JP2013052728A - Vehicle lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle lamp including a sound generation device and enabling snow adhering to the surface of the lamp to be effectively removed.SOLUTION: The vehicle lamp includes: the sound generation device 3 which is provided in a light outgoing surface 12 of the lamp HL and vibrates and generates an alarm sound when a driving coil 32 is energized; and a control means 6 for controlling energization of the sound generation device 3. The control means 6 performs the power control of a first current mode for operating the sound generation device 3 to vibrate and a second current mode for operating the sound generation device to generate heat.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp including a sound generation device that generates an alarm sound for other vehicles and pedestrians.

  In vehicles using a motor as the driving source, such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, the motor sound at low speed is quiet and it is difficult for other vehicles and pedestrians to notice the vehicle. Was an issue. In response to such a problem, a technique has been proposed in which a sound other than the motor sound, for example, a pseudo engine sound is generated and the pseudo engine sound is used as an alarm sound for other vehicles and pedestrians. In Patent Document 1, vibrators are arranged on parts constituting a vehicle, and the parts constituting the vehicle are vibrated by vibrating the vibrators at a controlled required timing, and sound is generated along with the vibration of the parts. The configuration is taken. A headlight cover is cited as one of the components constituting this vehicle, and the headlight cover is vibrated by a vibrator to function as a part of a speaker in the sound producing device.

JP 2007-283809 A JP 2008-108500 A

Since the sound producing device of Patent Document 1 is a technique for producing sound by vibrating the headlight cover, it is conceivable to use the vibration of the sound producing device to remove snow attached to the headlight cover in winter. That is, in the case of Patent Document 1, snow attached to the surface of the cover lens can be dropped and removed by vibrating the cover lens with an ultrasonic vibrator disposed on the cover lens of the headlamp. Alternatively, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, an ultrasonic vibrator is bonded to a light exit surface of a lamp, that is, a cover lens that is the light exit surface, and the cover lens is vibrated by the ultrasonic vibrator to adhere to the surface of the cover lens. It is a configuration that removes the fallen snow by dropping it. However, according to the verification by the inventors of the present application, it is difficult and desirable to suitably remove high-humidity snow or snow icing on the surface of the cover lens only by vibrating the cover lens with such a vibrator. It was found that the snow removal effect was not as good.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular lamp capable of effectively removing snow attached to the surface of the lamp even when a sounding device is used.

The present invention relates to a lamp provided in a vehicle, and a sounding device that is provided on a light emitting surface of the lamp and vibrates to generate an alarm sound when energized to a drive coil, and to supply power to the sounding device. And a control means for controlling, wherein the control means is capable of energization control in a first current mode for oscillating the sounding device and a second current mode for heat-generating the sounding device. To do.

In the present invention, the sounding device may be configured to include a subcoil, and the control unit may be configured to energize the drive coil in the first current mode and energize the subcoil in the second current mode. . In this case, the control means may perform energization in the first current mode and energization in the second current mode at the same time. The subcoil may be detachable from the sounding device. Further, in the present invention, the lamp may include a cleaning device that sprays cleaning liquid onto the light emitting surface to clean the light emitting surface, and the control unit may be configured to be able to control the cleaning device.

  According to the present invention, if the lamp is provided with a sound generator, the sound flowing through the sound generator is controlled by controlling the current flowing through the sound generator in the first current mode, and is controlled in the second current mode. By doing so, the sound generation device can generate heat, and frost and snow adhering to the lamp can be effectively removed using the generated heat. Thereby, simplification of the structure of a lamp and cost reduction are also realizable, without providing an independent snow melting apparatus. In addition, it is possible to enhance the heat generation effect by providing the sub-coil and to enhance the effect of removing frost and snow.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a headlamp according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is an external view and a cross-sectional view of the electromagnetic vibrator (sound generator) according to the first embodiment. The enlarged view of the principal part of FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining control of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an external view and a cross-sectional view of an electromagnetic vibrator (sound generator) according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a connection diagram of an electromagnetic vibrator according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining control of the second embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an automobile headlamp HL. A lamp housing 1 is composed of a container-shaped lamp body 11 having an open front surface and a front cover 12 made of a light-transmitting resin that is attached to the front opening of the lamp body 11 to form a light emitting surface. ing. The lamp housing 1 includes a lamp unit 2 including a light source. When the lamp unit 1 is lit, light emitted from the light source passes through the front cover 12 and is irradiated forward. Here, the lamp unit 2 is configured as a projector-type lamp unit that performs light irradiation with a low-beam light distribution, and although details are omitted, a reflector 22 based on a spheroid and an inner surface of the reflector 22 are provided. A light source 21, for example, an LED (light emitting diode) disposed in the light source, an irradiation lens 23 that irradiates light from the LED reflected by the reflector 22 forward, and the light source 21, the reflector 22, and the irradiation lens 23 are integrated. And a base member 24 to be supported.

  Further, in the lamp housing 1, when viewed through the front cover 12 from the front side of the headlamp HL, a pseudo for preventing unnecessary exposure in the lamp housing 1 and improving appearance. A reflector (extension) 13 is also provided. Further, a part of the inner surface of the front cover 12 is located at a position where it is not exposed from the outside by the extension 13 and in a region where light emitted from the lamp unit 2 passes through the front cover 12 as much as possible. The sounding device 3 is disposed at a close position. The sound producing device 3 is composed of an electromagnetic vibrator, and vibrates itself by an electromagnetic action when energized. The front cover 12 is vibrated integrally therewith so that the front cover 12 functions as a sound producing plate. The required alarm sound is generated.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, an external view and a cross-sectional view in the back direction, the electromagnetic vibrator 3 as the sounding device is arranged inside a cylindrical body 31 having one end opened. A drive coil 32 is wound around the provided cylindrical core 31a. The body 31 and the cylindrical core 31a are made of a metal having magnetic permeability and high thermal conductivity. Further, an outer peripheral edge portion of an annular plate-like spring plate 33 is attached to the opening of the body 31, and a diaphragm 34 is attached to the inner peripheral edge portion of the spring plate 33. A cylindrical magnet (permanent magnet) 35 that is inserted into the cylinder of the cylindrical core 31a, that is, the drive coil 32, is integrally attached to the inner surface of the diaphragm 34. Tab pieces 36 protruding in the outer diameter direction are integrally provided at two locations on the outer peripheral surface of the body 31, and the electromagnetic vibrator 3 is attached to the front cover using screw insertion holes 36 a provided in the tab pieces 36. 12 is attached. However, here, a configuration in which the electromagnetic vibrator 3 is in close contact with the inner surface of the front cover 12 is employed.

The electromagnetic vibrator 3 applies an alternating current to the drive coil 32, whereby the magnet 35 is reciprocated in the cylinder axis direction of the cylindrical core 31a by the alternating magnetic field generated by the drive coil 32 and the magnetic field of the magnet 35. The integral vibration plate 34 is reciprocated in the thickness direction, that is, vibrated while bending the spring plate 33. The vibrations of the magnet 35 and the diaphragm 34 are transmitted to the front cover 12 via the body 31, and the front cover 12 is sounded by surface vibration.

  FIGS. 3A and 3B are enlarged views of a main part for showing a state in which the electromagnetic vibrator 3 is attached to the front cover 12. A support frame 14 is provided on the lower inner surface of the lamp body 11 at a position facing the lower edge 12 a of the front cover 12, and the lower side 15 a of the L-shaped spring piece 15 is inserted into the support frame 14. I support it. The electromagnetic vibrator 3 is fixedly supported on the upper side 15 b of the spring piece 15. When the electromagnetic vibrator 3 is fixed, the tab piece 36 provided on the electromagnetic vibrator 3 is used and fixed by the screw 16. As shown in FIG. 3A, the spring piece 15 has an angle between the lower side 15a and the upper side 15b larger than 90 degrees. In this state, the electromagnetic vibrator 3 opens the front opening of the lamp body 11. It is in the position moved forward. 3B, when the front cover 12 is attached to the lamp body 11, the electromagnetic vibrator 3 has the front surface of the body 31 brought into contact with the inner surface of the lower edge portion 12a of the front cover 12, It is moved backwards. At this time, since the upper side 15b of the spring piece 15 is elastically deformed rearward, the electromagnetic vibrator 3 is urged forward by the elastic repulsive force of the spring piece 15, and the front cover 12 It will be elastically contacted on the inside. For this reason, the electromagnetic vibrator 3 is kept in close contact with the inner surface of the front cover, and the vibration of the electromagnetic vibrator 3 is transmitted to the front cover 12 to produce sound here, and the electromagnetic vibrator 3 It is possible to increase the transmission efficiency of vibration from the front cover 12 to the front cover 12. The spring piece 15 only needs to be brought into close contact with the inner surface of the front cover 12 when the front cover 12 is attached to the lamp body 11, so that the angle between the lower piece 15a and the upper piece 15b is 90 degrees. In short, it is sufficient that the upper piece 15b is inclined at the front cover 12 side. Further, the electromagnetic vibrator 3 can be attached and detached using the back cover 11a provided on the back surface of the lamp body 11, and therefore the maintenance of the electromagnetic vibrator 3 is easy.

  In FIG. 1, the sound generation device, that is, the electromagnetic vibrator 3 is connected to a sound generation control unit 51 of a lamp control unit 5 housed in the lamp housing 1 by a harness H <b> 2 and controlled by the sound generation control unit 51. It has become. The lamp unit 2 is connected to the lighting control unit 52 of the lamp control unit 5 through a harness H3, and the lighting state is controlled by the lighting control unit 52. Further, the lamp control unit 5 is electrically connected to the central control unit 6 mounted on the automobile by a harness H1 that passes through a waterproof bushing 17 provided on the back cover 11a, and the sound generation control unit 51 and the lighting control unit 52 are A control operation is performed based on a control signal from the central control unit 6. The control means for controlling energization in the present invention is configured by the central control unit 6, but may be configured to include the sound generation control unit 51.

  On the other hand, in the first embodiment, a cleaning device 4 is provided on a part of the vehicle facing the front surface of the front cover 12 to inject cleaning liquid onto the front surface to remove dust and the like attached to the front cover 12. Yes. As the cleaning device 4, here, a cleaning nozzle 41 for injecting a cleaning liquid disposed in a part of the front bumper BP of the automobile, a cleaning liquid tank 42 connected to the cleaning nozzle 41, and a cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 42 are pumped. A pump 43 is provided. The pump 43 is connected to the central control unit 6 via a harness H4, and the drive is controlled by the control of the central control unit 6. When driven, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 42 is pumped to the cleaning nozzle 41 and sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 41 toward the front surface of the front cover 12.

As shown in FIG. 1, the central control unit 6 is connected to an in-vehicle battery BAT, a main switch (ignition switch) SI, a lighting switch SL, and a snow removal switch SR that are operated by the driver. A vehicle speed sensor SV that detects the vehicle speed of the host vehicle and a temperature sensor ST that detects the temperature of the headlamp, particularly the temperature of the lamp housing 1, are connected. The central control unit 6 controls the lighting state of the lamp unit 2 based on the ON state of the switch SI, the switching state of the switches SL and SR, the detection outputs of the sensors SV and ST, and the electromagnetic vibrator 3. It is possible to perform control and control of the cleaning device 4 respectively. In particular, when the electromagnetic vibrator 3 is controlled, the sound generation control unit 51 can be controlled to select and pass an alternating current or a direct current to the electromagnetic vibrator 3.

  In the first embodiment, the central control unit 6 controls the lamp unit 2, the electromagnetic vibrator 3, and the cleaning device 4 based on the flowchart shown in FIG. When the main switch SI is turned on (S11), the vehicle speed v detected by the vehicle speed sensor SV is determined (S12). When the vehicle speed v is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed, for example, 20 Km / h or less excluding the stop state, an alternating current is applied to the electromagnetic vibrator 3 as the first current mode (S15). In the electromagnetic vibrator 3, the magnet 35 is reciprocated in the cylinder axis direction of the cylindrical core 31 a by the alternating magnetic field generated by the drive coil 32 by this alternating current and the magnetic field of the magnet 35, and the diaphragm 34 integrated with the magnet 35 is a spring plate 33. The front cover 12 is vibrated and sounded with this vibration (S16). As a result, a pseudo engine sound is generated, and a warning sound is generated for other vehicles and pedestrians during low-speed driving, thereby ensuring safe driving.

  On the other hand, in step S12, when the host vehicle is stopped or the vehicle speed v is higher than the predetermined speed, the process proceeds to step S13, where the temperature t detected by the temperature sensor ST is determined. It is judged that there is a high probability that snow, frost or the like is attached to the surface of 12, and a direct current is applied to the electromagnetic vibrator 3 as the second current mode (S17). In the electromagnetic vibrator 3, the drive coil 32 generates heat by this direct current, and the generated heat is transferred to the front cover 12 through the body 31, and the temperature of the front cover 12 rises. As a result, frost and snow that have adhered to the surface of the front cover 12 are melted. Since the current applied at this time is a direct current, an alternating magnetic field is not generated in the drive coil 32, and the electromagnetic vibrator 3 does not vibrate and generate sound.

In step S13, when the temperature t is higher than the predetermined temperature, the electromagnetic vibrator 3 is not energized. However, when the driver determines that the snow melting switch SR is turned on (S14), a direct current is applied to the electromagnetic vibrator 3. Is applied (S17). As a result, the electromagnetic vibrator 3 generates heat (S18), and the front cover 12 is heated by this heat to melt frost and snow adhering to the surface. For example, when the driver visually recognizes that snow or frost is attached to the front cover 12 of the headlamp HL, snow removal can be realized by operating the snow removal switch SR.

  Even when the main switch SI is not turned on, when the driver turns on the snow removal switch SR, a DC current is unconditionally applied to the electromagnetic vibrator 3 and the front cover 12 is heated by the electromagnetic vibrator 3. You may make it melt | dissolve the frost and snow adhering to the surface. Rapid snow removal can be realized by configuring the snow melting switch SR to be turned on by remote operation, for example, before the driver gets into the vehicle.

  Although an example in which the above operation is controlled independently of the lighting control of the lamp unit 2 has been described, it may be related to the lighting of the lamp unit 2. That is, when the lamp unit 2 is not lit, even if frost or snow adheres to the front cover 12, there is little influence on the light irradiation. For example, when the lighting switch SL is off, the electromagnetic vibrator 3 is energized with a direct current. As described above, when the lighting switch SL is turned on and the lamp unit 2 is turned on, the direct current is applied to the electromagnetic vibrator 3 to perform snow removal.

  Here, by making it possible to adjust the amount of direct current applied to the electromagnetic vibrator 3 in the central control unit 6 and the sound generation control unit 51, it is possible to control the snow removal capability. For example, a difference in temperature detected by the temperature sensor ST and a configuration in which the snow removal switch SR can be operated to be switched between strong, medium, and weak to set the strength of the current applied to the electromagnetic vibrator 3 and the energization time. Therefore, it is possible to perform suitable snow melting with necessary and sufficient power according to the amount of frost and snow adhering to the front cover 12.

  Further, since the cleaning device 4 is provided in this embodiment, when snow melting is required, that is, when it is determined that snow melting is necessary based on the temperature t detected by the temperature sensor ST, or at the driver's discretion. Is required, the central control unit 6 may drive the cleaning device 4 simultaneously with the snow melting in the electromagnetic vibrator 3 to spray the cleaning liquid onto the front surface of the front cover 12 to melt the snow with the cleaning liquid. In addition to vibration or heating by the electromagnetic vibrator 3, it is possible to further enhance the snow melting effect by spraying the cleaning liquid.

(Embodiment 2)
5A and 5B are an external view and a cross-sectional view of a part of the electromagnetic vibrator 3A used in the second embodiment, exploded from the front direction, and the same reference numerals are given to the parts equivalent to the first embodiment. It is attached. The electromagnetic vibrator 3A according to the second embodiment includes an independent subunit 7 that can be used for melting snow. The subunit 7 includes an annular casing 71 formed of a magnetic shield material such as permalloy, and a subcoil 72 that extends along substantially the entire circumference of the casing 71 and is embedded in the casing 71. . The subcoil 72 is wound in a ring shape like the drive coil 32 of the electromagnetic vibrator 3A. The subunit 7 is integrated with the electromagnetic vibrator 3A in a state of being fitted to the outer periphery of the body 31 of the electromagnetic vibrator 3A. Here, the engaging projection 73 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the subunit 7 is engaged with the engaging concave groove 37 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the body 31 of the electromagnetic vibrator 3A, so that the subunit 7 is moved to the electromagnetic vibrator 3A. It is set as the structure which can be attached or detached with respect to. In this case, the casing 71 is preferably made of a material having high thermal conductivity in order to efficiently transfer the heat generated when the subcoil 72 is energized to the body 31 of the electromagnetic vibrator 3A. Or it is preferable to make the thickness of the casing 71 as thin as possible.

In addition, electrical contacts 38 and 74 are provided at portions facing the engaging groove 37 and the engaging protrusion 73 of the electromagnetic vibrator 3A and the subunit 7, respectively, and the subunit 7 is fitted to the electromagnetic vibrator 3A. When integrated, the electromagnetic vibrator 3A and the subunit 7 are electrically connected to each other via the electrical contacts 38 and 74. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, when the electromagnetic vibrator 3A is connected to the sound generation control unit 51 via the harness H2, the subcoil 72 is electrically connected to the electromagnetic vibrator 3A via the electric contacts 38 and 74. Further, the sound generation control unit 51 or the central control unit 6 is electrically connected. The control of the central control unit 6 makes it possible to control the passage of a direct current through the subcoil 72.

According to the second embodiment, as shown in the control flow in FIG. 7, after the central control unit 6 detects that the main switch SI is turned on (S21), the vehicle speed v is determined (S22), and the predetermined speed (the embodiment). 1 is 20 km / h or less, the sound generation control unit 51 is controlled to apply an alternating current in the first current mode to the electromagnetic vibrator 3A (S25), and the front cover 12 is vibrated by the electromagnetic vibrator 3A. An alarm sound is generated (S26). On the other hand, the temperature t is detected regardless of the value of the vehicle speed v (S23). When the temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature (0 ° C. as in the first embodiment), electric power is applied to the subunit 7 to cause the subcoil 72 to generate heat (S27, S28), the front cover 12 is heated with this heat, and frost and snow adhering to the front cover 12 are melted. The electric power at this time applies a direct current in the second current mode. Further, in the second embodiment, a DC current in the second current mode is applied to the subunit 7 even when the main switch SI is turned off and when the snow melting switch SR is turned on regardless of the vehicle speed and temperature value. (S27) and snow melting is executed (S28).

As described above, in the second embodiment, the sound generation operation by the electromagnetic vibrator 3A can be performed simultaneously with the snow melting operation by the heat generation in the subunit 7, so that the vibration of the front cover 12 during sound generation causes the front cover 12 to It is also possible to remove the attached frost and snow, and it is possible to enhance the snow removal effect. Further, similarly to the first embodiment, snow removal may be simultaneously performed by spraying the cleaning liquid in the cleaning device 4, and the snow removal effect can be further enhanced. In the second embodiment, sound generation by the electromagnetic vibrator 3A and snow melting by the subunit 7 can be controlled independently, so that the central control unit 6 drives the electromagnetic vibrator 3A to generate sound when necessary. When necessary, the subunit 7 can be energized to melt the snow on the front cover 12 when necessary, and the degree of freedom of control can be increased. In particular, since snow melting by the subunit 7 is possible even when the electromagnetic vibrator 3A is driven to generate sound, the timing of sound generation and snow melting is not limited as in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, not only a direct current but also an alternating current may be applied as the second current mode for applying heat to the subcoil 72 of the subunit 7 to generate heat, so that the configuration and control of the central control unit 6 are controlled. It can be simplified. When the subcoil 72 is energized, a magnetic field is generated by the subcoil 72. However, since the casing 71 of the subunit 7 is made of a magnetic shield material, the magnetic field generated by the drive coil 32 of the electromagnetic vibrator 3A is affected. It does not affect the pronunciation behavior.

  In the second embodiment, since the snow is melted by the sub-coil 72, it is possible to remove the subunit 7 from the electromagnetic vibrator 3A at a time other than the winter when the need for snow melting is low. The sub unit 7 can be attached and detached simply by engaging or releasing the sub unit 7 and the engaging projection 73 and the engaging recess 37 of the electromagnetic vibrator 3A. It is very simple. Further, if the sub-coil 72 of the sub-unit 7 is configured with a larger capacity than the drive coil 32 of the electromagnetic vibrator 3A, that is, a coil having a large number of turns, the amount of heat generation can be increased and the snow melting effect can be enhanced compared with the electromagnetic vibrator 3A. It becomes possible. If an alternating current synchronized with the drive coil 32 is applied during sound generation while the sub-coil 72 is attached, it is possible to promote the vibration operation of the electromagnetic vibrator 3 and increase the sound volume. .

  When the sub unit 7 is provided only for heating the front cover 12, the sub coil 72 is a coil in which a conductive wire having a relatively high electrical resistance, such as a nichrome wire, is wound along the circumferential direction of the casing. It may be configured. Or what is called what is called a heater used for various electric heating equipments may be used instead of the form of a coil. In this case, it is important to design the calorific value so that the casing 71 of the subunit 7 is not burned by heat generation. The subunit 7 may be electrically connected to the sound generation control unit 51 and the central control unit 6 with an independent harness without using the electromagnetic vibrator 3A.

  In the first and second embodiments, the present invention is applied to a headlamp, but it is of course possible to apply to a lamp other than the headlamp. Further, the cleaning device is not limited to the one that ejects the cleaning liquid, and may be a cleaning device having a wiper structure. Furthermore, in the present invention, the electromagnetic vibrator is disposed on the light irradiation surface of the lamp. This light irradiation surface is a light transmitting member that constitutes the outer surface of the lamp as in the first and second embodiments. Depending on the form, it may be a so-called outer lens. In addition, the sounding device according to the present invention may be a region other than the region effective for light irradiation in the light irradiation surface, that is, an ineffective surface for light irradiation, and is not necessarily covered by the extension as in the first and second embodiments. It is not arranged in the area. Furthermore, the sounding device, that is, the electromagnetic vibrator, may be configured to be directly fixed to the front cover.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is a vehicle lamp equipped with a sound generation device, and can be applied to a lamp that requires snow removal in front of the lamp.

1 Lamp housing 2 Lamp unit 3 Electromagnetic vibrator (sound generator)
4 Cleaning device 5 Lamp control unit 6 Central control unit 7 Sub unit 11 Lamp body 12 Front cover 13 Extension (pseudo reflector)
15 Spring piece 21 Light source (LED)
22 Reflector 23 Irradiation lens 31 Body 32 Drive coil 35 Magnet 41 Injection nozzle 42 Cleaning liquid tank 43 Pump 51 Sound generation control unit 52 Lighting control unit 71 Casing 72 Sub coil

Claims (5)

  A sound generator provided on a vehicle, which is provided on a light emitting surface of the lamp and vibrates when a drive coil is energized to generate an alarm sound, and control means for controlling energization of the sound generator And the control means is capable of energization control in a first current mode for vibrating the sounding device and a second current mode for heat-generating the sounding device. Vehicle lamp. 2. The sound generator includes a sub-coil, and the control unit energizes the drive coil in the first current mode and energizes the sub-coil in the second current mode. The vehicle lamp described in 1. 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is capable of performing energization in the first current mode and energization in the second current mode simultaneously.   The vehicular lamp according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the sub-coil is detachable from the sounding device. The said lamp | ramp is equipped with the washing | cleaning apparatus which injects a washing | cleaning liquid on a light-projection surface, and wash | cleans the said light-projection surface, The said control means can control the said washing | cleaning apparatus. A lamp for a vehicle according to the above.

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