VEHICLE NOTIFICATION SOUND DEVICE

专利摘要:
vehicle notification sounder this is a vehicle notification sounder which is basically provided with a sound emission device (1,11) and a notification sound control device (12 ). the sound emitting device (1,11) is configured to emit a motion notification sound to an exterior of a vehicle to inform a person in an area surrounding the vehicle that the vehicle is going to move. the notification sound control device (12) is configured to operate the sound emission device (1,11) in response to the occurrence of a vehicle condition. the notification sound control device (12) sets the motion notification sound of the sound emission device (1.11) to a frequency in a range of 1.5 kHz to 6 kHz.
公开号:BR112012019926B1
申请号:R112012019926-9
申请日:2011-02-07
公开日:2021-08-24
发明作者:Hironori Saito；Katsumi Kimura；Tsuyoshi KANUMA；Hideo Yoshino；Yuji Watanabe；Toshiyuki Yamamoto
申请人:Nissan Motor Co., Ltd；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

Cross Reference to Related Orders
[001] This application claims priority under 35 USC § 119 to Japanese Patent Applications Nos. 2010-026117, Nos. 2010-026118, and 2010-026123, filed February 9, 2010. Japanese Patent No. 2010-026117, No. 2010-026118, and No. 2010-026123 are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Background Field of Invention
[002] The present invention generally relates to vehicle sound emission technology to inform a person in a surrounding area of the vehicle that the vehicle is moving, or is about to move, in a forward direction, for example, forward or backward. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus which emits a notification sound to inform people of the existence of the vehicle.
[003] Some vehicles have a very quiet operational sound and/or movement sound (which includes a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine). For example, an electrically powered vehicle such as an electric car configured to be electrically driven (EV drive) using only an electric motor is typically quite quiet while in operation and/or motion. Furthermore, for example, a hybrid vehicle that has an electric drive mode (EV mode) in which the vehicle is driven simply with an electric motor is typically quite quiet while in operation and/or moving. In such very quiet vehicles, the operational sound and/or movement sound (vehicle information) such as the existence of the vehicle, a driver's intention as indicated by a gear shift or other operation, a vehicle forward direction ( forward or backward), a vehicle speed and/or other vehicle travel condition is often unnoticeable by a person in a surrounding area of the vehicle by issuing a notification sound to the outside of the vehicle. Thus, while it is typically desirable for vehicle occupants to have a good vehicle, there are times that it is desirable for the vehicle to convey the vehicle's existence to a person in an area surrounding the vehicle by emitting a notification sound to the outside of the vehicle.
[004] Among the vehicle information mentioned above, technology has been proposed to emit a motion notification sound to inform a person in an exterior area surrounding the vehicle that the vehicle is moving in a forward direction or a reverse direction, (ie a direction of advance). For example, conventional motion notification sound technology is disclosed in Japanese patent publication open to public inspection No. 2002233001 in which a motion notification sound is emitted to indicate the vehicle's movement in a forward direction. More specifically, this patent publication introduces a technology in which a pseudo engine sound that resembles the sound of a vehicle driven by an engine is emitted as a motion notification sound. Another example of conventional motion notification sound technology is disclosed in Japanese patent publication open to public inspection No. 2004-136831 in which a notification sound emitting apparatus emits a forward motion notification sound to inform a person in an area surrounding a vehicle that the vehicle is in forward motion when the vehicle has started to move forward from a stop. Yet another example of conventional motion notification sound technology is disclosed in Japanese patent publication open to public inspection No. 2005-343360 in which a notification sound emitting apparatus emits a forward motion notification sound to inform a person in a surrounding area of a vehicle that the vehicle is moving forward when the vehicle has started to move forward from a stop. A notification sound volume is changed when the vehicle is starting to move and when the vehicle is moving. With these conventional vehicle notification sounding devices, a person in an area surrounding the vehicle can recognize that a moving vehicle is nearby by hearing the pseudo engine sound or other sound and take care. In this way, the device helps to prevent accidents. summary
[005] It has been found that conventional vehicle notification sounding apparatus such as the one mentioned above simply emits a pseudo engine sound as a motion notification sound. However, this conventional technology does not control the quality of the notification sound. As such, there is no assurance that a motion notification sound emitted from a conventional vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus will be easily heard by a person in an area surrounding the exterior of the vehicle. Depending on the environment, it may be difficult to hear the notification sound and a sufficient notification effect may not be achievable in a conventional vehicle notification sound emitting device.
[006] As explained in Japanese patent publication open to public inspection No. 2002-233001, it is necessary to take a special measure, such as increasing the volume of the motion notification sound, when the vehicle is in an environment where it is difficult hear the notification sound. However, appliance cost and notification sound emission appliance failure rate increases increase when a detection device is provided to check the surrounding environment and a volume booster device is provided to increase the volume of the sound.
[007] Even if the motion notification sound is configured to have a tone that is more easily heard by a person in an area surrounding the vehicle such that the special measures mentioned above are not necessary, there will be other problems that will be explained now. The motion notification sound is a notification intended for people outside the vehicle. The motion notification sound is not required for a driver or passenger inside the vehicle. If the motion notification sound emitted outside the vehicle penetrates an interior of the cabin (passenger compartment) of the vehicle, then the motion notification sound may be unpleasant to a driver and/or passengers inside the vehicle. This is particularly the case where the motion notification sound is a pseudo mechanism sound such as that described in Japanese patent publication open to public inspection No. 2002233001. Furthermore, the motion notification sound can be unpleasant for a driver and /or passengers inside the vehicle if the motion notification sound is configured to be emitted continuously for long periods of time compared to other vehicle information notifications.
[008] An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle notification sounding apparatus that can emit a motion notification sound (e.g., a forward motion notification sound or a reverse motion notification sound) which can be easily heard by a person in an exterior area surrounding the vehicle, but which does not easily penetrate into an interior of the vehicle's cabin from outside the vehicle. Thus, with this type of vehicle notification sounding device, a person in an outside area surrounding the vehicle can hear the motion notification sound reliably without using a loudspeaker or other device. special measure, and to avoid a situation where an unnecessary motion notification sound penetrates inside the cabin that becomes unpleasant for a driver and/or passenger.
[009] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle notification sounding apparatus that can convey speed information and distance information related to a vehicle to a person in an area surrounding the vehicle.
[010] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle notification sounding apparatus that can emit notification sounds indicating that a vehicle is in a motion start state or a motion state without disturbing a driver.
[011] In view of the conventional technology mentioned above, a vehicle notification sounding apparatus according to the present disclosure as will be explained below. The basic features of a notification sounding apparatus according to the present disclosure are based on the premise that the apparatus will serve to emit a motion notification sound to inform a person in a surrounding area that the vehicle is in motion. .
[012] A vehicle notification sound emission apparatus according to the present disclosure is proposed which basically comprises a sound emission device and a notification sound control device. The sound emitting device is configured to emit a motion notification sound to an exterior of a vehicle to inform a person in an area surrounding the vehicle that the vehicle is going to move. The notification sound control device is configured to operate the sound emitting device in response to the occurrence of a vehicle condition. The notification sound control device sets the motion notification sound of the sound emitting device to a frequency in a range of 1.5 kHz to 6 kHz.
[013] These and other objectives, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become evident to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the attached drawings, reveals a preferred embodiment of the emission apparatus notification sound. Brief Description of Drawings
[014] Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this original disclosure: Figure 1 is the control block diagram showing a vehicle notification sounding control system or apparatus that includes a controller of notification sound for controlling a notification sounding device of the vehicle notification sounding apparatus according to an illustrated embodiment; Figure 2 is a flowchart showing a control program executed by the notification sound controller shown in Figure 1 in order to control the start of a front start motion notification sound S; Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the control program executed by the notification sound controller shown in Figure 1 in order to control a front motion notification sound D; Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the control program executed by the notification sound controller shown in Figure 1 in order to continue. roll a reverse motion notification sound R; Figure 5 is a flowchart showing a control program executed by the notification sound controller shown in Figure 1 in order to prohibit the issuing of a notification sound from the issuing device of notification sound; Figure 6 is a flowchart showing a control program executed by the notification sound controller shown in Figure 1 in order to increase a volume of a notification sound emitted from the notification sound emitting device ;Figure 7 is a characteristic diagram showing examples of a cabin interior sound insulation property for two vehicles A and B; Figure 8 is a characteristic diagram showing equal sound volume level curves expressing a sensitivity of a human ear; and Figure 9 is a map expressing a frequency setting control performed by the notification sound controller to control a frequency of the forward motion notification sound D. Detailed Description of Modalities
[015] The selected modalities will be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following descriptions of embodiments are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
[016] Referring initially to Figure 1, a vehicle notification sound emission apparatus is illustrated according to an embodiment. More specifically, Figure 1 is a control system diagram showing a control system for controlling notification sounding devices of vehicle notification sounding apparatus. In this illustrated embodiment, an exterior cabin speaker 1 is provided as an exterior notification sound emitting device for expediting a notification to a person (e.g., pedestrian or motorcycle rider) in an exterior area surrounding the vehicle. Also in this illustrated embodiment, an interior cabin speaker 11 is provided as an interior notification sounding device for issuing a notification to a driver.
[017] In the illustrated mode, a vehicle in which the notification sound emission device is used is an electric car that not only has an electric motor as a power supply, but is also electrically driven (EV drive) with use of the electric motor. However, it should be clear from this disclosure that the vehicle notification sounding apparatus disclosed in the present invention can also be applied to a hybrid vehicle that has both an electric motor and a mechanism as power supplies, where the vehicle is driven simply with the electric motor in an electric drive mode (EV mode), and driven with power from both the electric motor and engine in a hybrid mode (HEV mode). Likewise, the vehicle notification sounding apparatus disclosed in the present invention can be applied to a mechanism driven vehicle which has only one mechanism as a power supply.
[018] In the illustrated embodiment, the cabin exterior speaker 1 is arranged in a space inside an engine compartment of a front portion of the vehicle. The vehicle's engine compartment is where a power unit is located, which includes an electric motor that serves as a power source for the electric car and a transmission. More specifically, the outside cabin speaker 1 is disposed in a space where mud, rocks and other contaminants picked up by the wheels will not enter the speaker and such contaminants as rain, snow and water from a high pressure car wash will not enter the speaker. By using this space as a sounding board for the outside speaker of cabin 1, the notification sounding apparatus according to this modality can be made into a non-directional sound source.
[019] The outdoor cabin speaker 1 and the indoor cabin speaker 11 are controlled by a notification sound controller as shown in Figure 1. The notification sound controller 12 receives signals from a range sensor 13 , a vehicle speed sensor 14, a brake switch 15, a mute switch 16, a mute switch 17, an ignition switch 18 and an obstacle distance sensor 19. In this illustrated embodiment, the 12 notification sound controller corresponds to a notification sound control device or section. Basically, notification sound controller 12 is configured to operate speakers 1 and 11 (e.g. sound emitting devices) in response to the occurrence of a vehicle condition such as vehicle movement or preparation for vehicle movement. vehicle. Speakers 1 and 11 emit various motion notification sounds depending on vehicle condition. The term "motion notification sound" is generically used herein to refer to both the actual movement of the vehicle as well as the preparation to initiate vehicle movement in a forward forward direction and/or a backward forward forward direction. . The term "conductive state" as used in the present invention refers to a vehicle in a non-moving state, but with the vehicle ready to move by operation of an accelerator or the like.
[020] Range sensor 13 is configured to detect whether the vehicle transmission is set to Park (P), Reverse (R), Neutral (N) or Drive (D) by reacting to a shift operation (lane selection) performed by a driver to park the vehicle or designate a desired direction of movement.
[021] Vehicle speed sensor 14 is configured to detect a vehicle speed V. Brake switch 15 is configured to turn on when the vehicle is being braked by lowering a brake pedal and off when the vehicle is not being braked. braked (brake pedal is released). Mute switch 16 is set to be manually pressed in order to stop a sound emitted from the outside cabin speaker 1. Volume up switch 17 is set to be pressed in order to increase the volume of a sound emitted by the cabin exterior speaker 1. The ignition switch 18 is configured to place the power unit into a conductive state and emits an on/off signal to the notification sound controller 12 depending on the position of the ignition switch 18. Obstacle distance sensor 19 is configured to detect a distance L between the host vehicle and another vehicle or other obstacle in front of the vehicle.
[022] Now, the manner in which the notification sound controller 12 operates the cabin interior speaker 11 in this mode will be explained. In the case where the transmission is shifted to reverse (R), a range selection signal R will be received by the notification sound controller 12 from the range sensor 13. In response to receiving the range selection signal R , the notification sound controller 12 triggers the cabin interior speaker 11 to emit an "R-track selection notification sound." The R lane selection notification sound informs the driver that the R lane has been selected. In the illustrated mode, the R-track selection notification sound is an intermittent sound. In the case where an obstacle distance L from the host vehicle is less than a pre-set distance, an obstacle detection signal will be received by the notification sound controller 12 from the obstacle distance sensor 19. In response to receipt of the obstacle detection signal, the notification sound controller 12 triggers the cabin interior speaker 11 to emit an "obstacle proximity notification sound" which uses, for example, a voice to inform the driver that the vehicle is near an obstacle.
[023] There are other notification sounds issued inside the vehicle cab to warn a driver, such as a "seat belt notification sound" (not shown in Figures) issued to warn that a seat belt is not locked. However, the seat belt notification sound is not emitted from the interior cabin speaker 11, but from a separate dedicated speaker or buzzer that is different from the interior cabin speaker 11 that is used. by notification sound controller 12 for notification that the vehicle is near an obstacle. In other words, in the illustrated embodiment, the cabin interior speaker 11 is a separate and distinct notification sound emission device from those used for other notification sounds emitted inside the vehicle cabin.
[024] The operational control of the outside cabin speaker 1 performed by the notification sound controller 12 shown in Figure 1 will now be explained. In this mode, motion notification sounds emitted from the outside cabin speaker 1 include, but are not limited to, a front start motion notification sound S, a forward motion notification sound D, and a sound R reverse motion notification sound. The S forward start motion notification sound (also called the "S" sound) is emitted as a notification before the vehicle starts to move forward. The D forward motion notification sound (also called the "D" sound) serves as a motion notification sound that is emitted when the vehicle is actually moving forward. The R reverse motion notification sound (also called the "R" sound) which serves as a motion notification sound emitted when the vehicle is actually moving in reverse and/or has been shifted to reverse gear. The front start movement notification sound (S sound) and the front movement notification sound (D sound) together constitute a forward advance notification sound which serves to notify about the vehicle's forward movement when the vehicle is in lane D.
[025] The front start motion notification sound S is a soft sound similar to an electronic buzzer produced by a software phone, the front motion notification sound D is a pseudo engine sound looks like a generated engine sound when a mechanism-driven vehicle moves, and the R reverse motion notification sound is the same intermittent sound and the R range selection notification sound emitted from the cabin interior speaker 11 when the R range is selected .
[026] As mentioned above, the front movement notification sound D is a pseudo engine sound and is emitted for a long period of time. Consequently, it could be inconvenient to hear the D front motion notification sound continuously, and it is not necessary for a driver to listen to the D front motion notification sound. Conversely, the S front start motion notification sound is a soft sound like that of a software phone and is only issued for a short period of time immediately before the vehicle starts moving forward until the vehicle starts moving forward. In this way, the S front start motion notification sound is not inconvenient for a driver and is preferably heard by the driver so that the driver can know that a front start notification has been issued. In view of these requirements, in this mode, the front movement notification sound D is set to be a pseudo engine sound as will be explained below and the front start motion notification sound S is set to a soft sound like that emitted by a software phone as explained later.
[027] In order to consider a sound insulation property of a vehicle cabin, Figure 7 shows an example of a cabin interior sound insulation property of two basic vehicles A and B (with windows closed) expressed as a graph of an acoustic transfer characteristic (dB) versus a 1/3 octave center frequency (Hz). Basically, vehicles A and B have metal and/or plastic body panels with glass windows, which are typical of most vehicles. Although the two vehicles are slightly different, both vehicles, typical of most vehicles, clearly exhibit a similar trend of sound insulation property increasing with increasing frequency. At frequencies of 1.5 kHz and higher, the volume of a D-sound entering the vehicle's cabin from outside can be suppressed to a permissible level.
[028] Since the D forward motion notification sound is intended to notify a person in an exterior area surrounding the vehicle that the vehicle is in forward motion, it is also necessary for the D forward motion notification sound to be readily audible and clearly heard by a person listening to the front movement notification sound D directly in the area surrounding the vehicle.
[029] Therefore, in order to account for a sensitivity of a human ear, Figure 8 shows equal high sound level curves typically used to discuss ear sensitivity. Each curve is a frequency characteristic that comprises a graph of sound pressure level (equal loud sound level) versus frequency (Hz) corresponding to a given perceived volume (loud sound: fon). That is, for each of the different sound volumes (20 phon, 40, phon, 60 phon, 80 phon and 100 phon in Figure 8), the sound pressure levels (equal loud sound levels) dB that are perceived by having, that is, sound as they have, the same volume are plotted to obtain a curve. As a sound pressure level (equal high sound level) dB becomes smaller, the sound pressure level at which the same perceived volume (20 phon, 40 phon, 60 phon, 80 phon or 100 phon) can be heard becomes smaller, that is, the easier it is for a person to hear the sound.
[030] Sounds that have a low sound pressure level (equal high sound level) dB and can be easily heard by a human ear are situated in a frequency range of 1.5 kHz to 6 kHz indicated as a region properly audible in Figure 8. In other words, the properly audible region corresponds to a frequency range in a proximity where equal high sound level curves correspond to a minimum sound pressure level. This frequency range of 1.5 kHz to 6 kHz overlaps the frequency range of 1.5 kHz and above mentioned earlier in relation to Figure 7 as a frequency range in which a volume of a D sound that penetrates into the vehicle cabin from outside the vehicle can be suppressed to a permissible level.
[031] Therefore, in this modality, the front movement notification sound D is a pseudo mechanism sound in a frequency range (1.5 kHz to 6 kHz) that can be readily heard by a person in an external area surrounding the vehicle. As a reference, the frequency range of a real engine sound is 200 to 400 Hz, which is considerably lower than the selected frequency range (1.5 kHz to 6 kHz) for the D front movement notification sound. , vehicle occupants (eg driver and passengers) are prevented from hearing the front movement notification sound D unnecessarily inside the vehicle cabin. In this way, vehicle occupants (eg driver and passengers) are prevented from being disturbed by the front movement notification sound D (pseudo engine sound). In the meantime, a person in an area surrounding the vehicle can readily hear the front movement notification sound D (pseudo engine sound) and be assured of recognizing that the vehicle exists and is in motion.
[032] Additionally, there are operational effects that can be obtained if an upper limit frequency of the front movement notification sound D is set to 6 kHz as explained above. These operational effects will now be explained. As a person ages, it becomes more difficult to detect sounds with higher frequencies. In particular, difficulty hearing sounds with frequencies greater than 6 kHz increases quadratically with increasing age. Therefore, by setting an upper boundary frequency of the front movement notification sound D to 6 kHz, the ability of an older person in an area surrounding the vehicle to hear the front movement notification sound D can be ensured, which is advantageous from a security point of view.
[033] The frequency range mentioned above (1.5kHz to 6kHz) is a permissible frequency range for the D front movement notification sound, but not an ideal frequency range. Although sounds in the 1.5kHz to 6kHz frequency range do not readily enter the vehicle cabin from outside the vehicle, an ideal frequency range to make the D front movement notification sound readily audible to a person in an area surrounding the vehicle is the 2kHz to 4kHz frequency range as indicated in Figure 8. The 2kHz to 4kHz frequency range is a more preferred audible frequency range considering that a human ear sensitivity is more in this range frequency due to the resonance of the outer ear canal. Therefore, it should be clear that it is preferable that the frequency of the front movement notification sound D is in this ideal frequency range of 2 kHz to 4 kHz.
[034] In view of the sound propagation properties between the interior and exterior of the vehicle cabin, a vehicle is typically constructed in such a way that it sounds comparatively at high frequencies (typically 1.5 kHz to 6 kHz, although it varies depending on the vehicle) that do not easily penetrate into the cabin from outside the cabin. However, a vehicle is typically constructed in such a way that it sounds comparatively low frequencies (typically below 1.5 kHz, although it varies depending on the vehicle) easily penetrates into the cabin interior from outside the cabin. Therefore, in this mode, the forward movement notification sound D is configured to be a pseudo engine sound in a prescribed range at comparatively high frequencies (preferably 2kHz to 4kHz) that do not easily enter the interior of the cabin from the outside. of the cabin. In this way, the D front movement notification sound is not unnecessarily heard by a driver inside the vehicle cab. As a result, the D front movement notification sound (pseudo engine sound) does not become a nuisance for the driver. In addition, the front movement notification sound D (pseudo mechanism sound) is already heard by a person in an external area surrounding the vehicle and reliably informs the person about the existence and movement of the vehicle.
[035] However, if the front start motion notification sound S is set to a sound (eg pseudo engine) similar to the front start motion notification sound D, then the front start motion notification sound S will need to be set at a volume greater than the car horn volume for a driver inside the vehicle's cab to be able to hear the front start motion notification sound S and recognize that the front start motion start notification has been issued . However, at such volume, a person in the surrounding area will be startled by the sound.
[036] Therefore, in this modality, the forward movement initiating sound (S sound) is defined to be a soft sound like an electronic bell of a software telephone that is in a comparatively low frequency range that readily penetrates into the interior. of the vehicle cabin from the outside of the vehicle. Due to its low frequency, such front start motion notification sound S readily penetrates into the vehicle cabin from outside the vehicle such that a driver inside the vehicle cabin can hear the motion notification sound Front start S and recognize without error that the front motion start notification was issued without the front motion notification sound which is set to a large volume (ie, without scaring people in a surrounding area). Furthermore, the S front start motion notification sound is not inconvenient or unpleasant for a driver as it is a soft sound like a software phone and is only emitted for a short period of time immediately before the vehicle starts to move forward until the vehicle starts moving forward.
[037] In order to control the front start motion notification sound S, the notification sound controller 12 of Figure 1 executes the control program shown in Figure 2. In step S11, the notification sound controller 12 checks if the vehicle is in a conductive state. This determination can be performed by comparing an actual vehicle speed V with a stopping determination vehicle speed Vs (eg Vs = 1 km/h) and/or checking the state of the ignition key if it is on or turned off. If an actual vehicle speed V is less than the stopping determination vehicle speed Vs and the ignition switch is on, then the notification sound controller 12 determines that a conductive state exists. If the vehicle speed V is equal to or greater than the stopping determination vehicle speed Vs (eg Vs = 1 km/h) such that the vehicle is determined to be in a state of motion or if the switch is turned off such that the vehicle is in a no-steering state, then the notification sound controller 12 ends the control sequence and jumps to step S15 such that the motion notification sound starts front S is not output. Thus, in step S11, the notification sound controller 12 determines that the vehicle is stopped but in a conductible state by checking that the vehicle speed is below a prescribed value and that the state of the ignition key 18 it's on. In this illustrated embodiment, step S11 of the process performed by notification sound controller 12 corresponds to a motion state detection section or device.
[038] If the notification sound controller 12 determines that the vehicle is stationary (ie, V < Vs) and that the vehicle is in a conductive state (ignition switch 18 is on) at step S11, then the controller notification sound 12 proceeds to step S12. At step S12, the notification sound controller 12 determines whether an operation that shifts the lane to lane D (switched to the steer (D) position) occurred while the brake switch 15 was in an off state (i.e., the brake was not being operated). If the result of step S12 is Yes, then notification sound controller 12 proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the notification sound controller 12 triggers the outside booth speaker 1 such that a soft sound sounds like an electronic buzzer on a software phone.
[039] If the result of step S12 is No, then notification sound controller 12 proceeds to step S13. At step S13, the notification sound controller 12 determines whether the brake switch 15 has changed from on to off (i.e., if the brake pedal changes from a lowered braking state to a non-braking released state) while the range D was in a selected state. If the result of step S 13 is Yes, then notification sound controller 12 proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the notification sound controller 12 actuates the cabin exterior speaker 1 such that a soft sound S that sounds like an electronic bell on a software phone is emitted. In this illustrated embodiment, the step S13 of the process performed by the notification sound controller 12 corresponds to a starting motion intention detection section or device.
[040] If the result of step S13 is No, then notification sound controller 12 proceeds to step S14 and determines whether a change to range D has occurred simultaneously or substantially simultaneously with brake switch 15 switched on to off (that is, if the brake pedal has changed from a lowered brake state to a non-brake released state). If the result of step S14 is Yes, then the notification sound controller 12 proceeds to step S15 and triggers the cabin exterior speaker 1 in such a way that a soft sound S that looks like an electronic buzzer on a telephone. software is issued.
[041] In steps S13 and S14, if the brake pedal is being slowly returned from a lowered state and the driver's foot has not yet separated from the brake pedal, then brake switch 15 will still be on and still not switched to off. Consequently, the notification sound controller 12 will not proceed to step S 15 and the front start motion notification sound S cannot be emitted.
[042] If the driver is mistakenly thinking that the front start motion notification sound S was emitted while the driver was slowly (gradually) returning the brake pedal, then the driver can start steering while believing any person in a surrounding area of the vehicle was warned by the front start motion notification sound S that the vehicle would be initiating motion. This would be undesirable from a security perspective. Additionally, while the brake pedal is being subjected to a slow brake pedal return operation, there is a possibility that the braking force will decline and the vehicle will start to move due to, for example, a drag force or a downward slope of a highway surface. Therefore, care must be taken to ensure safety.
[043] However, in this mode, as mentioned above, the front start motion notification sound S is a notification sound in a comparatively low frequency range that easily penetrates into the vehicle cabin from outside the vehicle and can be readily heard by the driver. In this way, since the driver can easily recognize when the front start motion notification has been issued, the driver can also easily recognize that the front start motion notification sound S has not been issued during a slow pedal return operation. brake. As a result, with this mode, the driver will not mistakenly believe that the S front start motion notification sound was emitted during a slow brake pedal return operation. In other words, the driver will assume that a person close to the vehicle has not heard the S front start motion notification sound and is not aware that the vehicle will start to move if the driver has not heard the sound of Front start movement notification S. In this way, the driver can try to drive safely and a big advantage in terms of safe driving can be achieved.
[044] If the result of step S14 is No, then the notification sound controller 12 ends the control cycle and jumps to step S15 such that the front start motion notification sound S is not emitted.
[045] In short, the notification sound controller 12 actuates the cabin exterior speaker 1 such that the front start motion notification sound S is emitted when any of the following conditions occur while the vehicle is stopped. (V < Vs) and in a conductive state (ignition switch 18 is on) (step s11): (1) an operation that changes range to range D occurs while the brake pedal is in a released non-braking state (step S12); (2) the brake pedal changes from a lowered brake state to a non-brake released state while band D is in a selected state (step S13); or (3) an operation that shifts range to range D occurs simultaneously with the brake pedal changing from a lowered brake state to a non-brake released state (step S14). Otherwise, the outside cabin speaker 1 remains in a non-triggered state and the front start motion notification sound S is not output.
[046] In this mode, the front start motion notification sound S is emitted just before the vehicle starts moving when the vehicle is stopped in a conductive state (step S11) and a shift operation that changes the lane to band D occurs while the brake pedal is in a released (non-braking) state (step S12), a foot that lowers the brake pedal releases the brake pedal while band D is in a selected state (step S13), or a shift operation that shifts range to range D occurs simultaneously with a brake release operation in which a foot that lowers the brake pedal is released from the brake pedal (step S14). In other words, in these situations, the front start motion notification sound S is emitted immediately from the outside cabin speaker 1 before the vehicle starts to move (step S15).
[047] If the unit is configured to emit the front start motion notification sound S when the vehicle enters a conductive state due to the ignition switch 18 being on, then the front start motion notification sound S would be emitted too fast and the front start movement notification sound S would be emitted unnecessarily during a period from when the vehicle entered the conductive state until just before the vehicle starts to move. Consequently, the S front start motion notification sound would be emitted for a long time until the vehicle has started to move and would annoy people (eg pedestrians) in an area surrounding the vehicle. Adversely, if the S front start motion notification sound is emitted after the vehicle starts to move, then the S front start motion notification sound will not serve its purpose of notifying that the vehicle will start moving. move and the meaning of the notification sound will be diminished.
[048] With this mode, however, since the S front start motion notification sound is emitted immediately before the vehicle starts to move, such problem with the S front start motion notification sound being emitted by a long time before the vehicle starts to move and confuses people (eg pedestrians) in a surrounding area or the meaning of the notification provided by the S front start motion notification sound that is dimmed can be avoided.
[049] In order to control the front movement notification sound D, the notification sound controller 12 of Figure 1 executes the control program shown in Figure 3. In step S21, the notification sound controller 12 checks whether the S front start motion notification sound is being emitted by cab exterior speaker 1 actuation. If S front start motion notification sound is being emitted, then controller 12 proceeds to step S22. At step S22, the notification sound controller 12 checks whether a prescribed amount of time has elapsed since the front start motion notification sound S has started to be emitted (e.g., 500 ms). Controller 12 ends the control cycle and continues to sound the front start motion notification sound S started in step S15 of Figure 2 until the prescribed amount of time (500 ms) has elapsed. Alternatively, in step S22, the prescribed amount of time is a variable amount of time that corresponds to a period when a driver selects lane D and releases the brake pedal (steps S12 to S14 in Figure 2), ie. , when the sound S starts to be emitted (step S15 in Figure 2) in response to the completion of a motion start preparation operation, until the driver performs a motion start operation. In this way, the prescribed amount of time can be set to any value based on measurement data or the like, and is not limited to a fixed period of time.
[050] When the notification sound controller 12 determines in step S22 that the prescribed amount of time (500 ms) has elapsed since the emission of the front start motion notification sound S has started, i.e. after the sound of Forward start motion notification S has been issued continuously for the prescribed amount of time, controller 12 proceeds to step S23. In step S23, the notification sound controller 12 performs a sound mixing technique (cross fade) from the front start motion notification sound S to the front motion notification sound D. The sound mixing technique from front start motion notification sound S to front start motion notification sound D involves gradually decreasing a sound pressure level of the front start motion notification sound S while gradually increasing a sound pressure level of the sound of front motion notification D (pseudo mechanism sound) such that the operating state of the outside cabin speaker 1 gradually changes from the front start motion notification sound S to the front motion notification sound D. As a result , switching from front start motion notification sound S to front start motion notification sound D can be performed without causing a person (eg u m pedestrian) in a surrounding area experience a strange sensation about vehicle sounds.
[051] In this mode, since the front start motion notification sound S is emitted immediately before the vehicle starts to move as previously described with reference to Figure 2 (steps S12 to S15 in Figure 2), the S front start motion notification sound is emitted at an appropriate time for notification that the vehicle will start to move. As explained above, the D front motion notification sound is also emitted at an appropriate time that follows the S front start motion notification sound. As a result, a situation where the D front motion notification sound is emitted long before the vehicle starts to move can be avoided. In this way, the motion notification sound will not cause people (eg pedestrians) in a surrounding area to be perplexed and the meaning of the forward motion notification provided by the forward motion notification sound D is diminished.
[052] If controller 12 determines in step S21 that the front start motion notification sound S is not being emitted from the outside cabin speaker 1, controller 12 proceeds to step S24 where controller 12 checks that the ignition switch 18 is turned on, that is, that the vehicle is in a conductive state. If controller 12 determines that the vehicle is in a conductible state, then controller 12 proceeds to step S25. At step S25, controller 12 checks whether Drive or D-range is in a selected state (that is, if D-range has been selected). If range D has been selected, then controller 12 proceeds to step S26. In step S26, the controller 12 determines whether the speed of the vehicle V is equal to or greater than the speed of the stopping determining vehicle Vs, i.e., whether the vehicle is moving. If controller 12 determines that the vehicle is in a conductible state in step S24, that lane D is selected in step S25, and that the vehicle is in motion (V > Vs) in step S26, then controller 12 proceeds to step S27. In step S27, the controller 12 actuates the cabin outdoor speaker 1 such that the forward movement notification sound D (pseudo mechanism sound) is emitted.
[053] The D front motion notification sound is a pseudo engine sound as explained above. The sound volume level of the D front motion notification sound is kept constant. In the meantime, a frequency of the front motion notification sound D is set to increase as vehicle speed increases while remaining within a comparatively high frequency range where the front motion notification sound D cannot easily penetrate into the interior of the vehicle. cabin from the outside of the cabin. Figure 9 is frequency characteristic definition map for the forward motion notification sound. The frequency of the D front motion notification sound is set based on a detected vehicle speed. Thus, in the first mode, the speed sensor 14 corresponds to a device or frequency setting section. In the first modality, the frequency is defined to have a linear relationship to the vehicle speed, but it is also acceptable to define the frequency to be a concave or ascending convex curve in the manner of an exponential function. The sound volume level is not changed, but set to a constant prescribed value (corresponds to a sound volume setting section or device); only the frequency is changed. When the front movement notification sound D is thus produced as a pseudo engine sound whose sound pressure level remains constant and whose frequency increases as the vehicle speed increases, a person outside the vehicle can judge a distance to the vehicle based on the volume of the front movement notification sound D. In particular, as the volume of the front movement notification sound D becomes larger, the person can determine whether the vehicle is approaching. Since the volume of sound emitted from the vehicle is constant, the sound pressure perceived by a person outside the vehicle differs according to distance. Therefore, a person outside the vehicle can judge the distance between himself and the vehicle based on a difference in sound pressure. Furthermore, one can judge a vehicle speed based on the range of the D front motion notification sound. The greater the range of the D front motion notification sound is, the higher the vehicle speed. This way, based only on the D forward motion notification sound, the person can know approximately how close the vehicle is and how fast it is approaching.
[054] In step S28, controller 12 determines whether vehicle speed V has reached or exceeded a prescribed vehicle speed (30 km/h) once motion has started. This prescribed vehicle speed (30 km/h) corresponds to a prescribed minimum vehicle speed value at which the front movement notification sound D is no longer required. This prescribed vehicle speed (30 km/h) is also called the fade-out speed D. Thus, when the vehicle reaches the fade-out speed D, the controller 12 starts to fade out the notification sound. of forward motion D. If the result of step S28 is No, then the controller 12 proceeds to step S29 and determines whether the vehicle speed V is below a prescribed ramp-up speed D. In this mode, the speed The prescribed fading speed D is defined as 25 km/h, which is less than the 30 km/h D fading speed (minimum vehicle speed value at which the front movement notification sound D is not required ) by an amount of hysteresis (5 km/h). If the controller 12 determines in step S28 that since the vehicle has initiated the movement, the vehicle speed V has become equal to or greater than the fade-out speed D of 30 km/h, then the controller 12 proceeds to step S31. In step S31, controller 12 actuates the cabin outdoor speaker 1 such that the forward movement notification sound D emitted in step S27 gradually fades out (fade-off).
[055] If controller 12 determines in step S29 that vehicle speed V is below the ramp-up speed D of 25 km/h, then controller 12 proceeds to step S32. At step S32, the controller 12 checks whether the forward movement notification sound D is being emitted. If the front movement notification sound D has stopped due to the execution of step S31, then the controller 12 proceeds to step S33 where the controller 12 drives the outside cabin speaker 1 such that the notification sound The front motion notification D gradually increases from a sound pressure level of 0 (such that the front motion notification sound D gradually increases). If controller 12 determines in step S32 that the forward movement notification sound D is being emitted, then controller 12 terminates the control cycle and continues to operate the cabin exterior speaker such that the notification sound of forward movement D is issued.
[056] If controller 12 determines in step S29 that the vehicle speed V is equal to or greater than the pitch-increase speed D (25 km/h), that is, if controller 12 determines that the speed of the vehicle V is in a hysteresis region between the fade-in speed D 30 km/h and the fade-in speed D 25 km/h, so controller 12 ends the control cycle such that the operating state Cabin exterior speaker 1 current is maintained and the front movement notification sound D continues to sound in the current manner.
[057] If the controller 12 determines in step S24 that the ignition switch 18 is off, i.e. the vehicle is in a no-steer state, then the front movement notification sound D is not needed and the controller 12 proceeds to step S31. In step S31, the controller 12 actuates the cabin outdoor speaker 1 such that the front movement notification sound D gradually fades out.
[058] If controller 12 determines in step S25 that lane D is not selected or if controller 12 determines that lane D is still in a selected state, but determines that the vehicle is stopped at step S26, then the sound The front motion notification sound D is not needed and the controller 12 needs to drive the outside cabin speaker 1 such that the front motion notification sound D gradually fades out. However, in this case, the D front motion notification sound control is handled in a special way that will be explained now.
[059] In step S34, the controller 12 determines if the vehicle speed V was zero (V = 0 km/h) continuously for a prescribed amount of time (10 seconds in this mode). If the result of the determination is Yes in step S34, then the controller 12 proceeds to step S31 and drives the outside cabin speaker 1 such that the front movement notification sound D gradually fades out. The prescribed amount of time defined in step S34 is preferably the amount of time to determine whether the vehicle is waiting at a traffic signal or traveling on a congested highway. It is acceptable to vary the prescribed amount of time by measuring a stop time that occurs on a congested road and setting the prescribed amount of time automatically or by allowing a driver to set the prescribed amount of time manually in consideration of a stopping time that occurs on a congested highway. Alternatively, the prescribed amount of time can be variably set based on information provided by a vehicle navigation system or other information provided to the vehicle about the area the vehicle is traveling through.
[060] If the controller 12 determines in step S34 that the vehicle is not stopped, that is, that the vehicle speed V is not equal to 0 km/h, or that the vehicle is in a stopped state but the stopped state did not continue for at least the set amount of time (10 seconds), then controller 12 proceeds to step S35. In step S35, controller 12 determines whether the vehicle is set to park (P), neutral (N) or another non-steer lane. In this illustrated embodiment, step S35 corresponds to a steering continuation intent determination section or device. If the result of the determination is Yes in step S35, then controller 12 proceeds to step S36. In step S36, the controller 12 determines whether the speed of the vehicle V is less than the speed of the stopping determining vehicle Vs, i.e., whether the vehicle can be considered substantially stopped. If the determination result is Yes in step S36, then controller 12 proceeds to step S31. In step S31, the controller 12 actuates the cabin outdoor speaker 1 such that the front movement notification sound D gradually fades out.
[061] In other words, even if controller 12 has determined in step S34 that the vehicle is not in a stopped state with vehicle speed V equal to 0 km/h or that the vehicle is in a stopped state but not was in the continuously stopped state for at least a defined amount of time (10 seconds), controller 12 still performs a fade D forward motion notification sound (step S31) if the selected lane is a non-steering lane (park or neutral) (step S35) and the vehicle speed V is below the stopping determination vehicle speed Vs (step S36).
[062] However, if the selected range is determined not to be a non-steer range (park or neutral) in step S35, or if the selected range is determined to be a non-steer range (park or neutral) in step S35 , but the speed of the vehicle V is determined to be equal to or greater than the speed of the stopping determining vehicle Vs (i.e. the vehicle is determined to be moving) in step S36, then it is necessary to emit the sound of front motion notification D. In this way, controller 12 proceeds to step S27 in which controller 12 continues to drive the cabin exterior speaker 1 such that the front motion notification sound D is emitted.
[063] When the lane is changed from lane D to a non-steer lane (park or neutral), there is a possibility that the vehicle is still moving due to inertia. In this way, the unit is configured to continue to emit the forward movement notification sound D from the outside cabin speaker 1 when the selected range is determined to be a non-steering (park or neutral) range in step S35 , but the speed of the vehicle V is determined to be equal to or greater than the speed of the stopping determining vehicle Vs (i.e. the vehicle is determined to be in motion) in step S36. Thereby, a person who is in proximity to a front end portion of the vehicle when the vehicle moves due to inertia in such a case may be provoked to take care by the motion notification sound.
[064] In this mode, when controller 12 determines that track D is not in a selected state in step S25 or when range D is still in a selected state, but controller 12 determines that the vehicle is stopped in step S26, the controller does not immediately proceed to step S31 and gradually decreases the D forward motion notification sound. Instead, the controller 12 continues to emit the D forward motion notification sound until it executes step S34 and only then proceeds to step S31. In step S31, controller 12 gradually decreases the front movement notification sound D if controller 12 determines that the vehicle speed V has been equal to 0 km/h, i.e., that the vehicle has been in a stopped state, for a set amount of time (10 seconds). Thus, when the vehicle is on a congested highway or in another situation where the vehicle stops but vehicle speed V does not remain at 0 km/h (stationary state) for the defined amount of time (10 seconds), a situation The inconvenience can be avoided in that the front start motion notification sound D gradually fades out and then re-emitted according to the front start motion notification sound control S shown in Figure 2 (step S15) each time the vehicle stops . In order to achieve this goal even more efficiently, it is acceptable to vary the prescribed amount of time by measuring a stop time that occurs on a congested highway and setting the prescribed amount of time automatically or by allowing a driver to set the amount of time manually set in consideration of a stop time that occurs on a congested road.
[065] In this mode, the front start motion notification sound S is emitted in step S15 of Figure 2 when controller 12 is determined in step S13 or step S14 that the brake pedal has been released and the brake switch 15 has been switched from on to off. Consequently, when the brake pedal is gradually being released from a lowered state, but the brake pedal has not yet been released, the front start motion notification sound S is not emitted, that is, step S15 is not performed, until brake switch 15 changes from on to off.
[066] During slow brake pedal return operation, there is a possibility that the braking force will decline and the vehicle will begin to move due to, for example, a drag force or a downward slope of a road surface . Therefore, it is necessary to warn a person in close proximity to the vehicle if the vehicle starts to move. However, since a notification of a vehicle starting to move in this manner would occur after the vehicle has started to move, the front start motion notification sound D is more appropriate than the front start motion notification sound S.
[067] In this mode, as shown in Figure 3, controller 12 proceeds from step S21 of Figure 3 to steps S24 to S26 during a situation where the brake pedal is being subjected to a slow return operation such that S front start motion notification sound does not sound. If the controller 12 determines in step S26 that the speed of the vehicle V is equal to or greater than the speed of the stopping determining vehicle Vs, i.e., that the vehicle is in motion, then the controller proceeds to step S27 and outputs the front movement notification sound D. Consequently, the front movement notification sound D is output instead of the front start movement notification sound S when the vehicle starts to move while the brake pedal is being subjected to a slow return operation. As a result, when the vehicle starts to move during a slow brake return operation as explained above, a person in a surrounding area can be reliably warned with the more appropriate D front motion notification sound instead of the D sound. front start motion notification S.
[068] In order to control the R reverse motion notification sound (R sound), the notification sound controller 12 executes the control program shown in Figure 4. In step S41, the controller 12 checks whether the ignition key 18 is on, that is, if the vehicle is in a conductive state. If the vehicle is in a conductive state, then controller 12 proceeds to step S42. At step S42, controller 12 checks whether vehicle has been put into reverse (ie, whether lane is defined as lane R). If the vehicle is in reverse (range R), then controller 12 proceeds to step S43. In step S43, the controller 12 actuates the cabin outdoor speaker 1 such that the reverse motion notification sound R is emitted. In this way, the R reverse motion notification sound is emitted before the vehicle actually starts to move.
[069] Thus, when the ignition switch 18 is turned on, that is, the vehicle is in a conductible state, (step S41) and the vehicle is in reverse, that is, the R range (step S42), the sound R reverse motion notification is emitted from the outside cabin speaker 1 immediately (step S43). Since the R reverse motion notification sound is emitted from the outside cockpit speaker 1 immediately when the vehicle is in reverse, ie the R track (steps S42 and S43), a "reverse notification sound" R range selection" is output from the cabin interior speaker 11 simultaneously while the vehicle is in reverse (R range), as explained above.
[070] As explained above, since the R reverse motion notification sound emitted from the outside cabin speaker 1 in step S43 serves to convey the same type of vehicle information as the selection notification sound. range R emitted from the interior cabin speaker 11, the reverse motion notification sound R emitted from the exterior cabin speaker 1, too, is configured to be an intermittent tone. The reverse motion notification sound R (intermittent sound) is controlled to be synchronized with the intermittent range selection notification sound R emitted from the cabin interior speaker 11. Thus, in this mode, step S43 constitutes the cabin indoor-outdoor notification sound sync section.
[071] It is also acceptable if, adversely, the intermittent R range selection notification sound emitted from the cabin interior speaker 11 is synchronized with the R reverse motion notification sound (intermittent sound) emitted to from the cabin outdoor speaker 1.
[072] In each mode, the reverse motion notification sound R (blinking sound) emitted from the outside cabin speaker 1 and the range selection notification sound R emitted simultaneously from the speaker cab interior 11 are synchronized and the sound R from the cab exterior speaker 1 (which the driver does not need to hear) is superimposed on the lane selection notification intermittent R sound from the cab interior speaker 11 of such so that the driver cannot hear you. In this way, a driver's listening problem and being disturbed by the unnecessary R sound emitted from the outside cabin speaker 1 can be alleviated.
[073] Additionally, since the R reverse motion notification sound (intermittent sound) is synchronized with the range selection intermittent notification sound R, the flashing periods when neither the R reverse motion notification sound (intermittent sound) ) from the cabin exterior speaker 1 nor the intermittent R-range selection notification sound of the cabin interior speaker 11 can be heard, that is, the periods when the driver can easily hear the notification sound, are more long. Thus, during these longer quiet periods, such other notification sounds as the aforementioned obstacle proximity notification sound and seat belt notification sound can be heard by a driver. In this way, the driver can recognize the notification sounds immediately and reliably obtain the corresponding information, which is considerably advantageous from a safety point of view.
[074] If the controller 12 determines in step S41 that the ignition switch 18 is off, i.e. the vehicle is in a no-steer state, then the vehicle cannot move in reverse and it is not necessary to issue the sound R. Therefore, controller 12 terminates the control loop directly and jumps to step S43 such that sound R is not output (ie, the outdoor speaker of cabin 1 is placed in a non-stop state. triggered).
[075] If controller 12 determines in step S42 that the R range is not selected, then controller 12 proceeds to step S44 and determines whether the non-steer range (park or neutral) is selected. If the controller 12 determines that the vehicle is not set in a non-steering lane (park or neutral), i.e. that lane D is selected, then it is not necessary to emit the reverse motion notification sound R and the controller 12 ends the control loop directly, thereby jumping to step S43 such that the reverse motion notification sound R is not emitted (ie, the cabin exterior speaker 1 is placed in a non-triggered state) .
[076] If controller 12 determines in step S44 that the vehicle is set in a non-steering range (park or neutral), then controller 12 proceeds to step S45 and checks whether vehicle speed V is less than stopping determining vehicle speed Vs, that is, whether the vehicle can be considered substantially stopped. If controller 12 determines that the vehicle is substantially stationary, then controller 12 proceeds to step S46. In step S46, controller 12 actuates the outdoor cabin speaker 1 such that the reverse motion notification sound R emitted in step S43 gradually fades out until it disappears (fade out).
[077] However, if controller 12 determines that the vehicle is in a non-steering lane (park or neutral) in step S44 but that vehicle speed V is not less than stop determining vehicle speed Vs (this ie, the vehicle is not substantially stationary but determined to be in motion), then the controller 12 determines that the vehicle is in reverse motion despite being in a non-steering lane (park or neutral) and proceeds to step S47. In step S47, the controller 12 continues to drive the booth outside speaker 1 such that the reverse motion notification sound R that started to be emitted in step S43 continues to be emitted. Thus, in a situation where the vehicle continues to move in reverse due to inertia after the lane has changed from lane R to a non-steering lane (park or neutral), the R reverse motion notification sound may continue to be emitted from the cabin exterior speaker 1. In this way, a person near a rear end portion of the vehicle can be reliably warned that the vehicle is moving backwards and be provoked to take care.
[078] A situation where the R reverse motion notification sound is emitted in step S47 can only occur if controller 12 has determined in step S42 that the R range is not in a selected state. In such a situation, as should become clear from the foregoing explanation, the range selection notification sound R is not emitted from the cabin interior speaker 11 and thus it is not necessary to synchronize a notification sound range selection R output from the cabin interior speaker 11 with the R tone from the cabin 1 exterior speaker as done in step S43.
[079] As explained above with reference to Figures 2 and 3, the forward movement notification sound D is emitted when a prescribed amount of time, for example 500 ms, has elapsed (step S22 of Figure 3) since the sound The front start motion notification S started to be issued (step S15 of Figure 2) in response to lane D that is selected by a driver from a stopped state (step S11 of Figure 2) and an operation that is performed by the driver in preparation to start the vehicle for movement, eg releasing the brake pedal, (steps S12 to S14 of Figure 2). Conversely, as explained earlier with reference to Figure 4, the R reverse motion notification sound is emitted immediately (step S43 of Figure 4) when the driver selects lane R (step S42 of Figure 4). The reason why the R reverse motion notification sound is emitted immediately will now be explained.
[080] A vehicle is primarily intended for forward driving and reverse driving is more difficult for a driver than forward driving. In addition, a person (eg a pedestrian) in an area surrounding a vehicle tends to consider that a vehicle typically moves in a forward direction and is naturally careful about forward movement of a vehicle. Adversely, a person does not expect a vehicle to move in reverse and tends to be less careful in anticipating reverse movement.
[081] In short, the R reverse motion notification sound is intended as a reverse motion notification that indicates movement in a direction in which a driver is less accustomed and a direction in which a person (eg a pedestrian ) in a surrounding area less waiting. Therefore, from a safety point of view, it is preferable that the R reverse motion notification sound be emitted as early as possible to make people in a surrounding area take care. Conversely, the D forward motion notification sound is intended as a forward motion notification that indicates movement in a direction a driver is more accustomed to and a direction a person (eg pedestrian) in a less expected surrounding area. as a natural direction for a vehicle to move. Also, as explained earlier, the D front motion notification sound is a pseudo engine sound and it is better to keep the D front motion notification sound emission time as short as possible in order to ensure vehicle quietness . Therefore, it is preferable that the forward movement notification sound D is emitted as late as possible.
[082] Therefore, as mentioned above, each notification sound (the S sound, the D sound and the R sound) is emitted under different respective vehicle conditions in this mode. In particular, in this mode, the apparatus is configured in such a way that the reverse motion notification sound R is emitted immediately (step S43 of Figure 4) when a driver performs an operation that selects the lane R (step S42 of Figure 4) . Furthermore, in this mode, the apparatus is configured such that the forward movement notification sound D is emitted after a prescribed amount of time, for example 500 ms, has elapsed (step S22 of Figure 3) since the sound the software phone type of the front start motion notification sound S that has been initiated is emitted (step S 15 of Figure 2) in response to lane D that is selected by a driver from a stopped state (step S11 of Figure 2) 2) and an operation that is performed by the driver in preparation for starting the vehicle for movement, eg, releasing the brake pedal, (steps S12 to S14 of Figure 2). By configuring the device in this way, notification sounds emitted for forward movement and for reverse movement can be emitted at a necessary time and for a necessary period of time without confusing a person (eg a pedestrian) in a surrounding area through from issuing unnecessary notification sounds. In this mode, steps S12 to S15 of Figure 2 constitute a notification sound emission timing section. In this embodiment, step S43 of Figure 2 constitutes a reverse notification sound emission timing section.
[083] There are situations where a notification sound (eg S sound, D sound, and R sound) emitted from the outside cabin speaker 1 as the S front start motion notification sound, the D forward motion notification sound, or the R reverse motion notification sound could be an inconvenient disturbance for others, such as late at night or in a residential neighborhood. In such a situation, a driver can issue a prohibit notification sound command by pressing the mute switch 16 shown in Figure 1. The mute switch 16 is configured to issue a prohibit notification sound command each time it is pressed in such a way that it enters a power-on state. When not being pressed, it automatically resets to a normal position (off position).
[084] When controller 12 receives the prohibit notification sound command from mute switch 16, controller 12 shown in Figure 1 executes a control program shown in Figure 5 and prohibits issuing notification sounds (the sound S , the D tone and the R tone) as explained below.
[085] In step S51, controller 12 checks whether mute switch 16 has been turned on, that is, whether notification tone prohibit command has been issued. If the mute switch 16 is not turned on (if the prohibit notification sound command has not been issued), then the controller 12 ends the control cycle and does not perform a prohibit notification sounds. As a result, notification sounds are emitted as explained earlier with reference to Figures 2 to 4.
[086] If controller 12 determines in step S51 that mute switch 16 has been turned on (that the prohibit notification tone command has been issued), then controller 12 proceeds to step S52. In step S52, the controller 12 prohibits the emission of notification sounds such that the notification sounds (the S sound, the D sound and the R sound) are not emitted from the outside cabin speaker 1 independently of the state of the controls shown in Figures 2 to 4.
[087] Next, in step S53, the controller 12 determines whether the vehicle speed V is equal to or greater than 30 km/h, which is a minimum vehicle speed value at which the front movement notification sound D does not is required (vehicle D-fade speed) as explained earlier in relation to step S28 of Figure 3. If the result of this determination is No in step S53, then controller 12 ends the control cycle and continues the prohibition notification sound started in step S52. If controller 12 determines in step S53 that the vehicle speed V is equal to or greater than the fade-out speed D (30 km/h), then controller 12 proceeds to step S54. In step S54, controller 12 cancels the prohibition of notification sound emission initiated in step S52, thus allowing notification sounds (S sound, D sound and R sound) to be emitted from the external speaker of cabin 1 according to the controls shown in Figures 2 to 4.
[088] With the notification sound prohibit control just described, a driver can prohibit the emission of notification sounds (the S sound, the D sound and the R sound) from the outside cabin speaker 1 (step S52) regardless of the state of the controls shown in Figures 2 through 4 by pressing mute switch 16 (step S51). In this way, the emission of the notification sounds can be prevented in situations where a notification sound emitted from the outside cabin speaker 1, ie, the front start motion notification sound S, the sound The forward motion notification sound D or the reverse motion notification sound R, could be an inconvenient disturbance to other people (eg, pedestrians) in a surrounding area, such as late at night or in a residential neighborhood.
[089] However, if the emission of notification sounds is still prohibited after the driver presses mute switch 16, then notification sounds will not be emitted even after the vehicle has driven into an area where the notification sounds they will not be a nuisance and the device will not serve its purpose as a safety device. Therefore, in this mode, if the vehicle speed V reaches or exceeds the fade-out speed D (30 km/h) (step S53), then the controller 12 determines that the vehicle has traveled to a place where the sounds will not disturb anyone and cancel the ban on issuing the notification sound (step S54). In this way, notification sounds (the S sound, the D sound, and the R sound) can be output from the outside cabin speaker 1 according to the controls shown in Figures 2 to 4.
[090] By canceling the ban in this way, a situation where notification sounds are not emitted even after the vehicle has gone to a place where the notification sounds will not disturb anyone is avoided and the device notification can serve to its purpose as a safety device.
[091] In this mode, the vehicle speed V that reaches or exceeds the fade-out speed D (30 km/h) is used as a condition to override the notification sound prohibition. Certain operational effects can be obtained by planning the device to determine that the vehicle has gone to a place where the notification sounds will not disturb anyone and cancel the notification sound ban when that condition is met. These effects will be explained now.
[092] If the condition for canceling notification sound prohibition is set to a vehicle speed V that is slower than the vehicle's front movement notification sound fading speed D (30 km/ h) it will then be possible for the ban to be lifted while the vehicle is still in a place where notification sounds could disturb other people in a surrounding area. More specifically, as explained above, the region of low speeds of vehicles below 30 km/h is the region in which the device is configured to emit the front movement notification sound D. In the meantime, it is in that same low speed region of the vehicle that a driver can press mute switch 16 (ON) to prohibit notification sounds from being a nuisance. If the cancel condition is a vehicle speed in that low vehicle speed region, then the notification sound prohibition can be canceled immediately after a driver releases his finger from mute switch 16, thereby enabling a notification sound disturb a person (eg a pedestrian) in an area surrounding the vehicle.
[093] In this modality, however, the condition to cancel the notification sound prohibition is that the vehicle speed V is equal to or greater than the fade-out speed D (30 km/h) and the sound prohibition notification is canceled when this condition is satisfied. Consequently, when a driver turns on mute switch 16 while the vehicle speed V is below the fade-out speed D (30 km/h) (that is, while the vehicle speed is in a low speed region of vehicle on which the D front movement notification sound is emitted), the prohibition of notification sounds is not canceled when the driver's finger leaves the mute switch 16. Instead, the prohibition continues and the problem of a sound notification that is issued while the vehicle is going to a place where the notification sound might be an annoyance to a person (eg a pedestrian) in a surrounding area can be avoided.
[094] When the vehicle is traveling in an area surrounding a factory, shopping area or other noisy place (eg a place where a noise level is high), it may be difficult for a person (eg , a pedestrian) in a surrounding area listen to the front start motion notification sound S, the front motion notification sound D, the reverse motion notification sound R, or other notification sound emitted from the outside speaker Cabin 1 is difficult for the purpose of the notification to be realized if the notification sound is emitted at a standard sound pressure level. In such a situation, a driver may issue a notification sound up command by pressing a sound up switch 17 shown in Figure 1. The sound up switch 17 is configured to emit a command to increase the volume of the notification sound each time it is pressed such that it enters an on state. When not pressed, this automatically resets to a normal position (off position).
[095] As explained above, the D front movement notification sound is a notification sound set at such a frequency that it is readily audible to a person in an exterior area surrounding the vehicle. As such, the D front motion notification sound can generally be heard even in a shopping area or other noisy place and it is not mandatory to provide the ability to increase the volume of the D front motion notification sound. is configured to allow the volume of the D front motion notification sound to be increased in anticipation of particularly unpleasant environments where the D front motion notification sound is difficult to hear rather than its highly audible frequency.
[096] When controller 12 receives the notification sound up command from the sound up switch 17, the notification sound controller 12 shown in Figure 1 runs a control program shown in Figure 6 and increases the volume of notification sounds as explained below. At step S61, the controller 12 checks whether the squelch switch 17 has been turned on, i.e. whether the notification squelch command has been issued. If the volume up switch 17 is not turned on (if the notification sound volume up command was not issued), then the controller 12 ends the control cycle and does not perform a volume up of the notification sounds. notification. As a result, notification sounds are emitted as explained earlier with reference to Figures 2 to 4 and the sound pressure level of notification sounds remains at a default value.
[097] If the controller 12 determines in step S61 that the squelch switch 17 is turned on (i.e., that the notification squawk command has been issued), then the controller 12 proceeds to the step S62 and increases the volume of the notification sounds such that a notification sound (S sound, D sound, or R sound) emitted from the outside speaker in cabin 1 according to the controls explained in Figures 2a 4 is emitted at a sound pressure level higher than the default value.
[098] At step S63, the controller 12 determines whether a prescribed amount of time (eg, one minute) has elapsed since the swell switch 17 has been turned on (i.e., since the swell command volume notification sound was issued). If the result of the determination is No, that is, if the prescribed amount of time has not yet elapsed since the volume up switch 17 has been turned on (i.e., since the volume up command of notification has been issued), then the controller 12 ends the control cycle and continues to play the swell notification sound started in step S62. When the controller 12 determines in step S63 that the prescribed amount of time has elapsed since the swell switch 17 has been turned on (i.e., once the notification squelch command has been issued), controller 12 proceeds to step S64 and cancels the volume up notification sound performed in step S62, thereby lowering the sound pressure level of the notification sounds (the S sound, the D sound and the R sound) emitted from the Cabin 1 outdoor speaker according to the controls shown in Figures 2 to 4 back to the default value.
[099] With the notification sound volume boost control described above, when the vehicle is traveling in an area surrounding a factory, a shopping area, or other noisy place where it can be difficult for a person in a surrounding area listen for a notification sound emitted from the outside cabin speaker 1, a driver can increase a volume of the notification sounds by pressing the volume up key 17 (step S61) such that the controller increase a sound pressure level (step S62) of the notification sounds (the S sound, the D sound, and the R sound) emitted from the outside cabin speaker 1 according to the controls shown in Figures 2a 4. In this way, a person in a surrounding area is allowed to hear a notification sound emitted from the outside cabin speaker 1 even in an area surrounding a factory, shopping area or other noisy place.
[0100] If the notification sounds up volume state continues after the up volume key 17 is pressed by a driver, then the notification sounds would not be too loud when the vehicle has driven into a residential or other area place with less noise (ie a place with a low noise level) and becomes a nuisance for people in a surrounding area. In particular, in this mode, the forward movement notification sound D is a pseudo mechanism sound in a comparatively high frequency range that does not readily enter the interior of the cab from the exterior of the cab. Since the D front motion notification sound is difficult for a driver inside the cab to hear, it's easy for the driver to forget to return (turn down) the volume level. Therefore, this mode is configured to cancel the swell of notification sounds (step S64) when a prescribed amount of time has elapsed (step S63) since the squelch switch 17 has been turned on (i.e., a the notification sound volume up command was issued), thereby lowering the sound pressure level of the notification sounds (the S sound, the D sound and the R sound) emitted from the external speaker of cabin 1 according to the controls shown in Figures 2 to 4 back to a standard level.
[0101] Thus, it is considered that by the time the prescribed amount of time has elapsed once the volume up switch 17 has been turned on, the vehicle will have traveled to an empty suburban area, residential area or another quieter place. By lowering the notification sounds (the S sound, the D sound and the R sound) emitted from the outside cabin speaker 1 back to the default sound pressure level, the increased volume of the resulting notification sounds when the volume up switch 17 is turned on it can be prevented from disturbing people close to the vehicle when the vehicle is in a quieter place.
[0102] The operational effects of a notification sounding apparatus according to this modality will now be explained.
[0103] If the vehicle is a mechanism-driven vehicle that uses only one mechanism as a power source, then when the vehicle is stopped, but in a conductive state (that is, in a state where the notification sound front start motion S would be emitted), a pedestrian close to the vehicle may recognize that the vehicle may possibly initiate motion based on the engine's idling sound. However, if the vehicle is an electric car or in a travel mode where only an electric motor is used as a power source, then an operating sound from the vehicle is silent and it is difficult for a pedestrian to recognize that the vehicle could possibly start the movement from a stopped state. Therefore, when the vehicle is stationary, it is necessary to inform pedestrians that the vehicle can start to move.
[0104] Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus is configured such that a frequency of a forward movement notification sound D emitted to an exterior of the vehicle is set to a frequency in the range of 1.5 kHz to 6 kHz, which corresponds to a frequency at a proximity where the equal high sound level curves shown in Figure 8 indicate a minimum sound pressure level and frequencies at a proximity where an insulation property of sound from a cabin interior can effectively suppress penetration of motion notification to a permissible level. As a result, a person in an outside area surrounding the vehicle can hear the D front motion notification sound, but the D front motion notification sound does not easily penetrate into the cab interior from outside the vehicle.
[0105] In this way, with this modality, the person in an external area surrounding the vehicle can hear the front movement notification sound D in a reliable way without using a means of loudness increase or other special measure like the one mentioned in Japanese patent publication open to public inspection No. 2002-233001, and a situation where an unnecessary forward movement notification sound D penetrates into the interior of the cabin and becomes unpleasant to a driver and/or passenger can be prevented. In short, all the problems described above are solved.
[0106] An upper limit frequency of the front movement notification sound D is set to 6 kHz, which corresponds to a limit frequency beyond which it is difficult for an older person to hear. As a result, an older person whose hearing sensitivity has declined can readily hear the forward movement notification sound D, which is advantageous from a safety point of view.
[0107] Within the frequency range 1.5kHz to 6kHz, the frequency range 2kHz to 4kHz (indicated as an ideal audible frequency range in Figure 8) is a range in which a human ear sensitivity it is higher due to the resonance of the external ear canal. In this way, by setting the frequency of the front movement notification sound D to a frequency in the previous band, the operational effects explained above (ie, the effect of allowing a person in an area surrounding the vehicle to hear the notification sound of front movement D in a reliable way and the effect of preventing the front notification sound (D sound) from unnecessarily penetrating inside the cabin and becoming unpleasant for a driver and/or passenger) can be obtained in an even more remarkable way. .
[0108] In the illustrated mode, a volume of a notification sound is kept constant while its frequency is varied according to a vehicle speed. In other words, the notification sounder includes a volume setting section and a frequency setting section. The sound volume setting section is configured to set a notification sound volume to a prescribed value. The frequency setting section is configured to set a notification sound frequency such that the higher a vehicle speed becomes, the higher the frequency becomes. Since the sound volume is fixed, a person in a surrounding area of the vehicle can pick up sound pressure that varies with distance. That is, since the volume of the sound source is constant, a sound pressure that reaches a pedestrian's ears attenuates according to the distance between the pedestrian and the sound source. Consequently, the sound pressure is less when the distance is greater and greater when the distance is less. In other words, information regarding a distance between a vehicle and a person in an area surrounding the vehicle can be conveyed from the vehicle to the person. Additionally, since the sound frequency changes according to the vehicle's speed, a pedestrian in an area surrounding the vehicle may pick up a sound interval difference that varies with the vehicle's speed. In other words, vehicle speed-related information can be conveyed from the vehicle to the person. Therefore, a person in an area surrounding the vehicle can get an idea of the distance between themselves and the vehicle and the speed of the vehicle based on the sound pressure and range of sound the person picks up.
[0109] In the illustrated mode, the controller 12 is provided with a driver start motion intention detection section and a vehicle motion state detection section. The start motion intent detection section is configured to detect if a driver intends to initiate a vehicle motion. The vehicle motion state detection section is configured to detect whether the vehicle is in motion or not. When the driver start motion intention detection section detects an intention to start the vehicle movement and the vehicle motion state detection section has not detected that the vehicle is in motion, the controller 12 emits a notification sound forward movement that has a prescribed frequency that easily penetrates into a cab interior from the cab exterior. In the meantime, when the vehicle motion state detection section has detected that the vehicle is in motion, the controller 12 emits a motion notification sound which has a frequency that is greater than said prescribed frequency. Due to its low frequency, the front start motion notification sound S readily penetrates into the vehicle cabin from outside the vehicle such that a driver inside the vehicle cabin can hear the motion notification sound Front start S and recognize without error that the front motion start notification was issued without the front motion notification sound which is set to a large volume (ie, without scaring people in a surrounding area). In the meantime, the D forward motion notification sound is set to a comparatively high frequency that does not readily penetrate into a cab interior from a cab exterior such that the D front motion notification sound is not unnecessarily heard. by a driver inside the cabin. As a result, the front movement notification sound does not become an unpleasant nuisance for the driver.
[0110] The start motion intent detection section is configured to detect if the vehicle is in a conductible state and the vehicle speed is less than a prescribed vehicle speed that indicates the vehicle is stationary, and the means of Motion state detection is set to detect if the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than the prescribed vehicle speed. It is unintelligible to emit the front movement notification sound while the vehicle is already moving, and the front movement notification sound becomes an unpleasant nuisance for a driver if it is emitted continuously while the vehicle is stationary. In the meantime, it is possible to detect a short period of time from immediately before the vehicle is started moving until the vehicle starts moving by determining that the vehicle is about to start moving when the vehicle is either in a stopped state or in a conductive state. As a result, the front start motion notification sound S can be emitted for an appropriately short period of time at an appropriate time.
[0111] In the illustrated mode, the front start motion notification sound S is emitted when the results of step S12, step S13 and step S14 are all Yes, that is, when the driver has completed a lane selection operation D and a brake release operation (such that brake switch 15 is off). Normally, when a driver is going to start steering a vehicle forward, the driver changes the selected lane from lane P to lane D while lowering the brake pedal and then the driver moves his foot from the brake pedal stops the accelerator pedal and lowers the accelerator pedal. In this way, by detecting whether both the D lane selection operation and the brake release operation have been completed, the device can detect whether the driver has completed the operations in preparation for driving forward and is waiting to lower the accelerator, this that is, whether the vehicle is in a state corresponding to an instant immediately before the vehicle begins to move. By issuing the front start movement notification sound S when the D lane selection operation and the brake release operation are completed, pedestrians in an area surrounding the vehicle can be informed of the fact that the vehicle will start to move forward from a stop.
[0112] With the control program for the front start motion notification sound S shown in Figure 2, during a period when a driver is gradually returning the brake pedal from a lowered state towards a released state, but still has not released the brake pedal, controller 12 jumps to step S15 and does not emit the S front start motion notification sound, due to the fact that brake switch 15 has not yet been switched from on to off. During a brake pedal return operation like the one described above, there is a possibility that the braking force will decline and the vehicle will start to move due to, for example, a drag force or a downward slope of a road surface. In this type of situation, it is also necessary to warn pedestrians in close proximity to the vehicle. However, since a notification of a vehicle movement start in this way would occur after the vehicle has started to move, the forward movement notification sound D (which serves to warn of the movement in progress) is more appropriate than the S front start motion notification sound (which indicates a state just before motion starts). Additionally, since the vehicle is moving slowly with brake force applied, issuing the front start motion notification sound S could possibly give pedestrians in the surrounding area a false impression that the vehicle will start to move. quickly (while accelerating).
[0113] Therefore, in this mode, as shown in Figure 3, when the vehicle starts to move forward due to a slow brake return operation during which the front start motion notification sound S is not emitted , controller 12 proceeds from step S21 of Figure 3 to steps S24 to S26. Then, when the vehicle speed V is determined to be equal to or greater than the stopping determining vehicle speed Vs in step S26, the controller 12 proceeds to step S27 and outputs the forward motion notification sound D.
[0114] Thus, when a driver performs a brake pedal gradual return operation while the vehicle is in a stopped state and the vehicle starts to move due to a decreased braking force, the motion notification sound will start front movement S is canceled and the front movement notification sound D is emitted immediately so that a pedestrian in the surrounding area can be warned of vehicle movement by the front movement notification sound D (which is intended to warn of the movement in progress) instead of the less appropriate S sound (which is intended to warn of impeding movement). Furthermore, since the front start motion notification sound S, which is normally emitted immediately before motion starts, is not emitted, pedestrians in a surrounding area can recognize that the vehicle is moving slowly.
[0115] In this mode, as mentioned above, the front start motion notification sound S is a notification sound in a prescribed region of comparatively low frequencies that easily penetrates into the vehicle cabin from outside the vehicle cabin and can be readily heard by the driver. In this way, since the driver can easily recognize when the front start motion notification has been issued, the driver can also easily recognize that the front start motion notification sound S has not been issued during a slow pedal return operation. brake. As a result, with this mode, the driver will not mistakenly think that the front start motion notification sound S was emitted during a slow brake pedal return operation and the driver will assume that a person close to the vehicle has not heard the Front start motion notification sound S and is not attentive to the start of vehicle movement. In this way, the driver can try to drive safely and a great advantage in terms of safe driving can be achieved.
[0116] Although only the selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be evident to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made in this document without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, although the modality explained above introduces the idea of setting a frequency of the forward motion notification sound D in a special way, as already explained, the reverse motion notification sound (R) is also a notification sound of motion and it is acceptable to set a frequency of the reverse motion notification sound R in a similar way as the forward motion notification sound D to obtain a similar effect. Furthermore, it is not necessary that all the advantages are present in a particular modality at the same time. Each feature that is unique to the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, is also to be considered a separate description of additional inventions by the applicant, which includes the structural and/or functional concepts embodied by such features. Accordingly, the foregoing descriptions of the vehicle notification sounding apparatus are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

权利要求:
Claims (6)
[0001]
1. Vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus comprising: an exterior sound emitting device (1) configured to emit a motion notification sound to an exterior of a vehicle to inform a person in an exterior area surrounding the vehicle that the vehicle will move or is moving; and a notification sound control device (12) configured to control the outside sound emitting device (1) to produce the motion notification sound as a forward motion notification sound (D) after determining the vehicle condition. is in a state indicative of a vehicle forward state, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the notification sound control device (12) is configured to set the front movement notification sound (D) of the outside sound emitting device ( 1) for a frequency in a range of 1.5 kHz to 6 kHz and maintain a sound volume of the front motion notification sound (D) emitted at a constant level while the frequency of the front motion notification sound (D) is increased as a vehicle speed (V) increases.
[0002]
2. Vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that: the notification sound control device (12) is configured to set the forward motion notification sound (D) of the external sound emitting device (1) at a frequency in a range of 2 kHz to 4 kHz.
[0003]
3. Vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that: the notification sound control device (12) includes a motion initiating motion detection section. driver that detects a driver's intention to initiate vehicle movement, and a vehicle movement state detection section that detects vehicle movement, and the external sound emitting device (1) is configured to emit a notification sound start motion detector (S) that has a prescribed frequency of less than 1.5 kHz in response to the vehicle start motion intent detection section that detects the driver's intent to initiate vehicle motion and the vehicle start motion detection section. Vehicle motion state detection that does not detect that the vehicle is in motion.
[0004]
4. Vehicle notification sounding apparatus according to claim 3, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that: the start motion intention detection section detects the driver's intention to initiate vehicle movement based on a conductive state of the existing vehicle and the vehicle speed (V) which is less than a prescribed vehicle speed (Vs) which indicates that the vehicle is stationary; and the vehicle motion state detection section detects vehicle motion based on vehicle speed (V) which is equal to or greater than the prescribed vehicle speed (Vs).
[0005]
5. Vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that: the notification sound control device (12) controls the sound emitting device to produce the motion notification sound as a reverse motion notification sound (R) upon determination of the vehicle condition is in a state indicative of a vehicle reverse advance state, where the forward motion notification sound (D) is different from the reverse motion notification sound (R).
[0006]
6. Vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the notification sound control device (12) is further configured to operate the sound emitting device in response to the occurrence of a vehicle condition, the notification sound control device (12) setting the front movement notification sound (D) of the outside sound emitting device (1) to a frequency in the selected frequency range of 1.5 kHz to 6 kHz, where equal sound volume level curves according to ISO 226 correspond to a minimum sound pressure level and the motion notification sound is audible by a person in a exterior area surrounding the vehicle, but inaudible to a vehicle occupant in a closed cabin interior, where frequencies in the selected frequency range do not easily penetrate into the cabin interior from outside the vehicle due to p sound insulation property of the cabin interior.

类似技术:

---

公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题

---

BR112012019926B1|2021-08-24|VEHICLE NOTIFICATION SOUND DEVICE

---

BR112012019928B1|2021-02-09|vehicle notification sound emitter

---

BR112012019929B1|2021-03-30|VEHICLE NOTIFICATION SOUND EMISSION DEVICE

---

BR112012019977B1|2019-11-19|vehicle notification sound system.

---

JP5728932B2|2015-06-03|Vehicle warning sound generator

---

JP5644478B2|2014-12-24|Vehicle warning sound generator

---

JP5560753B2|2014-07-30|Vehicle warning sound generator

---

JP5526839B2|2014-06-18|Vehicle warning sound generator

---

JP5560752B2|2014-07-30|Electric vehicle warning sound generator

---

JP5682294B2|2015-03-11|Vehicle warning sound generator

---

JP5800461B2|2015-10-28|Vehicle warning sound generator

---

JP5560751B2|2014-07-30|Vehicle warning sound generator

---

BR112012019906B1|2021-11-09|VEHICLE NOTIFICATION SOUND EMISSION DEVICE

---

JP5521600B2|2014-06-18|Vehicle warning sound generator

同族专利:

---

公开号 | 公开日

---

BR112012019926A2|2021-03-30|

---

EP2534005B1|2019-04-03|

---

RU2012138537A|2014-03-20|

---

CN102753392B|2015-10-21|

---

US20120299717A1|2012-11-29|

---

MX2012009234A|2012-12-05|

---

WO2011098881A1|2011-08-18|

---

CN102753392A|2012-10-24|

---

EP2534005A1|2012-12-19|

---

RU2530178C2|2014-10-10|

---

US8669858B2|2014-03-11|

引用文献:

---

公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题

---

---

JP3044634B2|1991-06-04|2000-05-22|富士通株式会社|Semiconductor storage device|

---

JP3257012B2|1992-01-30|2002-02-18|いすゞ自動車株式会社|Warning sound generator|

---

JPH05213112A|1992-01-31|1993-08-24|Suzuki Motor Corp|Warning device for vehicle|

---

FR2687623B1|1992-02-20|1994-05-27|Texton|ARRANGEMENT FOR GENERATING SOUND WARNING SIGNALS AND ALARM SIREN SIGNALS, IN PARTICULAR FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.|

---

JPH0736504U|1993-11-30|1995-07-04|株式会社三ツ葉電機製作所|Pseudo engine sound generator|

---

JPH07182587A|1993-12-21|1995-07-21|Honda Motor Co Ltd|Device for generating pseudo sound for electric vehicle|

---

JPH07205753A|1994-01-13|1995-08-08|Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd|Alarm device for electric vehicle|

---

JP3625073B2|1994-05-18|2005-03-02|ヤマハ発動機株式会社|Alarm sound device for electric vehicle and electric vehicle|

---

JP3648759B2|1994-06-27|2005-05-18|いすゞ自動車株式会社|Vehicle reverse warning device|

---

RU95101492A|1995-02-01|1996-12-20|Ю.Ю. Рахинский|Sound signalling device for road and rail vehicles|

---

US5850453A|1995-07-28|1998-12-15|Srs Labs, Inc.|Acoustic correction apparatus|

---

JPH1083187A|1996-09-09|1998-03-31|Toyota Motor Corp|Hybrid vehicle|

---

JPH11245722A|1998-03-02|1999-09-14|Nissan Diesel Motor Co Ltd|Alarm system for vehicle|

---

JP2002233001A|2001-01-31|2002-08-16|Fujitsu Ten Ltd|Pseudo engine-sound control device|

---

JP2002238101A|2001-02-08|2002-08-23|Denso Corp|Warning generation device for electric vehicle|

---

JP2004136831A|2002-10-21|2004-05-13|Takumakkusu:Kk|Sound generating device and automobile|

---

CA2407283A1|2002-10-21|2004-04-21|Maurice Lemieux|Rear-view mirror/warning device|

---

CN2647669Y|2003-09-12|2004-10-13|永福电器股份有限公司|Radio sound receiver|

---

JP4507554B2|2003-10-23|2010-07-21|日産自動車株式会社|Vehicle and vehicle motor control method|

---

JP2005219715A|2004-02-09|2005-08-18|Pioneer Electronic Corp|Pseudo sound generating device, vehicle, pseudo sound generating method and pseudo sound generating program|

---

US20070063827A1|2004-08-24|2007-03-22|Ferrone Christopher W|Back up alarm system|

---

JP2005343360A|2004-06-04|2005-12-15|Anden|Warning device for low-noise vehicle|

---

WO2006077997A1|2005-01-19|2006-07-27|Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha|Vehicle warning device|

---

JP2006264390A|2005-03-22|2006-10-05|Yamaha Corp|Acoustic alarming device of vehicle|

---

JP2009040317A|2007-08-10|2009-02-26|Toyota Motor Corp|Vehicle approach notifying device|

---

JP2009040318A|2007-08-10|2009-02-26|Toyota Motor Corp|Vehicle approach notifying device|

---

US8204243B2|2007-09-21|2012-06-19|United Parcel Service Of America, Inc.|Synthetic engine sound for electric vehicle based on detected direction of travel|

---

JP4666016B2|2008-07-17|2011-04-06|ソニー株式会社|Display device, driving method thereof, and electronic apparatus|

---

JP2010026117A|2008-07-17|2010-02-04|Sony Corp|Display and method of driving the same, and electronic equipment|

---

JP5077118B2|2008-07-17|2012-11-21|コニカミノルタビジネステクノロジーズ株式会社|Toner for electrostatic image development|

---

JP2010155507A|2008-12-26|2010-07-15|Yamaha Corp|Engine rotational speed calculation device and engine sound production device|

---

US8730020B2|2010-08-31|2014-05-20|Nissan North America, Inc.|System and method for producing an audible alert for a vehicle|DE102010045996A1|2010-09-18|2012-03-22|Volkswagen Ag|Electric vehicle|

---

ES2669309T3|2011-02-28|2018-05-24|Honda Motor Co., Ltd.|Vehicle approach alert device for straddle type electric vehicle|

---

US8892333B2|2011-03-09|2014-11-18|Denso Corporation|Vehicle rank distinction device for vehicle and travel sound generator device|

---

JP2013166538A|2011-10-31|2013-08-29|Denso Corp|Vehicle presence notification apparatus|

---

JP5772721B2|2012-05-24|2015-09-02|アンデン株式会社|Vehicle approach notification device|

---

JP5904284B2|2012-11-06|2016-04-13|トヨタ自動車株式会社|Other vehicle detection device, driving support device, and other vehicle detection method|

---

JP6083347B2|2013-07-30|2017-02-22|アンデン株式会社|Vehicle approach notification device|

---

CN103568941B|2013-11-19|2017-02-15|浙江吉利汽车研究院有限公司|Automobile driving control device and automobile driving control method|

---

JP6017499B2|2014-06-26|2016-11-02|京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社|Electronic device and notification sound output program|

---

US9661402B2|2014-07-15|2017-05-23|The Nielsen Company , Llc|Embedding information in generated acoustic signals|

---

GB201414760D0|2014-08-20|2014-10-01|Jaguar Land Rover Ltd|Use of active noise system|

---

US20160118037A1|2014-10-28|2016-04-28|Hyundai Motor Company|Apparatus for outputting protecting sound in quieting vehicle|

---

US10453325B2|2015-06-01|2019-10-22|Apple Inc.|Creation of reminders using activity state of an application|

---

US9603123B1|2015-06-04|2017-03-21|Apple Inc.|Sending smart alerts on a device at opportune moments using sensors|

---

US10235863B2|2015-06-05|2019-03-19|Apple Inc.|Smart location-based reminders|

---

GB2542846A|2015-10-02|2017-04-05|Ford Global Tech Llc|Hazard indicating system and method|

---

JP6443418B2|2016-10-03|2018-12-26|トヨタ自動車株式会社|Vehicle driving support device|

---

DE102017204332A1|2017-03-15|2018-09-20|Audi Ag|Acoustic vehicle warning system for a motor vehicle having an integrated warning signal output function|

---

JP6646080B2|2018-01-22|2020-02-14|本田技研工業株式会社|Active sound effect generator|

---

EP3579020B1|2018-06-05|2021-03-31|Elmos Semiconductor SE|Method for recognition of an obstacle with the aid of reflected ultrasonic waves|

---

CN108891347B|2018-06-22|2021-03-02|北京长城华冠汽车技术开发有限公司|Real-time warning system and warning method for vehicle distance|

---

US11059420B2|2019-01-25|2021-07-13|Volvo Car Corporation|Acoustic vehicle alerting system and method|

---

CN109703455A|2019-01-29|2019-05-03|合肥思艾汽车科技有限公司|A kind of electric car of environment self-adaption runs at a low speed warning system and method|

---

CN110065434B|2019-04-15|2021-08-20|中科上声（苏州）电子有限公司|Pedestrian warning method and system for electric automobile|

---

US11190155B2|2019-09-03|2021-11-30|Toyota Motor North America, Inc.|Learning auxiliary feature preferences and controlling the auxiliary devices based thereon|

法律状态:
2021-04-13| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|

---

2021-04-13| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|

---

2021-07-13| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|

---

2021-08-24| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 07/02/2011, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. PATENTE CONCEDIDA CONFORME ADI 5.529/DF, QUE DETERMINA A ALTERACAO DO PRAZO DE CONCESSAO. |

优先权:

---

申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

---

JP2010-026118|2010-02-09|

---

JP2010026117A|JP5526839B2|2010-02-09|2010-02-09|Vehicle warning sound generator|

---

JP2010026123A|JP5800461B2|2010-02-09|2010-02-09|Vehicle warning sound generator|

---

JP2010-026117|2010-02-09|

---

JP2010026118A|JP5521600B2|2010-02-09|2010-02-09|Vehicle warning sound generator|

---

JP2010-026123|2010-02-09|

---

PCT/IB2011/000199|WO2011098881A1|2010-02-09|2011-02-07|Vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus|

---