voltage level of the first voltage is the low level.
  • the OFF time period T2 is not limited to a time period during which the controller 31 turns off the transistor 32, but the OFF time period T2 may be a time period during which the controller 31 turns on the transistor 32.
  • the fundamental frequency f0 i.e., frequency of the first voltage
  • the fundamental frequency f0 i.e., frequency of the first voltage
  • the fundamental frequency f0 i.e., frequency of the first voltage
  • An acoustic device for warning sound according to a first variation of the first embodiment is configured such that a switching circuit 3 varies the length of an ON time period T1 and the length of an OFF time period T2.
  • the acoustic device for warning sound of the first variation includes a voltage measuring device 4 configured to measure a peak-to-peak value of a second voltage.
  • the switching circuit 3 is configured to increase the ON time period T1 and to reduce the length of the OFF time period T2 as the peak-to-peak value decreases.
  • the ON time period T1 increases, electrical energy accumulated in a coil L1 increases, thereby increasing the peak-to-peak value of the second voltage.
  • the switching circuit 3 reduces the ON time period T1 and increases the length of the OFF time period T2 as the peak-to-peak value increases.
  • the acoustic device for warning sound of the first variation can reduce variations of the sound pressure of the warning sound also when the peak-to-peak value of the second voltage varies for each OFF time period T2.
  • the peak-to-peak value of the second voltage may be, for example, a maximum peak-to-peak value of the second voltage during the OFF time period T2 or the peak-to-peak value of the second voltage during any period (e.g., first period) during the OFF time period T2.
  • An acoustic device 1A for warning sound according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5 . Note that components similar to those in the acoustic device 1 for warning sound of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference signs as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.
  • the acoustic device 1A for warning sound (hereinafter also referred to as an acoustic device 1A) is configured to control a current flowing through a resonance circuit 2A based on a peak-to-peak value of a second voltage.
  • the acoustic device 1A is different from the acoustic device 1 for warning sound according to the first embodiment in the configurations of the resonance circuit 2A, a switching circuit 3A, and a voltage measuring device 4A.
  • the resonance circuit 2A includes a coil L1 and a current controller 6 (61).
  • the current controller 61 includes, for example, two resistors 64 and 65, and a switch 63.
  • the resistor 65 is connected in series to the coil L1.
  • the resistor 64 and the switch 63 are connected in series to each other.
  • a series circuit of the resistor 64 and the switch 63 is connected in parallel to the resistor 65.
  • the current controller 61 limits a current which flows to the coil L1.
  • the switch 63 includes, for example, a semiconductor switch such as a transistor and switches between a conduction state and a non-conduction state depending on a control signal from a controller 31.
  • the switch 63 is, for example, a normally open switch.
  • the resistor 65 connected to the coil L1 is in a connected state, and the resistor 65 limits a current flowing to the coil L1.
  • a resistance component connected to the coil L1 serves as a composite resistor of the resistors 64 and 65. Therefore, the resistance value of the resistance component is smaller than the resistance value of the resistor 65 alone, and the current flowing to the coil L1 increases.
  • the peak-to-peak value of the second voltage increases as the current flowing to the coil L1 increases, whereas the peak-to-peak value of the second voltage decreases as the current flowing to the coil L1 decreases.
  • the voltage measuring device 4A is connected between two input terminals 11 and 12 of a piezoelectric buzzer 10 and is electrically connected in parallel to the resonance circuit 2A.
  • the voltage measuring device 4A has a similar configuration to the voltage measuring device 4.
  • the switching circuit 3A includes the controller 31, a transistor 32, and a current controller 6 (62).
  • the current controller 62 has a similar configuration to the current controller 61.
  • the current controller 62 has one end electrically connected to the controller 31 and the other end electrically connected to a base end of the transistor 32.
  • the current controller 62 is configured to limit a current (control signal VB) provided from the controller 31 to the base end of the transistor 32.
  • the control signal VB is a current signal.
  • the controller 31 of the switching circuit 3A brings both the switches 63 of the two current controllers 6 into the conduction state.
  • the current flowing to the coil L1 increases, and therefore, it is possible to increase the magnitude of a DC voltage V1 and the peak-to-peak value of the second voltage.
  • the controller 31 causes both the switches 63 of the two current controllers 6 to be in the non-conduction state, the current flowing through the coil L1 decreases, and therefore, it is possible to reduce the magnitude of the DC voltage V1 and the peak-to-peak value of the second voltage.
  • the acoustic device 1A for warning sound in the second embodiment includes the voltage measuring device 4A and the current controllers 6.
  • the voltage measuring device 4A is configured to measure the peak-to-peak value of the second voltage.
  • Each current controller 6 is configured to control a current flowing through the resonance circuit 2A based on the magnitude of the peak-to-peak value.
  • the current controller 6 may be only one of the current controller 61 and the current controller 62.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fire Alarms (AREA)
  • Alarm Systems (AREA)
EP18172887.4A 2017-05-22 2018-05-17 Acoustic device for warning sound and acoustic system Active EP3415243B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2017101053A JP6775201B2 (ja) 2017-05-22 2017-05-22 警報音の音響装置及び音響システム

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EP3415243A1 EP3415243A1 (en) 2018-12-19
EP3415243B1 true EP3415243B1 (en) 2021-07-21

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2021060436A1 (ja) * 2019-09-27 2021-04-01 日本精機株式会社 車両用音出力装置

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1499575A (en) * 1974-09-11 1978-02-01 Seiko Instr & Electronics Electronic buzzers
JPS6068598U (ja) * 1983-10-17 1985-05-15 リズム時計工業株式会社 圧電ブザ−駆動回路
JPH0832111B2 (ja) * 1986-10-28 1996-03-27 松下電器産業株式会社 発音体
GB2388995B (en) * 2002-05-23 2004-06-30 Gent Ltd Improvements in and relating to alarms
JP2004093244A (ja) * 2002-08-30 2004-03-25 Seiko Instruments Inc 腕装着型電子機器
JP4234639B2 (ja) * 2004-05-20 2009-03-04 ティーオーエー株式会社 音声信号発生装置
US20070057778A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2007-03-15 Floyd Bell, Inc. Alarm combining audio signaling and switch functions
JP4917463B2 (ja) * 2007-03-23 2012-04-18 シチズンホールディングス株式会社 ブザー付き電子機器、ブザー駆動回路、及びブザー駆動用半導体装置
JP5186199B2 (ja) 2007-12-25 2013-04-17 ホーチキ株式会社 警報器
JP5489754B2 (ja) * 2010-01-29 2014-05-14 能美防災株式会社 音響警報装置及びこれを備えた火災報知設備
JP6308788B2 (ja) * 2013-03-27 2018-04-11 セイコーインスツル株式会社 電子機器及び衝撃検出方法

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