Modular sound generation device for AVAS applications in a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular sound generating device for AVAS applications in a vehicle, comprising a loudspeaker (7) mounted in a housing (3, 5, 19).In a sound generating device which, despite low structural complexity, can be used for a large number of model series of a vehicle manufacturer, the housing is formed from two shell-like housing parts (3, 5, 19), wherein a first housing part (3) carrying the loudspeaker (7) is designed to be neutral to the vehicle model series and the second housing part (5, 19) designed to be specific to the vehicle model series serves to cover the first housing part (3), wherein a volume and / or a shape of the second housing part (5, 19) serves to form a vehicle model series-specific acoustic partial volume, wherein spacers (25) extend along a narrow rear side of the second housing part (5, 19), and wherein each of the spacers (25) is angled outwards, pointing away from the second housing part (5, 19).

Description

The invention relates to a modular sound generating device for AVAS applications in a vehicle, comprising a loudspeaker which is mounted in a housing.Low noise vehicles, such as electrically powered vehicles and hybrid vehicles, employ an Acoustic Vehicle Alternating System (AVAS) generator that outputs an artificially generated noise to alert other road users. The noise is similar to the noise emitted from an internal combustion engine.EP 3 418 526 B1 discloses a sound generating assembly which is arranged in the vehicle on an exhaust gas guide element. The sound generating assembly comprises a module housing in which a loudspeaker unit is arranged in such a way that the sound generated by the loudspeaker unit is radiated into the exhaust gas-conducting volume of the exhaust gas guide element and is therefore superimposed on the sound which is transported in the exhaust gas flowing in the exhaust gas-conducting volume. A part of the loudspeaker unit can be arranged in a partial rear volume formed in the module housing, which partial rear volume influences the acoustic behavior of the sound generating module. In order to further vary the acoustic behavior of the sound generating module, the sound generating assembly additionally comprises a back volume module. In addition, DE 10 2022 128 748 A1 and DE 10 2019, 007 126 A1 show a loudspeaker integrated into a luminaire housing of a vehicle luminaire for acoustic awareness, DE 10 2016 210 881 A1 shows a battery housing comprising at least a first sub-housing and a second sub-housing, and DE 10 2012 020 780 A1 describes the use of the cavity of a bumper cross member as a resonance volume.It is an object of the invention to specify a modular sound generating device for AVAS applications in a vehicle which, despite the complexity of design, can be used for a multiplicity of series of a vehicle manufacturer.The invention results from the features of the independent claims. Advantageous refinements and refinements are the subject matter of the dependent claims. Further features, possible applications and advantages of the invention are evident from the following description and from the explanation of exemplary embodiments of the invention which are illustrated in the figures.The object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1.In the modular sound generating device for AVAS applications in a vehicle explained at the beginning, comprising a loudspeaker which is mounted in a housing, the housing is formed from two shell-like housing parts, wherein a first housing part carrying the loudspeaker is formed in a vehicle assembly-row-neutral manner and the second housing part formed in a vehicle assembly-row-specific manner serves to cover the first housing part, wherein a volume and / or a shaping of the second housing part serves to form a vehicle assembly-row-specific acoustic subvolume. The first and the second housing part, in the assembled state, form the total volume necessary for generating sound. The division of the housing into two fully covering shells permits cost-effective production of the sound generating device, since the first housing part is the same for all vehicle production rows of a vehicle manufacturer and can thus be produced in large numbers. Only the second housing part has to be adapted to the respective installation space situation of the vehicle assembly series in order to maximize the acoustic volume. This minimizes the development effort for the sound generating device.Advantageously, a sound element of the loudspeaker, which protrudes from the first housing part in a direction facing away from the second housing part, is designed to be flexible for absorbing possible mechanical movements of the vehicle. This enables an optimized transfer function of the artificially generated noise to the outside by a direct flange to the underbody cladding of the vehicle.In one embodiment, the sound element is funnel-shaped or cup-shaped. The shape of the acoustic element adapts to the available installation space while simultaneously directly flange-mounting to the separating acoustic wall, such as the underbody cladding. The tone color of the artificially generated noise is also thereby influenced.In a variant, in the first housing part, in addition to the loudspeaker, predominantly all the active and passive components required for generating sound are arranged. This simplifies the manufacturing process of the sound generating device, since no active elements need to be mounted on the second housing part.In one embodiment, the second housing part has connection elements for force-fit and / or form-fit and / or material-fit fastening to the vehicle, preferably to a vehicle underbody. An undesired sound input into the vehicle interior is minimized by the specific flange mounting.In a further embodiment, the connection elements have screw eyes, as a result of which mounting on the vehicle is made possible with only a few screws.It is advantageous if the connection elements extend in a plane of the extension of a circumferential edge of the second housing part. The entire sound generating device can thus be fastened directly to the vehicle underbody, which reduces the installation space requirement.In an alternative, the connection elements are each formed on a spacer, wherein the spacers project in a direction pointing away from the second housing part. By means of the spacers, which must additionally be mounted on the second housing part, the sound generating device is indirectly mounted on the vehicle as a function of the vehicle assembly series. Depending on the shape of the spacers, the sound-generating device can assume various positions relative to the vehicle underbody, wherein the installation space available can be optimally utilized for each series of vehicle structures.Further advantages, features and details are evident from the following description, in which--possibly with reference to the drawing--at least one exemplary embodiment is described in detail. Features described and / or depicted in the figures can form the subject matter of the invention on their own or in any meaningful combination, optionally also independently of the claims, and can in particular additionally also be the subject matter of one or more separate application / s. Identical, similar and / or functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals.The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the sound generating device according to the invention, FIG. 2 shows an illustration of the individual components of the sound generating device according to FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the sound generating device according to the invention, FIG. 4 shows an illustration of the individual components of the sound generating device according to FIG. 3, FIG. 5 shows exemplary embodiments of the second housing part with various spacers.FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the sound generating device according to the invention, as is used in low-noise vehicles, such as electric or hybrid vehicles, in order to artificially generate engine noise for warning other road users. The sound generating device 1 has a housing made up of two housing parts 3, 5, which are designed like shells and rest on one another along their circumferential edges 31, 33 and cover one another. A sound element 15 of a loudspeaker 7 projects outwards from the lower first housing part 3. On the second housing part 5 which completely covers the first housing part 3, connection elements 9 are formed for fastening the sound generating device 1 to an underbody of the vehicle.An illustration of the individual components of the sound generating device 1 is shown in FIG. 2. The first housing part 3, which is designed identically for all series of vehicle manufacturers, carries all the active components which are necessary for generating sound. These include the loudspeaker 7, a pressure compensation diaphragm 11 and an electrical interface 13 for connecting an amplifier of the vehicle. The second housing part 5 is designed as a rear shell, which forms a total volume for acoustic sound generation with the first housing part 3. In addition, specific fastening points are present at which the connection elements 9 are formed. These connection elements 9 point away from the second housing part 5 at a right angle and / or extend into a plane spanned by the second housing part 5. The loudspeaker 7 has a sound element designed as a sound cup 15 which projects outwards from the first housing part 3.A second exemplary embodiment of the sound generating device according to the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The second housing part 19 of the sound generating device 17 differs in shape from the second housing part 5 of the sound generating device 1. the second housing part 19 is likewise designed as a rear shell but comprises a different partial volume, whereby the total volume of the sound generating device 17 changes. The acoustic element protruding outward beyond the first housing part 3 is designed as a sonic funnel 21, whereby, compared to the sonic cup 15, the connection to the separating acoustic wall is made possible even under limited installation space conditions. Both the sonic funnel 21 and the sonic cup 15 are covered with a protective screen 23.FIG. 5 shows two exemplary embodiments of the second housing part 19 with different spacers. In FIG. 5 a, the spacers 25 extend according to the invention along a narrow rear side of the second housing part 19 and are angled away from the second housing part 19 in an outward direction. The spacer 25 has, in a protruding extension, a screw eye designed as a connecting element 9, by means of which the sound generating device 17 is screwed to the underbody of the vehicle.FIG. 5 bshows alternatively spacers 27 which are arranged on the rear side 29 of the second housing part 19 facing away from the latter. At the free ends of these spacers 27 a respective screw eye serving as a connection element 9 is also formed for receiving a respective screw.By means of the different shape of the spacers 25, 27 and their connection to the second housing part 19, the sound generating device 17 is adapted to the different series of vehicles. The spacers can be produced cost-effectively from metal, preferably sheet metal.List of reference characters1 Sound damping device 3 First housing part 5 Second housing part 7 Loudspeaker 9 Connecting element 11 Pressure compensation membrane 13 Electrical interface 15 Sound cup 17 Sound generating device 19 Second housing part 21 Sound horn 23 Protective grille 25 Spacer 27 Spacer 29 Rear side of the second housing part 31 Edge of the first housing part 33 Edge of the second housing part

Claims

Modular sound generating device for AVAS applications in a vehicle, comprising a loudspeaker (7) which is mounted in a housing (3, 5, 19), wherein the housing is formed from two shell-like housing parts (3, 5, 19), wherein a first housing part (3) carrying the speaker (7) is formed in a vehicle row-neutral manner and the second housing part (5, 19) formed in a vehicle row-specific manner serves to cover the first housing part (3), characterized in that a volume and / or a shape of the second housing part (5, 19) serves to form a vehicle row-specific acoustic subvolume, and further characterized in that spacers (25) extend along a narrow rear side of the second housing part (5, 19), wherein each of the spacers (25) is angled outwards, pointing away from the second housing part (5, 19).Sound generating device according to claim 1, further characterized in that a sound element (15, 21) of the loudspeaker (7) which protrudes from the first housing part (3) is designed to be flexible for absorbing possible mechanical movements of the vehicle.Sound generating device according to claim 2, further characterized in that the sound element (15, 21) is funnel-shaped or cup-shaped.Sound generating device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, further characterised in that in the first housing part (3) besides the loudspeaker (7) predominantly all the active and passive components (11, 13) necessary for sound generation are arranged.Sound generating device according to at least one of the preceding claims, further characterized in that each of the spacers (25) has, in a protruding extension, a connecting element (9) for the force-fit and / or form-fit and / or material-fit fastening to the vehicle, preferably to a vehicle underbody.Sound generating device according to claim 5, further characterised in that the connecting element (9) has a screw eye.

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