JP2005333573A - Horn device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a horn device capable of changing the emission range of an alarm sound wave depending on the velocity and the like of a vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of super-directivity speakers 4a to 4h that emit acoustic waves of an alarm sound or the like are arranged at a plurality of positions at the front and rear and the right and left of the vehicle toward outside as alarm horns. An ultrasonic modulator 2 modulates a carrier signal of an ultrasonic frequency-band with the alarm sound or the like of an audio frequency-band fed from an alarm sound source unit 1. The modulated carrier signal is amplified by a power amplification unit 3, and the amplified signal is able to be applied to the super-directivity speakers 4a to 4h via a selector 5. A driver of the vehicle manually operates a selector switch 6 to set the selector 5 so as to select the super-directivity speakers of one direction or a plurality of directions or all directions among directions of the front and rear and the right and left of the vehicle depending on the velocity of the vehicle and a traveling place. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a horn device using a super-directional speaker having sharp directivity as a sound source of a horn of a vehicle.

As a conventional horn device using a super-directional speaker having a sharp directivity using ultrasonic waves, for example, there is the following.
This whistle device modulates a carrier signal in an ultrasonic frequency band with a signal from a signal source in an audible frequency band, then amplifies it with a power amplifier, leads it to a super-directional speaker (ultrasonic transducer), and the modulated signal A wave is converted into a sound wave of a finite amplitude level, radiated into the air, and a super-directional speaker that reproduces the original audible sound by nonlinear air is provided at the crossing or crosswalk, and the sound wave from this super-directional speaker passes It is installed so that it may be emitted toward the person.
As a result, sound waves are emitted only in a limited direction, and an alarm is given only to a person or vehicle that passes through the railroad crossing, while noise pollution to a nearby residential area can be prevented.
In addition, a super-directional speaker is used as a guide chime for blind people on a pedestrian crossing, and music (sound waves) meaning a blue signal and a yellow signal for the blind person is played from the super-directional speaker. As a result, the blind person can no longer hear the music when he deviates from the pedestrian crossing, and in this case, the blind person is guided to the correct direction by correcting the direction and returning to the position where the music can be heard again (for example, patents). Reference 1).

JP 60-254992 A

The conventional whistle device is configured as described above, and the sound wave from the super-directional speaker is radiated in a specific direction from a fixed place, and the sound wave is radiated from the moving body in a specific direction. It wasn't. In addition, the radiation range of sound waves has been specified, and the radiation range cannot be changed artificially or automatically.
Therefore, when the conventional whistle device is applied for in-vehicle use, there is a problem that when a sound wave is radiated from the vehicle, a warning is given to an unnecessary object. For example, when a super-directional speaker is arranged to emit sound waves in front of the vehicle and sound waves are emitted forward from a vehicle running at a low speed, a warning is given to a person who is walking right beside because the radiation range of sound waves is narrow There was a problem that the sound did not reach and the warning could not be given.
On the other hand, when a plurality of super-directional speakers are arranged to widen the radiation range, when sound waves are emitted from a vehicle running at high speed, a warning sound is generated not only for the front but also for humans and vehicles walking sideways. The problem arises that it will give you unnecessary surprises and noise.
Furthermore, when traveling on a poorly sighted place such as a mountain road, if the direction of sound wave emission is limited to the front of the vehicle, there is also a problem that the warning sound does not reach people other than the front of the vehicle or hidden behind objects.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can automatically change the radiation range of the horn sound wave according to the human or the speed of the vehicle and the geographical environment state of the place where the vehicle travels. The purpose is to obtain a horn device.

  The whistle device according to the present invention includes an ultrasonic modulator that modulates a carrier signal in an ultrasonic frequency band with a warning sound in an audible frequency band from a warning sound source unit, and electric power that amplifies the signal from the ultrasonic modulator. Arranged at amplifying units and at a plurality of locations on the front, rear, left and right sides of the vehicle, the signals from the power amplifying units are converted into sound waves with sharp directional characteristics and finite amplitude levels and radiated in the air to reproduce the original warning sounds, etc. Provided between a plurality of electroacoustic transducers, the power amplification unit and the plurality of electroacoustic transducers, and from the plurality of electroacoustic transducers, a warning sound or the like is reproduced by a signal from the power amplification unit A selector for selecting an electroacoustic transducer; and a selector switch for setting the selector based on an operation for selecting an electroacoustic transducer in one direction, a plurality of directions, or an omnidirectional direction among the front, rear, left, and right directions of the vehicle. With things That.

According to the present invention, a plurality of electroacoustic transducers that radiate sound waves such as warning sounds are arranged as a warning whistle at a plurality of locations on the front, rear, left, and right sides of the vehicle. A signal obtained by modulating a carrier signal in a sonic frequency band can be applied via a selector, and a user (driver) can set an electroacoustic transducer in one or a plurality of directions or in all directions of front, rear, left and right directions of the vehicle. Since the selector is set by operating the selector switch so that it can be selected, the driver can control the emission range of sound waves such as warning sounds according to the speed of the vehicle and the geographical environment of the location where the vehicle is traveling. Therefore, the noise to the surroundings due to the warning sound or the like can be reduced by the sharp directivity (straight advance) of the electroacoustic transducer.
As a result, for example, when a vehicle travels at a relatively low speed in a town with many private houses or traffic, it is possible to give a warning in all directions around the vehicle by emitting sound waves such as a warning sound in all directions of the vehicle. In addition, when a vehicle travels on a suburb or highway, a sound wave such as a warning sound can be emitted only in the forward direction of the vehicle that is a target of warning, and a warning can be given only in the forward direction of the vehicle. On the other hand, noise and discomfort to the surroundings due to this warning sound or the like can be reduced.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a horn device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, the horn device includes a warning sound source unit 1, an ultrasonic modulator 2, a power amplification unit 3, electroacoustic transducers 4a to 4h, a selector 5, and a selector switch 6.

  In the above configuration, the warning sound source unit 1 generates a warning signal such as a warning sound or a warning sound in an audible frequency band.

  The ultrasonic modulator 2 amplitude-modulates the carrier signal in the ultrasonic frequency band with the warning signal from the warning sound source unit 1.

  The power amplifier 3 amplifies the signal modulated by the ultrasonic modulator 2 to a signal of a predetermined level.

The electroacoustic transducers 4a to 4h are superdirective speakers each formed by an ultrasonic transducer, which converts a signal from the power amplifier 3 into a sound wave having a sharp directional characteristic and a finite amplitude level and radiates the sound into the air. The warning sound or the warning sound in the audible frequency band generated by the warning sound source unit 1 is reproduced by the non-linear interaction in the air. The reproduced warning sound or warning sound has a sharp directivity characteristic. Hereinafter, the electroacoustic transducers 4a to 4h are referred to as “superdirective speakers 4a to 4h”.
A plurality of these super-directional speakers 4a to 4h are provided as shown in FIG. 1, and are arranged outwardly by being divided into front, rear, left and right positions of the vehicle.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the selector 5 is provided between the power amplifying unit 3 and a plurality of superdirective speakers 4 a to 4 h. The selector 5 reproduces a warning sound or a warning sound with a signal from the power amplifying unit 3. A directional speaker is selected from a plurality of superdirectional speakers 4a to 4h. An example of the internal configuration of the selector 5 will be described later.

The selector switch 6 sets selection from the superdirective speakers 4a to 4h in the selector 5 and is set by a user (driver) manually operating.
The selector switch 6 is preferably provided on the operation panel or steering wheel of the driver's seat so that the user (driver) can easily operate it.

Next, the arrangement of superdirective speakers 4a to 4h will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal plan view of the vehicle 7 showing an arrangement example of the superdirective speakers 4a to 4h.
As shown in FIG. 2, superdirective speakers 4 a to 4 h are arranged outward so as to be used as horns on the front, rear, left side, and right side of vehicle 7, and sound waves (W) are emitted in the respective directions. Make it radiated. As the name suggests, the superdirective speaker has a sharp directivity characteristic, and the sound wave (W) radiated goes straight and has a narrow radiation range. Therefore, for example, when sound waves (W) are radiated from the three super-directional speakers 4a, 4b, 4c arranged in front of the vehicle 7, the sound waves (W) are propagated only forward, and the person or vehicle ahead. Warning can be given only to etc. The horn device according to the present invention utilizes the characteristics of such a super-directional speaker.

Among the superdirective speakers 4a to 4h arranged as shown in FIG. 2 described above, the user (driver) selects the selector switch 6 according to the speed of the vehicle and the geographical environmental condition of the place where the vehicle travels. 5 is operated to select a super-directional speaker that emits a warning sound or the like.
In FIG. 2, the number of superdirective speakers arranged is eight (4a to 4h). However, the number is not limited to this, and other numbers may be used.

  The connection form between the selector 5 and the selector switch 6 may be either wired or wireless. However, the warning sound source unit 1 is not located far from any of the superdirective speakers 4a to 4h arranged as shown in FIG. By arranging the ultrasonic modulator 2, the power amplifying unit 3, the selector 5, and the like, and connecting the selector 5 and the selector switch 6 to a wireless connection such as Bluetooth (short-range wireless), for example, a horn Wiring of the entire apparatus can be reduced.

Next, an internal configuration example of the selector 5 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIGS. 3A, 3 </ b> B, and 3 </ b> C are diagrams illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the selector 5.
In the configuration example shown in FIG. 3A, switches SWa to SWh are provided corresponding to the superdirective speakers 4a to 4h, respectively, and one end side of these switches is connected and connected to the power amplifying unit 3. The other end side is connected to superdirective speakers 4a to 4h, respectively. The switches SWa to SWh connected in this way are turned on / off (closed / opened) by a setting signal So from the selector switch 6. The super directional speaker connected to the turned on switch becomes the selected super directional speaker and is driven by the signal from the power amplifying unit 3 to emit a sound wave (W) such as a warning sound.

In the configuration example shown in FIG. 3B, resistors Ra to Rh are provided between the respective terminals of the switches SWa to SWh of FIG. 3A, and when the switches SWa to SWh are turned off, the resistors Ra to The signal from the power amplifier 3 is slightly supplied to the superdirective speakers 4a to 4h via Rh, and a small level sound wave such as whether or not it can be heard is radiated.
By providing the resistors Ra to Rh, the fluctuation range of the load impedance with respect to the power amplifying unit 3 due to on / off of the switches SWa to SWh is suppressed.
When any one of the switches SWa to SWh is turned on by the setting signal So from the selector switch 6, the superdirectional speaker connected to the switch becomes the selected superdirective speaker, and the power amplifier 3 The sound wave (W) such as a warning sound is emitted as a loud sound.

  In addition, the configuration example shown in FIG. 3C is provided with relay switches RLa to RLh instead of the switches SWa to SWh in FIG. 3A or FIG. The relay switches RLa to RLh are turned on / off by the setting signal So from the selector switch 6 as in FIG. 3 (a) or FIG. 3 (b), and a super-directional speaker connected to the turned on relay switch is connected. It becomes the selected super-directional speaker.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIGS.
The warning sound source unit 1 generates a warning signal such as a warning sound or a warning sound in an audible frequency band and sends it to the ultrasonic modulator 2. The ultrasonic modulator 2 amplitude-modulates the carrier signal in the ultrasonic frequency band based on the warning signal from the warning sound source unit 1 and outputs the carrier signal to the power amplification unit 3.
The power amplifying unit 3 amplifies the amplitude-modulated signal to a signal of a predetermined level and outputs it to the selector 5.
A setting signal So based on the operation of the user (driver) is input from the selector switch 6 to the selector 5.

When the selector 5 has the configuration shown in FIG. 3A or 3B, the corresponding switch among the switches SWa to SWh of the selector 5 is turned on in accordance with the setting signal So input from the selector switch 6, and is super-directional. Among the directional speakers 4a to 4h, the super directional speaker connected to the turned-on switch is driven by the signal from the power amplifying unit 3, and sound waves such as a warning sound are emitted.
When the selector 5 has the configuration shown in FIG. 3C, the corresponding relay switch among the relay switches RLa to RLh of the selector 5 is turned on according to the setting signal So input from the selector switch 6, and the superdirective speaker is turned on. Superdirective speakers connected to the relay switch that has been turned on in 4a to 4h are driven by a signal from the power amplifier 3, and sound waves such as warning sounds are emitted.

Here, selection of the superdirective speakers 4a to 4h of the selector 5 by the selector switch 6 and a sound wave radiation range based on the selection will be described.
As a form of selection from superdirective speakers 4a to 4h by setting signal So output from selector switch 6 to selector 5, the following forms are conceivable.
As a 1st form, all the super-directional speakers 4a-4h are selected simultaneously.
When such a selection is made, sound waves such as warning sounds are radiated simultaneously in all directions around the vehicle 7.

Moreover, as a 2nd form, super-directional speakers 4a-4h are grouped and selected in this group unit. For example, in FIG. 2, three superdirective speakers 4a, 4b, 4c arranged on the front side of the vehicle 7, or three superdirective speakers 4e, 4f, 4g arranged on the rear side of the vehicle 7, respectively. Divide into groups. In this grouping, superdirective speakers 4d and 4h are each independent.
When such a group unit is selected, sound waves such as a warning sound are simultaneously emitted in the direction from the superdirective speakers of the selected group. For example, when a group of superdirective speakers 4a, 4b, and 4c is selected, sound waves such as warning sounds are radiated simultaneously only in the forward direction of the vehicle 7, and the superdirective speakers 4e, 4f, and 4g When a group is selected, sound waves such as warning sounds are radiated simultaneously only in the rear direction of the vehicle 7.

  In the case of the grouping in the above example based on the arrangement example of FIG. 2, superdirective speakers 4d and 4h are each independently selected, and by selecting superdirective speaker 4d, the right direction of vehicle 7 is selected. A sound wave such as a warning sound is emitted, and a sound wave such as a warning sound is emitted in the left direction of the vehicle 7 by selecting the super-directional speaker 4h. Alternatively, these superdirective speakers 4d and 4h in the left-right direction may be grouped so that sound waves such as warning sounds can be emitted simultaneously from the left-right direction of the vehicle 7.

As the functions of the selector 5 and the selector switch 6, functions are set in the selector 5 and the selector switch 6 so that the first form and the second form described above can be arbitrarily selected. As a result, when the vehicle 7 travels at a relatively low speed in, for example, a private house or a busy street, the selector switch 6 is set so as to select the first form, and the superdirective speakers 4a to 4h are set. All of them are selected at the same time, and sound waves such as a warning sound can be simultaneously emitted from these speakers in all directions around the vehicle 7. Thus, when this function is activated (when a horn is sounded), a warning is given in all directions around the vehicle 7.
On the other hand, when the vehicle 7 travels on, for example, a suburb or a highway, three groups of superdirective speakers 4a, 4b, and 4c arranged in the front side of the vehicle 7 are selected. Thus, the selector switch 6 is operated and set so that sound waves such as a warning sound can be emitted simultaneously only in the forward direction of the vehicle 7. As a result, when this function is activated (when a horn is sounded), sound waves such as warning sounds are radiated only in the forward direction of the vehicle 7, so that noise and discomfort to the surroundings due to the warning sounds and the like can be reduced. Will be less.

  In the embodiment described above, the whistle device of the present invention is used for in-vehicle use, but it can also be applied to other moving objects (for example, a ship).

As described above, according to the first embodiment, a plurality of super-directional speakers 4a to 4h that emit sound waves such as warning sounds are arranged outwardly at a plurality of locations on the front, rear, left and right of the vehicle 7 as horns, A signal obtained by modulating a carrier signal in an ultrasonic frequency band with a warning sound in an audible frequency band and amplifying the power can be applied to the plurality of superdirective speakers 4a to 4h via the selector 5, and the user (driving) The hand) is configured to set the selector 5 by manually operating the selector switch 6 so as to select a super-directional speaker in one direction or a plurality of directions or all directions of the front, rear, left, and right directions of the vehicle. In accordance with the speed of 7 and the geographical environment of the place where the vehicle travels, the radiation range of sound waves such as warning sounds can be set by an arbitrary operation of the driver.
Thereby, for example, when the vehicle 7 travels at a relatively low speed in a private house or a busy street, the vehicle switch 7 is operated by operating the selector switch 6 so as to simultaneously select all of the super-directional speakers 4a to 4h. Sound waves such as warning sounds are radiated simultaneously in all directions around the vehicle, whereby warnings can be given in all directions around the vehicle 7.

Further, when the vehicle 7 travels, for example, in a suburb or a highway, the selector switch 6 is operated so as to select three groups of super-directional speakers 4a, 4b, 4c arranged on the front side of the vehicle 7. Therefore, a sound wave such as a warning sound is radiated simultaneously only in the forward direction of the vehicle 7, thereby giving a warning only in the forward direction of the vehicle 7 and reducing noise and discomfort to the surroundings due to the warning sound and the like. Can do.
In addition, depending on the speed of the vehicle 7 and the geographical environment of the place where the vehicle travels, three groups of superdirective speakers 4a, 4b, 4c arranged on the front side of the vehicle 7 and the right side of the vehicle 7 By operating the selector switch 6 so as to select a plurality of directions of the superdirective speaker 4d arranged or the superdirective speaker 4h arranged in the left direction of the vehicle 7, the front direction of the vehicle 7 and the right direction or the left direction of the vehicle 7 are selected. Sound waves such as warning sounds are radiated simultaneously in a plurality of directions, and a warning can be given in the plurality of directions.

  In addition, the in-vehicle horn device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is installed in an emergency vehicle such as a fire truck or an ambulance, and the emergency vehicle emits sound waves such as sirens and voices while traveling in an emergency. By operating the selector switch 6 so that only these sound waves are emitted, sound waves such as warning sounds are emitted only in the forward direction of the emergency vehicle, thereby giving a warning only to vehicles and humans in the forward direction of the emergency vehicle. Noise to the surroundings due to sirens and voices can be reduced.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a horn device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
In FIG. 4, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and the configuration of the horn device according to the second embodiment is different from the configuration in FIG. 1 in that the selector switch 6 in FIG. The vehicle speed sensor 8, the vehicle speed determination part 9, and the controller 10 are provided. A description of the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 is omitted.

In the above configuration, the vehicle speed sensor 8 detects the speed of the vehicle 7 and outputs a speed detection signal Sa.
The vehicle speed determination unit 9 determines the speed of the vehicle 7 based on the speed detection signal Sa from the vehicle speed sensor 8, and outputs a vehicle speed determination signal Sb corresponding to this speed.
Based on the vehicle speed determination signal Sb from the vehicle speed determination unit 9, the controller 10 outputs to the selector 5 a setting signal So that sets the selection of the superdirectional speaker from among the superdirectional speakers 4 a to 4 h in the selector 5.

Next, the operation will be described.
In the first embodiment (FIG. 1), a selector switch by manual operation (artificial) is used to select a superdirective speaker that emits a sound wave such as a warning sound from a plurality of superdirective speakers 4a to 4h in the selector 5. 6 was set.
On the other hand, the horn device according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 automatically sets the selection of the super directional speaker in the selector 5 in accordance with the speed of the vehicle 7.
Therefore, the vehicle speed sensor 8 detects the speed of the vehicle 7 and outputs a speed detection signal Sa to the vehicle speed determination unit 9. The vehicle speed determination unit 9 determines the speed of the vehicle 7 based on the input speed detection signal Sa, and outputs a vehicle speed determination signal Sb corresponding to this speed to the controller 10.
The controller 10 outputs a setting signal So based on the vehicle speed determination signal Sb to the selector 5 to automatically set the selection of the superdirective speaker from the superdirective speakers 4a to 4h in the selector 5. The form of superdirective speaker selection by this setting signal So may be the same as the form (first form and second form) described in the first embodiment.

Here, the relationship between the speed of the vehicle 7 (speed detection signal Sa) and the setting signal So output from the controller 10 to the selector 5 will be described.
For example, a speed reference value of the vehicle 7 is set in advance in the vehicle speed determination unit 9, and the vehicle speed determination unit 9 compares the speed detection signal Sa input from the vehicle speed sensor 8 with the speed reference value, and the speed detection signal Sa Is below the speed reference value, a vehicle speed determination signal Sb to that effect is output to the controller 10, and the controller 10 generates a setting signal So for simultaneously selecting all of the superdirective speakers 4a to 4h based on the vehicle speed determination signal Sb. Output to selector 5. As a result, when the speed of the vehicle 7 is equal to or lower than the speed reference value, sound waves such as warning sounds are radiated simultaneously in all directions around the vehicle 7.

On the other hand, when the speed detection signal Sa exceeds the speed reference value, the vehicle speed determination unit 9 outputs a vehicle speed determination signal Sb to that effect to the controller 10, and the controller 10 determines the vehicle 7 based on the vehicle speed determination signal Sb. A setting signal So for selecting a group of superdirective speakers 4 a, 4 b, 4 c arranged on the front side is output to the selector 5. Thereby, when the speed of the vehicle 7 exceeds the speed reference value, a sound wave such as a warning sound is radiated from these speakers only in the forward direction of the vehicle 7.
As described above, for example, when the speed of the vehicle 7 exceeds the speed reference value on a road with good visibility, a warning is given only to the vehicle and the person in front of the vehicle 7, and noise to the surroundings is reduced. . Further, when the vehicle 7 travels at a relatively low speed below the speed reference value in a private house or a busy street, warnings are given to the vehicle 7 in all directions.

In the above, one speed reference value of the vehicle 7 is set in the vehicle speed determination unit 9, but a plurality of speed reference values are set, and the superdirective speakers 4a to 4h are respectively set corresponding to the plurality of speed reference values. The selection may be set in stages.
For example, the vehicle speed determination unit 9 presets two types of speed reference values for the vehicle 7, that is, a first speed reference value and a second speed reference value (first speed reference value <second speed reference value). The vehicle speed determination unit 9 sequentially compares the speed detection signal Sa input from the vehicle speed sensor 8 with the first speed reference value and the second speed reference value, and the speed detection signal Sa is the first speed reference. When the value is less than the value, sound waves such as a warning sound are emitted in all directions with the vehicle 7 as the center, and in the range exceeding the first speed reference value and less than the second speed reference value, the front direction and the left and right side surfaces of the vehicle 7 A sound wave such as a warning sound is emitted in a plurality of directions, and a sound wave such as a warning sound is emitted only in the front direction of the vehicle 7 when the second speed reference value is exceeded. You may make it switch in steps.

    In the embodiment described above, similarly to the above, the whistle device of the present invention can be applied not only to the vehicle-mounted device but also to other moving bodies.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, instead of the selector switch 6 constituting the first embodiment, the vehicle speed sensor 8, the vehicle speed determination unit 9 and the controller 10 are provided, and the vehicle detected by the vehicle speed sensor 8 is detected. Based on the vehicle speed determination signal Sb from the vehicle speed determination unit 9 according to the speed, the controller 10 causes the super-directional speaker in one direction, a plurality of directions, or all directions of the front, rear, left, and right directions of the vehicle 7 to be selected. Since the selector 5 is configured to be set, the radiation range of sound waves such as a warning sound can be automatically set according to the speed of the vehicle 7.
Thereby, for example, when the speed of the vehicle 7 exceeds a speed reference value preset in the vehicle speed determination unit 9 on a road with good visibility, a warning is given only to the vehicle and the person in the forward direction of the vehicle 7, and noise to the surroundings Can be reduced. Further, when the vehicle 7 travels in a private house or a busy street at a relatively low speed below the speed reference value, warnings can be given in all directions centering on the vehicle 7.

  Further, by setting, for example, two types of speed reference values of the vehicle 7 in the vehicle speed determination unit 9, a plurality of radiating ranges of sound waves such as warning sounds can be set in all directions, forward directions, and left and right side directions as the speed of the vehicle 7 increases. It is possible to automatically set in steps such as only the direction and the forward direction.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a horn device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
In FIG. 5, the same components as those in FIG. 1 or FIG. 4 are given the same reference numerals, and the horn device according to the third embodiment is different from the configuration of FIG. 12, a controller 13 in place of the controller 10 of FIG. 4 and a selector switch 14 are provided. The description of the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 or 4 is omitted.

  In the above configuration, the vehicle position determination unit 12 acquires the vehicle position information Sc related to the position of the vehicle from the navigation system 11, and determines the geographical environmental state of the vehicle position based on the information Sc. For example, it is determined whether the position of the vehicle is a place (point) with a poor visibility in a mountainous area, or in a town with many private houses and traffic. The own vehicle position determination unit 12 outputs the determination result as the own vehicle position determination signal Sd.

  Based on the vehicle speed determination signal Sb from the vehicle speed determination unit 9 and the own vehicle position determination signal Sd from the own vehicle position determination unit 12, the controller 13 superdirective speakers from the superdirective speakers 4 a to 4 h in the selector 5. A setting signal So for setting the selection is output to the selector 5.

The selector switch 14 has the same function as the selector switch 6 of FIG. 1 and sets the selection from the superdirective speakers 4a to 4h in the selector 5 by the setting signal Se. Regardless of the determination result by the own vehicle position determination unit 12, a user (driver) arbitrarily sets the manual operation.
As with the selector switch 6 of FIG. 1, the selector switch 14 is preferably provided on the operation panel or steering wheel of the driver's seat so that the user (driver) can easily operate it.

Next, the operation will be described.
The navigation system 11 installed in many vehicles constantly detects the current position of the vehicle by GPS (global positioning system) and built-in map information (data), and displays the route to the destination as video or audio. It is a function of guiding.
The own vehicle position determination unit 12 acquires information on the current own vehicle position detected by the navigation system 11 as own vehicle position information Sc, and based on this information Sc, the own vehicle position has poor visibility in a mountainous area. Geographical environmental conditions such as whether it is a place (point) or in a town with many private houses and traffic are determined.
In order to perform the above determination, the determination criteria are set in advance in the vehicle position determination unit 12.
For example, the determination criterion is set in advance based on the relationship between the specific place (point) in the acquired vehicle position information Sc and the configuration of the map information built in the navigation system 11.

As a specific example of the above criteria, for the specific location (point) of the acquired vehicle position information Sc, the built-in map information further includes detailed map information around the specific location (point) (for example, one house at a time). If it is included separately, it is determined that the location (point) where the vehicle is located is in a town with many private houses and traffic, and this criteria is not met. For cases, it is judged that there are relatively few places in private houses and streets. Further, it is determined from the map information whether or not the specific place (point) is a mountainous area with poor visibility.
The own vehicle position determination unit 12 outputs the determination result as described above to the controller 13 as the own vehicle position determination signal Sd.

Here, the relationship between the vehicle speed determination signal Sb from the vehicle speed determination unit 9 and the vehicle position determination signal Sd from the vehicle position determination unit 12 and the setting signal So output from the controller 13 to the selector 5 will be described.
The determination method in the vehicle speed determination unit 9 itself and the relationship with the selector 5 based on the determination are as described in FIG.
The controller 13 receives two types of determination signals, a vehicle speed determination signal Sb from the vehicle speed determination unit 9 and a vehicle position determination signal Sd from the vehicle position determination unit 12. For this reason, the controller 13 is set in advance with a relationship between the two systems of the determination signal Sb of the vehicle speed determination signal Sb and the own vehicle position determination signal Sd and the setting signal So to be output to the selector 5.

For example, the vehicle position determination signal Sd is given priority over the vehicle speed determination signal Sb among the two systems of determination signals, and the vehicle position determination signal Sd is located in a private house, a busy street, or a mountainous area with poor visibility. If the vehicle speed determination signal Sb is a determination signal indicating that the speed of the vehicle 7 is high (exceeds the speed reference value), the controller 13 sets the superdirectional speakers 4a to 4h at the same time. So is output to the selector 5. Thereby, sound waves such as a warning sound are radiated in all directions around the vehicle 7.
In addition, when the vehicle position determination signal Sd is a determination signal indicating that the location is a relatively small place such as a private house or a street and is not a mountainous area with a poor view, the controller 13 is disposed on the front side of the vehicle 7. A setting signal So for selecting the group of superdirective speakers 4a, 4b, 4c is output to the selector 5. As a result, sound waves such as a warning sound are emitted only in the forward direction of the vehicle 7, and noise to the surroundings is reduced.

  The setting of the selector 5 by the controller 13 based on the two determination signals of the vehicle speed determination signal Sb and the own vehicle position determination signal Sd described above is an automatic setting. In addition to this automatic setting, the selector switch 14 is set to the user ( The driver may manually operate and arbitrarily set the selection from the superdirective speakers 4a to 4h. By operating this selector switch 14, the selection signal Se can be forcibly set by the setting signal Se regardless of the automatic setting, and sound waves such as warning sounds do not reach warning vehicles or humans. You can avoid the situation.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the vehicle position information Sc related to the position of the vehicle is acquired from the navigation system 11 with respect to the configuration of the second embodiment, and the vehicle is based on the information Sc. A host vehicle position determination unit 12 that determines the geographical environmental state of the position and a controller 13 that replaces the controller 10 are further provided. The controller 13 receives the vehicle speed determination signal Sb from the vehicle speed determination unit 9 and the host vehicle position determination unit 12. Based on the vehicle position determination signal Sd from the vehicle, since the selector is set so as to select a super-directional speaker in one direction or a plurality of directions or all directions of the front, rear, left and right directions of the vehicle 7, The radiation range of sound waves such as warning sounds can be automatically set according to the speed of the vehicle 7 and the geographical environmental state of the place where the vehicle travels.

  Thus, for example, when traveling in a mountainous area with poor visibility or a town with many houses and traffic, even if the speed of the vehicle 7 is high, a warning can be given in all directions around the vehicle 7, When traveling at a high speed in a relatively few place of a private house or traffic, a warning is given only to the front direction of the vehicle 7, and noise to the surroundings can be reduced. Further, when driving at a relatively low speed in a private house or a busy place, warnings can be given in a plurality of directions in the front direction and the left and right side surfaces of the vehicle 7.

  Further, a selector switch 14 having the same function as that of the selector switch 6 of the first embodiment is provided, and the selector switch 14 is manually operated by a user (driver) to arbitrarily select from the superdirective speakers 4a to 4h. Because it is configured so that it can be forcibly set regardless of the automatic setting described above, it avoids the dangerous situation where sound waves such as warning sounds do not reach vehicles and humans that require a warning. can do.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the horn device by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a longitudinal section view of a vehicle showing an example of arrangement of superdirective speakers. It is a figure which shows the internal structural example of a selector. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the horn device by Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the horn device by Embodiment 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Warning sound source part, 2 Ultrasonic modulator, 3 Power amplifier part, 4a thru | or 4h Super directional speaker (electroacoustic transducer), 5 Selector, 6 Selector switch, 7 Vehicle, 8 Vehicle speed sensor, 9 Vehicle speed determination part, 10 controller, 11 navigation system, 12 own vehicle position determination unit, 13 controller, 14 selector switch, Ra to Rh resistance, RLaRLh relay switch, SWa to SWh switch.

Claims (4)

A sound source unit for warning that generates a warning signal such as a warning sound or a warning sound in an audible frequency band; and
An ultrasonic modulator that modulates a carrier signal in an ultrasonic frequency band with a warning signal from the warning sound source unit;
A power amplifying unit for amplifying the signal modulated by the ultrasonic modulator;
Non-linear interaction in the air, which is arranged outward at multiple locations on the front, rear, left and right sides of the vehicle, converts the signal from the power amplifier into sound waves of sharp directional characteristics and finite amplitude levels, and radiates them into the air A plurality of electroacoustic transducers for reproducing the warning sound or the warning sound by:
Among the plurality of electroacoustic transducers provided between the power amplification unit and the plurality of electroacoustic transducers and disposed at a plurality of positions on the front, rear, left, and right of the vehicle, the warning is given by a signal from the power amplification unit. A selector for selecting an electro-acoustic transducer for reproducing sound or warning sound;
A horn device comprising: a selector switch that is arbitrarily set based on an operation of causing the selector to select an electroacoustic transducer in one direction, a plurality of directions, or an omnidirectional direction among the front, rear, left, and right directions of the vehicle. A sound source unit for warning that generates a warning signal such as a warning sound or a warning sound in an audible frequency band; and
An ultrasonic modulator that modulates a carrier signal in an ultrasonic frequency band with a warning signal from the warning sound source unit;
A power amplifying unit for amplifying the signal modulated by the ultrasonic modulator;
Non-linear interaction in the air, which is arranged outward at multiple locations on the front, rear, left and right sides of the vehicle, converts the signal from the power amplifier into sound waves with sharp directional characteristics and finite amplitude levels, and radiates them into the air. A plurality of electroacoustic transducers for reproducing the warning sound or the warning sound by:
Among the plurality of electroacoustic transducers provided between the power amplification unit and the plurality of electroacoustic transducers and disposed at a plurality of locations on the front, rear, left, and right of the vehicle, the warning signal is sent from the power amplification unit. A selector for selecting an electro-acoustic transducer for reproducing sound or warning sound;
A vehicle speed sensor for detecting the speed of the vehicle;
A vehicle speed determination unit that determines a vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor and outputs a vehicle speed determination signal according to the vehicle speed;
A controller that sets the selector so as to select an electroacoustic transducer in one direction, a plurality of directions, or an omnidirectional direction among front-rear and left-right directions of the vehicle based on a vehicle speed determination signal from the vehicle speed determination unit. Horn device. A sound source unit for warning that generates a warning signal such as a warning sound or a warning sound in an audible frequency band; and
An ultrasonic modulator that modulates a carrier signal in an ultrasonic frequency band with a warning signal from the warning sound source unit;
A power amplifying unit for amplifying the signal modulated by the ultrasonic modulator;
Non-linear interaction in the air, which is arranged outward at multiple locations on the front, rear, left and right sides of the vehicle, converts the signal from the power amplifier into sound waves of sharp directional characteristics and finite amplitude levels, and radiates them into the air A plurality of electroacoustic transducers for reproducing the warning sound or the warning sound by:
Among the plurality of electroacoustic transducers provided between the power amplification unit and the plurality of electroacoustic transducers and disposed at a plurality of positions on the front, rear, left, and right of the vehicle, the warning is given by a signal from the power amplification unit. A selector for selecting an electro-acoustic transducer for reproducing sound or warning sound;
A vehicle speed sensor for detecting the speed of the vehicle;
A vehicle speed determination unit that determines a vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor and outputs a vehicle speed determination signal according to the vehicle speed;
The vehicle that obtains information on the vehicle position from the navigation system, determines the geographical environment state such as a mountainous area or in the city, and outputs a vehicle position determination signal corresponding to the geographical environment state A position determination unit;
Based on the vehicle speed determination signal from the vehicle speed determination unit and the vehicle position determination signal from the vehicle position determination unit, an electroacoustic transducer in one direction or a plurality of directions or in all directions of the front, rear, left and right directions of the vehicle A horn device comprising a controller that sets a selector to select.   A selector switch for arbitrarily setting an electroacoustic transducer in one, a plurality of directions, or all directions of the front, rear, left, and right directions of the vehicle to a selector by manual operation via a controller is provided. The horn device according to claim 3.

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