JP5440139B2 - Running sound generator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle running sound generation that simulates a running sound of a vehicle including a warning device that generates a warning sound by an output voltage of an on-vehicle generator or a battery while the pushbutton switch is operated. it relates to the equipment.

  Vehicles that use a motor as a driving force source, such as a hybrid vehicle (HV) and an electric vehicle (EV), are quieter than a conventional vehicle that uses only an internal combustion engine as a driving force source, and no noise is generated during travel.

  Patent Document 1 includes a rotation speed detection unit that detects the motor rotation speed of an electric vehicle, and a sound having a frequency corresponding to the motor rotation speed detected by the rotation speed detection unit is a sound corresponding to the accelerator opening. A simulated running sound generator for an electric vehicle that is generated by a speaker with pressure is disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an electric vehicle that includes an alarm sound control device and a loudspeaker device that generate an alarm sound according to a running state, and that uses a battery as a power source to drive wheels by a motor. During normal driving, pedestrians are surely informed of the approach of the electric vehicle, and because the drive sound is quiet, there is a risk of traffic accidents compared to gasoline vehicles equipped with a noisy internal combustion engine. Prevent it from growing.

JP-A-7-32948 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-201001

As described above, in a hybrid vehicle (HV) and an electric vehicle (EV), since the sound during running is quiet, the presence of pedestrians in front and pedestrians such as intersections is difficult to recognize. However, there is a problem that the risk of occurrence of an accident is higher than that of a vehicle equipped with a conventional internal combustion engine.
With respect to such a problem, in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above, it is easy for a pedestrian to recognize the presence of a vehicle by generating a pseudo traveling sound according to the traveling state. However, in order to generate a pseudo traveling sound, it is necessary to mount traveling sound generating means such as an amplifier and a speaker, which causes an increase in wire harnesses and an increase in component costs.

The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and the first to fifth inventions do not require running sound generating means such as an amplifier and a speaker, and increase the wire harness and increase the cost of parts. An object of the present invention is to provide a traveling sound generating device capable of generating a pseudo traveling sound while suppressing the noise .

  The traveling sound generating device according to the first aspect of the present invention is configured to generate a sound during traveling of a vehicle including a sounding device that generates an alarming sound by applying an output voltage of an on-vehicle generator or a battery during a period when the pushbutton switch is operated. In a running sound generation device that is generated in a simulated manner, a speed value acquisition unit that acquires a speed value of a vehicle, a unit that determines whether the speed value acquired by the speed value acquisition unit is equal to or less than a predetermined speed value, And a PWM control means for applying, to the audible alarm, a voltage obtained by PWM-controlling the output voltage when the means determines that the speed is equal to or less than a predetermined speed value. When applied to the audible alarm, a running sound smaller than the audible alarm is generated in a simulated manner.

  In this running sound generator, the sound of the vehicle that generates a warning sound by applying the output voltage of the on-vehicle generator or battery is simulated while the pushbutton switch is operated. Let The speed value acquisition means acquires the speed value of the vehicle, and the determination means determines whether or not the speed value acquired by the speed value acquisition means is equal to or less than a predetermined speed value. When it is determined that the determining means is equal to or less than the predetermined speed value, the PWM control means applies a voltage obtained by PWM controlling the output voltage of the on-vehicle generator or battery to the alarm. By applying a voltage that is PWM controlled by the PWM control means to the alarm, a running sound smaller than the alarm is generated in a simulated manner.

  In the traveling sound generator according to the second invention, the PWM control means performs PWM control on the output voltage so that the lower the speed value acquired by the speed value acquisition means, the lower the alarm sound is generated. It is comprised by these.

  In this running sound generator, the PWM control means performs PWM control on the output voltage of the on-vehicle generator or battery so that the lower the speed value acquired by the speed value acquisition means, the lower the alarm sound is generated.

  The traveling sound generator according to the third aspect of the present invention further includes a determination unit that determines whether the traveling time is nighttime or daytime, and the PWM control unit determines that the determination unit is nighttime. The output voltage is PWM-controlled with a smaller duty ratio than when it is determined that it is daytime.

  In this running sound generator, the judging means judges whether the running time is nighttime or daytime. When the determination means determines that it is nighttime, the PWM control means performs PWM control on the output voltage of the on-vehicle generator or battery with a smaller duty ratio than when it is determined that it is daytime.

  The traveling sound generator according to a fourth aspect of the present invention further comprises environment determining means for determining whether or not the environment during traveling is an urban area, and the PWM control means determines that the environment determining means is an urban area. In this case, the output voltage is PWM-controlled with a smaller duty ratio than when it is determined that it is not an urban area.

  In this traveling sound generator, the environment determining means determines whether or not the environment during traveling (medium) is an urban area. The PWM control means performs PWM control on the output voltage of the in-vehicle generator or the battery with a smaller duty ratio when the environment determination means determines that it is an urban area than when it determines that it is not an urban area.

  The traveling sound generator according to a fifth aspect of the present invention further comprises urban area information acquisition means for acquiring information indicating whether or not the environment during traveling is an urban area, and the PWM control means includes the urban area information acquisition means. When the information obtained by the vehicle indicates that the driving environment is an urban area, the output voltage is configured to be PWM-controlled with a smaller duty ratio than when the information indicates that it is not an urban area. Features.

  In this traveling sound generator, the urban area information acquisition means acquires information indicating whether the environment during traveling (medium) is an urban area. When the information acquired by the urban area information acquisition means indicates that the environment at the time of traveling is an urban area, the PWM control means is a vehicle-mounted generator or battery with a smaller duty ratio than when indicating that it is not an urban area. PWM control of the output voltage.

  According to the traveling sound generator according to the present invention, the traveling sound generating means such as an amplifier and a speaker is not required, and pseudo traveling sound is generated while suppressing an increase in the wire harness and an increase in the component cost. It is possible to realize a traveling sound generator capable of

It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of embodiment of the traveling sound generator which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of operation | movement of the traveling sound generator which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of operation | movement of the traveling sound generator which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the embodiment of the running sound generating equipment according to the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of operation | movement of the traveling sound generator which concerns on this invention, and a vehicle warning device. It is a flowchart which shows the example of operation | movement of the traveling sound generator which concerns on this invention, and a vehicle warning device.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of Embodiment 1 of a traveling sound generator according to the present invention.
In this traveling sound generator, one terminal of a horn switch (push button switch) 6 provided on a vehicle handle (not shown) is connected to a positive terminal of a battery 3 or an alternator (on-vehicle generator) 2. The other terminal is connected to one terminal of a horn (alarm) 1. The other terminals of the horn 1, the battery 3 and the alternator 2 are grounded.

One terminal of the switching circuit 7 is connected to the positive terminal of the battery 3 or the alternator 2, and the other terminal of the switching circuit 7 is connected to one terminal of the horn 1.
The switching circuit (PWM control means) 7 is driven and controlled by the control unit (PWM control means) 4 and the output voltage of the battery 3 or alternator 2 is controlled by PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) to be applied to the horn 1 to produce simulated running sound. generate.
The horn 1 is energized to generate a warning sound when the horn switch 6 is on.

  The control unit 4 includes a microcomputer and acquires a speed value (vehicle speed information) from a vehicle speed sensor (not shown). For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the speed value is up to 40 km / h. The switching circuit 7 is PWM-controlled so as to generate a simulated running sound having a higher frequency as the value increases. The controller 4 turns off the switching circuit 7 when the speed value exceeds 40 km / h.

The controller (speed value acquisition means) 4 also acquires on / off information (lamp information) of a headlamp switch (not shown). If the acquired headlamp switch on / off information is on, the control unit (determination means) 4 determines that it is now night, and if the headlamp switch on / off information is off, It is determined that it is currently daytime.
When the control unit 4 determines that it is currently nighttime, for example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the controller 4 has a smaller duty ratio (nighttime mode) than when it is currently determined that it is daytime (daytime mode). The switching circuit 7 is PWM-controlled.
For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the control unit 4 performs PWM control of the switching circuit 7 with a larger duty ratio as the frequency becomes higher.

The speed value from the vehicle speed sensor is also acquired by the traveling environment determination unit 5. The traveling environment determination unit 5 calculates, for example, the start / stop frequency based on the acquired speed value, determines whether the environment during traveling is an urban area based on the calculated frequency, and the determination result Is given to the control unit 4.
The control unit 4 performs PWM control on the switching circuit 7 with a smaller duty ratio when the given determination result indicates that the traveling (medium) environment is an urban area than when it is not an urban area.
In addition, the control part (city part information acquisition means) 4 acquires the city part information whether the environment at the time of driving | running | working is a city part from the navigation apparatus not shown which has the positional information on whether it is a city part. You may comprise so that it may do.

Hereinafter, the operation of the traveling sound generator having such a configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, the control unit 4 reads the speed value v (vehicle speed information) from the vehicle speed sensor (S1), and determines whether or not the read speed value v is 0 <v ≦ 40 km / h (S3).
If the read speed value v is not 0 <v ≦ 40 km / h (S3), the control unit 4 turns off the switching circuit 7 and stops energization of the horn 1 (S17). The speed value v is read from the sensor (S1). If the power supply to the horn 1 is stopped, the power supply is stopped (S17).

If the read speed value v is 0 <v ≦ 40 km / h (S3), the controller 4 reads on / off information (lamp information) of a headlamp switch (not shown) (S5). Next, a determination result (traveling environment information) as to whether or not the traveling environment is an urban area is read from the traveling environment determination unit 5 (S7).
Next, the control unit 4 sets the frequency of the simulated running sound based on the read speed value v (S1) (S9), and then reads the ramp information (S5) and the running environment information (S7). Based on this, it is determined whether or not the traveling environment is nighttime in an urban area (S11).

  If the driving environment is urban and night (S11), the controller 4 sets the duty ratio for PWM control of the switching circuit 7 in the night mode (S13). Next, PWM control to the switching circuit 7 is started, and energization to the horn 1 is started (S15). If the horn 1 is energized, the switching circuit 7 is continuously PWM controlled to energize the horn 1. Next, the speed value v is read from the vehicle speed sensor (S1).

  If the driving environment is not urban or night (S11), that is, if it is neither urban nor night, or if it is not urban or night, the switching circuit 7 is PWMed. The duty ratio to be controlled is set in the daytime mode (S19). Next, PWM control to the switching circuit 7 is started, and energization to the horn 1 is started (S15). If the horn 1 is energized, the switching circuit 7 is continuously PWM controlled to energize the horn 1. Next, the speed value v is read from the vehicle speed sensor (S1).

(Embodiment 2)
Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a second embodiment of the running sound generating equipment according to the present invention.
In this traveling sound generator and vehicle warning device, a horn switch (push button switch) 6 a provided on a vehicle handle (not shown) is connected to any of the battery 3, the alternator 2 and the horn 1. Absent. The horn switch 6a is connected to the control unit 4a, and on / off information of the horn switch 6a is given to the control unit 4a. When the given on / off information is on, the control unit 4a controls the switching circuit 7 to apply the output voltage of the battery 3 or the alternator 2 to the horn 1 to generate a warning sound.

The voltage detector (voltage detection means) 8 detects the output voltage of the battery 3 or the alternator 2, and the detected voltage value is given to the control unit 4a.
When the given on / off information is off, the control unit (PWM control unit) 4a controls the switching circuit (PWM control unit) 7 so that the output voltage of the battery 3 or the alternator 2 is PWM (Pulse Width). Modulation) is applied to the horn 1 to generate a simulated running sound.

  The control unit 4a includes a microcomputer and acquires a speed value (vehicle speed information) from a vehicle speed sensor (not shown). For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the speed value is up to 40 km / h. The switching circuit 7 is PWM-controlled so as to generate a simulated running sound having a higher frequency as the value increases. The controller 4a turns off the switching circuit 7 when the given on / off information is off and the speed value exceeds 40 km / h.

When the on / off information of the given horn switch 6a is on, the control unit 4a reads the voltage value detected by the voltage detector 8, and compares the detected voltage value with, for example, 12V (predetermined voltage value). To do. As a result, if the detected voltage value is higher than 12V, the duty ratio = 100 × (12 / detected voltage value) ² % is calculated, and the switching circuit 7 is PWM controlled by the calculated duty ratio. Thereby, the horn 1 is applied with a voltage of 12 V and generates a warning sound.

  If the detected voltage value is 12V or less, the control unit 4a performs PWM control of the switching circuit 7 with a duty ratio = 100%. Thereby, the voltage of 12V or less is applied to the horn 1 to generate a warning sound. Other configurations of the control unit 4a and the configuration of the travel environment determination unit 5 are the same as the configuration of the control unit 4 and the configuration of the travel environment determination unit 5 described in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

Hereinafter, operations of the traveling sound generating device and the vehicle warning device having such a configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
The controller 4a first reads on / off information from the horn switch 6a (S21), and determines whether or not the horn switch 6a is on (S23).
If the horn switch 6a is on (S23), the control unit 4a reads the output voltage value (power supply voltage value) Vs of the battery 3 or the alternator 2 detected by the voltage detector 8 (S25).

Next, the control unit 4a determines whether or not the read power supply voltage value Vs is higher than, for example, 12V (predetermined voltage value) (S27). If the power supply voltage value Vs is higher than 12V, the duty ratio = 100. X (12 / Vs) ² % is calculated, and the calculated duty ratio is set (S29). Next, PWM control to the switching circuit 7 with the set duty ratio is started, energization to the horn 1 is started (S31), and a warning sound is generated. If the horn 1 is being energized, energization is continued (S31).

  If the power supply voltage value Vs is not higher than 12V (S27), the controller 4a sets the duty ratio to 100% (S33). Next, PWM control (continuous ON) to the switching circuit 7 with the set duty ratio is started, energization to the horn 1 is started (S31), and a warning sound is generated. If the horn 1 is being energized, the energization is continued (S31).

If the horn switch 6a is not on (S23), the controller 4a reads the speed value v (vehicle speed information) from the vehicle speed sensor (S35), and the read speed value v is 0 <v ≦ 40 km / h. It is determined whether or not (S37).
If the read speed value v is not 0 <v ≦ 40 km / h (S37), the controller 4a turns off the switching circuit 7 and stops energization of the horn 1 (S49). If the power supply to the horn 1 is stopped, the power supply is stopped (S49). Next, the control unit 4a reads on / off information from the horn switch 6a (S21).

If the read speed value v is 0 <v ≦ 40 km / h (S37), the controller 4a reads on / off information (lamp information) of a headlamp switch (not shown) (S39). Next, a determination result (traveling environment information) as to whether or not the traveling environment is an urban area is read from the traveling environment determination unit 5 (S41).
Next, the control unit 4a sets the frequency of the simulated running sound based on the read speed value v (S35) (S43), and then reads the ramp information (S39) and the running environment information (S41). Based on this, it is determined whether or not the driving environment is night in an urban area (S45).

  If the driving environment is an urban area and at night (S45), the controller 4a sets the duty ratio for PWM control of the switching circuit 7 in the night mode (S47). Next, PWM control to the switching circuit 7 is started, energization to the horn 1 is started (S31), and a simulated running sound is generated. If the horn 1 is energized, the switching circuit 7 is continuously PWM controlled to energize the horn 1. Next, the control unit 4a reads on / off information from the horn switch 6a (S21).

  If the driving environment is not urban or night (S45), that is, if it is neither urban nor night, or if it is not urban or night, the control circuit 4a turns the switching circuit 7 on. The duty ratio to be controlled is set in the daytime mode (S51). Next, PWM control to the switching circuit 7 is started, energization to the horn 1 is started (S31), and a simulated running sound is generated. If the horn 1 is being energized, the switching circuit 7 is PWM controlled to energize the horn 1 (S31). Next, the control unit 4a reads on / off information from the horn switch 6a (S21).

1 Horn (alarm)
2 Alternator (on-vehicle generator)
3 Battery 4 Control unit (PWM control means, determination means, speed value acquisition means)
4a Control unit (PWM control means, comparison means, calculation means)
5 Driving environment judgment unit 6, 6a Horn switch (push button switch)
7 Switching circuit (PWM control means)
8 Voltage detector (voltage detection means)

Claims (5)

In a traveling sound generator that generates a sound during traveling of a vehicle including a warning device that generates a warning sound by applying an output voltage of an on-vehicle generator or a battery during a period when the pushbutton switch is operated,
Speed value acquisition means for acquiring a vehicle speed value, means for determining whether or not the speed value acquired by the speed value acquisition means is less than or equal to a predetermined speed value, and determination that the means is less than or equal to a predetermined speed value And a PWM control means for applying a voltage obtained by PWM controlling the output voltage to the audible alarm, and applying the PWM controlled voltage to the audible alarm by the PWM control means. A running sound generating device configured to generate a running sound that is smaller than a sound in a simulated manner.   2. The travel according to claim 1, wherein the PWM control unit is configured to perform PWM control on the output voltage so that the lower the speed value acquired by the speed value acquisition unit, the lower the frequency of the warning sound. Sound generator.   It further comprises a determination means for determining whether the running time is nighttime or daytime, and the PWM control means is smaller when the determination means determines that it is nighttime than when it is determined that it is daytime. The traveling sound generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the output voltage is PWM-controlled with a duty ratio.   Environment determining means for determining whether or not the driving environment is an urban area, and when the PWM control means determines that the environment determining means is an urban area, the PWM control means determines that the environment is not an urban area The traveling sound generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the output voltage is PWM-controlled with a smaller duty ratio.   Further comprising urban area information acquisition means for acquiring information indicating whether or not the environment at the time of traveling is an urban area, the PWM control means is configured such that the information acquired by the urban area information acquisition means indicates that the environment at the time of traveling is 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the output voltage is PWM-controlled with a smaller duty ratio when indicating an urban area than when indicating an urban area. 5. Running sound generator.

Images