JP2012220450A - Vehicle information provision device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle information provision device which can achieve a volume control of a warning sound with a little expense and does not make a driver nervous more than necessary.SOLUTION: A vehicle information provision device comprises: a sounding body 32 installed inside a case to store an instrument of a vehicle; a warning display device 2 arranged on an instrument board; and an instrument control device, particularly control means 25, which makes the sounding body 32 generate a sound through an external signal from an outside of the instrument board and activates the warning display device 2. The control means 25 is installed inside the case to store the instrument and controls vehicle state display devices D1 and D2 in accordance with an engine stop signal ESSg indicating a stop of an engine or a vehicle stop signal SSg. The control means 25 also changes a drive signal to be applied to the sounding body 32, while the engine or the vehicle is stopped, and reduces volume of a warning sound of the sounding body 32 through the changed drive signal.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information providing device for a vehicle that controls the level of a warning sound of a sounding body that blows out in a vehicle interior while the vehicle is stopped or the vehicle engine is stopped.

  Conventionally, there is a concept of controlling the volume of sound in a vehicle. A stop-time control device described in Patent Document 1 is known. The stop time estimation unit of the control device at the time of stop determines, based on the calculated expected stop time, what kind of service is provided to the driver and what kind of control contents are to be determined. Instructs to run the specified service. If the instructed destination is the in-vehicle control unit, the in-vehicle control unit performs control of in-vehicle illumination, control of seat reclining, control for enabling telephone operation, and the like based on the instruction.

  If the instructed destination is the traveling control unit, the traveling control unit performs engine idling control such as stopping the gasoline engine portion of the hybrid engine based on the instruction. If the instructed destination is the content reproduction unit, the content reproduction unit performs control such as lowering the audio volume based on the instruction. In this way, the vehicle and the vehicle equipment are controlled based on the stopping operation when the vehicle is stopped.

  Next, in Patent Document 2, a mobile body control device and a navigation system that can control power supply to an electrical system of a mobile body by determining whether the engine is idling or stopped with a simple configuration. The device is provided.

  Specifically, it is easy to determine whether the engine is idling or stopped by analyzing the navigation gyro signal and indirectly determining the operating state of the engine from the vibration component included in the vehicle momentum. The power supply for the electrical equipment mounted on the vehicle is controlled by determining. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress battery consumption without providing a dedicated vibration sensor and without requiring special electrical wiring between the vehicle and the engine operation state detection device.

  In addition, the mobile body control device includes a sound signal source that generates a sound signal, and a sound volume / sound quality control that adjusts the sound volume and sound quality of the sound signal generated by the sound signal source according to the determination result of the engine operating state determination unit. And a sound output means for outputting the sound signal after the sound volume / sound quality adjustment output from the sound volume / sound quality control means.

  With this configuration, it is possible to control the output sound volume and sound quality in a state where the engine is stopped and in an operating state, and it is possible to obtain an optimal sound volume and sound quality according to the operating state of the engine.

  In this way, the sound signal output from the audio or car navigation system can be automatically controlled to an appropriate volume and sound quality in the state where the engine is stopped and in the operating state, and the operation of the engine The optimum volume and sound quality can be obtained according to the state.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 3 discloses an electronic alarm device in which a sounding body generates a warning sound by a pulse signal synthesized by a computer with various frequencies, sound pressures and chords by a control technology using a computer in recent years. ing.

  Further, Patent Document 4 discloses a vehicle information providing device provided with a sounding body that is controlled and controlled by a control device in a case that houses a meter.

JP 2008-233898 A JP 2005-263102 A JP-A-4-53320 JP 2007-69886 A

  Despite the existence of acoustic technologies for controlling the sound inside the vehicle, these technologies are not widespread. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of energy saving, with the spread of vehicles with an engine that performs idling stop, electric vehicles, and hybrid cars, the opportunities to become quieter inside the vehicles are increasing. In addition, with the recent increase in traffic, the opportunity for vehicles to stop is also increasing.

  Here, the inventor considered the reason why the above-described acoustic technology is not widespread. And it paid attention to the point that the reason might be a cost increase and the installation space of the apparatus in a vehicle.

  In addition, attention was paid to the fact that an operation switch that can be operated by the driver is provided for music content reproduction and the like, and that manual operation can be performed without the need to automatically reduce or increase the sound.

  However, on the other hand, I realized that this kind of acoustic technology would become widespread if it could be realized at a lower cost, and that there were alarm sounds that could not be easily manipulated by manual operation. These warning sounds are suddenly emitted from the sound generator inside the case housing the instrument, and notify the driver of the presence of an abnormality and the operation of an indicator that abnormally indicates the contents.

  In this type of sound generator, the driver is surprised when a warning sound is suddenly emitted when the vehicle is stopped or the engine is stopped at the same sound pressure and tone as during driving. It was noted that attention may be distracted from external signals and pedestrian trends.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems existing in the prior art. The purpose of the present invention is to generate an alarm sound that cannot be easily manipulated by manual operation while generating an alarm sound. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information providing device for a vehicle that can generate an alarm sound that can concentrate on safe driving without excessively tensing the driver.

  Descriptions of patent documents listed as prior art can be introduced or incorporated by reference as explanations of technical elements described in this specification.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following technical means. That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle information providing apparatus for generating an alarm sound by a sounding body connected to a control circuit in a vehicle when a condition for generating an alarm sound is established in the vehicle, By controlling the drive signal given to the sound generator through the control circuit while the vehicle is stopped or when the vehicle engine is stopped, the control circuit generates a sound when a condition is met while the vehicle is stopped or the vehicle engine is stopped. The alarm sound emitted by the body is made smaller than the alarm sound emitted by the sounding body before the stop of the vehicle or the engine of the vehicle.

  According to the present invention, the loudness of the alarm sound suddenly generated by the sounding body when the vehicle is stopped or the engine of the vehicle is stopped is determined by the alarm sound generated by the sounding body before the vehicle is stopped or before the engine of the vehicle is stopped. When the vehicle interior is quiet, the driver will not be overwhelmed by sudden warnings and the driver will be overwhelmed by the attention of the speaker. Can be suppressed.

  The invention according to claim 2 has a case for supporting a vehicle state display device comprising a vehicle meter and a display, and a sounding body is housed in the case, so that the vehicle is stopped or the vehicle engine is stopped. In a control circuit that is housed in the case and controls the vehicle state display device, it is determined based on an external signal input to the control circuit, and the external signal is an engine stop signal that controls the vehicle state display device. It is characterized by comprising any one of an engine speed signal and a vehicle speed signal.

  According to the present invention, the engine stop signal, the engine speed signal, and the vehicle speed signal are signals that are used in the case for the vehicle state display device, and can be used to control the sounding body. Therefore, it is not necessary to input a special signal into the case, and a change that causes a new cost increase is not required in this respect.

  In the invention according to claim 3, the control circuit has setting means for setting the loudness of the alarm sound of the sounding body, and the setting preset and stored by the driver of the vehicle using the setting means. Based on the value, the warning sound generated by the sounding body when the vehicle is stopped or the vehicle engine is stopped is made smaller than the warning sound generated by the sounding body before the vehicle is stopped or before the vehicle engine is stopped. It is said.

  According to the present invention, the warning sound that is reduced during the stop of the vehicle or the stop of the engine of the vehicle is based on a value set in advance according to the driver's preference. There is nothing too much.

  In the invention according to claim 4, the sounding body sounds before the vehicle stops or before the vehicle engine stops for the length of the sounding time that the sounding body blows while the vehicle is stopped or the vehicle engine is stopped. By making it shorter than the length of the sounding period, the sound produced by the sound generator when the vehicle is stopped or when the vehicle engine is stopped is compared with the sound generated by the sound generator before the vehicle is stopped or before the vehicle engine is stopped. Is also characterized by a smaller size.

  According to the present invention, the sounding sound generated by the sounding body when the vehicle is stopped or when the vehicle engine is stopped is generated by shortening the sounding time of the sounding body before the vehicle is stopped or before the vehicle engine is stopped. It can be made smaller than the warning sound emitted by the body, and can be made to match the warning sound when the passenger compartment is quiet, and it can contribute to safe driving without alarming the driver and excessive attention. it can.

  In the invention according to claim 5, the control circuit is configured to stop the vehicle or stop the engine of the vehicle after the warning sound generated by the sounding body is made smaller than before stopping the vehicle or before stopping the engine of the vehicle. It is characterized by returning to the level of the alarm sound produced by the sounding body before stopping the vehicle or before stopping the engine of the vehicle.

  According to the present invention, after the volume of the warning sound generated by the sounding body is once reduced, the level of the warning sound generated by the sounding body before stopping the vehicle or before stopping the engine of the vehicle is set to the level during the stop of the vehicle or the vehicle. When the engine is stopped, the alarm sound of a predetermined level is finally heard in the passenger compartment, so that it is possible to prevent the alarm from being noticed, and at the beginning it starts with a small alarm sound. The driver can be surprised by a loud warning sound and can contribute to safe driving without excessive attention.

  In the invention according to claim 6, the sounding body generates the loudest alarm sound by vibrating at the resonance frequency of the sounding body, and by changing the frequency of the drive signal in a direction away from the resonance frequency of the sounding body, The alarm sound emitted by the sounding body is made smaller than that before the vehicle stops or before the engine of the vehicle stops.

  According to the present invention, the frequency is changed in a direction away from the resonance frequency of the sounding body, so that the sound volume of the sounding body is reduced, and a warning sound that matches when the vehicle interior is quiet is obtained. Surprisingly, it can contribute to safe driving without excessive attention.

  In the seventh aspect of the invention, by changing the frequency of the drive signal in a direction away from the resonance frequency of the sounding body toward the lower frequency, the loudness of the warning sound generated by the sounding body is reduced before the vehicle stops or It is characterized in that it is made smaller than the volume of the warning sound produced by the sounding body before the vehicle engine is stopped.

  According to the present invention, since the frequency of the drive signal is changed in a direction away from the resonance frequency of the sounding body toward the lower frequency, a softer warning sound with a lower frequency is obtained. The alarm sound is matched when the passenger compartment is quiet while being noticed, and the driver can be surprised, and can contribute to safe driving without excessive attention.

  In the invention according to claim 8, the voltage applied to the sounding body during the stop of the vehicle or the engine of the vehicle is the voltage applied to the sounding body before the stop of the vehicle or the engine of the vehicle. By making it lower than the volume, the alarm sound produced by the sounding body when the vehicle is stopped or when the vehicle engine is stopped is made smaller than the alarm sound made by the sounding body before the vehicle is stopped or before the vehicle engine is stopped. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, since the magnitude of the voltage applied to the sounding body is reduced, the sound pressure when the sounding body blows down decreases, and the sounding body emits while the vehicle is stopped or the vehicle engine is stopped. The warning sound is lower than the volume of the warning sound produced by the sounding body before the vehicle stops or before the vehicle engine stops, so that the warning sound matches when the passenger compartment is quiet. Can contribute to safe driving without excessive pulling.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the control circuit reduces the voltage duty ratio by decreasing the waveform length of the voltage applied to the sounding body, thereby reducing the voltage applied to the sounding body before stopping the vehicle. Alternatively, the voltage is lower than the voltage applied to the sounding body before the vehicle engine is stopped.

  According to the present invention, since the effective value is lowered by lowering the duty ratio of the voltage so as to be lower than the magnitude of the voltage applied to the sounding body before the vehicle is stopped or before the vehicle engine is stopped, the sounding body is blown. The sound pressure can be controlled arbitrarily and the power loss is small.

  In the invention according to claim 10, the control circuit switches the resistance connected in series to the sounding body to a resistor having a larger resistance value, so that the voltage applied to the sounding body is reduced before the vehicle stops or the vehicle. It is characterized by being lower than before stopping the engine.

  According to the present invention, the resistance connected in series to the sounding body is switched to one having a larger resistance value, and the magnitude of the voltage applied to the sounding body is reduced. The size can be reduced.

It is a front view which shows the outline | summary of the information provision apparatus for vehicles in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block block diagram of the information provision apparatus for vehicles of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the information provision apparatus for vehicles along F3-F3 line | wire in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the warning display displayed on the display part of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process mainly performed by the control means which comprises the control apparatus for instruments of FIG. It is a graph which shows the time passage of the sound pressure of the sound-producing body in 1st Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the time passage of the sound pressure of the sound-producing body in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the sound pressure and frequency of a sounding body in 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the change of the sounding time of the sounding body in 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the change of the sounding time of the sounding body in 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the change of the duty ratio of the drive signal applied to the sounding body in 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is detail drawing equivalent to a drive signal change part among the flowcharts performed with the control apparatus for instruments in 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is a partial electric circuit diagram of the information providing device for vehicles in the 8th embodiment of the present invention. It is a partial electric circuit diagram of the vehicle information provision apparatus in 9th Embodiment of this invention.

  A plurality of modes for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, parts corresponding to the matters described in the preceding embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted. When only a part of the configuration is described in each mode, the other modes described above can be applied to the other parts of the configuration.

  Not only combinations of parts that clearly indicate that the combination is possible in each embodiment, but also the embodiments are partially combined even if they are not clearly specified unless there is a problem with the combination. It is also possible.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, known portions will be described in accordance with Patent Document 4. FIG. 1 shows an overview of an example of a vehicle information providing apparatus according to this embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, a vehicle information providing device 1 provided on an instrument panel in front of a driver in a vehicle includes a vehicle state display device (for vehicle) provided with first and second display means (display units) D1 and D2. Meter) and an alarm display device (indicator) 2.

  The first display means D1 includes a liquid crystal display panel such as TFT, an organic EL panel, and the like, and is a multi-display that displays vehicle speed and the like. A part of the alarm display device inside the case for housing the instrument according to the present invention is also configured in the multi-display, and the other part is configured by a plurality of alarm display devices (indicators) 2.

  The 2nd display means D2 consists of a pointer type display part (instrument) provided with the pointer | guide and index plate which are mentioned later. Reference numeral 3 denotes a first pointer type display unit composed of an engine tachometer, 4 denotes a second pointer type display unit composed of a fuel meter, and 5 denotes a third pointer type display unit composed of a thermometer.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the vehicle information providing apparatus 1 of FIG. The configuration includes a vehicle information terminal 20 and a multiplex communication input / output terminal 21 for inputting / outputting vehicle information, and a vehicle interface (vehicle I / F) means 23.

  Further, a control means 25 for controlling the vehicle information providing device 1, a storage means 26 comprising a ROM or the like for storing processing programs, a display control of the display means D1, each pointer type display unit 3, 4, 5 and an alarm. Control output means 27 for transmitting control output to the display device (indicator) 2 to perform control, and auditory information providing means 29 for performing auditory display of various information.

  The structure of the auditory information providing unit 29 includes a sound / sound synthesis unit 30 that reproduces sound / sound, and an amplifier 31 that amplifies an output signal (sound / sound output signal) from the sound / sound synthesis unit 30. For example, a substantially circular sounding body (speaker) 32 that outputs the amplified signal from the amplifier 31 as an alarm sound, and a sound guide that guides the sound emitted from the sounding body 32 to the driver in the vehicle interior inside the vehicle through the gap. Part 33.

  The vehicle interface means 23, the control means 25, the storage means 26, the control output means 27, the sound / speech synthesis means 30 of the auditory information providing means 29, and the amplifier 31 constitute the instrument control device of the present invention. In a narrow sense, the control means 25 may be referred to as an instrument control device.

  In the case of this embodiment, the sounding body 32 includes a magnetic circuit including a ring-shaped magnet, a voice coil, a cone-shaped diaphragm connected to the tip of the voice coil, and the magnetic circuit and the diaphragm at predetermined positions. It is mainly composed of a frame that supports it.

  When a current is passed through the voice coil, a force acts on the voice coil, and an alarm sound is generated by the vibration of the diaphragm in conjunction with the movement of the voice coil. Therefore, the sounding body 32 is composed of an electrodynamic speaker (cone speaker). The speaker 32 is disposed below the third pointer-type display unit 5 in the vehicle information providing apparatus 1 (see FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle information providing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a travel control device 41 composed of an engine control device and the like, an operation means 42 composed of various operation switches, and the like via a multiplex communication line 40. It is connected to the.

  FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the vehicle information providing apparatus 1 (mainly, the third pointer type display unit 5) along the line F3-F3 in FIG. Hereinafter, the configuration of the third pointer type display unit 5 will be described in detail. The configuration of the first and second pointer type display units 3 and 4 is substantially the same as the configuration of the third pointer type display unit 5, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 3, the third pointer-type display unit 5 includes a circuit board 51, a pointer driving device 53 that is attached to the circuit board 51 and has a rotating shaft 52 extending forward, and a pointer 54 that is rotationally driven by the rotating shaft 52. With.

  In addition, an indicator plate 55 disposed behind the pointer 54 and disposed on the circuit board 51, a light source 56 that illuminates the indicator plate 55, a case body 57 that holds the indicator plate 55, the pointer 54 and the indicator. And a turn-back member 58 for exposing the plate 55.

  Furthermore, a see-through panel 59 disposed on the front side of the facing member 58, a visor 60 that hides the outer edge of the see-through panel 59, and a cover member 61 that covers the back side of the circuit board 51 are provided.

  The circuit board 51 includes a control means 25 for controlling the auditory information providing means 29 (FIG. 2), a control output means 27 (FIG. 2) for driving and controlling the pointer driving device 53 (FIG. 3), and sound / speech synthesis. The means 30, the amplifier 31, the sound generator 32, the light source 56, and various circuit components (not shown) such as resistors and capacitors are connected. Further, the circuit board 51 includes a substantially circular hole 51a (FIG. 3) in which an opening is formed corresponding to the sounding body 32 mounted on the back surface thereof.

  The pointer driving device 53 is composed of a movable magnet type instrument or a stepping motor, and the main part thereof is mounted behind the circuit board 51 on the cover member 61 side so that the rotating shaft 52 penetrates the circuit board 51, and soldering is performed. It is electrically connected to the control output means 27 (FIG. 2) through a wiring pattern by conducting means such as attaching.

  The pointer 54 is made of synthetic resin, and includes an instruction portion 54a that extends linearly so as to indicate the indicator portion 55a of the indicator plate 55, and a cover (pointer cap) 54b that covers the center of rotation of the indicator portion 54a. Yes.

  57a is a space surrounded by, for example, a cylindrical cup-shaped recess 57b provided in the case body 57 and the circuit board 51, and this space 57a communicates with the hole 51a of the circuit board 51. It acts as a resonance space for the sounding body 32 disposed adjacent to the portion 51a.

  Next, operation | movement of the information provision apparatus 1 for vehicles of FIG. 2 is demonstrated. The control means 25 obtains the vehicle state related to the travel control, the alarm information, and the information related to the operation from the vehicle information terminal 20 and the multiplex communication input / output terminal 21 that input / output vehicle information.

  Based on this acquired information, vehicle status notification, alarm output, guidance on operation, and answerback are notified via an audible sound and voice through the sounding body 32 of the auditory information providing means 29. At the same time, the image is displayed on the display means D1 (FIG. 1). Further, necessary alarm display is performed by the alarm display device (indicator) 2.

  Here, taking the alarm information as an example, the operation of the control means 25 during input / output will be described. The control means 25 obtains information about the vehicle from the vehicle information terminal 20 for inputting / outputting vehicle information and the multiplex communication input / output terminal 21, and determines whether there is a warning generation condition based on this information. .

  When the occurrence condition of the warning is detected, the warning information is notified by the auditory information providing means 29 with the warning sound and the voice, and the display form related to the warning information is displayed by the display unit D1 or the warning display device (indicator) 2. To do. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a warning display displayed on the display unit D1 of FIG.

  In FIG. 4, when a detection signal indicating that the seat belt is not attached is input via the vehicle information terminal 20 or the multiplex communication input / output terminal 21, the control means 25 (FIG. 2) After that, the auditory information providing means 29 is controlled so as to output “Please wear your seat belt” by voice.

  Therefore, the alarm sound and the sound emitted from the sounding body 32 in the auditory information providing means 29 are emitted toward the driver through the sound guide section 33 in FIG. 3, so that the driver can easily generate the alarm sound and the sound. Can be recognized. Here, visual information is also provided to the driver via the display unit D1 or the alarm display device (indicator) 2 (FIG. 1).

  The control means 25 in the instrument control device uses the vehicle speed signal SSg (FIG. 2) input to the control means 25 via the multiplex communication line 40 in order to determine that the vehicle has stopped. That is, a vehicle stop signal is generated from the vehicle speed signal SSg. This vehicle speed signal SSg is a known and existing signal that is input from the travel control device 41 to the control means 25 and used for vehicle speed display using the first display means (display unit) D1.

  Also, the control means 25 (FIG. 2) in the instrument control device determines that the engine has stopped, the “engine stop signal ESSg input from the multiplex communication line 40 into the control means 25 or the engine Utilizes an engine control signal consisting of a rotational speed signal ERSg.

  The reason is that it is not preferable that the external signal connected to the inside of the case housing the instrument uses the external signal line newly provided for this embodiment because the cost is increased. Therefore, in this embodiment, an external signal line that is also used for other purposes is used inside the case for housing the instrument.

  Among these, the engine speed signal ERSg is input to the control means 25 from the traveling control device 41 and is an existing signal used for displaying the engine speed of the display unit D1 or the pointer type display unit 3 (FIG. 1). It is.

  The engine stop signal ESSg is an existing signal used for displaying the engine stop, which is displayed on the liquid crystal screen of the display unit D1 as “idling stop is in progress”. The engine stop signal ESSg is displayed so as to determine whether the engine is stalled or the engine is intentionally stopped (whether idling is stopped).

  Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing executed mainly by the control means 25 constituting the instrument control device of FIG. In FIG. 5, when the start switch (key switch) of the vehicle is turned on and control is started, various set values are read in step S501.

  This setting value is used when there is no setting value set in the sound volume setting mode of the sounding body 32 stored in the storage means 26 (FIG. 2) or such a setting value set in advance by operation input. Includes initial settings (default values).

  Next, in step S502, the control means 25 receives various signals from the travel control device 41 (FIG. 2) and the operation means 42 including various operation switches via the vehicle interface (vehicle I / F) means 23. Read.

  The read signal includes a vehicle speed signal SSg, an engine stop signal ESSg, and an engine speed signal ERSg. Next, in step S503, it is determined whether or not the engine stop signal ESSg or the engine speed signal ERSg notifies the stop of the vehicle engine.

  If the stop of the engine of the vehicle is notified, in step S504, the sound / speech synthesis means 30 (FIG. 2) is changed so that the drive signal applied to the sounding body 32 is changed in accordance with the quietness in the vehicle. Instruct.

  In response to this instruction, the sound / speech synthesizer 30 sounds the sounding body 32 with the changed drive signal when an alarm instruction is received from the controller 25. The drive signal is an output signal of the amplifier 31 in the first embodiment, and the changed drive signal is a drive signal obtained by reducing the gain of the amplifier 31 controlled by the control means 25 by one rank. .

  Thereby, the control means 25 changes the drive signal applied to the sounding body 32 according to the quietness in the vehicle, and makes the sounding body 32 sound weakly with the changed drive signal, thereby lowering the sound pressure level. .

  Further, after step S504, it is determined whether or not the start switch is turned off in step S506, and if it is turned off, the control is terminated. If the start switch is not turned off, the process returns to step S503 and the following control is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S503 that the engine is not stopped, the process proceeds to step S505, and whether or not the vehicle is stopped using the vehicle speed signal SSg input to the control means 25 through the multiplex communication line 40. To determine.

  If it is determined in step S505 that the vehicle is stopped, the process proceeds to step S504, where the sound / speech synthesis means 30 is changed so that the drive signal applied to the sounding body 32 (FIG. 2) is changed in accordance with the quietness in the vehicle. To instruct. If the vehicle is not stopped in step S505, the process proceeds to step S506.

  In step S506, it is determined whether or not the start switch is turned off. If the start switch is not turned off, the process returns to step S503, and control is performed in the same manner as described above. If the start switch is OFF, the control is terminated.

  As described above, when the vehicle engine is stopped or the vehicle is stopped, the sound pressure level is lowered. Therefore, even when the vehicle interior is quiet, the sounding sound of the sounding body 32 that suddenly blows is driven. Therefore, it is possible to prevent inadvertent forward care and the like due to excessive attention toward the sounding body 32.

  FIG. 6 is a graph showing the passage of time of the sound pressure of the sounding body 32 in the first embodiment. The changed drive signal lowers the sound pressure of the sounding body as compared to the sound pressure before the change as shown in FIG. 6, so that the alarm sound matches when the passenger compartment is quiet, which surprises the driver. Thus, it is possible to contribute to safe driving without excessive attention.

  The difference between the alarm sound of the sounding body 32 and the sound emitted by the audio of a normal radio, etc., may be continued when the engine is stopped or the vehicle is stopped. The sound of the sound generator 32 inside the case housing the instrument is content that suddenly blows out, while the sound volume is basically comfortable and the driver is required. There is a risk that it may make you more nervous.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiments, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof will be omitted, and different configurations and features will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a graph showing the passage of time of the sound pressure of the sounding body in the second embodiment. In FIG. 7, compared with the sound pressure before the change, after the change, the sound pressure is reduced by a predetermined time T1 at the initial stage of blowing, and then becomes the same level as the value before the change.

  In this way, the changed drive signal is a signal that changes stepwise, and the sound pressure of the sound generator 32 increases stepwise. According to this, it becomes the magnitude of the alarm sound that matches when the vehicle interior is quiet, and can contribute to safe driving without surprised the driver and excessive attention. Moreover, since it becomes a normal loud alarm sound finally, possibility that an alarm sound is not noticed decreases.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiments, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof will be omitted, and different configurations and features will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the sound pressure and frequency of the sounding body in the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, the resonance frequency of the sounding body is indicated by Fb. The sounding body 32 normally produces a sound efficiently when given a drive signal having a resonance frequency Fb.

  Compared to the sound pressure before the change, after the change, the drive signal is changed to a drive signal having a frequency F1 or F2 that is shifted from the resonance frequency Fb by a predetermined amount so that the sound pressure is lowered and sounding. Fo is an offset amount indicating the transition of the frequency at this time. In particular, by shifting to a lower frequency, it is possible to reduce the size of the alarm sound and make the alarm sound soft.

  Thus, by changing to the frequency F1 or F2 in the direction away from the resonance frequency Fb of the sounding body 32, the sound pressure of the warning sound emitted from the sounding body 32 is reduced, and it matches when the vehicle interior is quiet. The volume of the warning sound is increased, and the driver can be surprised and can contribute to safe driving without excessive attention.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiments, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof will be omitted, and different configurations and features will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a graph showing changes in the sounding duration of the sounding body in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the blowing time before the change of the sounding body 32 is indicated by Tb. The sounding body 32 normally produces a sound by being given a drive signal over the blowing time Tb. After the drive signal is changed, the blowing time is shortened as Tp.

  According to this, since the sounding time of the sounding body 32 is shortened, it becomes the volume of the alarm sound that matches when the vehicle interior is quiet, and the driver is surprised and does not draw excessive attention, so that safe driving can be achieved. Can contribute.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiments, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof will be omitted, and different configurations and features will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a graph showing changes in the sounding time of the sounding body 32 in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 10, the sounding body 32 sounds repeatedly for a predetermined time with a period Tf. Of the one-time repeated sounding, the sounding time before the change is indicated by Tb.

  The sounding body 32 is normally given a drive signal over the sounding time Tb and repeatedly sounds intermittently at a cycle Tf. After the change of the drive signal, the blowing time for one time is shortened as Tp.

  As described above, in the fifth embodiment, the sounding body 32 is configured to generate intermittent sounds, and the changed drive signal does not change the intermittent sounding period of the sounding body 32, and the sounding width for each intermittent sounding period is set. It consists of a reduced drive signal. The sounding body 32 that generates such intermittent sound can be used, for example, for an operation warning of a direction indicator or a hazard lamp (not shown).

  And, without changing the intermittent sounding cycle of the sounding body 32, the sounding width for each intermittent sounding cycle was reduced, so that the volume of the alarm sound matched when the passenger compartment was quiet, surprised the driver and paid attention. It can contribute to safe driving without excessive pulling.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiments, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof will be omitted, and different configurations and features will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a graph showing changes in the duty ratio of the drive signal applied to the sounding body 32 in the sixth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 11, the drive signal before the change is made up of a pulse train having a duty ratio of Db, and a sounding body 32 that emits sound from a piezoelectric horn to which this pulse train is applied produces a sound with a predetermined sound pressure.

  The changed drive signal is a drive signal obtained by reducing the duty ratio of the pulse voltage of the pulse signal applied to the sounding body 32 from the duty ratio Db to the duty ratio Dp. According to this, since the sound pressure of the sounding body 32 is lowered, the alarm sound is matched when the vehicle interior is quiet, and the driver is surprised and does not draw excessive attention. Can contribute.

(Seventh embodiment)
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiments, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof will be omitted, and different configurations and features will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a detailed view corresponding to the drive signal changing portion of step S504 in FIG. 5 in the flowchart executed by the control means 25 of the instrument control apparatus in the seventh embodiment of the present invention. The first display means (display unit) D1 including the multi-display in FIG. 1 has a touch switch function, and can activate a meter setting (customization) mode by operating a touch switch on a screen (not shown). Is possible.

  In this meter setting mode, the control means 25 can be set to the sound volume setting mode of the sounding body 32 and the sounding sound volume of the sounding body 32 can be set to the driver's favorite value. This set value is stored in the storage unit 26 of FIG.

  In FIG. 12, in step S504a, it is determined whether or not a setting value other than the default value is stored in the storage means. If a set value other than the default value is stored, the process proceeds to step S504b, and the changed drive signal is generated by the sound / speech synthesizer 30 and amplified by the amplifier 31 based on the stored set value. Then, the sounding body 32 sounds.

  In Step S504a, when it is determined that no setting value other than the default value is stored in the storage unit 26, the process proceeds to Step S504c, and a changed drive signal is generated based on the default value. .

  This set value can also be set according to each embodiment described above or a combination of embodiments. For example, when the embodiment of FIG. 12 is combined with the embodiment of FIG. 7, the time T1 is set.

  Further, when the embodiment of FIG. 12 is combined with the embodiment of FIG. 8, the frequency offset amount Fo or the changed frequency F1 (F2) is set. Furthermore, when the embodiment of FIG. 12 is combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 9 and 10, the time Tp is set.

  Further, when the embodiment of FIG. 12 is combined with the embodiment of FIG. 11, the duty ratio Dp is set. Based on these stored set values, a changed drive signal is generated and applied to the sound generator 32.

  According to this, since the changed drive signal is generated according to the stored setting value, the engine that notifies the stop of the engine of the vehicle by setting the driver to a desired alarm sound level in advance. Based on either one of the stop signal ESSg and the engine speed signal ERSg, an alarm is generated with an alarm sound having a desired size. Therefore, the loudness of the alarm sound that matches when the vehicle interior is quiet can be surprised to the driver, and it can contribute to safe driving without excessive attention.

(Eighth embodiment)
Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiments, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof will be omitted, and different configurations and features will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a partial electric circuit diagram of the vehicle information providing apparatus according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the sounding body 32 is composed of an electrodynamic speaker (cone speaker). However, the sounding body 32 can be composed of a bell or a buzzer that vibrates itself by applying a voltage. .

  In FIG. 13, an engine stop signal ESSg, an engine speed signal ERSg, and a vehicle speed signal SSg are input to a meter ECU (electronic control unit) 250 including a portion corresponding to the control means 25 in FIG. 2.

  When the meter ECU 250 determines that the vehicle is stopped or the engine is stopped, the duty ratio of the drive signal applied to the base of the drive transistor 70 is decreased by one rank. That is, the ON time of the pulse train is shortened to reduce the effective value or average value of the voltage applied to the sounding body. At this time, the rank may be lowered by one rank when it is determined that the engine is stopped, and may be lowered by another rank when it is determined that the vehicle is stopped.

  Accordingly, the sounding body 32 shown in FIG. 13 configured by a bell or buzzer that self-excites and vibrates itself when a voltage is applied is used when the engine is stopped or the vehicle is stopped when background noise in the vehicle is reduced. In this case, the sound pressure generated is reduced. Note that a piezoelectric horn or a speaker that vibrates in accordance with the frequency of a pulse train or a sine wave can be used as a sounding body. Also in this case, the duty ratio can be controlled by ON / OFF control of the transistor, the effective value applied to the sounding body can be reduced, the sound pressure can be lowered, and the volume of the alarm sound can be reduced.

(Ninth embodiment)
Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiments, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof will be omitted, and different configurations and features will be described. The ninth embodiment is a modification of the eighth embodiment.

  FIG. 14 is a partial electric circuit diagram of the vehicle information providing apparatus according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 14, an engine stop signal ESSg, an engine speed signal ERSg, and a vehicle speed signal SSg are input to the meter ECU 250.

  In FIG. 14, the transistor 70a is normally turned on, and the current flows through the resistor 71, the sounding body 32, the resistor 72, and the transistor 70a, and the sounding body 32 sounds. When the meter ECU 250 constituting the instrument control device determines that the vehicle is stopped or the engine is stopped, the transistor 70a is turned off and the transistor 70b is turned on.

  As a result, the resistor connected in series with the sounding body 32 is switched from the resistor 72 to the resistor 73 having a larger resistance value, and the voltage drop increases, and the voltage applied to the sounding body 32 decreases. As a result, the reduced voltage is applied to the sounding body 32, so that the sound pressure generated by the sounding body 32 is reduced when the engine is stopped or when the vehicle is stopped.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified or expanded as follows. For example, in the first embodiment described above, for example, a vehicle having an idle stop function in which the engine is turned off to perform energy saving operation at the time of a temporary stop before an intersection and the engine is automatically started with a starter at the time of start. As described above, the vehicle may be an electric vehicle (EV) that runs by driving the running motor only with the remaining capacity of the battery, or a hybrid car (HEV) that uses both the running motor and the engine.

  These vehicles may have more opportunities to stop the engine or may not have the engine itself. In particular, when the vehicle is stopped or the engine is stopped, the passenger compartment is quiet, and the merit of applying the present invention is great.

  However, the present invention can also be applied to ordinary gasoline vehicles and diesel vehicles. The reason for this is that recent vehicles have low noise from the engine and the like, are highly confidential in the passenger compartment, and are difficult for outside noise to enter the passenger compartment. Moreover, it is because the opportunity of a vehicle stop is increasing by the congestion of a road.

  In addition, the sounding body is used by using an external signal connected to the inside of the case for housing the instrument to control the sounding body inside the case for housing the instrument by means of control inside the case for housing the instrument. For example, blinker operation sound, forgetting to remove key, forgetting to turn off light, warning for not wearing seat belt, door opening running warning, parking brake forgetting to release alarm, vehicle driving key battery exhaustion alarm, It can be applied to an alarm when the engine cannot be started unless the brake is stepped on, a vehicle interior warning sound when the vehicle is backing, and the like.

  Next, in FIG. 12, using the touch switch function of the first display means (display unit) D1 including the multi-display of FIG. The customization mode has been started, but various existing methods can be adopted as a method for starting the meter setting (customization) mode.

  In this meter setting (customization) mode, in addition to the settings related to the present invention, for example, a setting for switching the display language is known. A meter setting (customization) mode using a display of a navigation device is also known.

  Next, in FIG. 12, in the sound volume setting mode of the sounding body 32, the loudness of the sounding sound of the sounding body 32 can be set to a driver's favorite value. 2 is stored in the storage means 26. In setting, the sound volume 32 is sounded and monitored by using the volume adjustment function, and the magnitude of any desired alarm sound is once appreciated. From the next time, the sounding body may be set to sound at the set alarm sound volume.

1 Vehicle Information Providing Device 2 Alarm Display Device (Indicator)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 1st pointer type display part which consists of engine tachometers 4 2nd pointer type display part which consists of fuel meters 5 3rd pointer type display part which consists of thermometers 3, 4, 5, D1, D2 Vehicle state display device DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Vehicle information terminal 21 Multiplexing input / output terminal 23 Vehicle interface (vehicle I / F) means 23, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31 Instrument control device 25 Control means 26 Storage means 27 Control output means 29 Auditory information provision means 30 Sound / speech synthesis means 31 Amplifier 32 Sound generator (speaker)
41 travel control device 42 operation means 51 circuit board 40 multiplex communication line 250 meter ECU including control means equivalent part
D1, D2 First and second display means (first and second display units)
Db, Dp Duty ratio ERSg Engine speed signal (engine control signal)
ESSg Engine stop signal (engine control signal)
Fb Resonant frequency of sounding body Fo Offset amount indicating the amount of frequency transition SSg Vehicle speed signal (vehicle stop signal)
Tb Blowing time before change Tp Blowing time after change Tf Cycle of sound generator

Claims (10)

An information providing device for a vehicle that emits an alarm sound by a sounding body connected to a control circuit in the vehicle when a condition for emitting an alarm sound is established in the vehicle,
The control circuit controls the drive signal given to the sounding body through the control circuit during the stop of the vehicle or the engine of the vehicle, so that the control circuit is stopped during the stop of the vehicle or the engine of the vehicle. The alarm information generated by the sounding body when the condition is satisfied is made smaller than the alarm sound generated by the sounding body before stopping the vehicle or before stopping the engine of the vehicle. Providing device. It has a case for supporting a vehicle status display device comprising a meter and a display of the vehicle, the sounding body is housed in the case, and whether the vehicle is stopped or the vehicle engine is stopped. In the control circuit for controlling the vehicle state display device housed in the case, a determination is made based on an external signal input to the control circuit,
The vehicle information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external signal includes any one of an engine stop signal, an engine speed signal, and a vehicle speed signal that control the vehicle state display device.   The control circuit has setting means for setting the volume of the alarm sound of the sounding body, and based on the setting value preset and stored by the driver of the vehicle using the setting means. A warning sound generated by the sounding body during a stop of the vehicle or a stop of the engine of the vehicle is made smaller than a warning sound generated by the sounding body before the stop of the vehicle or the engine of the vehicle. The vehicle information providing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   The length of the sounding time that the sounding body blows during the stop of the vehicle or the engine of the vehicle is the length of the sounding time that the sounding body blows before the vehicle stops or before the engine of the vehicle stops. By making the length shorter than the length, the sounding body emits an alarm sound generated by the sounding body when the vehicle is stopped or when the engine of the vehicle is stopped, before the vehicle stops or before the engine of the vehicle stops. The vehicle information providing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the information providing apparatus is smaller than an alarm sound.   The control circuit is configured to stop the vehicle or stop the engine of the vehicle after the warning sound generated by the sounding body is lower than that of the vehicle or before stopping the engine of the vehicle. 5. The vehicle information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sound level is returned to a level of an alarm sound generated by the sounding body before the vehicle is stopped or before the engine of the vehicle is stopped.   The sounding body generates the largest warning sound by vibrating at the resonance frequency of the sounding body, and the sounding body emits by changing the frequency of the drive signal in a direction away from the resonance frequency of the sounding body. 6. The vehicle information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an alarm sound is made smaller than before the vehicle is stopped or before the engine of the vehicle is stopped.   By changing the frequency of the drive signal in a direction away from the resonance frequency of the sounding body, the loudness of the warning sound generated by the sounding body is reduced before the vehicle stops or the engine of the vehicle. The vehicular information providing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the volume of the warning sound produced by the sounding body before the stop is reduced.   The voltage applied to the sounding body during the stop of the vehicle or the engine of the vehicle is larger than the voltage applied to the sounding body before the vehicle stops or before the engine of the vehicle stops. By lowering the alarm sound generated by the sounding body during the stop of the vehicle or the engine of the vehicle, the alarm sound generated by the sounding body before the stop of the vehicle or before the engine of the vehicle is stopped. The information providing device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the information providing device is also made smaller.   The control circuit shortens the waveform length of the voltage applied to the sounding body to lower the duty ratio of the voltage, thereby setting the voltage applied to the sounding body before the vehicle stops or the engine of the vehicle. The vehicle information providing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the voltage is lower than a voltage applied to the sounding body before stopping.   The control circuit switches the resistance connected in series to the sounding body to a resistor having a larger resistance value, thereby changing the voltage applied to the sounding body before the vehicle is stopped or before the engine of the vehicle is stopped. The vehicular information providing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the vehicle information providing apparatus is lower.

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