JP2022112282A - Vehicle cabin audio adjustment device - Google Patents

Abstract

To efficiently suppress sound of auxiliary equipment operation from being heard by occupants while suppressing the occupants' unpleasantness and feeling of discomfort.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a vehicle cabin acoustic adjustment device that makes it possible to suppress operation sound of auxiliary equipment in a vehicle cabin from being heard by occupants. The device comprises: a sound output unit capable of outputting a sound into the vehicle cabin; a masking sound generator capable of generating a masking sound for the operation sound of the auxiliary equipment; a startup sound generator capable of generating a startup sound of the vehicle; and a control unit that causes the startup sound to be output from the sound output unit. The startup sound generator is configured to be able to generate: a first startup sound comprising a first sound; a second sound comprising a second sound that is higher in pitch than the first sound; and a second startup sound comprising a masking sound. The control unit outputs the first startup sound from the sound output unit in a state that the auxiliary equipment is set not to emit an operation sound, and outputs the second startup sound from the sound output unit in a state that the auxiliary equipment is set to emit the operation sound.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle interior sound adjustment device configured to prevent occupants in the vehicle from hearing operating sounds of auxiliary equipment in the vehicle interior.

Auxiliary equipment having a drive mechanism configured to operate based on the drive of a motor, gear, or the like may be installed in the vehicle interior. Examples of auxiliary devices include HUD (head-up display) equipment and the like. A HUD device reflects visible light emitted from an LCD (liquid crystal display) with a reflecting mirror, and then displays the reflected visible light on a display panel of the HUD device so that passengers in the vehicle can visually recognize the visible light as an image. Project on the windshield, etc. outside the equipment. Such HUD devices have drive mechanisms configured to drive the reflectors, display panels, and the like.

In auxiliary equipment such as the above HUD equipment, the operating sound of the drive mechanism may give discomfort and discomfort to passengers in the vehicle compartment. For example, operating sounds of a drive mechanism that may cause a passenger to feel discomfort and discomfort include motor sounds, gear engagement sounds, and the like. Therefore, various vehicle interior sound control devices have been proposed in order to prevent the occupants from hearing the operation sound of the drive mechanism. An example of such a vehicle interior sound adjustment device is a HUD device having a Helmholtz resonator. (For example, see Patent Document 1.)

JP 2017-154712 A

However, the Helmholtz resonator used in one example of the vehicle interior acoustic control device can only suppress operating sounds of auxiliary machines that have sound pressure level peaks appearing at a predetermined constant resonance frequency. On the other hand, the resonance frequency of the operation sound generated by the auxiliary equipment such as the HUD device may change due to the ambient temperature environment of the auxiliary equipment, aged deterioration of the auxiliary equipment, and the like. Therefore, in one example of the vehicle interior sound adjusting device, it is not possible to efficiently suppress the audibility of the operating sound of the auxiliary equipment to the occupants when the operating sound of the auxiliary equipment changes.

In view of such circumstances, it is desirable that the vehicle interior sound control device can efficiently suppress the operating noise of the auxiliary equipment from being heard by the passenger while suppressing the discomfort and discomfort felt by the passenger. desired.

In order to solve the problem, a vehicle interior acoustic control device according to one aspect is configured to be able to suppress operating sounds of auxiliary equipment provided in a vehicle interior of a vehicle from being heard by passengers in the vehicle interior. A room acoustic adjustment device, comprising: a sound output unit configured to output sound toward the interior of the vehicle; and a masking sound capable of masking operating sound of the accessory a masking sound generation unit configured to generate a start-up sound generated when the vehicle is started; and a start-up sound generated by the start-up sound generation unit. a control unit configured to output from a first start-up sound, wherein the start-up sound generation unit includes a first start-up sound consisting of a first sound, a second sound higher in pitch than the first sound, and and a second activation sound composed of the masking sound generated by the masking sound generation unit, and the control unit is set so that the auxiliary machine does not perform the operation of emitting the operation sound. In the state in which the first startup sound generated by the startup sound generation unit is output from the sound output unit, and in the state in which the auxiliary machine is set to emit the operation sound, the startup state is set. The sound output unit is configured to output the second activation sound generated by the sound generation unit.

In the vehicle interior sound adjustment device according to one aspect, it is possible to efficiently suppress the occupant's hearing of the operation sound of the auxiliary machine while suppressing the occupant's feeling of discomfort and discomfort.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a vehicle having a vehicle interior sound control device according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the vehicle according to the embodiment with the upper portion of the passenger compartment omitted. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the HUD device. FIG. 4 is a graph for explaining the sound ranges of the first sound, the second sound, the masking sound, and the accessories. FIG. 5 is a timing chart when outputting the first start-up sound in the vehicle interior sound adjustment device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a timing chart when outputting the second start-up sound in the vehicle interior sound adjustment device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the sound adjustment method by the vehicle interior sound adjustment device according to one embodiment.

A vehicle interior acoustic control device according to one embodiment will be described together with a vehicle equipped with it. A vehicle equipped with the vehicle interior acoustic control device according to the present embodiment is an automobile having a vehicle interior space. However, such vehicles may also be vehicles other than automobiles having a cabin space.

In FIGS. 2 and 3 used in the description of this specification, the directions with respect to the vehicle 1 are shown as follows. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the vehicle front and vehicle rear are indicated by single-sided arrow F and single-sided arrow B, respectively. In FIG. 2, the left and right directions when facing forward of the vehicle are indicated by single-sided arrows L and R, respectively. The vehicle width direction is indicated by a single-sided arrow L and a single-sided arrow R. As shown in FIG. Further, in FIG. 3, the vehicle upper side and the vehicle lower side are indicated by single-sided arrow U and single-sided arrow D, respectively. In the following, simply referred to as "forward", "backward", "leftward", "rightward", "upward", "downward", "front-rear direction", "width direction", and "vertical direction" A direction refers to a direction with respect to the vehicle 1 .

"Vehicle Acoustic Control Device and Outline of Vehicle"
1 to 6, outlines of a vehicle interior acoustic control device 10 and a vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. That is, the vehicle interior acoustic control device 10 and the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment are schematically configured as follows. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the vehicle interior sound adjustment device 10 is configured to be capable of suppressing the operating sound of the auxiliary machine 20 provided in the vehicle interior 2 of the vehicle 1 from being heard by the occupants in the vehicle interior 2. be done.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the accessory 20 provided in the vehicle compartment 2 of the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment has a drive mechanism 21 configured to operate based on the drive of a motor, gears, or the like. It has become. In this embodiment, the auxiliary device 20 is a HUD (heads up display) device 20 as an example. However, accessories are not limited to HUD devices. For example, the accessory may be an electric tilt telescopic steering, an electric power seat, a car navigation system with an actuatable display, or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the vehicle interior acoustic adjustment device 10 has a sound output unit 11 configured to output sound toward the interior of the vehicle interior 2 . As shown in FIG. 1 , the vehicle interior sound adjustment device 10 has a masking sound generator 12 configured to generate a masking sound for masking the operating sound of the HUD device 20 . The vehicle interior sound adjustment device 10 has a startup sound generator 13 configured to generate a startup sound emitted when the vehicle 1 is started. The vehicle interior sound adjustment device 10 has a control unit 14 configured to cause the sound output unit 11 to output the startup sound generated by the startup sound generation unit 13 .

As shown in FIG. 4, in such a vehicle interior sound adjusting device 10, the start-up sound generator 13 is configured to be capable of generating a first start-up sound and a second start-up sound. The first wake-up sound consists of the first sound. The second startup sound consists of a second sound that is higher in pitch than the first sound, and a masking sound generated by the masking sound generator 12 .

In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis X indicates the sound range or frequency (kHz). The range of the first sound, that is, the frequency range in which the sound pressure level (dB) of the first sound is higher than that of other frequency ranges is indicated by a double-headed arrow P1. The range of the second sound, that is, the frequency range in which the sound pressure level of the second sound is higher than that of other frequency ranges is indicated by a double-sided arrow P2. The range of the masking sound, that is, the frequency range in which the sound pressure level of the masking sound is higher than that of other frequency ranges is indicated by a double arrow Q. A double-headed arrow M indicates the sound range of the operation sound of the HUD device 20, that is, the frequency band in which the sound pressure level of the operation sound of the HUD device 20 is higher than that of other frequency regions.

As shown in FIG. 5 , in a state in which the HUD device 20 is set so as not to generate an operation sound (hereinafter referred to as a “non-operation setting state” as necessary), the control unit 14 generates a startup sound. The first activation sound generated by the unit 13 is configured to be output from the sound output unit 11 . As shown in FIG. 6 , the control unit 14 also controls the startup sound generation unit 13 in a state in which the HUD device 20 is set to emit an operation sound (hereinafter referred to as an “operation setting state” as necessary). is configured to output the second activation sound generated by the sound output unit 11 .

Furthermore, in the vehicle interior acoustic adjustment device 10 , the masking sound generator 12 can be configured to correct the frequency at the peak of the sound pressure level of the masking sound according to the cumulative number of operations of the HUD device 20 .

"Vehicle details"
Referring to FIG. 2, the vehicle 1 can be configured in detail as follows. A vehicle 1 has an instrument panel 3 that is arranged toward the front of a passenger compartment 2 of the vehicle. The vehicle 1 has a driver's seat 4 a and a front passenger's seat 4 b arranged behind the instrument panel 3 . The driver's seat 4a and the passenger's seat 4b are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction. A driver's seat 4a and a passenger's seat 4b form a front row seat group 4. As shown in FIG.

The vehicle 1 has at least one rear seat group 5 arranged behind the front seat group 4 . The rear row seat group 5 is composed of a plurality of rear seats 5a and 5b. In FIG. 2, the vehicle 1 has one rear row seat group 5 consisting of two rear seats 5a and 5b. However, the vehicle can also have one rear seat group consisting of three or more rear seats. The vehicle consists of a plurality of rear seats and may also consist of two or more groups of rear seats spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction.

A driver (not shown) of the vehicle 1 sits on the driver's seat 4a. An occupant (not shown) other than the driver of the vehicle 1 sits on one of the front passenger seat 4b and the plurality of rear seats 5a and 5b. The vehicle 1 has an ignition switch (hereinafter referred to as “IG switch” as necessary) 6 for starting the vehicle 1 . When an occupant such as a driver turns on the IG switch 6, drive sources such as an engine and a travel drive motor are activated. Further, when a passenger such as a driver turns off the IG switch 6, the drive source and the like are stopped.

"Details of HUD equipment"
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the HUD device 20 can be configured in detail as follows. As shown in FIG. 2, the HUD device 20 is arranged on the upper surface portion 3a of the instrument panel 3, closer to the driver's seat 4a in the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the HUD device 20 has a display panel 22 configured to be vertically movable between an unfolded state and a retracted state. In FIG. 3, the display panel 22 in the unfolded state is indicated by solid lines, and the display panel 22 in the stowed state is indicated by phantom lines.

As shown in FIG. 3, the display panel 22 is configured to allow light to be transmitted while allowing light to be reflected. The unfolded display panel 22 is arranged to face the driver's seat 4a in the longitudinal direction. The driver can view the display projected on the display panel 22 in the unfolded state while viewing the scenery behind the display panel 22 in the unfolded state.

The HUD device 20 has an LCD (liquid crystal display) 23 configured to display the display projected onto the display panel 22 . HUD device 20 has a reflector 24 configured to reflect the display from LCD 23 toward display panel 22 . In such a HUD device 20, a projection path (indicated by a one-sided arrow K in FIG. 3) from the LCD 23 to the display panel 22 via the reflecting mirror 24 is formed.

The HUD device 20 has a housing 25 that houses a display panel 22 in a retracted state, an LCD 23 and a reflector 24 . The housing 25 has an opening 25a formed in the upper portion of the housing 25 so that the display panel 22 and the projection path can pass through.

A driving mechanism 21 of the HUD device 20 has a motor 21a and a lead screw 21b that can be rotated by driving the motor 21a. The display panel 22 moves vertically between the unfolded state and the retracted state as indicated by the double-sided arrow H (shown in FIG. 3) in accordance with the turning of the lead screw 21b.

The operating sound of the HUD device 20 is generated by driving the motor 21a of the driving mechanism 21, rotating the lead screw 21b of the driving mechanism 21, and the like. The driving mechanism can be configured so that the reflection angle of the reflector can be adjusted by a motor, gear, etc. In this case, operating noise may be generated when adjusting the reflection angle of the reflector. Become.

The operation of the HUD device 20 is an unfolding operation of moving the display panel 22 from the retracted state to the unfolded state. The HUD device 20 has an operation switching unit 27 configured to switch between a non-operation setting state and an operation setting state. In the operation setting state, the HUD device 20 starts to emit an operation sound at the same time as the IG switch 6 is switched from the OFF state to the ON state or after a predetermined time has passed since this switching.

Specifically, in the operation setting state, the HUD device 20 starts the deployment operation of the display panel 22 at the same time as the IG switch 6 is switched from the OFF state to the ON state, or after a predetermined time has passed since this switching. The HUD device 20 terminates the unfolding operation when the display panel 22 is in the unfolded state. However, in the HUD device, after the IG switch 6 is switched from the OFF state to the ON state, the occupant such as the driver operates the operation switching unit to switch the operation setting state from the non-operation setting state to the operation setting state. You can also start working.

"Details of vehicle interior sound control device 10"
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 to 6, the vehicle interior acoustic adjustment device 10 according to this embodiment can be configured in detail as follows. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sound output unit 11 of the vehicle interior sound adjusting device 10 includes a plurality of speakers 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the sound output unit 11 can include a first speaker 11a positioned outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the driver's seat 4a. The sound output unit 11 can include a second speaker 11b positioned outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the front passenger seat 4b. The sound output unit 11 can include a third speaker 11c positioned on one side of the rear seat group 5 in the vehicle width direction. The sound output unit 11 can include a fourth speaker 11d positioned on the other side of the rear seat group 5 in the vehicle width direction.

The masking sound generation unit 12, the startup sound generation unit 13, and the control unit 14 of the vehicle interior sound adjustment device 10 include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, input It can be configured to include electronic components such as an interface and an output interface, and an electric circuit in which such electronic components are arranged. The ROM can store various control constants, various maps, programs for executing various controls, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1 , for example, one ECU (Electric Control Unit) 15 can include the masking sound generator 12 , the startup sound generator 13 , and the controller 14 of the vehicle interior acoustic adjustment device 10 . However, the masking sound generator, startup sound generator, and controller are not limited to this. The masking sound generator, the activation sound generator, and the controller may be included in different ECUs. One of the masking sound generator, wake-up sound generator, and controller may also be included in a separate ECU from the rest of them.

The masking sound generator 12 is configured to be able to count the cumulative number of operations of the HUD device 20 . The masking sound generator 12 is configured to be able to store the cumulative number of operations of the HUD device 20 . The masking sound generation unit 12 counts and stores the cumulative number of operations of the HUD device 20 so as to add 1 to the cumulative number of operations N of the HUD device 20 stored during the previous operation when the HUD device 20 operates. It is configured to repeat such counting and storing.

Referring to FIG. 4, the startup sound generator 13 is configured to be able to generate a second preliminary startup sound consisting of a second sound. Regarding the relationship between the first sound in the first start-up sound generated by the start-up sound generation unit 13 and the second sound in the second start-up sound generated by the start-up sound generation unit 13, the second The range of the sound is higher than the range of the first sound. Therefore, the second sound is more likely to be heard by passengers such as drivers than the first sound. Also, the sound pressure level in the second sound range is preferably higher than the sound pressure level in the first sound range.

The operating sound range of the HUD device 20 is substantially equal to the masking sound range. The second sound range includes the operating sound range of the HUD device 20 and the masking sound range. In other words, the operating sound range of the HUD device 20 and the masking sound range are within the second sound range. The sound pressure level in the range of the masking sound is preferably higher than the sound pressure level in the range of the operating sound of the HUD device 20 .

Each of the first and second sounds can be music. That is, the first sound may be the first music and the second sound may be the second music. Music is defined here as having rhythm, melody and harmony.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the control unit 14 is configured to be able to determine whether or not the IG switch 6 has been switched from the OFF state to the ON state. The control unit 14 is configured to be able to determine whether the HUD device 20 is in the operation setting state when the IG switch 6 is switched from the OFF state to the ON state. When the HUD device 20 is not in the operation setting state, that is, when the HUD device 20 is in the non-operation setting state, the control unit 14 controls the control unit 14 to switch the IG switch 6 from the OFF state to the ON state at the same time or after this switching. After the time elapses, the sound output unit 11 is configured to output the first startup sound.

When the HUD device 20 is in the operation setting state, the control unit 14 controls the sound output unit in a state in which the HUD device 20 is operating to emit an operation sound after the IG switch 6 is switched from the OFF state to the ON state. 11 to output the second startup sound. The control unit 14 causes the sound output unit 11 to output the second startup sound simultaneously with the end of the operation of the HUD device 20, in particular, the end of the unfolding operation of the display panel 22, or after a predetermined time has elapsed from the end. configured to terminate.

The control unit 14 also outputs a second preliminary activation sound from the sound output unit 11 during a period from the timing when the IG switch 6 is switched from the off state to the on state to the timing when the HUD device 20 starts operating. be able to. The control unit 14 also outputs the second preliminary start-up sound from the sound output unit 11 until a predetermined time elapses after the end of the operation of the HUD device 20, in particular, the end of the unfolding operation of the display panel 22. can be done.

"Acoustic adjustment method by car room acoustic adjustment device"
A sound adjustment method by the vehicle interior sound adjustment device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7 . First, the IG switch 6 is in the off state (step S1). It is determined whether or not the IG switch 6 has been switched from the off state to the on state (step S2). If the IG switch 6 has not been switched from the OFF state to the ON state (NO), step S2 is executed again.

If the IG switch 6 has been switched from the off state to the on state (YES), it is determined whether the HUD device 20 is in the operation setting state (step S3). When the HUD device 20 is not in the operation setting state, that is, when the HUD device 20 is in the non-operation setting state (NO), the sound output unit 11 outputs the first startup sound (step S4).

When the HUD device 20 is in the operation setting state (YES), 1 is added to the cumulative number of operations N of the HUD device 20 stored when the HUD device 20 was operated last time, thereby obtaining the latest cumulative number of operations of the HUD device 20. (N+1) is obtained (step S5). The masking sound is corrected so as to change the frequency at the peak of the sound pressure level of the masking sound according to the latest cumulative number of operations (N+1) of the HUD device 20 (step S6).

At this time, the correction of the masking sound is performed so as to cope with deterioration over time that accompanies an increase in the cumulative number of operations of the HUD device 20 . The relationship between the increase in the cumulative number of times of operation of the HUD device 20 and aging deterioration can be determined in advance by experiments, usage records, simulations, or the like. After that, the sound output unit 11 outputs a second startup sound composed of a second sound higher in pitch than the first sound and the masking sound corrected in step S5 (step S7).

As described above, the vehicle interior acoustic adjustment device 10 according to the present embodiment is configured to be able to suppress the operation sound of the auxiliary machine 20 provided in the vehicle interior 2 of the vehicle 1 from being heard by the passengers in the vehicle interior 2. A sound output unit 11 configured to output sound toward the inside of the vehicle interior 2, and a masking device for masking the operation sound of the auxiliary machine 20 A masking sound generator 12 configured to generate a sound, a startup sound generator 13 configured to generate a startup sound emitted when the vehicle 1 is started, and the startup sound generator. and a controller 14 configured to cause the sound output unit 11 to output the startup sound generated by the controller 13, wherein the startup sound generator 13 generates a first startup sound composed of a first sound and the A second sound that is higher in pitch than the first sound and a second activation sound that is the masking sound generated by the masking sound generation unit 12 can be generated, and the control unit 14 controls the In a state in which the auxiliary device 20 is set not to generate the operation sound, the first startup sound generated by the startup sound generation unit 13 is output from the sound output unit 11, and the auxiliary device 20 The second start-up sound generated by the start-up sound generation unit 13 is output from the sound output unit 11 when the machine 20 is set to perform the operation of emitting the operation sound. .

In general, accessories, particularly HUD devices, tend to make operating noises that are uncomfortable for passengers in the vehicle when the vehicle is started. On the other hand, in the vehicle interior sound adjustment device 10 according to the present embodiment, the auxiliary machine 20 operates to emit an operating sound as the startup sound always output from the sound output unit 11 especially when the vehicle 1 is started. A first activation sound consisting of a first sound can be used when not in use, and a second sound and a masking sound when the accessory 20 is operating to emit an operating sound. A second wake-up sound can be used. Therefore, in a state in which the auxiliary device 20 is operating to emit an operation sound, the second startup sound as the startup sound that is always output can be prevented from causing the passenger to feel uncomfortable. The masking sound can effectively suppress the operating sound of the auxiliary machine 20 from being heard by the occupant.

Also, the second sound of the second start-up sound is higher pitched than the first sound of the first start-up sound. Therefore, in the second start-up sound, there is no difference in sound frequency between the operation sound of the HUD device 20 and the second start-up sound. A cocktail party effect that makes it difficult for the passenger to hear the masking sound can suppress the passenger's discomfort and sense of incongruity. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the occupant from hearing the operation sound of the auxiliary machine 20 while suppressing the occupant from feeling discomfort and discomfort.

In the vehicle interior acoustic adjustment device 10 according to the present embodiment, the masking sound generator 12 corrects the frequency at the peak of the sound pressure level of the masking sound according to the cumulative number of operations of the accessory 20. Configured. Therefore, even if the operating sound of auxiliary machine 20 changes due to aged deterioration of auxiliary machine 20, it is possible to efficiently suppress the operating sound of auxiliary machine 20 from being heard by the occupant.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the present invention can be modified and changed based on its technical ideas.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Vehicle, 2... Vehicle interior 10... Vehicle interior acoustic adjustment apparatus, 11... Sound output part, 12... Masking sound generation part, 13... Start sound generation part, 14... Control part 20... Auxiliary machine, HUD apparatus

Claims (2)

A vehicle interior acoustic adjustment device configured to be capable of suppressing an occupant in the vehicle interior from hearing an operating sound of an accessory provided in the vehicle interior of the vehicle,
a sound output unit configured to output sound toward the interior of the vehicle;
a masking sound generation unit configured to generate a masking sound for masking the operation sound of the accessory;
a startup sound generator configured to generate a startup sound emitted when the vehicle is started;
a control unit configured to cause the sound output unit to output the startup sound generated by the startup sound generation unit;
The start-up sound generator comprises a first start-up sound composed of a first sound, a second sound higher in pitch than the first sound, and the masking sound generated by the masking sound generator. configured to be able to generate a second startup sound,
The control unit causes the sound output unit to output the first start-up sound generated by the start-up sound generation unit in a state in which the auxiliary device is set not to generate the operation sound, Further, in a state in which the auxiliary device is set to generate the operation sound, the second start-up sound generated by the start-up sound generation unit is output from the sound output unit. , cabin acoustic control device. 2. The vehicle interior acoustic control device according to claim 1, wherein said masking sound generator is configured to correct a frequency at a peak of a sound pressure level of said masking sound according to the cumulative number of operations of said accessory.

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