JP2020179776A - Vehicle approach notification sound generator - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable pedestrians or the likes to hear notification sound even if an opening of a duct facing the ground surface side is closed.SOLUTION: A vehicle approach notification sound generator 10 includes: a speaker 22 which is attached to a vehicle and emits notification sound to the outside of the vehicle; an opening 40 which emits the notification sound to the outside of the vehicle; and a duct mechanism 20 which allows the opening 40 and the speaker 22 to communicate through a first communication hole 64. The vehicle approach notification sound generator 10 has multiple small holes 74 provided in a direction different from the opening 40 and includes a second communication passage 80 which allows the small holes 74 and the duct mechanism 20 to communicate with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to, for example, a vehicle approach notification sound generator mounted on an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or the like.

Conventionally, there has been known a vehicle approach notification sound generator that is mounted on an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or the like and that emits a notification sound to a pedestrian or the like to notify the approaching state of the vehicle.

For example, Patent Document 1 includes a duct attached to an undercover. Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle approaching sound generator that emits a sound emitted from a speaker from an opening of an undercover along a lower floor through a duct.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-235774

By the way, in the vehicle approach notification sound generator disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the opening of the duct facing the ground side is blocked by snow, dust, etc., the sound emitted from the speaker is muffled inside the duct, so that pedestrians and the like May make it difficult to hear the notification sound.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and even when the opening of the duct facing the ground side is closed, a vehicle approach notification that allows a pedestrian or the like to hear the notification sound. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sound generator.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a sounding means attached to a vehicle and emitting a notification sound toward the outside of the vehicle, a first opening for emitting the notification sound toward the outside of the vehicle, and the first. A vehicle approach notification sound generator including a duct for communicating the opening of the above and the sounding means, the first having a second opening provided in a direction different from that of the first opening. It is characterized by providing a communication passage for communicating the opening of 2 and the duct.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a vehicle approach notification sound generator capable of allowing a pedestrian or the like to hear the notification sound even when the opening of the duct facing the ground side is closed.

It is a partial virtual side view of the front part of the vehicle equipped with the vehicle approach notification sound generator according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a vertical cross-sectional view along the axial direction of the vehicle approach notification sound generator shown in FIG. It is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle approaching notification sound generator shown in FIG. (A) is a plan view of the vehicle approach notification sound generator, and (b) is a side view of the vehicle approach notification sound generator. (A) is a cross-sectional view showing a propagation path of a notification sound in a normal time, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a propagation path of a notification sound in an abnormal time when an opening is blocked by snow. (A) is a comparative example devised by the applicant, and is a cross-sectional view showing a case where the output surface of the speaker faces upward. (B) is the present embodiment, and the output surface of the speaker is It is sectional drawing which shows the case which faces downward. (A) is a cross-sectional view showing a propagation path of the notification sound in the vehicle approach notification sound generator according to another embodiment, and (b) is a vehicle approach notification sound generator according to another embodiment. , It is sectional drawing which shows the propagation path of a notification sound at the time of an abnormality that an opening was blocked by snow.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. FIG. 1 is a partial virtual side view of the front part of the vehicle on which the vehicle approach notification sound generator according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted, and FIG. 2 is along the axial direction of the vehicle approach notification sound generator shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle approach notification sound generator shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 (a) is a plan view of the vehicle approach notification sound generator, and FIG. 4 (b) is a vehicle approach. It is a side view of the notification sound generator. In each figure, "front and rear" indicates the vehicle front and rear direction, "left and right" indicates the vehicle width direction (left and right direction), and "up and down" indicates the vehicle vertical direction (vertical vertical direction).

The vehicle approach notification sound generator 10 (hereinafter referred to as the notification sound generator 10) according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle 12 such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, for example. As shown in FIG. 1, the notification sound generator 10 is attached to the upper surface of the undercover 14 that constitutes the vehicle floor at the front of the vehicle. The attachment portion of the notification sound generator 10 is not limited to the undercover 14, and may be attached to, for example, a vehicle body frame or the like.

The undercover 14 to which the notification sound generator 10 is attached is formed with a through hole 16 (see FIG. 2) having a substantially circular shape when viewed from the bottom. The through hole 16 is for positioning and mounting the lower annular flange portion 18 described later of the notification sound generator 10 and for discharging the sound emitted from the notification sound generator 10 to the outside of the lower part of the vehicle. is there.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the notification sound generator 10 includes a duct mechanism (duct) 20, a speaker unit 24 having a speaker (sounding means) 22, and an upper cover 26. ..

The duct mechanism 20 is composed of a lower duct 28, an intermediate duct 30, and an upper duct 32 in this order from the bottom to the top, and is laminated and integrally connected in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lower duct 28 includes a substantially cylindrical lower duct main body 28a, a plurality of partition walls 34 protruding from the inner wall of the lower duct main body 28a in the inner diameter direction, and the inside of the lower duct main body 28a. It has a bottomed cylindrical portion 36 which is located at the center and whose outer peripheral surface is supported by a plurality of partition walls 34.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lower portion of the lower duct main body 28a is provided with a lower annular flange portion 18 which has a substantially circular shape when viewed from the bottom surface and is mounted in the through hole 16 of the undercover 14. The lower annular flange portion 18 is provided with a single opening (first opening) 40 that communicates with a through hole formed in the lower duct main body 28a. The opening 40 is located below the speaker 22 in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of mounting pieces are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the lower annular flange portion 18 with a separation angle of about 90 degrees along the circumferential direction and project in the outer diameter direction. 42 is provided. The mounting piece 42 is provided with a mounting hole 44. The notification sound generator 10 is fixed to the undercover 14 via a bolt or the like (not shown) inserted through the mounting hole 44.

Inside the lower duct main body 28a, a bottomed cylindrical portion 36 is supported via a plurality of partition walls 34. The bottomed cylindrical portion 36 is formed in a U-shaped cross section with the upper side open and the lower side closed (see FIG. 2). The upper end 36a of the bottomed cylindrical portion 36 projects upward from the upper end of the lower duct main body 28a and extends to the intermediate duct 30. A gap 46 that communicates in the vertical direction is formed between the bottomed cylindrical portion 36 along the radial direction and the lower duct main body 28a. At the upper end of the lower duct main body 28a, an annular claw portion 48 that engages with a locking recess provided on the lower side of the intermediate duct 30 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the intermediate duct 30 is interposed between the lower duct 28 and the upper duct 32. An annular bellows portion 50 having a bellows shape is provided on the outside of the intermediate duct 30. The bellows portion 50 is made of, for example, a resin material, a rubber material, or the like.

The upper duct 32 has an engaging portion 52 that engages with the upper end of the intermediate duct 30, and is supported by the engaging portion 52 of the upper duct 32 being internally fitted to the upper end of the intermediate duct 30.

The upper duct 32 has an upper duct main body 32a in which the speaker unit 24 is housed, and a funnel-shaped portion 54 provided on the lower side of the upper duct main body 32a and gradually reducing in diameter and tapering toward the lower part. .. The tip (lower end) 54a of the funnel-shaped portion 54 is provided at a position facing downward from the upper end 36a of the bottomed cylindrical portion 36. The inside of the upper duct main body 32a and the inside of the funnel-shaped portion 54 communicate with each other.

The passage 56 in the funnel-shaped portion 54, the passage 58 in the bottomed cylindrical portion 36, the passage 60 between the upper part of the bottomed cylindrical portion 36 and the funnel-shaped portion 54, the bellows portion 50 and the funnel-shaped portion 54. A first continuous passage 64 (see FIG. 5A) is configured in which the passage 62 between the two and the gap 46 between the bellows portion 50 and the bottomed cylindrical portion 36 communicate with each other to exhibit a labyrinth structure. There is.

An upper cover 26 that closes the opening at the upper end is attached to the upper end of the upper duct 32. A speaker unit 24 having a speaker 22 is arranged in the space 66 between the upper duct 32 and the upper cover 26. The speaker 22 is arranged so that the output surface 68 that emits the notification sound in the speaker unit 24 faces the lower surface of the speaker unit 24 that faces the funnel-shaped portion 54. Further, the output surface 68 of the speaker 22 communicates with the plurality of small holes 74 via the second passage 80 described later. Further, the duct mechanism 20 (lower duct 28, intermediate duct 30, and upper duct 32) is arranged on the output surface 68 side (lower side of the output surface 68) of the speaker 22, respectively.

Further, the speaker unit 24 is provided with a connector 70 that is electrically connected to a coupler (not shown) so as to be exposed to the outside. The upper duct 32 and the upper cover 26 have a pair of mounting pieces 72 projecting in opposite directions, and are detachably connected to each other via bolts and nuts (not shown) fastened to the mounting pieces 72.

The upper cover 26 has a substantially circular shape in a plan view (see FIG. 4A), and has a circular flat plate portion 26a formed in a planar shape and an annular shape protruding downward from the outer peripheral edge of the circular flat plate portion 26a. The side wall portion 26b is integrally formed. The circular flat plate portion 26a is provided with a plurality of small holes 74 penetrating the upper surface and the lower surface of the circular flat plate portion 26a. The plurality of small holes 74 are arranged radially outward from the annular protrusion 76 arranged at the center of the circular flat plate portion 26a (see FIG. 4A).

The plurality of small holes 74 are provided on the upper end surface of the notification sound generator 10 in a direction different from the opening 40 formed in the lower end surface of the notification sound generator 10 and in the opposite direction. Further, the plurality of small holes 74 are non-output surfaces which are opposite to the duct mechanism 20 (lower duct 28, intermediate duct 30, and upper duct 32) and are opposite to the output surface 68 of the speaker 22. It is arranged on the 78 side (see FIG. 2).

The opening area of each small hole 74 is smaller than the opening area of the opening 40 of the lower annular flange portion 38 of the lower duct 28. The plurality of small holes 74 function as "second openings" within the scope of the claims.

A second passage 80 (see FIG. 5B) is formed between the upper duct main body 32a and the upper cover 26 and the speaker unit 24 via a clearance. The plurality of small holes 74 communicate with each other in the space portion 66 in which the speaker 22 is arranged by the second continuous passage 80. The second communication passage 80 functions as a "communication passage for communicating the second opening and the duct" in the claims.

As will be described later, when the sound pressure on the upper side of the output surface 68 of the speaker 22 is lower than the sound pressure on the lower side, the notification sound emitted from the output surface 68 of the speaker 22 is on the upper side where the sound pressure is low. Facing, it propagates along the second communication passage 80 between the speaker unit 24 and the upper cover 26 and the upper duct 32 (upper duct main body 32a). Further, the notification sound output from the output surface 68 of the speaker 22 passes through the plurality of small holes 74 of the upper cover 26 via the second passage 80 and is emitted to the outside of the vehicle.

The vehicle 12 equipped with the vehicle approach notification sound generator 10 according to the present embodiment is basically configured as described above, and the effects thereof will be described next.
FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view showing a propagation path of the notification sound in a normal state, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view showing a propagation path of the notification sound in an abnormal time when the opening is blocked by snow.

First, a normal case will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5A, in the normal state, the notification sound output from the output surface 68 of the speaker 22 has a sound path open, so that the sound pressure is low and the first passage goes downward. It propagates along 64 (passage 56 → passage 58 → passage 60 → passage 62 → gap 46) and is discharged outward from the opening on the lower side of the lower duct 28. Since the sound pressure is high above the output surface 68 of the speaker 22 and the speaker 22 is composed of a plurality of small holes 74, it is difficult for the notification sound to be emitted from the plurality of small holes 74 of the upper cover 26. ing. The "sound pressure" refers to the width of the fluctuation of the pressure in the medium of the sound wave.

In a normal state, the notification sound output from the output surface 68 of the speaker 22 is emitted from the opening 40 on the lower side of the notification sound generator 10 to make the pedestrian or the like aware that the vehicle is approaching. be able to. In the normal state, the notification sound output from the output surface 68 of the speaker 22 propagates in the space between the vehicle floor and the ground, and passes through the lower side of the vehicle 12 in the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction ( It is evenly radiated from the left and right directions).

On the other hand, for example, a case where the snow S that has fallen adheres to the lower surface of the undercover 14 and the opening 40 of the lower duct 28 is closed will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5B, when snow S adheres to the lower surface of the opening 40 and the undercover 14, the sound path in the normal state is blocked by snow, so that the output surface 68 of the speaker 22 The sound pressure on the lower side of is high. As a result, the notification sound output from the output surface 68 of the speaker 22 propagates toward the upper side where the sound pressure is low along the second passage 80, and passes through the plurality of small holes 74 formed in the upper cover 26. It is released to the outside.

In this way, when the opening 40 on the lower side where the notification sound is normally emitted is blocked by snow S or the like, the sound pressure in the downward direction from the output surface 68 of the speaker 22 is higher, so that the sound is produced. The notification sound propagates in the upward direction where the pressure is low. As a result, the notification sound propagates along the second passage 80 provided above the output surface 68 of the speaker 22, and is emitted to the outside through the plurality of small holes 74.

As a result, even when the opening 40 is blocked by snow S or the like, the notification sound output from the output surface 68 of the speaker 22 is emitted from the opening 40 on the lower side of the notification sound generator 10. It is discharged to the outside from the plurality of small holes 74 of the upper cover 26 on the upper side, and it is possible to make pedestrians and the like aware that the vehicle is approaching. The notification sound at the time of abnormality can be heard from, for example, the gap of the undercover 26, the gap between the wheel house and the wheel, the gap of the bonnet hood, and the like.

In the present embodiment, a second passage 80 (FIG. 5) having a plurality of small holes 74 provided in the upward direction different from the opening 40 of the lower duct 28 and communicating the plurality of small holes 74 with the duct mechanism 20 (FIG. 5). (See)).

As a result, in the present embodiment, for example, even when the sound path is blocked by snow S or the like adhering to the opening 40 of the lower duct 28, the notification sound output from the speaker 22 is transmitted to the second passage 80. It can be propagated along the above and discharged from the plurality of small holes 74 of the upper cover 26 to the outside of the vehicle. The notification sound emitted to the outside of the vehicle from the plurality of small holes 74 has a sound pressure level (dB) that can be heard by a pedestrian or the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the speaker 22 is covered with the upper cover 26 and the hole for emitting the notification sound at the time of abnormality is a small hole, it is possible to suppress the entry of foreign matter such as dust. Further, since the inside and the outside of the space portion 66 in which the speaker unit 24 is arranged are communicated with each other through the plurality of small holes 74, the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the space portion 66 is eliminated and the notification sound is emitted. Changes in sound quality can be suppressed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the opening area of each small hole 74 is smaller than the opening area of the opening 40 at the lower end of the lower duct 28. As a result, in the present embodiment, the notification sound output from the speaker 22 can be normally emitted to the outside of the vehicle through the opening 40 having a large opening area without being emitted into the vehicle interior. As a result, in the present embodiment, noise and vibration are reduced, and the noise countermeasure effect for the driver can be exhibited.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the directivity of the notification sound can be enhanced by arranging the duct mechanism 20 on the output surface 68 side of the speaker 22. Further, in the present embodiment, the sound path can be lengthened by arranging the plurality of small holes 74 on the non-output surface 78 side of the speaker 22 in the direction opposite to the duct mechanism 20 (FIG. 6 described later). (A) and FIG. 6 (b) for comparison). Therefore, in the present embodiment, for example, a frequency in the vicinity of 630 to 1000 Hz can be amplified by the tube length resonance.

FIG. 6A is a comparative example devised by the applicant, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view showing a case where the output surface 68 of the speaker 22 faces upward (located on the upper surface). FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a case where the output surface 68 of the speaker 22 faces downward (located on the lower surface) in the present embodiment. In the comparative example devised by the applicant, since the output surface 68 of the speaker 22 faces upward and a plurality of small holes 74 are arranged in close proximity to each other, the sound path of the notification sound output from the speaker 22 (see the thick arrow). ) Becomes shorter. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the output surface 68 of the speaker 22 is arranged so as to face downward, the sound path (see the thick line arrow) of the notification sound output from the speaker 22 is compared with the comparative example. Is getting longer.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the opening 40 of the lower duct 28 is located below the speaker 22 in the vertical direction of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, since the opening 40 is arranged downward, for example, rainwater, stones, and the like are less likely to enter the notification sound generator 10. Further, a plurality of small holes 74 are located above the speaker 22 in the vertical direction of the vehicle. As a result, for example, even under a situation where the snow S adheres to the upper cover 26 provided with the plurality of small holes 74, it is difficult for the snow S to enter the plurality of small holes 74. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the plurality of small holes 74 from being blocked.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, by forming the duct mechanism 20 into a labyrinth structure, the sound path between the output surface 68 of the speaker 22 and the opening 40 can be made into a labyrinth structure (spin turn, maze). As a result, in the present embodiment, the sound path can be lengthened as compared with the conventional technique, and the tube length resonance effect can be obtained. As a result, the total length of the vehicle approach notification sound generator 10 in the vertical direction can be shortened, and space efficiency can be improved.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the bellows portion 50 is provided on the outside of the intermediate duct 30 of the duct mechanism 20. As a result, in the present embodiment, the vibration of the traveling vehicle 12 can be absorbed by the bellows portion 50 to protect the speaker 22. Further, in the present embodiment, the impact load can be absorbed by the bellows portion 50 at the time of collision or deformation due to contact with a curb or the like. Further, in the present embodiment, the sound absorbing effect of the bellows portion 50 makes it difficult for the notification sound to penetrate into the vehicle interior, and it is possible to preferably avoid suppressing noise vibration and causing discomfort to the driver.

Next, the vehicle approach notification sound generator 10a according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same components as those of the vehicle approach notification sound generator 10 according to the embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view showing a propagation path of the notification sound in the vehicle approach notification sound generator according to the other embodiment, and FIG. 7B is the vehicle approach notification according to the other embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the propagation path of the notification sound at the time of an abnormality in which an opening is blocked by snow in a sound generator.

As shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), in the sound generator 10a according to another embodiment, the cover member 90 that covers the entire upper duct 32 and the upper cover 26 having the speaker 22 inside. It has. A main opening 92 connected to the duct mechanism 20 is provided on the lower side of the cover member 90. Further, the upper surface of the cover member 90 has a plurality of communication holes 94 that communicate with the plurality of small holes 74 of the upper cover 26. In the voice generator 10a, the notification sound can be emitted to the outside of the vehicle through the plurality of small holes 74 and the communication holes 94 at the time of abnormality.

In the voice generator 10a, by covering the speaker with a cover member, it is possible to suppress sound leakage of the notification sound into the vehicle interior.

10, 10a Vehicle approach notification sound generator 12 Vehicle 20 Duct mechanism (duct)
22 Speaker (pronunciation means)
40 opening (first opening)
50 Bellows 68 Output surface 74 Small hole (second opening)
78 Non-output surface 80 2nd passage (passage)
90 Cover member 92 Main opening 94 Communication hole

Claims (8)

A sounding means that is attached to the vehicle and emits a notification sound toward the outside of the vehicle,
A first opening that emits the notification sound toward the outside of the vehicle,
A duct that communicates the first opening with the sounding means,
It is a vehicle approach notification sound generator equipped with
It has a second opening provided in a direction different from that of the first opening.
A vehicle approaching sound generating device including a communication passage for communicating the second opening and the duct. In the vehicle approach notification sound generator according to claim 1,
The vehicle approach notification sound generator, wherein the second opening is a plurality of small holes. In the vehicle approach notification sound generator according to claim 2.
The first opening comprises a single hole.
A vehicle approach notification sound generator characterized in that the opening area of each of the small holes, which is the second opening, is smaller than the opening area of the first opening. In the vehicle approach notification sound generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The duct is arranged on the output surface side of the sounding means.
The vehicle approach notification sound generator, wherein the second opening is arranged on the non-output surface side of the sounding means in a direction opposite to the duct. In the vehicle approach notification sound generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The first opening is located below the sounding means in the vertical direction of the vehicle.
The vehicle approach notification sound generator, wherein the second opening is located above the sounding means in the vehicle vertical direction. In the vehicle approach notification sound generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The duct is a vehicle approach notification sound generator characterized by having a labyrinth structure. In the vehicle approach notification sound generator according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
A vehicle approach notification sound generator characterized in that a bellows portion having a bellows shape is provided on the outside of the duct. In the vehicle approach notification sound generator according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
A cover member for covering the sounding means is provided.
The cover member has a main opening that connects to the duct.
The vehicle approach notification sound generator, wherein the cover member has a communication hole that communicates with the second opening.

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