Sound output device of vehicle

Abstract

To suppress deterioration of performance due to dirt and water or the like while facilitating design of a sonic wave route.SOLUTION: A vehicle 10 mounting a sound output device 20 includes a battery case 21 as a vehicle lower component constituting the lowest part of the vehicle and arranged above a grounding part of a vehicle wheel 11 with respect to a road surface 12. The battery case 21 has a bottom wall part 23 opposing to the road surface 12. A vibrator 29 to be vibrated by energization is attached from above with respect to the bottom wall part 23 inside the battery case 21. A hole vertically penetrating the bottom wall part 23 is not formed at least in a peripheral part of the vibrator 29 in the bottom wall part 23. In the sound output device 20, the vibration of the vibrator 29 is transmitted to the bottom wall part 23 to vibrate the bottom wall part 23, and thereby to radiate a sonic wave downward, which is generated with the vibration of the bottom wall part 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sound output device for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a sound output device that emits sound waves to alert those around it that a vehicle is approaching is the notification device described in Patent Document 1. In this notification device, sound waves are generated by a speaker mounted on the vehicle. The speaker includes a diaphragm that generates sound waves and a drive unit that vibrates the diaphragm. The sound waves generated by the vibration of the diaphragm propagate through the air and are emitted below the vehicle by passing through a passage hole opened in the underpanel of the vehicle. The emitted sound waves are diffused by being reflected by the road surface. These sound waves alert people around the vehicle that a vehicle is approaching. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-183772 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-described conventional sound output device, the through-holes provided for passing sound waves can also become through-holes for mud, water, and the like from under the vehicle. If the through-holes, which form part of the sound wave path, are clogged with mud, the sound waves generated by the speaker are prevented from passing through. The sound waves are less likely to be emitted downward from the under-panel. If mud, water, and the like enter the under-panel through the through-holes, the speaker may become covered with mud, water, and the speaker may not be able to generate sound waves properly.

[0005] Furthermore, it is complicated to newly set up a path in the vehicle underbody component for guiding the sound waves generated by the speaker to the passage hole and for radiating the sound waves from the passage hole. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Various aspects of a vehicle sound output device for solving the above problems will be described. [Aspect 1] A sound output device for a vehicle that travels by rolling wheels on a road surface, the vehicle comprising an underside of the vehicle part that forms the lowest part of the vehicle and is positioned above the point where the wheel comes into contact with the road surface, the underside of the vehicle part having a bottom wall that faces the road surface, a vibrator that vibrates when electricity is passed through it is attached to the bottom wall part from above, at least the part of the bottom wall that is peripheral to the vibrator does not have a hole that penetrates the bottom wall part in the thickness direction, the vibration of the vibrator is propagated to the bottom wall part to vibrate the bottom wall part, and sound waves generated by the vibration of the bottom wall part are radiated downward.

[0007] According to the above configuration, when the vibrator vibrates due to energization, the vibration is transmitted to the bottom wall of the vehicle lower part component that constitutes the lowest part of the vehicle. The vibration of the bottom wall generates sound waves. The sound waves are emitted downward and reflected by the road surface, where they are dispersed. These sound waves alert people around the vehicle that a vehicle is approaching.

[0008] Furthermore, with the above-described configuration, sound waves are generated by vibrating the bottom wall with the vibrator. The generated sound waves are radiated from the bottom wall. Therefore, there is no need to provide a new sound wave path between the vibrator and the bottom wall, or below the bottom wall.

[0009] The bottom wall, at least in the area around the vibrator, has no holes through which mud, water, etc. can pass from below. This makes it difficult for mud, water, etc. to clog part of the sound wave path. Furthermore, at least around the vibrator, the bottom wall prevents mud, water, etc. below the bottom wall from passing through the bottom wall and entering above the bottom wall. This makes it difficult for the vibrator to become covered with mud, water, etc., which would interfere with its operation.

[0010] [Aspect 2] The vehicle lower part has a space and is provided with an outer shell member surrounding the space, a portion of the outer shell member is formed by the bottom wall portion, the bottom wall portion faces the space, and the vibrator is disposed in the space and attached to the bottom wall portion, in a sound output device for a vehicle described in [Aspect 1].

[0011] According to the above configuration, the space in the vehicle lower part where the vibrator is disposed is surrounded by the shell member, and therefore, the portion of the shell member other than the bottom wall portion also prevents mud, water, and the like from entering the space below the bottom wall portion.

[0012] [Aspect 3] The vehicle sound output device according to [Aspect 2], wherein the vehicle lower part is a battery case having the space and housing a battery in the space. According to the above configuration, the vibrator is attached from above to the bottom wall of the battery case, which houses the battery in its internal space. When the vibrator vibrates, the vibrations are propagated to the bottom wall of the battery case. The vibrations of the bottom wall generate sound waves that are radiated downward.

[0013] [Aspect 4] A sound output device for a vehicle as described in [Aspect 2], wherein the outer shell portion of the vibrator is constituted by a sealed case, and the vehicle lower part is an oil pan in which oil is stored in the space, or a fuel tank in which fuel is stored in the space.

[0014] According to the above configuration, when the underbody part of the vehicle is an oil pan, the vibrator is disposed in the space within the oil pan and attached to the bottom wall of the oil pan from above. When the underbody part of the vehicle is a fuel tank, the vibrator is attached to the bottom wall of the fuel tank from above. Whether the underbody part of the vehicle is an oil pan or a fuel tank, when the vibrator vibrates, the vibrations are propagated to the bottom wall. The vibration of the bottom wall generates sound waves that are radiated downward.

[0015] In the sound output device, the oil pan or fuel tank prevents mud, water, and the like from entering the space below the bottom wall portion. Furthermore, even if the vibrator is submerged in oil stored in the oil pan or fuel stored in the fuel tank, its operation is unlikely to be impaired. This is because the outer shell of the vibrator is made up of a sealed case, making it unlikely that oil or fuel will penetrate through the case into the interior of the vibrator.

[0016] [Aspect 5] The vehicle sound output device according to [Aspect 2], wherein the vehicle lower part is a muffler having the space as an exhaust passage. According to the above configuration, the vibrator is disposed in the internal space of the muffler and attached to the bottom wall of the muffler from above. When the vibrator vibrates, the vibrations are transmitted to the bottom wall of the muffler. The vibrations of the bottom wall generate sound waves that are radiated downward.

[0017] [Aspect 6] The vehicle sound output device described in [Aspect 1], wherein the vehicle lower part is an undercover that straightens the air flow that occurs between the vehicle and the road surface as the vehicle moves. According to the above configuration, the undercover functions to regulate the airflow generated between the undercover and the road surface as the vehicle moves. Furthermore, when the vibrator attached to the bottom wall of the undercover from above vibrates, the vibrations are propagated to the bottom wall of the undercover. The vibrations of the bottom wall generate sound waves that are radiated downward.

[0018] [Aspect 7] The vehicle sound output device according to [Aspect 1], wherein the vehicle lower part is a floor panel of the vehicle body. According to the above-described configuration, the floor panel functions as a floor of the vehicle interior. When a vibrator attached to the bottom wall of the floor panel from above vibrates, the vibrations are propagated to the bottom wall of the floor panel. The vibrations of the bottom wall generate sound waves that are radiated downward. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily design the path of sound waves while suppressing performance degradation due to mud, water, etc. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a vehicle equipped with a sound output device according to a first embodiment, in which a battery case is used as a lower vehicle component. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sound output device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a vehicle equipped with a sound output device according to a second embodiment, in which a battery pack is used as a lower part of the vehicle. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a sound output device according to a third embodiment in which an oil pan is used as an underbody part of a vehicle. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a sound output device according to a fourth embodiment in which a fuel tank is used as a lower part of a vehicle. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view of a vehicle equipped with a sound output device according to a fifth embodiment in which a muffler silencer is used as a vehicle lower part. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional plan view showing the internal structure of the silencer according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic bottom view of a vehicle equipped with a sound output device according to the sixth embodiment, in which a front undercover is used as a lower vehicle part. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a body-in-white (vehicle body) on which a sound output device according to the seventh embodiment is mounted, the sound output device using a floor panel as a vehicle lower part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] (First embodiment) A sound output device for a vehicle according to a first embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as a sound output device) will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0022] In the following description, the forward direction of the vehicle 10 is referred to as the front, and the backward direction is referred to as the rear. Furthermore, the up-down direction refers to the up-down direction of the vehicle 10, and the left-right direction refers to the width direction of the vehicle, which coincides with the left-right direction when the vehicle 10 is moving forward.

[0023] The sound output device 20 in the first embodiment is mounted on a vehicle 10 that runs by rotating wheels 11 using an electric motor (travel motor), among other vehicles that run by rolling wheels 11. The vehicle 10 may be, for example, an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or a fuel cell vehicle.

[0024] The sound output device 20 of the first embodiment includes a vehicle underside part and a vibrator 29 that is attached to the vehicle underside part and vibrates when energized. Next, each part of the sound output device 20 will be described.

[0025] <Vehicle underside parts> The vehicle 10 includes a plurality of types of under-vehicle components that form the lowest part of the vehicle and are arranged above the contact points of the wheels 11 with the road surface 12. In the first embodiment, a battery case 21 having a sealed structure is the under-vehicle component to which the vibrator 29 is attached. The battery case 21 is arranged below the floor panel that forms the floor of the vehicle compartment in order to lower the center of gravity of the vehicle 10 and ensure a large space in the vehicle compartment.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 2, the lower part of the battery case 21 is formed by a lower case 22 having a flange 24 at its upper end. The upper part of the battery case 21 is formed by an upper case 25 that is disposed above the lower case 22 and has a flange 26 at its lower end. The flanges 24, 26 are stacked one on top of the other and joined by fastening with bolts and nuts (neither of which is shown). Note that the flanges 24, 26 may be joined by means other than fastening.

[0027] The battery case 21 has a closed space 27 between the lower case 22 and the upper case 25. The lower case 22 and the upper case 25 form an outer shell member that surrounds the space 27. The battery case 21 is attached to the floor panel from below at flanges 24, 26 by brackets (not shown) or the like.

[0028] A bottom wall 23, which is part of the lower case 22, forms the bottom wall of the battery case 21. No other lower vehicle components are arranged below the bottom wall 23. An upper surface 23a of the bottom wall 23 faces the space 27. A lower surface 23b of the bottom wall 23 faces the road surface 12. A plurality of batteries 28 are housed in a lined-up state in the space 27. The batteries 28 are, for example, secondary batteries that can be charged and discharged, such as nickel-metal hydride batteries or lithium-ion batteries. Each battery 28 is attached to the battery case 21 while being placed on the bottom wall 23. The batteries 28 supply power to electronic devices of the vehicle 10, such as the traction motor. The batteries 28 are charged by receiving power from an external power source (not shown).

[0029] Unlike conventional sound output devices, at least the bottom wall 23 of the battery case 21 does not have a hole that penetrates the bottom wall 23 in the vertical direction. Therefore, no hole is provided in the bottom wall 23, at least in the area around the vibrator 29 (described later).

[0030] <Vibrator 29> A vibrator 29 that vibrates the bottom wall 23 is disposed in the space 27 of the battery case 21. The vibrator 29 generates sound waves in the audible frequency range by vibrating the bottom wall 23, such as a horn sound for warning, or an approach notification sound that notifies the driver that a vehicle 10 is approaching. The horn sound is emitted from the bottom wall 23 at a predetermined single frequency. The approach notification sound is emitted from the bottom wall 23 as a melody, music, or the like. The vibrator 29 is attached to the bottom wall 23 using a cushioning material and an adhesive member (neither of which are shown). The battery case 21 and the vibrator 29 constitute the sound output device 20 of the first embodiment.

[0031] The vehicle 10 is equipped with a control device (not shown) that controls the vibration of the vibrator 29. The control device may be provided separately from a vehicle control device that controls the traveling of the vehicle 10. Furthermore, the vehicle control device may also serve as the control device that controls the vibration of the vibrator 29. The control device outputs an operation instruction signal to the vibrator 29 in response to, for example, the traveling state of the vehicle 10 or in response to detection of a pedestrian by a sensor (not shown), and causes the vibrator 29 to vibrate.

[0032] <Operation of the First Embodiment> When an operation instruction signal is output from a control device (not shown) to the vibrator 29, the vibrator 29 is vibrated in response to the operation instruction signal. This vibration is propagated to the bottom wall 23, causing the bottom wall 23 to vibrate, thereby generating sound waves. The generated sound waves are radiated from the bottom wall 23 downwards of the vehicle 10, and are reflected and diffused by the road surface 12. These sound waves alert people around the vehicle 10 that the vehicle 10 is approaching.

[0033] If a speaker is placed inside the vehicle underbody part as a sound wave source, as in the prior art, it is necessary to set up a path for guiding the generated sound waves to a hole in the bottom wall 23 of the vehicle underbody part and radiating them downward from the hole. However, setting up a new sound wave path in the vehicle underbody part is complicated.

[0034] In this regard, in the first embodiment, sound waves are radiated by vibrating the bottom wall portion 23 with the vibrator 29. The vibrator 29 is attached to the bottom wall portion 23, and the vibration of the vibrator 29 is transmitted directly to the bottom wall portion 23. There is no need to provide a new sound wave path between the vibrator 29 and the bottom wall portion 23. Furthermore, because the sound waves generated by the vibration of the bottom wall portion 23 are radiated downward from the vehicle 10, there is no need to provide a new sound wave path below the bottom wall portion 23.

[0035] The battery case 21, including the bottom wall portion 23, does not have any holes through which mud, water, etc. can pass from below. Therefore, mud, water, etc. are less likely to clog part of the sound wave path around the vibrator 29. Furthermore, at least around the vibrator 29, the bottom wall portion 23 prevents mud, water, etc. below the bottom wall portion 23 from passing through the bottom wall portion 23 and entering above the bottom wall portion 23.

[0036] Furthermore, the space 27 in the battery case 21 where the vibrator 29 is disposed is surrounded by the lower case 22 and the upper case 25. Therefore, the upper case 25 and a portion of the lower case 22 that is different from the bottom wall 23 also prevent mud, water, and the like below the bottom wall 23 from entering the space 27.

[0037] <Effects of the first embodiment> (1-1) The battery case 21 is a lower vehicle component, and a vibrator 29 is attached to the bottom wall 23 from above. No holes penetrating the bottom wall 23 in the vertical direction are provided in at least the portion of the bottom wall 23 surrounding the vibrator 29. The bottom wall 23 is vibrated by the vibrations of the vibrator 29 being transmitted, and sound waves are generated in response to the vibrations. Therefore, there is no need to provide a new sound wave path between the vibrator 29 and the bottom wall 23, or below the bottom wall 23. As a result, it is easier to design the sound wave path.

[0038] In addition, since the sound wave path is less likely to be clogged with mud, water, etc., the sound waves are less likely to be prevented from passing through the path by mud, water, etc. Furthermore, since the vibrator 29 is less likely to be covered with mud, water, etc., it is less likely that its operation will be hindered due to such coverage. As a result, it is possible to prevent the performance of the sound output device 20 from being reduced due to mud, water, etc.

[0039] (1-2) The battery case 21 has a space 27 and includes a lower case 22 and an upper case 25 as outer shell members surrounding the space 27. A portion of the lower case 22 is formed by a bottom wall portion 23, which faces the space 27. A vibrator 29 is disposed in the space 27 and is attached to the bottom wall portion 23 from above.

[0040] In this way, the vibrator 29 is surrounded by the lower case 22 and the upper case 25, which makes it less likely that the vibrator 29 will be covered in mud, water, etc. Therefore, it is less likely that the operation of the vibrator 29 will be hindered due to being covered in mud, water, etc.

[0041] (1-3) When the vehicle 10 is traveling, there is a risk that foreign objects such as pebbles and muddy water that are kicked up from below the vehicle 10 by the wheels 11, especially the front wheels, or obstacles such as sidewalk steps, curbs, and bollards that the vehicle 10 runs over may come into contact with the vehicle 10 from below.

[0042] In contrast, in the first embodiment, the bottom wall 23 of the battery case 21 is located lower than the vibrator 29. Therefore, the impact from a colliding foreign object or obstacle is absorbed by the bottom wall 23. Even if an external impact is applied to the bottom wall 23, it is possible to prevent the impact from being transmitted to the battery 28 and the vibrator 29. The battery 28 and the vibrator 29 can be protected from the impact. There is no need to provide a separate protective cover to protect the vibrator 29 from the impact.

[0043] (1-4) If new components or locations for mounting the vibrator 29 are provided, installation space for them is required. In order to secure the installation space, the location where the vibrator 29 can be mounted is restricted, which reduces mountability.

[0044] In this regard, in the first embodiment, the existing battery case 21 is used, and the vibrator 29 is disposed in the internal space 27, and the vibrator 29 is attached to the bottom wall portion 23. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide new parts or locations to which the vibrator 29 can be attached. As a result, it is easier to secure the attachment space for the vibrator 29, and the mountability is improved.

[0045] (Second embodiment) Next, a sound output device 30 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, a battery pack 31 is disposed below a floor panel, and the battery pack 31 is the lower vehicle part to which the vibrator 36 is attached.

[0046] The battery pack 31 includes a battery case 32 having a configuration similar to that of the battery case 21 in the first embodiment. A plurality of batteries 35 are arranged side by side in a space 34 of the battery case 32, and are each fixed to the battery case 32.

[0047] No other vehicle underbody parts are arranged below the bottom wall portion 33 of the battery case 32. The upper surface of the bottom wall portion 33 faces the space 34. The lower surface of the bottom wall portion 33 faces the road surface 12.

[0048] A vibrator 36 is disposed in the space 34 and is attached to the bottom wall portion 33 from above. In the second embodiment, a battery controller 37 is also disposed in the space 34 as one of the components of the battery pack 31. The battery controller 37 is provided separately from the vehicle control device. The battery controller 37 controls, for example, the charging and discharging of the battery 35. The battery controller 37 calculates the battery SOC based on the terminal voltage and input / output current of the battery 35. SOC is an abbreviation for "State Of Charge" and is an index that represents the charging rate or charging state.

[0049] When the calculated battery SOC falls below the allowable lower limit, the battery controller 37 issues a warning to the driver of the vehicle 10 that charging is required by turning on a light source, issuing an audio warning, or the like. The battery controller 37 also detects the connection status of the charging connector to the charging port of an external power source installed at home or at a battery stand. The battery controller 37 starts charging when it detects the connection status, and stops charging when the battery SOC reaches the allowable upper limit.

[0050] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the vibration of the vibrator 36 is controlled by the battery controller 37. The battery pack 31 and the vibrator 36 constitute the sound output device 30 of the second embodiment.

[0051] Other than the above, the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the same elements as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those (1-1) to (1-4) of the first embodiment, the following effects can also be obtained.

[0052] (2-1) The vibrator 36 can be vibrated by the battery controller 37 in the battery pack 31, without relying on a vehicle control device, depending on the driving state of the vehicle 10 or the detection of a pedestrian by a sensor (not shown), etc.

[0053] (Third embodiment) Next, a sound output device 40 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The sound output device 40 is mounted on a conventional vehicle powered by an engine, a hybrid vehicle powered by an engine and an electric motor, or the like.

[0054] In the engine 41, oil 44 is supplied to the crankshaft 42, cylinder bores (not shown), valve train (not shown), etc., for lubrication and cooling. In the engine 41, the oil 44 is collected in an oil pan 46 provided below the cylinder block 45. The oil 44 stored in the oil pan 46 is sucked up by an oil pump (not shown) through a strainer (not shown) provided at the bottom of the oil pan 46, and is again pumped to each of the above-mentioned parts. Each moving part is lubricated and cooled by the pumped oil 44. In this way, the oil 44 circulates within the engine 41.

[0055] In the third embodiment, the oil pan 46 is the vehicle underbody part to which the vibrator 49 is attached. The oil pan 46 has a space 48 therein. The oil pan 46, together with the cylinder block 45, constitutes an outer shell member that surrounds the space 48. No other vehicle underbody parts are disposed below a bottom wall portion 47 of the oil pan 46. An upper surface 47a of the bottom wall portion 47 faces the space 48. A lower surface 47b of the bottom wall portion 47 faces the road surface.

[0056] A vibrator 49 is disposed in the space 48, and is attached to the bottom wall 47 by a fastening member (not shown) or the like. The outer shell of the vibrator 49 is formed by a sealed case 50. The oil pan 46 and the vibrator 49 constitute the sound output device 40 of the third embodiment.

[0057] The configuration other than the above is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the same elements as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0058] According to the third embodiment, the vehicle lower part to which the vibrator 49 is attached is changed from the battery case 21 to the oil pan 46, but the same effects as those (1-1) to (1-4) of the first embodiment can be obtained. According to the third embodiment, the following effects can also be obtained.

[0059] (3-1) Even if the vibrator 49 is submerged in the oil 44 stored in the oil pan 46, it is unlikely that its operation will be impaired. This is because the outer shell of the vibrator 49 is formed by the case 50, which has a sealed structure, and therefore the oil 44 is unlikely to pass through the case 50 and enter the interior of the vibrator 49.

[0060] (3-2) Since the oil pan 46 protects the vibrator 49 from external shocks, water, salt, etc., there is no need to provide a separate protective cover or the like to protect the vibrator 49. (3-3) The vibrator 49 is immersed in the oil 44, so it is less likely to rust. In addition, the oil 44 can be expected to have a cooling effect on the vibrator 49.

[0061] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a sound output device 55 according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The sound output device 55 is mounted on a conventional vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or the like. A fuel tank 56 is mounted below the floor panel of the vehicle. In the fourth embodiment, the fuel tank 56 is the lower vehicle part to which the vibrator 65 is attached. A tank main body 57 constituting the framework of the fuel tank 56 has a space 58 in which fuel 59 to be supplied to the engine is stored. The tank main body 57 constitutes an outer shell member that surrounds the space 58.

[0062] The bottom wall 61 of the tank main body 57 constitutes the bottom wall of the fuel tank 56. No other vehicle underbody parts are disposed below this bottom wall 61. An upper surface 61a of the bottom wall 61 faces the space 58. A lower surface 61b of the bottom wall 61 faces the road surface.

[0063] The fuel tank 56 is equipped with an inlet pipe 62 connected to a tank main body 57. The inlet pipe 62 has a fuel filler port at its outer end, and guides fuel 59 supplied from the fuel filler port into the space 58. A fuel pump 63 is disposed near the bottom wall 61 inside the tank main body 57. The fuel pump 63 is connected to the engine via a fuel pipe 64.

[0064] When the fuel pump 63 is driven in conjunction with the operation of the engine, the fuel 59 in the tank main body 57 is supplied by the fuel pump 63 through the fuel pipe 64 to the engine. In addition to the above components, the fuel tank 56 also includes various other components (all not shown), such as a baffle plate, a float, a return pipe, and a fuel vapor valve. The baffle plate is a component that prevents the fuel 59 from shifting to one side inside the fuel tank 56 when the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating. The float is a component that measures the remaining amount of fuel 59. The return pipe is a component that returns unused fuel 59 to the tank main body 57. The fuel vapor valve is a component that releases pressure when pressure above a predetermined value is applied to the tank main body 57.

[0065] A vibrator 65 is disposed in the space 58, and is attached to the bottom wall portion 61 from above with fastening members (not shown) or the like. The outer shell of the vibrator 65 is formed by a sealed case 66. The fuel tank 56 and the vibrator 65 form the sound output device 55 of the fourth embodiment.

[0066] The configuration other than the above is the same as that of the third embodiment. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, the same elements as those described in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0067] According to the fourth embodiment, the vehicle lower part to which the vibrator 65 is attached is changed from the oil pan 46 to the fuel tank 56, and thus the stored liquid is changed from oil 44 to fuel 59, but the same effects as (1-1) to (1-4) of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, the following effects corresponding to the above-mentioned (3-1) to (3-3) of the third embodiment can also be obtained.

[0068] (4-1) Even if the vibrator 65 is immersed in the fuel 59 stored in the fuel tank 56, it is unlikely that its operation will be impaired. This is because the outer shell of the vibrator 65 is made up of the case 66 with a sealed structure, and therefore the fuel 59 is unlikely to pass through the case 66 and enter the inside of the vibrator 65.

[0069] (4-2) Since the fuel tank 56 protects the vibrator 65 from impacts and the like, there is no need to provide a separate protective cover or the like to protect the vibrator 65. (4-3) The vibrator 65 is immersed in the fuel 59, so it is less likely to rust. In addition, the fuel 59 can be expected to have a cooling effect on the vibrator 65.

[0070] (Fifth embodiment) Next, a sound output device 70 according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The sound output device 70 is mounted on a conventional vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or the like.

[0071] 6, an exhaust manifold 72, an exhaust pipe 73, a catalyst 74, and a muffler 75 are connected in this order to an engine 71. The muffler 75 is disposed below the floor panel of the vehicle 10.

[0072] Generally, exhaust gas generated by the engine 71 is discharged into the exhaust passage at a high temperature and high pressure. If the exhaust gas is released to the outside in this state, it will expand suddenly, generating a loud noise as exhaust noise. Therefore, a muffler 75 is used that has an exhaust passage and reduces the pressure and temperature of the exhaust gas to silence it. The muffler 75 includes an exhaust pipe 76 connected to a catalyst 74 and a silencer 77 connected to the exhaust pipe 76.

[0073] 6 and 7, in the fifth embodiment, a muffler 77 is an undercarriage part of a vehicle to which a vibrator 92 is attached. The muffler 77 has a space 78 therein. 7, the silencer 77 includes an outer tubular body 79 extending in the front-rear direction, a front wall portion 80 closing the front end of the outer tubular body 79, and a rear wall portion 81 closing the rear end of the outer tubular body 79. The outer tubular body 79, the front wall portion 80, and the rear wall portion 81 form an outer shell member that surrounds the space 78.

[0074] Partition walls 82 and 83 are arranged in the silencer 77, spaced apart from each other in the front-to-rear direction. A chamber separated by the partition wall 83 and the rear wall 81 in the silencer 77 constitutes a resonance chamber 84. A chamber separated by the partition walls 82 and 83 in the silencer 77 constitutes a first expansion chamber 85. A chamber separated by the partition wall 82 and the front wall 80 in the silencer 77 constitutes a second expansion chamber 86.

[0075] The partition wall portion 83 has a communication hole (not shown) that connects the resonance chamber 84 and the first expansion chamber 85. The partition wall portion 82 has a communication hole (not shown) that connects the first expansion chamber 85 and the second expansion chamber 86.

[0076] The muffler 77 further includes an inlet pipe 87 for introducing the exhaust gas into the space 78, and an outlet pipe 88 for discharging the exhaust gas muffled by the muffler 77 into the atmosphere. In the silencer 77 configured as described above, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 7 , exhaust gas is introduced into the resonance chamber 84 through the inlet pipe 87, thereby attenuating the resonant frequency components of the exhaust gas vibrations. The exhaust gas in the resonance chamber 84 flows into the first expansion chamber 85 through the communication holes in the partition wall portion 83, thereby attenuating the exhaust gas vibrations. The exhaust gas from the first expansion chamber 85 flows into the second expansion chamber 86 through the communication holes in the partition wall portion 82, thereby attenuating the exhaust gas vibrations. The exhaust gas from the second expansion chamber 86 is discharged into the atmosphere through the outlet pipe 88. In this way, sound waves in the low frequency range are primarily reduced in the resonance chamber 84. Sound waves in other frequency ranges are reduced in the first expansion chamber 85 and the second expansion chamber 86. The exhaust gas is then discharged into the atmosphere through the outlet pipe 88, thereby effectively reducing exhaust noise.

[0077] 6 and 7, no other vehicle underbody parts are disposed below the bottom wall portion 91 of the outer cylinder body 79. The upper surface of the bottom wall portion 91 faces the resonance chamber 84, the first expansion chamber 85, and the second expansion chamber 86. The lower surface of the bottom wall portion 91 faces the road surface 12.

[0078] A vibrator 92 is disposed in the space 78, and is attached from above to the bottom wall portion 91 by fastening members or the like (not shown). The silencer 77 and the vibrator 92 constitute the sound output device 70 of the fifth embodiment.

[0079] The configuration other than the above is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, the same elements as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0080] According to the fifth embodiment, the vehicle lower part to which the vibrator 92 is attached is changed from the battery case 21 to the silencer 77 of the muffler 75, but the same effects as (1-1) to (1-4) of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0081] (Sixth embodiment) Next, a sound output device 100 according to a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The sound output device 100 is mounted on a conventional vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, etc. Components such as an oil pan, a transmission 102, a suspension arm, and a muffler 103 are arranged below a floor panel of a vehicle body 101. For this reason, it is difficult to form the floor panel into a flat surface.

[0082] Therefore, a plate-shaped undercover is disposed below the above-mentioned components and between the undercover and the road surface so as to cover the above-mentioned components from below, and is attached to the vehicle body 101. Here, the undercover is preferably formed in a flat shape, but may have some unevenness. In the sixth embodiment, the undercover is the vehicle underpart to which the vibrator 111 is attached. No other vehicle underpart is disposed below the bottom wall of the undercover. The lower surface of the bottom wall faces the road surface. By disposing the undercover, the air flow generated between the vehicle 10 and the road surface as the vehicle 10 moves is rectified, thereby reducing air resistance to the movement of the vehicle 10.

[0083] The undercover may cover almost the entire underside of the vehicle body 101, excluding a portion such as a location where the movable portion of the suspension arm is disposed. Alternatively, the undercover may cover only a portion of the underside of the vehicle body 101. Examples of the latter undercover include the following:

[0084] A front undercover 104 covers the front part of the underside of the vehicle body 101. When the front undercover 104 covers the lower part of the engine, it is also called an engine undercover. The front undercover 104 may also cover the lower part of the front bumper and at least a part of the lower part of the transmission 102. The entire front undercover 104 forms a bottom wall part 105.

[0085] The middle undercover 106 covers the middle portion of the underside of the vehicle body 101 in the longitudinal direction. The middle undercover 106 is a cover that mainly covers the floor panel that constitutes the floor of the vehicle compartment, and is also called a floor undercover. A pair of middle undercovers 106 are usually provided on both sides in the lateral direction to avoid the exhaust pipe of the muffler 103, which becomes hot. The entire middle undercover 106 constitutes the bottom wall portion 107.

[0086] A rear undercover 108 covers the rear part of the underside of the vehicle body 101. The rear undercover 108 is a cover that mainly covers the lower part of the rear bumper. The entire rear undercover 108 forms a bottom wall part 109.

[0087] As shown by the dashed line in Fig. 8, a vibrator 111 is disposed on the bottom wall portion 105, and the vibrator 111 is attached to the bottom wall portion 105 from above with a fastening member or the like (not shown). The front undercover 104 and the vibrator 111 constitute the sound output device 100 of the sixth embodiment. Unlike the first to fifth embodiments, the front undercover 104, the middle undercover 106, and the rear undercover 108 do not have outer shell members with spaces.

[0088] The configuration other than the above is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the sixth embodiment, the same elements as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0089] In the sixth embodiment, the vehicle lower part to which the vibrator 111 is attached is changed from the battery case 21 to the front undercover 104, and no outer shell member having a space is used. Therefore, according to the sixth embodiment, the same effects as those of (1-1), (1-3), and (1-4) of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0090] (Seventh embodiment) Next, a sound output device 120 according to a seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 9 shows a vehicle body-in-white 121. The body-in-white 121 is a vehicle in which all of the components that make up the body have been welded and assembled during the vehicle manufacturing process. The body-in-white 121 is a vehicle body that does not yet have an engine or seats mounted on it and is just about to be painted.

[0091] At least a portion of the floor of the vehicle interior in the body-in-white 121 is formed by a floor panel 122. When the body-in-white 121 has a floor tunnel 124 extending in the front-rear direction in the center in the left-right direction, both left and right portions of the floor tunnel 124 are formed by the floor panel 122. In the seventh embodiment, the floor panel 122 is a lower vehicle component to which the vibrator 125 is attached.

[0092] The entire floor panel 122 constitutes a bottom wall portion 123. No other vehicle lower parts are arranged below the floor panel 122, and the floor panel 122 constitutes the lowest part of the vehicle 10. The lower surface of the floor panel 122 faces the road surface.

[0093] A vibrator 125 is disposed on the floor panel 122, and is attached to the floor panel 122 with fastening members or the like (not shown). The floor panel 122 and the vibrator 125 constitute a sound output device 120 of the seventh embodiment.

[0094] The configuration other than the above is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the seventh embodiment, the same elements as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0095] In the seventh embodiment, the vehicle lower part to which the vibrator 125 is attached is changed from the battery case 21 to the floor panel 122, and no outer shell member having a space is used. Therefore, according to the seventh embodiment, the same effects as those of (1-1), (1-3), and (1-4) of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0096] <Example of change> The above-described embodiments can be modified as follows: The above-described embodiments and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0097] (Matters concerning the bottom wall) The bottom wall 23 of the sound output device 20 of the first embodiment does not necessarily have to be flat, and in this case, the thickness direction of the bottom wall 23 may differ from the vertical direction. Similar changes are possible for the bottom wall 33, 47, 61, 91, 105, 107, 109, 123 and thickness direction of the sound output devices 30, 40, 55, 70, 100, 120 of the other embodiments.

[0098] The hole may be provided in a location of the bottom wall 23 of the sound output device 20 of the first embodiment other than the periphery of the vibrator 29. Similar modifications are possible for the bottom wall 33, 47, 61, 91, 105, 107, 109, 123 of the sound output devices 30, 40, 55, 70, 100, 120 of the other embodiments.

[0099] (Matters concerning vibrators) The vibrator 29 in the sound output device 20 of the first embodiment may be attached to the bottom wall portion 23 by a method other than adhesive bonding. For example, the vibrator 29 may be attached to the bottom wall portion 23 by claw fitting, screw fastening, or the like. Similar modifications are possible for the attachment methods of the vibrators 36, 49, 65, 92, 111, and 125 in the sound output devices 30, 40, 55, 70, 100, and 120 of the other embodiments.

[0100] Furthermore, the vibrator 29 in the sound output device 20 of the first embodiment may be attached to the bottom wall 23 via a support (not shown). In this modification, vibrations of the vibrator 29 are propagated to the bottom wall 23 via the support. The bottom wall 23 is vibrated, and sound waves are emitted in response to the vibrations. Similar modifications are possible for the vibrators 36, 49, 65, 92, 111, and 125 in the sound output devices 30, 40, 55, 70, 100, and 120 of the other embodiments.

[0101] In the second embodiment, the battery controller 37 monitors the state of the battery 35, and if an abnormality is detected, the vibrator 36 vibrates the bottom wall 33. Accompanying this vibration, the bottom wall 33 may generate sound waves for an alarm.

[0102] In the fourth embodiment, the vibrator 65 is vibrated so that sound waves in the opposite phase to the operating sound of the fuel pump 63 are generated in conjunction with the vibration of the bottom wall 61 of the fuel tank 56. In this case, the sound waves generated by the bottom wall 61 can cancel out and reduce the operating sound of the fuel pump 63.

[0103] In the fifth embodiment, the vibrator 92 is vibrated so that sound waves of a different frequency from the sound waves generated by the engine 71 are emitted from the bottom wall 91 of the silencer 77. In this case, the sound waves generated at the bottom wall 91 can be used to change the engine sound propagated outside the vehicle, for example, to make it sound sportier or quieter.

[0104] In the fifth embodiment, the vibrator 92 may be disposed in a space in the muffler 75 that is different from the silencer 77, and the vibrator 92 may be attached to the bottom wall portion from above. In the sixth embodiment, the bottom wall portion 105 may be formed by a part of the front undercover 104. Similarly, the bottom wall portion 107 may be formed by a part of the middle undercover 106. The bottom wall portion 109 may be formed by a part of the rear undercover 108.

[0105] In the sixth embodiment, instead of the front undercover 104, a vibrator 111 may be attached to either the middle undercover 106 or the rear undercover 108, as shown by the two-dot chain line.

[0106] In the sixth embodiment, the vibrator 111 may be attached to a plurality of types of the front undercover 104, the middle undercover 106, and the rear undercover 108.

[0107] When the vibrator 111 is attached to the middle undercover 106, the vibrator 111 may be attached to only one of the pair of left and right middle undercovers 106, or the vibrator 111 may be attached to both.

[0108] In the sixth embodiment, the vibrator 111 is vibrated so that sound waves of a different frequency from the sound waves generated by the engine are emitted from the bottom wall 105 of the front undercover 104. In this case, it is possible to change the engine sound propagated outside the vehicle by the sound waves generated at the bottom wall 105.

[0109] In a modification of the sixth embodiment in which the vibrator 111 is attached to the middle undercover 106, the vibrator 111 may be vibrated so that sound waves in the opposite phase to the sound waves of noise generated in the vehicle cabin are generated in conjunction with the vibration of the bottom wall portion 107. In this case, it is possible to cancel out and reduce the noise generated in the vehicle cabin with the sound waves generated in the bottom wall portion 107. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 10...Vehicle 11...Wheel 12…road surface 20, 30, 40, 55, 70, 100, 120...Sound output device 21...Battery case (lower part of the vehicle) 22...Lower case (outer shell member) 23, 33, 47, 61, 91, 105, 107, 109, 123...Bottom wall 25...Upper case (outer shell) 27,34,48,58,78…space 28,35…battery 29, 36, 49, 65, 92, 111, 125... Vibrators 31...Battery pack (underneath the vehicle) 32...Battery case 44...Oil 46...Oil pan (lower part of the vehicle, outer shell component) 50,66…case 56...Fuel tank (lower part of the vehicle) 57...Tank main body (outer shell member) 59…Fuel 75...Muffler (lower part of the vehicle) 76...Exhaust pipe 77...Muffler (underbody part) 79...Outer cylinder (outer shell member) 80...Front wall portion (outer shell member) 81...Rear wall part (outer shell member) 104...Front undercover (underbody part of the vehicle) 106... Middle undercover (lower part of the vehicle, undercover) 108...Rear undercover (vehicle lower part, undercover) 121...White body (car body) 122...Floor panel (lower part of the vehicle)

Claims

1. Applied to vehicles that run by rolling their wheels on the road surface, the vehicle includes a vehicle underside component that forms a lowermost portion of the vehicle and is arranged above a contact point of the wheel with the road surface, the vehicle lower part includes a bottom wall portion facing the road surface, a vibrator that vibrates when energized is attached to the bottom wall portion from above; a hole penetrating the bottom wall portion in a thickness direction is not provided in at least a peripheral portion of the bottom wall portion of the vibrator; The sound output device for a vehicle transmits vibrations of the vibrator to the bottom wall portion to vibrate the bottom wall portion, thereby radiating sound waves generated by the vibration of the bottom wall portion downward.

2. the vehicle underside component has a space and includes an outer shell member surrounding the space, a part of the outer shell member is formed by the bottom wall portion, the bottom wall portion faces the space, The vehicle sound output device according to claim 1 , wherein the vibrator is disposed in the space and attached to the bottom wall portion.

3. The sound output device for a vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein the vehicle lower part is a battery case having the space and accommodating a battery in the space.

4. The outer shell of the vibrator is formed of a sealed case, The sound output device for a vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein the vehicle underside part is an oil pan in which oil is stored in the space, or a fuel tank in which fuel is stored in the space.

5. The sound output device for a vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein the vehicle lower part is a muffler having the space as an exhaust passage.

6. 2. The sound output device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle lower part is an undercover that regulates the flow of air generated between the vehicle and the road surface as the vehicle travels.

7. 2. The sound output device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle lower part is a floor panel of a vehicle body.

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