Vehicle approach notification device

Abstract

To improve the degree of freedom in tuning a vehicle approach notification sound.SOLUTION: A vehicle approach notification device 100 includes: a sound emitting device 110; and a controller 120 that individually adjusts the volume of a low-sound component of a vehicle approach notification sound 102 having a peak in a sound volume at a first peak frequency, a high-sound component of the vehicle approach notification sound 102 having a peak in the sound volume at a second peak frequency higher than the first peak frequency, and an overall value adjustment sound for adjusting an overall value (OA value) of the vehicle approach notification sound 102, and operates the sound emitting device 110 so as to emit the low-sound component, high-sound component, and OA value adjustment sound as the vehicle approach notification sound 102.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle approach notification device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a vehicle approach notification device that notifies the surroundings of an approaching vehicle by sound (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The vehicle approach notification sound is generally designed to have a volume peak in each of two different frequency bands. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-179802 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The inventors of the present invention have intensively studied the vehicle approach warning device and have come to recognize the following problem. The vehicle approach warning sound is required to meet the volume requirements set by the law. The volume requirements typically include that the volume peaks in the two main bands constituting the vehicle approach warning sound do not fall below a certain lower limit, and the overall volume of the vehicle approach warning sound is within a predetermined range. Tuning of the vehicle approach warning sound to meet the volume requirements is generally performed by adjusting the volume only in these two main bands. However, the inventors of the present invention have noticed that such existing tuning may result in the two volume peaks being significantly above the specified lower limit. Although the vehicle approach warning sound thus obtained meets all of the above-mentioned volume requirements, it may not necessarily be suitable for actual use. For example, there is a concern that the sound may be perceived as an unpleasant noise by a listener in a scene where the vehicle approach warning sound is actually used due to the sound volume being quite large in the two main bands.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and one exemplary purpose of an embodiment of the present invention is to increase the degree of freedom in tuning vehicle approach warning sounds. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a vehicle approach warning device of one embodiment of the present invention includes a sound producing device and a controller that individually adjusts the volume of a low-pitched component of the vehicle approach warning sound having a volume peak at a first peak frequency, a high-pitched component of the vehicle approach warning sound having a volume peak at a second peak frequency higher than the first peak frequency, and an OA value adjustment sound for adjusting an overall value (OA value) of the vehicle approach warning sound, and operates the sound producing device to emit the low-pitched component, the treble component, and the OA value adjustment sound as the vehicle approach warning sound.

[0007] According to this embodiment, the volume of not only the low and high frequency components of the vehicle approach warning sound but also the OA value adjustment sound is adjusted individually. The addition of a third volume adjustment parameter, the OA value adjustment sound, can improve the degree of freedom in tuning the vehicle approach warning sound. This makes it easier to design a vehicle approach warning sound that is suitable for actual use while satisfying the volume requirements set by regulations.

[0008] The OA value adjustment sound may be set to at least one of a low band lower than the first peak frequency, a middle band between the first peak frequency and the second peak frequency, and a high band higher than the second peak frequency. In this way, the OA value adjustment sound can be set to a frequency band that avoids the two volume peaks of the vehicle approach notification sound.

[0009] The OA value adjustment sound may be set to a low band, a medium band, and a high band. In this way, the OA value adjustment sound is set over a wide band. Compared to when the OA value adjustment sound is set to a local band, it is possible to change the OA value of the vehicle approach notification sound relatively greatly by adjusting the volume of the OA value adjustment sound in a small range, making it easier to adjust the OA value.

[0010] The volume of the OA value adjustment sound may be adjusted equally for each frequency component that constitutes the OA value adjustment sound. In this way, it is possible to adjust the OA value of the vehicle approaching warning sound while suppressing changes in the vehicle approaching warning sound, compared to when the volume of only a specific frequency component is significantly changed as the OA value adjustment sound.

[0011] The peak volume of the OA value adjustment sound is smaller than the peak volumes of the low and high frequency components, thereby preventing the volume of the OA value adjustment sound from being set too high.

[0012] The vehicle approach warning device may include an input interface that accepts volume settings for the bass component, the treble component, and the OA value adjustment sound. The controller may obtain the volume settings from the input interface and adjust the volumes of the bass component, the treble component, and the OA value adjustment sound individually according to the volume settings. In this way, the vehicle approach warning sound can be adjusted according to the input volume settings.

[0013] The sound generating device and the controller may be mounted in a vehicle lamp, and the controller may control the vehicle lamp, thereby enabling the vehicle approach notification device to be integrated into the vehicle lamp.

[0014] Any combination of the above components and any transformation of the present invention into a method, device, system, computer program, etc. are also effective as aspects of the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in tuning the vehicle approach warning sound. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a vehicle approach notification device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2]2(a) and 2(b) are diagrams that illustrate an example of a vehicle approach notification sound of the vehicle approach notification device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a tuning process for a vehicle approach notification sound according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic diagram showing generation of a vehicle approach notification sound in the tuning process of FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a vehicle lamp incorporating a vehicle approach notification device according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings based on preferred embodiments. The embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the invention, and all features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in each drawing are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions are omitted as appropriate. The scale and shape of each part shown in each drawing are set for convenience to facilitate explanation, and are not to be interpreted as being limiting unless otherwise specified. In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc. used in this specification or claims do not indicate any order or importance, but are intended to distinguish one configuration from another. In addition, some of the members that are not important in explaining the embodiment in each drawing are omitted.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic diagram of a vehicle approach notification device 100 according to an embodiment. The vehicle approach notification device 100 is also called AVAS (Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System) and is mounted on a vehicle 10. The vehicle approach notification device 100 can notify the vicinity of the vehicle 10 of the approach of the vehicle 10 by a vehicle approach notification sound 102. The vehicle approach notification sound 102 is also called AVAS sound. The vehicle approach notification device 100 can notify other road users, such as pedestrians, bicycles, and other vehicles, of the approach of the vehicle 10, which is useful for improving safety. In particular, when the vehicle 10 uses an electric motor as a driving source for driving, such as a hybrid car or an electric car, the motor sound at low speeds is quiet and the approach of the vehicle 10 is difficult to notice, so the vehicle approach notification sound 102 by the vehicle approach notification device 100 is useful.

[0019] The vehicle approach notification device 100 includes at least one sound generating device 110 and a controller 120 that controls the sound generating device 110 .

[0020] The sound producing device 110 is a device for emitting the vehicle approaching warning sound 102, and may include, for example, a speaker. The sound producing device 110 may be installed at the front of the vehicle 10 so as to emit sound toward the outside of the vehicle, so that the vehicle approaching warning sound 102 can be effectively delivered to other road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, in the traveling direction of the vehicle 10 (for example, in front of the vehicle 10). In the illustrated example, the vehicle approaching warning device 100 has one sound producing device 110, but multiple sound producing devices 110 may be provided.

[0021] The vehicle approach warning sound 102 may include, for example, a simulated engine sound that simulates an engine sound. Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle approach warning sound 102 may include a voice message indicating the approach of the vehicle 10.

[0022] 2(a) and 2(b) are diagrams that show an example of the vehicle approach warning sound 102 of the vehicle approach warning device 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2(a) shows an example of the frequency characteristics of the vehicle approach warning sound 102 obtained by Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT), and FIG. 2(b) shows an example of the frequency characteristics of the vehicle approach warning sound 102 obtained by 1 / 3 octave band analysis. Thus, the vertical axis of FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b) represents the volume, i.e., the sound pressure level [dBA], and the horizontal axis represents the frequency [Hz]. The vehicle approach warning sound 102 that is the basis of such frequency analysis is measured according to a measurement method that is specified with respect to the legal volume requirements that the vehicle approach warning sound 102 must satisfy.

[0023] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b), the vehicle approach warning sound 102 includes a low-pitched component 102a set in a first band 104a and a high-pitched component 102b set in a second band 104b. The first band 104a and the second band 104b are separated from each other. The low-pitched component 102a predominates in the first band 104a, and the high-pitched component 102b predominates in the second band 104b. That is, the low-pitched component 102a has a volume peak at at least one first peak frequency ω1, and the high-pitched component 102b has a volume peak at at least one second peak frequency ω2. The first peak frequency ω1 is included in the first band 104a, and the second peak frequency ω2 is included in the second band 104b. The second band 104b is higher than the first band 104a, and therefore the second peak frequency ω2 is higher than the first peak frequency ω1. Note that, as shown in FIG. 2(a), the bass component 102a may have multiple volume peaks in the first band 104a, and the treble component 102b may have multiple volume peaks in the second band 104b.

[0024] As an example, the first band 104a may be any frequency range set in the frequency range from 300 Hz to 1600 Hz. For example, the first band 104a may be defined to include 800 Hz (e.g., to have a center frequency of 800 Hz). In this case, the first peak frequency ω1 may be located at or near 800 Hz.

[0025] The second band 104b may be any frequency range higher than the first band 104a, for example, the second band 104b may be set in a frequency range of 2000 Hz or less. For example, the second band 104b may be defined to include 1600 Hz (for example, with 1600 Hz as a center frequency). In this case, the second peak frequency ω2 may be located at or near 1600 Hz.

[0026] The volume peak of the bass component 102a or the treble component 102b of the vehicle approach warning sound 102 may be, for example, greater than 40 dBA or greater than 50 dBA. Also, the volume peak may be, for example, less than 100 dBA or less than 90 dBA. The volume peak of the bass component 102a and the volume peak of the treble component 102b may be equal to or different from each other.

[0027] Although details will be described later, in this embodiment, an OA value adjustment sound 102c for adjusting the overall volume of the vehicle approach warning sound 102, more specifically, an overall value (OA value), is set to at least a part of a band outside the first band 104a and the second band 104b. As shown in FIG. 2(b), the OA value adjustment sound 102c may be set to at least one of a low band 106a lower than the first peak frequency ω1, a middle band 106b between the first peak frequency ω1 and the second peak frequency ω2, and a high band 106c higher than the second peak frequency ω2. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the low band 106a may be lower than the first band 104a. The middle band 106b may be between the first band 104a and the second band 104b. The high band 106c may be higher than the second band 104b.

[0028] 1 is configured to adjust the volume of the low-pitched component 102a, the high-pitched component 102b, and the OA value adjustment sound 102c of the vehicle approaching warning sound 102 individually, and operate the sound generation device 110 to emit the low-pitched component 102a, the high-pitched component 102b, and the OA value adjustment sound 102c as the vehicle approaching warning sound 102. The controller 120 can be implemented as a combination of a processor (hardware) such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microcomputer, and a software program executed by the processor (hardware).

[0029] Thus, the controller 120 may include a memory 122 and a mixer 124 as shown in FIG.

[0030] The memory 122 may store sound source data related to the vehicle approaching notification sound 102, for example, first sound source data representing the bass component 102a, second sound source data representing the treble component 102b, and third sound source data representing the OA value adjustment sound 102c. The memory 122 may include a non-volatile memory and / or a volatile memory. The memory 122 may store a software program that executes the audio signal processing according to the embodiment. The memory 122 may also store data used in such software programs, such as individual volume settings for the bass component 102a, the treble component 102b, and the OA value adjustment sound 102c, and data obtained by executing the software program.

[0031] The mixer 124 may be configured to adjust the volume of the bass component 102a, the treble component 102b, and the OA value adjustment sound 102c individually according to a given volume setting, synthesize the volume-adjusted bass component 102a, the treble component 102b, and the OA value adjustment sound 102c, and output audio data representing the vehicle approach warning sound 102 obtained thereby. The mixer 124 may be configured to control the sound generating device 110 to emit the vehicle approach warning sound 102 generated by such synthesis. The mixer 124 may include a processor capable of processing audio signals, and may be implemented by the processor executing a software program stored in the memory 122.

[0032] The vehicle approach notification device 100 may also include an input interface 130 that accepts volume settings for the bass component 102a, the treble component 102b, and the OA value adjustment sound 102c. The input interface 130 may include an appropriate input means that an operator can operate to input the desired volume setting values ​​for the bass component 102a, the treble component 102b, and the OA value adjustment sound 102c to the controller 120, such as a touch panel display, a keyboard, or a mouse. The input interface 130 can communicate with the controller 120 through an in-vehicle network that complies with a network protocol such as CAN (Controller Area Network) or LIN (Local Interconnect Network), or through other appropriate communication networks.

[0033] Therefore, the controller 120 can obtain the volume setting input from the input interface 130, and adjust the volumes of the bass component 102a, the treble component 102b, and the OA value adjustment sound 102c individually in accordance with the volume setting.

[0034] The input interface 130 may be removably connected to the controller 120, or may be temporarily installed in the vehicle approaching notification device 100 for tuning the vehicle approaching notification sound 102. Alternatively, the input interface 130 may be permanently installed in the vehicle approaching notification device 100.

[0035] Meanwhile, the vehicle approach warning sound 102 is required to satisfy several volume requirements stipulated by laws and regulations. For example, it is required that the peak volume of the low frequency component 102a does not fall below a certain prescribed lower limit. Similarly, it is required that the peak volume of the high frequency component 102b does not fall below a certain prescribed lower limit. Furthermore, it is required that the overall volume of the vehicle approach warning sound 102 has an OA value within a certain prescribed range.

[0036] In order for the vehicle approach warning sound 102 to satisfy these volume requirements, tuning of the vehicle approach warning sound 102 is performed during the design stage of the vehicle approach warning device 100. In the existing tuning method, only the volumes of the two main components of the vehicle approach warning sound 102, i.e., the low frequency component 102a and the high frequency component 102b, are used as parameters for adjusting the volume. Tuning is performed by adjusting the peak volumes of the low frequency component 102a and the high frequency component 102b so that the vehicle approach warning sound 102 satisfies the above three volume requirements.

[0037] The inventors have noticed that such existing tuning may result in two volume peaks that are significantly above the specified lower limit. This is because the only way to make the overall volume of the vehicle approach warning sound 102 higher than the lower limit of the specified range of requirements is to increase the volumes of the low-frequency component 102a and the high-frequency component 102b. Although the vehicle approach warning sound 102 thus obtained meets all of the volume requirements described above, it may not necessarily be suitable for practical use. For example, there is a concern that the peak volumes of the low-frequency component 102a and the high-frequency component 102b are quite large, and therefore the listener may perceive the vehicle approach warning sound 102 as an unpleasant noise when it is actually used.

[0038] From the viewpoint of noise reduction, it is desirable to make the peak volume of the low frequency component 102a and the high frequency component 102b as small as possible while still satisfying the prescribed requirements. Furthermore, due to legal requirements, the overall volume of the vehicle approach warning sound 102 must be within a prescribed range.

[0039] Therefore, in this embodiment, an OA value adjustment sound 102c is added to the vehicle approaching warning sound 102. By using the volume of the OA value adjustment sound 102c as an additional parameter, the degree of freedom in tuning the vehicle approaching warning sound 102 is improved. By individually adjusting the volumes of the low frequency component 102a, the high frequency component 102b, and the OA value adjustment sound 102c, it is possible to more easily tune the vehicle approaching warning sound 102 to achieve both compliance with statutory volume requirements and noise reduction.

[0040] Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a tuning process for the vehicle approach warning sound 102 according to the embodiment. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing generation of the vehicle approach warning sound 102 in the tuning process of Fig. 3.

[0041] This tuning process is roughly composed of two steps, including a process (S10) of generating the vehicle approach warning sound 102 including individual volume adjustment for each component of the vehicle approach warning sound 102, and a verification process (S20) of verifying conformity of the generated vehicle approach warning sound 102 with a volume requirement. The tuning process is executed by the controller 120 of the vehicle approach warning device 100.

[0042] In the process (S10) of generating the vehicle approaching notification sound 102, first, the low frequency component 102a, the high frequency component 102b, and the OA value adjustment sound 102c are acquired (S11). The mixer 124 may read, from the memory 122, first sound source data representing the low frequency component 102a, second sound source data representing the high frequency component 102b, and third sound source data representing the OA value adjustment sound 102c, thereby acquiring the low frequency component 102a, the high frequency component 102b, and the OA value adjustment sound 102c.

[0043] The volumes of the bass component 102a, the treble component 102b, and the OA value adjustment sound 102c are individually adjusted (S12). The mixer 124 acquires a volume setting input from the input interface 130. Then, as indicated by the double-headed arrows 108a, 108b, and 108c in FIG. 4, the mixer 124 adjusts the volumes of the bass component 102a, the treble component 102b, and the OA value adjustment sound 102c individually in accordance with the volume setting.

[0044] As described above, the OA value adjustment sound 102c is set to at least one of the low band 106a lower than the first peak frequency ω1 (or the first band 104a), the mid band 106b between the first peak frequency ω1 and the second peak frequency ω2 (or the first band 104a and the second band 104b), and the high band 106c higher than the second peak frequency ω2 (or the second band 104b). In this way, the OA value adjustment sound 102c can be set avoiding frequency components or bands where the low frequency component 102a and the high frequency component 102b have volume peaks. Mutual interference between the low frequency component 102a and the high frequency component 102b and the OA value adjustment sound 102c can be avoided.

[0045] Preferably, as shown in the figure, the OA value adjustment sound 102c is set to a low band 106a, a medium band 106b, and a high band 106c. In this manner, the OA value adjustment sound 102c is set over a wide band. Compared to a case where the OA value adjustment sound 102c is set only in a certain local band, it is possible to change the OA value of the vehicle approach warning sound 102 relatively greatly by adjusting the volume of the OA value adjustment sound 102c in a small range. The OA value of the vehicle approach warning sound 102 can be easily adjusted while suppressing the effect on the sound quality of the vehicle approach warning sound 102 due to the change in volume of the OA value adjustment sound 102c.

[0046] The volume of the OA value adjustment sound 102c may be adjusted equally for each frequency component that constitutes the OA value adjustment sound 102c. In this way, it is possible to adjust the OA value of the vehicle approaching warning sound 102 while minimizing the effect on the sound quality of the vehicle approaching warning sound 102, compared to a case in which only a specific frequency component of the OA value adjustment sound 102c is significantly changed in volume.

[0047] For example, the volume of the OA value adjustment sound 102c may be adjusted by applying a common function to the volume value of each frequency component that constitutes the OA value adjustment sound 102c. This common function may be a simple function, for example, multiplying the volume value by a coefficient for volume adjustment.

[0048] Also, the peak volume of the OA value adjustment sound 102c may be smaller than the peak volumes of the bass component 102a and the treble component 102b. For example, the peak volume of the OA value adjustment sound 102c may be smaller than 2 / 3, 1 / 2, or 1 / 3 of the peak volume of the bass component 102a (or the treble component 102b). In this way, by limiting the volume of the OA value adjustment sound 102c relative to the bass component 102a and the treble component 102b, it is possible to prevent the volume of the OA value adjustment sound 102c from being set excessively large, and to suppress adverse effects on the sound quality of the vehicle approach warning sound 102.

[0049] Next, the volume-adjusted bass component 102a, the treble component 102b, and the OA value adjustment sound 102c are mixed together (S13). In this manner, the mixer 124 generates the vehicle approach warning sound 102 from the volume-adjusted bass component 102a, the treble component 102b, and the OA value adjustment sound 102c.

[0050] As an option, a frequency shift amount and a volume shift amount linked to the vehicle speed may be set for the generated vehicle approach warning sound 102 (S14). In this manner, a plurality of vehicle approach warning sounds 102 corresponding to different vehicle speeds may be generated.

[0051] Then, the vehicle approaching warning sound 102 generated in S13 is played (S15). Audio data or an audio signal representing the vehicle approaching warning sound 102 is output from the controller 120 to the sound generating device 110, and the sound generating device 110 emits the vehicle approaching warning sound 102. In this manner, the process of generating the vehicle approaching warning sound 102 (S10) ends.

[0052] Next, a verification process (S20) of the vehicle approach warning sound 102 is performed. The verification process may be performed manually or by an automatic measurement tool configured to perform the verification process. The automatic measurement tool may be integrated into the controller 120 or the input interface 130, or may be another device provided separately therefrom.

[0053] In the confirmation process, first, the sounded vehicle approach warning sound 102 is measured (S21). The measurement is performed according to a measurement method stipulated with respect to the statutory volume requirements that the vehicle approach warning sound 102 must satisfy.

[0054] It is determined whether the measured vehicle approach warning sound 102 complies with the statutory volume requirements (S22). For example, a frequency analysis is performed on the measured vehicle approach warning sound 102, and the volume peak value of the low frequency component 102a of the vehicle approach warning sound 102, the volume peak value of the high frequency component 102b, and the OA value of the vehicle approach warning sound 102 are identified based on the frequency characteristics of the vehicle approach warning sound 102 obtained as a result. Then, it is determined whether the identified two volume peak values ​​and the OA value satisfy the above-mentioned three volume requirements.

[0055] If the vehicle approaching warning sound 102 does not meet the volume requirements (No in S22), that is, if any of the three volume requirements is not met, the volume setting of at least one of the bass component 102a, the treble component 102b, and the OA value adjustment sound 102c is changed (S23). Using the changed volume setting, the volumes of the bass component 102a, the treble component 102b, and the OA value adjustment sound 102c are individually adjusted again (S12). Then, the synthesis and sounding of the vehicle approaching warning sound 102 and the confirmation process are repeated (S13 to S22).

[0056] On the other hand, if the vehicle approach warning sound 102 meets the volume requirement (Yes in S22), the volume setting used in S11 is retained (S24) and the confirmation process ends. Thus, tuning of the vehicle approach warning sound 102 is completed.

[0057] Therefore, according to the embodiment, the volume is adjusted individually not only for the low frequency component 102a and the high frequency component 102b of the vehicle approaching warning sound 102 but also for the OA value adjustment sound 102c. The addition of the third volume adjustment parameter, the OA value adjustment sound 102c, can improve the degree of freedom in tuning the vehicle approaching warning sound 102. This makes it easier to design a vehicle approaching warning sound 102 that is suitable for actual use while satisfying statutory volume requirements.

[0058] 5 is a block diagram showing a vehicle lamp 20 incorporating a vehicle approach notification device 100 according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, the vehicle lamp 20 is, as an example, a headlamp, and includes a first lamp unit 20a as a left headlamp and a second lamp unit 20b as a right headlamp. Therefore, the first lamp unit 20a and the second lamp unit 20b are provided on the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle, and have substantially the same configuration except for having a symmetrical structure.

[0059] Each of the first lamp unit 20a and the second lamp unit 20b includes a light source 22, an outer lens 24 arranged so that light emitted from the light source 22 passes through toward the front of the vehicle, and a lamp body 26 as a partition wall separating the light source 22 from the vehicle body. The configuration of the light source 22 is not particularly limited, and may include, for example, a semiconductor light-emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and a lighting circuit that drives the light-emitting element to light it. The outer lens 24 is integrated with the lamp body 26 so as to close the opening of the lamp body 26 on the vehicle front side, and constitutes a lamp housing 28 in which the light source 22 is arranged. In addition, the lamp housing 28 may house, for example, an inner lens for guiding the light of the light source 22 to the outer lens 24, optical components such as a reflector, a heat dissipation member for cooling the light source 22, and other lamp components.

[0060] The vehicle approaching notification device 100 includes a sound generating device 110 and a controller 120, similar to the above-described embodiment.

[0061] The sound producing device 110 is provided in at least one of the first lamp unit 20a and the second lamp unit 20b, and in the illustrated example, in each of both lamp units. In order to effectively produce sound toward the outside of the vehicle, the sound producing device 110 may be attached to the lamp housing 28 on the outside of the lamp housing 28. The sound producing device 110 may be attached to the bottom surface of the lamp body 26. The controller 120 may also be mounted in at least one of the lamp units, and may be attached to the lamp housing 28, for example.

[0062] The controller 120 is configured to control not only the sound generating device 110 but also the vehicle lamp 20. The controller 120 may be configured as a lamp ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that controls the first lamp unit 20a and the second lamp unit 20b.

[0063] The present invention has been described using specific terms based on the embodiments, but the embodiments merely show one aspect of the principles and applications of the present invention, and many modifications and changes in arrangement are permitted to the embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 10 vehicle, 20 vehicle lighting device, 100 vehicle approach notification device, 102 vehicle approach notification sound, 102a low frequency component, 102b high frequency component, 102c OA value adjustment sound, 106a low band, 106b mid band, 106c high band, 110 sound generation device, 120 controller, 130 input interface.

Claims

1. A sound generating device; The volume of a low-pitched component of the vehicle approaching warning sound having a peak volume at a first peak frequency, a high-pitched component of the vehicle approaching warning sound having a peak volume at a second peak frequency higher than the first peak frequency, and an OA value adjustment sound for adjusting an overall value (OA value) of the vehicle approaching warning sound are individually adjusted; a controller that operates the sound generation device to emit the low-pitched component, the high-pitched component, and the OA value adjustment sound as the vehicle approach warning sound.

2. 2. The vehicle approach notification device according to claim 1, wherein the OA value adjustment sound is set to at least one of a low band lower than the first peak frequency, a mid band between the first peak frequency and the second peak frequency, and a high band higher than the second peak frequency.

3. 3. The vehicle approach warning device according to claim 2, wherein the OA value adjustment sound is set for the low band, the middle band, and the high band.

4. 2. The vehicle approach notification device according to claim 1, wherein the volume of the OA value adjustment sound is adjusted equally for each frequency component that constitutes the OA value adjustment sound.

5. 2. The vehicle approach warning device according to claim 1, wherein the peak volume of the OA value adjustment sound is smaller than the peak volumes of the low frequency component and the high frequency component.

6. an input interface that receives volume settings for the bass component, the treble component, and the OA value adjustment sound, 2. The vehicle approach warning device according to claim 1, wherein the controller obtains the volume setting from the input interface and adjusts the volumes of the bass component, the treble component, and the OA value adjustment sound individually in accordance with the volume setting.

7. The sound generating device and the controller are mounted on a vehicle lamp, 7. The vehicle approach notification device according to claim 1, wherein the controller controls the vehicle lamp.

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