JP2011240794A - Vehicle recognition sound generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent effect on an automobile body by unitizing the function of generating a vehicle recognition sound which changes in response to pressing operation of an accelerator pedal.SOLUTION: In a vehicle being silent in a travel sound at a low speed, a vehicle recognition sound generating device can be installed in a vehicle body while incorporating a pressure sensor into the accelerator pedal and unitizing the function of generating the vehicle recognition sound which changes in response to the pressing operation of the accelerator pedal.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle recognition sound generating device that allows a pedestrian to recognize the approach of a vehicle in a vehicle having a quiet running sound, for example, a vehicle such as an automobile, a hybrid vehicle, or an electric vehicle having a quiet engine sound. The present invention relates to a vehicle recognition sound generator that can be installed so as not to affect the vehicle body by unitizing the generation function.

  Conventionally, vehicles with quiet running noise such as cars with quiet engine, hybrid cars, electric cars, etc. are often not noticed by pedestrians. Notification of a pseudo sound to be recognized is performed. For example, an alarm sound is generated according to the driving state (Patent Document 1), a pseudo driving sound similar to the driving sound of an automobile is generated (Patent Document 2), or a pseudo engine sound is generated (Patent Document 3). In addition, an outside alarm device and an in-vehicle alarm device are provided as alarm devices (Patent Document 4) to alert pedestrians and the like.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-201001 JP 2000-316201 A JP 2003-276504 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-209424

  However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above requires modification of the vehicle traveling device or the like in order to receive a signal related to the traveling state from the motor drive control device and generate an electric signal of sound corresponding to the traveling state. There is a risk of causing trouble in the car body. In addition, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 is used in a sound generator to generate a pseudo engine sound based on a detection signal of a current detector, a movable amount detector, or a rotation speed detector that changes according to the movement of an accelerator. If a problem occurs, there is a risk of damaging the automobile body. Further, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 3 needs to be switched by turning the switch on and off each time a danger is expected. Moreover, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 4 requires the driver himself to operate a notification stop switch in order to stop the vehicle outside alarm. In order to solve such problems, an object of the present invention is to unitize a function for generating vehicle recognition sound that changes in response to an accelerator pedal pressing operation so as not to affect the automobile body.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a function of generating a vehicle recognition sound that changes in response to a pressing operation of the accelerator pedal by incorporating a pressure sensor in the accelerator pedal in a vehicle having a quiet running sound at a low speed. The unit can be attached to the vehicle body as a unit.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the vehicle recognition sound generating device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is attached to any one of the pressing surface of the accelerator pedal, the back side, and the accelerator pedal arm. Is.

  The invention described in claim 3 is the vehicle recognition sound generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressure sensor uses a strain gauge that generates a signal by a change in resistance value. To do.

  Further, the invention according to claim 4 is the vehicle recognition sound generating device according to claim 1, wherein the wind pressure is not generated even when the accelerator pedal is operated during continuous running exceeding the low speed. A switch is provided.

  According to the vehicle recognition sound generating device of the present invention, since the pressure sensor is incorporated in the accelerator pedal, the function of generating the vehicle recognition sound that changes according to the pressing operation of the accelerator pedal is unitized and can be attached to the vehicle body. It can be attached so as not to affect the function of the vehicle body, and risk due to failure or the like can be avoided.

  Further, since the pressure sensor is attached to any one of the pressing surface of the accelerator pedal, the back side, and the accelerator pedal arm, it can be easily attached, and the attachment cost and time can be reduced.

  In addition, because the pressure sensor uses a strain gauge that generates a signal by changing the resistance value, it can generate a vehicle recognition sound according to the pressing force of the accelerator pedal, and feel a sense of speed with a normal driving feeling. I can do it.

  Also, during continuous running exceeding low speeds, a wind pressure switch is provided so that no vehicle recognition sound is generated even if the accelerator pedal is operated, so a special switch must be provided to stop notification of vehicle recognition sound. There is no.

It is the internal schematic of the motor vehicle which added the vehicle recognition sound generation unit by this invention. It is a block diagram of a vehicle recognition sound generation unit. The partial enlarged view of an accelerator pedal is shown, (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view. The schematic of a wind pressure switch is shown, (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a vehicle having a quiet running sound at a low speed, for example, a low speed vehicle such as a car, a hybrid car, and an electric car having a quiet engine sound, and is driven by a driver 2. An accelerator pedal 3 is operated by the driver 2, and a pressure sensor 4 is incorporated in the accelerator pedal 3 and is protected by an accelerator pedal cover 5. 6 is a vehicle recognition sound generating unit that generates a vehicle recognition sound that changes in response to the operation of the accelerator pedal 3 at low speed, and 7 is an external speaker 8 that generates the vehicle recognition sound same as above to the outside of the vehicle. A speaker box in which a wind pressure switch 9 that does not generate a vehicle recognition sound during traveling exceeding the range is installed in the same case is attached to the front surface of the vehicle 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle recognition sound generating unit 6 includes a gauge amplifier 61 that detects a change in the pressure sensor 4 of the accelerator pedal 3, a signal amplifier 62 that amplifies the gauge signal, and a recognition sound generator that generates a vehicle recognition sound. 63 is sequentially connected, and the output side of the recognition sound generator 63 is branched into two. One is a power amplifier 64 and an outside volume selector 65 that can select a volume to the outside loudspeaker 8. Connected to the outside loudspeaker 8. The other one is connected to an in-vehicle loudspeaker 67 via an in-vehicle volume selector 66 that can select the volume according to the surrounding situation.

  The wind pressure switch 9 in the speaker box 7 is normally in an off state. When the vehicle 1 exceeds a certain speed, the wind pressure switch 9 is turned on, the potential on the output side of the recognition sound generator 63 falls to the ground, and the vehicle recognition sound is amplified in the vehicle. It does not occur from the device 67 and the outside loudspeaker 8. It should be noted that a timer may be incorporated in the recognition sound generator 63 so that when the vehicle 1 exceeds a certain speed, the timer is activated and no vehicle recognition sound is generated. The power of the vehicle recognition sound generating unit 6 is supplied through the battery 11 and the fuse 12 of the vehicle 1 and is turned on / off by the power switch 68.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the accelerator pedal 3 has a pressure sensor 4 built in over the entire pressing surface of the accelerator pedal 3, and is protected by an accelerator pedal cover 5 from above. As shown in FIG. 3B, the accelerator pedal cover 5 is fixed to the accelerator pedal arm 5m by a fixing bracket 5k from the back side. The pressure sensor 4 is preferably a strain gauge that generates a signal by a change in resistance value.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the wind pressure switch 9 includes a micro switch 9a. As shown in FIG. 4A, the wind pressure plate 9c fastened to the speaker box 7 with a hinge 9b connects the micro switch 10a. The structure is turned on and off by wind pressure.

  Next, the operation of the vehicle recognition sound generator configured as described above will be described. When a driver 2 riding on a low-speed vehicle 1 such as a vehicle having a quiet running sound at a low speed, for example, a car having a quiet engine sound, a hybrid vehicle, or an electric vehicle, depresses the accelerator pedal 3 in an attempt to slowly walk near a pedestrian The pressure sensor 4 incorporated in the accelerator pedal 3 senses the depression pressure and changes the resistance value of the strain gauge. The changed signal is detected by the gauge amplifier 61 and amplified by the signal amplifier 62. A vehicle recognition sound is generated at 63.

  Since the vehicle recognition sound generated by the recognition sound generator 63 is reported from the outside loudspeaker 8 via the outside volume selector 65, it is possible to make a nearby pedestrian recognize the presence of the vehicle. The driver 2 can also hear the same vehicle recognition sound with the in-vehicle loudspeaker 67, and can feel a sense of speed according to the pressing force of the accelerator pedal 3. The volume of the vehicle recognition sound reported through the in-vehicle loudspeaker 67 can be selected by the in-vehicle volume selector 66 according to the surrounding situation. That is, the volume is reduced when traveling in a residential area at midnight, and the volume is increased when traveling in a busy street crowded with many people.

  Further, when the driver 2 does not need the vehicle recognition sound to enter the vehicle via the in-vehicle loudspeaker 67 or the vehicle recognition sound seems to be too loud, the vehicle recognition sound is increased from 0 to an appropriate volume. The volume up to that time can be selected by the in-vehicle volume selector 66. Furthermore, in order to enjoy a quiet room during continuous running at a speed of 20 km / h or more, a wind pressure switch 9 may be attached to the front of the vehicle so that no vehicle recognition sound is generated even when the accelerator pedal 2 is depressed.

  The wind pressure switch 9 includes a micro switch 9a and a wind pressure plate 9c fastened by a hinge 9b, and is housed in the same speaker box 7 as the loudspeaker 8 outside the vehicle. The wind pressure plate 9c prevents the vehicle recognition sound from being generated by the wind pressure plate 9c pressing the micro switch 9a due to the wind pressure when the vehicle speed becomes 20 km / h or more. It should be noted that a timer may be incorporated in the recognition sound generator 63 instead of the wind pressure switch 9 so that when the vehicle 1 exceeds a certain speed, the timer is activated and no vehicle recognition sound is generated.

  Note that the same effect can be obtained when the pressure sensor is attached not only to the pressing surface of the accelerator pedal but also to the back side of the accelerator pedal or the accelerator pedal arm. Although the pressure sensor has been described using a strain gauge as an example, the same effect can be obtained by using another pressure element, a thin metal plate switch, or a switch in which a resin is plated with metal. Can do. Further, the same effect can be obtained even if the accelerator pedal cover is made of a metal or a resin, in addition to the same rubber as the material used for the brake pedal. Furthermore, the wind pressure plate can be made of any material as long as it can be extended like a metal or resin, and the microswitch can recognize the approach of the wind pressure plate like a proximity switch. Can be an alternative.

  As described above, according to the vehicle recognition sound generating device of the present invention, every time the driver steps on the accelerator pedal, the vehicle recognition sound is generated at an appropriate volume selected in advance. You can get noticed by pedestrians or light vehicles, and you can concentrate on driving without feeling unpleasant around you, and you can drive safely.

  In addition, the burden on the user during installation (installation cost and time) can be reduced, and there is almost no risk of failure of the automobile body due to the installation, and the purchase can be made with confidence. Furthermore, in the unlikely event that the product of the present invention breaks down, only by turning off the power switch, the recognition sound is not generated, and the vehicle can be returned to the state before installation.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Low speed vehicle 2 Driver 3 Accelerator pedal 4 Pressure sensor 5 Accelerator pedal cover 5k Fixing bracket 5m Accelerator pedal arm 6 Vehicle recognition sound generation unit 61 Gauge amplifier 62 Signal amplifier 63 Recognition sound generation part 64 Power amplifier 65 Outside volume selector 66 In-vehicle Volume selector 67 Loudspeaker in car 7 Loudspeaker box 8 Loudspeaker outside car 9 Wind pressure switch 9a Micro switch 9b Hinge 9c Wind pressure plate

Claims (4)

  In a vehicle with quiet running sound at low speed, a pressure sensor is incorporated in the accelerator pedal, and a function that generates vehicle recognition sound that changes according to the pressing operation of the accelerator pedal is unitized and can be attached to the vehicle body A vehicle recognition sound generator.   2. The vehicle recognition sound generating device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is attached to any one of a pressing surface, a back side, and an accelerator pedal arm of the accelerator pedal.   3. The vehicle recognition sound generator according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor uses a strain gauge that generates a signal by a change in resistance value.   2. The vehicle recognition sound generating device according to claim 1, wherein a wind pressure switch is provided so that a vehicle recognition sound is not generated even if the accelerator pedal is operated during continuous running exceeding the low speed.

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