JP4102477B2 - Vehicle alarm sound notification device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle alarm sound notification device used to notify the operation of a horn provided in a vehicle such as an automobile, a bus, a motorcycle, or a train.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a horn provided in an automobile as in the above-described example activates a horn (alarm) by pressing a horn switch attached to a steering wheel, and an alarm sound (alarm) emitted from the horn causes other vehicles to This alerts the driver and pedestrian who drive the vehicle with caution and vigilance.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-mentioned horn has a predetermined warning sound volume and a range in which the warning sound is transmitted according to the Road Traffic Law. It cannot be made larger.
[0004]
When driving a car, for example, when using an audio device, an in-vehicle TV, a mobile phone, etc., the volume is often increased, and the noise in the car increases. It is very difficult to hear the alarm sound of the horn (alarm) that another car has struck.
[0005]
Also, the noise outside the vehicle is loud due to the increase in the number of cars, engine sounds of large cars, etc. Even if the horn is sounded during driving, the horn warning sound is canceled by the noise, so the horn warning sound is very It is difficult to hear and it is very difficult to call attention and vigilance to drivers and pedestrians who drive other cars.
[0006]
Since it is difficult to check the operation of the horn, for example, the passenger must check the operation of the horn, and the horn may be sounded too many times or too few times. Has a causative problem.
[0007]
A hearing impaired person or a hearing-impaired person hears the alarm sound emitted by the horn by amplifying it with a hearing aid or the like. Since there is a time difference between the operation check of the horn and the driving operation, there is a problem that the running of the automobile and the steering wheel operation become irregular, and smooth traffic flow is hindered.
[0008]
In view of the above problems, the present invention changes the notification means from a normal state to a different state when the vehicle horn is operated, and notifies the driver and surrounding people that a warning sound has been generated. In addition to healthy individuals, hearing impaired people and hearing-impaired people, the operation of the horn can be confirmed by senses other than hearing, and vehicle warning sounds can be alerted promptly. The purpose is to provide a device.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is provided with a light emitting means for notifying that an alarm sound is generated by changing a light emitting state from a normal state to a different state when a horn provided in the vehicle is operated , A vehicle comprising: a plurality of light emitters that emit different colors; a storage body that stores a light emission pattern of the light emitter; and a light emission control body that controls light emission of the light emitter based on the light emission pattern . It is an alarm sound notification device.
[0010]
The invention according to claim 2 is a vehicle alarm sound notification device in which the light-emitting means is provided on a steering wheel or a panel attached in the vicinity of the driver's seat of the vehicle, in addition to the configuration of claim 1. It is characterized by.
[0011]
The invention described in claim 3 is a vehicle alarm sound notification device in which the light emitting means is provided in a horn switch for operating the horn in combination with the configuration described in claim 2 .
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the third aspect , the vehicle horn switch is formed of a transparent or translucent horn switch.
[0013]
[Action]
The vehicle alarm sound notification device according to claim 1, when a horn provided in the vehicle is operated, changes the light emission state of the light emitting means from a normal state to a different state based on a preset light emission pattern for notification. . For example, a plurality of light emitters emitting color of the LED and lamps are different, the light emission control based on the light emission patterns stored in the storage member, or flashing or off from the normal lighting state, the lighting or flashing the normal OFF state or, or turned on or off from the blinking state, or variable brightness thereof (brightness), and a color variable to single or combination of emission colors are different emitters, that the alarm sound is issued Because it notifies the driver and the surrounding people, the operation of the horn can be confirmed with senses other than hearing (for example, eyes, fingers, etc.) not only for healthy people but also for people with hearing impairments and hearing impaired people. And can prompt attention and vigilance.
[0014]
The vehicle alarm sound notification device according to claim 2 is attached to a handle or a panel (for example, a meter panel, an instrument panel, or another panel) when the horn is operated in combination with the operation according to claim 1 . Since the light emitting means emits light , the operation of the horn can be confirmed visually while driving the vehicle, and the operation of the vehicle and the operation of the horn can be easily confirmed, and the switches and instruments arranged on the panel can be confirmed. The horn can be checked at the same time.
[0015]
Alarm sound informing device for a vehicle according to claim 3, in conjunction with the action of the second aspect, by operating the horn switch mounted to the handle or the panel, when operated horn, provided on the horn switch Since the light emitting means emits light, the operation of the horn can be immediately confirmed simultaneously with the switch operation.
[0016]
The vehicle alarm sound notification device according to claim 4 emits light from a horn switch (for example, a switch cover, the horn switch itself) formed transparent or semi-transparent together with the operation of claim 3. Can be visually confirmed from the outside, and the design value can be improved.
[0017]
【The invention's effect】
According to this invention, when the horn is activated, the light emitting state of the light emitting means is changed from the normal state to a different state, so that the driver and the surrounding people are notified that the alarm sound has been emitted. Even if the sound inside and outside the vehicle is loud and the alarm sound of the horn is very difficult to hear, the operation and number of operations of the horn can be reliably confirmed.
[0018]
Moreover, the lighting on the basis of preset illumination pattern of the light emitting means, flashing, off or, or variable brightness thereof (brightness), the emission color is variable color in single or combination of different light emitters Therefore, not only healthy people but also hearing impaired people and hearing-impaired people, the operation of the horn can be confirmed with a visual sense other than hearing, for example, confirming the operation of the horn with the passenger. This saves you the trouble of getting them. Since the horn is properly operated as many times as necessary and the operation of the horn is notified to the driver of the other vehicle and the surrounding people, attention and warning can be promptly urged.
[0019]
Further, the light emitting means provided on the handle or the panel emits light (lights up or flashes) based on a preset light emission pattern, changes its brightness (luminance) , or uses a single light emitter with a different emission color or combined with or variable color, since notifying that the warning sound is emitted from the horn, while driving the vehicle can check the operation of the horn in the eye, driving operation quickly and accurately to the Yes. When the light emitting means is attached to the handle, it is possible to easily check the operation of the vehicle and the operation of the horn. Moreover, when it attaches to a panel, the confirmation of the switch and meter arranged in the panel and the operation confirmation of a horn can be performed simultaneously, and it can prevent that a driving | operation mistake arises.
[0020]
Furthermore, since the light emitting means provided in the horn switch is caused to emit light to notify the operation of the horn, the operation of the horn can be immediately confirmed with the eyes simultaneously with the switch operation, and the operation can be easily confirmed. In addition, the light emitting means is normally turned on or off until the horn switch is operated by flashing or turning off from the lighting state, turning on from the blinking state, or changing the brightness and color of the light emitting means. Since it blinks, for example, when the interior of the vehicle is dark at night or on a cloudy day, the position of the horn switch can be easily confirmed and operated reliably.
[0021]
By forming the horn switch to be transparent or translucent, the structure inside the horn switch can be visually confirmed from the outside, and the design value can be improved. In addition, it is easy to find the operating state inside the horn switch and the damage or failure of the parts, and a mechanical feeling can be obtained.
[0022]
【Example】
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
The drawing shows, as an example of a vehicle, a vehicle with an optical notification device according to a first embodiment that emits light from a horn switch attached to the handle of the vehicle. In FIG. The horn switch 3 of the handle 2 is provided. When the horn switch 3 is pressed instantaneously or continuously and the horn 6 (alarm) is sounded, the horn switch 3 itself lights up or flashes. The driver and the pedestrian are informed that a warning sound (a horn) has been emitted. The horn 6 is operated by electric power supplied from a battery (not shown).
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the optical notification device 7 includes a horn switch 3 attached to the central portion of the handle 2 with an appropriate number of horn lamps 8 and a control for controlling the horn switch 3. When the horn lamp 8 is connected to a circuit (not shown) and the horn switch 3 is pressed instantaneously or continuously, the horn lamp 8 in the extinguished state is usually lit or blinked.
[0024]
In addition, the horn lamp 8 may be normally blinked or turned off from the lighting state, continuously turned on or off from the blinking state, and the brightness (luminance) and color may be arbitrarily changed.
[0025]
The horn switch 3 has an appropriate number (for example, one or more) of horn lamps 8 arranged at a predetermined interval in the central portion on the front surface side of the movable portion 4 constituting the switch, and the front surface of the movable portion 4. A switch cover 5 formed to be transparent or translucent is fitted and fixed to the side peripheral edge to cover the entire horn lamp 8.
[0026]
The switch cover 5 is formed to be transparent or semi-transparent from an appropriate material such as synthetic resin or hard glass, for example, and is set to a transmittance that allows light emitted from the horn lamp 8 to be transmitted toward the outside of the switch cover 5. .
[0027]
The horn lamp 8 is composed of a lamp such as a light emitting element (LED), a neon tube, or a halogen lamp.
The entire horn switch 3 may be transparent or semi-transparent, and the internal structure of the switch can be visually confirmed from the outside, which not only facilitates the discovery of operating conditions, damage to parts, and failures. A mechanical sensation is obtained.
[0028]
Further, a part or all of the horn switch 3 may be colored with, for example, gold, silver, red, blue, yellow or other single color, or a combination of a plurality of colors, or any color or composite A plating process may be performed by combining colors.
[0029]
Furthermore, for example, a design such as a picture, a character, or a pattern may be applied to the surface of the horn switch 3, or a photograph, a seal, or other similar attachments may be attached. When blinking, the color, the design, and the sticking object are illuminated and a design feeling is obtained.
[0030]
In the embodiment, the horn lamp 8 is normally turned on or blinked from the off state to notify that the alarm sound is emitted from the horn 6. However, as another notification method, the horn lamp 8 is normally continuously operated. When the horn switch 3 is pressed and operated, it blinks or goes off from the lighting state, lights up or turns off continuously from the blinking state, and changes its brightness and color at the time of lighting or blinking. You may notify.
[0031]
In addition, a plurality of horn lamps 8 having an arbitrary color such as gold, silver, red, blue, yellow, green, or other colors are built in the horn switch 3, and the single color or the plurality of colors are selected. You may alert | report by the color scheme which combines.
[0032]
FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a control circuit 9 for controlling the optical notification device 7, and the CPU 10 drives and controls the horn switch 3, the horn 6, and the horn lamp 8 according to a program stored in the ROM 11. . That is, based on the signal input from the horn switch 3, the operation and stop of the horn 6 and the lighting, blinking, and extinguishing of the horn lamp 8 are controlled.
[0033]
The RAM 12 stores data necessary for the operation. For example, the presence / absence of a signal from the horn switch 3, the presence / absence of the horn 6, the presence / absence of the horn lamp 8 (lighting / flashing / extinguishing), the horn 6 and the horn Data necessary for operation such as driving timing of the lamp 8 is stored.
[0034]
When a signal is input from the horn switch 3 (during an ON operation), the CPU 10 drives the horn 6 for a preset time according to the program stored in the ROM 11 based on the input of the signal, and the horn lamp 8 is turned on or blinked. For example, the plurality of horn lamps 8 are turned on, blinked, and turned off synchronously, or turned on, blinked, and turned off at random to notify that an alarm sound (horn) is emitted from the horn 6.
[0035]
The illustrated embodiment is configured as described above, and a method for notifying that an alarm sound is emitted from the horn 6 provided in the automobile 1 with an optical notification device will be described below.
When the automobile 1 is running or stopped, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the horn switch 3 attached to the handle 2 is pressed momentarily or continuously to sound the horn 6, In conjunction with the pressing operation of the switch 3, the unlit horn lamp 8 incorporated in the horn switch 3 is turned on or blinked for a predetermined time.
[0036]
When the horn switch 3 is momentarily pressed or continuously pressed, the horn lamp 8 is continuously turned on or intermittently blinks, so that an alarm sound (horn) is emitted from the horn 6. The light emitted from the horn lamp 8 can notify the driver and the pedestrian, and even if the alarm sound of the horn 6 is very difficult to hear, it is surely visually confirmed that the alarm sound is emitted from the horn 6. Can be confirmed.
[0037]
When the horn switch 3 is pressed, the horn lamp 8 is normally blinked or extinguished from the lighting state, continuously lit or blinking from the extinguished state, or the brightness and color of the horn lamp 8 are lit. Or, it may be changed and notified when blinking.
[0038]
As described above, when the horn 6 provided in the automobile 1 is operated, the horn lamp 8 in the extinguished state built in the horn switch 3 is turned on or blinked, so that an alarm sound is emitted from the horn 6. As a result, the sound of the inside and outside of the vehicle is loud and the alarm sound of the horn 6 is very difficult to hear. it can.
[0039]
In addition, the horn switch 8 is turned on and off until the horn switch 3 is pressed by notifying the horn lamp 8 by flashing or turning off from a normal lighting state, turning on from the flashing state, or changing its brightness and color. Since the horn lamp 8 built in 3 is lit or blinking, for example, when the interior of the vehicle is dark at night or the like, the position of the horn switch 3 can be easily confirmed and operated reliably.
[0040]
Moreover, not only healthy persons but also hearing impaired persons and persons with hearing impairments can visually confirm the operation of the horn 6 with their eyes. For example, confirm the operation of the horn 6 with the passenger. This saves you the trouble of getting it. Since the horn 6 is properly operated as many times as necessary and the operation of the horn 6 is notified to the driver and pedestrian of another car, attention and warning can be promptly urged.
[0041]
Furthermore, since the operation of the horn 6 is notified by causing the horn lamp 8 attached to the handle 2 to emit light, the operation of the horn 6 can be confirmed visually while operating the automobile 1, and the operation of the handle 2 is quick and easy. It can be performed accurately and can prevent operation mistakes.
[0042]
Furthermore, since the horn lamp 8 incorporated in the horn switch 3 emits light and the operation of the horn 6 is notified, the operation of the horn 6 can be immediately confirmed with the eye simultaneously with the operation of the horn switch 3, Operation confirmation can be performed easily.
[0043]
5 and 6 show an optical notification device 7 of a second embodiment for emitting light from a horn switch 3 attached to a sports-type handle 2, and the horn switch 3 attached to the center of the handle 2 and its A horn lamp 8 incorporated in the horn switch 3 is electrically connected, and a transparent or translucent switch cover 5 is fitted to the front side peripheral edge of the movable part 4 to which the horn lamp 8 is assembled. The horn lamp 8 is entirely covered with the switch cover 5.
[0044]
When the horn switch 3 is pressed, the horn lamp 8 built in the horn switch 3 is turned on, blinked, turned off, and its brightness and color are arbitrarily changed. Can be reliably notified to the driver, and the same operational effects as the first embodiment described above can be achieved.
[0045]
7 and 8 show an optical notification device 7 of a third embodiment that emits light from a horn switch 3 attached to a handle 2 with an air bag. Left and right horn switches 3 attached to the handle 2 and the horn A horn lamp 8 incorporated in the switch 3 is electrically connected, and a transparent or translucent switch cover 5 is fitted to the front side peripheral edge of the movable part 4 to which the horn lamp 8 is assembled. The entire horn lamp 8 is covered with the switch cover 5.
[0046]
When the horn switch 3 is pressed, the horn lamp 8 built in the horn switch 3 is turned on, blinked, turned off, and its brightness and color are arbitrarily changed. Can be reliably notified to the driver, and the same operational effects as the first embodiment described above can be achieved.
The entire horn switch 3 may be formed to be transparent or translucent, and the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be achieved.
[0047]
Further, the horn lamp 8 may be incorporated in, for example, the horn switch 3 attached to the grip portion of the handle 2, and the application is not limited to the handle 2 with an air bag described above.
[0048]
FIG. 9 shows an optical notification device 7 of a fourth embodiment in which a horn lamp 8 is mounted on the outer surface portion of the horn switch 3 attached to the handle 2, and the mounting surface of the horn switch 3 (the portion that can be visually checked by the driver). ), The horn lamp 8 is adhesively fixed through a double-sided adhesive tape 13 having an adhesive or adhesive applied to both front and back surfaces, and the horn switch 3 and the horn lamp 8 are electrically connected.
[0049]
When the horn switch 3 is pressed, the horn lamp 8 is turned on, blinked, turned off, and the brightness and color are arbitrarily changed. It is possible to notify with certainty, and the same effects as the first embodiment described above can be achieved.
[0050]
As another fixing method, for example, the horn lamp 8 is attached to an arbitrary part of the handle 2 via a fixing tool (not shown) such as a clip or a band,
In addition, for example, the horn lamp 8 may be attached to a panel portion such as a meter panel or an instrument panel, and the attachment location of the horn lamp 8 can be arbitrarily selected and changed.
[0051]
FIG. 10 shows an optical notification device 7 of a fifth embodiment that emits a horn lamp 8 attached to a meter panel 15. A fuel meter 16, a speedometer 17, and a tachometer are displayed on the display surface of the meter panel 15. 18 and a water temperature gauge 19 are provided.
[0052]
A fuel warning lamp 20, an exhaust temperature lamp 21, and a lamp unit 23 including an overdrive lamp 22 are disposed below the fuel gauge 16, and an oil warning lamp 24, a seat, and a seat are provided below the water temperature gauge 19. A lamp unit 28 including a belt lamp 25, a half-door warning lamp 26, and an electrical warning lamp 27 is provided.
[0053]
A horn lamp 8 electrically connected to the horn switch 3 is disposed between the speedometer 17 and the tachometer 18 (in the center of the meter panel 15), and the entire display surface of the meter panel 15 is transparent. Or it covers with the panel cover 29 formed translucently.
[0054]
When the horn switch 3 is pressed, the horn lamp 8 disposed on the meter panel 15 is turned on, blinked, turned off, or its brightness and color are arbitrarily changed. Can be reliably notified to the driver by the light emission of the horn lamp 8, and the same effects as the first embodiment described above can be achieved.
[0055]
The mounting position of the horn lamp 8 may be changed to an arbitrary position on the display surface of the meter panel 15 as desired.
Further, the horn lamp 8 may be attached to a portion where the driver can easily visually recognize the luminescence of the horn lamp 8 such as an instrument panel and an interior panel, and the attachment location is not limited to the meter panel 15 alone. .
[0056]
FIG. 11 shows an optical notification device 7 of a sixth embodiment in which a horn lamp 8 is attached to the outer surface portion of the vehicle body constituting the automobile 1. When the horn switch 3 attached to the handle 2 is pressed, The horn lamp 8 attached to any part of the vehicle (the part visible to other car drivers and pedestrians) can be turned on, blinking, turned off, and its brightness and color can be changed arbitrarily. The driver and the pedestrian can be surely notified that the alarm sound is emitted from the horn 6 by the light emission of the horn lamp 8, and the same effect as the first embodiment described above can be achieved. it can.
[0057]
The lamps mounted on the automobile 1 may be lit or blinked in conjunction with the pressing operation of the horn switch 3.
[0058]
In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment,
The vehicle of the present invention corresponds to the automobile 1 of the embodiment,
Similarly,
Light emission means corresponds to the horn switch 3 and the horn lamp 8,
The panel corresponds to the meter panel 15,
The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment.
[0059]
The optical notification device 7 of the embodiment described above is used when notifying the operation of the horn 6 provided in the automobile 1. For example, the optical notification device 7 of the horn provided in a vehicle such as a bus, a motorcycle, a train, etc. The present invention can also be applied when notifying the operation, and the use is not limited to the automobile 1 as in the embodiment.
[0060]
Further, as another notification means in place of the horn lamp 8, for example, a vibrator (not shown) attached to a handle, a driver's seat, a horn switch, etc. may notify the driver that an alarm sound has been generated, In addition, brailles provided at appropriate portions may be informed and informed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an automobile with an optical notification device according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing a handle to which an optical notification device is attached.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a horn switch with a built-in horn lamp.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the optical notification device.
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a handle to which an optical notification device according to a second embodiment is attached.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a horn switch with a built-in horn lamp.
FIG. 7 is a front view showing a handle to which an optical notification device according to a third embodiment is attached.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a horn switch with a built-in horn lamp.
FIG. 9 is a front view showing a handle to which an optical notification device according to a fourth embodiment is attached.
FIG. 10 is a front view showing a meter panel including an optical notification device according to a fifth embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an automobile with an optical notification device according to a sixth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Automobile 2 ... Handle 3 ... Horn switch 4 ... Movable part 5 ... Switch cover 6 ... Horn 7 ... Optical alarm device 8 ... Horn lamp 9 ... Control circuit 10 ... CPU
11 ... ROM
12 ... RAM
13 ... Double-sided adhesive tape 15 ... Meter panel

Claims (4)

When the horn provided in the vehicle is operated, the light emitting state is changed from the normal state to a different state to provide a light emitting means for notifying that an alarm sound has been emitted,
The light emitting means
A plurality of light emitters each emitting different colors;
A memory for storing a light emission pattern of the light emitter;
A vehicle alarm sound notification device configured with a light emission control body that controls light emission of the light emitter based on the light emission pattern . The light emitting means;
The vehicle alarm sound notification device according to claim 1 , provided on a handle or a panel attached in the vicinity of the driver's seat of the vehicle. The vehicle alarm sound notification device according to claim 2 , wherein the light emitting means is provided in a horn switch for operating the horn. The vehicle alarm sound notification device according to claim 3, wherein the horn switch is formed to be transparent or translucent.

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