Vehicle warning devices

Abstract

This allows small animals to be kept away from the electric fan when the pre-air conditioning function is in operation. [Solution] The electric fan 22 is located in the engine compartment 30 and circulates air to the radiator 20. The electric fan 22 is powered by the onboard battery 14. The proximity warning speaker 26 (warning device) is located in the engine compartment 30, near the electric fan 22. When the DCM 60 (receiver) receives a pre-air conditioning command to activate the air conditioning equipment before the user gets in the vehicle, the proximity warning ECU 68 (warning control unit) emits a warning to the proximity warning speaker 26 before the electric fan 22 is driven.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses a warning device for vehicles.

Background Art

[0002] In winter or the like, small animals such as cats may enter the engine room of a vehicle. If the vehicle is started without noticing the presence of a small animal, the small animal may be harmed by rotating equipment or the like in the engine room.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, an impact generator and a microphone are provided in the engine room. The impact generator includes an electromagnetic cylinder. The rod of the electromagnetic cylinder strikes the back side of the bonnet. The microphone collects the sound in the engine room. The collected sound is emitted into the passenger compartment. By listening to the sound, it can be determined whether a small animal has left the engine room. Thereby, when a small animal remains in the engine room, the risk that the driver starts the engine is suppressed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, the remote operation function of a vehicle may include a pre-air conditioning function. The pre-air conditioning function is a function of operating the air conditioning system before boarding. For example, in summer (pre-cooling) or winter (pre-heating), the improvement of the passenger compartment environment is achieved by the pre-air conditioning function.

[0006] When the pre-air conditioning function is activated, an electric fan located downstream of the radiator is driven. This specification discloses a vehicle warning device that can keep small animals away from the electric fan when the pre-air conditioning function is activated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This specification discloses a vehicle warning system. The system comprises a receiver, an electric fan, an air conditioning control unit, a notification device, and a notification control unit. The receiver receives command signals from a communication device located away from the vehicle. The electric fan is located in the engine compartment and circulates air to the radiator. The electric fan is powered by the vehicle's battery. The air conditioning control unit controls the air conditioning equipment, including the electric fan. The notification device is located in the engine compartment, near the electric fan. The notification control unit controls the activation of the notification device. When the receiver receives a pre-air conditioning command to activate the air conditioning equipment before the user enters the vehicle, the notification control unit activates the notification device before the electric fan is driven.

[0008] According to the above configuration, when a pre-air conditioning command is received, an alarm is triggered by the alarm device before the electric fan, which is part of the air conditioning equipment, is activated. Since the alarm device is located near the electric fan, the alarm will cause small animals in the engine compartment to move away from the electric fan.

[0009] Furthermore, in the above configuration, an opening may be formed in the floor of the engine compartment at the rear in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. In this case, the radiator and electric fan are positioned at the front of the engine compartment in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The alarm is positioned further forward than the electric fan in the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

[0010] In the above configuration, the alarm is positioned on the opposite side of the engine compartment opening, with the electric fan in between. When the alarm is activated, small animals are lured away from the alarm, thereby encouraging them to move towards the opening.

[0011] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the notification control unit may cause the notification device to emit a sound that is outside the human audible range but within the cat's audible range.

[0012] With the above configuration, even if the alarm is emitted at a high volume from the alarm device, it is less likely to cause discomfort to people around the vehicle.

[0013] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the alarm device may be a vehicle approach alarm device.

[0014] A vehicle approach warning device is a device that alerts people outside the vehicle to the approach of a vehicle traveling at a low speed. Since pre-air conditioning is applied to stationary vehicles, the alarm that sounds before pre-air conditioning is applied does not overlap with the intended use of the vehicle approach warning device (when the vehicle is traveling at a low speed).

[0015] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the notification control unit may activate the notification device for a predetermined period, then pause for a period of inactivity, and then activate the notification device again.

[0016] With the above configuration, small animals can be more reliably moved from the engine compartment to outside the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the vehicle warning device disclosed herein, it is possible to keep small animals away from the electric fan when the pre-air conditioning function is being operated. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This diagram illustrates the internal structure of the engine compartment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating the remote control of a vehicle. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates the hardware configuration of a proximity warning ECU. [Figure 4] This figure illustrates the pre-air conditioning control flow according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] 1. Structure inside the engine compartment In FIG. 1, a vehicle 10 is illustrated. In FIG. 1, the vehicle front-rear direction is indicated by the FR axis. The vehicle width direction is indicated by the RW axis. The vertical direction is indicated by the UP axis. The FR axis has the forward direction as the positive direction. The RW axis has the rightward direction as the positive direction. The UP axis has the height direction as the positive direction.

[0020] The vehicle 10 is, for example, a hybrid vehicle (HEV) or a battery electric vehicle (BEV). The vehicle 10 includes a rotating electric machine 16 as a drive source. In the case of a hybrid vehicle, the vehicle 10 also includes an internal combustion engine 12 as a drive source.

[0021] The vehicle 10 includes an in-vehicle battery 14. The in-vehicle battery 14 is disposed, for example, on the floor panel 32. Alternatively, the in-vehicle battery 14 may be disposed below the floor panel 32. The in-vehicle battery 14 supplies electric power to the rotating electric machine 16 and the electric fan 22.

[0022] In FIG. 1, the internal structure of the engine room 30 is illustrated. Note that, for a battery electric vehicle (BEV) that does not have an internal combustion engine 12, the machine room in which the rotating electric machine 16 is disposed is customarily called the engine room 30.

[0023] In the engine room 30, a duct 35, a radiator 20, an electric fan 22, an internal combustion engine 12, and a rotating electric machine 16 are accommodated in order from the front to the rear in the vehicle front-rear direction. That is, the radiator 20 and the electric fan 22 are disposed in the front in the vehicle front-rear direction within the engine room 30.

[0024] The engine room 30 is surrounded by a front grille 33, a front hood 34, a dash panel 31, and an under cover 40. The rear end of the under cover 40 and the front end of the floor panel 32 are separated in the vehicle front-rear direction. That is, a bottom opening 42 is formed in the rear in the vehicle front-rear direction on the floor surface of the engine room 30.

[0025] The exhaust pipe 13, connected to the internal combustion engine 12, is drawn out of the vehicle through the bottom opening 42. The exhaust pipe 13 then extends towards the rear of the vehicle below the floor panel 32.

[0026] Furthermore, a front grille 33 is provided at the front of the engine compartment 30. The airflow entering the front grille 33 is sent to the radiator 20 via a duct 35. In the radiator 20, the airflow and refrigerant exchange heat. After the heat exchange, the airflow passes through the gaps between the internal combustion engine 12 and the rotating electric machine 16 and is discharged outside the vehicle through a bottom opening 42 or the like.

[0027] Furthermore, the electric fan 22 is driven when the air conditioning equipment is operated while the vehicle 10 is stopped, such as in the pre-air conditioning system described later. The electric fan 22 is positioned behind the radiator 20, close to it. When the electric fan 22 is driven, outside air is drawn into the engine compartment 30 from the front grille 33. The air drawn into the engine compartment 30 and heat-exchanged with the radiator 20 is discharged outside the vehicle through the bottom opening 42, etc.

[0028] The electric fan 22 is part of the air conditioning system. Figure 1 discloses the electric fan 22 and the radiator 20 as components of the air conditioning system. Since the configuration of the air conditioning system is known, components such as the compressor, evaporator, and blower fan are not shown.

[0029] The electric fan 22 is electrically driven, not mechanically driven. In other words, there are no means of transmitting power, such as belts or pulleys, between the electric fan 22 and the internal combustion engine 12. The electric fan 22 is driven solely by power from the onboard battery 14. The electric fan 22 draws outside air into the engine compartment 30. The drawn-in air circulates to the radiator 20. At this time, heat exchange occurs between the refrigerant in the radiator and the air.

[0030] The electric fan 22 includes an impeller. The impeller is exposed in the engine room 30. Therefore, when a small animal 55 enters the engine room 30, if the impeller rotates, the small animal may be harmed. As will be described later, when pre-air conditioning is executed, a warning sound is reported in the engine room 30 before the electric fan is driven.

[0031] In the engine room 30, a horn 24, an approach notification speaker 26, and a security buzzer 28 are accommodated as notification devices. The horn 24 and the approach notification speaker 26 are provided in the front in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the engine room 30. As shown in the figure, the approach notification speaker 26 is arranged near the electric fan 22. For example, the approach notification speaker 26 is arranged in front of the electric fan 22 in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0032] The horn 24 is a warning device. When a horn switch on a steering wheel (not shown) is pressed, a warning sound is reported from the horn 24. The security buzzer 28 is part of an immobilizer system. When the door of the vehicle 10 is unlocked by means other than a smart key (not shown), a warning sound is reported from the security buzzer 28. For example, the security buzzer 28 is arranged in front of the dashboard 31.

[0033] The approach notification speaker 26 is also called a vehicle approach notification device. The approach notification speaker 26 reports when the vehicle 10 is traveling at a low speed. For example, when the vehicle 10 is traveling at a low speed only with the rotary electric machine 16 (that is, when the internal combustion engine 12 is stopped), the approach notification speaker 26 reports to notify surrounding pedestrians and the like of the presence of the vehicle 10. For example, when the shift position is in the D range or the B range and the vehicle speed V1 is in the range of 0 km / h < V1 ≤ 30 km / h, the approach notification speaker 26 reports.

[0034] For example, the proximity notification speaker 26 may be a speaker with directivity in the front and sides of the vehicle. Also, when the shift position is in the R range and the vehicle 10 is reversing, in order to notify the surroundings of the reverse of the vehicle 10, the proximity notification speaker 26 may also have directivity in the rear of the vehicle. For example, when the reverse speed V2 is in the range of 0 km / h < V2 ≤ 30 km / h, the proximity notification speaker 26 gives an alarm.

[0035] As described later, the pre-air conditioning is executed while the vehicle is stopped. That is, it is executed when the shift position is in the P range and the vehicle speed is 0 km / h. In this way, the pre-air conditioning is executed in a speed range outside the speed range in which the original function (proximity notification) of the proximity notification speaker 26 is executed. Therefore, even if a program for causing the proximity notification speaker 26 to give an alarm during the pre-air conditioning is stored in the proximity notification ECU 68 (see FIG. 2), the program does not interfere with the program of the original function (proximity notification function) executed during low-speed driving. In other words, when the shift position is the P position, which is different from the D position, B position, and R position where the proximity notification function is executed, an alarm before the pre-air conditioning is given from the proximity notification speaker 26.

[0036] 2. Remote operation of the vehicle Referring to FIG. 2, the vehicle 10 can be operated remotely. For example, it is possible to send a command signal to the vehicle 10 from the communication device 50 of the user of the vehicle 10. The functions that can be remotely operated include the pre-air conditioning function.

[0037] The pre-air conditioning function is a function that operates the air conditioning device before boarding the vehicle 10 to improve the comfort when boarding. During the execution of the pre-air conditioning function, the vehicle 10 is locked, and the air conditioning device operates with no one in the vehicle. Also, the shift position of the vehicle 10 is located in the P range.

[0038] For example, the command signal transmitted from the communication device 50 is received by the control server 52. The control server 52 is provided, for example, at the vehicle manufacturing company of the vehicle 10 or the like.

[0039] The control server 52 identifies the vehicle 10 linked to the communication device 50. Furthermore, the control server 52 transmits a command signal to the identified vehicle 10.

[0040] Vehicle 10 is equipped with electronic devices for performing pre-air conditioning. For example, vehicle 10 includes a DCM60 (Data Communication Module), a matching ECU62, an air conditioning ECU64, a body ECU66, and a proximity notification ECU68.

[0041] The DCM60 is a transceiver (communication device) dedicated to the vehicle 10. For example, data from various ECUs of the vehicle 10 is transmitted to the control server 52 via the DCM60. Also, as described above, command signals are transmitted to the DCM60 from the user's communication device 50, which is located away from the vehicle 10, via the control server 52.

[0042] The matching ECU 62, air conditioning ECU 64, body ECU 66, and proximity notification ECU 68 are electronic control units, all of which are computers. The air conditioning ECU 64 controls the air conditioning equipment, including the electric fan 22. The air conditioning ECU 64 is also called the air conditioning control unit. The proximity notification ECU 68 is also called the notification control unit. As will be described later, the proximity notification ECU 68 controls the activation of notification devices such as the proximity notification speaker 26. The body ECU 66 controls electrical equipment such as lighting, doors, windows, and wipers.

[0043] Figure 3 illustrates the hardware configuration of the proximity notification ECU 68. The matching ECU 62, air conditioning ECU 64, and body ECU 66 have a similar hardware configuration to the proximity notification ECU 68.

[0044] The proximity notification ECU 68 comprises a CPU 68A (Central Processing Unit), RAM 68B (Random Access Memory), storage 68C, ROM 68D (Read Only Memory), and an input / output controller 68E.

[0045] The CPU 68A is the central processing unit, also called a processor. The RAM 68B is a volatile memory device that temporarily stores data being worked on. The ROM 68D is a memory device that allows data to be read. The storage 68C is a memory device that allows data to be written to and read from. The storage 68C consists of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0046] The CPU (processor) executes the programs stored in the ROM or storage of the matching ECU62, air conditioning ECU64, body ECU66, and proximity notification ECU68, thereby executing the pre-air conditioning control flow exemplified in Figure 4.

[0047] 3. Pre-air conditioning control flow Referring to Figures 2 and 4, a pre-air conditioning command is transmitted from the communication device 50 to the DCM 60 via the control server 52. The pre-air conditioning command is then transmitted from the DCM 60 to the matching ECU 62, the air conditioning ECU 64 (air conditioning control unit), the body ECU 66, and the proximity notification ECU 68 (notification control unit).

[0048] The pre-air conditioning command includes an identification code (ID code) for the communication device 50. The matching ECU 62 determines, based on the identification code, whether the source of the pre-air conditioning command is the user's communication device 50. For example, the matching ECU 62 is provided with a storage unit that stores various identification codes. The matching ECU 62 compares the identification code of the signal source with the identification code stored in the storage unit (S10).

[0049] In step S12, if the identification code matching fails, that is, if the identification code of the signal source is not stored in the memory unit, the flow shown in Figure 4 terminates. On the other hand, if the identification code matching is successful, that is, if the identification code of the signal source matches the identification code stored in the memory unit, the matching ECU 62 authorizes the air conditioning ECU 64 (air conditioning control unit) and the body ECU 66 to execute control based on the pre-air conditioning command.

[0050] The air conditioning ECU 64 may also check the State of Charge (SOC) of the onboard battery 14. During pre-conditioning, power is supplied to the air conditioning equipment from the onboard battery 14, so the SOC of the onboard battery 14 may be referenced. For example, if the SOC of the onboard battery 14 is below a predetermined lower threshold (e.g., 20%), the air conditioning ECU 64 may prohibit the execution of pre-conditioning.

[0051] In this embodiment of the pre-air conditioning control flow, an alert is issued by the alerter before the electric fan 22 is driven. That is, the body ECU 66 transmits a pre-air conditioning command to the proximity alert ECU 68. The proximity alert ECU 68 causes the proximity alert speaker 26 to emit a proximity alert sound (S14). The proximity alert sound may be the same as the notification sound emitted by the original function (proximity alert function).

[0052] As described above, the proximity warning speaker 26 is positioned near the electric fan 22. When the proximity warning speaker 26 emits an alarm, small animals 55 in the engine compartment 30 move away from the electric fan 22.

[0053] Furthermore, the proximity warning speaker 26 is positioned further forward in the vehicle's front-to-rear direction than the electric fan 22. In other words, the proximity warning speaker 26 is positioned on the opposite side of the bottom opening 42, with the electric fan 22 in between. As a result, when the proximity warning speaker 26 is activated, the small animal 55 will move away from the speaker. That is, the activation of the proximity warning speaker 26 causes the small animal 55 to move towards the bottom opening 42. Consequently, the small animal 55 is encouraged to move out of the engine compartment 30.

[0054] After the proximity warning speaker 26 emits an alarm for a predetermined period of time (for example, 20 seconds), the air conditioning ECU 64 (air conditioning control unit) starts pre-air conditioning (S16). That is, the electric fan 22 is driven to rotate. Because the proximity warning speaker 26 emits an alarm before the electric fan 22 starts rotating, small animals in the engine compartment 30 move away from the electric fan 22. Alternatively, the small animals move outside the engine compartment 30.

[0055] 4. Other examples of alarm sounds In the above-described embodiment, a proximity warning sound was emitted from the proximity warning speaker 26 as an alarm sound before the electric fan was driven. Alternatively, an alarm sound specifically for small animals 55 may be output.

[0056] For example, the proximity warning ECU 68 may emit sounds to the proximity warning speaker 26 that are outside the human audible range (20Hz to 20kHz) but within the cat audible range (60Hz to 65kHz). For example, the proximity warning ECU 68 may emit sounds in the 40kHz to 70kHz range to the proximity warning speaker 26. In addition, to avoid interference with the standard frequencies in Japan (40Hz and 60Hz), the proximity warning ECU 68 may emit sounds in the 45kHz to 55kHz range, or the 65kHz to 70kHz range, to the proximity warning speaker 26.

[0057] Furthermore, in order to clearly distinguish it from the proximity warning sound, the proximity warning ECU 68 may emit, for example, audio in the frequency band between 1 kHz and 3 kHz to the proximity warning speaker 26.

[0058] 5. Other examples of alarm patterns In the embodiment described above, the alarm was triggered only once in step S14 of Figure 4. Alternatively, the proximity alarm ECU 68 may trigger the proximity alarm speaker 26 for a predetermined period, and then, after a pause period, trigger the proximity alarm speaker 26 again.

[0059] For example, the proximity warning ECU 68 may, after issuing an initial warning for 30 seconds, pause for 10 seconds, and then issue another warning from the proximity warning speaker 26 for 20 seconds. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 10 Vehicle, 12 Internal combustion engine, 14 Onboard battery, 16 Rotating electric machine, 20 Radiator, 22 Electric fan, 26 Proximity warning speaker, 30 Engine room, 42 Bottom opening, 50 Communication equipment, 52 Control server, 55 Small animal, 60 DCM (Receiver), 62 Verification ECU, 64 Air conditioning ECU (Air conditioning control unit), 66 Body ECU, 68 Proximity warning ECU (Warning control unit).

Claims

1. A receiver that receives command signals from communication equipment located away from the vehicle, An electric fan, located in the engine compartment, circulates air to the radiator and is powered by the vehicle's battery. An air conditioning control unit that controls the air conditioning equipment including the aforementioned electric fan, An alarm is located near the electric fan in the engine compartment, A notification control unit that controls the activation of the aforementioned notification device, Equipped with, When the receiver receives a pre-air conditioning command to activate the air conditioning equipment before the user boards the vehicle, the notification control unit shall, before driving the electric fan, send an alert to the notification device. Vehicle warning device.

2. A vehicle warning device according to claim 1, An opening is formed in the floor of the engine compartment, facing the rear in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The radiator and the electric fan are located in the engine compartment, towards the front of the vehicle in the front-rear direction. The aforementioned notification device is positioned further forward in the vehicle's front-to-rear direction than the electric fan. Vehicle warning device.

3. A vehicle warning device according to claim 1, The notification control unit causes the notification device to emit a sound that is outside the human audible range but within the cat's audible range. Vehicle warning device.

4. A vehicle warning device according to claim 1, The aforementioned notification device is a vehicle approach notification device. Vehicle warning device.

5. A vehicle warning device according to claim 1, The notification control unit activates the notification device for a predetermined period, then, after a pause period, activates the notification device again. Vehicle warning device.

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