JP2021122376A - Control device - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve the safety of a driver.SOLUTION: A control device 100 includes a control part which controls an operation of an invertor 22 which can control electric power, supplied to a motor 21 mounted on a vehicle 1, with a pulse duration modulation manner. The control part executes an auditory diagnosis for a driver of the vehicle 1 by using an invertor sound including a component of a carrier frequency of the invertor 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a control device.

For the purpose of improving safety in vehicles, a technique for detecting the physical condition of a driver has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for detecting a driver's physical condition by using biological information such as the amount of sweating of the driver.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-034520

However, in the conventional technique for detecting the physical condition of the driver, the items to be detected are limited, so there is room for improving the safety of the driver by expanding the detection target. In particular, no technique has been proposed to improve the safety of the driver when the driver's hearing is reduced.

Therefore, in view of such a problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a control device capable of improving the safety of the driver.

In order to solve the above problems, the control device of the present invention includes a control unit that controls the operation of an inverter that can control the electric power supplied to the motor mounted on the vehicle by a pulse width modulation method. The auditory diagnosis of the vehicle driver is performed using the inverter sound including the component of the carrier frequency of the inverter.

In the auditory diagnosis, the control unit generates the inverter sound after controlling the carrier frequency of the inverter to a frequency within the audible range, and based on the consistency between the generation timing of the inverter sound and the input timing of the driver for the input device for the auditory diagnosis. The driver's hearing may be diagnosed.

The control unit may execute the auditory diagnosis during the execution of the automatic driving mode in which the vehicle is automatically driven without the driving operation by the driver.

The control unit may execute the auditory diagnosis when the reference time has elapsed since the previous auditory diagnosis was executed.

The control unit may perform the auditory diagnosis when it obtains a doctor's instruction regarding the auditory diagnosis.

The control unit may stop the engine mounted on the vehicle during the execution of the auditory diagnosis.

The control unit may reduce the vehicle speed of the vehicle during the auditory diagnosis to be lower than when the auditory diagnostic is not performed.

The control unit may close the vehicle window during the auditory diagnosis.

The control unit may stop the sound reproduction by the audio device in the vehicle during the execution of the auditory diagnosis.

A microphone that collects the inverter sound and a sound output device that is attached by the driver may be provided, and the control unit may output the inverter sound that is collected by the microphone to the sound output device in the auditory diagnosis.

The control unit may cause the sound output device to perform noise canceling processing during the execution of the auditory diagnosis.

The space in which the inverter is housed and the passenger compartment are communicated via a sound transmission path, and the inverter sound is transmitted to the driver in the passenger compartment through the sound transmission path without being converted into an electric signal in the auditory diagnosis. You may.

An opening / closing unit capable of opening / closing the sound transmission path may be provided, and the control unit may control the opening / closing unit to the open state when the auditory diagnosis is executed, and may control the opening / closing unit to the closed state when the auditory diagnosis is not performed.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the safety of the driver.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the vehicle which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the functional structure of the control device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process concerning the auditory diagnosis performed by the control part of the control device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the vehicle which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, other specific numerical values, etc. shown in the embodiment are merely examples for facilitating the understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are designated by the same reference numerals to omit duplicate description, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown. do.

<First embodiment>
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[composition]
First, the configuration of the vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 1 is only an example of a vehicle equipped with the control device according to the present invention, and the vehicle equipped with the control device according to the present invention is not particularly limited to the vehicle 1 as described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 is a hybrid vehicle including an engine 11 and a motor 21 as drive sources. The driving modes of the vehicle 1 are, for example, an HV driving mode in which the vehicle 1 is driven by using the power output from both the engine 11 and the motor 21, and a vehicle using the power output from the motor 21 by stopping the engine 11. It is possible to switch between the EV driving mode in which 1 is driven.

Specifically, the vehicle 1 includes an engine 11, a motor 21, an inverter 22, a battery 23, a power transmission system 31, drive wheels 32, headphones 41, a display device 42, a microphone 51, and hearing. It includes a diagnostic input device 52 and a control device 100.

The vehicle 1 may be appropriately provided with components other than the components shown in FIG. 1 (for example, a clutch, a forward / backward switching mechanism, or a power generation device is provided between the engine 11 and the power transmission system 31. A power split mechanism connected to the motor, etc. may be provided), but these figures are omitted for ease of understanding.

The engine 11 is an internal combustion engine that generates power using gasoline or the like as fuel. The crankshaft, which is the output shaft of the engine 11, is connected to the input side of the power transmission system 31, and the power output from the engine 11 is transmitted to the drive wheels 32 via the power transmission system 31.

The motor 21 is, for example, a three-phase AC motor, and is connected to the battery 23 via an inverter 22. The motor 21 is driven by using the electric power of the battery 23 to output power. The output shaft of the motor 21 is connected to the input side of the power transmission system 31, and the power output from the motor 21 is transmitted to the drive wheels 32 via the power transmission system 31.

The motor 21 may be a motor generator that is regeneratively driven when the vehicle 1 is decelerated and can generate electricity by using the kinetic energy of the drive wheels 32. In this case, the electric power generated by the motor 21 is supplied to the battery 23 via the inverter 22. As a result, the battery 23 is charged by the electric power generated by the motor 21.

The inverter 22 is a power conversion device that performs bidirectional power conversion. For example, the inverter 22 includes a three-phase bridge circuit. The inverter 22 can convert the DC power supplied from the battery 23 into AC power and supply it to the motor 21. Further, the inverter 22 can convert the AC power generated by the motor 21 into DC power and supply it to the battery 23.

Specifically, the conversion of electric power by the inverter 22 is performed by controlling the operation of the switching element provided in the inverter 22. Here, the inverter 22 can control the electric power supplied to the motor 21 by a PWM method (that is, a pulse width modulation method). The details of power supply control by the PWM method will be described later.

The battery 23 is a battery capable of charging and discharging electric power. As the battery 23, for example, a lithium ion battery, a lithium ion polymer battery, a nickel hydrogen battery, a nickel cadmium battery or a lead storage battery is used, but batteries other than these may be used. The battery 23 stores the electric power supplied to the motor 21.

The output side of the power transmission system 31 is connected to the axle of the drive wheel 32, and the power output from the engine 11 or the motor 21 is transmitted to the drive wheel 32 via the power transmission system 31 and the axle. Specifically, the power transmission system 31 includes a transmission such as a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), and the power output from the engine 11 or the motor 21 is changed by the power transmission system 31 and transmitted to the drive wheels 32.

In the vehicle 1, the drive wheels 32 to which the power output from the drive source (that is, the engine 11 or the motor 21) is transmitted may be front wheels or rear wheels. Further, the power output from the output side of the power transmission system 31 may be transmitted to both the front wheels and the rear wheels via a propeller shaft (not shown).

The headphone 41 is an example of a sound output device worn by the driver. Specifically, the headphone 41 is attached to the driver's head and outputs sound. As the sound output device worn by the driver, for example, earphones worn on the driver's ears can be used in addition to the headphones 41.

The display device 42 is a device that visually displays information, for example, a display or a lamp. The display device 42 may be a device other than the above as long as it has a function of visually displaying information, for example, a device for displaying an image on the windshield of the vehicle 1. You may.

The microphone 51 is provided in, for example, a space in which the inverter 22 is housed. The microphone 51 collects the inverter sound generated by the operation of the inverter 22 and outputs an electric signal indicating the inverter sound to the control device 100. The details of the inverter sound will be described later.

The auditory diagnosis input device 52 is an input device used by the driver in the auditory diagnosis described later, and is, for example, a push button switch. The input result of the driver using the auditory diagnosis input device 52 is output to the control device 100.

The control device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) which is an arithmetic processing unit, a ROM (Read Only Memory) which is a storage element for storing programs and arithmetic parameters used by the CPU, and parameters which are appropriately changed in the execution of the CPU. A RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like, which is a storage element for temporarily storing the above, is included.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control device 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 100 includes, for example, an acquisition unit 110 and a control unit 120.

The acquisition unit 110 acquires various information used in the processing performed by the control unit 120. Further, the acquisition unit 110 outputs the acquired information to the control unit 120. For example, the acquisition unit 110 acquires various information output from the microphone 51 and the hearing diagnosis input device 52. Further, for example, the vehicle 1 is provided with a communication device capable of communicating with an external device of the vehicle 1, and the acquisition unit 110 may acquire information from the external device using the communication device. ..

The control unit 120 controls the operation of each device in the vehicle 1. For example, the control unit 120 includes an engine control unit 121, a motor control unit 122, a sound output control unit 123, and a display control unit 124.

The engine control unit 121 controls the operation of the engine 11. Specifically, the engine control unit 121 controls the throttle opening degree, the ignition timing, the fuel injection amount, and the like by controlling the operation of each device in the engine 11. Thereby, the engine control unit 121 can control the output of the engine 11.

The motor control unit 122 controls the operation of the motor 21. Specifically, the motor control unit 122 controls the supply of electric power between the battery 23 and the motor 21 by controlling the operation of the switching element of the inverter 22. Thereby, the motor control unit 122 can control the generation of power and the power generation by the motor 21.

Here, the inverter 22 is driven based on the PWM control signal output from the motor control unit 122. Specifically, the motor control unit 122 generates a voltage command and a carrier signal, respectively, and generates a PWM control signal by comparing the voltage command and the carrier signal. In this way, since the inverter 22 is driven by the PWM method, the frequency of the output voltage of the inverter 22 is controlled by the carrier frequency (that is, the frequency of the carrier signal). As a result, an inverter sound having a carrier frequency as a main component is generated from the inverter 22.

The sound output control unit 123 controls the operation of the headphone 41. As a result, the headphones 41 can output various sounds.

The display control unit 124 controls the operation of the display device 42. As a result, various information can be displayed on the display device 42.

Here, the control unit 120 can switch between the manual operation mode and the automatic operation mode for execution. The manual operation mode is an operation mode in which acceleration / deceleration and steering of the vehicle 1 are controlled according to a driving operation (specifically, an operation related to driving such as an accelerator operation, a brake operation, or a steering wheel operation) by the driver. The automatic driving mode is a driving mode in which acceleration / deceleration and steering of the vehicle 1 are automatically controlled without a driving operation by the driver. Therefore, during the execution of the automatic driving mode, the driver can perform an operation other than the driving operation.

In the automatic driving mode, for example, acceleration / deceleration of the vehicle 1 is controlled so that the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle 1 and the vehicle in front is maintained at a reference distance that can ensure safety. Further, for example, the steering of the vehicle 1 is controlled so that the vehicle 1 travels following the lane. The acceleration / deceleration of the vehicle 1 is controlled by using the engine 11, the motor 21, and the braking device (not shown). Further, the steering of the vehicle 1 is controlled by using a power steering mechanism (not shown).

For example, the vehicle 1 is provided with an input device such as a switch for selecting whether to execute the manual driving mode or the automatic driving mode, and the driver manually operates the input device. The operation mode or the automatic operation mode can be selected. The control unit 120 executes the manual operation mode when the manual operation mode is selected by the driver, and executes the automatic operation mode when the automatic operation mode is selected by the driver. When a specific operation such as a brake operation is performed by the driver during the execution of the automatic operation mode, the control unit 120 stops the automatic operation mode and switches to the manual operation mode.

As described above, the control device 100 communicates with each device mounted on the vehicle 1. Communication between the control device 100 and each device is realized by using, for example, CAN (Control Area Network) communication.

The function of the control device 100 according to the present embodiment may be divided by a plurality of control devices, or the plurality of functions may be realized by one control device. When the function of the control device 100 is divided by a plurality of control devices, the plurality of control devices may be connected to each other via a communication bus such as CAN.

As described above, the control unit 120 (specifically, the motor control unit 122) of the control device 100 controls the operation of the inverter 22. Here, in the present embodiment, the control unit 120 executes the auditory diagnosis of the driver of the vehicle 1 by using the inverter sound including the component of the carrier frequency of the inverter 22. As a result, it becomes possible to improve the safety of the driver. The details of the processing related to the auditory diagnosis performed by the control unit 120 of the control device 100 will be described later.

[motion]
Subsequently, the operation of the control device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing related to auditory diagnosis performed by the control unit 120 of the control device 100. Specifically, the control flow shown in FIG. 3 is repeatedly executed.

When the control flow shown in FIG. 3 is started, first, in step S101, the control unit 120 determines whether or not the automatic operation mode is being executed. If it is determined that the automatic operation mode is being executed (step S101 / YES), the process proceeds to the determination process of step S102. On the other hand, when it is determined that the automatic operation mode is not being executed (that is, the manual operation mode is being executed) (step S101 / NO), the control flow shown in FIG. 3 ends.

If YES is determined in step S101, in step S102, the control unit 120 determines whether or not the reference time has elapsed since the previous auditory diagnosis was executed. When it is determined that the reference time has elapsed since the previous auditory diagnosis was executed (step S102 / YES), the process proceeds to step S104, and the control unit 120 executes the auditory diagnosis. On the other hand, if it is determined that the reference time has not elapsed since the previous auditory diagnosis was executed (step S102 / NO), the process proceeds to the determination process of step S103.

The reference time in step S102 is set so that the elapsed time from the time when the previous auditory diagnosis was executed is long enough to determine that it is necessary to perform the auditory diagnosis again. That is, if the reference time has passed since the last hearing diagnosis was performed, it can be determined that the hearing diagnosis needs to be performed again.

If NO is determined in step S102, in step S103, the control unit 120 determines whether or not an instruction by a doctor (specifically, the driver's attending physician) regarding the auditory diagnosis has been obtained. When it is determined that the instruction by the doctor regarding the auditory diagnosis has been obtained (step S103 / YES), the process proceeds to step S104, and the control unit 120 executes the auditory diagnosis. On the other hand, when it is determined that the instruction by the doctor regarding the auditory diagnosis has not been obtained (step S103 / NO), the control flow shown in FIG. 3 ends.

For example, when an instruction regarding the auditory diagnosis is transmitted from the terminal of the driver's attending physician to the vehicle 1, the instruction is acquired by the control device 100, and YES is determined in step S103.

If YES is determined in step S102 or step S103, in step S104, the control unit 120 executes an auditory diagnosis of the driver of the vehicle 1. Here, as described above, the control unit 120 executes the auditory diagnosis using the inverter sound. Specifically, in the auditory diagnosis, the control unit 120 controls the carrier frequency of the inverter 22 to a frequency within the audible range and then generates the inverter sound, and the timing of generating the inverter sound and the driver for the input device 52 for the auditory diagnosis Diagnose the driver's hearing based on the consistency with the input timing.

For example, the control unit 120 urges the driver to wear the headphone 41 by using the display device 42 or the like, and causes the driver to wear the headphone 41. Then, the control unit 120 generates an inverter sound in the auditory diagnosis, and outputs the inverter sound picked up by the microphone 51 to the headphones 41. In the auditory diagnosis, the control unit 120 changes the frequency of the inverter sound (specifically, the main frequency having the largest sound pressure level) by changing the carrier frequency of the inverter 22. The carrier frequency is wider than the audible range and can be changed to a high frequency beyond the audible range. Here, in the auditory diagnosis, the carrier frequency is controlled to a specific frequency within the audible range.

In the auditory diagnosis, the control unit 120 sequentially outputs the inverter sound while changing the frequency and the sound pressure level of the inverter sound in the same manner as the auditory diagnosis performed in a general health diagnosis. For example, the control unit 120 switches the frequency of the inverter sound between 1 kHz and 4 kHz, and changes the sound pressure level stepwise for each frequency. The driver performs an input operation using the auditory diagnosis input device 52 only while perceiving the sound. For example, when a pushbutton switch is used as the auditory diagnostic input device 52, the driver keeps pressing the pushbutton switch only while perceiving sound. Then, the control unit 120 diagnoses the hearing of the driver based on the consistency between the generation timing of the inverter sound and the input timing of the driver for the hearing diagnosis input device 52.

Here, it is preferable that the control unit 120 performs various processes during the execution of the auditory diagnosis in order to improve the accuracy of the auditory diagnosis.

For example, the control unit 120 preferably stops the engine 11 during the execution of the auditory diagnosis in order to improve the accuracy of the auditory diagnosis. Specifically, when the traveling mode of the vehicle 1 is the HV traveling mode at the start of the auditory diagnosis, the control unit 120 may switch the traveling mode from the HV traveling mode to the EV traveling mode. Thereby, the noise generated in the vehicle interior due to the driving of the engine 11 can be reduced.

Further, for example, it is preferable that the control unit 120 makes the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 lower than that when the auditory diagnosis is not executed in order to improve the accuracy of the auditory diagnosis during the execution of the auditory diagnosis. Specifically, the control unit 120 may reduce the output of the drive source (that is, the engine 11 or the motor 21) with respect to the output immediately before the start of the auditory diagnosis at the start of the auditory diagnosis. Thereby, the noise generated in the vehicle interior due to the running noise of the vehicle 1 can be reduced.

Further, for example, it is preferable that the control unit 120 closes the window of the vehicle 1 during the execution of the auditory diagnosis in order to improve the accuracy of the auditory diagnosis. Specifically, when the window of the vehicle 1 is open at the start of the auditory diagnosis, the control unit 120 may close the window by driving the power window mechanism that opens and closes the window of the vehicle 1. good. As a result, it is possible to prevent sound from entering the vehicle interior from the outside of the vehicle 1.

Further, for example, it is preferable that the control unit 120 stops sound reproduction (for example, music reproduction) by the audio device in the vehicle 1 during the execution of the auditory diagnosis in order to improve the accuracy of the auditory diagnosis. Specifically, when the sound reproduction by the audio device in the vehicle 1 is being performed at the start of the auditory diagnosis, the control unit 120 may stop the sound reproduction by the audio device in the vehicle 1. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the sound reproduced by the audio device from being perceived by the driver during the execution of the auditory diagnosis.

Further, for example, it is preferable that the control unit 120 causes the headphones 41 to perform a noise canceling process in order to improve the accuracy of the auditory diagnosis during the execution of the auditory diagnosis. Specifically, in the above noise canceling process, a process of superimposing a sound that cancels noise in the vehicle interior detected by a microphone provided in the vehicle interior (that is, a microphone different from the microphone 51) or the like is superimposed on the output of the headphone 41. Is done. As a result, it is possible to suppress the noise in the vehicle interior from being perceived by the driver.

Next, in step S105, the control unit 120 causes the display device 42 to display the diagnosis result of the auditory diagnosis, and the control flow shown in FIG. 3 ends.

For example, in step S105, the control unit 120 causes the display device 42 to display an object such as a character, a figure, a symbol, or a combination thereof indicating a diagnosis result of the auditory diagnosis. The notification of the diagnosis result of the auditory diagnosis is not limited to the example performed by the display as described above, and may be performed by voice. For example, the control unit 120 may output the sound indicating the diagnosis result of the auditory diagnosis to the headphone 41 or the audio device in the vehicle 1.

Further, the control unit 120 may transmit the diagnosis result of the auditory diagnosis to the terminal of the driver's attending physician after the execution of the auditory diagnosis. Thereby, the diagnosis result of the auditory diagnosis can be shared with the attending physician.

In the above, an example of the process related to the auditory diagnosis performed by the control unit 120 has been described with reference to FIG. 3, but the control unit 120 may perform a process different from the control flow shown in FIG.

Specifically, the control unit 120 triggers the auditory diagnosis by using a specific input operation by the driver (for example, an operation for starting the auditory diagnosis performed using the touch panel provided on the vehicle 1) as a trigger. May be executed. As a result, the auditory diagnosis can be executed at the timing when the driver wants to perform the auditory diagnosis.

Further, the control unit 120 may perform a process other than the process described above as a process for improving the accuracy of the auditory diagnosis. For example, if the control unit 120 makes a loud noise in the vehicle interior to the extent that the accuracy of the auditory diagnosis can be lowered during the auditory diagnosis, the auditory diagnosis may be executed again after the auditory diagnosis is executed. Further, for example, the control unit 120 determines the accuracy of the auditory diagnosis in the vehicle interior when the execution condition of the auditory diagnosis (for example, the condition that YES is determined in step S102 or step S103 in FIG. 3) is satisfied. If the noise is loud enough to be reduced, the auditory diagnosis may not be performed until the noise is no longer generated, and the auditory diagnosis may be performed after the noise is no longer generated.

[effect]
Subsequently, the effect of the control device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the control device 100 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 120 executes the auditory diagnosis of the driver of the vehicle 1 by using the inverter sound including the component of the carrier frequency of the inverter 22. As a result, the driver's hearing can be diagnosed by effectively utilizing the inverter 22 provided in the vehicle 1. Therefore, when the driver's hearing is lower than the hearing that is considered necessary or preferable for driving the vehicle 1 safely, the driver can be notified to that effect. .. Therefore, the safety of the driver can be improved.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the auditory diagnosis can be performed while the vehicle 1 is moving, the time and effort for going to the hospital can be reduced. Therefore, the driver's time can be effectively used, and the convenience of the driver can be improved.

Further, in the control device 100 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 120 generates an inverter sound after controlling the carrier frequency of the inverter 22 to a frequency within the audible range in the auditory diagnosis, and the generation timing of the inverter sound and the auditory diagnosis. It is preferable to diagnose the hearing of the driver based on the consistency with the input timing of the driver with respect to the input device 52. As a result, it is appropriately realized that the driver's hearing is diagnosed by effectively utilizing the inverter 22 provided in the vehicle 1.

Further, in the control device 100 according to the present embodiment, it is preferable that the control unit 120 executes the auditory diagnosis during the execution of the automatic driving mode in which the vehicle 1 is automatically driven without the driving operation by the driver. As a result, the auditory diagnosis can be performed in a state where the driver can perform operations other than the driving operation. Therefore, the driver can perform an operation for the auditory diagnosis (for example, an operation of wearing the headphone 41 and an input device for the auditory diagnosis). The input operation using the 52) can be smoothly performed. Therefore, the driver's hearing can be properly diagnosed.

Further, in the control device 100 according to the present embodiment, it is preferable that the control unit 120 executes the auditory diagnosis when the reference time has elapsed since the previous auditory diagnosis was executed. Thereby, the auditory diagnosis can be performed in a situation where it is determined that the auditory diagnosis needs to be performed again. Therefore, the execution timing of the auditory diagnosis can be optimized.

Further, in the control device 100 according to the present embodiment, it is preferable that the control unit 120 executes the hearing diagnosis when an instruction by a doctor (specifically, the driver's attending physician) regarding the hearing diagnosis is obtained. Thereby, the auditory diagnosis can be performed in a situation where the doctor determines that the auditory diagnosis needs to be performed again. Therefore, the execution timing of the auditory diagnosis can be optimized.

Further, in the control device 100 according to the present embodiment, it is preferable that the control unit 120 stops the engine 11 mounted on the vehicle 1 during the execution of the auditory diagnosis. Thereby, the noise generated in the vehicle interior due to the driving of the engine 11 can be reduced. Therefore, the accuracy of auditory diagnosis can be improved.

Further, in the control device 100 according to the present embodiment, it is preferable that the control unit 120 makes the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 lower during the execution of the auditory diagnosis than when the auditory diagnosis is not executed. Thereby, the noise generated in the vehicle interior due to the running noise of the vehicle 1 can be reduced. Therefore, the accuracy of auditory diagnosis can be improved.

Further, in the control device 100 according to the present embodiment, it is preferable that the control unit 120 closes the window of the vehicle 1 during the execution of the auditory diagnosis. As a result, it is possible to prevent sound from entering the vehicle interior from the outside of the vehicle 1. Therefore, the accuracy of auditory diagnosis can be improved.

Further, in the control device 100 according to the present embodiment, it is preferable that the control unit 120 stops the sound reproduction by the audio device in the vehicle 1 during the execution of the auditory diagnosis. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the sound reproduced by the audio device from being perceived by the driver during the execution of the auditory diagnosis. Therefore, the accuracy of auditory diagnosis can be improved.

Further, in the control device 100 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 120 may output the inverter sound picked up by the microphone 51 to a sound output device (for example, headphones 41) mounted by the driver in the auditory diagnosis. preferable. Thereby, the inverter sound can be appropriately transmitted to the driver. Therefore, the auditory diagnosis can be performed appropriately.

Further, in the control device 100 according to the present embodiment, it is preferable that the control unit 120 causes the sound output device (for example, headphones 41) worn by the driver to perform noise canceling processing during the execution of the auditory diagnosis. As a result, it is possible to suppress the noise in the vehicle interior from being perceived by the driver. Therefore, the accuracy of auditory diagnosis can be improved.

<Second embodiment>
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment described above, in the auditory diagnosis, the inverter sound converted into an electric signal is transmitted to the driver by using the headphone 41 and the microphone 51. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment described above, in the auditory diagnosis, the inverter sound is transmitted to the driver without being converted into an electric signal.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, in the vehicle 2 according to the second embodiment, the space in which the inverter 22 is housed (specifically, the engine room SP1) and the vehicle compartment SP2 are sound transmission paths. It is different from the vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment in that it communicates with the vehicle 61 and the headphone 41 and the microphone 51 are not provided. The sound transmission path 61 is a path through which the inverter sound is transmitted in the auditory diagnosis, and is specifically defined by a pipe communicating the engine room SP1 and the vehicle compartment SP2. The engine room SP1 is a space in front of the vehicle from the vehicle compartment SP2, and is an example of a space in which the inverter 22 is housed. However, the space in which the inverter 22 is housed may be a space other than the engine room SP1 (for example, a space below the vehicle interior SP2).

The control unit 120 executes the auditory diagnosis using the inverter sound as in the example described with reference to the control flow of FIG. Specifically, in the auditory diagnosis, the control unit 120 sequentially outputs the inverter sound while variously changing the frequency and the sound pressure level of the inverter sound, as in the auditory diagnosis performed in a general health diagnosis.

Here, unlike the first embodiment, in the auditory diagnosis, the inverter sound generated in the engine room SP1 is transmitted into the vehicle interior SP2 through the sound transmission path 61 and perceived by the driver. In this way, the inverter sound is transmitted to the driver in the passenger compartment SP2 through the sound transmission path 61 without being converted into an electric signal.

The vehicle 2 includes an opening / closing portion 62 capable of opening / closing the sound transmission path 61. Specifically, the opening / closing unit 62 is provided in the sound transmission path 61, includes a rotatable valve body, and the sound transmission path 61 can be opened / closed by the valve body. Further, the opening / closing unit 62 includes a driving device for rotating the valve body, and the control unit 120 controls the operation of the driving device to change the state of the opening / closing unit 62 between the open state and the closed state. You can switch. In FIG. 4, the state in which the opening / closing portion 62 is in the closed state is shown by a solid line. In this state, the sound transmission from the engine room SP1 to the vehicle interior SP2 via the sound transmission path 61 is suppressed by the opening / closing unit 62. On the other hand, in FIG. 4, the state in which the opening / closing portion 62 is in the open state is shown by the alternate long and short dash line. In this state, sound transmission from the engine room SP1 to the vehicle interior SP2 via the sound transmission path 61 is performed without being suppressed by the opening / closing unit 62.

The control unit 120 controls the opening / closing unit 62 in the open state when the auditory diagnosis is executed. Thereby, when the auditory diagnosis is executed, the inverter sound generated in the engine room SP1 can be appropriately reached to the driver through the sound transmission path 61. On the other hand, the control unit 120 controls the opening / closing unit 62 in the closed state when the auditory diagnosis is not executed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the driver's comfort from being impaired due to unnecessary sound transmission from the engine room SP1 to the vehicle interior SP2 through the sound transmission path 61.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the space in which the inverter 22 is housed (specifically, the engine room SP1) and the vehicle interior SP2 are communicated with each other via the sound transmission path 61, and the inverter sound is heard. In the diagnosis, it is transmitted to the driver in the passenger compartment SP2 through the sound transmission path 61 without being converted into an electric signal. Thereby, the auditory diagnosis can be performed without providing the headphone 41 and the microphone 51 in the vehicle 2.

Further, as described above, the vehicle 2 includes an opening / closing unit 62 capable of opening / closing the sound transmission path 61, and the control unit 120 controls the opening / closing unit 62 to be in an open state when the auditory diagnosis is executed, so that the auditory diagnosis is not performed. It is preferable to control the opening / closing portion 62 to the closed state at the time of execution. As a result, the inverter sound can be appropriately reached to the driver when the auditory diagnosis is performed, while it is possible to prevent the driver's comfort from being impaired by the sound from the engine room SP1 when the auditory diagnosis is not performed. Can be done.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications in the scope of claims are described. It goes without saying that the modified examples also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, although the configuration of the vehicle 1 has been described above with reference to FIG. 1, the configuration of the vehicle according to the present invention is not limited to such an example. The vehicle according to the present invention may be, for example, a vehicle 1 shown in FIG. 1 with some components deleted, added or changed. For example, the vehicle according to the present invention may be a vehicle in which the position of the motor 21 is changed with respect to the vehicle 1 shown in FIG. 1 so that the motor 21 is connected to the output side of the power transmission system 31. Further, the vehicle according to the present invention may be an electric vehicle in which the engine 11 is omitted from the configuration of the vehicle 1 shown in FIG. Further, the vehicle according to the present invention may be, for example, a vehicle in which a motor is provided for each wheel (that is, four motors are provided).

Further, in the above description, an example in which the operation of the inverter 22 for controlling the electric power supplied to the motor 21 which is a drive motor for outputting the power for driving the drive wheels 32 is controlled by the control device 100 will be described. The 100 may execute the auditory diagnosis described above by controlling the operation of the inverter that controls the electric power supplied to the motor for purposes other than the drive motor.

Further, for example, the processes described by using the flowchart in the present specification do not necessarily have to be executed in the order shown in the flowchart. Further, additional processing steps may be adopted, and some processing steps may be omitted.

The present invention can be used in a control device.

1, 2, Vehicle 11 Engine 21 Motor 22 Inverter 41 Headphones (sound output device)
51 Microphone 52 Hearing diagnosis input device 61 Sound transmission path 62 Opening / closing unit 100 Control device 110 Acquisition unit 120 Control unit 121 Engine control unit 122 Motor control unit 123 Sound output control unit 124 Display control unit SP1 Engine room SP2 Vehicle room

Claims (13)

Equipped with a control unit that controls the operation of the inverter that can control the power supplied to the motor mounted on the vehicle by the pulse width modulation method.
The control unit executes an auditory diagnosis of the driver of the vehicle by using an inverter sound including a component of the carrier frequency of the inverter.
Control device. In the hearing diagnosis, the control unit controls the carrier frequency of the inverter to a frequency within the audible range and then generates the inverter sound, and the generation timing of the inverter sound and the input timing of the driver to the hearing diagnosis input device. Diagnose the hearing of the driver based on the consistency with
The control device according to claim 1. The control unit executes the auditory diagnosis during execution of an automatic driving mode in which the vehicle is automatically driven without being driven by the driver.
The control device according to claim 1 or 2. The control unit executes the auditory diagnosis when a reference time has elapsed since the previous auditory diagnosis was executed.
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The control unit executes the hearing diagnosis when it obtains an instruction from a doctor regarding the hearing diagnosis.
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The control unit stops the engine mounted on the vehicle during the execution of the auditory diagnosis.
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The control unit reduces the vehicle speed of the vehicle during the execution of the hearing diagnosis as compared with the non-execution of the hearing diagnosis.
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The control unit closes the window of the vehicle during the execution of the auditory diagnosis.
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The control unit stops sound reproduction by the audio device in the vehicle during the execution of the auditory diagnosis.
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A microphone that collects the inverter sound and
The sound output device installed by the driver and
With
In the auditory diagnosis, the control unit causes the sound output device to output the inverter sound picked up by the microphone.
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The control unit causes the sound output device to perform noise canceling processing during the execution of the auditory diagnosis.
The control device according to claim 10. The space in which the inverter is housed and the passenger compartment are communicated with each other via a sound transmission path.
In the auditory diagnosis, the inverter sound is transmitted to the driver in the vehicle interior through the sound transmission path without being converted into an electric signal.
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. It is provided with an opening / closing part that can open / close the sound transmission path.
The control unit
When the hearing diagnosis is executed, the opening / closing part is controlled to be in an open state, and the opening / closing part is controlled to be in an open state.
When the auditory diagnosis is not performed, the opening / closing portion is controlled to be in a closed state.
The control device according to claim 12.

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