JP2012091590A - Sounding device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily arrange a sounding device for sounding a sounding body by vibration.SOLUTION: This sounding device 1 stores a magnetostrictive element for expanding and vibrating in response to a sounding signal, and a magnet 5 arranged in a tip part of the magnetostrictive element projects from an arranging surface of the sounding device 1. Magnets 4 fixed to a case 2 are arranged around the magnet 5, and the magnets 4 and the magnet 5 are attracted to and arranged on the reverse side of a hood of a vehicle. The sounding device 1 constitutes a sounding body system together with a sounding driving device 41 arranged in an engine room and a radio switch 31a arranged in a steering wheel. When a user turns on the radio switch 31a and a radio switch 31b, a sounding command is transmitted to the sounding driving device 41 by radio transmission, and the sounding driving device 41 generates a sounding signal to be output to the sounding device 1. The sounding device 1 outputs a sound from a vehicle body by expanding and vibrating the magnetostrictive element by the sounding signal.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sound generation device, for example, a device that vibrates a vehicle body of a vehicle to generate sound.

  Traditionally, horns have been used as a means of sounding from the car to the outside. For example, you want to reduce the discomfort given to pedestrians, etc., `` cars pass '', `` turn left '', `` back '', etc. There is a demand to transmit information in Japanese language to pedestrians, etc., and since the running sound is quiet in hybrid cars and electric cars, it is desired to notify the pedestrians of the approach of the vehicle by generating an engine sound.

As a sound producing device that satisfies such a demand, there is a “vehicle sound producing system” of Patent Document 1.
In this technique, a magnetostrictive element that expands and contracts by an audio signal is attached to a vehicle body as a sounding actuator.
When the magnetostrictive element is driven by the sounding body driving signal, the outer metal plate of the vehicle body emits sound according to the sounding body driving signal as the sounding vibration body. Thereby, it is possible to emit a warning sound or voice guidance.

However, with this technique, it is necessary to fix the magnetostrictive element at the sounding part of the vehicle body, such as the back of the bonnet or the inner side of the vehicle, and there is a problem of how to facilitate the mounting.
In particular, when the magnetostrictive element is installed by retrofitting, the attachment location of the magnetostrictive element and the sound generation state differ depending on the vehicle type.

JP 2007-62540 A

  An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily install a sounding device that causes a sounding body to generate sound by vibration.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the vibration device that vibrates the tip of the vibrating body according to the sound generation signal, and the vibration device is housed by projecting the tip to the outside. And a fixing means for fixing the container to the surface of the sounding body that generates sound, and the tip of the vibrating body is accommodated in the container by biasing the vibration device in the direction of the sounding body. There is provided a sounding device comprising an urging means for urging the surface of the sounding body.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the sound producing device according to the first aspect, further comprising a vibration absorbing member disposed between the biasing means and the container.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the tip portion comprises a pull-in means for applying a force for pulling the sounding body toward the vibration device. Providing equipment.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there are a plurality of the fixing means, and the tip portion protrudes from a plane including end surfaces of the plurality of fixing means. Or a sounding device according to claim 3.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the sound producing device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the fixing means is composed of a magnet. .
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the sound producing device according to the third aspect, wherein the drawing-in means is constituted by a magnet provided at the tip portion.
The invention according to claim 7 is provided with an adjusting means for adjusting the urging force of the urging means, and the sound generation according to any one of claims 1 to 6 Providing equipment.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily install the sounding device by housing the vibration device that vibrates the vibrating member in the container having the fixing portion fixed to the sounding member.

It is a figure for demonstrating the external appearance, installation position, etc. of a sounding device. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a sounding device. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a vibration device. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a vehicle sound generation system. It is a figure for demonstrating pronunciation data. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of a vehicle sound generation system.

(1) Outline of Embodiment The sounding device 1 (FIG. 1A) contains a magnetostrictive element that expands and contracts according to a sounding signal, and a magnet 5 installed at the tip of the magnetostrictive element is an installation surface of the sounding device 1. Protruding from.
Magnets 4a to 4d fixed to the case 2 are arranged around the magnet 5, and sound is generated by adsorbing the magnets 4a to 4d and the magnet 5 to a metal plate constituting the vehicle body such as the back side of the hood of the vehicle. The apparatus 1 can be easily installed.

The sound generation device 1 constitutes a vehicle sound generation system (FIG. 1B) together with a sound generation drive device 41 installed in an engine room, a wireless switch 31a installed in a handle, a portable wireless switch 31b, and the like. .
When the user turns on the wireless switch 31a or the wireless switch 31b, a sound generation command is transmitted wirelessly to the sound generation drive device 41, and the sound generation drive device 41 generates a sound generation signal and outputs it to the sound generation device 1.
The sound generation device 1 causes the magnetostrictive element to expand and contract by the sound generation signal to output sound from the vehicle body.

(2) Details of Embodiment FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the sounding device 1.
The sounding device 1 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a length of about 60 [mm] and an end surface of about 40 × 40 [mm], and a vibrating device 13 (described later) is provided in a container including the case 2 and the bottom plate 3. 2 (a)).
On the installation surface of the case 2 (the end surface installed on the vehicle body), four magnets 4a to 4d are installed so that the center is located at the apex of a square having a side of about 20 [mm]. Hereinafter, when the magnets 4a to 4d are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as a magnet 4.

A through hole 6 is formed at the center of the installation surface of the case 2, and a magnet 5 that vibrates by the vibrating device 13 protrudes from the through hole 6.
The outer diameter of the magnet 5 is set to be smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole 6, and the magnet 5 can freely move in the longitudinal direction of the sounding device 1 in the through hole 6.

The end surfaces of the magnets 4a to 4d are located in the same plane, and the end surface of the magnet 5 slightly protrudes from the plane. Therefore, when the sounding device 1 is installed on the vehicle body, the magnet 5 is pressed against the vehicle body with an appropriate pressure.
As will be described later, the magnet 5 is biased toward the vehicle body by a coil spring 15 (FIG. 2C).

  When a sounding signal is input to the magnetostrictive element in a state where the sounding device 1 is installed on the vehicle body by attracting the magnet 4 and the magnet 5, the magnetostrictive element expands and contracts according to the sounding signal, and this vibration is transmitted via the magnet 5. For transmission to the vehicle body, a sound according to the sound signal is output from the vehicle body.

FIG. 1B is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the vehicle sound generation system, and shows the vehicle 10 as viewed from above.
The vehicle sound generation system includes a sound generation device 1, a sound generation drive device 41, wireless switches 31a and 31b, and the like.

The sounding device 1 is installed at a position 11a near the center of the hood engine room side (that is, the back side of the bonnet).
When the sounding device 1 is driven in this state, the metal plate constituting the hood functions as a sounding body and produces sound, and the sound spreads mainly near the front of the vehicle 10.

  Although the sound generation state varies depending on the position on the back side of the bonnet, since the sound generation device 1 can be easily attached and detached by the magnet 4 and the magnet 5, the user can try it while installing the sound generation device 1 at various locations on the bonnet. The sound generation device 1 can be installed at a position where the sound is generated and sounded in a desired state.

The sound generation drive device 41 is installed, for example, in an engine room, and can be connected to the sound generation device 1 through a signal line and can communicate wirelessly with the wireless switches 31a and 31b.
In the following description, when the wireless switches 31a and 31b are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the wireless switch 31.
When the sound generation drive device 41 receives a sound generation command from the wireless switch 31 wirelessly, the sound generation drive device 41 generates an electrical signal for driving the sound generation device 1 for sound generation (hereinafter referred to as a sound generation signal) and outputs it to the sound generation device 1.
The sound generation device 1 vibrates a metal plate constituting the vehicle body according to the sound generation signal, and outputs a sound corresponding to the sound generation signal to the metal plate.

The wireless switch 31a is provided with a button switch, and transmits a sound generation command to the sound generation drive device 41 when the user presses the button.
The wireless switch 31a is driven by a battery such as a button battery, and wiring is unnecessary. Therefore, it can be easily installed on a movable part such as a handle.

The wireless switch 31b has the same configuration as that of the wireless switch 31a. For example, the wireless switch 31b is incorporated in a key holder and can be carried outside the vehicle.
The wireless switch 31b can communicate with the sound generation drive device 41 up to a distance of about 200 [m], and can drive the sound generation device 1 from a remote location.
Therefore, for example, if you parked in a large parking lot and you do not know the location of your vehicle, you can output a sound to check the location of your vehicle, or if there is a suspicious person near your vehicle And can be used for crime prevention.
Further, the wireless switch 31a may be removable, and the user may carry the wireless switch 31a outside the vehicle.

  By the way, the bonnet is an example of an installation location of the sound producing device 1. In addition to this, for example, a position 11b (right side of the engine room) (right side in the forward direction, the same applies hereinafter), a position 11c (left side of the engine room) ), Position 11d (right door), position 11e (left door), position 11f (near the center of the ceiling), position 11g (near the center of the rear end), and the like.

In each of the above examples, the sounding device 1 is installed inside the metal plate constituting the vehicle body. However, if the sounding device 1 may protrude outside the vehicle, it can be attached outside the vehicle body. It is.
In addition, any metal plate portion made of a steel plate attracted by the magnet 4 can be installed.

  When the sound producing device 1 is installed at the position 11b, the sound mainly spreads to the right front of the vehicle 10, but the sound spreads to the right rear of the vehicle 10 through the vehicle body. For this reason, the position 11b can be used, for example, to emit a warning sound such as “turn right” to a pedestrian on the right turn side when making a right turn. Similarly, the position 11c can be used to warn the user that “turn left” when turning left.

At position 11d, the sound spreads over the entire right side of the vehicle 10 with the right door as the center, and similarly at position 11e, the sound spreads to the left side. For this reason, for example, it can be used to warn pedestrians such as “the door opens” when the door is opened and closed.
Since the ceiling board vibrates as a whole, the position 11f is used not only for sound generation outside the vehicle, but also, for example, when sound is generated in the vehicle or when a group is moving in multiple vehicles. It can be used for sound generation in the car, such as transmitting and sounding it, and communicating between vehicles.
Since the sound mainly spreads backward at the position 11g, it can be used to issue a warning voice to a pedestrian behind the vehicle 10 when reversing, for example, “back.”

Hereinafter, the configuration of the sound generation device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a cross section of the sounding device 1 cut in the longitudinal direction.
The case 2 is formed of a resin having rigidity, and a through hole 6 through which the concave portion for installing the magnets 4 a to 4 d and the magnet 5 are inserted is formed on the installation surface. A screw hole for screwing the magnet 4 is formed in the recess where the magnet 4 is installed.
Note that the case 2 is desirably a mass that is somewhat large so that the sound generating device 1 itself is less likely to vibrate with respect to the vibration of the vibrating device 13 and the magnet 5. Further, a nonmagnetic metal can be used as the material of the case 2 and the bottom plate 3.

A hollow portion for housing the vibration device 13 is formed inside the case 2, and a cylindrical portion 7 for fixing the vibration device 13 is formed on the installation surface side.
The inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 7 is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the vibration device 13, and the vibration device 13 can move the cylindrical portion 7 in the axial direction.
For this reason, when the coil spring 15 (FIG. 2C) to be described later exerts a biasing force on the vibration device 13, the entire vibration device 13 is biased toward the installation surface.

The length of the cylindrical portion 7 is about two-thirds of that of the vibration device 13, and the rear end side of the vibration device 13 is exposed without being stored in the cylindrical portion 7. In other words, the length of the cylindrical portion 7 is also two-thirds of the length of the vibration device 13 that is built vertically to the installation surface of the case 2.
This is because heat is efficiently dissipated when the vibration device 13 generates heat by driving. A heat sink may be provided to radiate heat to the outside.

The bottom plate 3 is made of the same resin as the case 2 and is screwed to the rear end of the case 2 by a screwing mechanism (not shown).
Although not shown, an O-ring is disposed between the case 2 and the bottom plate 3 to prevent rain from entering.
A cylindrical portion 8 is formed on the bottom surface of the bottom plate 3 and accommodates a coil spring 15 and the like which will be described later.

The magnet 4 has a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter of about 9 [mm], and protrudes from the mounting surface of the case 2 by about 1 [mm].
A through hole for inserting a screw is formed at the center of the magnet 4, and the magnet 4 is fixed to the screw hole of the recess by a screw (not shown).
The screw hole of the magnet 4 is counterbored so that the end portion of the screw is positioned inside the magnet 4 with respect to the end surface of the magnet 4. When the magnet 4 is attracted to the vehicle body, The part does not touch the car body. In this application, countersunk screws are good.
Moreover, the material of the screw which fixes the magnet 4 uses the nonmagnetic material in order to maintain the attraction force of the magnet 4 favorably.

The magnet 5 is a magnet having the same material and shape as the magnet 4 and is screwed to the vibration rod 27 (FIG. 2B) of the vibration device 13.
As described above, the end face of the magnet 5 is set so as to protrude slightly from the plane including the end faces of the magnets 4a to 4d. When the magnet 4 is attracted to the vehicle body, the end face of the magnet 5 is placed on the vehicle body. Energized well.

Here, the magnet 5 is installed on the vibration rod 27 of the vibration device 13 because the vibration device 13 not only applies a force in the direction of pushing the metal plate of the vehicle body during vibration, but also applies a force in the direction of pulling the metal plate. This is because the vibration generated by the vibration device 13 is efficiently transmitted to the metal plate by acting. Moreover, the fixing capability of the sound generator 1 is also increased.
If the vibrating rod 27 is merely brought into contact with the vehicle body without using the magnet 5, when the vibrating rod 27 is pulled toward the inside of the case 2, the vibrating rod 27 may be separated from the vehicle body and affect the sound generation ability. However, if the magnet 5 is used, it is possible to produce a good sound without leaving the vehicle body.

FIG. 2B is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the magnet 5 and the vibration device 13.
The vibration device 13 has a cylindrical shape, and a vibration rod 27 in which a screw hole is formed protrudes from the center of the end portion.
The magnet 5 is a magnet having the same material and shape as the magnet 4 and is screwed to the vibration rod 27 by the same screw used for the magnet 4. Thereby, the magnet 5 vibrates integrally with the vibration rod 27.

FIG. 2C is a diagram for explaining an urging mechanism of the vibration device 13.
The bottom plate 3 is screwed to the case 2 with screws 9, 9,. The screwing location by the screw 9 can be, for example, the center of the four sides of the case 2 or the four corners of the case 2.
The joint strength between the bottom plate 3 and the case 2 can also be increased by further increasing the number of screwing points.

A cylindrical portion 8 is formed in the center of the bottom plate 3 and a coil spring 15 is accommodated.
The outer diameter of the coil spring 15 is set smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 8, and the coil spring 15 can freely expand and contract inside the cylindrical portion 8.
One end of the coil spring 15 protrudes from the end portion of the cylindrical portion 8 and presses the bottom portion of the vibration device 13 toward the vibration rod 27 side.
The other end of the coil spring 15 is in contact with a vibration absorbing member 16 installed inside the cylindrical portion 8.

The vibration absorbing member 16 is a damper composed of a flexible member such as silicon, and absorbs vibration of the coil spring 15.
Thereby, the vibration of the vibration device 13 can be reduced from being transmitted to the case 2 via the coil spring 15, and the sounding effect of the sounding device 1 can be enhanced.

An urging force adjustment plate 17 is disposed between the vibration absorbing member 16 and the bottom surface of the cylindrical portion 8.
The urging force adjusting plate 17 is movable in the central axis direction inside the cylindrical portion 8 by an adjusting screw 18 that penetrates the bottom of the cylindrical portion 8.
Accordingly, the biasing force of the coil spring 15 can be adjusted by changing the length of the coil spring 15.

The adjustment screw 18 is a male screw that fits into a screw hole provided in the center of the bottom of the cylindrical portion 8, and has a tip abutting against the biasing force adjustment plate 17.
When the adjusting screw 18 is screwed into the cylindrical portion 8, the urging force adjusting plate 17 moves to the vibration device 13 side to increase the urging force. When the adjusting screw 18 is turned in the opposite direction, the urging force adjusting plate 17 is moved to the coil spring 15. Due to the urging force, the urging force is weakened by moving to the bottom surface side of the cylindrical portion 8.
The user can adjust the adjusting screw 18 so as to have an urging force that improves the sound production.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vibration device 13.
The housing of the vibration device 13 includes a case 60 having a cylindrical shape, a bottom plate 61 installed at the bottom of the case 60, and a lid 62 installed at the opening of the case.
A cylindrical drive coil 23 that is coaxial with the case 60 is disposed inside the case 60.
A signal line 21 is led out from the drive coil 23 and passes through the bottom plate 61 and is wired to the sound generation drive device 41 outside the vibration device 13.
In addition, vibration absorbing members 22 and 24 for attenuating vibration transmitted to the drive coil 23 and the case 60 are disposed at both ends of the drive coil 23.

Three cylindrical magnetostrictive elements 29 that are concentric with the drive coil 23 are arranged in series in the shaft hole of the drive coil 23.
A permanent magnet 28 for generating a bias magnetic field is disposed at the end of each magnetostrictive element 29. As the permanent magnet 28, one using neodymium or the like is used.
By applying a bias magnetic field to the magnetostrictive element 29 in advance, a magnetic field generated by a sounding signal can be applied in a magnetic field region where the characteristics of the magnetostrictive element 29 are good.

A diaphragm 25 is disposed on the lid 62 side of the vibration absorbing member 24.
The diaphragm 25 is biased toward the magnetostrictive element 29 by the coil spring 26. Therefore, when the magnetostrictive element 29 vibrates due to expansion and contraction, the diaphragm 25 also vibrates together.
That is, the diaphragm 25 moves to the lid 62 side due to the extension of the magnetostrictive element 29, and moves to the case 60 side by the biasing force of the coil spring 26 when the magnetostrictive element 29 contracts.

The coil spring 26 has one end in contact with the lid 62 and the other end in contact with the diaphragm 25, and biases the diaphragm 25 toward the case 60.
The vibration rod 27 passes through a through-hole formed in the center of the lid 62, and can freely move through the through-hole.
One end of the vibration rod 27 is fixed to the vibration plate 25, and a screw hole for fixing the magnet 5 is formed at the other end.
Since the vibration rod 27 is fixed to the vibration plate 25, the vibration rod 27 vibrates in the axial direction of the vibration device 13 together with the vibration plate 25 due to vibration generated by the magnetostrictive element 29.

In the vibrating device 13 configured as described above, when a sound generation signal is input to the signal line 21, a magnetic field according to the sound generation signal is generated by the drive coil 23 in the axial hole direction of the drive coil 23.
Then, the magnetic field acts on the magnetostrictive element 29, and the magnetostrictive element 29 expands and contracts in the axial direction of the magnetostrictive element 29 according to the sound generation signal.
The vibration (extension / contraction vibration) due to the expansion / contraction is transmitted to the vibration rod 27 via the vibration plate 25, and the vibration rod 27 vibrates in the axial direction of the vibration device 13 according to the sound generation signal.

The following effects can be obtained by the sound producing device 1 described above.
(1) Since the sound producing device 1 is installed on the metal plate constituting the vehicle body or the like by the magnets 4a to 4d and the magnet 5, the attachment and detachment is easy.
(2) Since the sound producing device 1 has a waterproof function, it can be installed at a location exposed to an external environment such as an engine room.
(3) The biasing force of the magnet 5 can be adjusted.
(4) Use of the vibration absorbing member 16 makes it difficult for vibrations from the vibrating device 13 to be transmitted to the case 2 and allows sound to be output satisfactorily.
(5) Since the vibration rod 27 is attracted to the vehicle body via the magnet 5, a pulling force can be applied to the vehicle body.
(6) When a speaker is mounted for sound generation outside the vehicle, since the sound cone is equipped with a waterproof cover or the like, the sound wave is absorbed by the waterproof cover or the like. Therefore, there is nothing that shields the sounding body, and sound waves can be directly output to the outside.
(7) In the case of a speaker, since it is necessary to reduce the air shielding for transmitting the sound of the speaker, a hole is made in the attachment position of the body sheet metal or the generated cone part is directly exposed to the outside. The sound producing device 1 can directly output the sound by using the vehicle body metal plate directly for sound wave transmission.

In the above description, the case where the sound generation device 1 is installed in a vehicle has been described. However, for example, if a sound is generated by vibration, such as furniture such as a wall of a building or a desk, or glass of a show window, a sound is generated. The apparatus 1 can be installed.
In this case, it is possible to employ fixing means suitable for the installation object, such as using an adhesive or a screw instead of the magnets 4a to 4d and the magnet 5.
It can also be installed on the vehicle by a method other than a magnet, such as screwing.
Further, although the magnetostrictive element is used as the vibrating body for sound generation, other elements may be used.

Next, a vehicle sounding system using the sounding device 1 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of the vehicle sound generation system according to the present embodiment.
The sound generation drive device 41 includes a power supply circuit 45, a radio device 44, an audio IC 43, an amplifier 42, and the like.
The power supply circuit 45 is a circuit that receives power supply from the in-vehicle electrical box 50 of the vehicle and supplies power to each part of the sound generation drive device 41.
In addition to the in-vehicle electrical box 50, the power can be supplied from, for example, a dry battery, a rechargeable battery, a cigar socket used also as an accessory power source, or a power supply location equivalent to these.
The wireless device 44 receives a sound generation command based on a wireless signal from a wireless transmitter such as the wireless switch 31 and instructs the sound IC 43 to output sound generation data in accordance with the sound generation command.

For example, the sound IC 43 stores sound data such as engine sound, warning sound, and “car passes.” The sound data corresponding to the command is read out according to the command from the radio 44, and The sound generation signal is output to the amplifier 42.
The amplifier 42 amplifies the sound signal output from the sound IC 43 and outputs the sound signal to the sound device 1, and drives the sound device 1 with the sound signal.
By adjusting the amplification factor of the amplifier 42, the volume of the sound generated by the sound producing device 1 can be changed. For example, the wireless switch 31a may be provided with a gain adjustment button to adjust the volume wirelessly.

The wireless switch 31a has a battery such as a button battery and is detachably attached to the handle.
The wireless switch 31 a includes a sound generation command transmission button, and transmits a sound generation command to the wireless device 44 when the user presses the button.

The wireless switch 31a does not require wiring and is detachable, so that the user can install the wireless switch 31a at a desired position of the handle.
Furthermore, by installing various attachment mechanisms on the wireless switch 31a, it is possible to install the wireless switch 31a on a driver side door, a passenger side door, a foot, or the like.

There are various methods of operating the wireless switch 31a, and some examples will be described below.
For example, when the button of the wireless switch 31a is pressed, the sound generation device 1 can be configured to reproduce the predetermined sound generation data in a fixed manner.
In this case, for example, when the user presses a button, the sound generation drive device 41 causes the sound generation device 1 to generate a warning sound.

In addition, when the button of the wireless switch 31a is pressed, the user can specify a specific one from a plurality of pronunciation contents.
In this case, the voice IC 43 reproduces the pronunciation data specified by the content specifying information, including the content specifying information specifying the pronunciation content specified by the user in the pronunciation command.
Thereby, according to a user's selection, for example, a warning sound can be pronounced or a voice such as “a car can pass” can be pronounced.

As a method of specifying the pronunciation content, the wireless switch 31a is provided with a plurality of buttons corresponding to the content, or a single button has a selection function such as a voice when a long press and a warning sound when a short press. It is possible to
Further, it is possible to use such that engine onomatopoeia is generated by the first button press and engine onset is stopped by the second button press.

Further, the wireless switch 31a may be configured to transmit a sound generation command to the wireless device 44 based on a wireless signal from another device such as the sensor 33a.
For example, the sensor 33a is a sensor installed in the vehicle, and can be configured to monitor a predetermined target and transmit the monitoring content to the wireless switch 31a wirelessly.
Examples of monitoring targets include vehicle speed, engine sound, engine ignition cycle, and in the case of hybrid and electric vehicles, the current and rotation speed of the driving motor, the opening of the accelerator, and the GPS (Global Positioning Systems) signal. There are suspicious operations on the current position, pedestrians, obstacles and vehicles.

When the sensor 33a detects the vehicle speed with the vehicle speed sensor, the sound generator 1 can automatically output the engine pseudo sound as follows.
First, when detecting the departure of the vehicle based on the vehicle speed, the sensor 33a transmits a notification that the departure is detected to the wireless switch 31a.
Then, the wireless switch 31a generates a sound generation command for generating engine pseudo sound and transmits it to the sound generation drive device 41. Thereby, engine sound is output from the sound generator 1.

When the sensor 33a detects that the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (for example, [20 Km / h] or higher), the sensor 33a transmits a notification to that effect to the wireless switch 31a.
Then, the wireless switch 31a generates a command to stop the engine pseudo sound and commands the sound generation drive device 41. Thereby, engine imitation sound stops.
Alternatively, the sound generation drive device 41 may be configured to automatically stop the engine pseudo sound after a predetermined time from the generation of the engine pseudo sound.
The sensor 33a can also be configured to detect the vehicle speed indirectly by detecting engine sound, ignition cycle, current and rotation speed of the traveling motor, accelerator opening, GPS signal, and the like.

In addition, when the sensor 33a is an obstacle sensor and detects a pedestrian or the like, when the sensor 33a detects that the pedestrian is present within a predetermined distance in front of the vehicle, the wireless switch 31a notifies the wireless switch 31a. Notice.
When the wireless switch 31a receives the notification, the wireless switch 31a transmits a command to make a sound such as “A car passes.
Further, when the sensor 33a is a security sensor, the sensor 33a may detect a suspicious operation on the vehicle and notify the wireless switch 31a, and the wireless switch 31a may generate a warning sound to the sounding device 1 to prevent crime. wear.

  In the above description, the sensor 33a transmits a sound generation command to the sound generation drive device 41 via the wireless switch 31a. However, the sensor 33a has a function of transmitting a sound generation command to the sensor 33a, and directly generates a sound generation command from the sensor 33a to the wireless device 44. Can also be configured to transmit.

The wireless switch 31b can be carried by the user, and can be used for confirming the position of the vehicle in a large-scale parking lot, warning a suspicious person or animal near the vehicle, and other uses.
Here, the wireless switches 31a and 31b can be configured in exactly the same way, but the sound of the sound generator 1 is different when the button of the wireless switch 31a is pressed and when the button of the wireless switch 31b is pressed. Can be configured.

In this case, the sound generation command device identification information for identifying the wireless switch 31a and the wireless switch 31b is added to the sound generation command, and the sound generation drive device 41 is configured to reproduce the sound generation data corresponding to the sound generation command identification information.
Thus, for example, when the button of the wireless switch 31a is pressed, a sound such as “The car passes. Please be careful” is output, and when the button of the wireless switch 31b is pressed, a warning sound is generated. It can be constituted as follows.

The sensor 33b is a sensor installed outside the vehicle.
For example, when the sensor 33b is a human sensor, the sensor 33b is installed in the garage, and the intrusion into the garage such as a suspicious person or an animal (dog, cat, bird, etc.) is monitored. When the sensor 33b detects intrusion, the sensor 33b notifies the wireless switch 31a accordingly. Then, the wireless switch 31a transmits a sound generation command to the sound generation drive device 41 to cause the sound generation drive device 41 to generate a warning sound.

Further, the sound generation drive device 41 can be configured to ignore the detection result of the sensor 33b when the user presses the button of the wireless switch 31b.
In this case, the user can temporarily stop monitoring by the sensor 33b and enter and exit the garage.

The sensor 33c is a sensor installed outside the vehicle in the same manner as the sensor 33b.
The sensor 33c has a function of generating a sound generation command and transmitting the sound generation command to the wireless device 44. When detecting the target, the sensor 33c can directly transmit the sound generation command to the wireless device 44. Other configurations are the same as those of the sensor 33b.

The microphone 35 is a portable microphone and transmits a user's voice signal to the sound generation drive device 41.
In this case, the sound generation drive device 41 is configured to amplify the sound signal by the amplifier 42 and output the sound signal to the sound generation device 1 when the wireless device 44 receives the sound signal.
For this reason, when the user speaks to the microphone 35, the sound is output by the sound generator 1.

  For example, when the user is driving the vehicle and the pedestrian wants the pedestrian to move left, the microphone 35 utters the content of the utterance from the vehicle body and transmits information to the pedestrian in language. It can be carried out.

  Further, when two vehicles are equipped with the sound generation device 1, the sound generation device 1 directly sounds outside the vehicle, so that the user can easily listen to the other party's utterance even in the vehicle. Therefore, for example, the user can talk while riding on two vehicles that are parked in a parking lot.

  Further, when the user divides a plurality of vehicles and moves, if the microphone 35 is configured to transmit the sound of one vehicle to another vehicle, all the users have a conversation with the plurality of vehicles divided. be able to. In this case, the sound generator 1 is installed at the position 11f (FIG. 1B) so that the output sound can be heard in the vehicle.

  Note that a microphone function may be incorporated in the wireless switch 31a. In this case, the user can output prescribed speech data by pressing the button of the wireless switch 31a, and can also output his / her utterance, thereby enhancing the communication function outside the vehicle.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of sound generation data stored in the audio IC 43. As shown in FIG.
Unique data numbers such as 001, 002,... Are set in the pronunciation data. 001 is the engine sound, 002 is the warning sound, and 003 is “The car passes. "Please, please."
The voice IC 43 can generate a sound with a predetermined content from a plurality of sounds by reading out the sound generation data designated by the sound generation command and generating a sound generation signal.

These pronunciation data can be stored in advance in the voice IC 43, and can be downloaded from a server on the network and stored, or voice recorded by the user can be stored. Thereby, for example, it is possible to output a user's favorite engine imitation sound, warning sound (buzzer sound, melody, etc.), voice, or the like.
In this case, the sound generation drive device 41 has a network connection function and may be downloaded directly, or the sound generation drive device 41 is provided with a removable storage medium and downloaded to the storage medium using a PC (Personal Computer) or the like. Also good.

FIG. 6A is a diagram for explaining a modification of the vehicle sound generation system.
This modification includes a plurality of sounding devices 1a, 1b, and 1c. The sounding device 1a is installed at the position 11a (FIG. 1B), the sounding device 1b is installed at the position 11b, and the sounding device 1c is installed at the position 11c.

  Although not shown, the wireless switch 31a has three buttons (respectively, a center button, a right button, and a left button) corresponding to the sound generation devices 1a, 1b, and 1c. Then, an utterance command including button identification information is generated and transmitted to the sound generation drive device 41.

On the other hand, the wireless device 44 receives the speech command from the wireless switch 31a and outputs it to the voice IC 43.
The audio IC 43 stores audio data corresponding to the buttons. For example, for the center button, “The car passes. Please be careful.” For the right button, “Turn to the right. Be careful.” For the left button, “Turn left. Please note. "Is stored as speech data.
Then, the sound IC 43 reads the sound generation data corresponding to the button identification information included in the sound generation command, generates a sound generation signal, and outputs it to the amplifier 42.

The amplifier 42 amplifies this and outputs it to the switching circuit 47. Then, the switching circuit 47 sends the amplified sounding signal to the sounding device 1 corresponding to the button identification information.
In this way, for example, when the user presses the center button, a sound corresponding to the button may be generated from the position of the vehicle body corresponding to the button, such as "The car passes. Please be careful." it can. As described above, the button identification information has a function as content specifying information for specifying the utterance content, and also functions as pronunciation position specifying information for specifying the position to be pronounced.

Alternatively, the vehicle speed can be input to the voice IC 43 from the in-vehicle electrical box 50 and engine sound corresponding to the vehicle speed can be output from the sound generator 1. The sounding device 1 to be output may be any of the sounding devices 1a to 1c.
The engine pseudo-sound can be output, for example, when the vehicle speed is 0 to 20 [Km / h], and the pitch is increased as the vehicle speed increases, so that the pedestrian can be informed of the running state of the vehicle.

  Further, for example, when the user presses the wireless switch 31a while outputting the engine onomatopoeia, the sound generator 1 outputting the engine onomatopoeia “turns to the left. It is also possible to superimpose the sound on the engine sound and output it.

FIG. 6B is a diagram for explaining another modification of the vehicle sound generation system.
In this modification, the sound generation drive device 41 is housed inside the sound generation device 1. Therefore, the sound generator 1 can be used without wiring the sound generation signal by connecting the power line to the in-vehicle electrical box 50.

In the example shown in the figure, three sounding devices 1 are used, and sounding devices 1a, 1b, and 1c are installed at positions 11a, 11b, and 11c, as in the previous modification.
The wireless switch 31a has a center button, a right button, and a left button. When the button is pressed, the wireless switch 31a generates a sound generation command including button identification information and transmits the sound generation command to the sound generation devices 1a, 1b, and 1c. To do.

When the sound generation command is addressed to itself, the sound generation devices 1a, 1b, and 1c cause the vehicle body to generate sound using this. The pronunciation content is the same as in the previous modification.
For example, the sound generation devices 1a, 1b, and 1c may be identified by the button identification information included in the sound generation command, or the sound generation devices 1a, 1b, and 1c may be determined. A different communication frequency may be assigned for each.

The following effects can be obtained by the vehicle sound generation system described above.
(1) The sound generation device 1 can generate sound by wireless communication.
(2) Since wireless communication is used, there is no need for wiring, the wireless switch 31a can be installed at a location preferred by the user, and can also be provided at a movable part such as a handle.
(3) When retrofitting a vehicle sound generation system to a vehicle, it can be constructed without modifying the signal processing network in the vehicle that has already been constructed. For this reason, it is easy to install by retrofitting.
(4) Various information can be easily fed back from the sensor 33 and the like, and a highly functional vehicle sound generation system can be constructed.

The sound generator 1 used in the vehicle sound generation system described above can provide the following configuration.
The vibration device 13 functions as a vibration device, and the vibration rod 27 and the magnet 5 function as a tip portion that vibrates in accordance with a sound generation signal. Further, the case 2 and the bottom plate 3 accommodate the vibration device 13 and the magnet 5 protrudes to the outside.
For this reason, the sound generation device 1 includes a vibration device that vibrates the distal end portion of the vibrating body according to the sound generation signal, and a container that houses the vibration device by projecting the distal end portion to the outside.
The metal plate constituting the vehicle body functions as a sounding body, and the magnets 4a to 4d are attracted to the metal plate to fix the case 2, so that the sounding device 1 has the container on the surface of the sounding body that generates sound. A fixing means for fixing is provided.
The coil spring 15 urges the vibration device 13 to the vehicle body. Therefore, the sounding device 1 is housed in the container, and the vibration device is urged in the direction of the sounding body so that the tip of the vibrating body is sounded. A biasing means for biasing the body surface is provided.

  Since the vibration absorbing member 16 is provided between the coil spring 15 and the bottom plate 3, the sound producing device 1 includes a vibration absorbing member disposed between the biasing means and the container.

  Since the magnet 5 is attracted to the metal plate constituting the vehicle body and the pulling force of the vibration rod 27 can be applied to the metal plate, the sound generating device 1 has the sound generating body toward the vibration device. Retraction means for applying a pulling force is provided.

  Since there are a plurality of magnets 4 and the tip of the magnet 5 protrudes closer to the sounding body than the plane including the end surfaces of the magnets 4a to 4d, there are a plurality of the fixing means, and the tip is provided with the plurality of the tips. It protrudes from a plane including the end face of the fixing means.

  The magnet 4 functions as a fixing means, and the fixing means is composed of a magnet.

  Since the magnet 5 can be attracted to the sounding body and exert a force to pull the sounding body toward the sounding device 1, the pulling means is constituted by a magnet provided at the tip.

  Since the urging force of the coil spring 15 can be adjusted by the urging force adjusting plate 17 and the adjusting screw 18, the sounding device 1 includes adjusting means for adjusting the urging force of the urging means.

Since the wireless switch 31a and the like transmit a sound generation command wirelessly and the wireless device 44 receives the sound generation command, the sound generation drive device 41 includes a sound generation command receiving unit that wirelessly receives the sound generation command from the sound generation command device.
The sound IC 43 generates a sound generation signal according to the sound generation command, and the amplifier 42 amplifies the sound generation signal. Therefore, the sound generation drive device 41 includes sound generation signal generation means for generating a sound generation signal according to the received sound generation command.
Since the vibration device 13 vibrates the surface of the vehicle body by causing the magnetostrictive element 29 to vibrate according to the sound generation signal, the sound generation device 1 vibrates the surface of the vehicle body by vibrating the vibration body according to the generated sound generation signal. There is a sounding means to pronounce.
As described above, the sound generation drive device 41 and the sound generation device 1 function as a vehicle body sound generation device including these elements.

  Further, there are a plurality of sound generation command devices such as the wireless switches 31a and 31b, the sensor 33c, and the sound generation device 1 can output sounds according to these sound generation command devices. The sound generation signal generating means generates a sound generation signal corresponding to the sound generation command device.

  In addition, the user can also specify the sound content by the wireless switch 31a and transmit it to the sound drive device 41. In this case, the sound generation command includes content specifying information for specifying the sound content, and the sound signal The generating means generates a sound generation signal corresponding to the content specifying information.

  In addition, since a plurality of sounding devices 1a to 1c can be installed at different positions 11a to 11c and the sounding device 1 driven by the user can be selected, a plurality of sounding means are installed at different locations on the vehicle body. The sound generation command includes selection information for selecting the sound generation means, and the sound generation means selected by the selection information vibrates the surface of the vehicle body.

  Further, when the sound is transmitted from the microphone 35 to the sound generation drive device 41, the sound signal transmitted from the microphone 35 to the sound generation drive device 41 functions as a sound generation command.

  When the wireless switch 31a receives a signal from the sensor 33b, the wireless switch 31a transmits a sound generation command to the sound generation drive device 41. Therefore, the wireless switch 31a receives a signal indicating that the detection target has been detected from the sensor that detects the predetermined target. A detection signal receiving means; a sound generation command receiving means for wirelessly receiving a sound generation command from the sound generation instruction device when receiving the detection signal; a sound generation signal generation means for generating a sound generation signal according to the received sound generation command; and the generation Sound generation means for vibrating the surface of the vehicle body by causing the vibrating body to vibrate according to the generated sound generation signal, and sound generation command transmission means for wirelessly transmitting a sound generation command to the vehicle sound generation device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sound generator 2 Case 3 Bottom plate 4 Magnet 5 Magnet 6 Through-hole 7 Cylindrical part 8 Cylindrical part 9 Screw 10 Vehicle 11 Position 13 Vibration device 15 Coil spring 16 Vibration absorption member 17 Energizing force adjustment board 18 Adjustment screw 21 Signal line 22 Vibration absorption member DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 23 Drive coil 24 Vibration absorbing member 25 Diaphragm 26 Coil spring 27 Vibrating rod 28 Permanent magnet 29 Magnetostrictive element 31 Wireless switch 33 Sensor 35 Microphone 41 Sound drive device 42 Amplifier 43 Voice IC
44 Radio 45 Power supply circuit 47 Switching circuit 50 On-board electrical box 60 Case 61 Bottom plate 62 Lid

Claims (7)

A vibration device that vibrates the tip of the vibrating body according to the pronunciation signal;
A container for housing the vibration device by projecting the tip portion to the outside;
Fixing means for fixing the container to the surface of the sounding body that generates sound;
A biasing means housed in the container and biasing the tip of the vibrating body toward the surface of the sounding body by biasing the vibration device in the direction of the sounding body;
A sounding device characterized by comprising:   The sounding device according to claim 1, further comprising a vibration absorbing member disposed between the urging means and the container.   The sounding device according to claim 1, wherein the tip portion includes a pulling unit that applies a force to pull the sounding body toward the vibration device.   4. The sound generation according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the fixing means are present, and the tip portion protrudes from a plane including end faces of the plurality of fixing means. apparatus.   The sounding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fixing means comprises a magnet.   The sounding device according to claim 3, wherein the drawing-in means is constituted by a magnet provided at the tip portion.   The sounding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising adjusting means for adjusting a biasing force of the biasing means.

Images