External microphone device for vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an external microphone arrangement (A) for a vehicle, comprising a microphone (1) arranged in a housing (3), the housing (3) having at least one opening (O) for sound entry. According to the invention, the housing (3) is coupled to the compressed air device (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an external microphone device for a vehicle, comprising a microphone disposed within a housing having at least one open / embedded opening for sound entry. Background Technology

[0002] A cleaning unit for a vehicle image acquisition unit set up for environmental monitoring, a vehicle equipped with such a cleaning unit, and a method of operating such a cleaning unit are known from DE 10 2015 013 203 A1. The cleaning unit has a cleaning fluid nozzle designed to spray cleaning fluid onto a transparent cover surface of the image acquisition unit. Furthermore, a wiper is designed for mechanically drying the cover surface of the image acquisition unit. Additionally, the cleaning unit also has a compressed air nozzle designed to apply compressed air to the cover surface of the image acquisition unit. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an external microphone device for a vehicle.

[0004] According to the present invention, this objective is achieved by an external microphone device having the features described in claim 1.

[0005] Advantageous designs of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0006] An external microphone device for a vehicle has a microphone disposed within a housing, wherein the housing has at least one opening for sound to enter. According to the invention, the housing is coupled to a compressed air device.

[0007] Here, a compressed air unit constitutes a cleaning unit for the microphone, in which dirt, snow, and / or ice can be removed from the microphone using compressed air, particularly the compressed air itself. Cleaning the microphone with compressed air significantly reduces the risk of microphone performance, availability, and functional degradation, which is absolutely essential for achieving automated vehicle operation. The compressed air unit also improves the availability of autonomous driving operations.

[0008] This type of compressed air unit, used as a cleaning unit, is easier to implement, especially in terms of installation space requirements, compared to water-based cleaning units.

[0009] In one embodiment, the compressed air device has a compressed air hose that is fluidly coupled to the internal space of the housing. Here, the compressed air hose is specifically designed to be flexible, allowing it to be laid within the available installation space of the vehicle with minimal effort.

[0010] In another embodiment of the external microphone device, the internal space of the housing is designed and coupled to a compressed air hose such that compressed air introduced into the internal space of the housing via the compressed air hose can flow out of the housing through at least one opening. This means that if the at least one opening is covered and closed, for example, by snow, the compressed air flowing out from the at least one opening can blow away and clear the snow.

[0011] In one design, the compressed air hose is coupled to a compressed air tank / storage unit at its opposite end, where it is coupled to the internal space of the housing. When needed or as a precaution, the compressed air tank releases compressed air, which is then delivered into the internal space of the housing to remove dirt, snow, and / or ice from openings. Because the fluid connection between the internal space of the housing and the compressed air tank is achieved via the compressed air hose, there is no need to place the compressed air tank near the microphone. The compressed air tank can be placed within available installation space, thus optimizing the use of installation space. Alternatively, the opposite end can also be coupled to a fan.

[0012] In one embodiment, the area of ​​the housing with at least one opening is located on the exterior of the vehicle, particularly at the bumper unit, such that the at least one opening is substantially unprotected and exposed to weather conditions and pollution.

[0013] In one embodiment, this region of the housing has four openings for sound entry, wherein the four openings can be used for the exhaust of air that has been introduced into the interior space of the housing by a compressed air device.

[0014] In another embodiment of the external microphone device, the compressed air device is designed to inject compressed air into the interior space of the microphone housing, at least when the vehicle is started. If there is snow and / or ice at the at least one opening, it can be removed from the at least one opening by means of the compressed air device before the vehicle begins operation. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The embodiments of the present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] in:

[0017] Figure 1 A perspective view of an external microphone device for a vehicle is shown schematically. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The only accompanying drawing shows a perspective view of an external microphone device A for a vehicle not described in detail.

[0019] External microphone device A has a microphone 1 and a compressed air device 2.

[0020] Vehicles designed for automated driving operations, especially autonomous driving operations, are equipped with multiple external microphones. These external microphones collect acoustic signals emitted by special vehicles performing tasks (e.g., fire trucks, police cars, or ambulances).

[0021] To identify the distance and direction of specific signals relative to the vehicle, multiple external microphones are required. Specifically, external microphones are positioned at the front, left rear, and right rear of the vehicle. In this case, the external microphones are mounted on the front and rear bumper units. Especially during vehicle operation, the bumper units are continuously exposed to relatively severe pollution and weather conditions.

[0022] The following description will focus on an external microphone device A having a compressed air device 2, which constitutes a cleaning unit for the microphone 1.

[0023] The microphone 1 has a housing 3, which, according to this embodiment, has a cylindrical region B protruding from the surface side, the region B being arranged externally on the corresponding bumper unit relative to the vehicle.

[0024] Area B has four openings O through which sound enters housing 3 and then microphone 1. Because these openings O are located externally relative to the vehicle, there is a risk that they may become clogged with dirt, snow, and / or ice. This compromises the availability and functionality of microphone 1, leading to performance degradation and, in some cases, potentially forcing the vehicle's autonomous driving mode to be interrupted or unable to activate at all.

[0025] A compressed air device 2 was designed to remove dirt, snow, and / or ice from the opening O of microphone 1.

[0026] The compressed air unit 2 has a compressed air hose 4 and a compressed air tank 5, wherein, as an alternative or supplementary solution, compressed air may also be supplied by means of a blower and / or other suitable devices.

[0027] The compressed air hose 4 is relatively flexible, so it can be laid relatively easily and effortlessly between the microphone 1 and the compressed air tank 5.

[0028] One end (not shown) of the compressed air hose 4 is coupled to the internal space of the housing 3, wherein, according to this embodiment, a compressed air tank 5 is arranged at the opposite end. Thus, the compressed air tank 5 is fluidly coupled to the internal space of the housing 3 of the microphone 1.

[0029] Compressed air released from compressed air tank 5 and delivered at a predetermined pressure via compressed air hose 4 flows through the internal space of housing 3 and outward through opening O, thereby removing dirt, snow, and / or ice from opening O. In other words, dirt, snow, and / or ice are blown outward from opening O.

[0030] For example, when the vehicle is started, i.e., when the ignition switch is turned on, the compressed air device 2 is activated. As an alternative or supplementary solution, the compressed air device 2 is activated when autonomous driving operation is planned to be stopped, and / or when one or more openings O of the microphone 1 are detected to be covered during a test run using the microphone 1.

[0031] As an alternative or supplementary solution, the compressed air device 2 can also be activated under at least one additional condition, wherein, when the driver is inside the vehicle, the driver can also activate the compressed air device 2 by operating the control elements inside the vehicle.

[0032] In an alternative embodiment of the compressed air device 2, at least one air nozzle is externally arranged in area B or its immediate vicinity, through which air is blown into opening O to remove dirt, snow and / or ice.

Claims

1. An external microphone device (A) for a vehicle, comprising a microphone (1) disposed within a housing (3), wherein, The housing (3) has at least one open opening (O) for sound to enter. The characteristic feature is that the housing (3) is coupled to the compressed air device (2).

2. The external microphone device (A) according to claim 1. Its features are, The compressed air device (2) has a compressed air hose (4) which is fluidly coupled to the interior space of the housing (3).

3. The external microphone device (A) according to claim 2. Its features are, The interior space of the housing (3) is designed and coupled to the compressed air hose (4) in such a way that compressed air introduced into the interior space of the housing (3) via the compressed air hose (4) can flow out of the housing (3) through the at least one opening (O).

4. The external microphone device (A) according to claim 2 or 3. Its features are, The compressed air hose (4) is coupled to the compressed air tank (5) at the opposite end of one end which is coupled to the interior space of the housing (3).

5. The external microphone device (A) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The area (B) of the housing (3) having at least one opening (O) is located outside the vehicle.

6. The external microphone device (A) according to claim 5. Its features are, The region (B) of the housing (3) has four openings (O) for sound to enter.

7. The external microphone device (A) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The compressed air device (2) is designed to inject compressed air into the interior space of the housing (3) of the microphone (1), at least when the vehicle is started.

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