JP2007203924A - Warning device for vehicle and horn auxiliary device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a warning device for a vehicle and a horn auxiliary device enabling a pedestrian, etc. to easily and surely recognize approaching of one's own vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: This warning device for the vehicle mounted on the vehicle to notify the pedestrian, etc. of the approaching of the one's own vehicle is provided with a judgment means for judging timing for warning the surrounding of the one's own vehicle of the existence of the one's own vehicle, and an output means for radiating a prescribed acoustic signal (vehicle approaching notifying sound to notify the approaching of the vehicle) superimposed with prescribed noise to generate a probability resonance phenomenon to the outside of the vehicle (the front of the one's own vehicle, in particular) when the timing for warning the surrounding of the one's own vehicle of the existence of the one's own vehicle is judged by the judgment means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention generally relates to a vehicle alarm device and a horn auxiliary device used together with a horn device for informing a pedestrian or the like of the approach of the host vehicle, and in particular, a pedestrian or the like can easily and reliably recognize the approach of the host vehicle. The present invention relates to an alarm device for a vehicle and a horn auxiliary device.

  Conventionally, an apparatus / method for notifying a pedestrian or the like of approach of a vehicle is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

  In Patent Document 1, the first horn speaker and the second horn speaker generate a dissonance sound with the aim of enabling a pedestrian or the like to more reliably recognize an alarm sound emitted from a vehicle. In addition, a vehicle warning device that is intended to give a sense of incongruity to a pedestrian who is a listener is disclosed.

  In Patent Document 2, a simulated running sound is output at a preset location for the purpose of notifying a pedestrian or the like of the approach of a vehicle with reduced noise outside the vehicle such as a vehicle using a motor as a power source. A vehicle device is disclosed.

In Patent Document 3, a pedestrian or the like is sensitive to a horn sound emitted from a vehicle for the purpose of surely recognizing an alarm sound emitted from the vehicle even if the person has relatively weak hearing. A technique is disclosed in which a pedestrian or the like wears an accessory (belt-type device) that vibrates and outputs a predetermined sound or buzzer sound.
JP 2000-168439 A JP 2005-219716 A JP 2002092781 A

  However, the conventional devices disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 simply output a horn or simulated running sound that is a dissonant sound to a pedestrian or the like as an alarm sound that notifies the approach of the vehicle. It is not always possible for a pedestrian or the like to recognize such an alarm sound.

  For example, the level of background noise (background noise) in the ambient environmental sound field is relatively high (that is, if the surroundings are noisy in a flat manner), or a pedestrian who is an alarm sound listener has a relatively low hearing ability. (For example, those who are generally considered to have lower ability to hear sound / sound compared to healthy people, such as those with hearing impairments and those whose ears have become far away due to older age) The warning sound output from the vehicle becomes a relatively weak sound signal for pedestrians in the sound field around the vehicle, and the pedestrians cannot hear the warning sound sufficiently, resulting in the approach of the vehicle. It may not be recognized correctly.

  In order to avoid such a situation in the above-described conventional apparatus, it is conceivable to raise the sound pressure level (volume) of the alarm sound output from the vehicle. However, the measure to increase the sound pressure level has the problem that it may surprise pedestrians and the like by outputting louder sound than necessary. In addition, outputting an alarm sound with a sound pressure level higher than necessary may be undesirable noise for the environment around the vehicle. Furthermore, if pedestrians are relatively weak in hearing as described above, increasing the sound pressure level of the output warning sound may not improve the audibility of the warning sound by pedestrians. There is also.

  With respect to such points, the method disclosed in Patent Document 3 aims to enable pedestrians and the like to recognize the approach of the vehicle without increasing the sound pressure level of the alarm sound output from the vehicle. However, according to this method, it is necessary for the pedestrian or the like to always wear the above-mentioned accessories while moving, which not only takes time and effort but also hinders comfortable movement.

  From the above considerations, in this field, ideally, it should not cause any inconvenience to pedestrians, excessively surprise pedestrians, etc., and not output undesirable noise to the surrounding environment of the vehicle. However, it can be seen that it is desirable to have a mechanism that allows pedestrians to be aware of the approach of the vehicle.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended to solve such problems, and it is a main object of the present invention to provide a vehicle alarm device and a horn auxiliary device that enable a pedestrian or the like to easily and reliably recognize the approach of the host vehicle. To do.

  A first aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is a vehicle alarm device that is mounted on a vehicle and notifies a pedestrian or the like of the approach of the host vehicle, and warns the presence of the host vehicle around the host vehicle. A determination means for determining the timing, and a predetermined noise (noise) so that a stochastic resonance phenomenon (Stochastic Resonance phenomenon) occurs when the determination means determines that it is a timing to warn the presence of the own vehicle to the surroundings of the own vehicle. ) For a vehicle having a predetermined acoustic signal (vehicle approach notification sound for notifying the approach of the vehicle; hereinafter referred to as “approach sound”) to the outside of the vehicle (particularly in front of the host vehicle). It is an alarm device.

  In this first aspect, the determination means includes, for example, 1) the own vehicle and other moving bodies around the own vehicle (for example, a pedestrian, a person riding a bicycle, a person riding an electric wheelchair, etc.) And a vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the vehicle speed of the host vehicle when the time interval detected by the proximity detecting means is less than a predetermined level, or 2) detecting the vehicle speed. When the vehicle speed detected by the means is less than a predetermined level, or 3) provided with user operation means for receiving an input of a predetermined user operation, and when the execution of the predetermined user operation is detected by the user operation means, A predetermined period from the detected timing, or 4) The so-called vehicle in which the host vehicle includes an electric motor (motor) and an internal combustion engine (engine) as power sources for running. When the vehicle is a brid vehicle, it is provided with a power source discriminating unit that discriminates the power source in operation, and while the host vehicle is discriminating that the host vehicle is running only by the electric motor, or 5) the host vehicle Is provided with a measuring means for measuring the sound pressure level of the operating sound emitted from the internal combustion engine to the outside of the vehicle, and the sound pressure level of the operating sound measured by the measuring means is 6) When the position of the own vehicle is detected (for example, using GPS), the detected position of the own vehicle is detected in a predetermined area requiring attention (for example, a school zone or a narrow street residential area). Etc.), and the presence of the own vehicle is alerted to the surroundings of the own vehicle while the own vehicle is determined to be located in the area requiring attention. It is determined that the that timing.

  In this aspect, the predetermined noise is random broadband noise (that is, noise that does not show an extremely high intensity in other specific bands in a specific frequency band), and the frequency distribution of the noise intensity is Any type of noise can be employed as long as the noise is uniform or substantially uniform. Specific examples include white noise (white noise), pink noise, 1 / f noise, and the like. The predetermined noise is generated in a noise oscillation circuit provided in the apparatus in order to simplify the apparatus configuration.

  According to this first aspect, for example, when the level of background noise in the surrounding environment sound field is relatively high, or when the pedestrian who is the listener of the approaching sound has a relatively low hearing ability, etc. Even if the approaching sound emitted to the outside of the vehicle to warn the pedestrians around the own vehicle becomes a relatively weak acoustic signal for the pedestrians around the own vehicle. Since the auditory sensitivity of the pedestrian and the like is activated by the effect of the stochastic resonance phenomenon, the pedestrian and the like can easily hear the approaching sound.

  Therefore, according to this first aspect, the approaching sound is output at a large volume so that the pedestrians around the vehicle recognize the approaching sound, or the approaching sound is detected by the pedestrian or the like. Since there is no need to wear any device, it is possible to improve the ease and certainty when a pedestrian or the like recognizes the approach of the vehicle.

  Furthermore, according to the first aspect, the ability to recognize the approach of a vehicle such as a pedestrian is enhanced by the approach sound output as described above, so that the pedestrian or the like needs to take some measures such as approaching the end of the road. The occurrence of the situation can be recognized early and reliably, and both the safety of the pedestrians and the smoothness of the vehicle traffic flow can be appropriately improved.

  In this first aspect, the vehicle alarm device further includes sound collecting means (for example, a microphone) for collecting environmental sounds around the host vehicle so that the stochastic resonance phenomenon occurs appropriately, and the output means However, it is preferable to adjust the sound pressure level of the noise to be output or the predetermined acoustic signal in accordance with the sound pressure level of the environmental sound collected by the sound collecting means.

  A second aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is a horn auxiliary device mounted on a vehicle and used with an existing horn device, when the horn sound is overlaid with the sound of the horn sounded. It is a horn auxiliary device having output means for radiating a predetermined noise (noise) that causes a stochastic resonance phenomenon to the outside of the vehicle (particularly in front of the host vehicle).

  In this second aspect, the predetermined noise is random broadband noise (that is, noise that does not exhibit an extremely high intensity in other specific bands in a specific frequency band), and the frequency distribution of the noise intensity is Any type of noise can be employed as long as the noise is uniform or substantially uniform. Specific examples include white noise (white noise), pink noise, 1 / f noise, and the like. The predetermined noise is generated in a noise oscillation circuit provided in the apparatus in order to simplify the apparatus configuration.

  According to this second aspect, for example, when the background noise level in the ambient environmental sound field is relatively high, or when the pedestrian who is a horn sound listener has a relatively low hearing ability, etc. Even if the driver's horn sound generated to alert pedestrians or the like becomes a relatively weak acoustic signal for pedestrians around the vehicle, Since the auditory sensitivity of the pedestrian or the like is activated by the effect, the pedestrian or the like can easily hear the horn sound.

  Therefore, according to this second aspect, the horn sound is blown at a loud volume so that pedestrians around the host vehicle recognize the horn sound, or the pedestrian etc. Since there is no need to wear any device, it is possible to improve the ease and certainty when a pedestrian or the like recognizes the approach of the vehicle.

  Furthermore, according to the second aspect, the ability to recognize the approach of a vehicle such as a pedestrian is enhanced by the noise output as described above, so that the pedestrian or the like needs some kind of response such as approaching the end of a road, for example. Can be recognized early and reliably, and both the safety of the pedestrian and the like and the smoothness of the vehicle traffic flow can be appropriately improved.

  In this second aspect, the horn auxiliary device further includes sound collecting means (for example, a microphone) for collecting environmental sounds around the host vehicle, and the output means is the environment collected by the sound collecting means. It is preferable to adjust the sound pressure level of the noise to be output according to the sound pressure level of the sound.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the alarm device for vehicles and the horn auxiliary | assistance apparatus which enabled the pedestrian etc. to recognize approach of the own vehicle easily and reliably can be provided.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Hereinafter, a vehicle alarm device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an alarm device 100 according to the present embodiment when mounted on a vehicle V.

  The alarm device 100 according to the present embodiment generally includes a pedestrian P located around the host vehicle (especially in front), a person B riding a bicycle, a person riding an electric wheelchair (not shown), etc. In the specification, it is referred to generically as “pedestrian etc.”) and outputs an approaching sound S for transmitting that the own vehicle is approaching to the outside of the vehicle. Using the stochastic resonance phenomenon, the hearing ability of a pedestrian or the like is activated with respect to the output approaching sound.

  The stochastic resonance phenomenon is a phenomenon in which the ability to detect a weak signal is increased by superimposing appropriate noise on the signal in a nonlinear system. Here, the noise superimposed on the signal to cause the stochastic resonance phenomenon needs to be random broadband noise (that is, noise that does not exhibit an extremely higher intensity than other bands in a specific frequency band). I know that there is.

  The phenomenon itself of the stochastic resonance phenomenon is introduced in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-221546 and US Pat. No. 6,285,249.

  The alarm device 100 includes an approach sound source 101 that is a sound source of the approach sound S output to the outside of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the approach sound source 101 is a storage medium that stores and holds timbre data used as the approach sound S, for example. In the present embodiment, the timbre data used as the approach sound S may be any timbre, but the pedestrians P and B can recognize the approach of the vehicle “without hesitation” without being overly surprised by the approach sound S. Therefore, in terms of feeling, it is preferable that the timbre be pleasant and refreshing rather than a relatively strong timbre.

  The alarm device 100 further includes a noise oscillation circuit 102 that generates predetermined noise (noise). As described above, the noise used in the present embodiment may be any type of noise as long as the noise intensity frequency distribution is uniform or substantially uniform. Specifically, the noise oscillation circuit 102 generates, for example, white noise (white noise), pink noise, or 1 / f noise. Note that one type of noise may be generated by the noise oscillation circuit 102.

  The alarm device 100 further includes a sound collection microphone 103 that collects environmental sounds around the host vehicle V. Here, the environmental sound is any acoustic signal existing around the host vehicle V. If the approaching sound S is regarded as a desired signal, it can be said that it corresponds to the background noise (background noise) BN.

  In this embodiment, the sound collection microphone 103 may be installed at any place on the outer surface of the vehicle. In FIG. 1, the sound collecting microphone 103 is illustrated as being installed near the center of the roof, but this is only an example. Moreover, it is preferable that the shape of the sound collection microphone 103 and the installation position thereof are determined so that the air resistance during vehicle travel is as small as possible.

  In the present embodiment, the sound collection microphone 103 may have directivity for the purpose of particularly collecting environmental sound (background noise BN) from a specific direction (for example, the output direction of the approaching sound S). Although it is possible in terms of configuration, it is preferably non-directional from the viewpoint of collecting a wide range of environmental sounds (background noise BN) in all directions around the host vehicle V.

  The alarm device 100 further includes an output timing determination unit 104 that determines the timing of outputting the approach sound S outside the vehicle. The configuration and function of the output timing determination unit 104 will be described in detail later.

  The alarm device 100 further includes a superimposing circuit 105 that superimposes the noise generated by the noise oscillation circuit 102 on the approaching tone color signal output from the approaching sound source 101. More specifically, the superimposing circuit 105 generates the approaching tone color signal and the noise so that the approaching sound S after the noise superimposition causes a stochastic resonance phenomenon for the pedestrians P and B who are listeners of the approaching sound S. The sound pressure level of the approaching tone color signal from the approaching sound source 101 and the noise generated by the noise transmission circuit 102 so that the signal-to-noise ratio of The noise superimposition process is performed after appropriately adjusting the sound pressure level. Here, the value of the signal-to-noise ratio suitable for causing the stochastic resonance phenomenon is obtained in advance through experiments and stored in the superimposing circuit 103 in advance.

  In addition, the superimposing circuit 105 is configured to collect sound before the noise superimposing process so that the pedestrians P and B can easily hear the approaching sound S and / or the stochastic resonance phenomenon is more reliably generated. Based on the sound pressure level of the background noise BN collected by the microphone 103, the sound pressure level of the approaching tone color signal and / or the sound pressure level of the noise are appropriately adjusted.

  The alarm device 100 further includes a speaker 106 that is configured and arranged to output an approaching sound S on which noise is superimposed so that a stochastic resonance phenomenon occurs in the superimposing circuit 105 to the outside of the vehicle. The specific installation position and orientation of the speaker 106 in the vehicle may be arbitrary as long as the approaching sound S can be output to the outside of the vehicle, but the opponent to be alerted of the approach of the host vehicle V is mainly located in the traveling direction of the host vehicle V. In view of the pedestrians P and B, it can be said that the speaker 106 is preferably installed with the front facing as far as possible in front of the host vehicle V.

  In this embodiment, the alarm device 100 automatically starts to operate in conjunction with the ignition switch (IG) on of the vehicle V, enters a standby state, and automatically stops operating in conjunction with the IG off. To do.

  With the configuration as described above, in the alarm device 100, the approaching sound S output from the speaker 106 is superimposed with noise suitable for causing a stochastic resonance phenomenon. When the level of the noise BN is relatively high or when the pedestrians P and B who are listeners of the approaching sound S are relatively low in hearing, the presence of the own vehicle V is determined as pedestrians around the own vehicle V, etc. Even if the approaching sound S radiated to the outside of the vehicle in order to warn P and B becomes an acoustic signal of a relatively weak level for the pedestrians P and B around the own vehicle V, the probability Since the auditory sensitivity of the pedestrians P and B is activated by the effect of the resonance phenomenon, the pedestrians P and B can easily hear the approaching sound S.

  Next, the timing at which such approach sound S is output from the speaker 106 will be described in detail. As described above, the superimposing circuit 105 is configured to output the approaching sound S on which the noise is superimposed to the speaker 106 only when it is determined by the output timing determining unit 104 that the approaching sound S should be output. Is done.

  The first configuration example of the output timing determination unit 104 in the present embodiment is based on whether or not pedestrians P and B, which are considered to be informed of the presence of the host vehicle V by the approach sound S, actually exist. It is intended to determine the output timing, and the output timing determination unit 104 detects a time interval between the host vehicle V and the pedestrians P and B (for example, clearance sonar, radar, , A camera, etc.), and it is determined that it is time to output the approaching sound S when the detected time interval between the vehicle V and the pedestrians P, B approaches less than a predetermined level. It is. Here, a specific method for detecting the time interval between the own vehicle and another moving body (here, pedestrians P, B, etc.) using a clearance sonar, radar, or camera is known to those skilled in the art, Detailed description is omitted.

  According to this first configuration example, only when the pedestrians P and B exist within a predetermined range from the own vehicle V according to the actually measured time interval between the own vehicle V and the pedestrians P and B. The approaching sound S is automatically output, and when the measured time interval starts to increase, it is determined that the host vehicle V is away from the pedestrians P and B and the approaching sound S Output is automatically stopped.

  In the second configuration example of the output timing determination unit 104 in the present embodiment, it is considered that the driver is driving while paying attention to, for example, jumping out of a pedestrian or the like when the host vehicle V is slowing down. Based on the insight that the approaching sound S should be output, the aim is to determine the output timing based on whether or not the host vehicle V is slowing down. A device for detecting the vehicle speed (for example, a wheel speed sensor) is included, and the approach sound S is determined when it is determined that the detected vehicle speed is less than a predetermined level and the host vehicle V is slowing down. Is determined to be the timing to output.

  According to the second configuration example, the approach sound S is automatically output only when it is determined that the host vehicle V is slowing down based on the vehicle speed of the host vehicle V, and the vehicle speed is increased. When it is determined that the vehicle has stopped moving slowly, the output of the approaching sound S is automatically stopped.

  In the second configuration example, when the host vehicle V is equipped with a navigation system, the output timing determination unit 104 acquires the host vehicle current position information from the navigation system, and the time change of the host vehicle current position. The vehicle speed of the host vehicle V may be obtained from the vehicle.

  The third configuration example of the output timing determination unit 104 in this embodiment is based on the intention of the driver of the host vehicle V, that is, when the driver thinks that the output of the approach sound S is necessary, the approach sound S The output timing determination unit 104 accepts an input of a predetermined user operation (for example, a push button type that can be pressed by the driver of the host vehicle V). Switch), and it is determined that it is time to output the approach sound S for a predetermined period after this predetermined user operation is detected.

  According to the third configuration example, when a predetermined operation is performed by the driver of the host vehicle V, the approach sound S is automatically output for a predetermined period, and the predetermined time has elapsed. If so, the output of the approaching sound S is automatically stopped.

  The fourth configuration example of the output timing determination unit 104 in the present embodiment is particularly applied when the host vehicle V is a so-called hybrid vehicle including both a motor and an engine as power sources for traveling. In general, since the operation sound of the motor is much quieter than the operation sound of the engine, the pedestrians P and B are present in the own vehicle V due to the operation sound from the power source of the own vehicle V, particularly when running only with the motor. Based on the insight that the possibility of noticing is reduced, the aim is to output an approaching sound S when the engine is not operating and the vehicle V is running only with a motor The output timing determination unit 104 is configured to include a device for determining whether the operating power source is a motor or an engine, and the host vehicle V is traveling only by the motor. It is configured to determine that the timing to output the approaching sound S when it is determined.

  According to the fourth configuration example, the approaching sound S is automatically output while the host vehicle V is traveling only by the motor, and the engine starts to operate, for example, by increasing the vehicle speed. Then, the output of the approach sound S is automatically stopped.

  In the fifth configuration example of the output timing determination unit 104 in this embodiment, the own vehicle V is sound-insulated so that leakage (sound leakage) of the engine operating sound to the outside of the vehicle (outside the engine room) is significantly reduced. (Silence) This is particularly applied to the case of a designed vehicle. In such a vehicle, especially when the engine speed is low, the pedestrians P, B and the like are present in the presence of the host vehicle V by the engine operating sound. Based on the insight that the possibility of noticing will be low, the aim is to output the approaching sound S according to the sound pressure level of the engine operating sound emitted outside the vehicle. The timing determination unit 104 is configured to include a device for measuring the sound pressure level of the operation sound emitted from the engine to the outside of the vehicle, and the approach sound S when the sound pressure level of the operation sound is less than a predetermined level. Is configured to determine that the timing to output.

  According to the fifth configuration example, the approach sound S is automatically output when the engine operating sound of the host vehicle V is hardly audible from outside the vehicle, for example, when the host vehicle V is traveling slowly. In other words, for example, when the engine operating sound that can be heard from outside the vehicle increases due to an increase in the vehicle speed or the like, the output of the approaching sound S is automatically stopped.

  In the sixth configuration example of the output timing determination unit 104 in the present embodiment, an area (for example, a school zone or a narrow street house) where it is preferable that the host vehicle V is driven with particular attention to a child jumping out or the like. Whether or not the vehicle V is traveling in such an area (hereinafter referred to as “attention area”) based on the insight that the approach sound S should be output while traveling in a city) The output timing determination unit 104 detects a current position of the host vehicle V (for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System)). ), And whether or not the current position of the host vehicle is included in a predetermined required attention area is determined. In this configuration, it is determined that it is time to output the approaching sound S while it is determined to be located within the door.

  According to the sixth configuration example, the approaching sound S is automatically output when the host vehicle V is traveling in a caution area where particular attention should be paid to a child jumping out. At the same time, when the host vehicle V leaves the area requiring attention, the output of the approaching sound S is automatically stopped.

  In the sixth configuration example, when the host vehicle V is equipped with a navigation system, the output timing determination unit 104 acquires the host vehicle current position information from the navigation system, and the host vehicle current position needs to be noted. It may be configured to determine whether or not it is included in the area, or information regarding the area requiring attention is included in advance in the map information of the navigation system, and whether the current position of the vehicle is in the area requiring attention The determination may be made by the navigation system, and the output timing determination unit 104 may be configured to receive only this determination result.

  As described above, the six configuration examples of the output timing determination unit 104 in the present embodiment have been described, but as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, any two or more configurations of the first to sixth configuration examples described above. Of course, the output timing determination unit 104 may be configured by appropriately combining examples.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the approaching sound is output at a large volume by outputting the approaching sound superimposed with the noise that can activate the hearing of the pedestrian or the like using the stochastic resonance phenomenon. Or, even if the pedestrian does not have to wear any device for detecting approaching sound, the pedestrian can easily hear the approaching sound. You can recognize the approach.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, since the ability to recognize the approach of a vehicle such as a pedestrian is enhanced, the pedestrian and the like can recognize early and surely the occurrence of a situation that requires some kind of response such as approaching the end of a road. It becomes possible to improve both the safety of pedestrians and the like and the smoothness of the vehicle traffic flow.

  In the above embodiment, in order to convey the existence of the own vehicle to pedestrians and the like, there is an approach sound different from the existing alarm sound (horn), and it is output. The present invention is not limited to this, and can be implemented as an auxiliary device for an existing horn device so that a pedestrian or the like can easily hear an existing horn sound.

  In that case, the device according to the present invention does not have a superimposing circuit, and only noise that overlaps with an existing horn (horn) and causes a stochastic resonance phenomenon when it reaches the ears of a listener such as a pedestrian is outside the vehicle. Is output. The noise in this case may be any kind of noise as long as the frequency distribution of the noise intensity is uniform or substantially uniform, for example, white noise (white noise), pink noise, or 1 / f noise. , Etc.

  In addition, even when used in combination with an existing horn device, a sound collecting microphone that collects background noise around the host vehicle is provided, and noise output to the outside of the vehicle based on the sound pressure level of background noise is provided. The sound pressure level is preferably adjusted as appropriate.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a vehicle alarm device that notifies a pedestrian or the like of the approach of the host vehicle. In particular, a vehicle (for example, an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, etc.) in which the operation sound generated from the vehicle during traveling is relatively small and the presence of the operation sound during traveling tends to be difficult for a pedestrian or the like to recognize. It is useful for applications in which the presence of the vehicle is recognized by surrounding pedestrians and the like in general, such as engine cars designed silently. The appearance, weight, size, running performance, etc. of the vehicle to be mounted are not limited.

It is a schematic block diagram of the alarm device for vehicles which concerns on one Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Vehicle alarm device 101 Approach sound source 102 Noise oscillation circuit 103 Sound collection microphone 104 Output timing judgment part 105 Superimposition circuit 106 Speaker V Vehicle P Pedestrian B Bicycle (person who rides)
S approaching sound BN background noise

Claims (11)

A vehicular alarm device that is mounted on a vehicle and informs pedestrians of the approach of the vehicle,
A determination means for determining the timing of alarming the presence of the host vehicle around the host vehicle;
An output that radiates a predetermined acoustic signal superimposed with a predetermined noise so that a stochastic resonance phenomenon occurs when the determination means determines that it is time to warn the presence of the vehicle to the surroundings of the vehicle And a vehicle alarm device. The vehicle alarm device according to claim 1,
The determination means includes
Providing an approach detection means for detecting a time interval between the host vehicle and other moving objects around the host vehicle,
When the time interval detected by the approach detection means is less than a predetermined level, it is determined that it is time to warn the presence of the host vehicle around the host vehicle. The vehicle alarm device according to claim 1 or 2,
The determination means includes
Vehicle speed detection means for detecting the vehicle speed of the host vehicle,
When the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means is less than a predetermined level, it is determined that it is time to warn the presence of the host vehicle around the host vehicle. The vehicle alarm device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The determination means includes
Provided with user operation means for receiving an input of a predetermined user operation;
When execution of the predetermined user operation is detected by the user operation means, it is determined from the detected timing that the predetermined period is a timing for alarming the presence of the host vehicle around the host vehicle. Vehicle alarm device. The vehicle alarm device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The determination means includes
When the host vehicle is equipped with an electric motor and an internal combustion engine as a power source for traveling, the vehicle includes a power source determining means for determining a power source in operation,
An alarm device for a vehicle characterized in that it is determined that it is time to warn the presence of the own vehicle to the surroundings of the own vehicle while the own vehicle is determined to be traveling only by an electric motor by the power source determining means. . The vehicle alarm device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The determination means includes
When the host vehicle includes an internal combustion engine as a power source, the vehicle includes a measuring unit that measures a sound pressure level of an operating sound emitted from the internal combustion engine to the outside of the vehicle,
When the sound pressure level of the operating sound measured by the measuring means is less than a predetermined level, it is determined that it is time to warn the presence of the host vehicle to the surroundings of the host vehicle. The vehicle alarm device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The determination means includes
A determination means for detecting the position of the host vehicle and determining whether or not the detected host vehicle position is included in a predetermined area requiring attention;
The vehicle alarm device, wherein the determination means determines that it is time to warn the presence of the own vehicle to the surroundings of the own vehicle while it is determined that the own vehicle is located in the area requiring attention. The vehicle alarm device according to claim 7,
The vehicle warning device, wherein the area requiring attention is a school zone or a narrow street residential area. The vehicle alarm device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A sound collecting means for collecting environmental sounds around the vehicle;
The vehicle alarm, wherein the output means adjusts the sound pressure level of the noise to be output or the predetermined acoustic signal according to the sound pressure level of the environmental sound collected by the sound collecting means. apparatus. A horn auxiliary device mounted on a vehicle and used with a horn device,
A horn auxiliary device comprising output means for radiating a predetermined noise which causes a stochastic resonance phenomenon when superimposed on a horn sound generated when the horn is sounded to the outside of the vehicle. The horn auxiliary device according to claim 10,
A sound collecting means for collecting environmental sounds around the vehicle;
The output means adjusts a sound pressure level of the noise to be output in accordance with a sound pressure level of the environmental sound collected by the sound collection means.

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