External microphone arrangement for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an external microphone arrangement (A) for a vehicle, with at least one microphone (1) arranged in a housing (3), and the housing (3) having at least one previously created opening (O) for sound to enter. According to the invention, the housing (3) is coupled to a pneumatically operated device (2).

Description

[0001] External microphone arrangement for a vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to an external microphone arrangement for a vehicle with a microphone arranged in a housing, wherein the housing has at least one opening for sound entry.

[0003] DE 102015 013203 A1 discloses a cleaning unit for an image capture unit of a vehicle intended for environmental detection, a vehicle with such a cleaning unit, and a method for operating such a cleaning unit. The cleaning unit has a washer fluid nozzle designed to spray washer fluid onto a transparent cover surface of the image capture unit. A wiper is also provided to mechanically dry the cover surface of the image capture unit. Furthermore, the cleaning unit has a compressed air nozzle designed to apply compressed air to the cover surface of the image capture unit.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of specifying an external microphone arrangement for a vehicle.

[0005] The object is achieved according to the invention by an external microphone arrangement which has the features specified in claim 1.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0007] An external microphone arrangement for a vehicle comprises a microphone arranged in a housing, wherein the housing has at least one opening for sound entry. According to the invention, the housing is coupled to a compressed air device. The compressed air device forms a cleaning unit for the microphone, which can be freed of dirt, snow and / or ice by means of the compressed air device, in particular its compressed air. By cleaning the microphone with compressed air, the risk of degradation of the microphone, as well as its availability and function, which are essential in particular for carrying out automated ferry operation of the vehicle, can be significantly reduced. The availability of autonomous ferry operation can also be increased by means of the compressed air device.

[0008] Such a compressed air device as a cleaning unit is easier to implement than a water-based cleaning unit, especially with regard to installation space requirements.

[0009] In one embodiment, the compressed air device comprises a compressed air hose that is fluidically coupled to the interior of the housing. The compressed air hose is particularly flexible, allowing installation of the compressed air hose within the available installation space of the vehicle with minimal effort.

[0010] In a further embodiment of the external microphone arrangement, the interior of the housing is configured and coupled to the compressed air hose in such a way that compressed air introduced into the interior of the housing via the compressed air hose flows out of the housing via the at least one opening. This means that if the at least one opening is covered and closed, for example, by snow, the snow is blown away from the at least one opening by the outflowing compressed air.

[0011] In one embodiment, the compressed air hose is coupled to a compressed air reservoir at an end opposite the end coupled to the interior of the housing. When needed or prophylactically, the compressed air reservoir releases compressed air, which is fed into the interior of the housing to clear the opening of dirt, snow, and / or ice. Since the fluidic connection between the interior of the housing and the compressed air reservoir is established via the compressed air hose, it is not necessary for the compressed air reservoir to be located in the immediate vicinity of the microphone. The compressed air reservoir can be arranged in an available installation space, which can thus be used in an optimized manner. Alternatively or additionally, the opposite end can also be coupled to a fan.

[0012] In one embodiment, a region of the housing in which the at least one opening is arranged is arranged externally on the vehicle, in particular on a bumper unit, so that the at least one opening is exposed to weather conditions and contamination essentially unprotected.

[0013] In one embodiment, the area of ​​the housing has four openings for sound entry, whereby these four openings can be used for the outflow of the air of the compressed air device introduced into the interior of the housing.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the external microphone arrangement, the compressed air device is designed to feed compressed air into the interior of the microphone housing, at least when the vehicle is started up. If snow and / or ice has accumulated on the at least one opening, this can be removed from the at least one opening using the compressed air device before commencing ferry operations.

[0015] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing.

[0016] The following shows:

[0017] Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of an external microphone arrangement for a vehicle.

[0018] The single figure shows a perspective view of an external microphone arrangement A for a vehicle not shown in detail.

[0019] The external microphone arrangement A comprises a microphone 1 and a compressed air device 2.

[0020] A vehicle designed for automated ferry operation, particularly autonomous ferry operation, is fitted with multiple external microphones that detect special acoustic signals emitted, for example, by an emergency vehicle in use, such as a fire department, police, or rescue service. In order to determine the distance and direction of the special signal relative to the vehicle, multiple such external microphones are required on the vehicle. Specifically, one external microphone is positioned at the front, rear, left, and right of the vehicle. The external microphones are installed on the front and rear bumper units of the vehicle. These bumper units are continuously exposed to relatively heavy soiling and prevailing weather conditions, particularly when the vehicle is in ferry operation.

[0021] The external microphone arrangement A with the compressed air device 2, which forms a cleaning unit for the microphone 1, is described below.

[0022] The microphone 1 has a housing 3 which, according to the present exemplary embodiment, comprises a circular-cylindrical region B protruding from one surface side, which is arranged on the outside of the respective bumper unit with respect to the vehicle.

[0023] This area B has four openings O through which sound enters the housing 3 and thus the microphone 1. Because these openings O are located externally with respect to the vehicle, there is a risk that the openings O will become clogged with dirt, snow, and / or ice. As a result, the availability and function of the microphone 1 cannot be ensured, so that the microphone 1 is degraded and the autonomous driving operation of the vehicle may have to be aborted or may not be able to resume.

[0024] In order to clean the openings O of the microphone 1 from dirt, snow and / or ice, the compressed air device 2 is provided.

[0025] The compressed air device 2 has a compressed air hose 4 and a compressed air reservoir 5, wherein compressed air can alternatively or additionally be provided by means of a fan and / or another suitable device.

[0026] The compressed air hose 4 is comparatively flexible, allowing it to be laid relatively easily and without great effort between the microphone 1 and the compressed air reservoir 5. An end (not shown) of the compressed air hose 4 is coupled to an interior of the housing 3, with the compressed air reservoir 5 being arranged at the opposite end according to the present embodiment. Thus, the compressed air reservoir 5 is fluidically coupled to the interior of the housing 3 of the microphone 1.

[0027] Compressed air released by the compressed air reservoir 5 and supplied to the interior of the housing 3 at a predetermined pressure via the compressed air hose 4 flows through the interior and outward through the openings O, thereby clearing the openings O of dirt, snow, and / or ice. In other words, dirt, snow, and / or ice are blown out of the openings O.

[0028] For example, the compressed air device 2 is activated when the vehicle is put into operation, i.e., the ignition is switched on. Alternatively or additionally, the compressed air device 2 is activated when the intention is to discontinue autonomous ferry operation and / or when a test run of the microphone 1 detects that one or more openings O of the microphone 1 are obscured.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, the compressed air device 2 can also be activated when at least one further condition is met, wherein it may also be possible, if a driver is in the vehicle, for the driver to activate the compressed air device 2 by actuating an actuating element in the vehicle.

[0030] In an alternative embodiment of the compressed air device 2, at least one air nozzle is arranged outside the area B or in its immediate vicinity, by means of which the openings O are blown and thus freed from dirt, snow and / or ice.

Claims

Patent claims 1. External microphone arrangement (A) for a vehicle with a microphone (1) arranged in a housing (3), wherein the housing (3) has at least one opening (O) for sound entry, characterized in that the housing (3) is coupled to a compressed air device (2).

2. External microphone arrangement (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that the compressed air device (2) has a compressed air hose (4) which is fluidically coupled to an interior of the housing (3).

3. External microphone arrangement (A) according to claim 2, characterized in that the interior 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 of the housing (3) by means of the compressed air hose (4) flows out of the housing (3) via the at least one opening (O).

4. External microphone arrangement (A) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the compressed air hose (4) is coupled to a compressed air reservoir (5) at an end opposite an end coupled to the interior of the housing (3).

5. External microphone arrangement (A) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a region (B) of the housing (3) in which the at least one opening (O) is arranged on the outside of the vehicle.

6. External microphone arrangement (A) according to claim 5, characterized in that the region (B) of the housing (3) has four openings (O) for sound entry.

7. External microphone arrangement (A) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compressed air device (2) is designed to feed compressed air into the interior of the housing (3) of the microphone (1) at least when the vehicle is started up.

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