In-vehicle device

Abstract

To provide an in-vehicle device which is suitable to be equipped into a vehicle.SOLUTION: An in-vehicle device 1 is equipped in a vehicle Ve. The in-vehicle device 1 includes: an electromagnetic wave element 2 for executing at least one of radiating an electromagnetic wave to the outside of a device and detecting an electromagnetic wave from the outside of a device; and an acoustic sensor 3 integrated with the electromagnetic wave element 2, the sensor detecting sound caused from the outside of a device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates to techniques for detecting sound in vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a roof module for a vehicle that includes an environmental sensor for sensing the vehicle environment. Examples of the environmental sensor include optical sensors such as a camera, a radar, and a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging / Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0266917 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Now, the inventors of the present disclosure have come up with the idea of ​​mounting a new acoustic sensor that detects sound on a vehicle in addition to electromagnetic wave elements such as optical sensors, etc. However, since many other elements are mounted on a vehicle, there are issues in securing installation space for the acoustic sensor and suppressing an increase in the number of steps required to mount the acoustic sensor on the vehicle.

[0005] One of the objects of the disclosure of this specification is to provide an in-vehicle device suitable for mounting in a vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect disclosed herein is an in-vehicle device configured to be mounted on a vehicle (Ve), an electromagnetic wave element (2, 22, 102, 122, 132, 202, 222, 302, 402) that performs at least one of emitting an electromagnetic wave toward the outside of the device and detecting an electromagnetic wave from the outside of the device; The device is equipped with an acoustic sensor (3, 13, 23, 103, 113, 123, 133, 203, 233, 243, 253, 263, 303, 403) that is integrated with the electromagnetic wave element and detects sound generated from outside the device.

[0007] In such an in-vehicle device, the electromagnetic wave element and the acoustic sensor are integrated, which makes it easier to secure the installation space for the acoustic sensor in the vehicle and also makes it possible to suppress an increase in the number of steps required to install the acoustic sensor in the vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to provide an in-vehicle device suitable for installation in a vehicle.

[0008] In addition, the symbols in parentheses included in the claims, etc., are intended to exemplify the corresponding relationship with parts of the embodiments described below, and are not intended to limit the technical scope. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating examples of positions where an in-vehicle device according to the present disclosure can be installed. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an in-vehicle device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an in-vehicle device. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an in-vehicle device. [Diagram 5] 5 is a diagram for explaining a method of mounting the in-vehicle device of FIG. 4 on a vehicle. [Figure 6] 5 is a diagram for explaining a method of mounting the in-vehicle device of FIG. 4 on a vehicle. [Figure 7] 5 is a diagram for explaining a method of mounting the in-vehicle device of FIG. 4 on a vehicle. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining communication between an in-vehicle device and an ECU. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an in-vehicle device. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an in-vehicle device. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an in-vehicle device. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an in-vehicle device. [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram for explaining a method of mounting the in-vehicle device of FIG. 12 on a vehicle. [Figure 14] 13 is a diagram for explaining a method of mounting the in-vehicle device of FIG. 12 on a vehicle. [Figure 15] 13 is a diagram for explaining a method of mounting the in-vehicle device of FIG. 12 on a vehicle. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an in-vehicle device. [Figure 17] 17 is a diagram for explaining a method of mounting the in-vehicle device of FIG. 16 on a vehicle. [Figure 18] 17 is a diagram for explaining a method of mounting the in-vehicle device of FIG. 16 on a vehicle. [Figure 19] 17 is a diagram for explaining a method of mounting the in-vehicle device of FIG. 16 on a vehicle. [Figure 20] FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an in-vehicle device. [Figure 23] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an in-vehicle device. [Figure 24] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an in-vehicle device. [Diagram 25] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an in-vehicle device. [Figure 26] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an in-vehicle device. [Figure 27] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an in-vehicle device. [Figure 28] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an in-vehicle device. [Figure 29] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an in-vehicle device. [Diagram 30] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an in-vehicle device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, a number of embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, by assigning the same reference numerals to corresponding components in each embodiment, duplicated descriptions may be omitted. When only a part of the configuration is described in each embodiment, the configuration of the other embodiment described above can be applied to the other parts of the configuration. In addition to the combination of configurations explicitly stated in the description of each embodiment, configurations of multiple embodiments can be partially combined together even if not explicitly stated, as long as there is no particular problem with the combination.

[0011] (General configuration of the in-vehicle device) The on-vehicle device according to the present disclosure is configured to be mounted on a vehicle Ve shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the on-vehicle device has a structure in which an electromagnetic wave element and an acoustic sensor are integrated together.

[0012] The electromagnetic wave element performs at least one of emitting electromagnetic waves toward the outside of the in-vehicle device and detecting electromagnetic waves from the outside. The electromagnetic waves referred to here may be electromagnetic waves of any wavelength, such as radio waves, microwaves, infrared rays, visible light, ultraviolet rays, etc. Examples of the electromagnetic wave element include a camera, a millimeter wave radar, a LiDAR, a lighting device, a communication device, a rain sensor, and an illuminance sensor.

[0013] The camera is a sensor that detects electromagnetic waves from outside the vehicle-mounted device. The electromagnetic waves handled by the camera may be visible light or near-infrared light. The camera may be a camera for automatic driving or driving assistance, which is installed facing the outside of the vehicle Ve, captures the surrounding environment of the vehicle Ve, and detects dynamic objects such as vehicles and pedestrians, and static objects such as buildings and fallen objects, that exist in the surrounding environment. The camera may be used for parking assistance or the like, in which a composite image of the vehicle Ve as seen from above is generated in cooperation with other vehicle-mounted cameras and presented to the driver. The camera may be a camera for face recognition of a driver who is about to get into the vehicle.

[0014] A millimeter-wave radar is a sensor that both emits electromagnetic waves toward the outside of an in-vehicle device and detects electromagnetic waves from the outside. The electromagnetic waves handled by a millimeter-wave radar may be millimeter waves. The millimeter-wave radar is used for autonomous driving or driving assistance. The millimeter-wave radar transmits a search wave toward the outside of a vehicle Ve and receives the reflected wave that is reflected by a dynamic or static object in the surrounding environment.

[0015] LiDAR is a sensor that both emits electromagnetic waves toward the outside of an in-vehicle device and detects electromagnetic waves from the outside. The electromagnetic waves handled by LiDAR are laser light such as near-infrared light. LiDAR is used for autonomous driving or driving assistance. LiDAR emits pulsed laser light toward the outside of the vehicle Ve and detects the reflected light reflected by dynamic or static objects in the surrounding environment. The time of flight (ToF) of the laser light is used to measure the distance from the LiDAR to the object. The LiDAR may be configured to detect the three-dimensional shape of an object by scanning the emitted laser light.

[0016] The lighting equipment emits electromagnetic waves toward the outside of the vehicle-mounted device. The electromagnetic waves handled by the lighting equipment are visible light. The lighting equipment is used to notify the outside of the vehicle. The lighting equipment includes passing headlights (low beam), driving headlights (high beam), turn signals, hazard lights, etc. The communication device transmits and receives radio waves as electromagnetic waves according to a predetermined communication standard. The rain sensor is a sensor that detects raindrops adhering to the windshield, etc., and emits light and detects the reflected or refracted light by the raindrops with a light receiving element. The illuminance sensor is a sensor that detects external light such as sunlight entering the vehicle Ve, and includes a light receiving element that can measure the illuminance of the external light.

[0017] The acoustic sensor detects sound generated from outside the vehicle-mounted device. The source of the sound may be, for example, the same as an object to be detected by the electromagnetic wave element, or may be completely different. The detected sound may be a sound (i.e., air vibration) coming from outside the vehicle-mounted device, or may be vibration of the vehicle-mounted device caused by the sound. The sound coming from outside the vehicle-mounted device may be a siren emitted by an emergency vehicle such as a police vehicle, a fire engine, or an ambulance in the external environment of the vehicle Ve. The sound coming from outside the vehicle-mounted device may be road noise generated between the vehicle Ve and the road. The sound coming from outside the vehicle-mounted device may be an engine sound, an electric motor sound, or the like inside the vehicle Ve.

[0018] The on-vehicle device can be applied to various mounting positions in the vehicle Ve. The on-vehicle device can be installed inside the front, side, rear, or top of the vehicle. In the vehicle Ve, the external structure has a plate-shaped portion that combines smooth curved surfaces and flat surfaces to improve design and aerodynamic characteristics.

[0019] The on-vehicle device is exposed to the outside of the vehicle Ve, and is held in a portion of the external structure having, for example, a plate shape, suitable for installation of the electromagnetic wave element. As shown in Fig. 1, the external structure on the front side of the vehicle is, for example, a front emblem Pf1, a headlamp cover Pf2, a front fog lamp cover Pf3, a bumper corner Pf4, a bumper side Pf5, a front camera cover Pf6, a windshield Pf7, etc. The external structure on the side of the vehicle is, for example, a mirror surface Ps1 of the side mirror, a cover Ps2 of the side mirror, a door Ps3, each pillar (B pillar Ps4, etc.), a side fender Ps5, etc. The external structure Es on the rear side of the vehicle is, for example, a backup camera cover Pb1, a backup sight glass Pb2, a reflector cover Pb3, a tail lamp module cover Pb4, a rear window edge Pb5, etc.

[0020] This plate-like portion (e.g., a cover portion, etc.) of the external structure vibrates when it receives sound coming from the external environment of the vehicle Ve. In addition, vibrations transmitted from the road surface and vibrations generated when the vehicle Ve collides are transmitted inside the external structure, causing the plate-like portion to vibrate. In addition, vibrations caused by the road surface and vibrations generated when the vehicle Ve collides are transmitted and cause the plate-like portion to vibrate. The acoustic sensor can indirectly detect sound by measuring this vibration and the sound re-emitted by this vibration.

[0021] (First embodiment) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the in-vehicle device 1 of the first embodiment, the camera 2a as the electromagnetic wave element 2 and the acoustic sensor 3 are integrated together.

[0022] In the example of Fig. 3, the in-vehicle device 1 is attached to a windshield Pf7 as an external structural part Es from the inside of the vehicle compartment. The windshield Pf7 is formed, for example, in the shape of a translucent curved plate. The windshield Pf7 is inclined so as to be gradually spaced away from the ground on which the vehicle Ve is in contact as it moves from the front to the rear of the vehicle. The in-vehicle device 1 includes a bracket 4, a housing 5, a substrate 6, a camera 2a, an acoustic sensor 3, and the like.

[0023] The bracket 4 is a member for attaching the housing 5 to the vehicle Ve. The bracket 4 is formed of a metal such as steel (plated or electro-deposition coating) or aluminum. The bracket 4 includes an attachment portion 4a, a housing holding portion 4b, and an opening 4c.

[0024] The mounting portion 4a has a plate shape that conforms to the shape of the windshield Pf7. The mounting portion 4a is held to the windshield Pf7 via an adhesive 9a that is applied in a layer on substantially the entire surface of the mounting portion 4a on the windshield Pf7 side. The housing holding portion 4b is provided on the mounting portion 4a on the side opposite the windshield Pf7, and holds the housing 5 by, for example, engagement, fastening, or the like. The opening 4c is formed and opens in the center of the mounting portion 4a. The opening 4c allows light from the external environment of the vehicle Ve to enter the camera 2a through the windshield Pf7.

[0025] The housing 5 is fixed to the windshield Pf7 via the bracket 4. The housing 5 is provided in common for the camera 2a and the acoustic sensor 3. The housing 5 is formed of a metal such as aluminum. The housing 5 includes a board accommodating section 5a, a hood section 5b, and a sound guide hole 5c. The board accommodating section 5a is disposed on the opposite side of the windshield Pf7 with the camera 2a in between. The board accommodating section 5a forms an accommodating space Sp2 that accommodates the board 6.

[0026] The hood portion 5b forms a light-shielding space Sp1 between the camera 2a and the windshield Pf7. The light-shielding space Sp1 has a tapered shape according to the angle of view of the camera 2a, increasing in width as it moves away from the camera 2a and approaches the windshield Pf7. The hood portion 5b blocks diffusely reflected light, which is incident from the external environment and leads to a decrease in the quality of the image captured by the camera 2a. In order to absorb the diffusely reflected light, the surface of the hood portion 5b that contacts the space is preferably formed in a dark color.

[0027] In the example of Fig. 3, the upper and lower hoods of the hood portion 5b are asymmetrical in shape according to the inclination shape of the windshield Pf7. The taper angle of the upper hood is set to be larger than the taper angle of the lower hood. The taper angle here is defined as the angle of the surface of the hood portion 5b with respect to the optical axis of the camera 2a.

[0028] The sound guide hole 5c is a hole that communicates between the storage space Sp2 of the substrate 6 and the light-shielding space Sp1 of the hood portion 5b. The sound guide hole 5c is, for example, an elongated tubular hole that extends linearly and has a circular cross section. The sound guide hole 5c guides the sound in the light-shielding space Sp1 to the storage space Sp2 in which the microphone 3a described below is installed. Here, in order to further improve the performance of sound detection, the end of the sound guide hole 5c on the storage space Sp2 side is preferably formed in a position facing the microphone 3a mounted on the substrate 6. In order to further improve the performance of sound detection, the end of the sound guide hole 5c on the light-shielding space Sp1 side is preferably formed on the camera 2a side of the midpoint between the camera 2a (more specifically, the camera unit) and the windshield Pf7 in the hood portion 5b.

[0029] The substrate 6 is formed in a flat plate shape from synthetic resin such as glass epoxy resin. The substrate 6 is fixed to the housing 5 by, for example, engagement, fastening, or the like. The substrate 6 is a substrate common to the camera 2a and the acoustic sensor 3. A control circuit for the camera 2a is mounted on the substrate 6. The substrate 6 also mounts the microphone 3a and control circuit for the acoustic sensor 3. Both control circuits are mounted in a form that shares a connector for electrical connection to the vehicle Ve side.

[0030] The camera 2a includes a camera unit and a control circuit. The camera unit is configured by accommodating an image sensor and a lens system in a lens barrel. The camera unit is disposed at the end of the light-shielding space Sp1 that is tapered.

[0031] The imaging element is disposed on the opposite side of the lens system from the windshield Pf7. The imaging element is, for example, a CCD or CMOS, and is electrically connected to a control circuit mounted on the substrate 6 via a flexible cable. Detection signals acquired by the imaging element are sequentially transmitted to the control circuit. The control circuit generates image data. The lens system includes one or more lenses. The lens system collects light incident through the windshield Pf7 and the light-shielding space Sp1, and forms an image on the imaging element.

[0032] The acoustic sensor 3 includes a microphone 3a and a control circuit. The microphone 3a is mounted on the substrate 6 in a position facing the sound guide hole 5c. The microphone is, for example, a condenser microphone, and in particular, in this embodiment, a MEMS microphone 3a is used. MEMS is an abbreviation for Micro Electro Mechanical Systems.

[0033] The MEMS microphone 3a is a microphone element that converts air vibrations into an electric signal. The MEMS microphone 3a outputs a change in capacitance that occurs when a thin diaphragm (membrane) vibrates due to sound pressure as an analog electric signal. The MEMS microphone 3a introduces and detects the sound that has reverberated in the light-shielding space Sp1 through the sound guide hole 5c. The shape of the hood part 5b for blocking diffusely reflected light, that is, the horn-like structure, is used to increase the sound pressure and then detect the sound. The analog electric signal from the MEMS microphone 3a is converted into a digital sound signal by a control circuit.

[0034] The in-vehicle device 101 in the example of Fig. 4 differs from the example of Fig. 3 in that it is attached to a B-pillar Ps4 as an external structure Es. The cover portion exposed to the external environment in the B-pillar Ps4 is formed in a plate shape having a light-transmitting plate portion Est that transmits light so that light can be incident on the camera 2a through the light-shielding space Sp1. The light-transmitting plate portion Est extends approximately perpendicularly to the ground. The portion of the B-pillar Ps4 other than the light-transmitting plate portion Est may be formed in a dark color that is opaque.

[0035] In this example, the bracket 104 has the same mounting portion 104a and opening 104c as in FIG. 3, and also has a housing housing portion 104b. The housing housing portion 104b is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to extend from the opening 104c toward the opposite side of the light-transmitting plate portion Est. The housing housing portion 104b is housed in the housing 105. The housing housing portion 104b may have a cutout portion for passing the connector 107a when housed in the housing 105. The hood portion 105b has an upper hood and a lower hood that are substantially symmetrical in shape. The taper angle of the upper hood is set to be substantially equal to the taper angle of the lower hood. The hood portion 105b is provided with a sound guide hole 105c that communicates between the MEMS microphone 103a of the acoustic sensor 103 mounted on the substrate 106 and the light-shielding space Sp1, as in the example of FIG. 3.

[0036] Next, a process for mounting the on-vehicle device 101 of Fig. 4 to the vehicle Ve will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 8. This mounting process can be said to represent a part of a manufacturing method for the on-vehicle device 101 or the vehicle Ve. In the first process shown in Fig. 5, adhesive 9a is applied to the mounting portion 104a of the bracket 104, and the bracket 104 is pressed against the light-transmitting plate portion Est of the B-pillar Ps4. When the adhesive 9a dries, the bracket 104 is fixed to the light-transmitting plate portion Est.

[0037] In the second step shown in Fig. 6, the housing 105 with the camera 102a and acoustic sensor 103 assembled thereto is inserted into the housing housing portion 104b of the bracket 104. As a result, the camera 102a and the acoustic sensor 103 are fixed to the light-transmitting plate portion Est and the bracket 104. In the third step shown in Fig. 7, the connector 108a on the harness 108b side is connected to the connector 107a on the housing 105 side. As a result, the control circuits 102b, 103b are electrically connected to the ECU (electronic control unit) 0 on the vehicle Ve side with the harness 108b being shared by the camera 102a and the acoustic sensor 103. This completes the installation of the in-vehicle device 101 to the vehicle Ve.

[0038] Here, communication between the in-vehicle device 101 and the ECU0 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. A detection signal acquired by an image pickup element of the camera 102a in the in-vehicle device 101 is subjected to image processing and data format conversion by the control circuit 102b of the camera 102a, and image data is generated. An analog electric signal acquired by the microphone 103a of the acoustic sensor 103 in the in-vehicle device 101 is amplified by an amplifier in the control circuit 103b, and then converted into a digital signal by the AD conversion circuit. This digital signal is further subjected to signal processing and data format conversion, and a sound signal is generated.

[0039] The image data and sound signals are transmitted to the ECU0 through a common harness 108b from the same bus interface (bus IF). The harness 108b includes three types of lines: a power line, a GND line, and a communication line. The image data and sound signals may share at least one of these three types of lines, and it is more preferable that the image data and sound signals share all three types of lines.

[0040] The communication between the in-vehicle device 101 and the ECU0 is, for example, a high-speed serial communication such as LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) communication or A2B (Automotive Audio Bus; A2B is a registered trademark). A digitalized sound signal is transferred to the ECU0 side by such communication.

[0041] The ECU 0 is a processing device that executes necessary processes in the vehicle Ve. The ECU 0 includes a power supply 0a, a video input / output terminal, and a microcomputer 0b. The power supply 0a supplies power to the camera 102a and the acoustic sensor 103 of the in-vehicle device 101 through the power line of the harness 108b. The microcomputer 0b acquires image data and sound signals transmitted from the in-vehicle device 101 through the video input / output terminal. The microcomputer 0b may use the image data and the sound signal for the same purpose or for separate purposes.

[0042] According to the first embodiment described above, in the in-vehicle device 1, 101, the electromagnetic wave element 2, 102 and the acoustic sensor 3, 103 are integrated. This makes it easier to secure the installation space for the acoustic sensor 3, 103 in the vehicle Ve, and also makes it possible to suppress an increase in the number of steps required to install the acoustic sensor 3, 103 in the vehicle Ve. This makes it possible to provide the in-vehicle device 1, 101 that is suitable for installation in the vehicle Ve.

[0043] Moreover, according to the first embodiment, the in-vehicle device 1, 101 includes a housing 5, 105 that houses the electromagnetic wave element 2, 102. The acoustic sensor 3, 103 is housed in the same housing 5, 105 and has a microphone 3a, 103a that detects air vibrations as sound. Since the microphone 3a, 103a uses the air present in the internal space of the housing 5, 105 that houses the electromagnetic wave element 2, 102, sound detection is possible in a small space.

[0044] According to the first embodiment, the electromagnetic wave element 2, 102 is a camera 2a, 102a that captures the outside of the device. The housing 5, 105 has a shape according to the angle of view of the camera 2a, 102a that gradually expands the width of the internal space as it moves away from the camera 2a, 102a, and includes a hood portion 5b, 105b that blocks diffusely reflected light entering from the outside of the device. The housing 5, 105 also includes a board housing portion 5a, 105a that is a board shared between the camera 2a, 102a and the acoustic sensor 3, 103 and houses a board 6, 106 on which the microphone 3a, 103a is mounted. The hood portion 5b, 105b has a sound guide hole 5c, 105c that communicates between the microphone 3a, 103a and the internal space. That is, sound can be detected in a state where sound pressure is increased by utilizing a hood structure similar to the horn structure of the cameras 2a and 102a, so sound detection performance can be improved.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, a harness is shared between the electromagnetic wave element 102 and the ECU 0, which is another device of the vehicle Ve, and a harness is shared between the acoustic sensor 103 and the ECU 0. By sharing the harness 108b, an increase in the number of installation steps can be further suppressed.

[0046] According to the first embodiment, the acoustic sensor 103 generates a sound signal by converting a detected analog electric signal into a digital signal. The communication line through which the electromagnetic wave element 102 communicates with the ECU0 as another device of the vehicle Ve and the communication line through which the acoustic sensor 103 communicates with another device are shared in a form of communicating digital signals. By using the digitized sound signal, the transmission of the detection results by the electromagnetic wave element 102 and the acoustic sensor 103 becomes more efficient.

[0047] Second embodiment 9 and 10, the second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. The second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0048] In the example of FIG. 9, similarly to the example of FIG. 3, the in-vehicle device 11 is attached to the windshield Pf7 as the external structure Es. The example of FIG. 9 will be described focusing on the differences from the example of FIG. 3. In this example, the microphone of the acoustic sensor 13 is a piezo microphone 13a. The piezo microphone 13a is configured to include a piezoelectric element and a metal plate. The piezoelectric element is formed in a thin plate shape. A positive electrode is formed on the front surface of the piezoelectric element, and a negative electrode is formed on the back surface. The piezoelectric element generates a voltage between the electrodes according to the input stress. The metal plate is formed in a thin plate shape with an area larger than that of the piezoelectric element. The metal plate vibrates integrally with the piezoelectric element due to the vibration transmitted to the piezo microphone 13a. The piezo microphone 13a may be configured to include a piezoelectric element having a plate thickness, instead of a configuration in which a piezoelectric element and a metal plate are combined.

[0049] Therefore, the piezoelectric microphone 13a is disposed at a position where the vibration of the windshield Pf7 is directly transmitted. The opening 14c of the bracket 14 has a space for the piezoelectric microphone 13a to face the windshield Pf7. The housing 15 has a recess 15d for disposing the piezoelectric microphone 13a at a position facing the windshield Pf7 above the hood portion on its outer wall. The piezoelectric microphone 13a is sandwiched at its front and back between the elastic bodies 13c and 13d, and about half of its volume is embedded in, for example, the cylindrical recess 14d.

[0050] Here, the elastic body 13c on the front side is preferably a viscoelastic body having both viscosity and elasticity. The viscoelastic body is a double-sided tape or adhesive that functions as an acoustic matching material. The piezo microphone 13a is arranged in a state of being pressed against the windshield Pf7 via the viscoelastic body. The elastic body 13d on the rear side is, for example, a resin spring, a metal spring, rubber, or the like. This makes it possible to absorb differences in the shape of the windshield Pf7 and installation position errors depending on the vehicle model while efficiently transmitting vibrations of the windshield Pf7 to the piezo microphone 13a.

[0051] In the example of Fig. 10, similarly to the example of Fig. 4, the in-vehicle device 111 is attached to the light-transmitting plate part Est of the B-pillar Ps4 serving as the external structure part Es. The microphone of the acoustic sensor 113 is a piezoelectric microphone 113a. The housing 115 housed in the housing housing part 114b of the bracket 114 has a recess 115d in which the entire piezoelectric microphone 113a is embedded, at a position adjacent to the hood part and facing the light-transmitting plate part Est.

[0052] An elastic body 111d is provided on the rear side of the piezoelectric microphone 113a in the same manner as in the example of Fig. 9. On the other hand, an adhesive 9a for attaching the bracket 114 is formed between the front side of the piezoelectric microphone 113a and the light-transmitting plate part Est, so that the adhesive 9a has the same function as the viscoelastic body in the example of Fig. 9.

[0053] According to the second embodiment described above, the in-vehicle device 11, 101 includes a housing 15, 115 that is fixed to the external structure Es of the vehicle Ve and houses the electromagnetic wave element 12, 112. The acoustic sensor 13, 113 is held on the outer wall of the housing 15, 115 so as to share the housing 15, 115 with the electromagnetic wave element 12, 112, and is disposed at a position where vibrations of the external structure Es are transmitted, and includes a microphone 13a, 113a that detects vibrations of the external structure Es. By holding the acoustic sensor 13, 113 on the outer wall, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of steps required for mounting the in-vehicle device 11, 101 to the vehicle Ve while exhibiting sound detection performance.

[0054] According to the second embodiment, the microphones 13a, 113a are in close contact with the external structure Es with the elastic bodies 13c, 113c as viscoelastic bodies disposed between the microphones 13a, 113a and the external structure Es. This configuration makes it possible to easily improve the vibration transmission between the microphones 13a, 113a and the external structure Es while suppressing an increase in the number of installation steps.

[0055] According to the second embodiment, the microphones 13a, 113a are in close contact with the external structure Es with the elastic bodies 13d, 113d disposed between the microphones 13a, 113a and the housings 15, 115. The elastic bodies 13d, 113d absorb dimensional errors during mounting, making mounting easier.

[0056] Third embodiment 11 to 15, the third embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. The third embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0057] In the example of Fig. 11, similarly to the example of Fig. 3, the in-vehicle device 21 is attached to the windshield Pf7 as the external structure part Es. The example of Fig. 11 will be described focusing on the differences from the example of Fig. 3. In this example, the housing 25 is formed by integrating a first housing part 25X and a second housing part 25Y. The first housing part 25X is a housing part that houses the camera 22a as the electromagnetic wave element 22. The first housing part 25X includes a board housing part 25a and a hood part 25b. The board 26 housed in the board housing part 25a is provided exclusively for mounting a control circuit for the camera 22a.

[0058] The second housing part 25Y is a housing part that houses the acoustic sensor 23. The second housing part 25Y is fixed to the first housing part 25X by, for example, pasting with an adhesive, engaging, fastening, or other methods. The second housing part 25Y has a recess 25d at a position facing the windshield Pf7. The recess 25d houses the microphone 23a of the acoustic sensor 23. The microphone may be a condenser microphone or a piezo microphone, but since it is difficult to provide a space in the recess 25d for generating air vibrations to be detected by the condenser microphone, it is more preferable to employ a piezo microphone in this respect.

[0059] In the example of FIG. 12, similarly to the example of FIG. 4, the in-vehicle device 121 is attached to the light-transmitting plate portion Est of the B-pillar Ps4 as the external structure portion Es. The housing 125 housed in the housing housing portion 124b of the bracket 124 is formed by integrating the first housing part 125X and the second housing part 125Y. The first housing part 125X is a housing part that houses the camera 122a as the electromagnetic wave element 122. The first housing part 125X includes a board housing portion 125a and a hood portion 125b. The board 126 housed in the board housing portion 125a is provided exclusively for mounting the control circuit of the camera 122a. The first housing part 125X forms a space for arranging the second housing part 125Y at a corner portion 125e adjacent to the hood portion 125b and facing the light-transmitting plate portion Est.

[0060] The second housing part 125Y is a housing part that houses the acoustic sensor 123. The second housing part 125Y is fixed to the first housing part 125X by, for example, pasting with an adhesive, engaging, fastening, or other methods. The integrated first housing part 125X and second housing part 125Y form a cylindrical housing 125 with almost no gap in the housing housing part 124b.

[0061] The connectors on the housing 125 side are provided separately for the connector 127aX of the first housing part 125X and the connector 127aY of the second housing part 125Y. On the other hand, the connector on the harness 128b side branches wiring from the connector 128aX corresponding to the first housing part 125X to the connector 128aY corresponding to the second housing part 125Y, so that the camera 122a and the acoustic sensor 123 share the harness 128b and both control circuits are electrically connected to the ECU0 on the vehicle Ve side.

[0062] Next, the steps of mounting the in-vehicle device 121 of Fig. 12 to the vehicle Ve will be described with reference to Figs. 13 to 15. In the first step shown in Fig. 13, adhesive 9b is applied to the mounting portion of the bracket 124 and pressed against the light-transmitting plate portion Est of the B-pillar Ps4. When the adhesive 9a dries, the bracket 124 is fixed to the light-transmitting plate portion Est.

[0063] 14, the housing 125, which is made up of a first housing part 125X and a second housing part 125Y that are previously integrated, is inserted into the housing receiving part 124b of the bracket 124 with the camera 122a and the acoustic sensor 123 assembled therein. This fixes the camera 122a and the acoustic sensor 123 to the light-transmitting plate part Est and the bracket 124. In the third step shown in FIG. 15, the two connectors 128aX, 128aY on the harness 128b side are respectively connected to the two connectors 127aX, 127aY on the housing 125 side. This completes the installation of the in-vehicle device 121 to the vehicle Ve.

[0064] According to the third embodiment described above, the in-vehicle device 21, 121 includes the first housing part 25X, 125X that houses the electromagnetic wave element 22, 122, and the second housing part 25Y, 125Y that houses the acoustic sensor 23, 123. The second housing part 25Y, 125Y is fixed to the first housing part 25X, 125X, so that the acoustic sensor 23, 123 is integrated with the electromagnetic wave element 22, 122. This integration can suppress an increase in the number of steps required to mount the in-vehicle device 21, 121 on the vehicle Ve.

[0065] (Fourth embodiment) 16 to 19, the fourth embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. The fourth embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0066] In the example of Fig. 16, similarly to the example of Fig. 4, the in-vehicle device 131 is attached to the light-transmitting plate portion Est of the B-pillar Ps4 serving as the external structure portion Es. The example of Fig. 16 will be described focusing on the differences from the example of Fig. 4. In this example, a first housing part 135X and a second housing part 135b are provided separately. The first housing part 135X is a housing part accommodated in the housing accommodating portion 134b of the bracket 134, and is a housing part that accommodates the camera 132a serving as the electromagnetic wave element 132.

[0067] The second housing part 135Y is a housing part that houses the acoustic sensor 133. The second housing part 135Y is fixed to the plate-shaped mounting part 124a of the bracket 124. Specifically, the second housing part 135Y is attached to the back surface of the mounting part 134a with an adhesive 9a from the opposite side of the mounting part 134a to the light-transmitting plate part Est.

[0068] The second housing part 135Y has a recess at a position facing the light-transmitting plate part Est with the mounting part 124a in between. The recess houses the microphone 133a of the acoustic sensor 133. The microphone 133a may be a condenser microphone or a piezoelectric microphone, but since it is difficult to provide a space in the recess for generating air vibrations to be detected by a condenser microphone, it is more preferable to employ a piezoelectric microphone that directly detects vibrations of the B pillar Ps4 and the mounting part 134a.

[0069] The connectors on the in-vehicle device 131 side are provided separately as a connector 137aX of the first housing component 135X and a connector 137aY of the second housing component 135Y. The connectors 138aX and 138Y on the harness 138b side are the same as those in the example of FIG.

[0070] Next, the steps of mounting the in-vehicle device 131 of Fig. 16 to the vehicle Ve will be described with reference to Figs. 17 to 19. In the first step shown in Fig. 17, adhesive 9a is applied to mounting portion 134a of bracket 134, and the bracket 134 is pressed against the light-transmitting plate portion Est of the B-pillar Ps4. When the adhesive 9a dries, the bracket 134 is fixed to the light-transmitting plate portion Est.

[0071] In the second step shown in FIG. 18, the first housing part 135X with the camera 132a attached thereto is inserted into the housing housing part 134b of the bracket 134. As a result, the camera 132a is fixed to the light-transmitting plate part Est and the bracket 134. In addition, of the second housing part 135Y with the acoustic sensor 133 attached thereto, an adhesive 9a is applied to the surface of the piezo microphone 133a that contacts the back surface of the mounting part 134a of the bracket 134. Then, the second housing part 135Y is pressed against the back surface. When the adhesive 9a dries, the acoustic sensor 133 is fixed to the light-transmitting plate part Est and the bracket 134. In the third step shown in FIG. 19, the two connectors 138aX and 138aY on the harness 138b side are connected to the two connectors 137aX and 137aY on the in-vehicle device 131 side, respectively. This completes the installation of the in-vehicle device 131 to the vehicle Ve.

[0072] According to the fourth embodiment described above, the in-vehicle device 131 includes the bracket 134 attached to the external structure Es of the vehicle Ve. The in-vehicle device 131 also includes a first housing part 135X that houses the electromagnetic wave element 132 and a second housing part 135Y that houses the acoustic sensor 133. The first housing part 135X is fixed to the bracket 134, and the second housing part 135Y is fixed to the bracket 134, thereby integrating the acoustic sensor 133 with the electromagnetic wave element 132. This integration can suppress an increase in the number of steps required to attach the in-vehicle device 21, 121 to the vehicle Ve.

[0073] Fifth embodiment 20 and 21, the fifth embodiment is a modification of the fourth embodiment. The fifth embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the fourth embodiment.

[0074] In the in-vehicle device 141, 151 of the fifth embodiment, the second housing part 145Y, 155Y is attached to the rear surface of the mounting part 144a of the bracket 144, 154 by using a pressure spring structure 144d, 154d instead of an adhesive. Note that the first housing part and the camera are omitted from illustration in FIGS.

[0075] In the example of FIG. 20, the pressing spring structure 144d is provided on the back side of the mounting portion 144a. The pressing spring structure 144d is formed of, for example, metal, and has a rotating shaft portion 144e, an engaging portion 144g, and a pressing portion 144f. The rotating shaft portion 144e is fixed to a position of the mounting portion 144a that is offset from the position facing the second housing part 125Y. The rotating shaft portion 144e is connected to the pressing portion 144f so that the pressing portion 144f can rotate in a space on the back side of the mounting portion 144a with the rotating shaft portion 144e as a rotation center. The rotating shaft portion 144e exerts an elastic reaction force toward the mounting portion 144a side of the pressing portion 144f using, for example, a coil spring.

[0076] The engaging portion 144g is fixed to the mounting portion 144a on the opposite side of the second housing part 145Y from the rotating shaft portion 144e. The engaging portion 144g is formed to be able to engage with the tip of the pressing portion 144f. The pressing portion 144f is formed in a plate or rod shape extending to a length that can reach the engaging portion 144g. The pressing portion 144f is configured to be able to engage with the engaging portion 144g when the second housing part 145Y is assembled from a state separated from the engaging portion 144g before the second housing part 145Y is assembled to the mounting portion 144a by the above-mentioned rotation.

[0077] The pressing portion 144f, with its tip engaged with the engagement portion 144g, presses the second housing part 145Y toward the light-transmitting plate part Est or the mounting part 144a. This allows the piezoelectric microphone 143a to be in close contact with the light-transmitting plate part Est and the mounting part 144a without using adhesive 9a, and to directly detect vibrations from these. On the other hand, by applying adhesive 9a to the surface of the piezoelectric microphone 143a that comes into contact with the back surface of the mounting part 144a of the second housing part 145Y as shown in FIG. 20, the degree of close contact can be increased.

[0078] The pressing portion 144f may directly press the main body portion of the second housing part 145Y in which the microphone 143a is housed. Alternatively, a flange may be provided in the second housing part 145Y that protrudes from the main body portion in a direction substantially parallel to the extension direction of the attachment portion, and the pressing portion 144f may press the flange.

[0079] 21, the bracket 154 of the in-vehicle device 151 has an opening 154h formed at a position facing the second housing part 155Y. The second housing part 155Y is directly pressed against the light-transmitting plate part Est through the opening 154h by the pressing spring structure 154d similar to that of FIG.

[0080] According to the fifth embodiment described above, the in-vehicle device 141, 151 includes the pressing spring structure 144d, 154d that presses the second housing part 145Y, 155Y toward the external structure part Es by elasticity. Since the vibration of the external structure part Es is easily transmitted to the second housing part 145Y, 155Y, the sound detection performance can be improved.

[0081] The bracket 154 also has an opening 154h that opens at a position facing the external structure Es. The in-vehicle device 151 further includes a pressing spring structure 154d that uses the opening 154h to directly press the second housing part 155Y against the external structure Es by its elasticity. Since vibrations of the external structure Es are easily transmitted to the second housing part 155Y, sound detection performance can be improved.

[0082] Sixth embodiment 22 to 24, the sixth embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. The sixth embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0083] In the sixth embodiment, the in-vehicle device 201 is attached to an external structure Es, such as a body, a bumper, a grill, etc. The external structure Es is provided with an opening Eso for exposing the in-vehicle device 201 to the outside.

[0084] 22, the housing 205 accommodated in the housing accommodation portion 204b of the bracket 204 includes a lens barrel portion 205f and a board holding portion 205g. The lens barrel portion 205f is formed in a cylindrical shape to accommodate the lens system 202c of the camera 202a as the electromagnetic wave element 202. The lens system 202c includes a plurality of lenses 202d, 202e, and 202f. The frontmost exposed lens 202d is disposed in the opening Eso and is exposed to the external environment of the vehicle Ve.

[0085] The board holding section 205g is disposed on the rear side of the lens barrel section 205f, that is, on the opposite side of the exposed lens 202d with another lens sandwiched therebetween. The board holding section 205g closes the rear side of the housing 205 and forms a holding space therein for holding the board 206. The board holding section 205g holds the board 206 so as to face the lens system 202c on the optical axis Ao of the lens system 202c by sandwiching the board 206 between the board holding section 205g and the lens barrel section 205f. The image sensor 202g is mounted on the board 206 on the optical axis Ao of the lens system 202c.

[0086] The microphone of the acoustic sensor 203 is a condenser microphone, a MEMS microphone 203a. The MEMS microphone 203a shares the substrate 206 with the image sensor 202g. The MEMS microphone 203a is disposed on the substrate 206 outside the optical axis Ao that is shifted from the image sensor 202g, and faces the lens system 202c. The MEMS microphone 203a detects vibrations of air in a space formed for disposing the lens system 202c. That is, the MEMS microphone 203c measures the sound that is re-radiated by the vibrations of the lenses 202d, 202e, and 202f of the lens system 202c caused by sounds generated in the external environment.

[0087] In the in-vehicle device 211 in the example of FIG. 23, the lens barrel portion 215f has a sound guide hole 215h that communicates between the front end and the rear end of the lens barrel portion 215f along the direction of the optical axis Ao. The sound guide hole 215h is an elongated tubular hole that extends linearly and has a circular cross section, as in the example of FIG. 3. The front end of the sound guide hole 215h that is exposed to the external environment is blocked by a sound-permeable filter 215i that is both sound-permeable and waterproof. The sound filter 215i is formed, for example, in a film or thin plate shape. The rear end of the sound guide hole 215h faces the MEMS microphone 213a mounted on the substrate 216.

[0088] In the in-vehicle device 221 in the example of FIG. 24, the lens barrel portion 225f also has a sound guide hole 225h. In the example of FIG. 24, the sound guide hole 225h communicates between the rear end of the lens barrel portion 225f and the space formed between the multiple lenses 222d, 222e, and 222f in the lens system 222c. For example, the sound guide hole 225h has a bent portion 225j and leads from the rear end to a position formed between the exposed lens 222d and the second lens 222e facing the exposed lens 222d on the inner wall of the lens barrel portion 225f. In this case, the sound guide hole 225h is not directly exposed to the external environment, so a sound filter is not required.

[0089] According to the sixth embodiment described above, the in-vehicle devices 211, 221 include the housings 215, 235 that house the electromagnetic wave element 202. The acoustic sensor 203 is housed in the housing 215 and has the microphone 213a that detects air vibrations as sound. The housing 215 has a sound guide hole 215h that communicates between the microphone 213a and the outside of the device. The sound guide hole 215h guides sound from outside the device directly to the microphone 213a, thereby improving detection performance.

[0090] The sound guide hole 215h communicates between the microphone 213a and the surrounding environment of the vehicle Ve as the outside of the device. The housing 215 further includes a sound-permeable filter 215i that is arranged to cover the sound guide hole 215h and has both sound permeability and waterproofness. This can prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the housing 215 from the external environment through the sound guide hole 215h. This makes it possible to provide an in-vehicle device 211 that can maintain detection performance for a long period of time.

[0091] According to the sixth embodiment, the in-vehicle device 221 includes a housing 225 that houses the electromagnetic wave element 202. The acoustic sensor 223 is housed in the housing 225 and includes a microphone 223a that detects air vibrations as sound. The electromagnetic wave element 202 includes a lens system 222c that includes an exposed lens 222d that is exposed to the surrounding environment of the vehicle Ve and a plurality of lenses including other lenses 222e and 222f. The housing 225 includes a sound guide hole 225h that communicates between the microphone 223a and a space formed between the exposed lens 222d and the other lenses 222e and 222f in the lens system 222c. In this configuration, the exposed lens 222d functions both as a function for the electromagnetic wave element 202 and as a sound filter for the sound guide hole 225h. Therefore, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the housing 225 from the external environment through the sound guide hole 225h, and the detection performance can be maintained for a long period of time.

[0092] Seventh embodiment As shown in Figs. 25 and 26, the seventh embodiment is a modified example of the sixth embodiment. The seventh embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the sixth embodiment. The seventh embodiment employs a configuration that enhances sound collection performance not only for the outside of the vehicle but also for the interior space of the vehicle Ve.

[0093] In the in-vehicle device 231 in the example of FIG. 25, a MEMS microphone 233a is mounted on the rear side of the board 236, opposite to the front side on which the imaging element 232g is mounted. A sound guide hole 235h is formed in the bottom surface of the board holding part 235g that covers the rear side of the housing 235. The sound guide hole 235h communicates between a position facing the MEMS microphone 233a inside the housing 235 and the outside of the device. In this example, the acoustic sensor 233 is easily able to detect sound in the internal space of the vehicle Ve on the opposite side to the external structure part Es. A sound filter 235i may be provided at the end of the sound guide hole 235h that is exposed to the internal space of the vehicle Ve.

[0094] In the in-vehicle device 241 in the example of FIG. 26, a sound guide hole 245h is formed in a wall portion of the substrate holding portion 245g that protrudes in a cylindrical shape from the bottom surface toward the lens barrel portion 245f. A MEMS microphone 243a is mounted on the rear side of the substrate 246, opposite to the front side on which the imaging element 242g is mounted, at a position close to the wall portion that is eccentric from the center (on the optical axis) of the substrate 246. The sound guide hole 245h communicates between the vicinity of the MEMS microphone 243a on the inside and the outside. In this example, the acoustic sensor 243 can easily detect the sound in the internal space of the vehicle Ve. A sound filter 245i may be provided at the end of the sound guide hole 245h that is exposed to the internal space of the vehicle Ve.

[0095] Eighth embodiment As shown in Fig. 27, the eighth embodiment is a modification of the sixth and seventh embodiments. The eighth embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the sixth and seventh embodiments.

[0096] In the example of Fig. 27, there are provided both a MEMS microphone 253aX and a sound conducting hole 255hX corresponding to the arrangement in the example of Fig. 24, and a MEMS microphone 253aY and a sound conducting hole 255hY corresponding to the arrangement in Fig. 25. That is, it is possible to detect both sound having directionality in the external environment of the vehicle Ve and sound having directionality in the internal space of the vehicle Ve.

[0097] The acoustic sensor 253 synthesizes the sound signals detected by the two MEMS microphones 253aX and 253aY after conversion into analog electric signals or digital signals by a control circuit mounted on the substrate 256. The synthesis process here may be capable of executing a process for improving detection performance by active noise canceling.

[0098] According to the eighth embodiment described above, the in-vehicle device 251 includes a housing 255 that houses an electromagnetic wave element. The acoustic sensor 253 includes a first microphone 253aX that is housed in the housing 255 and detects vibrations in the air as sound, and a second microphone 253aY that is a microphone different from the first microphone 253aX and is housed in the housing 255 and detects vibrations in the air as sound. The housing 255 includes a first sound guide hole 255hX that guides sounds in the external environment of the vehicle Ve to the first microphone 253aX, and a second sound guide hole 255hY that guides sounds in the internal space of the vehicle Ve to the second microphone 253aY. Therefore, sounds in both the external environment and the internal space of the vehicle Ve can be detected, and it can be used to improve the performance of, for example, noise canceling.

[0099] Ninth embodiment As shown in Fig. 28, the ninth embodiment is a modification of the sixth embodiment. The ninth embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the sixth embodiment.

[0100] In the example of Fig. 28, a configuration is adopted for improving the sound collection performance into the interior of the vehicle Ve for the MEMS microphone 263a corresponding to the example of Fig. 24. Specifically, a sound guide hole 266a is provided immediately below the mounting position of the MEMS microphone 263a in the substrate 266. Furthermore, at the bottom of the substrate holding part 265g, a sound guide hole 265hY is provided at the end of a linear extension of the sound guide hole 266a.

[0101] As a result, one MEMS microphone 263a detects both sounds having directionality to the external environment of the vehicle Ve and sounds having directionality to the interior of the vehicle Ve. The acoustic sensor 263 can execute processing for improving detection performance by passive noise canceling using a control circuit mounted on the substrate 266.

[0102] According to the ninth embodiment described above, the in-vehicle device 261 includes a housing 265 that houses an electromagnetic wave element. The acoustic sensor 263 is housed in the housing 265 and has a microphone 263a that detects air vibrations as sound. The housing 265 has a first sound guide hole 265hX that guides sounds in the external environment of the vehicle Ve to the microphone 263a, and a second sound guide hole 265hY that guides sounds in the internal space of the vehicle Ve to the microphone 263a. Therefore, it is possible to detect sounds in both the external environment and the internal space of the vehicle Ve, and it is possible to use the sound sensor 265 to improve the performance of, for example, noise canceling.

[0103] (Other embodiments) Although several embodiments have been described above, the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to those embodiments, and can be applied to various embodiments and combinations within the scope not departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0104] As another embodiment, in an in-vehicle device 301 in the example of Fig. 29, a LiDAR or a lighting device as an electromagnetic wave element 302 and an acoustic sensor 303 are integrated. This in-vehicle device 301 is attached to a body, a bumper, a grill, etc. as an external structure Es. The external structure Es is provided with an opening Eso for exposing the in-vehicle device 301 to the outside.

[0105] Bracket 304 is similar to the example in Fig. 22. Housing 305 is housed in a cylindrical portion of bracket 304. Housing 305 includes cup-shaped substrate holding portion 305k with a bottom on the rear side, and light-transmitting cover portion 305m that covers substrate holding portion 305k from the front side and is made of, for example, glass or acrylic resin.

[0106] In the internal space of the housing 305 formed by combining the substrate holding part 305k and the light-transmitting cover part 305m, a substrate 306 is arranged in a form held by the substrate holding part 305k. On the front side of the substrate 306 facing the light-transmitting cover part 305m, an electromagnetic wave device 302g and a MEMS microphone 303a of the acoustic sensor 303 are mounted.

[0107] The electromagnetic wave device 302g is a light emitting element that emits laser light and a light receiving element that receives laser light when the electromagnetic wave element 302 is a LiDAR. When the electromagnetic wave element 302 is a lighting device, the electromagnetic wave device 302g is a light emitting element such as an LED.

[0108] As another embodiment, in an on-vehicle device 401 in the example of Fig. 30, a millimeter wave radar as an electromagnetic wave element 402 and an acoustic sensor 403 are integrated. This on-vehicle device 401 is attached to a body, a bumper, a grill, or the like as an external structure Es. As a difference from Fig. 29, since the light handled by the millimeter wave radar is not visible light but millimeter waves, the light-transmitting cover portion of the housing 405 may be replaced with a cover portion 405n formed of, for example, a colored synthetic resin. The electromagnetic wave device 402g may be an antenna array that transmits and receives millimeter waves.

[0109] The controller and method described herein may be implemented by a special-purpose computer having a processor programmed to execute one or more functions embodied in a computer program. Alternatively, the device and method described herein may be implemented by a special-purpose hardware logic circuit. Alternatively, the device and method described herein may be implemented by one or more special-purpose computers configured by a combination of a processor executing a computer program and one or more hardware logic circuits. The computer program may also be stored on a computer-readable non-transitory tangible recording medium as instructions executed by the computer.

[0110] (Disclosure of technical ideas) This specification discloses a number of technical ideas described in the following paragraphs. Some paragraphs may be described in a multiple dependent form, in which the subsequent paragraph alternatively refers to the preceding paragraph. The paragraphs described in the multiple dependent form define a number of technical ideas.

[0111] <Technical philosophy 1> An in-vehicle device configured to be mounted on a vehicle (Ve), an electromagnetic wave element (2, 22, 102, 122, 132, 202, 222, 302, 402) that performs at least one of emitting an electromagnetic wave toward the outside of the device and detecting an electromagnetic wave from the outside of the device; An in-vehicle device comprising: an acoustic sensor (3, 13, 23, 103, 113, 123, 133, 203, 233, 243, 253, 263, 303, 403) integrated with the electromagnetic wave element and configured to detect acoustic waves generated from an external source of the device.

[0112] <Technical philosophy 2> A housing (5, 105, 205, 215, 225, 235, 245, 305, 405) that houses the electromagnetic wave element, The acoustic sensor is housed in the housing and has a microphone (3a, 103a, 203a, 213a, 223a, 233a, 243a, 253aX, 253aY, 263a, 303a) that uses the air present in the internal space of the housing to detect vibrations of the air as the sound.The in-vehicle device described in Technical Idea 1.

[0113] <Technical philosophy 3> The electromagnetic wave element is a camera (2a, 102a) that captures the outside of the device, The housing includes: a hood portion (5b, 105b) having a shape corresponding to the angle of view of the camera, which gradually increases the width of the internal space as it becomes farther away from the camera, and which blocks diffusely reflected light entering from outside the device; a board accommodating portion (5a, 105a) for accommodating a board (6, 106) on which the microphone (3a, 103a) is mounted, the board being shared between the camera and the acoustic sensor; The in-vehicle device according to Technical Concept 2, wherein the hood portion has a sound guide hole (5c, 105c) that communicates between the microphone and the internal space.

[0114] <Technical philosophy 4> a housing (15, 115) that is fixed to an external structure (Es) of the vehicle and that houses the electromagnetic wave element; The acoustic sensor (13, 113) is held on the outer wall of the housing so as to share the housing with the electromagnetic wave element, and is positioned at a position where vibrations of the external structural part are transmitted, and has a microphone (13a, 113a) that detects vibrations of the external structural part.

[0115] <Technical philosophy 5> The in-vehicle device according to Technical Concept 4, wherein the microphone is in intimate contact with the external structure with a viscoelastic body (13c, 113c) disposed between the microphone and the external structure.

[0116] <Technical philosophy 6> The in-vehicle device according to Technical Concept 4 or 5, wherein the microphone is in intimate contact with the external structure with an elastic body (13d, 113d) disposed between the microphone and the housing.

[0117] <Technical philosophy 7> a first housing part (25X, 125X) that houses the electromagnetic wave element (22, 122); a second housing part (25Y, 125Y) that houses the acoustic sensor (23, 123), The in-vehicle device according to Technical Idea 1, wherein the acoustic sensor is integrated with the electromagnetic wave element by fixing the second housing part to the first housing part.

[0118] <Technical philosophy 8> A bracket (134, 144, 154) attached to an external structure (Es) of the vehicle; a first housing part (135X) that houses the electromagnetic wave element (132); a second housing part (135Y, 145Y, 155Y) that houses the acoustic sensor (133); The in-vehicle device described in technical idea 1, wherein the first housing part is fixed to the bracket and the second housing part is fixed to the bracket, thereby integrating the acoustic sensor with the electromagnetic wave element.

[0119] <Technical philosophy 9> The on-vehicle device according to Technical Concept 8, further comprising a pressing spring structure (144d, 154d) that presses the second housing part (145Y, 155Y) toward the external structure by elasticity.

[0120] <Technical Thought 10> The bracket (154) has an opening (154h) that opens at a position facing the external structural portion, The in-vehicle device according to Technical Concept 8, further comprising a pressing spring structure (154d) that uses the opening to directly press the second housing part (155Y) against the external structure by its elasticity.

[0121] <Technical Thought 11> A housing (215, 235, 245, 255, 265) for accommodating the electromagnetic wave element, The acoustic sensor includes a microphone (213a, 233a, 243a, 253aY, 266a) that is housed in the housing and detects air vibrations as the sound, The in-vehicle device according to Technical Idea 1, wherein the housing has sound guide holes (215h, 235h, 245h, 255hY, 265hY, 266a) that communicate between the microphone and the outside of the device.

[0122] <Technical Thought 12> The sound guide hole (215h) communicates between the microphone and the surrounding environment of the vehicle as the outside of the device, The in-vehicle device according to Technical Idea 11, wherein the housing further includes a sound-permeable filter (215i) that is arranged to cover the sound guide hole and has both sound permeability and waterproofness.

[0123] <Technical Thought 13> The in-vehicle device according to Technical Concept 11, wherein the sound guide hole (233a, 243a, 253aY, 266a) communicates between the microphone (233a, 243a, 253aY, 266a) and an internal space of the vehicle as an outside of the device.

[0124] <Technical Thought 14> A housing (225) for housing the electromagnetic wave element, The acoustic sensor includes a microphone (223a) that is housed in the housing and detects vibrations of air as the sound, The electromagnetic wave element includes a lens system (222c) having a plurality of lenses including an exposed lens (222d) exposed to the surrounding environment of the vehicle and other lenses (222e, 222f); The in-vehicle device described in Technical Idea 1, wherein the housing has a sound guide hole (225h) that connects the microphone to a space formed between the exposed lens and the other lens in the lens system.

[0125] <Technical Thought 15> A housing (255) for housing the electromagnetic wave element, The acoustic sensor (253) A first microphone (253aX) that is housed in the housing and detects vibrations of air as the sound; a second microphone (253aY) that is separate from the first microphone and is housed in the housing and detects vibrations of air as the sound; The housing includes: A first sound guide hole (255hX) for guiding sound from the external environment of the vehicle to the first microphone; The in-vehicle device according to Technical Idea 1 further comprises a second sound guide hole (255hY) that guides sound from the interior space of the vehicle to the second microphone.

[0126] <Technical Thought 16> A housing (265) for housing the electromagnetic wave element, The acoustic sensor (263) is housed in the housing and has a microphone (263a) that detects air vibrations as the sound, The housing includes: A first sound guide hole (265hX) for guiding sound from the external environment of the vehicle to the microphone; The in-vehicle device according to Technical Idea 1, further comprising a second sound guide hole (265hY) that guides sound from the interior space of the vehicle to the microphone.

[0127] <Technical Thought 17> An on-vehicle device described in any one of Technical Ideas 1 to 16, wherein a harness that electrically connects the electromagnetic wave element to another device of the vehicle and a harness that electrically connects the acoustic sensor to the other device are shared.

[0128] <Technical Thought 18> The acoustic sensor generates a sound signal by converting a detected analog electrical signal into a digital signal; An on-board device described in any one of Technical Ideas 1 to 17, wherein a communication line through which the electromagnetic wave element communicates with another device in the vehicle and a communication line through which the acoustic sensor communicates with the other device are shared in the form of communicating digital signals. [Explanation of symbols]

[0129] 1, 11, 21, 101, 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 201, 211, 221, 231, 241, 251, 261, 301, 401: Vehicle-mounted device, 2, 22, 102, 122, 132, 202, 222, 302, 402: Electromagnetic wave element, 3, 13, 23, 103, 113, 123, 133, 203, 233, 243, 253, 263, 303, 403: Acoustic sensor, Ve: Vehicle

Claims

1. An in-vehicle device configured to be mounted on a vehicle (Ve), an electromagnetic wave element (2, 22, 102, 122, 132, 202, 222, 302, 402) that performs at least one of emitting an electromagnetic wave toward the outside of the device and detecting an electromagnetic wave from the outside of the device; An in-vehicle device comprising: an acoustic sensor (3, 13, 23, 103, 113, 123, 133, 203, 233, 243, 253, 263, 303, 403) integrated with the electromagnetic wave element and detecting sound generated from an external source of the device.

2. A housing (5, 105, 205, 215, 225, 235, 245, 305, 405) that houses the electromagnetic wave element, 2. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic sensor has a microphone (3a, 103a, 203a, 213a, 223a, 233a, 243a, 253aX, 253aY, 263a, 303a) that is housed in the housing and detects vibrations of the air as the sound by utilizing air present in an internal space of the housing.

3. The electromagnetic wave element is a camera (2a, 102a) that captures the outside of the device, The housing includes: a hood portion (5b, 105b) having a shape corresponding to the angle of view of the camera, which gradually increases the width of the internal space as it moves away from the camera, and which blocks diffusely reflected light entering from outside the device; a substrate accommodating portion (5a, 105a) for accommodating a substrate (6, 106) on which the microphone (3a, 103a) is mounted, the substrate being shared between the camera and the acoustic sensor; The in-vehicle device according to claim 2 , wherein the hood portion has a sound guide hole (5c, 105c) that communicates between the microphone and the internal space.

4. a housing (15, 115) fixed to an external structure (Es) of the vehicle and housing the electromagnetic wave element; 2. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic sensor (13, 113) is held on an outer wall of the housing so as to share the housing with the electromagnetic wave element, and is positioned at a position where vibrations of the external structural part are transmitted, and has a microphone (13a, 113a) that detects vibrations of the external structural part.

5. The in-vehicle device according to claim 4 , wherein the microphone is in intimate contact with the external structure with a viscoelastic body (13c, 113c) disposed between the microphone and the external structure.

6. 6. The in-vehicle device according to claim 4, wherein the microphone is in intimate contact with the external structure with an elastic body (13d, 113d) disposed between the microphone and the housing.

7. a first housing part (25X, 125X) that houses the electromagnetic wave element (22, 122); a second housing part (25Y, 125Y) that houses the acoustic sensor (23, 123); The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 , wherein the acoustic sensor is integrated with the electromagnetic wave element by fixing the second housing part to the first housing part.

8. A bracket (134, 144, 154) attached to an external structural portion (Es) of the vehicle; A first housing part (135X) that houses the electromagnetic wave element (132); a second housing part (135Y, 145Y, 155Y) that houses the acoustic sensor (133); The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 , wherein the first housing part is fixed to the bracket, and the second housing part is fixed to the bracket, thereby integrating the acoustic sensor with the electromagnetic wave element.

9. The in-vehicle device according to claim 8 , further comprising a pressing spring structure (144d, 154d) that presses the second housing part (145Y, 155Y) against the external structure by elasticity.

10. The bracket (154) has an opening (154h) that opens at a position facing the external structural portion, The in-vehicle device according to claim 8 , further comprising a pressing spring structure (154d) that uses the opening to directly press the second housing part (155Y) against the external structure by elasticity.

11. A housing (215, 235, 245, 255, 265) for accommodating the electromagnetic wave element, The acoustic sensor has a microphone (213a, 233a, 243a, 253aY, 266a) that is housed in the housing and detects air vibrations as the sound, The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 , wherein the housing has a sound guide hole (215h, 235h, 245h, 255hY, 265hY, 266a) that communicates between the microphone and an outside of the device.

12. The sound guide hole (215h) communicates between the microphone and the surrounding environment of the vehicle as the outside of the device, The in-vehicle device according to claim 11, wherein the housing further comprises a sound-permeable filter (215i) that is disposed so as to cover the sound guide hole and has both sound permeability and waterproofness.

13. The in-vehicle device according to claim 11, wherein the sound guide hole (233a, 243a, 253aY, 266a) communicates between the microphone (233a, 243a, 253aY, 266a) and an internal space of the vehicle as an outside of the device.

14. A housing (225) for housing the electromagnetic wave element, The acoustic sensor has a microphone (223a) that is housed in the housing and detects vibrations of air as the sound, The electromagnetic wave element includes a lens system (222c) having a plurality of lenses including an exposed lens (222d) exposed to the surrounding environment of the vehicle and other lenses (222e, 222f); The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 , wherein the housing has a sound guide hole (225h) communicating between the microphone and a space formed between the exposed lens and the other lens in the lens system.

15. A housing (255) for housing the electromagnetic wave element, The acoustic sensor (253) A first microphone (253aX) that is housed in the housing and detects vibrations of air as the sound; a second microphone (253aY) that is separate from the first microphone, is housed in the housing, and detects vibrations of air as the sound; The housing includes: A first sound guide hole (255hX) for guiding sound from the external environment of the vehicle to the first microphone; The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a second sound guide hole (255hY) that guides sound in an interior space of the vehicle to the second microphone.

16. a housing (265) for housing the electromagnetic wave element; The acoustic sensor (263) is housed in the housing and has a microphone (263a) that detects vibrations of air as the sound, The housing includes: A first sound guide hole (265hX) for guiding sound from the external environment of the vehicle to the microphone; The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a second sound guide hole (265hY) that guides sound from an interior space of the vehicle to the microphone.

17. 2. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1, wherein a harness electrically connecting the electromagnetic wave element to another device of the vehicle and a harness electrically connecting the acoustic sensor to the other device are shared.

18. The acoustic sensor generates a sound signal by converting a detected analog electrical signal into a digital signal; 2. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1, wherein a communication line through which the electromagnetic wave element communicates with another device of the vehicle and a communication line through which the acoustic sensor communicates with the other device are shared in a form of communicating digital signals.

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