VEHICLE PROXIMITY WARNING DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle proximity warning device (100) comprising: a hood latch element (116) extending across the width of the vehicle behind a front bumper (102) of a vehicle and configured to support one side of the front edge of a hood; a radiator support element (118) extending across the width of the vehicle under the hood latch element (116) and configured to support a radiator; a first fastener extending vertically in the center of the width of the vehicle between the hood latch element (116) and the radiator support element (118); an omnidirectional loudspeaker (124) attached to the hood latch element (116) near the first fastener; a first sound-absorbing element (132) installed in an area overlapping the back of the loudspeaker (124);and a second sound-absorbing element (138) installed in front of the loudspeaker (124) in a predetermined area behind the front bumper (102). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 5;

Description

Title of the invention: VEHICLE PROXIMITY WARNING DEVICE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle proximity warning device. Prior art

[0002] Electric and hybrid vehicles equipped with motors as their source of motive power are quiet and comfortable for occupants, while pedestrians may have difficulty noticing their approach from behind. For this reason, it is required that recent electric and similar vehicles be equipped with proximity warning devices that alert pedestrians to their approach by means of an audible signal, particularly when traveling at low speeds.

[0003] For example, [Fig.5] of Patent JP 2020-62958A describes a vehicle approach warning device which has a loudspeaker 3 near a left side element 9 of a vehicle 1. In the technology of Patent Document 1, a signaling sound is broadcast between the ground and the vehicle, and the sound pressure level is set to be equal for the left and right directions of the vehicle by arranging the loudspeaker 3 towards the ground in the center in the direction of the width of the vehicle.

[0004] Presentation of the invention As mentioned above, the quietness of the vehicle's interior is a major draw for electric vehicles and similar vehicles. For this reason, there is a demand to prevent sound emitted from the loudspeaker from reaching the vehicle's interior. To this end, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, where the loudspeaker is installed on one side, across the width of the vehicle, the sound volume must be increased to a certain extent so that the sound can be heard equally on both the left and right sides. Therefore, there is a concern that the quietness of the vehicle's interior may be compromised.

[0005] In view of the aforementioned problem, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle proximity warning device capable of effectively warning pedestrians while maintaining peace and quiet inside the vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0006] To solve the aforementioned problem, a typical configuration of a vehicle proximity warning device according to the present invention is a vehicle proximity warning device comprising: a front bumper of a vehicle; a hood latch element extending in one direction across the width of the vehicle behind the front bumper and configured to support one side of the front edge of a hood; a radiator support element extending across the width of the vehicle below the hood latch element and configured to support a radiator; a first fastener extending in a vertical direction at a center in the width of the vehicle between the hood latch element and the radiator support element; an omnidirectional speaker attached to the hood latch element near the first fastener; a first sound-absorbing element installed in an area overlapping one back of the speaker; and a second sound-absorbing element installed in front of the speaker in a predetermined area behind the front bumper.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to offer a vehicle proximity warning device capable of effectively warning pedestrians while maintaining peace and quiet inside the vehicle.

[0008] The features described in the following paragraphs may optionally be implemented. They may be implemented independently of each other or in combination with each other:

[0009] The warning device comprises:

[0010] a second fastener extending from a rear wall of the hood locking element to a rear wall of the radiator support element,

[0011] wherein the first sound-absorbing element is attached to the second attachment and has a wider shape than an external shape of the loudspeaker viewed from a front-to-back direction.

[0012] - the front bumper includes a bumper face facing an exterior of the vehicle, and a grille air guide positioned behind the bumper fascia and attached to the hood latch element,

[0013] The grille air guide comprises: an inclined wall formed in a predetermined area and extending while inclined towards a lower rear side; and an opening for the intake of outside air which is provided near one lower end of the sloping wall, and The second sound-absorbing element is provided on a rear side of the inclined wall.

[0014] - The warning device comprises: a grille section located in a predetermined area of ​​the front bumper and having a plurality of horizontal bars arranged vertically; and third soundproofing elements installed on the rear side of the grille section, in which each of the horizontal bars has a hollowed-out shape, the rear side is hollowed out towards one front side of the vehicle, and each of the third soundproofing elements is installed in one of the corresponding horizontal bars so as to block the hollow shape of the horizontal bar. Brief description of the drawings

[0015] [Fig-1] shows an overview of a proximity warning device vehicle according to an example of the present invention;

[0016] [Fig.2] is a perspective view from the front of the vehicle while omitting a bumper front of the [Fig.l];

[0017] [Fig.3] shows a hood locking element while omitting an air guide of grille of the [Fig.2];

[0018] [Fig.4] shows the vehicle proximity warning device of [Fig.3](a) seen from behind;

[0019] [Fig. 5] is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle proximity warning device of the [Fig.4](a) taken along a line AA. Detailed description of the invention

[0020] A vehicle proximity warning device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle proximity warning device comprising: a front bumper of a vehicle; a hood latch extending in one direction across the width of the vehicle behind the front bumper and configured to support one side of the front edge of a hood; a radiator support element extending in the width of the vehicle under the hood latch element and configured to support a radiator; a first fastener extending vertically at a center in the width of the vehicle between the hood latch element and the radiator support element; an omnidirectional loudspeaker attached to the hood latch element near the first fastener; a first sound-absorbing element installed in an area overlapping one back of the loudspeaker;and a second soundproofing element installed in front of the speaker in a predetermined area behind the front bumper.

[0021] According to the above configuration, providing the first sound-absorbing element in the path of the sound propagating rearward from the speaker, and also providing the second sound-absorbing element on the rear side of the front bumper where the sound from the speaker is likely to be reflected, can interrupt the sound propagating toward the driver at the rear of the speaker and effectively improve quietness in the vehicle's passenger compartment. Furthermore, installing the omnidirectional speaker near the center in the width direction of the vehicle with the sound-absorbing elements installed allows for effective propagation of the sound propagating toward pedestrians in front of and to the sides of the vehicle. In addition, attaching the speaker near the The first attachment that vertically connects the hood locking element to the radiator support element can increase the rigidity of the speaker support and allows for a warning with a clear sound.

[0022] The vehicle proximity warning device may further include a second attachment extending from a rear wall of the hood locking element to a rear wall of the radiator support element, the first sound-absorbing element being attached to the second attachment and having a wider shape than an external shape of the speaker viewed from a front-to-rear direction.

[0023] According to the above configuration, the first soundproofing element, which is wider than the speaker and serves as a wall behind the speaker, only reduces the sound propagated to the rear in the sound coming from the omnidirectional speaker and allows efficient transmission of sound to pedestrians in front of and on the sides of the vehicle while maintaining tranquility in the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0024] The front bumper may include a bumper face facing an exterior of the vehicle, and a grille air guide disposed behind the bumper face and attached to the hood locking element, the grille air guide may have: an inclined wall formed in a predetermined area and extending while inclined towards a lower rear side; and an opening for the intake of outside air which is provided near a lower end of the inclined wall, and the second sound-absorbing element may be provided on a rear side of the inclined wall.

[0025] According to the above configuration, providing the second sound-absorbing element on the rear side of the inclined wall of the grille air guide can prevent sound from the loudspeaker from being reflected from the inclined wall towards the vehicle's rear passenger compartment.

[0026] The vehicle proximity warning device may further include: a grille portion provided in a predetermined area of ​​the front bumper and having a plurality of vertically arranged horizontal bars; and third sound-absorbing elements installed on a rear side of the grille portion, in which each of the horizontal bars may have a hollow shape whose rear side is hollowed out towards a front side of the vehicle, and each of the third sound-absorbing elements may be installed in one of the corresponding horizontal bars so as to block the hollow shape of the horizontal bar.

[0027] A concern exists that sound from the loudspeaker entering the recesses in the horizontal bars of the grille portion may be dispersed and canceled out, and may be transmitted indistinctly to pedestrians. The above configuration eliminates the cancellation of sound from the loudspeaker due to the horizontal bars and allows for a clear warning at a volume sound defined in target directions, for example to the front and to the sides of the vehicle. Examples

[0028] Preferred examples of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, other specific values, and analogous details described in these examples are only examples intended to facilitate understanding of the invention and are not intended to limit the present invention unless otherwise indicated. It should be noted that in this description and the drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations will be assigned the same numerical references to avoid redundant descriptions, and elements not directly related to the present invention will be omitted from the drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 shows an overview of a vehicle proximity warning device 100 according to an example of the present invention. In Figure 1 and all other diagrams in this application, the front-to-back direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows AV (Front) and AR (Back), the left and right in a direction of the width of the vehicle are indicated respectively by arrows L (Left) and D (Right), and the vertical direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows H (Up) and B (Down), for example.

[0030] A front bumper 102 includes a bumper fascia 104, which is an aesthetic face facing the outside of the vehicle, and a grille air guide 106 disposed behind the bumper fascia 104. A radiator 108 is also disposed behind the front bumper 102.

[0031] Figure 2 is a perspective view from the front of the vehicle, omitting the bumper front panel 104 of Figure 1. A front bumper element 110 is an element that extends widthwise behind the bumper front panel 104. End portions of the front bumper element 110, extending widthwise, are connected to side apron elements 112, which extend in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. A front lower element 114 extends widthwise beneath the front bumper element 110. The front lower element 114 supports a lower portion of the radiator 108.

[0032] The grille air guide 106 is an element that adjusts an airflow entering from a grille part 146 (see [Fig.5]) of the bumper front end 104, and is attached to a hood locking element 116 described later (see [Fig.3](a)) above the front bumper element 110.

[0033] Fig. 3 shows the hood locking element 116 while omitting the grille air guide 106 from Fig. 2. The hood locking element 116 extends into the width direction of the vehicle behind the front bumper 102 (see [Fig. 1]). The hood locking element 116 is equipped with a locking mechanism and similar (not shown) near the center in the width direction of the vehicle and supports one side of the front edge of the hood.

[0034] A radiator support element 118 extends across the width of the vehicle under the hood locking element 116. The radiator support element 118 supports an upper end of the radiator 108 via a buffer material or similar.

[0035] A first fastener 120 is installed in the center of the hood locking element 120 in the width direction of the vehicle. The first fastener 120 is an element that reinforces the hood locking element 116 and the radiator support element 118, and extends in the vertical direction between the hood locking element 116 and the radiator support element 118 in the center in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0036] The apron sides 122 extend in the vertical direction so as to support end portions, in the direction of the width of the vehicle, of the hood locking element 116 and the radiator support element 118.

[0037] A loudspeaker 124 is a device that warns pedestrians of the approach of the vehicle, mainly when moving at low speed, and is attached to a region near the first fastener 120 in the center of the hood locking elements 116 in the width direction of the vehicle, using a loudspeaker fastener 126.

[0038] This example uses a loudspeaker 124 that is omnidirectional and emits sound at the same sound pressure level in all directions. Generally, loudspeakers installed in vehicles need to provide warnings on both the left and right sides of the vehicle at a sound pressure level that complies with regulations. In this example, installing the omnidirectional loudspeaker 124 in the center, across the width of the vehicle, and the operation of the sound-absorbing elements described later, even allows a loudspeaker 124 to provide warnings at both the front and sides of the vehicle at a sound pressure level that meets the standards.

[0039] A horn 128 is attached to the hood latch 116 on the side opposite the speaker 124 in the left-right direction, with the first fastener 120 centered across the width of the vehicle between them. Generally, each of the speaker 124 and the horn 128 sounds at a frequency conforming to the specification, and high-frequency vibrations occur at this time. These vibrations often cause rattling noises between them. In this example, installing the speaker 124 and the horn 128 separately on the left and right sides, respectively, with the first highly rigid fastener 120 between them, causes the first fastener 120 to absorb the vibrations, thereby allowing the speaker 124 and to the horn 128 to emit the warning sound and the horn more clearly with less crackling sound.

[0040] Fig. 3(b) is an enlarged view of a region around the loudspeaker 124 of Fig. 3(a). In this example, a first sound-absorbing element 132 is installed behind the loudspeaker 124 and is supported by a second fastener 130. The first sound-absorbing element 132 acts as a barrier to block sound propagating rearward from the omnidirectional loudspeaker 124, thus maintaining quiet in the rear of the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0041] The second fastener 130 is installed behind the speaker 124 so as to extend from the hood locking element 116 to the radiator support element 118. The first sound-absorbing element 132 is installed on the second fastener 130 in an area overlapping the rear of the speaker 124. A material that reduces sound to some extent and does not reflect sound, such as a sound-absorbing material or an acoustic-absorbing material, can be used as the first sound-absorbing element 132.

[0042] Figure 4 shows the vehicle proximity warning device 100 of Figure 3(a) from the rear. Figure 4(a) shows the vehicle proximity warning device 100 of Figure 3(a) directly from the rear.

[0043] The first sound-absorbing element 132 has a wider shape than the outer shape of the loudspeaker 124 when the loudspeaker 124 is viewed from the front-to-rear direction. With this configuration, the first sound-absorbing element 132, which is wider than the loudspeaker 124, acting as a wall behind the loudspeaker 124, reduces only the rearward sound in the sound coming from the omnidirectional loudspeaker 124, thus making it possible to effectively transmit sound to pedestrians in front of and to the sides of the vehicle while maintaining quiet in the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0044] Fig. 4(b) is a perspective view of the vehicle proximity warning device 100 of Fig. 4(a) viewed diagonally from the lower rear side. The grille air guide 106 acts to direct outside air rearward and diagonally downward so that the outside air strikes a front face of the radiator 108 (see Fig. 2). To this end, the grille air guide 106 has inclined walls 134 extending obliquely and openings 136 that allow the passage of outside air at a plurality of locations.

[0045] Each inclined wall 134 extends while being inclined backwards and downwards in an area slightly below the grille air guide 106. Each opening 136 is provided near a lower end of one of the corresponding inclined walls 134 and allows outside air that hits the inclined wall 134 to be admitted.

[0046] A second sound-absorbing element 138 is provided behind each inclined wall 134. The second sound-absorbing element 138 eliminates the reflection of sound coming from the top- speaker 124 from the inclined wall towards the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0047] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle proximity warning device 100 of Fig. 4(a) taken along line AA. The second fastener 130 extends from a rear wall 140 of the hood locking element 116 to a rear wall 142 of the radiator support element 118. The first sound-absorbing element 132 is installed on a portion of wall 144 of the second fastener 130 which extends vertically.

[0048] The loudspeaker 124 is capable of emitting two or more types of frequencies in accordance with regulations. Generally, low-frequency sound is likely to propagate around structures, while high-frequency sound is likely to propagate linearly. Therefore, in particular, a high-frequency sound emitted by the loudspeaker 124 is easily heard by occupants because it travels linearly towards the rear of the vehicle's passenger compartment and is reflected by structures.

[0049] In this example, the first sound-absorbing element is provided along the path of sound from the loudspeaker 124 propagating towards a driver. Furthermore, the second sound-absorbing element is provided in front of the loudspeaker and behind the inclined walls of the grille air guide where sound from the loudspeaker is likely to be reflected.

[0050] Thus, in this example, the first sound-absorbing element 132 is provided on the path of the sound propagated from the loudspeaker to the rear, and the second sound-absorbing element 138 is provided on the rear side of the grille air guide 106 where the sound from the loudspeaker 124 is likely to be reflected.

[0051] The aforementioned inclined walls 134 face diagonally to the upper rear side, i.e., to the position of the driver's ears. Consequently, when sound from the loudspeaker 124 is reflected off the inclined walls 134, the driver inside the vehicle can easily hear this reflected sound. Specifically, the high-frequency sound from the loudspeaker 124 is capable of penetrating structures and is perceptible in the environment inside the vehicle's interior, which is designed with low and mid-frequency sound in mind.

[0052] In this example, the first sound-absorbing element 132 and the second sound-absorbing element 138 can interrupt the sound propagated towards the driver at the rear from the loudspeaker 124 and effectively improve the quietness in the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0053] Furthermore, in this example, installing the omnidirectional speaker 124 near the center in the width direction of the vehicle with the soundproofing elements installed allows even a speaker 124 to effectively propagate the sound propagated in The system directs pedestrians to the front and sides and emits a warning sound at a sound pressure level that meets regulations. As described above, the Vehicle Proximity Warning System 100 is capable of effectively warning pedestrians while maintaining a quiet environment inside the vehicle.

[0054] In this example, third sound-absorbing elements 150a and 150b are also provided on the rear side of the grille section 146 of the bumper front 104. The grille section 146 is an outside air intake component located in a predetermined area in the center of the bumper front 104, along the width of the vehicle. The grille section 146 has a structure comprising a plurality of horizontal bars 148a and 148b arranged vertically, and the second sound-absorbing element 138 is installed on the rear side of the horizontal bars 148a and 148b of the grille section 146.

[0055] The horizontal bars 148a and 148b each have a shape that is hollowed out on the rear side towards the front of the vehicle. The third sound-absorbing elements 150a and 150b are installed so as to block the hollows in the horizontal bars 148a and 148b and to form closed cross-sections together with the horizontal bars 148a and 148b.

[0056] A concern exists that the sound from the loudspeaker 124 entering the recesses in the horizontal bars 148a and 148b of the grille portion 146 may be dispersed and canceled out, and may be transmitted in an unclear manner to pedestrians. In this example, the third sound-absorbing elements 150a and 150b form flat wall portions on the rear side of the respective horizontal bars 148a and 148b. This eliminates the cancellation of the sound from the loudspeaker 124 due to the horizontal bars 148a and 148b and allows a clear warning at a defined volume in the direction of target directions, i.e., towards the front and sides of the vehicle.

[0057] Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the examples described above. It is evident that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications and variations in the scope of the attached patent claims, and these modifications and variations should be understood as being naturally included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0058] The present invention can be used in a vehicle proximity warning device.

Claims

Demands

1. Vehicle proximity warning device (100) comprising: a front bumper (102) of a vehicle; a hood latch element (116) extending in one direction across the width of the vehicle behind the front bumper (102) and configured to support one side of the front edge of a hood; a radiator support element (118) extending in the direction across the width of the vehicle under the hood latch element (116) and configured to support a radiator (108); a first fastener (120) extending in a vertical direction at a center in the direction across the width of the vehicle between the hood latch element (116) and the radiator support element (118); an omnidirectional loudspeaker (124) attached to the hood latch element (116) near the first fastener (120); a first soundproofing element (132) installed in an area covering the back of the loudspeaker (124);and a second sound-absorbing element (138) installed in front of the loudspeaker (124) in a predetermined area behind the front bumper (102).

2. Vehicle proximity warning device (100) according to claim 1, further comprising: a second attachment (130) extending from a rear wall (140) of the hood locking element (116) to a rear wall (142) of the radiator support element (118), in which the first sound-absorbing element (132) is attached to the second attachment (130) and has a wider shape than an external shape of the loudspeaker (124) viewed from a front-to-rear direction.

3. A vehicle proximity warning device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the front bumper (102) comprises a bumper face (104) facing an exterior of the vehicle, and a grille air guide (106) disposed behind the bumper face (104) and attached to the hood latch element (116), the grille air guide (106) comprising: an inclined wall (134) formed in a predetermined area and extending while inclined towards a lower rear side; and an opening for the intake of outside air which is provided near a lower end of the inclined wall (134), and the second sound-absorbing element (138) is provided on a rear side of the inclined wall (134).

4. Vehicle proximity warning device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a grille portion (146) provided in a predetermined area of ​​the front bumper (102) and having a plurality of vertically arranged horizontal bars (148a, 148b); and third sound-absorbing elements (150a, 150b) installed on a rear side of the grille portion (146), in which each of the horizontal bars (148a, 148b) has a hollow shape whose rear side is hollowed out towards a front side of the vehicle, and each of the third sound-absorbing elements (150a, 150b) is installed in one of the corresponding horizontal bars (148a, 148b) so as to block the hollow shape of the horizontal bar (148a, 148b).

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