JP5560753B2 - Vehicle warning sound generator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides vehicle information such as the presence of a vehicle, a driver's intention due to a shift operation, an accelerator operation, a brake operation, and the like, a vehicle traveling direction, and a running state including a vehicle speed as an alarm sound. The present invention relates to an alarm sound generator.

Vehicles with quiet driving and running noise (including vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines), especially electric vehicles that run only on electric motors (running on EVs), and hybrid vehicles that run on electric motors only (EV mode) For electric vehicles such as
Due to the quietness of driving noise and driving noise, vehicle information such as the presence of the vehicle, the driver's intentions due to shift operations, etc., the traveling direction of the vehicle, and the driving state including the vehicle speed, etc. is emitted to the outside as a warning sound. It may be necessary to warn the vehicle information to people who are near the vehicle.

This alarm needs to reach a person who is near the front and rear of the vehicle, and a person who is near the left and right of the vehicle, particularly a person who is near the end of the vehicle in the traveling direction (front or rear).
Conventionally, for example, a device as described in Patent Document 1 is known as a vehicle alarm sound generating device that satisfies this requirement.

This proposed technology has strong directivity when the alarm sound source such as a speaker or buzzer is a single unit, and it is well transmitted in the direction of alarm sound propagation, but it is difficult to transmit in a direction away from the direction of alarm sound propagation.
A plurality of alarm sound sources such as speakers and buzzers are arranged on the front and rear sides of the vehicle, respectively, and a plurality of these alarm sound sources are arranged so that the direction of the alarm sound propagation is directed to the outside of the vehicle body. It is attached to.

  According to such a conventional vehicle alarm sound generating device, according to the vehicle traveling direction, if the vehicle traveling direction is forward, the alarm sound generation source on the front end side is operated, and if the vehicle traveling direction is backward, the rear end The alarm sound source on the front side is activated, so that the alarm sound is reliably transmitted to the people around the end of the vehicle (around the front or rear of the vehicle), both forward and backward. can do.

JP 07-322403 A

However, in the above-described vehicle alarm sound generation device, a plurality of alarm sound generation sources with strong directivities are arranged on both the front and rear sides of the vehicle so that the respective alarm sound propagation directions are directed to the outside of the vehicle body. Because it has to be arranged,
A plurality of alarm sound generation sources are necessarily required, and including the mounting bracket not only increases the cost, but also makes the layout of the alarm sound generation sources difficult.

  Also, since the alarm sound source needs to be arranged outwardly, the alarm sound source is easily damaged or damaged by muddy water or stones that have sprung up the wheels, and it is alarmed by rain, snow, or high-pressure car wash water. There is also a problem that the sound source is likely to break down.

In the present invention, there is a space in the vehicle body that can serve as an alarm sound source resonance box and that does not allow foreign objects to enter, and an alarm sound is generated so that this existing space can be used as an alarm sound source resonance box. If you place a source,
The vehicle warning sound generator becomes omnidirectional, even if there is only one warning sound generation source, and even if this warning sound generation source is not arranged outwardly, thus eliminating all the above problems, The purpose of this invention is to propose a vehicle warning sound generator that embodies this idea, based on the fact that a warning effect equivalent to that of the above-described prior art can be obtained by arranging a plurality of warning sound generation sources at the front and rear of the vehicle. And

For this purpose, the vehicle alarm sound generating apparatus according to the present invention is configured as follows.
First, a vehicle alarm sound generating device, which is a basic premise of the gist of the present invention, emits vehicle information as an alarm sound to the outside of the vehicle.

The present invention provides an alarm sound generating device for such a vehicle,
An add-on frame that supports the power source unit, an air guide that guides the vehicle traveling wind from the front to the power source unit, In the existing space surrounded by the fender cover that defines the wheel house, foreign matter in the power source room does not enter, an alarm sound source that emits the alarm sound is installed,
The existing space is configured to be used as a resonance box for the alarm sound generation source.

According to such an alarm sound generator of the present invention,
The above-mentioned existing space for arranging the alarm sound generation source is the front and rear direction in the vehicle front-rear direction and the rear so as to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter such as a wheel jumping foreign matter or rainwater, among the existing spaces in the power source room, It is a space surrounded by the vehicle width direction outside and inside, and the vehicle vertical direction lower part (the upper part is covered with a bonnet that closes the upper opening of the power source room), thus not only preventing foreign objects from entering , Paying attention to the fact that it can be used as a resonance box for alarm sound sources,
An alarm sound source is installed in the existing space of the power source room ,
Because this existing space was configured to be used as a resonance box for the alarm sound source ,
The alarm sound generation device of the present invention is non-directional, and even if there is only one alarm sound source, or even if this alarm sound source is not arranged outwardly, a plurality of alarm sound generators are provided as in the prior art described above. An alarm action equivalent to the case where the alarm sound source is arranged in front of and behind the vehicle is obtained.

And since only one alarm sound source is required as described above, it is possible to realize a considerable cost reduction including its mounting bracket and mounting workability, and it is difficult to layout the alarm sound source. Disappear.

Also on SL as, an alarm sound generation source since it may not be outwardly disposed upon for installation in an existing space of the, which part warning sound generation source also becomes not be exposed from the existing space, Combined with the fact that the existing space is a space that prevents foreign objects from entering as described above, the alarm sound source is not damaged or damaged by the muddy water or stone that the wheel has sprung up, as well as rain, snow, and high-pressure car wash. The alarm sound source is not covered with water and it will not break down.

1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle alarm sound generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above a left front portion of the vehicle. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a left front portion of a vehicle equipped with the alarm sound generation device of FIG. 1 as viewed from above. FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view showing a mounting portion of an alarm sound generation source that constitutes a main part of the alarm sound generating device in FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged detailed perspective view showing an enlarged mounting portion of an alarm sound generation source that is a main part of the alarm sound generating device in FIG. FIG. 5 is a control system diagram showing a control system for an alarm sound generation source in the alarm sound generator shown in FIGS. 6 is a flowchart showing a control program for a pre-start warning sound (S sound) executed by the warning sound controller shown in FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control program for a forward warning sound (D sound) executed by the warning sound controller shown in FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control program for a backward warning sound (R sound) executed by the warning sound controller shown in FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an alarm sound prohibition control program executed by the alarm sound controller shown in FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an alarm sound increase control program executed by the alarm sound controller shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on examples shown in the drawings.
<Configuration of Example>
1 to 4 show a vehicle alarm sound generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle viewed from above the left front, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vehicle viewed from above, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are detailed perspective views of the alarm sound source mounting portion. It is.

In the present embodiment, the vehicle using the alarm sound generating device is an electric vehicle that uses only an electric motor as a power source and is electrically driven (EV traveling) by this motor.
However, the present invention uses an electric motor and an engine as a power source and has an electric travel mode (EV mode) that travels only by the electric motor, and a hybrid vehicle that travels by power from the electric motor and engine (HEV mode). Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to an engine-equipped vehicle using only the engine as a power source.

  For vehicles with quiet driving noise and driving noise, especially electric vehicles like this embodiment, the driver's intention due to the presence of the vehicle and shift operation etc. for safety because of the quiet driving noise and driving noise. Also, vehicle information such as the traveling direction of the vehicle and the traveling state including the vehicle speed is emitted as an alarm sound outside the vehicle, and an alarm is given to inform the vehicle information to a person near the front or the rear near the traveling direction of the vehicle. There is a need.

The alarm sound generator for this purpose is constructed as follows in this embodiment.
In this embodiment, the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is provided as a warning sound generation source to be a sound source of the warning sound generator.

  This outside speaker 1 supports the power source unit 2 in the existing space in the motor room (power source room) in the front part of the vehicle housing the power source unit 2 including an electric motor (power source) and a transmission. The add-on frame 3, the air guide 4 for guiding the traveling wind from the front of the vehicle to the power source unit 2, and the fender cover 5 defining the left front wheel house are provided in an existing space.

  The existing space in which the speaker 1 outside the vehicle compartment is installed is not particularly intruded by foreign matter such as muddy water and stones that have sprung up the wheels, and is not like rain, snow, or high-pressure car wash water. In order to prevent foreign objects from entering, the space enclosed in the front and rear direction of the vehicle, the outer side and the inner side of the vehicle width direction, and the lower side of the vehicle vertical direction (the upper part is covered with a bonnet not shown) It is also a space that can be used as a resonance box for the speaker outside the vehicle (warning sound source) 1.

  When the speaker 1 outside the vehicle is installed in the existing space, the direction of alarm sound propagation of the speaker 1 outside the vehicle indicated by the arrow α in FIG. 4 faces the air guide 4 that is the wall surface that defines the existing space. Attach to add-on frame 3 via bracket 6 with the direction facing forward.

  The alarm sound from the outside speaker 1 attached in this way collides with the air guide 4 and is reflected by the air guide 4. After being diffused in the existing space, an add-on frame that provides a defined wall surface of the existing space 3. The air guide 4, the fender cover 5, and the gap between the bonnet (not shown) and the existing holes such as the positioning holes that are open to themselves are dissipated outside the vehicle from the opening of the above existing space defining wall surface. The Rukoto.

  In other words, in this embodiment, the existing space defined by the add-on frame 3, the air guide 4, the fender cover 5, and the hood (not shown) is used as a resonance box for the speaker 1 outside the vehicle compartment. In addition, the alarm sound generation device of the present embodiment including the speaker 1 outside the vehicle compartment is configured as a non-directional alarm sound generation device.

<Alarm sound control system>
The vehicle exterior speaker 1 is controlled by the alarm sound controller 12 of FIG. 5 together with the vehicle interior speaker 11 provided in the vehicle interior.

For such control, the audible alarm controller 12 is responsive to a shift operation performed by the driver for commanding parking / stopping and traveling direction, and the selected ranges are the parking (P) range, reverse (R) range, neutral (N ) A signal from the range sensor 13 that detects whether the range or forward (D) range,
A signal from the vehicle speed sensor 14 for detecting the vehicle speed V;
A signal from the brake switch 15 that is turned on when the brake pedal is depressed and turned off when the brake pedal is released,
A signal from the mute switch 16 that is pressed and commanded to mute the sound from the speaker 1 outside the vehicle compartment,
A signal from the sound increase switch 17 that is pressed and commanded to increase the sound from the speaker 1 outside the vehicle compartment,
ON / OFF signal from the ignition switch 18 that enables the power source unit 2 to be driven,
A signal from an obstacle approach distance sensor 19 that detects a distance L between the own vehicle and an obstacle such as another vehicle in the vehicle traveling direction is input.

<Warning sound in the cabin>
In the case of this embodiment, the alarm sound controller 12 of FIG. 5 operates the vehicle interior speaker 11 as follows.
(1) While receiving the R range selection signal from the range sensor 13, an “R range selection sound” (in this embodiment, an intermittent sound) is sent from the vehicle interior speaker 11 to inform the driver that “the R range is being selected”. The vehicle interior speaker 11 is actuated so that the
(2) While the distance L to the obstacle detected by the obstacle approach distance sensor 19 is less than the set distance, the vehicle interior speaker 11 informs the driver that the vehicle is approaching the obstacle. For example, the vehicle interior speaker 11 is operated so that an “obstacle approach warning” by voice is issued.

<Warning sound outside the passenger compartment>
Next, the operation control of the vehicle exterior speaker 1 executed by the alarm sound controller 12 of FIG. 5 will be described below.
In this embodiment, as a warning sound from the speaker 1 outside the vehicle compartment, a short-time previous start warning sound (S sound) that should be generated for warning prior to the previous start, and a warning sound during forward traveling are generated. A forward warning sound (D sound) to be generated and a reverse warning sound (R sound) to be generated for warning during reverse traveling are set.

  The preceding start warning sound (S sound) should be a soft sound like a soft phone type “Fore”, and the forward warning sound (D sound) should be similar to the engine sound generated while the engine-equipped vehicle is running. The engine reverse sound (R sound) is the same intermittent sound as the “R range selection sound” generated from the vehicle interior speaker 11 as described above during the R range selection.

By the way, the forward warning sound (D sound) is an engine pseudo sound as described above and continues to be generated over a long period of time, so it is not preferable to listen to this forward warning sound (D sound). The warning sound (D sound) is a sound that does not need to be heard by the driver.
On the other hand, the pre-start warning sound (S sound) is a soft phone-type soft sound that is generated only for a short time from the start of start to the start of start. However, since it is preferable for the driver to confirm that the previous start alarm is issued, the previous start alarm sound (S sound) is a sound that the driver wants to hear.

In view of these requirements, in this embodiment, the forward warning sound (D sound) is an engine pseudo sound as described below, and the pre-start warning sound (S sound) is a soft phone type soft sound as described below. Sound.
Considering the sound propagation characteristics between the vehicle interior and exterior of the vehicle, the vehicle is difficult for sound of a relatively high frequency range (normally 1.5 to 6 KHz, depending on the vehicle) to enter the vehicle interior from outside the vehicle interior. In general, sound of a relatively low frequency range (which differs depending on the vehicle, but usually less than 1.5 KHz) is likely to enter the passenger compartment from outside the passenger compartment.

  From these facts, in this embodiment, the forward warning sound (D sound) is difficult to enter the vehicle interior from outside the vehicle compartment, but in a relatively high frequency range (preferably 2 to 4 kHz) that is easily heard by people outside the vehicle. As an engine pseudo sound, an unnecessary forward warning sound (D sound) is prevented from being heard by the driver in the passenger compartment, so that the driver is not made uncomfortable by the D sound (engine pseudo sound). At the same time, people around the vehicle can reliably hear the D sound (pseudo engine sound) and recognize the presence and running of the vehicle.

  However, if the previous start warning sound (S sound) is also set to the same engine pseudo sound, the driver in the passenger compartment can hear the previous start warning sound (S sound) and recognize that the previous start warning has been issued. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to make the previous start warning sound (S sound) louder than the horn sound volume, which will surprise the surrounding people.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the pre-start warning sound (S sound) is a soft sound such as a soft phone type “fore-on” in a relatively low frequency range that easily enters the vehicle interior from the outside of the vehicle interior.
Due to its low frequency range, the pre-start warning sound (S sound) set in this way is easy to enter the passenger compartment from outside the vehicle compartment, without making the volume loud (without surprise the surrounding people) The driver in the room can hear the previous start warning sound (S sound) and can reliably recognize that the previous start warning has been made.
The previous start warning sound (S sound) is a soft soft phone type sound and is generated only for a short time from the start of the start to the start of the start, so it is not an unpleasant sound for the driver. Will not make you uncomfortable.

<Previous start warning sound (S sound)>
In controlling the preceding start warning sound (S sound), the warning sound controller 12 in FIG. 5 executes the control program in FIG. 6 to perform the control.
First, in step S11, it is checked whether or not the vehicle is in a stop determination state in which the vehicle speed V is less than the stop determination vehicle speed Vs (= 1 Km / h) and the vehicle is in a travelable state in which the ignition switch 18 is turned on.
If the vehicle speed V is equal to or higher than the stoppage determination vehicle speed Vs (= 1 Km / h) and it is determined that the vehicle is traveling, or if the vehicle is in a travel impossible state where the ignition switch 18 is turned off, the control is terminated as it is and step S15 is performed. By skipping, no S sound is generated.

If it is determined in step S11 that the vehicle is stopped (V <Vs) and it is determined that the vehicle is ready to travel (ignition switch 18 is ON),
In step S12, it is checked whether or not there has been a range switching operation to the D range when the brake switch 15 is in the OFF state (the brake is not activated)
If "Yes", in step S15, the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is operated so that a soft phone type soft "Fore" sound is generated.

If the determination in step S12 is “No”, the brake switch 15 is switched from ON to OFF in the state where the D range is selected in step S13 (the brake pedal is released from the braking state where the brake pedal is depressed). Has been switched to a non-braking state)
If "Yes", in step S15, the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is operated so that a soft phone type soft "Fore" sound is generated.

When the determination in step S13 is “No”, in step S14, simultaneously with the range switching operation to the D range, switching from the braking state in which the brake pedal is depressed to the non-braking state in which the brake pedal is released is performed. Check whether the brake switch 15 has been switched from ON to OFF.
If "Yes", in step S15, the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is operated so that a soft phone type soft "Fore" sound is generated.

  By the way, in Step S13 or Step S14, while the brake pedal is slowly being returned from the depressed state, the brake switch 15 remains ON and has not been switched OFF because the foot has not yet been released. Therefore, the control does not proceed to step S15 and the S sound cannot be generated.

If the driver misunderstands that an S sound is generated during such gentle brake pedal return operation, the driver recognizes that the person in the vicinity of the vehicle should be aware of the start of driving by the S sound. Therefore, it is not preferable for safe driving.
By the way, the braking force decreases even by a gentle brake pedal return operation, and the vehicle may start due to, for example, the creep force or the road surface gradient of the downhill road, which requires attention in safe driving.

However, in this embodiment, as described above, the S sound is used as an alarm sound in a relatively low frequency range that is easy to enter the vehicle interior from the outside of the passenger compartment, and the driver can surely hear the S sound to Therefore, it is possible to reliably recognize that no S sound was generated during the above-described gentle brake pedal return operation.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the driver does not mistake that the S sound is generated during the gentle brake pedal return operation, and the driver recognizes the start of driving because the person near the vehicle has not heard the S sound. Recognizing that this is not the case, it is possible to strive for safe driving, which is very advantageous for safe driving.

  If the determination in step S14 is “No”, the control is terminated as it is and step S15 is skipped, so that no S sound is generated.

That is, during a stop (V <Vs) where the vehicle is ready to travel (ignition switch 18 is ON) (step S11),
When there is a range switching operation to D range in the non-braking state with the brake pedal released (step S12), or
In the D range selection state, when switching from the braking state where the brake pedal is depressed to the non-braking state where the brake pedal is released (step S13), or
When the range switching operation to the D range and the switching from the braking state in which the brake pedal is depressed to the non-braking state in which the brake pedal is released (step S14),
In step S15, the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is operated so as to generate S sound, and otherwise, the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is kept in an inoperative state and S sound is not generated.

In this way, while the vehicle is stopped (step S11),
When the brake pedal is released (non-braking) and there is a shift operation to the D range (step S12), or
When the foot that was depressing the brake pedal is released from the brake pedal in the D range selection state (step S13), or
When the shift operation to the D range and the brake release operation to release the foot that was depressing the brake pedal from the brake pedal at the same time (step S14),
In step S15, when the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is operated so that the S sound is generated, the S sound is generated immediately before the start of traveling.

Here, if the S sound is generated when the ignition switch 18 is turned on and the vehicle is ready to run, the S sound is generated too early. Sound is generated wastefully, and there is a problem that an S sound is generated in the meantime and surrounding people are confused while there is a long time to start running.
However, if the S sound is generated after the start of traveling, there is a problem that the meaning of the alarm is weakened because the purpose of generating the S sound for alarming the start of traveling is not met.

In contrast, in the present embodiment, as described above, since the S sound is generated immediately before the start of traveling,
Although there is a long time before the start of driving, it is possible to avoid the problem that S sound is generated and the surrounding people are confused and the meaning of the alarm due to S sound fades.

<Advance warning sound (D sound)>
In controlling the forward warning sound (D sound), the warning sound controller 12 in FIG. 5 executes the control program in FIG. 7 to perform the control.
First, in step S21, it is checked whether or not the S sound is generated by the operation of the speaker 1 outside the vehicle.
If the S sound is being generated, it is checked in step S22 whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 500 msec) has elapsed from the generation of the S sound, and the control is terminated until the predetermined time (500 msec) has elapsed. Continue to generate S sound.

When it is determined in step S22 that a predetermined time (500 msec) has elapsed since the generation of the S sound, that is, after the S sound is continuously generated for this predetermined time, the control proceeds to step S23, where the S sound is changed to the D sound. Make a crossfade to.
This crossfade from the S sound to the D sound gradually reduces the sound pressure level of the S sound that is occurring, and gradually increases the sound pressure level of the D sound (pseudo engine sound). This is to switch the operating state of the speaker 1 outside the vehicle so that the sound is gradually switched to the D sound, so that the switching from the S sound to the D sound can be performed without causing a sense of discomfort to the surrounding people.

In the present embodiment, as described above with reference to FIG. 6, the S sound is generated immediately before the start of travel (steps S12 to S15 in FIG. 6).
The S sound is generated at the optimal timing immediately before the start of driving when the start of the vehicle should be warned, and the generation timing of the D sound generated as described above following the S sound is also optimal and the driving is performed. Although there is a long time to start, it is possible to avoid the problem that the sound of D is generated and the surrounding people are confused and the meaning of the warning of forward running by the sound of D is diminished.

If it is determined in step S21 that the speaker 1 outside the vehicle is not generating S sound, it is checked in step S24 whether or not the ignition switch 18 is in a travelable state.
If the vehicle is ready to run, it is checked in step S25 if the D range is selected.
If it is in the D range selection state, it is checked in step S26 whether or not the vehicle speed V is being determined to be traveling at a vehicle stop determination vehicle speed Vs or higher.
When it is determined in step S24 that the vehicle is ready to travel, in step S25 it is determined that the vehicle is in the D range selection state, and in step S26 it is determined that the vehicle is traveling (V ≧ Vs), in step S27, a D sound (pseudo engine sound) is generated. The outside speaker 1 is operated.

The sound D is an engine pseudo-noise as described above, but the frequency is kept high within a certain high frequency range where it is difficult to enter the vehicle compartment from outside the vehicle compartment while keeping the sound pressure level constant. Set to a frequency that increases as the vehicle speed increases.
In this way, when the sound D is set to a constant sound pressure level and the engine pseudo-noise is such that the frequency increases at higher vehicle speeds,
For people outside the vehicle, the distance to the vehicle can be determined from the volume of the D sound (the higher the volume of the D sound, the closer the vehicle is), and the vehicle speed can be determined from the level of the D sound (D The higher the sound, the higher the vehicle speed), and it is possible to know how close the vehicle is and how close it is from the D sound alone.

In the next step S28, it is checked whether or not the vehicle speed V after the start has reached the D sound unnecessary lower vehicle speed lower limit (D sound fade-out vehicle speed) of 30 Km / h or more. If the determination in step S28 is "No" In step S29, whether or not the vehicle speed V is lower than the D-sound fade-in vehicle speed of 25 Km / h, which is lower by a hysteresis (5 Km / h) than the D-sound unnecessary vehicle speed lower limit (D-sound fade-out vehicle speed) of 30 Km / h. To check.
When it is determined in step S28 that the vehicle speed V after the start has reached the D sound unnecessary lower vehicle speed lower limit (D sound fade-out vehicle speed) of 30 km / h, the D sound generated in step S27 gradually decreases in step S31. The vehicle exterior speaker 1 is activated so that it disappears (fades out).

If it is determined in step S29 that the vehicle speed V is less than the D-sound fade-in vehicle speed of 25 km / h, it is checked in step S32 whether or not a D-sound is being generated. If so, in step S33, the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is operated so that the D sound gradually increases from the sound pressure level 0 (fades in).
If it is determined in step S32 that the D sound is being generated, the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is operated so that the D sound is continuously generated by terminating the control as it is.

If it is determined in step S29 that the vehicle speed V is greater than or equal to the D sound fade-in vehicle speed 25Km / h, that is, the vehicle speed V is the D sound unnecessary vehicle speed lower limit (D sound fade-out vehicle speed) 30Km / h and the D sound fade-in vehicle speed 25Km / h. If the vehicle speed is in the hysteresis range between h and
By ending the control as it is, the operating state of the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is maintained in the current state, and the D sound generation state is maintained in the current state.

  If it is determined in step S24 that the ignition switch 18 is OFF and the vehicle cannot travel, the D sound is unnecessary. Therefore, the control proceeds to step S31 and the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is operated so that the D sound fades out. .

Also, if it is determined in step S25 that the D range is selected, or if it is still in the D range selected state but it is determined that the vehicle is stopped in step S26, the D sound is not necessary, so the D sound fades out. It is necessary to actuate the vehicle exterior speaker 1 so that the D sound control in this case is performed as follows.
First, in step S34, it is checked whether or not the stopped state of the vehicle speed V = 0 km / h has continued for a set time (here, 10 seconds). If the determination result here is “Yes”, the control proceeds to step S31. Then, the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is operated so that the D sound fades out.

If it is determined in step S34 that the vehicle is not in a stopped state with a vehicle speed V = 0 km / h, or if it is determined that the stopped state does not last longer than the set time (10 seconds)
In step S35, it is checked whether it is a non-traveling range of P range or N range, and if the determination result is “Yes”,
In step S36, it is checked whether or not the vehicle speed V is less than the stop determination vehicle speed Vs, and if the determination result is “Yes”,
In step S31, the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is operated so that the sound D fades out.

That is, while it is determined in step S34 that the vehicle is not in a stopped state with a vehicle speed V = 0 Km / h, or even if the vehicle is stopped, it is determined that this stopped state does not continue for a set time (10 seconds)
When the selected range is the non-running range (P, N range) (step S35) and the vehicle speed V is being determined to stop less than the stop determination vehicle speed Vs (step S36), the D sound is unnecessary. The D sound is faded out (step S31).

  However, when it is determined in step S35 that the vehicle is not in the non-traveling range (P, N range), or even if it is determined in step S35 that the vehicle is in the non-traveling range (P, N range), the vehicle speed V is determined to be the stop vehicle speed Vs in step S36. During the travel determination that is determined as described above, since the D sound is necessary, the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is continuously operated so as to continue generating the D sound by advancing the control to step S27.

Even if it is determined that the vehicle is in the non-traveling range (P, N range) in step S35, the D sound continues to be generated during the traveling determination in which it is determined in step S36 that the vehicle speed V is equal to or higher than the stoppage determination vehicle speed Vs. If you do so,
If the vehicle is still traveling due to inertia even after switching from the D range to the non-traveling range (P or N range), the D sound will continue to be generated from the speaker 1 outside the vehicle compartment. It is possible to alert the person in the vicinity of the front end with a warning while driving the vehicle.

Also, in this embodiment, when it is determined that the D range is selected in step S25, or the D sound is no longer necessary because it is still in the D range selected state but is determined to be stopped in step S26. In step S31, the D sound is continuously generated without fading out, and the D sound fading out in step S31 is performed for the first time when it is determined in step S34 that the vehicle speed V = 0 km / h has been stopped for a set time (10 seconds). I did so,
In a congested road where the vehicle speed V = 0 km / h does not last for the set time (10 seconds), the D sound fades out each time the vehicle stops, and the S sound is generated by the S sound control in Fig. 6 (step S15). Annoyance can be avoided.
In order to achieve this object more reliably, the above set time can be changed automatically while measuring the stop time on a congested road or manually by the driver considering the stop time on a congested road. It is good to do so.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when it is determined in step S13 or step S14 in FIG. 6 that the brake switch 15 is switched from ON to OFF by releasing the brake pedal, an S sound is generated in step S15.
While the brake pedal is being slowly returned from the depressed position, the brake pedal has not yet been released, and before the brake switch 15 is switched from ON to OFF, an S sound is generated in step S15. Not.

By the way, such a gentle brake pedal return operation also reduces the braking force, and the vehicle may start to move due to, for example, creep force or the slope of the downhill road. There is a need.
However, since the vehicle movement start alarm is an alarm after the vehicle starts to move, the D sound that warns the traveling is more appropriate than the S sound that warns the start.

Accordingly, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, when the brake pedal is slowly returned so that no S sound is generated, step S21 in FIG. 7 advances the control from step S24 to step S26. During the travel determination in which it is determined in step S26 that the vehicle speed V is equal to or higher than the stop determination vehicle speed Vs, a D sound is generated in step S27.
When the vehicle starts moving slowly by the brake pedal slow return operation, the D sound is generated instead of the S sound, and the movement of the vehicle is more suitable for the driving warning than the S sound for the start warning. Alarm can be surely made by D sound.

<Reverse warning sound (R sound)>
In controlling the reverse warning sound (R sound), the warning sound controller 12 in FIG. 5 executes the control program in FIG. 8 to perform the control.
First, in step S41, it is checked whether or not the ignition switch 18 is in an ON-runnable state.
If the vehicle is ready to run, it is checked in step S42 whether the R range is selected.
If the R range is selected, the vehicle exterior speaker 1 is actuated so that an R sound is generated in step S43.

That is, when the ignition switch 18 is ON (step S41) and the R range is selected (step S42), an R sound is immediately generated (step S43).
As described above, the R sound is the same as the “R range selection sound” generated from the vehicle interior speaker 11 during the R range selection, and the R sound (interim sound) is generated from the vehicle exterior speaker 1 in step S43. Is generated in synchronization with intermittent “R range selection sound” generated from the vehicle interior speaker 11.
Note that, on the contrary, the intermittent “R range selection sound” from the vehicle interior speaker 11 may be synchronized with the R sound (intermittent sound) from the vehicle exterior speaker 1.

In any case, when synchronizing the R sound (intermittent sound) from the vehicle exterior speaker 1 and the intermittent “R range selection sound” from the vehicle interior speaker 11 as described above,
The R sound from the vehicle exterior speaker 1 that does not need to be heard by the driver is put on the intermittent “R range selection sound” from the vehicle interior speaker 11 and is not heard by the driver. Can eliminate the annoyance of unnecessary R sounds from the driver,
By synchronizing the above R sound (intermittent sound) with the intermittent “R range selection sound”, the R sound (intermittent sound) from the vehicle exterior speaker 1 and the intermittent “R range selection sound” from the vehicle interior speaker 11 The period in which none occurs is prolonged, and during this period other alarm sounds, such as the “obstacle approach alarm” described above, are emitted from the speaker 11 in the vehicle interior so that the driver can be surely and promptly recognized. it can.

  If it is determined in step S41 that the ignition switch 18 is in an untravelable state, the reverse travel is impossible and the generation of the R sound is unnecessary, so the control is terminated as it is and step S43 is skipped. R sound is not generated (the outside speaker 1 is deactivated).

  If it is determined in step S42 that the R range is not selected, it is checked in step S44 whether the non-running range (P or N range) is selected, and the non-running range (P or N range) is not selected. When it is determined that the D range is selected, the generation of the R sound is unnecessary, so the control is terminated as it is and the step S43 is skipped to prevent the generation of the R sound (outside the passenger compartment). Speaker 1 is deactivated).

  If it is determined in step S44 that the non-traveling range (P or N range) is selected, it is checked in step S45 whether or not the vehicle speed V is determined to be less than the vehicle stop determination vehicle speed Vs. The vehicle exterior speaker 1 is operated so that the R sound generated in step S43 gradually decreases and disappears (fading out).

However, even if it is determined that the non-traveling range (P or N range) is selected in step S44, it is recognized in step S45 that the vehicle speed V is not being determined to be less than the stop determination vehicle speed Vs (that is, the travel determination is being performed). Since the vehicle is moving backward even in the non-traveling range (P or N range), the control proceeds to step S47, and the loudspeaker outside the vehicle 1 continues so that the R sound started to be generated in step S43 is continuously generated. Continue to operate.
By doing so, if the vehicle is still moving backward due to inertia even after switching from the R range to the non-running range (P or N range), the R sound will continue to be generated from the outdoor speaker 1, Even in such a case, it is possible to alert the person in the vicinity of the rear end of the vehicle with a warning while the vehicle is moving backwards.

  However, in step S47, the R sound is generated when it is determined in step S42 that the R range is not selected. At this time, as is clear from the above description, the "R range selected sound" is obtained from the vehicle interior speaker 11. Is not generated, it is not necessary to synchronize the R sound from the vehicle exterior speaker 1 and the “R range selection sound” from the vehicle interior speaker 11 as in step S43.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the D sound is generated by the driver while stopping (step S11 in FIG. 6), such as D range selection and brake pedal release (steps S12 to S14 in FIG. 6). In contrast to the generation of the S sound in response to (step S15 in the figure), for example, it is generated after a predetermined time (step S22 in FIG. 7) such as 500 msec has passed.
As described above with reference to FIG. 8, the R sound is generated immediately when the R range selection operation by the driver (step S42 in FIG. 8) is performed (step S43 in FIG. 8). The reason is as follows. is there.

In other words, the vehicle is intended to travel forward, and traveling backward is more difficult for the driver than traveling forward,
People in the vicinity have predicted that the vehicle will normally move in the forward direction, and originally paid attention to the forward travel, but the reverse travel is a movement in the unexpected direction of the vehicle. The situation is not paying much attention.

Therefore, the reverse warning sound (R sound) that should be generated for warnings when traveling backward is an alarm sound when traveling in a direction that the driver is unfamiliar with, and the surrounding people are traveling in unexpected directions. Since it is a warning sound at the time, it is preferable for safety that it is generated as early as possible to call attention to the people around.
On the other hand, the forward warning sound (D sound) that should be generated for warning when traveling forward is a warning sound when traveling in the direction familiar to the driver, and vehicles that are expected by the surrounding people Since it is a warning sound when driving in the original direction, the D sound is an engine pseudo sound as described above, and it is good to shorten the generation time of the D sound as much as possible to ensure the quietness of the vehicle. In combination, the D sound is preferably generated as late as possible.

In this embodiment, in view of such a request, as described above, the R sound is not generated immediately when the R range selection operation by the driver (step S42 in FIG. 8) is performed (step S43 in FIG. 8).
As described above, the D sound is a softphone type in response to a start preparation operation (steps S12 to S14 in FIG. 6) such as D range selection and brake pedal release by the driver while stopped (step S11 in FIG. 6). After the soft S sound is generated (step S15 in the figure), it is generated after a predetermined time (step S22 in FIG. 7) such as 500 msec elapses.
By doing so, alarm sound can be generated at the required timing and during the required period both during forward travel and reverse travel, and the surrounding people can be confused by unnecessary alarm sound. Disappear.

<Alarm sound prohibition control>
In the middle of the night or in residential areas, alarm sounds from the speaker 1 outside the vehicle, such as S, D, and R sounds, can be annoying. In such cases, the driver can turn off the mute switch 16 in FIG. Press to issue a warning sound prohibition command.
Here, it is assumed that the mute switch 16 is self-returned when it is not pressed and is maintained in the normal position (OFF position), and is turned on each time it is pressed to issue a warning sound prohibition command.

The alarm sound controller 12 of FIG. 5 executes the control program of FIG. 9 and performs the alarm sound prohibition control as follows when the alarm sound prohibit command is input from the mute switch 16.
In step S51, it is checked whether or not the mute switch 16 is turned on, whether or not the alarm sound prohibition command is present is checked, and control is performed while the mute switch 16 is not turned on (the alarm sound prohibition command is not issued). The process is terminated immediately and the prohibition of the warning sound is not executed, thereby generating the warning sound as described above with reference to FIGS.

  When it is determined in step S51 that the mute switch 16 has been turned on (a warning sound prohibition command has been issued), the generation of a warning sound is prohibited in step S52. The alarm sound (S sound, D sound, R sound) should not be generated.

In the next step S53, it is checked whether or not the vehicle speed V is equal to or higher than the lower limit value of the D sound unnecessary vehicle speed (D sound fade-out vehicle speed) 30Km / h described in step S28 in FIG. ", The control is terminated as it is, and the prohibition of alarm sound generation in step S52 is continued.
When it is determined in step S53 that the vehicle speed V is greater than or equal to the D sound fade-out vehicle speed (30 Km / h), the control proceeds to step S54, and the control according to FIGS. A warning sound (S sound, D sound, R sound) is generated from the speaker 1 outside the vehicle in the street.

  According to the above warning sound prohibition control, when the warning sound from the speaker 1 outside the vehicle is annoying because it is late at night or in a residential area, when the driver presses the mute switch 16 (step S51), FIG. Regardless of the control of 8, the alarm sound (S sound, D sound, R sound) can be prohibited from being emitted from the speaker outside the vehicle (step S52). Can avoid inconvenience.

By the way, if the driver presses the mute switch 16 and prohibits the generation of the alarm sound, the alarm sound will not be emitted even after traveling to a place where the alarm sound will not be annoying. Don't do that.
Therefore, in this embodiment, when the vehicle speed V exceeds the D sound fade-out vehicle speed (30 Km / h) (step S53), it is determined that the vehicle has traveled to a place where the alarm sound is not annoying, and the above alarm sound generation prohibition is prohibited. By releasing (step S54), an alarm sound (S sound, D sound, R sound) can be generated from the vehicle exterior speaker 1 as controlled by FIGS.

  By doing so, it is possible to avoid the above-mentioned problem that the warning sound is not emitted even after traveling to a place where the warning sound does not bother, and the warning device does not serve as a safety device.

  As in this example, when the vehicle speed V exceeds the D-sound fade-out vehicle speed (30 Km / h), the warning sound prohibition release condition is established, and when this condition is satisfied, the warning sound is not disturbed. When judging that the vehicle has traveled and canceling the prohibition of the alarm sound, the following effects can be obtained.

  In other words, when the warning sound prohibition release condition is the vehicle speed V <D sound fade-out vehicle speed (30 km / h), this low vehicle speed range is the D sound generation vehicle speed region as apparent from the above, so this low vehicle speed Even if you press the mute switch 16 in the area (turn it on) and prohibit the alarm sound, even if the alarm sound is still annoying when you take your finger off the mute switch 16, The prohibition of the alarm sound is canceled and an alarm sound is generated, which causes a problem of inconvenience to neighboring people.

However, in this embodiment, the alarm sound prohibition cancellation condition is set when the vehicle speed V exceeds the D sound fade-out vehicle speed (30 Km / h), and the prohibition of the alarm sound is canceled when this condition is satisfied. ,
When vehicle speed V is lower than D sound fading out (30Km / h) at low vehicle speed range (D sound generation vehicle speed range) and mute switch 16 is turned on and the finger is released from mute switch 16, the prohibition of warning sound is released It is possible to avoid the above-mentioned problem that an alarm sound is emitted and annoying other people in the vicinity, even though the alarm sound is still annoying. .

<Alarm sound increase control>
When driving in a noisy place such as a factory or a busy street, the warning sound from the outside speaker 1 such as S, D, R sounds will be given to the people around you if the sound level is at the specified level. In such a case, the driver presses the sound increase switch 17 in FIG. 5 and issues an alarm sound increase command.
Here, it is assumed that the sound increase switch 17 is self-returned when it is not pressed and is kept in the normal position (OFF position), and is turned ON every time it is pressed to issue an alarm sound increase command.

When the alarm sound increase command is input from the sound increase switch 17, the alarm sound controller 12 of FIG. 5 executes the control program of FIG. 10 and performs the alarm sound increase control as follows.
In step S61, it is checked whether or not the sound increase switch 17 is turned on, the presence or absence of the alarm sound increase command is checked, and while the sound increase switch 17 is not turned on (the alarm sound increase command is not issued), The control is terminated as it is, and the alarm sound is not increased, so that the sound pressure level of the alarm sound generated as described above with reference to FIGS.

  When it is determined in step S61 that the sound increase switch 17 is turned on (alarm sound increase command is issued), the alarm sound is increased in step S62, and the vehicle exterior speaker 1 generated under the control of FIGS. The sound pressure level of the alarm sound (S sound, D sound, R sound) is increased so that the sound becomes louder than the specified value.

In the next step S63, it is checked whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the sound increase switch 17 was turned on (the generation of an alarm sound increase command). If it is determined that the predetermined time has not yet elapsed since the switch 17 is turned on (generation of an alarm sound increase command), the control is terminated as it is, and the alarm sound increase in step S62 is continuously performed. .
When it is determined in step S63 that the predetermined time has elapsed since the sound increase switch 17 is turned on (generation of an alarm sound increase command), the control is advanced to step S64, and the increase of the alarm sound in step S62 is canceled. The sound pressure level of the alarm sound (S sound, D sound, R sound) generated from the vehicle exterior speaker 1 generated under the control of FIGS. 6 to 8 is lowered to a specified value.
To generate.

  According to the above alarm sound increase control, the driver can increase the sound increase switch 17 when a surrounding person is difficult to hear the alarm sound from the speaker 1 outside the vehicle compartment due to a noisy place such as a factory or a downtown area. When the is pressed (step S61), the alarm sound (S sound, D sound, R sound) from the vehicle exterior speaker 1 emitted under the control of FIGS. 6 to 8 can be increased by increasing the sound pressure level (step S61). S62) Even in noisy places such as factories and downtowns, the surrounding people can hear the alarm sound from the speaker 1 outside the vehicle compartment without fail.

By the way, if the driver presses the sound increase switch 17 to increase the alarm sound, when driving to a place where it is not noisy, neighboring people will be disturbed by an alarm sound larger than the standard Become.
Therefore, in this embodiment, when the predetermined time has elapsed after the sound increase switch 17 is turned ON (generation of the alarm sound increase command) (step S63), by canceling the increase of the alarm sound (step S64), Alarm sound (S sound, D sound, R sound) generated from the vehicle exterior speaker 1 generated under the control of FIGS. 6 to 8 can be lowered so that the sound pressure level becomes a specified level.

  By doing so, when the above-mentioned fixed time has passed since the sound-increasing switch 17 is turned on, it is determined that the vehicle has traveled to a quiet place such as a suburban area or a residential area. The alarm sound from the speaker 1 (S sound, D sound, R sound) is lowered to the specified sound pressure level, so that the alarm sound increase state due to ON of the sound increase switch 17 will not continue forever, a quiet place Thus, people in the vicinity of the vehicle will not be bothered by a loud warning sound.

<Effects of Example>
In the alarm sound generating device for a vehicle according to the above-described embodiment, among existing spaces in the motor room (power source room) of the vehicle body, it can be a resonance box for the speaker outside the vehicle (alarm sound generating source) 1. In addition, as add-on frame 3, air guide 4, fender cover 5, bonnet (not shown) ) And install a speaker outside the vehicle (alarm sound source) 1 in this existing space,
Since this existing space is configured to be used as a resonance box for the speaker outside the vehicle (alarm sound source) 1,
The vehicle alarm sound generator of this embodiment is non-directional, and even if there is only one speaker outside the vehicle (alarm sound source) 1 and this speaker outside the vehicle (alarm sound source) 1 is directly outside the vehicle body. Even if it is not arranged outwardly toward the vehicle, a warning action equivalent to this can be obtained without arranging a plurality of warning sound generating sources before and after the vehicle as in the prior art described above.

  Since only one speaker outside the vehicle (alarm sound generation source) 1 is required as described above, considerable cost reduction can be realized including the mounting bracket, and the speaker outside the vehicle interior (alarm sound generation source) There will be no difficulty in the layout of 1.

In addition, as described above, the speaker outside the vehicle compartment (alarm sound generation source) 1 does not have to be placed outward facing directly to the outside of the vehicle body.
The speaker outside the vehicle (alarm sound generation source) 1 is not damaged or damaged by the muddy water or stones that have sprung up from the wheel, and the speaker outside the vehicle (alarm sound generation source) 1 is covered with rain, snow, or high-pressure car wash water. And will not break down.

<Other examples>
In the vehicle alarm sound generation device according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the alarm sound from the outside speaker 1 collides with the air guide 4 and is reflected thereby to be diffused in the existing space. After that, add-on frame 3, air guide 4, fender cover 5 and bonnet (not shown) that provide the defined walls of this existing space, existing holes such as positioning holes opened in these, etc. , It was dissipated out of the vehicle through the opening of the existing space defining wall,
The opening portion of the existing space defining wall surface that passes through when the alarm sound is reflected after being collided with the air guide 4 and diffused in the existing space, Needless to say, the positioning holes are not limited to existing positioning holes, and new gaps and holes may be used.

Further, the existing space is not limited to the existing space in the motor room (power source room) of the vehicle body as in the illustrated example, and any existing space existing in the vehicle body can be used.
However, it can be a resonance box for the speaker outside the vehicle (alarm sound source) 1 and the existing conditions satisfy the condition that no foreign matter such as muddy water and stones, and rain, snow, and high-pressure car wash water enter. There are many spaces in the motor room (power source room) of the vehicle body, and it is advantageous to use the existing space in the motor room (power source room) of the vehicle body in that it is easy to secure the existing space.

Furthermore, the existing space does not have to be defined by the existing vehicle body members as in the illustrated example, but an existing space that satisfies the above two requirements by adding new members. Of course,
Further, the member that the alarm sound from the vehicle exterior speaker 1 collides and reflects is not limited to the existing member (air guide 4) as shown in the figure, and a new member faces the speaker 1 outside the vehicle compartment. Of course, an alarm sound from the outside speaker 1 may collide and be reflected by this new member.

1 Speaker outside vehicle compartment (alarm sound source)
2 Drive source unit
3 Add-on frame (existing space defining wall)
4 Air guide (existing space defining wall)
5 Fender cover (existing space defining wall)
6 Bracket
11 Car interior speakers
12 Alarm sound controller
13 Range sensor
14 Vehicle speed sensor
15 Brake switch
16 Mute switch
17 Sound increase switch
18 Ignition switch
19 Obstacle approach distance sensor

Claims (2)

In a vehicle warning sound generator that emits vehicle information as a warning sound outside the vehicle,
An add-on frame that supports the power source unit, an air guide that guides the vehicle traveling wind from the front to the power source unit, In the existing space surrounded by the fender cover that defines the wheel house, foreign matter in the power source room does not enter, an alarm sound source that emits the alarm sound is installed,
An alarm sound generating apparatus for a vehicle, wherein the existing space is used as a resonance box for the alarm sound generating source. In the vehicle alarm sound generator according to claim 1 ,
The alarm sound generation source is installed in the existing space with the alarm sound propagation direction facing the wall surface defining the existing space,
An alarm sound from the alarm sound source is reflected by the wall surface, diffused in the existing space, and then diffused out of the vehicle through an opening in the existing space defining wall surface. Alarm sound generator.

Images