Method for outputting a sound signal to the surroundings of the motor vehicle using a sound source of the motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for outputting a sound signal (2; 3; 4) to the environment of a motor vehicle (1) using a sound source of the motor vehicle (1), comprising outputting the sound signal (2; 3; 4) to the environment by means of the sound source, wherein the output depends on a speed and / or a position of the motor vehicle (1), and / or wherein the sound signal (2; 3; 4) comprises several sound signal components (2; 3; 4) which are output at different sound pressure levels and / or which have different signal compositions.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for outputting a sound signal to an environment of a motor vehicle using a sound source of the motor vehicle according to claim 1.

[0002] Collisions between a motor vehicle and a living being, such as an animal, usually have serious consequences, at least for the animal itself. Especially in urban areas, pets such as cats and dogs have often become accustomed to traffic noise, so they no longer flee from moving cars or roads. Accidents frequently occur, especially in situations where motor vehicles are parked on the side of the road and the animals are waiting under parked cars.

[0003] DE 103 17 089 A1 discloses a device for a motor vehicle to prevent collisions with wildlife. The device comprises an ultrasonic transmitter oriented along the direction of travel and positioned at the level of the front bumper.

[0004] In contrast, the present invention is based on the object of creating an improved method. Furthermore, a motor vehicle capable of carrying out such a method is to be created.

[0005] This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 and by a motor vehicle according to claim 10. Embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] According to claim 1, a sound signal is emitted to the surroundings of the motor vehicle by means of the sound source. The sound signal can be embodied, for example, as audible sound or ultrasound. Preferably, the sound signal is emitted forward. The "front" direction refers in particular to the direction in which the motor vehicle is typically moved over a longer period of time. The opposite direction, "rear," is typically used predominantly for maneuvering, for example.

[0007] The sound signal can, for example, be emitted by a loudspeaker located on the exterior of the vehicle. This could, for example, be a loudspeaker that, in an electrically powered vehicle, can also be used for pedestrian protection.

[0008] The output of the sound signal can depend on the speed and / or position of the motor vehicle. For example, the sound signal can only be output when the speed is less than or equal to a speed typically driven in urban areas. For example, the sound signal can only be output when the position of the motor vehicle is within an urban area. This can be determined, for example, using a satellite navigation system and appropriate map material.

[0009] Alternatively or additionally, the sound signal can comprise a plurality of sound signal components that are emitted at different sound pressure levels and / or that have different signal compositions. For this purpose, the sound source can, for example, comprise a plurality of sound source elements, each of the sound source elements emitting one of the sound signal components. In the context of this description, a signal composition is understood in particular to mean a temporal sequence of different frequencies and / or amplitudes. Different signal compositions can, for example, be perceived with varying degrees of unpleasantness by living beings. The signal compositions can, in particular, be so complex that they can only be masked by other sound signals with difficulty.

[0010] Due to the different sound pressure levels and / or the different signal compositions, living beings can, for example, be induced to initially move from sound signal components with higher sound pressure levels and / or signal compositions that are more unpleasant to them to sound signal components with lower sound pressure levels and / or signal compositions that are less unpleasant to them, and / or to prevent movement toward an area with a higher sound pressure level and / or toward an area with signal compositions that are more unpleasant to them. The living being can thus be taught a way to avoid a collision with the motor vehicle.

[0011] It is possible that one, several or all components of the sound signal have frequencies, amplitudes and / or temporal sequences of frequencies and / or amplitudes that are associatively and instinctively effective for the living being.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sound pressure levels and / or the signal compositions can be dependent on a direction in which the respective sound signal component is emitted. For example, a direction can be defined in which the sound signal component has the highest sound pressure level. Living beings are thus encouraged to leave the area located in this direction and move to other areas where the sound signal components have a lower sound pressure level.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sound pressure level of a first sound signal component emitted toward a central area in front of the motor vehicle can be higher than the sound pressure level of a second sound signal component emitted toward an outer area located outside the central area in front of the motor vehicle. In this way, the sound signal guides the living beings outward, thus reducing the risk of a collision with the motor vehicle.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sound pressure level of the first sound signal component can be higher than all other sound pressure levels of the other sound signal components. This also pushes the living being away from the central area in front of the motor vehicle, where a collision with the motor vehicle can be very likely.

[0015] It is possible that a living being associates the signal composition of the first sound signal component in its message with a greater danger to itself than all other signal compositions. This also pushes the living being away from the central area in front of the motor vehicle, where a collision with the motor vehicle can be very likely.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the other sound pressure levels can become lower the further away from the central region the respective region is in whose direction the respective sound signal component is emitted.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sound source can be embodied as an ultrasonic source. The ultrasonic source can also be used in the motor vehicle as part of a distance sensor. This is particularly advantageous because no new ultrasonic source needs to be installed to implement the method. The distance sensor can be, for example, a parking sensor.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the emission of the acoustic signal can be stopped as soon as the speed of the motor vehicle exceeds a speed threshold. This is advantageous because at higher speeds, collisions with cats or dogs, for example, are much less common, as such high speeds are not typically reached in urban areas. The speed threshold can be, for example, 50 km / h or 30 km / h. It is also possible to select a higher speed threshold.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is possible for the sound signal to be emitted only when it has been determined using a satellite navigation system that the motor vehicle is traveling within a built-up area. This is advantageous because collisions with dogs or cats are particularly common in these areas. It is also possible to emit the sound signal when it has been determined using a satellite navigation system that the motor vehicle is traveling outside a built-up area.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, a living being, such as an animal or a child, can be detected using an optical sensor, such as a camera. The sound signal can then be adapted to the living being. For example, the sound signal can be adapted to the position of the living being and / or the type of living being. If the living being is detected as a dog or cat, for example, the sound signal can be output as an ultrasonic signal. If the living being is detected as a child, for example, the sound signal can be output as an audible signal.

[0021] The motor vehicle according to claim 10 comprises a sound source and a control means. The control means is designed to control the sound source and to carry out a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0022] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are used for identical or similar features and for features with identical or similar functions. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 2 a schematic perspective view of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention with an animal in front of the motor vehicle.

[0023] The motor vehicle 1 comprises a sound source with multiple sound source elements. The sound source emits a sound signal, for example, in the ultrasonic range, originating from a motor vehicle in the direction of travel of the motor vehicle. The sound signal comprises a first sound signal component 3, a second sound signal component 2, and a third sound signal component 4. The first sound signal component 3 is emitted toward a central area in front of the motor vehicle 1. The second sound signal component 2 and the third sound signal component 4 are each emitted toward outer areas, for example, at the edge of the road.

[0024] For a living being 5 in the central area, there is a particularly high risk of a collision with the motor vehicle 1. Therefore, the first sound signal component 3 is emitted at a higher sound pressure level than the second and third sound signal components 2 and 4. The sound signal components 2-4 are selected such that the living being 5 wants to avoid them, for example because it finds them unpleasant and / or they resemble the sounds of a natural enemy of the living being 5. The living being 5 in the central area is thus prompted to first leave the central area in the direction of one of the outer areas because the sound pressure level of the corresponding sound signal component 2 or 4 is lower there. This already reduces the risk of an accident.In the outer area, however, there is still a high motivation for the living being 5 to leave this area as well, since the second sound signal component 2 or the third sound signal component 4 can still be perceived there.

[0025] The living being 5 can be detected, for example, with a camera of the motor vehicle 1. In this case, the sound signal components 2-4 can be adapted to the living being 5. For example, the adapted sound signal components 2-4 can be particularly unpleasant or frightening for the living being 5. It is also possible for the respective sound pressure levels of the sound signal components 2-4 to be adapted to the position of the living being 5. Thus, the living being 5 can be deliberately pushed in a certain direction to reduce the risk of a collision. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 103 17 089 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Method for outputting a sound signal (2; 3; 4) to the environment of a motor vehicle (1) using a sound source of the motor vehicle (1), comprising outputting the sound signal (2; 3; 4) to the environment by means of the sound source, wherein the output is dependent on a speed and / or a position of the motor vehicle (1), and / or wherein the sound signal (2; 3; 4) comprises a plurality of sound signal components (2; 3; 4) which are output at different sound pressure levels and / or which have different signal compositions. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the sound pressure levels and / or the signal compositions depend on a direction in which the respective sound signal component (2; 3; 4) is emitted. [3] Method according to one of the two claims, characterized bythat the sound pressure level of a first sound signal component (3) which is emitted in the direction of a central area in front of the motor vehicle (1) is higher than the sound pressure level of a second sound signal component (2; 4) which is emitted in the direction of an outer area lying outside the central area in front of the motor vehicle. [4] Method according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the sound pressure level of the first sound signal component (3) is higher than all other sound pressure levels of the other sound signal components (2; 4). [5] Method according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the other sound pressure levels become lower the further away from the central area the respective area is in whose direction the respective sound signal component (2; 4) is emitted. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the sound source is designed as an ultrasonic source, wherein the ultrasonic source in the motor vehicle (1) can also be used as a component of a distance sensor. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the output of the sound signal is stopped as soon as a speed of the motor vehicle (1) exceeds a speed threshold. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the sound signal (2; 3; 4) is only emitted when it has been determined using a satellite navigation system that the motor vehicle (1) is driving within a built-up area. [9] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a living being (5) is detected by an optical sensor and the sound signal (2; 3; 4) is adapted to the living being (5). [10] Motor vehicle (1) comprising a sound source and a control means, wherein the control means is designed to control the sound source, and wherein the control means is designed to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

Images