JP2014141254A - Vehicle approach report device and control method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle approach report device which improves the workability and work efficiency during a sensory test, and to provide a control method of the vehicle approach report device.SOLUTION: A vehicle approach report device is provided with: vehicle speed detection means 8 which detects a vehicle speed of a vehicle 10; and gear-shifting detection means 6 which detects a gear-shifting operation of the vehicle 10. The vehicle approach report device is further provided with first sound emission means 2 which emits an approach report sound according to the magnitude of the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means 8. Furthermore, the vehicle approach report device is provided with second sound emission means 3 for emitting a sound specifically for a test, which is different from the approach report sound, on the basis of an input pattern of the gear-shifting operation detected by the gear-shifting detection means 6.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle approach notification device for reporting the approach of a vehicle to the surroundings and a control method therefor.

  Conventionally, electric vehicles (including rechargeable battery type electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, and hybrid vehicles) equipped with an electric motor as a driving source for traveling are becoming widespread. The electric motor has the merit that it has a low driving noise and excellent quietness compared to an internal combustion engine such as a gasoline engine or a diesel engine. On the other hand, it has been pointed out that due to its quietness, surrounding pedestrians are less likely to notice the approach of the vehicle and may give the pedestrian a sense of anxiety.

  In light of this situation, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism led a study committee consisting of academic experts, visually impaired groups, automobile manufacturers groups, etc., and guidelines on equipment to make vehicles approachable to the surroundings Has been deliberated. According to the guidelines established in January 2010, it is reported that a vehicle approach notification device that emits a sound reminiscent of the approach of a vehicle should be mounted on a vehicle capable of EV traveling.

  As a specific example of the vehicle approach notification device, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a device that controls a frequency component of sound and a sound generation direction according to the vehicle speed has been proposed. In this technique, a speaker that emits sound toward the outside of the vehicle is provided in the vehicle, and sound is emitted to the outside in accordance with the running state of the vehicle.

JP 2004-136831 A

  By the way, the operation test of the vehicle approach notification device in the vehicle manufacturing process is carried out on the line of the vehicle manufacturing factory or in the maintenance inspection at the sales company. That is, a sensory test for confirming a sound emitted from a speaker is performed in a state in which background noise is large while other process work and maintenance / inspection work are performed.

  On the other hand, the above guidelines stipulate that sounds that are easy to get on the ear, such as sirens, chimes, melody sounds, and alarm sounds, are inappropriate as the types of tones of the vehicle approach notification device. It is virtually impossible to set an easy tone as the tone of the vehicle approach notification device. In addition, the above guidelines also state that the volume should not exceed the loudness of the running sound produced when the vehicle travels at a speed of 20 km / h, and the volume of the vehicle approach notification device is required. It is also difficult to increase it.

  Thus, the sound emitted from the vehicle approach notification device is set to a tone color and volume that do not disturb the surroundings. Therefore, it is difficult to confirm and identify the sound during the sensory test, and there is a problem that it is difficult to improve workability and work efficiency of the test. In particular, when a sound similar to a general engine sound and a volume smaller than a general engine sound is set as a sound emitted from the vehicle approach notification device, the sound is emitted from the speaker. It is difficult to distinguish whether it is a sound or a sound included in background noise.

One of the purposes of the present case was devised in view of the above problems, and is to improve workability and work efficiency at the time of sensory inspection of the vehicle approach notification device.
The present invention is not limited to this purpose, and is a function and effect derived from each configuration shown in the embodiments for carrying out the invention described later, and other effects of the present invention are to obtain a function and effect that cannot be obtained by conventional techniques. Can be positioned.

(1) The vehicle approach notification device disclosed herein includes a vehicle speed detection unit that detects a vehicle speed of the vehicle, and a shift detection unit that detects a shift operation of the vehicle. In addition, based on the input pattern of the shift operation detected by the shift detection means and the first sound generation means for generating an approach notification sound according to the magnitude of the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means, the approach Second sound generation means for generating a test-specific sound different from the notification sound is provided.
The approach notification sound is a continuous sound reminiscent of the approach of the vehicle, and is preferably a sound simulating engine sound, for example. On the other hand, the inspection-specific sound is a continuous sound or an intermittent sound that is different from the approach notification sound in at least one of volume, pitch, and timbre, and is, for example, a beep sound or a buzzer sound. It may be an electronic sound or a melody sound.

(2) Moreover, it is preferable that the reception time of the input pattern for sounding the inspection-specific sound is a period from when the vehicle is started until a predetermined time elapses.
(3) Moreover, it is preferable that said 2nd sounding means implements said sounding with priority over said 1st sounding means.

(4) The apparatus further includes an external inspection unit that is connected to the second sound generation unit and outputs a simulated vehicle speed signal that simulates the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection unit, and the second sound generation unit includes the simulated vehicle speed signal. Based on the input pattern, it is preferable to generate the inspection-specific sound.
(5) Further, the disclosed vehicle approach notification device control method is a control method for an approach notification device mounted on a vehicle, wherein the vehicle speed of the vehicle is detected, a shift operation of the vehicle is detected, and the vehicle speed is detected. The approach notifying device is caused to sound an approach notifying sound according to the magnitude of the sound, and the approach notifying device is caused to sound a test dedicated sound different from the approach notifying sound based on the input pattern of the shift operation. Yes.

  According to the disclosed vehicle approach notifying device and the vehicle approach notifying device control method, an inspection function can be provided to the vehicle approach notifying device by causing the inspection dedicated sound to be generated based on the input pattern of the shift operation. The state and the operation of the vehicle approach notification device can be easily confirmed. In addition, since the inspection dedicated sound can be different from the approach notification method, the inspection dedicated sound can be easily confirmed and identified even during a test in an environment where the background noise is high. Furthermore, since the condition for sounding the test-specific sound is different from the condition for sounding the approach notification sound, the test-only sound can be generated only during the test.

It is a block block diagram which illustrates the vehicle approach notification apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a time chart for demonstrating the control in the vehicle approach notification apparatus of FIG. It is an example of the flowchart implemented with the vehicle approach notification apparatus of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the vehicle approach notification apparatus which concerns on a modification, (a), (b) is a block block diagram, (c) is the input pattern of the vehicle speed which concerns on the start condition of the control which sounds a test exclusive sound. It is a graph to show.

  The control device will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example, and there is no intention to exclude various modifications and technical applications that are not explicitly described in the following embodiment.

[1. Device configuration]
The vehicle approach notification device of this embodiment is applied to the vehicle 10 shown in FIG. The vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle that travels using electric power from a traveling battery as an electric motor, and a vehicle approach notification ECU 1 is provided therein. The vehicle approach notification ECU 1 is an LSI device or a built-in electronic device that integrates a well-known microprocessor, ROM, RAM, and the like, and performs electronic control that performs vehicle approach notification control for reporting (notifying) the approach of the vehicle 10 to the surroundings. Device. Speaker 4, start switch 5, shift position sensor 6, brake switch 7 and wheel speed sensor 8 are connected to vehicle approach notification ECU 1.

  The speaker 4 is an acoustic device for generating sound to the outside of the vehicle 10. The attachment position of the speaker 4 is arbitrary, and is provided outside the passenger compartment, for example. Or it is set as the position sounded with respect to the exterior of the vehicle 10, for example, is provided in the front end part, side part, rear part, etc. of the vehicle 10. The type and volume of the sound emitted from the speaker 4 is controlled by the vehicle approach notification ECU 1.

  The start switch 5 is a power switch for starting the electric motor, and corresponds to an ignition key switch of a vehicle equipped with an engine. The energization state to the vehicle approach notification ECU 1 of the present embodiment corresponds to the energization state to the electric motor of the vehicle 10. That is, the vehicle approach notification ECU 1 is activated simultaneously with the activation of the electric motor of the vehicle 10, and when the power supply to the electric motor is interrupted, the vehicle approach notification ECU 1 also stops its operation.

  The shift position sensor 6 (shift detection means) detects an operation position SP (shift position) of the shift lever. The shift lever here includes not only a lever device for operating the transmission, but also a lever device (that is, a selector lever) for operating the electric motor. For example, when the vehicle 10 is a hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine and a semi-automatic transmission, the shift position sensor 6 has an operation position SP (for example, a parking range, a first speed range, a second speed) corresponding to the gear stage of the transmission. Range).

  In this embodiment, since the vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle, a transmission is not mounted, but a selector lever for selecting an output characteristic of the electric motor is provided, and the shift position sensor 6 is operated according to the output characteristic. The position SP (for example, parking (P) position, running (D) position, neutral (N) position, etc.) is detected.

The brake switch 7 (braking detection means) detects whether or not the brake pedal is depressed. Here, for example, an ON signal (BR = 1) is output when the brake pedal is depressed, and an OFF signal (BR = 0) is output when there is no brake operation (or no ON signal is output) Becomes). The wheel speed sensor 8 (vehicle speed detection means) detects the rotational speed of the wheel, which is a parameter corresponding to the vehicle speed V (traveling speed of the vehicle 10). During normal traveling, the wheel speed has a value corresponding to the vehicle speed (the traveling speed of the vehicle 10).
Information on the operation position SP detected by the shift position sensor 6, the brake switch 7 and the wheel speed sensor 8, the signal BR indicating the presence or absence of the brake operation, and the information on the vehicle speed V are transmitted to the vehicle approach notification ECU 1.

[2. Control configuration]
The vehicle approach notification ECU 1 performs two types of control.
The first control is control for generating an approach notification sound from the speaker 4 to the outside of the vehicle 10. The approach notification sound is a sound for recognizing the approach of the vehicle 10 to the surroundings (a sound reminiscent of the approach of the vehicle to the surroundings), and is, for example, a continuous tone color simulating a general engine sound. Further, the volume of the approach notification sound is generally set to a volume equal to or lower than the normal engine volume.
Hereinafter, a condition for generating an approach notification sound is referred to as a notification sound condition. The approach notification sound is generated when the notification sound condition is satisfied, and the sound generation is stopped when the notification sound condition is not satisfied.

  The second control is a control for generating a test-specific sound from the vehicle approach notification ECU 1 from the speaker 4. The inspection dedicated sound is a sensory inspection sound for confirming the connection state of the sensor and speaker 4 connected to the vehicle approach notification ECU 1 and the normal operation of the vehicle approach notification ECU 1, for example, a beep sound or a buzzer sound. The electronic sound. In addition, the volume of the inspection dedicated sound is set to be larger than the approach notification sound. In other words, the inspection-dedicated sound is different from the approach notification sound and has a tone color and volume that are difficult to be buried in background noise. It is preferable that at least one of the volume, the pitch, and the timbre is different from the approach notification sound and is a continuous sound or an intermittent sound that are distinguished from each other.

  There are two conditions for generating the inspection-specific sound. Hereinafter, these conditions are referred to as a first inspection sound start condition and a second inspection sound start condition. The test-only sound is sounded only when these two conditions are met. In addition, a condition for stopping the sound generation during the sound generation of the test-specific sound is referred to as a test sound end condition.

The vehicle approach notification ECU 1 is provided with a normal sound generation control unit 2 and an inspection sound generation control unit 3 as software or hardware that realizes a function for performing these two types of control.
The normal sounding control unit 2 (first sounding means) sounds an approach notification sound according to the magnitude of the vehicle speed V when the notification sound condition is satisfied. The notification sound condition is that the electric motor is driving the vehicle 10 and the vehicle speed V is less than a predetermined speed (the vehicle speed V is within a predetermined range).

For example, it is assumed that the notification sound condition is satisfied when the vehicle speed V is traveling at less than 25 [km / h] per hour. Further, the approach notification sound is not generated when the notification sound condition is not satisfied. That is, the case where the electric motor is not activated (when the start switch 5 is turned off), the vehicle speed V is equal to or higher than the predetermined speed, the case where the vehicle 10 is stopped, and the like correspond to this.
As described above, the normal sound generation control unit 2 functions to cause the speaker 4 to sound the approach notification sound while the vehicle 10 is traveling at a relatively low speed and to inform the surroundings that the vehicle 10 is approaching. To do.

  The inspection sounding control unit 3 (second sounding means) is for sounding the inspection dedicated sound when the first inspection sound start condition and the second inspection sound start condition are satisfied. The first inspection sound start condition and the second inspection sound start condition are determined based on an input pattern in which the vehicle speed V, the braking operation, and the shift operation are combined. The test sounding control unit 3 is provided with a first condition determining unit 3a and a second condition determining unit 3b corresponding to these start conditions.

  Further, the test sounding control unit 3 determines these start conditions independently of the normal sounding control unit 2, and controls the test-dedicated sound with priority even when the approach notification sound is sounded. In other words, when both the notification sound condition, the first inspection sound start condition, and the second inspection sound start condition are satisfied, the control for sounding the inspection dedicated sound has priority over the control for sounding the approach notification sound. To be implemented.

The first condition determination unit 3a determines a first inspection sound start condition. For example, the first inspection sound start condition is that all the following conditions are satisfied. The determination result here is transmitted to the second condition determination unit 3b.
(1) Elapsed time from activation of vehicle approach notification ECU 1 is within predetermined time X (2) Vehicle speed V is 0 [km / h] (3) Output signal of brake switch 7 is ON signal (BR = 1) (4) The shift lever operating position SP is a position other than parking (P). If the elapsed time from the start of the vehicle approach notification ECU 1 exceeds a predetermined time X, the condition (1) is not satisfied. Therefore, the first inspection sound start condition is not satisfied thereafter.

The second condition determination unit 3b determines the second inspection sound start condition after the first inspection sound start condition is satisfied. Similar to the first inspection sound start condition, the second inspection sound start condition is also determined based on a combination of input patterns of the vehicle speed V, the braking operation, and the shift operation. However, the second inspection sound start condition is determined only after the first inspection sound start condition is satisfied. Therefore, if any of the above conditions (1) to (4) is not satisfied, the second inspection sound start condition is not determined. As the second inspection sound start condition, for example, all the following conditions are satisfied.
(5) The elapsed time from when the first inspection sound start condition is satisfied is within the second predetermined time Y. (6) While the above (2) and (3) are satisfied, the shift lever is not in the P position or the P position. Is operated three times alternately with

  “Other than the P position” in the condition (6) means an arbitrary operation position excluding the P position. That is, when the operation from the non-P position to the P position is repeated three times (for example, when the shift lever is operated in order from the N position to the P position, the R position, the P position, the D position, and the P position). In addition, the condition (6) is satisfied. When the second inspection sound start condition is satisfied, the inspection sound generation control unit 3 causes the speaker 4 to sound the inspection-specific sound.

The second condition determination unit 3b determines the inspection sound end condition after the second inspection sound start condition is satisfied. The inspection sound end condition is that any of the following conditions is satisfied. When any of these conditions is satisfied, the test sounding control unit 3 causes the speaker 4 to stop sounding the test-only sound.
(7) The electric motor is not activated (start switch 5 is turned off)
(8) The elapsed time from the start of sound generation of the inspection sound is the third predetermined time Z or more. (9) The vehicle speed V is not 0 [km / h] (for example, the vehicle has started running).

Here, the timing at which the above two types of control start conditions are determined will be described with reference to FIG. When the start switch 5 at time t ₁ is turned on, the electric motor and the vehicle approach warning ECU1 starts. From this point of time, the normal sounding control unit 2 starts to determine the notification sound condition, and the test sounding control unit 3 determines the first test sound start condition.
At this time, the inspection exclusive sound is not sounded unless the first inspection sound start condition and the second inspection sound start condition are satisfied. On the other hand, when these conditions are satisfied, priority is given to the control for generating the test-specific sound, and the test-specific sound is generated from the speaker 4.

  The operation receivable time of the condition (6) is Y after the first inspection sound start condition is satisfied. In addition, due to the restriction of the condition (1) included in the first inspection sound start condition and the condition (5) included in the second inspection sound start condition, the time for which the input operation for inspection is accepted is at most X + Y It becomes. Thereby, the reception time of the input pattern for generating the test-specific sound is from when the vehicle is started until a predetermined time elapses.

Further, after time t ₂ when time X + Y has elapsed from time t ₁ , the sound generation control for the test-specific sound is not started. Being starts at the time t ₂ and later, only control of the normal notification sound. Note that if the provisionally Could control inspection dedicated sound just before the time t ₂ is started, the time t ₃ after the from the time start of sounding of the test sound is the third predetermined time Z has elapsed is not pronounced inspection only sound.
In other words, the test-specific sound is sounded only during the period from when the first test sound start condition is satisfied until a predetermined time elapses, and at least after the time X + Y + Z has elapsed since the start of the vehicle 10. Not pronounced.

[3. Flowchart] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure executed by the vehicle approach notification ECU 1. This flow is repeatedly performed in a predetermined cycle (for example, several [ms] cycle) inside the vehicle approach notification ECU 1. A flag F in the flowchart is a flag indicating success or failure of the first inspection sound start condition.

That is, F = 1 is set when the first inspection sound start condition is satisfied, and F = 0 (initial value when the vehicle approach notification ECU 1 is started) otherwise. The value of the flag F is held while the vehicle approach notification ECU 1 is activated. Timers T ₁ and T ₂ in this flowchart are counters for measuring elapsed time, and the initial value is 0 when the vehicle approach notification ECU 1 starts energization.

In step A10, the first condition determination unit 3a determines whether or not the flag F is F = 0. Since F = 0 when the first inspection sound start condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to the next step A20. In addition, after the first inspection sound start condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to Step A60.
In step A20, in a first condition determination unit 3a, time measurement by the timer T ₁ is the start. Already when the time measurement by the timer T ₁ is being started, the count value is accumulated is continued. Elapsed time for the conditions (1) is measured by the timer T _1.

In step A30, in a first condition determination unit 3a, the elapsed time measured by the timer T ₁ is or less than a predetermined time X is determined. Here, when T ₁ ≦ X, the condition (1) is satisfied, so the process proceeds to Step A40. On the other hand, when T ₁ > X, the condition (1) is not satisfied, that is, the first inspection sound start condition is not satisfied, so the process proceeds to Step A120. Note that the timer T ₁ does not stop counting even after T ₁ > X, so the first inspection sound start condition in step A40 must be satisfied before the predetermined time X elapses from when the vehicle approach notification ECU 1 starts. In other words, the inspection-specific sound is not pronounced after that.

  In Step A40, the first condition determination unit 3a determines whether or not the conditions (2) to (4) are satisfied. When these conditions are satisfied, the first inspection sound start condition is satisfied, and the flag F is set to F = 1 in step A50. On the other hand, when the conditions (2) to (4) are not satisfied, the process proceeds to Step A120.

In the following step A60 to step A50, in a second condition determination unit 3b, time measurement by the timer T ₂ is started. Already when the time measurement by the timer T ₂ has started, the count value is accumulated is continued. Elapsed time for the conditions (5) is measured by the timer T _2. In step A70, the second condition determination unit 3b, whether the time elapsed measured by the timer T ₂ is equal to or less than the second predetermined time Y is determined.

Here, when T ₂ ≦ Y, the condition (5) is satisfied, so the process proceeds to Step A80. On the other hand, when T ₂ > Y, the condition (5) is not satisfied, that is, the second inspection sound start condition is not satisfied, so the process proceeds to Step A120. Note that the timer T ₂ does not stop counting even after T ₂ > Y, and therefore the second inspection sound start condition in step A80 from when the first inspection sound start condition is satisfied until the second predetermined time Y elapses. If the above is not established, the inspection-specific sound is not pronounced thereafter.

In Step A80, the second condition determination unit 3b determines whether or not the condition (6) is satisfied. If this condition is satisfied, the second inspection sound start condition is satisfied, and the process proceeds to Step A90. On the other hand, if the condition (6) is not satisfied, the process proceeds to Step A120.
In step A90, a sound generation signal is output from the inspection sound generation control unit 3, and a sound dedicated for inspection is sounded from the speaker 4. In subsequent Step A100, the second condition determination unit 3b determines whether or not the conditions (7) to (9) are satisfied.

  Here, when the conditions (7) to (9) are not satisfied, the control returns to step A90 and the sound of the test-specific sound is continued. On the other hand, if any of the conditions (7) to (9) is satisfied, the process proceeds to step A110, the sound generation of the test-specific sound is finished, and this flow is finished. Even if the information input to the vehicle approach notification ECU 1 does not change, the inspection sound end condition is satisfied when the sound generation time of the inspection dedicated sound reaches the third predetermined time Z according to the condition (8). Stop.

  Step A120 is a step that proceeds when the condition related to the test-only sound is not satisfied. Here, the normal sound generation control unit 2 determines whether or not the notification sound condition is satisfied. That is, when the vehicle speed V is within the predetermined range, the process proceeds to step A130, and when the vehicle speed V is equal to or greater than the predetermined speed, the process proceeds to step A140.

In step A130, a sound generation signal is output from the normal sound generation control unit 2, an approach notification sound is generated from the speaker 4, and this flow ends. In step A140, the output of the sound signal is stopped, the sound of the approach notification sound is finished, and this flow is finished. Even if it progresses to any of these steps, a flow is complete | finished and control is performed again from step A10 with a predetermined period.
Therefore, the first inspection sound start condition and the second inspection sound start condition are always determined for a while after the vehicle 10 is started, and when these conditions are satisfied, the inspection dedicated sound is generated as the approach notification sound. Takes precedence.

[4. effect]
In the vehicle approach notification device described above, control is performed to generate an inspection dedicated sound different from the normal approach notification sound when the first inspection sound start condition and the second inspection sound start condition are satisfied. Therefore, an inspection function can be given to the vehicle approach notification ECU 1, and the connection state and the operation of the vehicle approach notification ECU 1 can be easily confirmed. In addition, any sound different from the approach notification sound can be set as the inspection dedicated sound, and the inspector can easily confirm and identify the sound. Furthermore, since the condition for sounding the test-specific sound is different from the condition for sounding the approach notification sound, the test-only sound can be generated only during the test.

  Moreover, in said vehicle approach notification apparatus, since the conditions for sounding the test-specific sound are set twice (two types), it is possible to prevent the sound of the test sound from being erroneously operated. Further, as shown in the conditions (1) to (6), the first inspection sound start condition and the second inspection sound start condition are the input pattern of the vehicle speed V, the pattern of the output signal of the brake switch 7 and the shift position sensor 6. The determination is made based on a combination of output signal patterns. Therefore, it is possible to easily avoid a situation in which a test-specific sound is pronounced other than during the test.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the reception time of the input pattern for generating the test-specific sound is limited to the time from when the start switch 5 is turned on until the time X + Y elapses. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent a situation in which an inspection-specific sound is pronounced unintentionally while the vehicle 10 is traveling.
Furthermore, since the sound of the inspection dedicated sound is controlled with priority over the sound of the approach notification sound, it is possible to confirm the operation by the inspection reliably and improve the workability of the product inspection.

[5. Modified example]
Regardless of the embodiment described above, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Each structure of this embodiment can be selected as needed, or may be combined appropriately.
In the above-described embodiment, an example is described in which the start condition of the sound for the inspection-specific sound is determined using a combination of the vehicle speed V, the depression operation of the brake pedal and the operation of the shift lever. It is not limited to. An example of condition determination based on the following braking operation pattern and vehicle speed pattern is shown.

[5-1. Brake operation pattern]
The vehicle approach notification ECU 1 shown in FIG. 4A is configured by connecting the brake switch 7 and the wheel speed sensor 8 and the parking brake switch 9 described above. In addition, about the same element as the above-mentioned embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The parking brake switch 9 (one of the braking detection means) detects the presence or absence of an operation on the parking brake lever of the vehicle 10. Here, an ON signal (PBR = 1) is output when the parking brake lever is raised (when parking), and when the parking brake lever is not raised (when parking is released) An off signal (PBR = 0) is output (or an on signal is not output).

In addition, the following conditions (10) and (11) are set as the first inspection sound start conditions determined by the first condition determination unit 3a of the inspection sound generation control unit 3, and are determined by the second condition determination unit 3b. The following condition (12) is set as the second inspection sound start condition.
(10) The vehicle speed V is 0 [km / h] (11) The parking brake lever is pulled up (12) While the above (10) and (11) are established and the brake pedal is operated three times within a predetermined time Be stepped on

  The depressing operation of the brake pedal in the condition (12) is determined based on a signal output from the brake switch 7. For example, when the on signal (BR = 1) and the off signal (BR = 0) are alternately and repeatedly detected three times, it is determined that the brake pedal has been depressed three times.

  In such a vehicle approach notification ECU 1 as well, it is possible to generate a test-specific sound based on a combination of a braking operation and a vehicle speed input pattern, thereby improving the workability of the sensory test. The operation pattern determined by the condition (12) is preferably a special pattern that is not detected during a normal driving operation of the vehicle 10. For example, the greater the number of repetitions of the on signal (BR = 1) and the off signal (BR = 0), the lower the possibility that a test-specific sound will be generated in addition to the test.

[5-2. Vehicle speed pattern]
As a simpler configuration, the vehicle approach notification ECU 1 shown in FIG. 4 (b) has only the wheel speed sensor 8 connected thereto. Here, the following condition (13) is set as the first inspection sound start condition determined by the first condition determination unit 3a of the inspection sound generation control unit 3, and the following condition (14) is set as the second inspection sound start condition. Is set.
(13) The vehicle speed V is 0 [km / h] (14) The vehicle speed V shows a predetermined fluctuation pattern

The fluctuation pattern of the vehicle speed V determined by the condition (14) is a pattern in which a plurality of vehicle speed states (values of the vehicle speed V) are sequentially detected for each predetermined time as shown in FIG. 4C, for example. However, it is preferable to use a special variation pattern that is not seen during normal driving operation.
4B, the wheel speed may be output from the wheel speed sensor 8 by rotating the wheel on the test platform 11 and outputting the vehicle speed V corresponding to the wheel speed. Alternatively, a simulated vehicle speed signal may be input to the vehicle approach notification ECU 1 by connecting an inspection tester or the like. In such a vehicle approach notification ECU 1 as well, it is possible to generate a test-specific sound based on the input pattern of the vehicle speed V, and it is possible to improve the workability of the sensory test.

[5-3. Others]
The operation input related to the condition determination for generating the inspection-specific sound can be arbitrarily set as long as it is not input (or difficult to input) during normal driving operation. On the other hand, if a parameter (eg, a parameter such as an accelerator operation amount or a steering angle) that is rarely related to the control of the approach notification sound performed by the normal sound generation control unit 2 is used, the input / output related to the vehicle approach notification ECU 1 is used. The connection status of the device cannot be confirmed.

  Therefore, a configuration may be adopted in which a parameter having a strong relationship with the control of the approach notification sound is detected and a test-specific sound is generated based on the input pattern (time variation pattern) of the parameter. If at least means for detecting the vehicle speed V, means for sounding an approach notification sound according to the vehicle speed V, and means for sounding a test-specific sound based on an input pattern of the vehicle speed V are provided, The same effect as the vehicle approach notification ECU 1 is achieved.

  Note that the parameters such as the accelerator operation amount and the steering angle described above are exemplified as parameters that are rarely related to the control of the approach notification sound that is normally performed by the sound generation control unit 2, and these parameters are used. There is no intention to exclude input pattern determination control. That is, in a vehicle approach notification device that controls the approach notification sound using the accelerator operation amount, the input pattern of the accelerator operation amount is preferably used for the control of the inspection dedicated sound.

  Further, the more complicated the conditions for generating the test-specific sound are, the more difficult it is to input during normal driving operation. For example, if a configuration in which an inspection-specific sound is generated using an input pattern that combines a brake operation and a vehicle speed, it is possible to easily avoid a situation in which the inspection-specific sound is generated at times other than during inspection. . Similarly, by using a configuration in which an inspection-specific sound is generated using an input pattern that combines the shift lever operation and the vehicle speed, it is easy to avoid the generation of the inspection-specific sound other than at the time of inspection.

  Further, in the case where an inspection diagnostic connector is provided in the vehicle approach notification ECU 1, it is considered that a dedicated inspection sound is generated when an inspection diagnostic signal is input to the diagnostic connector. It is done. In this case, it is possible to reliably prevent the sound of the inspection dedicated sound in a state other than the inspection.

  Moreover, it is good also as a structure which implements control using the simulated vehicle speed signal instead of (or in addition to) the information of the vehicle speed V detected by the wheel speed sensor 8. In this case, for example, it is conceivable to connect an inspection device (external inspection means) that can communicate with the vehicle approach notification ECU 1 via a diagnostic connector and output a simulated vehicle speed signal from the inspection device. Alternatively, a general-purpose tester (external inspection device) may be directly connected to the vehicle approach notification ECU 1 and the vehicle approach notification ECU 1 may be forcibly driven using a specific protocol (for example, KWP2000 on CAN). With such a configuration, it is possible to carry out the inspection without running the vehicle 10, and the workability of the product inspection can be further improved.

  In the above-described embodiment and modification, the first inspection sound start condition and the second inspection sound start condition are exemplified to determine the magnitude of the vehicle speed V. However, instead of the vehicle speed V, the wheel speed or the vehicle Ten accelerations may be used. Moreover, although the above-mentioned brake switch 7 shall detect the presence or absence of depression operation of a brake pedal, it may use the stroke sensor which detects the depression amount of a brake pedal in addition (or instead of this). In this case, it is possible to determine the input pattern of the depression amount based on the first inspection sound start condition and the second inspection sound start condition.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment and the modification, the example in which only the speaker 4 for generating sound to the outside of the vehicle 10 is illustrated, but the sound generation destination of the inspection dedicated sound may not be outside the vehicle 10. . For example, it is also conceivable to connect the vehicle approach notification ECU 1 and an acoustic device in the vehicle interior so that the inspection-specific sound is generated in the vehicle interior. Thereby, the confirmation work becomes easier, and the workability of the product inspection can be further improved.

  In the above-described embodiment and modification, the vehicle approach notification ECU 1 is applied to an electric vehicle. However, the type of vehicle to be applied is not limited to this, and at least an electric motor for driving is provided. Applicable to vehicles. For example, the vehicle approach notification ECU 1 may be applied to a fuel cell vehicle or a hybrid vehicle equipped with an electric motor.

1 Vehicle approach notification ECU
2 Normal pronunciation controller (first pronunciation means)
3 Inspection pronunciation control part (second pronunciation means)
3a First condition determination unit 3b Second condition determination unit 4 Speaker 5 Start switch 6 Shift position sensor (shift detection means)
7 Brake switch (braking detection means)
8 Wheel speed sensor (vehicle speed detection means)
9 Parking brake switch (braking detection means)
10 Vehicle

Claims (5)

Vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the vehicle speed of the vehicle;
Shift detection means for detecting a shift operation of the vehicle;
First sounding means for generating an approach notification sound according to the magnitude of the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detecting means;
A vehicle approach notification device comprising: second sound generation means for generating a test-specific sound different from the approach notification sound based on an input pattern of the shift operation detected by the shift detection means. The vehicle approach notification device according to claim 1, wherein a reception time of an input pattern for generating the inspection-specific sound is a period from when the vehicle is started until a predetermined time elapses. 3. The vehicle approach notification device according to claim 1, wherein the second sound generation unit performs the sound generation in preference to the first sound generation unit. External inspection means connected to the second sounding means and outputting a simulated vehicle speed signal simulating the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means,
4. The vehicle approach notification device according to claim 1, wherein the second sound generation unit generates the inspection-specific sound based on an input pattern of the simulated vehicle speed signal. 5. A method of controlling an approach notification device mounted on a vehicle,
Detecting the vehicle speed of the vehicle,
Detecting a shift operation of the vehicle,
According to the magnitude of the vehicle speed and causing the approach notification device to sound an approach notification sound,
A method for controlling a vehicle approach notification device, wherein the approach notification device is caused to generate a test-specific sound different from the approach notification sound based on an input pattern of the shift operation.

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