Abnormal Sound Diagnostic System

Abstract

To improve diagnosis accuracy of a cause for abnormal noise.SOLUTION: Provided is an abnormal noise diagnosis system that uses sound collected by a sound collection device mounted on a vehicle to diagnose a cause for abnormal noise generated in the vehicle. When a sound pressure level of background noise included in the sound collected by the sound collection device exceeds a predetermined level, the system does not perform diagnosis of the cause for the abnormal noise, but perform notification to change a sound collection environment as an environment in collecting sound by the sound collection device to promote re-execution of the sound collection by the sound collection device. This allows for improvement in diagnosis accuracy of the cause for the abnormal sound.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an abnormal sound diagnosis system, and more particularly to an abnormal sound diagnosis system that diagnoses the cause of abnormal sounds generated in a vehicle using sounds collected by a sound collection device mounted on the vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a recording system has been proposed that records only sounds with sound pressure levels (noise levels) higher than a predetermined level among the measured sounds (noises) (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This system is said to be able to record only sounds that are the target of diagnosis while suppressing an increase in recording time by recording only sounds with sound pressure levels higher than the predetermined level. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-315143 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when the above-mentioned recording system is applied to an abnormal sound diagnosis system that diagnoses the cause of abnormal sounds generated in a vehicle using sounds collected by a sound collection device installed in the vehicle, if the sound pressure level of background noise other than the abnormal sound is higher than a predetermined level, the background noise will be recorded along with the abnormal sound. In this case, the abnormal sound will be buried in the background noise, making it impossible to accurately diagnose the cause of the abnormal sound.

[0005] The abnormal noise diagnosis system of the present invention has a main object to improve the accuracy of diagnosing the cause of abnormal noise. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The abnormal sound diagnosis system of the present invention employs the following means to achieve the above-mentioned main object.

[0007] The abnormal sound diagnosis system of the present invention comprises: An abnormal sound diagnosis system that diagnoses the cause of an abnormal sound generated in a vehicle using a sound collected by a sound collecting device mounted on the vehicle, When the sound pressure level of background noise contained in the sound collected by the sound collecting device exceeds a predetermined level, the cause of the abnormal sound is not diagnosed, and a notification is issued to prompt the user to change the sound collection environment as the environment when collecting sound with the sound collecting device and to re-collect sound with the sound collecting device. The gist of this is as follows.

[0008] In this abnormal sound diagnosis system of the present invention, when the sound pressure level of background noise contained in sound collected by the sound collection device exceeds a predetermined level, the system does not diagnose the cause of the abnormal sound, but instead issues a notification urging the user to change the sound collection environment used when collecting sound with the sound collection device and to try collecting sound again using the sound collection device. This encourages the user to try collecting sound again using the sound collection device. When the user is prompted to try collecting sound again using the sound collection device, the system encourages the user to try collecting sound again, thereby improving the accuracy of diagnosing the cause of the abnormal sound. Here, the "predetermined level" may be a threshold value for determining whether the sound pressure level of the background noise is sufficiently low to allow abnormal sound diagnosis to be performed appropriately without the abnormal sound being drowned out by the background noise.

[0009] In the abnormal noise diagnosis system of the present invention, the cause of the abnormal noise may be diagnosed when the sound pressure level of the background noise is equal to or lower than the predetermined level, thereby improving the accuracy of diagnosing the cause of the abnormal noise.

[0010] Furthermore, in the abnormal sound diagnosis system of the present invention, if the sound pressure level of the background noise exceeds the predetermined level and the sound pressure level of road noise included in the background noise exceeds a first level, a notification may be issued to prompt the user to change the sound collection location where the sound collection device collects sound as the sound collection environment and to collect the sound again. This increases the likelihood that a user who recognizes the notification will collect sound again at a location different from before the notification, thereby improving the accuracy of diagnosing the cause of the abnormal sound compared to a system in which such a notification is not issued. Here, the "first level" may be a sound pressure level threshold for determining whether the road noise is sufficiently quiet.

[0011] In this case, a notification may be given to encourage the driver to change the sound collection location to a location that has been determined in advance as a location with low road noise. This makes it possible to more reliably collect sound again at a location with low road noise.

[0012] Furthermore, in the abnormal sound diagnosis system of the present invention, when the sound pressure level of the background noise exceeds the predetermined level and the sound pressure level of wind noise included in the background noise exceeds a second level, a notification may be issued to prompt the user to change at least one of the sound collection location as the location where the sound is collected by the sound collector and the sound collection date and time as the date and time when the sound is collected by the sound collector and to try collecting sound again using the sound collector. This increases the likelihood that a user who recognizes the notification will try collecting sound again at a different location and date and time than before the notification, thereby improving the accuracy of diagnosing the cause of the abnormal sound compared to when such a notification is not issued. Here, the "second level" may be a threshold value for determining whether the wind noise is sufficiently quiet.

[0013] In this case, a notification may be issued to prompt at least one of changing the sound collection location to a location predetermined to have less wind noise contained in the background noise, and changing the sound collection date and time to a date and time predetermined to have less wind noise contained in the background noise. This makes it possible to more reliably collect sound again at a location and at a date and time where wind noise is less.

[0014] In the abnormal sound diagnosis system of the present invention, when the sound pressure level of the background noise exceeds the predetermined level and the sound pressure level of environmental sound around the vehicle included in the background noise exceeds a third level, a notification may be issued to prompt the user to change at least one of the sound collection location and the sound collection date and time, and to re-collect sound using the sound collection device. This increases the likelihood that a user who recognizes the notification will re-collect sound at a different location and date and time than before the notification, thereby improving the accuracy of diagnosing the cause of the abnormal sound compared to a system in which such a notification is not issued. Here, the "third level" may be a threshold value for determining whether the environmental sound around the vehicle is sufficiently quiet.

[0015] In this case, a notification may be given to encourage at least one of changing the sound collection location to a location predetermined as a location where environmental sounds around the vehicle included in the background noise are small, and changing the sound collection date and time to a date and time predetermined as a date and time where environmental sounds around the vehicle included in the background noise are small. In this way, sound collection can be re-executed more reliably at a location and at a date and time where environmental sounds around the vehicle are small.

[0016] Furthermore, in the abnormal sound diagnosis system of the present invention, when the sound pressure level of the background noise exceeds the predetermined level, it is determined whether the sound pressure level of road noise included in the background noise exceeds a first level, and when the sound pressure level of road noise included in the background noise exceeds the first level, it changes the sound collection location where the sound collection device collects sound as the sound collection environment and issues a notification urging the driver to re-execute the sound collection, and when the sound pressure level of road noise included in the background noise is equal to or lower than the first level, it is determined whether the sound pressure level of wind noise included in the background noise is equal to or lower than a second level, and when the sound pressure level of wind noise included in the background noise exceeds the second level, At least one of the sound collection location as the location where sound is collected by the sound collector and the sound collection date and time as the date and time of sound collection by the sound collector is changed, and a notification is issued to prompt the sound collector to try collecting sound again, and when the sound pressure level of wind noise included in the background noise is equal to or lower than the second level, it is determined whether the sound pressure level of environmental sound around the vehicle included in the background noise is equal to or lower than a third level, and when the sound pressure level of environmental sound around the vehicle included in the background noise exceeds the third level, at least one of the sound collection location as the location where sound is collected by the sound collector and the sound collection date and time as the date and time of sound collection by the sound collector is changed, and a notification is issued to prompt the sound collector to try collecting sound again. Generally, road noise, wind noise, and environmental sound around the vehicle included in background noise have increasing sound pressure levels, in that order. Therefore, the background noise can be reduced efficiently by determining whether the sound pressure level of the road noise included in the background noise exceeds a first level, and when the sound pressure level of the road noise included in the background noise is equal to or lower than the first level, determining whether the sound pressure level of the wind noise included in the background noise exceeds a second level, and when the sound pressure level of the wind noise included in the background noise is equal to or lower than the second level, determining whether the sound pressure level of the environmental sound around the vehicle included in the background noise exceeds a third level. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of an abnormal sound diagnosis system 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the relationship between the running state of a vehicle (engine rotation speed Ne and drive shaft output torque Tout) and the sound pressure level and frequency f of abnormal noise generated by a specific part. [Figure 3] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of vehicle processing, management server processing, and information providing server processing executed in the control device 26 of the vehicle 22, the management server 30, and the information providing server 50 when diagnosing an abnormal sound. [Figure 4] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of vehicle processing, management server processing, and information providing server processing executed in the control device 26 of the vehicle 22, the management server 30, and the information providing server 50 when diagnosing an abnormal sound. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a sound pressure level SPLtotal for each frequency f. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of sound pressure levels SPL for each frequency f of road noise, wind noise, and ambient noise contained in background noise. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Next, a mode for carrying out the present invention will be described using examples. [Example]

[0019] 1 is a diagram showing the outline of the configuration of an abnormal sound diagnosis system 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the abnormal sound diagnosis system 20 of the embodiment includes a vehicle 22, a management server 30, a diagnosis terminal 40, and an information providing server 50.

[0020] The vehicle 22 is configured as a hybrid vehicle that runs while outputting power from an engine and power from a motor to a drive shaft connected to an axle, and is equipped with a microphone (sound collection device) 24, a control device 26, and a dongle 28. The microphone 24 is built into the headrest of the seat where the occupant sits.

[0021] The control device 26 is configured as a general-purpose microcomputer centered around a CPU, and in addition to the CPU, is equipped with ROM, RAM, flash memory, a storage device, input / output ports, communication ports, etc. Signals detected by various sensors are input to the control device 26. An example of the signal input to the control device 26 is the vehicle speed V detected by a vehicle speed sensor. Various control signals for controlling the engine and motor are output from the control device 26. The control device 26 calculates the engine rotation speed Ne based on the crank angle from a crank position sensor that detects the rotational position of the engine crankshaft, and calculates the output torque Tout output to the drive shaft based on the operating state of the engine and a torque command of the motor.

[0022] The dongle 28 is configured as a communication device equipped with a wireless communication module, and is attached to a connection terminal (not shown) provided below the handle. This connection terminal is connected to the control device 26. Various data from the control device 26 and sound data collected by the microphone 24 are input to the dongle 28. The dongle 28 wirelessly transmits the data input from the control device 26 and the microphone 24 to the management server 30, and receives data from the management server 30.

[0023] The management server 30 is installed at a manufacturer that produces the vehicle 22. The management server 30 is configured as a general-purpose microcomputer centered around a CPU, and in addition to the CPU, includes a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, a storage device, an input / output port, a communication port, and the like.

[0024] The management server 30 stores in a database 32 vehicle information as information relating to the hardware configuration of each vehicle, component abnormal noise information as information for each component relating to abnormal noises generated during driving due to the components that make up the vehicle, background noise information as information for each vehicle model about background noise generated during driving, and past recording information as information about sounds recorded during past driving.

[0025] The vehicle information may include an identification number for identifying each vehicle, specifications of parts that make up the vehicle corresponding to each identification number, and the model of the vehicle corresponding to each identification number.

[0026] An example of component abnormal noise information is the relationship between the vehicle's running state (engine rotation speed Ne and drive shaft output torque Tout) and the component that generates the abnormal noise under that running state. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the relationship between the vehicle's running state (engine rotation speed Ne and drive shaft output torque Tout) and the sound pressure level SPL and frequency f of an abnormal noise caused by a specific component. As shown in the figure, the abnormal noise becomes louder when the vehicle is in a specific running state. The running state in which the abnormal noise becomes louder and the frequency f of the abnormal noise differ depending on the component. Therefore, there is a correlation between the vehicle's running state and the component that generates the abnormal noise, and this correlation is stored in database 32 as component abnormal noise information.

[0027] Examples of background noise information include the sound pressure level of standard background noise for each frequency while driving, the sound pressure level of standard road noise for each frequency, the sound pressure level of standard wind noise for each frequency, the sound pressure level of standard ambient noise for each frequency, etc. Note that background noise includes road noise, wind noise, and ambient noise.

[0028] The past recording information may include sound data collected by the microphone 24 of the vehicle 22 in the past, and information on the location and date and time when the sound was recorded.

[0029] The management server 30 exchanges various data with the vehicle 22, the diagnostic terminal 40, and the information providing server 50 via communication.

[0030] The diagnostic terminal 40 is configured as a portable terminal that can be carried by staff at a vehicle dealership. The diagnostic terminal 40 is configured as a general-purpose microcomputer centered around a CPU, and in addition to the CPU, is equipped with ROM, RAM, flash memory, a storage device, a display 42, input / output ports, and communication ports. The diagnostic terminal 40 exchanges various data with the management server 30 via communication. The diagnostic terminal 40 displays various information received from the management server 30 on the display 42.

[0031] The information providing server 50 is installed in an information providing service facility that provides various types of information. The information providing server 50 is configured as a general-purpose microcomputer centered around a CPU, and in addition to the CPU, is equipped with ROM, RAM, flash memory, a storage device, input / output ports, communication ports, etc. The information providing server 50 stores surrounding environment information as information about the environment around the vehicle 22, such as weather information and map information, road information as information about new roads and road repair sites, road congestion information, and facility information about buildings, walls, guardrails, and other facilities near the roads, as a database 52 in the storage device. The information providing server 50 exchanges various types of data with the management server 30 via communication.

[0032] Next, the operation of the abnormal sound diagnosis system 20 configured as described above will be explained, in particular the operation during abnormal sound diagnosis to diagnose the cause of abnormal sounds occurring in the vehicle (diagnosis vehicle) 22 that is the target of abnormal sound diagnosis. Figures 3 and 4 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of vehicle processing, management server processing, and information providing server processing executed during abnormal sound diagnosis by the control device 26 of the vehicle 22, the management server 30, and the information providing server 50. Such abnormal sound diagnosis is performed when the vehicle 22 is in stock at a dealership for repairs.

[0033] Prior to the abnormal sound diagnosis, an inspection run is performed in which the vehicle 22 is driven to check for abnormal sounds. During this inspection run, the control device 26 stores in a storage device sound data as sound data recorded by the microphone 24 over a period from when the vehicle 22 starts to run until when it finishes running, and running data as data on the engine rotation speed Ne and output torque Tout to the drive shaft calculated at predetermined time intervals while the sound data is being recorded.

[0034] In abnormal noise diagnosis, first, in the management server processing, the management server 30 executes a process of inputting vehicle information corresponding to the identification number VIN stored in the database 32 and component abnormal noise information corresponding to the vehicle model included in the vehicle information corresponding to the identification number VIN (step S200), and then transmits a data transmission request to the vehicle 22 (step S210).

[0035] When the control device 26 of the vehicle 22 receives a data transmission request during vehicle processing, it transmits the sound data and driving data stored in the storage device during the inspection drive to the management server 30 via the dongle 28 (step S100), and terminates the vehicle processing.

[0036] In the management server processing, the management server 30 receives sound data and driving data from the vehicle 22 during the inspection drive from the control device 26 of the vehicle 22 (step S220), and sets the sound pressure level SPLbn of background noise from the received sound data (step S230). In calculating the sound pressure level SPLbn of background noise, the received sound data is first frequency-decomposed using a fast Fourier transform to calculate the sound pressure level SPLtotal for each frequency f. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the sound pressure level SPLtotal for each frequency f. In the figure, the solid line is an example of the sound pressure level SPLtotal for each frequency f. The dashed line is an example of the sound pressure level of background noise. As shown in the figure, the sound pressure level SPLtotal for each frequency f has a shape in which a sharp peak due to an abnormal noise is superimposed on background noise that spreads out at the base. The sound pressure level SPLbn of background noise is set to the largest sound pressure level SPLtotal in a predetermined frequency range that includes the frequency at which the sharp peak due to the abnormal noise occurs. The predetermined frequency range is a frequency range that affects abnormal sound determination and is set based on the frequencies at which peaks due to abnormal sound occur, etc. When multiple peaks occur due to abnormal sound, the maximum value SPLmax of the sound pressure level SPLtotal in the predetermined frequency range that includes the frequency at which the peak occurs is calculated for each peak, and the largest of the maximum values ​​SPLmax for each peak is set as the sound pressure level SPLbn of the background noise.

[0037] Next, it is determined whether the set background noise sound pressure level SPLbn is equal to or less than a predetermined level SPLbth (step S240). The predetermined level SPLbth is a threshold value used to determine whether the background noise sound pressure level SPLbn is sufficiently low to allow abnormal sound diagnosis to be performed appropriately without the abnormal sound being buried in the background noise. If the sound pressure level SPLbn is equal to or less than the predetermined level SPLth, it is determined that the background noise sound pressure level SPLbn is sufficiently low to allow abnormal sound diagnosis to be performed appropriately, and abnormal sound diagnosis is performed to identify the part causing the abnormal sound (step S250), after which the diagnostic server processing is terminated. When the diagnostic server processing is terminated, the management server processing executed by the management server 30 and the information providing server processing executed by the information providing server 50 are also terminated. The abnormal sound diagnosis is performed by obtaining the driving state of the vehicle 22 when the abnormal sound is occurring using the sound data and driving data received in step S220, and identifying the part causing the abnormal sound from the part abnormal sound information received in step S200 and the driving state of the vehicle 22 when the abnormal sound is occurring. Since abnormal sound diagnosis is performed when the sound pressure level SPLbn of the background noise is equal to or lower than the predetermined level SPLth, the abnormal sound diagnosis can be performed with high accuracy.

[0038] If the background noise sound pressure level SPLbn set in step S240 exceeds the predetermined level SPLbth, it is determined that the abnormal sound is buried in the background noise due to the high background noise sound pressure level SPLbn, making it impossible to properly diagnose the abnormal sound, and the road noise sound pressure level SPLln in the sound data received in step S220 is set (step S260). FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the sound pressure levels SPL for each frequency f of road noise, wind noise, and ambient environmental sounds included in the background noise. As shown in the figure, road noise, wind noise, and ambient environmental sounds have the characteristic of being loud in certain frequency bands. The road noise sound pressure level SPLln is set by determining in advance through experiments, analysis, etc. the frequency band fln where road noise is loudest, and then setting the sound pressure level SPLln to the maximum sound pressure level in the frequency band fln of the sound data received in step S220.

[0039] Next, it is determined whether the set sound pressure level SPLln exceeds a predetermined level SPLlth (step S270). The predetermined level SPLlth is a sound pressure level threshold for determining whether road noise is sufficiently low. If the sound pressure level SPLln is equal to or lower than the predetermined level SPLlth, it is determined that road noise is sufficiently low, and the process proceeds to step S310.

[0040] If the sound pressure level SPLln exceeds the predetermined level SPLlth in step S270, it is determined that the road noise is loud, and a request for transmission of road information around the management server 30 is sent to the information providing server 50 (step S280).

[0041] In the information providing server process, the information providing server 50 transmits road information around the location where the management server 30 is installed to the management server 30 (step S500).

[0042] In the management server processing, the management server 30 receives previously recorded information from the management server 30 and surrounding road information from the information providing server 50 (step S290), and transmits to the diagnosis terminal 40 a proposal for changing the sound collection location where sound is collected by the microphone 24 during the inspection drive to check for abnormal noises (step S300), and then ends the management server processing. When the management server processing ends, the information providing server processing being executed by the information providing server 50 also ends.

[0043] Examples of suggestions for changing the sound collection location in step S300 include identifying a location near the management server 30 where road noise was low based on past recording information and changing to that location, or changing to a road with a less damaged road surface and less road noise based on past road information (for example, a newly constructed road or a road that has been repaired). Having received the suggestion to change the sound collection location, the diagnostic terminal 40 displays on the display 42 the proposed change of sound collection location and a prompt to retry sound collection. In this way, when the background noise sound pressure level SPLbn exceeds the predetermined level SPLbth and the road noise sound pressure level SPLln exceeds the predetermined level SPLlth, abnormal sound diagnosis is not performed, thereby preventing a decrease in the accuracy of the abnormal sound diagnosis. Furthermore, because the proposed change of sound collection location and the prompt to retry are displayed on the diagnostic terminal 40, a vehicle dealership staff member who views the display 42 of the diagnostic terminal 40 can be prompted to perform the inspection drive again in a location with less road noise.

[0044] Furthermore, if the vehicle dealership staff visually checks the display 42 of the diagnostic terminal 40 and drives the vehicle 22 for inspection again, and the sound is collected again by the microphone 24, the road noise contained in the sound data recorded during the inspection drive will be reduced, thereby improving the accuracy of diagnosing the cause of the abnormal noise.

[0045] If the sound pressure level SPLln set in step S270 is equal to or lower than the predetermined level SPLlth, it is determined that the road noise is sufficiently small, and then the sound pressure level SPLwn of the wind noise in the sound data received in step S220 is set (step S310). The wind noise sound pressure level SPLwn is set by determining in advance the frequency band fwn where the wind noise becomes louder through experiments, analysis, etc., and setting the sound pressure level SPLlwn to the maximum value of the sound pressure level in the frequency band fwn in the sound data received in step S220.

[0046] Next, it is determined whether the set sound pressure level SPLwn exceeds a predetermined level SPLwth (step S320). The predetermined level SPLwth is a sound pressure level threshold for determining whether wind noise is sufficiently quiet. If the sound pressure level SPLwn is equal to or less than the predetermined level SPLwth, it is determined that wind noise is sufficiently quiet, and the process proceeds to step S360.

[0047] If the sound pressure level SPLwn set in step S320 exceeds the predetermined level SPLwth, it is determined that the wind noise is loud, and a request to send weather information is sent to the information providing server 50 (step S330).

[0048] In the information providing server process, the information providing server 50 transmits meteorological information around the location where the management server 30 is installed to the management server 30 (step S510).

[0049] In the management server processing, the management server 30 receives weather information from the information providing server 50 (step S340), and based on the received weather information, transmits to the diagnostic terminal 40 a proposal to change the sound collection location and sound collection date and time where sound is collected by the microphone 24 during the inspection drive to check for abnormal noises (step S350), and then ends the management server processing. When the management server processing ends, the information providing server processing being executed by the information providing server 50 also ends.

[0050] Examples of suggestions for changing the sound collection location in step S350 include changing to a location with weaker winds based on the received weather information. Examples of suggestions for changing the sound collection date and time include changing to a date and time when the wind calms down or a date and time when a tailwind is blowing based on the received weather information. The diagnostic terminal 40, which has received the suggestion to change the sound collection location and sound collection date and time, displays on the display 42 the proposed change to the sound collection location and sound collection date and time and a prompt to retry sound collection. In this way, when the background noise sound pressure level SPLbn exceeds the predetermined level SPLbth and the wind noise sound pressure level SPLwn exceeds the predetermined level SPLwth, abnormal sound diagnosis is not performed, thereby preventing a decrease in the accuracy of abnormal sound diagnosis. Furthermore, because the proposed change to the sound collection location and date and time and a prompt to retry sound collection are displayed on the diagnostic terminal 40, vehicle dealership staff who view the display 42 of the diagnostic terminal 40 can be prompted to conduct another inspection drive at a location and date with less wind noise.

[0051] Furthermore, if the vehicle dealership staff visually checks the display 42 of the diagnostic terminal 40 and performs an inspection drive of the vehicle 22 again at the proposed changed sound collection location and sound collection date and time, and re-executes sound collection using the microphone 24, the wind noise contained in the sound data recorded during the inspection drive will be reduced, thereby improving the accuracy of diagnosing the cause of the abnormal sound.

[0052] If the sound pressure level SPLwn set in step S320 is equal to or lower than the predetermined level SPLwth, it is determined that the wind noise is sufficiently small, and then the sound pressure level SPLsen of the ambient sound in the sound data received in step S220 is set (step S360). The sound pressure level SPLsen of the ambient sound is set by determining in advance the frequency band fsen where the ambient sound becomes louder through experiments, analysis, etc., and setting the maximum value of the sound pressure level in the frequency band fsen in the sound data received in step S20 to the sound pressure level SPLlsen.

[0053] Next, it is determined whether the set sound pressure level SPLsen exceeds a predetermined level SPLseth (step S370). The predetermined level SPLseth is a sound pressure level threshold for determining whether the ambient noise is sufficiently quiet. If the sound pressure level SPLwn is equal to or less than the predetermined level SPLseth, it is determined that the wind noise is sufficiently quiet, and the management server processing is terminated. When the management server processing is terminated, the information providing server processing executed by the information providing server 50 is also terminated.

[0054] If the sound pressure level SPLsen set in step S380 exceeds the predetermined level SPLseth, it is determined that the ambient sound is loud, and a request to transmit ambient environment information is sent to the information providing server 50 (step S380).

[0055] In the information providing server processing, the information providing server 50 transmits the surrounding environment information of the location where the management server 30 is installed to the management server 30 (step S520), and then ends the information providing server processing.

[0056] In the management server processing, the management server 30 receives surrounding environment information from the information providing server 50 (step S390), and transmits to the diagnostic terminal 40 a proposal to change the sound collection location and sound collection date and time where sound is collected by the microphone 24 during the inspection drive to check for abnormal sounds (step S400), and then ends the management server processing.

[0057] Examples of suggestions for changing the sound collection location in step S400 include changing to a road with less traffic volume around the management server 30, which is less likely to be disturbed by the sounds of other vehicles, based on traffic information included in the surrounding environment information; changing to a location without factories or large commercial facilities around the management server 30 based on facility information; changing to a location without sound-reflecting surfaces such as guardrails, walls, or buildings around the management server 30 based on facility information; and changing to a location with clear skies and dry roads based on weather and traffic information. Examples of suggestions for changing the sound collection date and time include changing to a date and time with clear skies and dry roads based on weather and traffic information. Upon receiving the suggestion to change the sound collection location and sound collection date and time, the diagnostic terminal 40 displays on the display 42 the proposed changes to the sound collection location and sound collection date and time, along with a prompt to retry sound collection. In this way, abnormal sound diagnosis is not performed when the sound pressure level SPLbn of the background noise exceeds the predetermined level SPLbth and the sound pressure level SPLsen of the surrounding environmental sound exceeds the predetermined level SPLseth, thereby preventing a decrease in the accuracy of abnormal sound diagnosis. In addition, the diagnostic terminal 40 displays the proposed changes to the sound collection location and date and time, and a message urging the vehicle dealer to re-collect the sound, so that the vehicle dealer staff who see the display 42 of the diagnostic terminal 40 can be urged to conduct the inspection drive again at a location and date with less ambient noise.

[0058] Furthermore, if the vehicle dealership staff visually checks the display 42 of the diagnostic terminal 40 and drives the vehicle 22 for inspection again at a location and on a date and time where the ambient noise is low and re-collects sound using the microphone 24, the ambient noise contained in the sound data recorded during the inspection drive will be reduced, thereby improving the accuracy of diagnosing the cause of the abnormal noise.

[0059] Furthermore, road noise, wind noise, and environmental noise around the vehicle, which are included in background noise, generally have the largest sound pressure levels in that order. Therefore, when the sound pressure level SPLbn of background noise other than abnormal noise included in the sound collected by microphone 24 exceeds a predetermined level SPLbnt, it is determined in this order whether the sound pressure level SPLln of road noise exceeds a predetermined level SPLlth, whether the sound pressure level SPLwn of wind noise exceeds a predetermined level SPLwth, and whether the sound pressure level SPLsen of environmental noise exceeds a predetermined level SPLseth. When the sound pressure level SPLln of road noise exceeds the predetermined level SPLlth or the sound pressure level SPLwn of wind noise exceeds the predetermined level SPLwth, the management server processing is terminated without further determination, thereby enabling the background noise to be reduced efficiently.

[0060] According to the abnormal sound diagnosis system 20 of the embodiment described above, when the sound pressure level SPLbn of background noise contained in sound collected by the microphone 24 exceeds a predetermined level SPLbnth, and when the sound pressure level SPLln of road noise exceeds the predetermined level SPLlth, when the sound pressure level SPLwn of wind noise exceeds the predetermined level SPLwth, or when the sound pressure level SPLsen of ambient sound exceeds the predetermined level SPLseth, the system does not diagnose the cause of the abnormal sound, but instead changes the sound collection environment used when collecting sound with the microphone 24 and issues a notification urging the user to collect sound again with the microphone 24, thereby improving the accuracy of diagnosing the cause of the abnormal sound.

[0061] In the abnormal sound diagnosis system 20 of the embodiment, when the sound pressure level SPLbn of background noise other than abnormal sound contained in the sound collected by the microphone 24 exceeds a predetermined level SPLbnt, it determines, in this order, whether the sound pressure level SPLln of road noise exceeds a predetermined level SPLlth, whether the sound pressure level SPLwn of wind noise exceeds a predetermined level SPLwth, and whether the sound pressure level SPLsen of ambient sound exceeds a predetermined level SPLseth. However, the order of these three determinations may be changed. For example, it may determine whether the sound pressure level SPLwn of wind noise exceeds the predetermined level SPLwth, and, when the sound pressure level SPLwn of wind noise is equal to or lower than the predetermined level SPLwth, it may determine whether the sound pressure level SPLln of road noise exceeds the predetermined level SPLlth.

[0062] In the abnormal sound diagnosis system 20 of the embodiment, when the sound pressure level SPLbn of background noise other than the abnormal sound contained in the sound collected by the microphone 24 exceeds a predetermined level SPLbnt, three determinations are made: determining whether the sound pressure level SPLln of road noise exceeds a predetermined level SPLlth, determining whether the sound pressure level SPLwn of wind noise exceeds a predetermined level SPLwth, and determining whether the sound pressure level SPLsen of ambient noise exceeds a predetermined level SPLseth. However, two or fewer of the three determinations may be made, or other determinations may be made. Furthermore, when the sound pressure level SPLbn of background noise other than the abnormal sound contained in the sound collected by the microphone 24 exceeds the predetermined level SPLbnt without making three determinations, a notification may be issued to change the sound collection environment used when collecting sound by the microphone 24 and to encourage the user to collect sound again by the microphone 24, without diagnosing the cause of the abnormal sound.

[0063] In the abnormal sound diagnosis system 20 of the embodiment, changes to the sound collection location and sound collection date and time are proposed in steps S350 and S400. However, it is also possible to propose a change to only one of the sound collection location and sound collection date and time.

[0064] In the abnormal sound diagnosis system 20 of the embodiment, a change in the sound collection location is suggested in step S300. However, in addition to the change in the sound collection location, other methods for reducing road noise, such as temporarily replacing the tires of the vehicle 22, may also be suggested.

[0065] In the abnormal sound diagnosis system 20 of the embodiment, a change in the sound collection location and sound collection date and time is suggested in step S350. However, in addition to a change in the sound collection location and sound collection date and time, other methods for reducing wind noise, such as removing accessories attached to the vehicle body, such as a roof rack, may also be suggested.

[0066] In the abnormal sound diagnosis system 20 of the embodiment, in steps S300, S350, and S400, the suggestion to change the sound collection location or sound collection date and time and to re-execute sound collection is displayed on the display 42 of the diagnostic terminal 40. However, it is sufficient if the suggestion to change the sound collection location or sound collection date and time and to re-execute sound collection is notified to the dealership staff member who is the user. For example, if the diagnostic terminal 40 is equipped with a speaker, the suggestion to change the sound collection location or sound collection date and time and to re-execute sound collection may be output as audio from the speaker of the diagnostic terminal 40. Furthermore, if the management server 30 has a display, the suggestion may be displayed on the display of the management server 30, or if the vehicle 22 has a display, the suggestion may be displayed on the display of the vehicle 22.

[0067] In the abnormal sound diagnosis system 20 of the embodiment, the microphone 24 is built into the headrest of the seat. However, the microphone 24 may be attached in any position where it can collect sounds generated in the vehicle 22, for example, it may be attached to the ceiling of the passenger compartment or in the engine room. Alternatively, a microphone may be mounted on the diagnostic terminal 40, and the diagnostic terminal 40 may be placed in the vehicle 22 during an inspection drive to collect sounds with the microphone of the diagnostic terminal 40.

[0068] In the abnormal sound diagnosis system 20 of the embodiment, vehicle processing is executed in the vehicle 22, server processing is executed in the management server 30, and information providing server processing is executed in the information providing server 50. However, the vehicle processing, management server processing, and information providing server processing are not limited to being executed by the vehicle 22, management server 30, and information providing server 50, respectively, and it is sufficient that the vehicle processing, management server processing, and information providing server processing are executed by at least one of the vehicle 22, management server 30, diagnosis terminal 40, and information providing server 50, such as by the diagnosis terminal 40.

[0069] In the abnormal sound diagnosis system 20 of the embodiment, the management server process is executed by the management server 30, which is a general-purpose microcomputer. However, the management server process may also be executed on a cloud provided by a cloud service provider.

[0070] In the abnormal sound diagnosis system 20 of the embodiment, the vehicle 22 is configured as an automobile that runs on power from an engine and power from a motor. However, the vehicle 22 may also be an electric automobile that runs on power from a motor, or an automobile that runs on power from an engine without being equipped with a motor that outputs power for running.

[0071] The correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the section on means for solving the problem will be explained. In the embodiment, the abnormal sound diagnosis system 20 corresponds to the "abnormal sound diagnosis system."

[0072] The correspondence between the main elements of the Examples and the main elements of the invention described in the "Means for Solving the Problem" section does not limit the elements of the invention described in the "Means for Solving the Problem" section, since the Examples are examples for specifically explaining the mode for implementing the invention described in the "Means for Solving the Problem" section. In other words, the interpretation of the invention described in the "Means for Solving the Problem" section should be based on the description in that section, and the Examples are merely specific examples of the invention described in the "Means for Solving the Problem" section.

[0073] The above describes the form for carrying out the present invention using examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples in any way, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be carried out in various forms within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0074] The present invention can be used in the manufacturing industry of abnormal sound diagnostic systems. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 20 abnormal sound diagnosis system, 22 vehicle, 24 microphone, 26 control device, 28 dongle, 30 management server, 32, 52 database, 40 diagnosis terminal, 42 display, 50 information providing server.

Claims

[Claim 1] An abnormal sound diagnosis system that diagnoses a cause of an abnormal sound generated in a vehicle by using a sound collected by a sound collecting device mounted on the vehicle, When the sound pressure level of the background noise included in the sound collected by the sound collection device exceeds a predetermined level, it is determined whether or not the sound pressure level of the road noise included in the background noise exceeds a first level, and when the sound pressure level of the road noise included in the background noise exceeds the first level, a diagnosis of the cause of the abnormal sound is not performed, and a notification is issued to encourage the user to re-execute the sound collection by changing the sound collection location where the sound collection device collects sound as a sound collection environment when collecting sound with the sound collection device, and when the sound pressure level of the road noise included in the background noise is equal to or lower than the first level, it is determined whether or not the sound pressure level of the wind noise included in the background noise is equal to or lower than a second level, and the sound pressure level of the wind noise included in the background noise is equal to or lower than the first level. When the sound pressure level of the wind noise contained in the background noise is equal to or lower than the second level, it is determined whether or not the sound pressure level of the environmental sound around the vehicle contained in the background noise is equal to or lower than a third level, and when the sound pressure level of the environmental sound around the vehicle contained in the background noise exceeds the third level, a diagnosis of the cause of the abnormal sound is not performed, and at least one of the sound collection location and the sound collection date and time is changed, and a notification is issued to encourage the sound collection by the sound collection device to be performed again, without diagnosing the cause of the abnormal sound. Abnormal noise diagnosis system.

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