JP6992441B2 - Air-conditioning sound refreshing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for improving air conditioning sound.

Conventionally, for example, Patent Document 1 has proposed a noise-reducing device for noise-improving noise generated by a noise source. This noise improver is based on the physiological characteristics of human hearing with respect to noise by outputting a signal adjusted to approximate the frequency characteristics of the average noise spectrum from a speaker and superimposing it on the noise. It is configured to produce a masking effect.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-37577

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, the sound pressure of the mask sound for masking noise is not constant and fluctuates with time. Therefore, when the mask sound is superimposed on the noise emitted from the noise source such as the air conditioning sound of the air conditioning device, the sound pressure of the mask sound may be smaller than the air conditioning sound. In such a case, there is a problem that the air-conditioning sound cannot be sufficiently masked and the air-conditioning sound is sometimes heard.

In view of the above points, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sound-improving device for air-conditioning sound that can improve user comfort with respect to the air-conditioning sound of the air-conditioning device that is a noise source.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a sound-conditioning device for improving the air-conditioning sound of the air-conditioning device (200), which is a noise source, and is a user's sound preference characteristic. The preference characteristic acquisition unit (S110, S111) for acquiring the above is included.

Further, the air-conditioning sound-reducing device uses a control signal for controlling the air-conditioning device as an air-conditioning device so that the air-conditioning sound has a frequency characteristic corresponding to the taste characteristic acquired by the preference characteristic acquisition unit when the air-conditioning device is in operation. It includes an adjusting unit (101) that adjusts the sound pressure of the air conditioning sound by outputting it.
The preference characteristic contains information on whether or not it reflects the preference of the peak sound. When the preference characteristic includes information that reflects the preference of the peak sound, the adjusting unit adjusts the sound pressure of the air conditioning sound so that the air conditioning sound has the frequency characteristic according to the preference of the peak sound.

According to this, the air-conditioning sound during operation of the air-conditioning device is adjusted by the adjusting unit to a sound according to the user's taste preference characteristic, so that the user's impression of the air-conditioning sound can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to improve the user's comfort with respect to the air-conditioning sound of the air-conditioning device which is a noise source.

The reference numerals in parentheses of each means described in this column and the scope of claims indicate the correspondence with the specific means described in the embodiments described later.

It is a figure which showed the structure of the air-conditioning sound smoothing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which showed the content of the preference acquisition process by a processing unit. It is a flowchart which showed the content of the sound-relief processing by a processing unit. It is a figure which showed the frequency characteristic of the air-conditioning sound when a user prefers a loud volume. It is a figure which showed the frequency characteristic of the air-conditioning sound when a user prefers a high-pitched sound. It is a figure which showed the frequency characteristic of the air-conditioning sound when a user prefers a peak sound.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The air-conditioning sound-enhancing device according to the present embodiment is mounted on the vehicle. The sound-reducing device functions to improve the air-conditioning sound of the air-conditioning device, which is one of the noise sources in the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sound-reducing device 100 includes an adjusting unit 101 and a storage unit 102. The adjusting unit 101 performs a preference acquisition process and a sound-enhancing process. The preference acquisition process is a process of acquiring user's sound preference information and storing it in the storage unit 102. The "user's sound preference" is a user's sound preference characteristic.

The sound-reducing process is a process of adjusting the sound pressure of the air-conditioning sound of the air-conditioning device 200 so that the air-conditioning sound has a frequency characteristic according to the user's sound preference when the air-conditioning device 200 is in operation. That is, the adjusting unit 101 controls to adjust the frequency characteristic of the air conditioning sound. Further, the adjusting unit 101 acquires the air-conditioning amount of the air-conditioning device 200 in the sound-improving process, and when the air-conditioning device 200 exceeds the reference air amount, the adjusting unit 101 adjusts the sound pressure of the air-conditioning sound while maintaining the air-conditioning amount.

Here, the air conditioner 200 is an air conditioner system composed of an air conditioner unit (HVAC) (not shown) and an electronic control device (ECU) that controls air conditioning in the vehicle interior. The air-conditioning unit is, for example, divided into a plurality of unit cases and formed, and the plurality of unit cases formed by the division are fitted and assembled. Further, in the plurality of unit cases, various electric parts such as a blower, an electric actuator for driving an air mix door, an inside / outside air switching door, and various sensors are arranged.

The air conditioning sound is a sound generated by the operation of the air conditioning unit. For example, the sound of a blower, the sound of a blower from an outlet, and the like correspond to the sound of air conditioning. What kind of air-conditioning noise is generated is known in advance from the ventilation conditions of the air-conditioning unit and the running conditions of the vehicle. The blowing conditions are the set temperature, the air volume, the operation mode, and the like. In the vehicle, the frequency characteristics of the air conditioning sound are predetermined.

The storage unit 102 is a memory that stores user's favorite information of sound. The user's sound preference information is, for example, information on whether or not the volume prefers a volume above the reference volume, whether or not the pitch prefers a pitch above the reference pitch, and whether or not the user prefers a peak sound. be.

The volume indicates whether the overall level of the air conditioning sound is high or low. The pitch is the so-called pitch, and indicates whether the pitch of the air conditioning sound is high or low. The peak sound is a narrow band sound existing at a specific frequency, and indicates a sound protruding from a wide band sound represented by a turbulent sound. Further, the storage unit 102 stores the data of the control amount of the air conditioner 200 corresponding to the information of the user's favorite sound. The control amount is a parameter for controlling the air conditioner 200 so that the air conditioner has a frequency characteristic according to the user's favorite information of the sound. The control amount is, for example, a control parameter such as motor control or active noise control.

Therefore, the control amount is a parameter that changes the frequency characteristic according to the information of the user's favorite sound. For example, when the user prefers a loud volume, the control amount is a parameter for increasing the sound pressure in the low frequency region of the frequency characteristics of the air conditioning sound. Further, when the user prefers high-pitched sound, the control amount is a parameter for increasing the sound pressure in the high-frequency region in the frequency characteristics of the air-conditioning sound. Further, if the user prefers the peak sound, the control amount is a parameter that adds the peak sound to the frequency characteristic of the air conditioning sound. The adjusting unit 101 outputs a control signal including a controlled amount to the air conditioner 200.

The sound-reducing device 100 is composed of, for example, one IC chip. The sound-reducing device 100 may be a part of an integrated circuit unit (ASIC) mounted on a printed circuit board. The sound-reducing device 100 is connected to the power supply of the vehicle and starts operation when the vehicle is started. The above is the configuration of the sound-reducing device 100.

Next, the preference acquisition process of the sound-improving device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The preference acquisition process shown in FIG. 2 is executed at a preset timing, or is executed periodically.

In step S110, information on the user's favorite sound is acquired. That is, the user's sound preference characteristics are acquired. The user's sound preference information is acquired in advance by the adjusting unit 101 by having the user answer a plurality of questions via an in-vehicle audio device or the like when the user gets on the vehicle for the first time. Alternatively, the user may use the audio device many times, and the adjusting unit 101 may acquire information on the user's sound preference by learning the user's sound preference.

In step S111, the user's favorite sound information acquired in step S110 is stored in the storage unit 102. Regarding the correspondence between the description of the present embodiment and the description of the claims, the means for executing steps S110 and S111 correspond to the "preference characteristic acquisition unit" in the claims.

Subsequently, the sound-reducing process of the sound-reducing device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The sound-reducing process is executed by the adjusting unit 101. The sound-enhancing process shown in FIG. 3 is executed or repeatedly executed at a preset timing.

In step S120, the blowing conditions of the air conditioner 200 are acquired. As for the blowing conditions, the set temperature, temperature, blowing amount and the like are acquired from the air conditioning device 200 according to the current air conditioning mode and the like. Regarding the correspondence between the description of the present embodiment and the description of the claims, the means for executing step 120 corresponds to the "air blowing amount acquisition unit" in the claims.

In step S121, it is determined whether or not the amount of air blown exceeds the reference air amount based on the air blown conditions acquired in step S120. When the air volume exceeds the reference air volume, the sound pressure of the air conditioning sound after step S122 is adjusted while maintaining the air volume.

In step S122, it is determined whether or not the user prefers a loud volume. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the information on the user's sound preference characteristic includes information that reflects the preference for a volume equal to or higher than the reference volume. If the information on the user's sound preference characteristic includes information that reflects the preference for a volume equal to or higher than the reference volume, the process proceeds to step S123.

In step S123, the control signal includes a control amount corresponding to a volume equal to or higher than the reference volume, and the control signal is output to the air conditioner 200. As a result, the sound pressure of the air-conditioning sound is adjusted so that the air-conditioning sound has a frequency characteristic according to the taste of the volume. That is, the air-conditioning sound has a frequency characteristic according to the user's sound preference characteristic. When the user prefers a loud volume, the sound pressure in the low frequency region of the frequency characteristics of the air conditioning sound becomes high, as shown in FIG. The horizontal axis of FIG. 4 shows the frequency (Frequency [Hz]), and the vertical axis shows the sound pressure (Sound Pressure Level [dBA]). The same applies to FIGS. 5 and 6 below.

If the user's sound preference information does not include information that prefers a volume equal to or higher than the reference volume in step S122, or if the process of step S123 is completed, the process proceeds to step S124.

In step S124, it is determined whether or not the user prefers pitch. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the information of the user's sound preference characteristic includes information that reflects the preference of the pitch above the reference pitch. If the information of the user's sound preference characteristic includes information that reflects the preference of the pitch above the reference pitch, the process proceeds to step S125.

In step S125, the control signal includes a control amount corresponding to the pitch above the reference pitch, and the control signal is output to the air conditioner 200. As a result, the sound pressure of the air-conditioning sound is adjusted so that the air-conditioning sound has a frequency characteristic according to the preference of the pitch. When the user prefers high-pitched sound, as shown in FIG. 5, the sound pressure in the high-frequency region of the frequency characteristics of the air-conditioning sound becomes high.

If the user's sound preference information does not include information that prefers a pitch higher than the reference pitch in step S124, or if the process of step S125 is completed, the process proceeds to step S126.

In step S126, it is determined whether or not the user prefers the peak sound. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the information of the user's sound preference characteristic includes information that reflects the peak sound preference. If the information on the user's sound preference characteristic includes information that reflects the peak sound preference, the process proceeds to step S127.

In step S127, the control amount corresponding to the peak sound is included in the control signal, and the control signal is output to the air conditioner 200. As a result, the sound pressure of the air-conditioning sound is adjusted so that the air-conditioning sound has a frequency characteristic according to the preference of the peak sound. When the user prefers the peak sound, as shown in FIG. 6, a component corresponding to the peak sound is added to a predetermined frequency band of the frequency characteristic of the air conditioning sound.

When the information of the user's sound preference characteristic does not include the information reflecting the peak sound preference in step S126, or when the process of step S127 is completed, the sound-enhancing process ends.

When the user has a plurality of sound preferences, the sound pressure is adjusted so that the air-conditioning sound has a frequency characteristic that reflects all of the user's preferences. For example, when the user prefers loud volume, treble tone, and peak tone, the air conditioning sound has the frequency characteristics shown by the broken line in FIG. 4 in the low frequency region to the intermediate frequency region, and is in the intermediate frequency region to the high frequency region. Then, the frequency characteristics are shown by the broken line in FIG.

When the user prefers loud volume, does not like high frequency, and prefers peak sound, the air conditioning sound has the frequency characteristics shown by the broken line in FIG. 4 in the low frequency region to the intermediate frequency region, and the broken line in FIG. 6 in the high frequency region. This is the frequency characteristic in which the peak component indicated by is displayed.

When the user does not like loud volume, prefers high-pitched sound, and prefers peak sound, the air-conditioning sound has the frequency characteristics shown by the broken line in FIG. 5 in the intermediate frequency region to the high frequency region, and the broken line in FIG. 6 in the high frequency region. The frequency characteristic is such that the indicated peak component appears.

In this way, even if the user has a plurality of sound preferences, a control signal for controlling the air conditioning device 200 is output to the air conditioning device 200 so that the air conditioning sound has frequency characteristics that satisfy all the user's preferences. By doing so, the sound pressure of the air conditioning sound is adjusted.

When the user's preference for a plurality of sounds is reflected in the air-conditioning sound, the control amount according to each preference may be uniformly applied to the air-conditioning device 200. Further, one preferred control amount may be adjusted according to the other preferred control amount and then applied to the air conditioner 200. For example, the control amount corresponding to the high-pitched sound is increased or decreased according to the control amount corresponding to the peak sound.

If the user does not like loud sounds, high sounds, and peak sounds, the frequency characteristics of the air conditioning sound will not be changed. That is, the air conditioner 200 is not controlled by the sound-reducing device 100.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S121 that the air volume does not exceed the reference air volume, the process proceeds to step S128. This corresponds to the case where the amount of air blown is small even when the air conditioner 200 is in operation, or when the air conditioner 200 is not in operation.

In step S128, a process is performed in which the sound pressure of the air conditioning sound is not adjusted. That is, a process in which the air conditioner 200 is not controlled is performed. Even when the air conditioner 200 is in operation, the amount of air blown is small, so it is presumed that the air conditioning sound does not become a sound that the user cares about. In this way, the sound conversion process is completed.

As described above, the air-conditioning sound during operation of the air-conditioning device 200 is adjusted by the adjusting unit 101 to a sound according to the user's sound preference. Therefore, the user's impression of the air-conditioning sound can be improved, and the user's comfort with respect to the air-conditioning sound of the air-conditioning device 200, which is a noise source, can be improved.

Further, since the impression of the air-conditioning sound by the user changes, the warm-cooling feeling of the user can be improved based on the change of the hot-cooling feeling according to the frequency characteristic of the air-conditioning sound. That is, the effectiveness of air conditioning can be improved. Even if the frequency characteristics for enhancing the hot and cold feeling are different for each user depending on the user's sound preference, the frequency characteristics of the air conditioning sound can be adjusted for each user, so that the hot and cold feeling can be enhanced for each user.

(Other embodiments)
The configuration of the sound-reducing device 100 shown in each of the above embodiments is an example, and the configuration is not limited to the configuration shown above, and other configurations that can realize the present invention can be used. For example, the sound-reducing device 100 is not limited to vehicles, but can also be applied to air-conditioning devices for buildings and the like. In this case, the user's sound preference may be obtained from the air conditioning panel or the like.

For example, as one of the user's sound preferences, the preference of temporal fluctuation of sound may be adopted. The temporal fluctuation of the sound is the fluctuation of the sound, and is the change of the pitch with time. When adjusting the frequency characteristics of the air-conditioning sound according to the preference, for example, the period and width of the fluctuation are adjusted.

100 Sound-reducing device 101 Adjustment unit 102 Storage unit 200 Air-conditioning device

Claims (4)

It is a noise-reducing device for air-conditioning sound for improving the air-conditioning sound of the air-conditioning device (200) which is a noise source.
The preference characteristic acquisition unit (S110, S111) for acquiring the preference characteristic of the user's sound, and
By outputting a control signal for controlling the air-conditioning device to the air-conditioning device so as to be an air-conditioning sound having a frequency characteristic corresponding to the preference characteristic acquired by the preference characteristic acquisition unit when the air-conditioning device is in operation. The adjusting unit (101) that adjusts the sound pressure of the air conditioning sound,
Including
The preference characteristic includes information on whether or not the preference of the peak sound is reflected.
When the preference characteristic includes information reflecting the preference of the peak sound, the adjusting unit determines the sound pressure of the air conditioning sound so as to be an air conditioning sound having a frequency characteristic corresponding to the preference of the peak sound. A device that makes the air conditioning sound easier to adjust . The preference characteristic includes information on whether or not the preference of a volume above the reference volume is reflected.
When the preference characteristic includes information that reflects the preference for a volume equal to or higher than the reference volume, the adjusting unit makes a sound of the air conditioning sound so as to be an air conditioning sound having a frequency characteristic corresponding to the preference of the volume. The device for improving air-conditioning sound according to claim 1, wherein the pressure is adjusted. The preference characteristic includes information on whether or not the preference of a pitch above the reference pitch is reflected.
When the information of the preference characteristic includes information that reflects the preference of the pitch above the reference pitch, the adjusting unit makes the air-conditioning sound of the frequency characteristic corresponding to the preference of the pitch. The device for improving the sound of air conditioning according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sound pressure of the air conditioning sound is adjusted. The air-conditioning device includes an air-conditioning acquisition unit (S120) for acquiring the air-conditioning amount.
Any one of claims 1 to 3 in which the adjusting unit adjusts the sound pressure of the air conditioning sound while maintaining the air volume when the air volume acquired by the air volume acquisition unit exceeds the reference air volume. The device for improving the air-conditioning sound described in 1.

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