On-vehicle device

Abstract

An on-vehicle device (1) is configured to be mounted on a vehicle (Ve). The on-vehicle device (1) comprises: an electromagnetic element (2) that executes at least one of emission of electromagnetic waves outward from the device and detection of electromagnetic waves from the outside of the device; and an acoustic sensor (3) that is integrated with the electromagnetic element (2) and detects sound produced outside of the device.

Description

In-vehicle device CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on Patent Application No. 2023-96458 filed in Japan on June 12, 2023, and the contents of the original application are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates to techniques for detecting sound in a vehicle.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a roof module for a vehicle that includes an environmental sensor for sensing the vehicle environment. Examples of the environmental sensor include an optical sensor such as a camera, a radar, or a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging / Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging).

[0004] US Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0266917

[0005] Now, the inventors of the present disclosure came up with the idea of ​​mounting a new acoustic sensor that detects sound on a vehicle in addition to electromagnetic wave elements typified by optical sensors, etc. However, since many other elements are mounted on a vehicle, there are challenges in securing installation space for the acoustic sensor and suppressing an increase in the number of steps required to mount the acoustic sensor on the vehicle.

[0006] One of the purposes of the disclosure of this specification is to provide an in-vehicle device suitable for installation in a vehicle.

[0007] One aspect disclosed herein is an on-board device configured to be mounted on a vehicle, comprising: an electromagnetic wave element that performs at least one of emitting electromagnetic waves toward the outside of the device and detecting electromagnetic waves from the outside of the device; and an acoustic sensor that is integrated with the electromagnetic wave element and detects sound generated from a source outside the device.

[0008] In such an on-vehicle device, the electromagnetic wave element and the acoustic sensor are integrated. This makes it easier to secure installation space for the acoustic sensor in the vehicle and also makes it possible to suppress an increase in the number of steps required to install the acoustic sensor in the vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to provide an on-vehicle device that is suitable for installation in a vehicle.

[0009] Note that the symbols in parentheses included in the claims etc. are intended to exemplify the correspondence with the parts of the embodiments described below, and are not intended to limit the technical scope.

[0010] 12. A diagram illustrating an example of a position where an on-vehicle device of the present disclosure can be installed. A schematic configuration diagram of an on-vehicle device. A cross-sectional view showing an example of an on-vehicle device. A cross-sectional view showing an example of an on-vehicle device. A diagram illustrating a method of installing the on-vehicle device of FIG. 4 to a vehicle. A diagram illustrating a method of installing the on-vehicle device of FIG. 4 to a vehicle. A diagram illustrating a method of installing the on-vehicle device of FIG. 4 to a vehicle. A diagram illustrating communication between an on-vehicle device and an ECU. A cross-sectional view showing an example of an on-vehicle device ... diagram illustrating a method of installing the on-vehicle device of FIG. 12 to a vehicle. A diagram illustrating a method of installing the on-vehicle device of FIG. 12 to a vehicle. A diagram illustrating a method of installing the on-vehicle device of FIG. 12 to a vehicle. A cross-sectional view showing an example of an on-vehicle device. A diagram illustrating a method of installing the on-vehicle device of FIG. 16 to a vehicle. A diagram illustrating a method of installing the on-vehicle device of FIG. 16 to a vehicle. A diagram illustrating a method of installing the on-vehicle device of FIG. 16 to a vehicle. A cross-sectional view showing a pressure spring structure. A cross-sectional view showing a pressure spring structure. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an in-vehicle device. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an in-vehicle device. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an in-vehicle device. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an in-vehicle device. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an in-vehicle device. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an in-vehicle device. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an in-vehicle device. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an in-vehicle device.

[0011] Hereinafter, several embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that corresponding components in each embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted. When only a portion of the configuration is described in each embodiment, the configuration of another embodiment described previously can be applied to the remaining portion of the configuration. Furthermore, in addition to the combinations of configurations explicitly stated in the description of each embodiment, configurations of several embodiments can also be partially combined together even if not explicitly stated, as long as there is no particular problem with the combination.

[0012] (General Configuration of In-Vehicle Device) The in-vehicle device according to the present disclosure is configured to be mounted on a vehicle Ve shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the in-vehicle device has a structure in which an electromagnetic wave element and an acoustic sensor are integrated.

[0013] The electromagnetic wave element performs at least one of emitting electromagnetic waves toward the outside of the in-vehicle device and detecting electromagnetic waves from the outside. The electromagnetic waves referred to here may be electromagnetic waves of any wavelength, such as radio waves, microwaves, infrared rays, visible light, ultraviolet rays, etc. Examples of the electromagnetic wave element include a camera, millimeter-wave radar, LiDAR, lighting equipment, communication equipment, rain sensors, and illuminance sensors.

[0014] The camera is a sensor that detects electromagnetic waves from outside the in-vehicle device. The electromagnetic waves handled by the camera may be visible light or near-infrared light. The camera may be a camera for autonomous driving or driving assistance, installed facing the outside of the vehicle Ve, that captures the surrounding environment of the vehicle Ve and detects dynamic objects such as vehicles and pedestrians, or static objects such as buildings and fallen objects, present in the surrounding environment. The camera may be used for parking assistance or other purposes, in cooperation with other in-vehicle cameras, to generate a composite image of the vehicle Ve from above and present it to the driver. The camera may also be a camera for facial recognition of drivers about to get into the vehicle.

[0015] A millimeter-wave radar is a sensor that both emits electromagnetic waves toward the outside of an on-board device and detects electromagnetic waves from the outside. The electromagnetic waves handled by a millimeter-wave radar may be millimeter waves. The millimeter-wave radar is used for autonomous driving or driving assistance. The millimeter-wave radar transmits search waves toward the outside of a vehicle Ve and receives reflected waves that are reflected by dynamic or static objects in the surrounding environment.

[0016] LiDAR is a sensor that both emits electromagnetic waves toward the outside of an in-vehicle device and detects electromagnetic waves from the outside. The electromagnetic waves handled by LiDAR are laser light such as near-infrared light. LiDAR is used for autonomous driving or driving assistance. LiDAR emits pulsed laser light toward the outside of a vehicle Ve and detects the light reflected back from dynamic or static objects in the surrounding environment. The time of flight (ToF) of the laser light is used to measure the distance from the LiDAR to the object. The LiDAR may be configured to detect the three-dimensional shape of an object by scanning the emitted laser light.

[0017] The lighting equipment emits electromagnetic waves toward the outside of the vehicle-mounted device. The electromagnetic waves handled by the lighting equipment are visible light. The lighting equipment is used to notify people outside the vehicle. The lighting equipment includes passing headlights (low beam), driving headlights (high beam), turn signals, hazard lights, etc. The communication device transmits and receives radio waves as electromagnetic waves in accordance with a predetermined communication standard. The rain sensor is a sensor that detects raindrops on the windshield, etc., by emitting light and detecting the reflected or refracted light by the raindrops with a light-receiving element. The illuminance sensor is a sensor that detects external light, such as sunlight, entering the vehicle Ve, and is equipped with a light-receiving element that can measure the illuminance of the external light.

[0018] The acoustic sensor detects sound generated from a source outside the in-vehicle device. This source may, for example, match the object targeted by the electromagnetic wave element, or may be completely different. The detected sound may be sound (i.e., air vibrations) coming from outside the in-vehicle device, or vibrations of the in-vehicle device caused by the sound. The sound coming from outside the in-vehicle device may be a siren emitted by an emergency vehicle, such as a police vehicle, fire engine, or ambulance, in the external environment of the vehicle Ve. The sound coming from outside the in-vehicle device may be road noise generated between the vehicle Ve and the road. The sound coming from outside the in-vehicle device may be engine noise, electric motor noise, or the like inside the vehicle Ve.

[0019] The on-board device can be applied to various mounting positions in the vehicle Ve. The on-board device can be installed inside the front, side, rear, or top of the vehicle. The external structure of the vehicle Ve has a plate-like portion that combines smooth curved surfaces and flat surfaces to improve design and aerodynamic characteristics.

[0020] The on-vehicle device is held in a portion of the vehicle Ve's external structural portion that is exposed to the outside and is suitable for installing an electromagnetic wave element, e.g., a plate-shaped portion. As shown in Fig. 1 , the external structural portion on the front of the vehicle includes, for example, a front emblem Pf1, headlamp covers Pf2, front fog lamp covers Pf3, bumper corners Pf4, bumper sides Pf5, a front camera cover Pf6, and a windshield Pf7. The external structural portion on the vehicle's side includes, for example, a side mirror surface Ps1, a side mirror cover Ps2, doors Ps3, pillars (e.g., B-pillar Ps4), and side fenders Ps5. The external structural portion Es on the rear of the vehicle includes, for example, a backup camera cover Pb1, a rearview window Pb2, a reflector cover Pb3, a tail lamp module cover Pb4, and a rear window edge Pb5.

[0021] This plate-like portion (e.g., a cover portion) of the external structure vibrates when it receives sound from the environment external to the vehicle Ve. Vibrations from the road surface and vibrations generated when the vehicle Ve collides are transmitted through the external structure, causing the plate-like portion to vibrate. Vibrations caused by the road surface and vibrations generated when the vehicle Ve collides are also transmitted, causing the plate-like portion to vibrate. The acoustic sensor can indirectly detect sound by measuring these vibrations and the sound re-emitted by these vibrations.

[0022] First Embodiment As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in an in-vehicle device 1 according to a first embodiment, a camera 2a as an electromagnetic wave element 2 and an acoustic sensor 3 are integrated together.

[0023] In the example of Fig. 3, the in-vehicle device 1 is attached to a windshield Pf7, which serves as the external structural member Es, from the inside of the vehicle cabin. The windshield Pf7 is formed, for example, in the shape of a translucent curved plate. The windshield Pf7 is tilted so that it gradually moves away from the ground on which the vehicle Ve is in contact as it moves from the front to the rear of the vehicle. The in-vehicle device 1 includes a bracket 4, a housing 5, a circuit board 6, a camera 2a, an acoustic sensor 3, and the like.

[0024] The bracket 4 is a member for attaching the housing 5 to the vehicle Ve. The bracket 4 is made of a metal such as steel (plated or electro-deposition coated) or aluminum. The bracket 4 includes an attachment portion 4 a, a housing holding portion 4 b, and an opening 4 c.

[0025] The mounting portion 4a has a plate shape that conforms to the shape of the windshield Pf7. The mounting portion 4a is held to the windshield Pf7 via an adhesive 9a that is applied in a layer over substantially the entire surface of the mounting portion 4a on the windshield Pf7 side. The housing holding portion 4b is provided on the mounting portion 4a on the side opposite the windshield Pf7 and holds the housing 5 by, for example, engagement, fastening, or the like. The opening 4c is formed in the center of the mounting portion 4a. The opening 4c allows light from the external environment of the vehicle Ve to enter the camera 2a through the windshield Pf7.

[0026] The housing 5 is fixed to the windshield Pf7 via the bracket 4. The housing 5 is provided in common for the camera 2a and the acoustic sensor 3. The housing 5 is formed of a metal such as aluminum. The housing 5 includes a board accommodating section 5a, a hood section 5b, and a sound guide hole 5c. The board accommodating section 5a is located on the opposite side of the camera 2a from the windshield Pf7. The board accommodating section 5a forms an accommodating space Sp2 that accommodates the board 6.

[0027] The hood portion 5b forms a light-shielding space Sp1 between the camera 2a and the windshield Pf7. The light-shielding space Sp1 has a tapered shape that increases in width as it moves away from the camera 2a and approaches the windshield Pf7, corresponding to the angle of view of the camera 2a. The hood portion 5b blocks diffusely reflected light from the external environment, which can reduce the quality of images captured by the camera 2a. To absorb the diffusely reflected light, the surface of the hood portion 5b that contacts the space is preferably formed in a dark color.

[0028] In the example shown in Figure 3, the upper and lower hoods of the hood portion 5b have asymmetric shapes that correspond to the inclination of the windshield Pf7. The taper angle of the upper hood is set to be larger than the taper angle of the lower hood. The taper angle here is defined as the angle of the surface of the hood portion 5b relative to the optical axis of the camera 2a.

[0029] The sound guide hole 5c is a hole that communicates between the storage space Sp2 of the substrate 6 and the light-shielding space Sp1 defined by the hood portion 5b. The sound guide hole 5c is, for example, an elongated tubular hole that extends linearly and has a circular cross section. The sound guide hole 5c guides sound from the light-shielding space Sp1 to the storage space Sp2 in which the microphone 3a (described below) is installed. In order to further improve sound detection performance, the end of the sound guide hole 5c on the storage space Sp2 side should be formed in a position facing the microphone 3a mounted on the substrate 6. In order to further improve sound detection performance, the end of the sound guide hole 5c on the light-shielding space Sp1 side should be formed closer to the camera 2a (more specifically, the camera unit) than the midpoint between the camera 2a and the windshield Pf7 in the hood portion 5b.

[0030] The substrate 6 is formed in a flat plate shape from a synthetic resin such as glass epoxy resin. The substrate 6 is fixed to the housing 5 by, for example, engagement, fastening, or the like. The substrate 6 is a common substrate for the camera 2a and the acoustic sensor 3. The substrate 6 mounts a control circuit for the camera 2a. The substrate 6 also mounts the microphone 3a and control circuit for the acoustic sensor 3. Both control circuits are mounted in a form that shares a connector for electrical connection to the vehicle Ve side.

[0031] The camera 2a includes a camera unit and a control circuit. The camera unit is configured by accommodating an image sensor and a lens system in a lens barrel. The camera unit is disposed at the tapered end of the light-shielding space Sp1.

[0032] The imaging element is disposed on the opposite side of the lens system from the windshield Pf7. The imaging element is, for example, a CCD or CMOS, and is electrically connected to a control circuit mounted on the substrate 6 via a flexible cable. Detection signals acquired by the imaging element are sequentially transmitted to the control circuit. The control circuit generates image data. The lens system includes one or more lenses. The lens system focuses light incident through the windshield Pf7 and the shading space Sp1 to form an image on the imaging element.

[0033] The acoustic sensor 3 includes a microphone 3a and a control circuit. The microphone 3a is mounted on the substrate 6 in a position facing the sound guide hole 5c. The microphone is, for example, a condenser microphone, and in particular, a MEMS microphone 3a is used in this embodiment. MEMS stands for Micro Electro Mechanical Systems.

[0034] The MEMS microphone 3a is a microphone element that converts air vibrations into an electrical signal. The MEMS microphone 3a outputs, as an analog electrical signal, a change in capacitance that occurs when a thin diaphragm (membrane) vibrates due to sound pressure. The MEMS microphone 3a introduces and detects sound that has reverberated in the light-shielding space Sp1 through the sound guide hole 5c. The shape of the hood portion 5b, which is designed to block diffusely reflected light, i.e., its horn-like structure, is used to increase the sound pressure and then detect the sound. The analog electrical signal from the MEMS microphone 3a is converted into a digital sound signal by a control circuit.

[0035] The in-vehicle device 101 in the example of FIG. 4 differs from the example of FIG. 3 in that it is attached to a B-pillar Ps4, which serves as the external structure Es. The cover portion of the B-pillar Ps4 that is exposed to the external environment is formed in a plate shape having a light-transmitting plate portion Est that transmits light so that light can enter the camera 2a through the light-shielding space Sp1. The light-transmitting plate portion Est extends approximately perpendicular to the ground. The portions of the B-pillar Ps4 other than the light-transmitting plate portion Est may be formed in a dark, opaque color.

[0036] In this example, the bracket 104 has the same mounting portion 104a and opening 104c as those in FIG. 3 , as well as a housing accommodating portion 104b. The housing accommodating portion 104b is formed in a cylindrical shape extending from the opening 104c toward the opposite side of the light-transmitting plate portion Est. The housing accommodating portion 104b is accommodated in the housing 105. The housing accommodating portion 104b may have a cutout portion for passing the connector 107a when accommodated in the housing 105. The hood portion 105b has an upper hood and a lower hood that are substantially symmetrical in shape. The taper angle of the upper hood is set to be substantially equal to the taper angle of the lower hood. As in the example of FIG. 3 , the hood portion 105b has a sound guide hole 105c that communicates between the MEMS microphone 103a of the acoustic sensor 103 mounted on the substrate 106 and the light-shielding space Sp1.

[0037] Next, the process of attaching the on-vehicle device 101 shown in Figure 4 to the vehicle Ve will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 8. This attachment process can be considered to represent part of a manufacturing method for the on-vehicle device 101 or the vehicle Ve. In the first step shown in Figure 5, adhesive 9a is applied to the attachment portion 104a of the bracket 104, and the bracket 104 is pressed against the light-transmitting plate portion Est of the B-pillar Ps4. When the adhesive 9a dries, the bracket 104 is fixed to the light-transmitting plate portion Est.

[0038] In the second step shown in Fig. 6, the housing 105 with the camera 102a and acoustic sensor 103 assembled thereto is inserted into the housing accommodating portion 104b of the bracket 104. This fixes the camera 102a and acoustic sensor 103 to the light-transmitting plate portion Est and the bracket 104. In the third step shown in Fig. 7, the connector 108a on the harness 108b side is connected to the connector 107a on the housing 105 side. This electrically connects the control circuits 102b, 103b to the ECU (electronic control unit) 0 on the vehicle Ve, with the camera 102a and the acoustic sensor 103 sharing the harness 108b. This completes the installation of the on-vehicle device 101 in the vehicle Ve.

[0039] Here, communication between the in-vehicle device 101 and the ECU 0 will be described with reference to Figure 8. A detection signal acquired by an imaging element of the camera 102a in the in-vehicle device 101 is subjected to image processing and data format conversion by the control circuit 102b of the camera 102a, and image data is generated. An analog electrical signal acquired by the microphone 103a of the acoustic sensor 103 in the in-vehicle device 101 is amplified by an amplifier in the control circuit 103b and then converted into a digital signal by its AD conversion circuit. This digital signal is further subjected to signal processing and data format conversion, and a sound signal is generated.

[0040] The image data and sound signals are transmitted to the ECU 0 through the same bus interface (bus IF) via a shared harness 108b. The harness 108b includes three types of wiring: a power supply line, a GND line, and a communication line. The wiring shared by the image data and sound signals may be at least one of these three types of wiring, and it is more preferable that all three types of wiring be shared.

[0041] The communication between the in-vehicle device 101 and the ECU 0 is, for example, high-speed serial communication such as LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) communication or A2B (Automotive Audio Bus; A2B is a registered trademark). A digitized sound signal is transferred to the ECU 0 side by such communication.

[0042] The ECU 0 is a processing device that executes necessary processes in the vehicle Ve. The ECU 0 includes a power supply 0a, a video input / output terminal, and a microcomputer 0b. The power supply 0a supplies power to the camera 102a and the acoustic sensor 103 of the in-vehicle device 101 through the power line of the harness 108b. The microcomputer 0b acquires image data and sound signals transmitted from the in-vehicle device 101 via the video input / output terminal. The microcomputer 0b may use the image data and sound signals for the same purpose or for separate purposes.

[0043] According to the first embodiment described above, the electromagnetic wave element 2, 102 and the acoustic sensor 3, 103 are integrated in the on-vehicle device 1, 101. This makes it easier to secure installation space for the acoustic sensor 3, 103 in the vehicle Ve, and also makes it possible to suppress an increase in the number of steps required to mount the acoustic sensor 3, 103 on the vehicle Ve. Therefore, it is possible to provide the on-vehicle device 1, 101 that is suitable for mounting on the vehicle Ve.

[0044] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the in-vehicle device 1, 101 includes a housing 5, 105 that houses the electromagnetic wave element 2, 102. The acoustic sensor 3, 103 is housed in the same housing 5, 105 and has a microphone 3a, 103a that detects air vibrations as sound. The microphone 3a, 103a utilizes the air present in the internal space of the housing 5, 105 that houses the electromagnetic wave element 2, 102, making it possible to detect sound in a small space.

[0045] According to the first embodiment, the electromagnetic wave element 2, 102 is a camera 2a, 102a that captures images of the outside of the device. The housing 5, 105 has a shape corresponding to the angle of view of the camera 2a, 102a, which gradually increases the width of the internal space as the distance from the camera 2a, 102a increases, and includes a hood portion 5b, 105b that blocks diffusely reflected light entering from outside the device. The housing 5, 105 also includes a board housing portion 5a, 105a that houses a board 6, 106 on which the microphone 3a, 103a is mounted, which is shared between the camera 2a, 102a and the acoustic sensor 3, 103. The hood portion 5b, 105b has a sound guide hole 5c, 105c that connects the microphone 3a, 103a to the internal space. That is, sound detection is possible in a state where sound pressure is increased by utilizing a hood structure similar to the horn structure of the cameras 2a and 102a, and sound detection performance can be improved.

[0046] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, a harness is shared between the electromagnetic wave element 102 and the ECU 0, which is another device of the vehicle Ve, and the acoustic sensor 103 and the ECU 0. By sharing the harness 108b, an increase in the number of installation steps can be further suppressed.

[0047] According to the first embodiment, the acoustic sensor 103 generates a sound signal by converting a detected analog electrical signal into a digital signal. The communication line through which the electromagnetic wave element 102 communicates with the ECU 0, which is another device in the vehicle Ve, and the communication line through which the acoustic sensor 103 communicates with another device are shared in a form of communicating digital signals. By using the digitized sound signal, the transmission of the detection results by the electromagnetic wave element 102 and the acoustic sensor 103 becomes more efficient.

[0048] 9 and 10, the second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. The second embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0049] In the example of FIG. 9 , similar to the example of FIG. 3 , the in-vehicle device 11 is attached to the windshield Pf7 as the external structure Es. The example of FIG. 9 will be described, focusing on differences from the example of FIG. 3 . In this example, the microphone of the acoustic sensor 13 is a piezoelectric microphone 13a. The piezoelectric microphone 13a is configured to include a piezoelectric element and a metal plate. The piezoelectric element is formed in a thin plate shape. A positive electrode is formed on the front surface of the piezoelectric element, and a negative electrode is formed on the back surface. The piezoelectric element generates a voltage between the electrodes corresponding to the input stress. The metal plate is formed in a thin plate shape with an area larger than that of the piezoelectric element. The metal plate vibrates integrally with the piezoelectric element due to vibrations transmitted to the piezoelectric microphone 13a. Instead of being configured to combine a piezoelectric element and a metal plate, the piezoelectric microphone 13a may be configured to include a piezoelectric element with a plate thickness.

[0050] Therefore, the piezoelectric microphone 13a is placed in a position where it is directly affected by vibrations from the windshield Pf7. The opening 14c of the bracket 14 has a space for placing the piezoelectric microphone 13a opposite the windshield Pf7. The housing 15 has a recess 15d for placing the piezoelectric microphone 13a in its outer wall at a position above the hood portion that faces the windshield Pf7. The piezoelectric microphone 13a is sandwiched between elastic bodies 13c and 13d at its front and back, with approximately half of its volume embedded in, for example, the cylindrical recess 14d.

[0051] Here, the front-side elastic body 13c is preferably a viscoelastic body having both viscosity and elasticity. The viscoelastic body is a double-sided tape or adhesive that functions as an acoustic matching material. The piezo microphone 13a is positioned while being pressed against the windshield Pf7 via the viscoelastic body. The rear-side elastic body 13d is, for example, a resin spring, a metal spring, or rubber. This allows vibrations from the windshield Pf7 to be efficiently transmitted to the piezo microphone 13a while absorbing differences in the shape of the windshield Pf7 and installation position errors depending on the vehicle model.

[0052] 10, similar to the example of FIG. 4, the in-vehicle device 111 is attached to the light-transmitting plate portion Est of the B-pillar Ps4 serving as the external structure Es. The microphone of the acoustic sensor 113 is a piezoelectric microphone 113a. The housing 115 housed in the housing housing portion 114b of the bracket 114 has a recess 115d adjacent to the hood portion and facing the light-transmitting plate portion Est, in which the entire piezoelectric microphone 113a is embedded.

[0053] An elastic body 111d is provided on the rear side of the piezo microphone 113a, as in the example of Fig. 9. On the other hand, an adhesive 9a for attaching the bracket 114 is formed between the front side of the piezo microphone 113a and the light-transmitting plate portion Est, so that the adhesive 9a has the same function as the viscoelastic body in the example of Fig. 9.

[0054] According to the second embodiment described above, the in-vehicle device 11, 101 includes a housing 15, 115 that is fixed to the external structure Es of the vehicle Ve and houses the electromagnetic wave element 12, 112. The acoustic sensor 13, 113 is held on the outer wall of the housing 15, 115 so as to share the housing 15, 115 with the electromagnetic wave element 12, 112, and is positioned so that vibrations of the external structure Es are transmitted, and includes a microphone 13a, 113a that detects vibrations of the external structure Es. By holding the acoustic sensor 13, 113 on the outer wall, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of steps required to mount the in-vehicle device 11, 101 on the vehicle Ve while still achieving sound detection performance.

[0055] According to the second embodiment, the microphone 13 a, 113 a is in close contact with the external structure Es with the elastic body 13 c, 113 c, serving as a viscoelastic body, disposed between the microphone 13 a, 113 a and the external structure Es. This configuration makes it possible to easily improve vibration transmission between the microphone 13 a, 113 a and the external structure Es while suppressing an increase in the number of installation steps.

[0056] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, the microphones 13a and 113a are brought into close contact with the external structure Es with the elastic bodies 13d and 113d disposed between the microphones 13a and 113a and the housings 15 and 115. The elastic bodies 13d and 113d absorb dimensional errors during installation, making installation easier.

[0057] 11 to 15, the third embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. The third embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0058] In the example of Fig. 11, similar to the example of Fig. 3, the in-vehicle device 21 is attached to the windshield Pf7 as the external structure Es. The example of Fig. 11 will be described, focusing on the differences from the example of Fig. 3. In this example, the housing 25 is formed by integrating a first housing part 25X and a second housing part 25Y. The first housing part 25X is a housing part that houses the camera 22a as the electromagnetic wave element 22. The first housing part 25X includes a board housing part 25a and a hood part 25b. The board 26 housed in the board housing part 25a is provided exclusively for mounting the control circuit for the camera 22a.

[0059] The second housing part 25Y is a housing part that houses the acoustic sensor 23. The second housing part 25Y is fixed to the first housing part 25X by, for example, adhering with an adhesive, engaging, fastening, or other methods. The second housing part 25Y has a recess 25d at a position facing the windshield Pf7. The recess 25d houses the microphone 23a of the acoustic sensor 23. The microphone may be a condenser microphone or a piezo microphone; however, because it is difficult to provide a space in the recess 25d for generating air vibrations that the condenser microphone detects, it is more preferable to use a piezo microphone.

[0060] In the example of FIG. 12 , similar to the example of FIG. 4 , the in-vehicle device 121 is attached to the translucent plate portion Est of the B-pillar Ps4, which serves as the external structure Es. The housing 125 housed in the housing housing portion 124b of the bracket 124 is formed by integrating a first housing part 125X and a second housing part 125Y. The first housing part 125X is a housing part that houses the camera 122a, which serves as the electromagnetic wave element 122. The first housing part 125X includes a board housing portion 125a and a hood portion 125b. The board 126 housed in the board housing portion 125a is provided exclusively for mounting the control circuit for the camera 122a. The first housing part 125X forms a space for disposing the second housing part 125Y at a corner 125e adjacent to the hood portion 125b and facing the translucent plate portion Est.

[0061] The second housing part 125Y is a housing part that houses the acoustic sensor 123. The second housing part 125Y is fixed to the first housing part 125X by, for example, adhering with an adhesive, engaging, fastening, or other methods. The integrated first housing part 125X and second housing part 125Y form a cylindrical housing 125 that has almost no gap with respect to the housing accommodating part 124b.

[0062] The connectors on the housing 125 side are provided separately for the connector 127aX of the first housing part 125X and the connector 127aY of the second housing part 125Y. On the other hand, the connector on the harness 128b side branches off wiring from the connector 128aX corresponding to the first housing part 125X to the connector 128aY corresponding to the second housing part 125Y, so that the camera 122a and the acoustic sensor 123 share the harness 128b, and both control circuits are electrically connected to the ECU0 on the vehicle Ve side.

[0063] Next, the steps for mounting the on-board device 121 shown in Figure 12 to the vehicle Ve will be described with reference to Figures 13 to 15. In the first step shown in Figure 13, adhesive 9b is applied to the mounting portion of the bracket 124, and the bracket 124 is pressed against the light-transmitting plate portion Est of the B-pillar Ps4. When the adhesive 9b dries, the bracket 124 is fixed to the light-transmitting plate portion Est.

[0064] In the second step shown in Fig. 14, the camera 122a and acoustic sensor 123 are assembled into the housing accommodating portion 124b of the bracket 124, and the housing 125 consisting of the pre-integrated first housing part 125X and second housing part 125Y is inserted. This fixes the camera 122a and acoustic sensor 123 to the light-transmitting plate portion Est and the bracket 124. In the third step shown in Fig. 15, the two connectors 128aX and 128aY on the harness 128b side are connected to the two connectors 127aX and 127aY on the housing 125 side, respectively. This completes the installation of the in-vehicle device 121 to the vehicle Ve.

[0065] According to the third embodiment described above, the in-vehicle device 21, 121 includes a first housing part 25X, 125X that houses the electromagnetic wave element 22, 122, and a second housing part 25Y, 125Y that houses the acoustic sensor 23, 123. By fixing the second housing part 25Y, 125Y to the first housing part 25X, 125X, the acoustic sensor 23, 123 is integrated with the electromagnetic wave element 22, 122. This integration makes it possible to suppress an increase in the number of steps required to mount the in-vehicle device 21, 121 on the vehicle Ve.

[0066] 16 to 19, the fourth embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. The fourth embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0067] In the example of Fig. 16, similar to the example of Fig. 4, the in-vehicle device 131 is attached to the light-transmitting plate portion Est of the B-pillar Ps4, which serves as the external structure portion Es. The example of Fig. 16 will be described, focusing on differences from the example of Fig. 4. In this example, a first housing part 135X and a second housing part 135b are provided separately. The first housing part 135X is a housing part housed in the housing housing portion 134b of the bracket 134, and houses the camera 132a, which serves as the electromagnetic wave element 132.

[0068] The second housing part 135Y is a housing part that houses the acoustic sensor 133. The second housing part 135Y is fixed to the plate-shaped mounting part 124a of the bracket 124. Specifically, the second housing part 135Y is attached to the back surface of the mounting part 134a with an adhesive 9a from the side opposite to the light-transmitting plate part Est across the mounting part 134a.

[0069] The second housing component 135Y has a recess at a position facing the light-transmitting plate portion Est across the mounting portion 124a. The recess houses the microphone 133a of the acoustic sensor 133. The microphone 133a may be a condenser microphone or a piezoelectric microphone, but because it is difficult to provide space in the recess to generate air vibrations that a condenser microphone detects, it is more preferable to use a piezoelectric microphone that directly detects vibrations of the B-pillar Ps4 and the mounting portion 134a.

[0070] The connectors on the in-vehicle device 131 side are provided separately as a connector 137aX of the first housing part 135X and a connector 137aY of the second housing part 135Y. The connectors 138aX and 138Y on the harness 138b side are the same as those in the example of FIG.

[0071] Next, the steps for mounting the on-board device 131 shown in Figure 16 to the vehicle Ve will be described with reference to Figures 17 to 19. In the first step shown in Figure 17, adhesive 9a is applied to the mounting portion 134a of the bracket 134, and the bracket 134 is pressed against the light-transmitting plate portion Est of the B-pillar Ps4. When the adhesive 9a dries, the bracket 134 is fixed to the light-transmitting plate portion Est.

[0072] In the second step shown in FIG. 18 , the first housing part 135X with the camera 132a attached thereto is inserted into the housing accommodating portion 134b of the bracket 134. This fixes the camera 132a to the light-transmitting plate portion Est and the bracket 134. Furthermore, of the second housing part 135Y with the acoustic sensor 133 attached thereto, adhesive 9a is applied to the surface of the piezo microphone 133a that contacts the back surface of the mounting portion 134a of the bracket 134. The second housing part 135Y is then pressed against the back surface. Once the adhesive 9a dries, the acoustic sensor 133 is fixed to the light-transmitting plate portion Est and the bracket 134. In the third step shown in FIG. 19 , the two connectors 138aX and 138aY on the harness 138b are connected to the two connectors 137aX and 137aY on the in-vehicle device 131, respectively. This completes the installation of the in-vehicle device 131 in the vehicle Ve.

[0073] According to the fourth embodiment described above, the in-vehicle device 131 includes a bracket 134 that is attached to the external structure Es of the vehicle Ve. The in-vehicle device 131 also includes a first housing part 135X that houses the electromagnetic wave element 132 and a second housing part 135Y that houses the acoustic sensor 133. The first housing part 135X is fixed to the bracket 134, and the second housing part 135Y is fixed to the bracket 134, thereby integrating the electromagnetic wave element 132 with the acoustic sensor 133. This integration makes it possible to suppress an increase in the number of steps required to attach the in-vehicle device 21, 121 to the vehicle Ve.

[0074] 20 and 21, the fifth embodiment is a modification of the fourth embodiment. The fifth embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the fourth embodiment.

[0075] In the in-vehicle device 141, 151 of the fifth embodiment, the second housing part 145Y, 155Y is attached to the back surface of the mounting part 144a of the bracket 144, 154 using a pressure spring structure 144d, 154d instead of an adhesive. Note that the first housing part and the camera are not shown in Figures 20 and 21.

[0076] In the example of FIG. 20 , the pressure spring structure 144d is provided on the rear side of the mounting portion 144a. The pressure spring structure 144d is formed, for example, from metal and includes a rotation shaft portion 144e, an engagement portion 144g, and a pressing portion 144f. The rotation shaft portion 144e is fixed to a position on the mounting portion 144a that is offset from the position facing the second housing component 125Y. The rotation shaft portion 144e is connected to the pressing portion 144f so that the pressing portion 144f can rotate around the rotation shaft portion 144e in a space on the rear side of the mounting portion 144a. The rotation shaft portion 144e uses, for example, a coil spring to exert an elastic reaction force on the pressing portion 144f toward the mounting portion 144a.

[0077] The engaging portion 144g is fixed to the mounting portion 144a on the opposite side of the rotating shaft portion 144e across the second housing component 145Y. The engaging portion 144g is formed to be able to engage with the tip of the pressing portion 144f. The pressing portion 144f is formed in a plate or rod shape extending to a length that can reach the engaging portion 144g. The pressing portion 144f is configured to be able to engage with the engaging portion 144g when the second housing component 145Y is assembled to the mounting portion 144a, from a state in which the pressing portion 144f is spaced from the engaging portion 144g before the second housing component 145Y is assembled to the mounting portion 144a, due to the rotation described above.

[0078] With its tip engaged with the engaging portion 144g, the pressing portion 144f presses the second housing part 145Y toward the light-transmitting plate part Est or the mounting part 144a. This allows the piezo microphone 143a to be in close contact with the light-transmitting plate part Est and the mounting part 144a without using adhesive 9a, and vibrations therefrom can be directly detected. On the other hand, by applying adhesive 9a to the surface of the piezo microphone 143a that comes into contact with the back surface of the mounting part 144a of the second housing part 145Y, as shown in FIG. 20, the degree of contact can be increased.

[0079] The pressing portion 144f may directly press the main body portion of the second housing part 145Y that houses the microphone 143a. Alternatively, the second housing part 145Y may have a flange that protrudes from the main body portion substantially parallel to the extension direction of the attachment portion, and the pressing portion 144f may press the flange.

[0080] 21, the bracket 154 of the in-vehicle device 151 has an opening 154h formed at a position facing the second housing part 155Y. The second housing part 155Y is pressed directly against the light-transmitting plate part Est through the opening 154h by a pressure spring structure 154d similar to that shown in FIG.

[0081] According to the fifth embodiment described above, the in-vehicle device 141, 151 includes the pressure spring structure 144d, 154d that elastically presses the second housing part 145Y, 155Y toward the external structure part Es. This makes it easier for vibrations of the external structure part Es to be transmitted to the second housing part 145Y, 155Y, thereby improving sound detection performance.

[0082] The bracket 154 also has an opening 154h that opens in a position facing the external structure Es. The in-vehicle device 151 further includes a pressure spring structure 154d that uses the opening 154h to directly press the second housing part 155Y against the external structure Es with its elasticity. This makes it easier for vibrations of the external structure Es to be transmitted to the second housing part 155Y, thereby improving sound detection performance.

[0083] 22 to 24, the sixth embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. The sixth embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0084] In the sixth embodiment, the in-vehicle device 201 is attached to an external structure Es, such as a body, a bumper, or a grille. The external structure Es has an opening Eso for exposing the in-vehicle device 201 to the outside.

[0085] 22 , the housing 205 housed in the housing housing portion 204b of the bracket 204 includes a lens barrel portion 205f and a board holding portion 205g. The lens barrel portion 205f is formed in a cylindrical shape to house the lens system 202c of the camera 202a serving as the electromagnetic wave element 202. The lens system 202c includes multiple lenses 202d, 202e, and 202f. The frontmost exposed lens 202d is disposed in an opening Eso and is exposed to the external environment of the vehicle Ve.

[0086] The board holding portion 205g is disposed rearward of the lens barrel portion 205f, i.e., on the opposite side of the exposed lens 202d across the other lenses. The board holding portion 205g closes the rear side of the housing 205 and forms a holding space therein for holding the board 206. By sandwiching the board 206 between the board holding portion 205g and the lens barrel portion 205f, the board 206 is held facing the lens system 202c on the optical axis Ao of the lens system 202c. An image sensor 202g is mounted on the board 206 on the optical axis Ao of the lens system 202c.

[0087] The microphone of the acoustic sensor 203 is a condenser microphone, a MEMS microphone 203a. The MEMS microphone 203a shares the substrate 206 with the image sensor 202g. The MEMS microphone 203a is disposed on the substrate 206 outside the optical axis Ao that is offset from the image sensor 202g, and faces the lens system 202c. The MEMS microphone 203a detects vibrations of the air in the space formed for disposing the lens system 202c. In other words, sounds generated in the external environment vibrate the lenses 202d, 202e, and 202f of the lens system 202c, and the MEMS microphone 203c measures the sound that is re-radiated by this vibration.

[0088] In the in-vehicle device 211 shown in the example of FIG. 23 , the lens barrel 215f has a sound guide hole 215h that connects the front and rear ends of the lens barrel 215f along the optical axis Ao. Similar to the example of FIG. 3 , the sound guide hole 215h is a slender tubular hole that extends linearly and has a circular cross section. The front end of the sound guide hole 215h, which is exposed to the external environment, is blocked by a sound-permeable filter 215i that is both sound-permeable and waterproof. The sound filter 215i is formed, for example, in the shape of a film or thin plate. The rear end of the sound guide hole 215h faces the MEMS microphone 213a mounted on the substrate 216.

[0089] In the in-vehicle device 221 of the example of Fig. 24 , the lens barrel portion 225f also has a sound guide hole 225h. In the example of Fig. 24 , the sound guide hole 225h communicates between the rear end of the lens barrel portion 225f and the space formed between the multiple lenses 222d, 222e, and 222f in the lens system 222c. For example, the sound guide hole 225h has a bent portion 225j that connects from the rear end to a position on the inner wall of the lens barrel portion 225f that is formed between the exposed lens 222d and the second lens 222e that faces the exposed lens 222d. In this case, because the sound guide hole 225h is not directly exposed to the external environment, a sound filter is not required.

[0090] According to the sixth embodiment described above, the in-vehicle devices 211, 221 include housings 215, 235 that house the electromagnetic wave element 202. The acoustic sensor 203 is housed in the housing 215 and has a microphone 213a that detects air vibrations as sound. The housing 215 has a sound guide hole 215h that connects the microphone 213a to the outside of the device. The sound guide hole 215h guides sound from outside the device directly to the microphone 213a, thereby improving detection performance.

[0091] The sound guide hole 215h connects the microphone 213a to the surrounding environment of the vehicle Ve, which is the outside of the device. The housing 215 further includes a sound-permeable filter 215i that is arranged to cover the sound guide hole 215h and has both sound permeability and waterproofing. This can prevent foreign matter from entering the housing 215 from the external environment through the sound guide hole 215h. This makes it possible to provide an in-vehicle device 211 that can maintain its detection performance for a long period of time.

[0092] According to the sixth embodiment, the on-vehicle device 221 includes a housing 225 that houses the electromagnetic wave element 202. The acoustic sensor 223 is housed in the housing 225 and includes a microphone 223a that detects air vibrations as sound. The electromagnetic wave element 202 includes a lens system 222c having multiple lenses, including an exposed lens 222d exposed to the surrounding environment of the vehicle Ve and other lenses 222e and 222f. The housing 225 also includes a sound guide hole 225h that connects the microphone 223a to a space formed between the exposed lens 222d and the other lenses 222e and 222f in the lens system 222c. In this configuration, the exposed lens 222d functions for the electromagnetic wave element 202 and also functions as a sound filter for the sound guide hole 225h. Therefore, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the housing 225 from the external environment through the sound guide hole 225h, and detection performance can be maintained for a long period of time.

[0093] 25 and 26, the seventh embodiment is a modified example of the sixth embodiment. The seventh embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the sixth embodiment. The seventh embodiment employs a configuration that improves sound collection performance not only for the exterior of the vehicle but also for the interior space of the vehicle Ve.

[0094] In the in-vehicle device 231 shown in the example of FIG. 25 , a MEMS microphone 233a is mounted on the rear side of a substrate 236, opposite the front side on which an imaging element 232g is mounted. A sound guide hole 235h is formed in the bottom surface of a substrate holding portion 235g that covers the rear side of the housing 235. The sound guide hole 235h connects a position inside the housing 235 facing the MEMS microphone 233a to the outside of the device. In this example, the acoustic sensor 233 can easily detect sound in the interior space of the vehicle Ve on the side opposite the external structure portion Es. A sound filter 235i may be provided at the end of the sound guide hole 235h that is exposed to the interior space of the vehicle Ve.

[0095] In the in-vehicle device 241 shown in FIG. 26 , a sound guide hole 245h is formed in a cylindrical wall portion of the substrate holding portion 245g that protrudes from the bottom toward the lens barrel portion 245f. A MEMS microphone 243a is mounted on the rear side of the substrate 246, opposite the front side on which the image sensor 242g is mounted, at a position close to the wall portion that is eccentric from the center (on the optical axis) of the substrate 246. The sound guide hole 245h connects the vicinity of the MEMS microphone 243a on the inside with the outside. This example also allows the acoustic sensor 243 to easily detect sounds in the interior space of the vehicle Ve. A sound filter 245i may be provided at the end of the sound guide hole 245h that is exposed to the interior space of the vehicle Ve.

[0096] Eighth Embodiment As shown in Fig. 27, the eighth embodiment is a modification of the sixth and seventh embodiments. The eighth embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the sixth and seventh embodiments.

[0097] In the example of Fig. 27, there are provided both a MEMS microphone 253aX and a sound conducting hole 255hX corresponding to the arrangement in the example of Fig. 24, and a MEMS microphone 253aY and a sound conducting hole 255hY corresponding to the arrangement in Fig. 25. In other words, it is possible to detect both sound that has directionality in the external environment of the vehicle Ve and sound that has directionality in the internal space of the vehicle Ve.

[0098] The acoustic sensor 253 then synthesizes the sound signals detected by the two MEMS microphones 253aX and 253aY after conversion into analog electric signals or digital signals using a control circuit mounted on the substrate 256. The synthesis process here may be capable of executing a process for improving detection performance by active noise canceling.

[0099] According to the eighth embodiment described above, the in-vehicle device 251 includes a housing 255 that houses an electromagnetic wave element. The acoustic sensor 253 includes a first microphone 253aX that is housed in the housing 255 and detects air vibrations as sound, and a second microphone 253aY that is separate from the first microphone 253aX and is housed in the housing 255 and detects air vibrations as sound. The housing 255 includes a first sound guide hole 255hX that guides sound from the external environment of the vehicle Ve to the first microphone 253aX and a second sound guide hole 255hY that guides sound from the interior space of the vehicle Ve to the second microphone 253aY. Therefore, both sound from the external environment and sound from the interior space of the vehicle Ve can be detected, which can be used to improve the performance of, for example, noise canceling.

[0100] Ninth Embodiment As shown in Fig. 28, the ninth embodiment is a modification of the sixth embodiment. The ninth embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the sixth embodiment.

[0101] The example in Fig. 28 employs a configuration that improves the sound collection performance into the interior of the vehicle Ve for the MEMS microphone 263a corresponding to the example in Fig. 24. Specifically, a sound guide hole 266a is provided directly below the mounting position of the MEMS microphone 263a in the substrate 266. Furthermore, a sound guide hole 265hY is provided at the end of a linear extension of the sound guide hole 266a at the bottom of the substrate holding portion 265g.

[0102] As a result, one MEMS microphone 263a can detect both sounds that are directional to the external environment of the vehicle Ve and sounds that are directional to the interior of the vehicle Ve. The acoustic sensor 263 can execute processing to improve detection performance by passive noise cancellation using a control circuit mounted on the substrate 266.

[0103] According to the ninth embodiment described above, the in-vehicle device 261 includes a housing 265 that houses an electromagnetic wave element. The acoustic sensor 263 is housed in the housing 265 and has a microphone 263a that detects air vibrations as sound. The housing 265 has a first sound guide hole 265hX that guides sound from the external environment of the vehicle Ve to the microphone 263a and a second sound guide hole 265hY that guides sound from the interior space of the vehicle Ve to the microphone 263a. Therefore, it is possible to detect both sound from the external environment and sound from the interior space of the vehicle Ve, which can be used to improve the performance of, for example, noise canceling.

[0104] (Other Embodiments) Although multiple embodiments have been described above, the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to those embodiments, and can be applied to various embodiments and combinations within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0105] 29 shows an example of an in-vehicle device 301 in which a LiDAR or a lighting device as an electromagnetic wave element 302 is integrated with an acoustic sensor 303. The in-vehicle device 301 is attached to an external structure Es such as a body, a bumper, or a grill. The external structure Es has an opening Eso for exposing the in-vehicle device 301 to the outside.

[0106] The bracket 304 is similar to the example in Fig. 22. The housing 305 is housed in a cylindrical portion of the bracket 304. The housing 305 includes a cup-shaped substrate holding portion 305k with a bottom on the rear side, and a light-transmitting cover portion 305m made of, for example, glass or acrylic resin, which covers the substrate holding portion 305k from the front side.

[0107] The substrate 306 is arranged in the internal space of the housing 305, which is formed by combining the substrate holding part 305k and the light-transmitting cover part 305m, in a form in which the substrate 306 is held by the substrate holding part 305k. An electromagnetic wave device 302g and a MEMS microphone 303a of the acoustic sensor 303 are mounted on the front side of the substrate 306, which faces the light-transmitting cover part 305m.

[0108] The electromagnetic wave device 302g is a light-emitting element that emits laser light and a light-receiving element that receives laser light when the electromagnetic wave element 302 is a LiDAR. When the electromagnetic wave element 302 is a lighting device, the electromagnetic wave device 302g is a light-emitting element such as an LED.

[0109] As another embodiment, in an on-vehicle device 401 shown in Fig. 30, a millimeter-wave radar serving as an electromagnetic wave element 402 and an acoustic sensor 403 are integrated. This on-vehicle device 401 is attached to an external structure Es, such as a body, bumper, or grill. The difference from Fig. 29 is that the millimeter-wave radar handles millimeter waves rather than visible light, and therefore the translucent cover of the housing 405 may be replaced with a cover 405n made of, for example, a colored synthetic resin. The electromagnetic wave device 402g may be an antenna array that transmits and receives millimeter waves.

[0110] The controller and methods described herein may be implemented by a special-purpose computer comprising a processor programmed to perform one or more functions embodied in a computer program. Alternatively, the apparatus and methods described herein may be implemented by special-purpose hardware logic circuitry. Alternatively, the apparatus and methods described herein may be implemented by one or more special-purpose computers comprising a processor executing a computer program in combination with one or more hardware logic circuits. Furthermore, the computer program may be stored as instructions executed by a computer on a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium.

[0111] (Disclosure of Technical Ideas) This specification discloses multiple technical ideas described in the following multiple clauses. Some clauses may be described in a multiple dependent form, where the subsequent clause alternatively cites the preceding clause. These multiple dependent clauses define multiple technical ideas.

[0112] <Technical Idea 1> An on-board device configured to be mounted on a vehicle (Ve), comprising: an electromagnetic wave element (2, 22, 102, 122, 132, 202, 222, 302, 402) that performs at least one of emitting electromagnetic waves toward the outside of the device and detecting electromagnetic waves from the outside of the device; and an acoustic sensor (3, 13, 23, 103, 113, 123, 133, 203, 233, 243, 253, 263, 303, 403) that is integrated with the electromagnetic wave element and detects sound generated from a source outside the device.

[0113] <Technical Idea 2> The in-vehicle device according to Technical Idea 1 includes a housing (5, 105, 205, 215, 225, 235, 245, 305, 405) that houses the electromagnetic wave element, and the acoustic sensor has a microphone (3a, 103a, 203a, 213a, 223a, 233a, 243a, 253aX, 253aY, 263a, 303a) that is housed in the housing and detects vibrations of the air as the sound by utilizing air present in an internal space of the housing.

[0114] <Technical Idea 3> The in-vehicle device according to Technical Idea 2, wherein the electromagnetic wave element is a camera (2a, 102a) that photographs the outside of the device, and the housing has a hood portion (5b, 105b) that has a shape corresponding to the angle of view of the camera, which gradually increases the width of the internal space as it moves away from the camera, and that blocks diffusely reflected light that enters from the outside of the device, and a board accommodating portion (5a, 105a) that is a board shared between the camera and the acoustic sensor and that accommodates a board (6, 106) on which the microphone (3a, 103a) is mounted, and the hood portion has a sound guide hole (5c, 105c) that communicates between the microphone and the internal space.

[0115] <Technical Idea 4> The on-vehicle device according to Technical Idea 1 includes a housing (15, 115) that is fixed to an external structure (Es) of the vehicle and that houses the electromagnetic wave element, and the acoustic sensor (13, 113) is held on an outer wall of the housing so as to share the housing with the electromagnetic wave element, and is positioned at a position where vibrations of the external structure are transmitted, and includes a microphone (13a, 113a) that detects vibrations of the external structure.

[0116] <Technical Concept 5> The in-vehicle device according to Technical Concept 4, wherein the microphone is in close contact with the external structure with a viscoelastic body (13c, 113c) disposed between the microphone and the external structure.

[0117] <Technical Concept 6> The in-vehicle device according to Technical Concept 4 or 5, wherein the microphone is in close contact with the external structure with an elastic body (13d, 113d) disposed between the microphone and the housing.

[0118] <Technical Idea 7> The in-vehicle device according to Technical Idea 1 includes: a first housing part (25X, 125X) that houses the electromagnetic wave element (22, 122); and a second housing part (25Y, 125Y) that houses the acoustic sensor (23, 123), wherein the second housing part is fixed to the first housing part, thereby integrating the acoustic sensor with the electromagnetic wave element.

[0119] <Technical Idea 8> The on-vehicle device according to Technical Idea 1, comprising: a bracket (134, 144, 154) attached to an external structure (Es) of the vehicle; a first housing part (135X) that houses the electromagnetic wave element (132); and a second housing part (135Y, 145Y, 155Y) that houses the acoustic sensor (133), wherein the first housing part is fixed to the bracket, and the second housing part is fixed to the bracket, thereby integrating the acoustic sensor with the electromagnetic wave element.

[0120] <Technical Concept 9> The in-vehicle device according to Technical Concept 8, further comprising a pressure spring structure (144d, 154d) that elastically presses the second housing part (145Y, 155Y) toward the external structure.

[0121] <Technical Idea 10> The in-vehicle device according to Technical Idea 8, wherein the bracket (154) has an opening (154h) that opens at a position facing the external structure, and further includes a pressing spring structure (154d) that uses the opening to directly press the second housing part (155Y) against the external structure by its elasticity.

[0122] <Technical Idea 11> The in-vehicle device according to Technical Idea 1 includes a housing (215, 235, 245, 255, 265) that houses the electromagnetic wave element, wherein the acoustic sensor has a microphone (213a, 233a, 243a, 253aY, 266a) that is housed in the housing and detects air vibrations as the sound, and the housing has sound guide holes (215h, 235h, 245h, 255hY, 265hY, 266a) that communicate between the microphone and the outside of the device.

[0123] <Technical Idea 12> The in-vehicle device described in Technical Idea 11, wherein the sound guide hole (215h) connects the microphone to the surrounding environment of the vehicle as an outside of the device, and the housing further has a sound-permeable filter (215i) that is arranged to block the sound guide hole and has both sound permeability and waterproofing.

[0124] <Technical Concept 13> The in-vehicle device according to Technical Concept 11, wherein the sound guide holes (233a, 243a, 253aY, 266a) communicate between the microphones (233a, 243a, 253aY, 266a) and an interior space of the vehicle as the outside of the device.

[0125] <Technical Idea 14> The on-vehicle device according to Technical Idea 1 includes a housing (225) that houses the electromagnetic wave element, wherein the acoustic sensor has a microphone (223a) housed in the housing and that detects air vibrations as the sound, the electromagnetic wave element has a lens system (222c) that has a plurality of lenses including an exposed lens (222d) that is exposed to the surrounding environment of the vehicle and other lenses (222e, 222f), and the housing has a sound guide hole (225h) that communicates between the microphone and a space formed between the exposed lens and the other lenses in the lens system.

[0126] <Technical Idea 15> The in-vehicle device according to Technical Idea 1 includes a housing (255) that houses the electromagnetic wave element, wherein the acoustic sensor (253) has: a first microphone (253aX) that is housed in the housing and detects air vibrations as the sound; and a second microphone (253aY) that is a microphone separate from the first microphone and is housed in the housing and detects air vibrations as the sound, and the housing has: a first sound guide hole (255hX) that guides sound from the external environment of the vehicle to the first microphone; and a second sound guide hole (255hY) that guides sound from the interior space of the vehicle to the second microphone.

[0127] <Technical Idea 16> An in-vehicle device according to Technical Idea 1, comprising a housing (265) that houses the electromagnetic wave element, wherein the acoustic sensor (263) is housed in the housing and has a microphone (263a) that detects air vibrations as the sound, and the housing has: a first sound guide hole (265hX) that guides sound from the external environment of the vehicle to the microphone; and a second sound guide hole (265hY) that guides sound from the interior space of the vehicle to the microphone.

[0128] <Technical Idea 17> The on-vehicle device according to any one of Technical Ideas 1 to 16, wherein a harness that electrically connects the electromagnetic wave element to another device of the vehicle and a harness that electrically connects the acoustic sensor to the other device are shared.

[0129] <Technical Idea 18> The on-vehicle device described in any one of Technical Ideas 1 to 17, wherein the acoustic sensor generates a sound signal by converting a detected analog electrical signal into a digital signal, and a communication line through which the electromagnetic wave element communicates with another device of the vehicle and a communication line through which the acoustic sensor communicates with the other device are shared in a form of communicating digital signals.

Claims

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

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

3. The in-vehicle device described in claim 2, wherein the electromagnetic wave element is a camera (2a, 102a) that photographs the outside of the device, the housing has a shape corresponding to the angle of view of the camera, gradually expanding the width of the internal space as it moves away from the camera, a hood portion (5b, 105b) that blocks diffusely reflected light entering from outside the device, and a board accommodating portion (5a, 105a) that is a board shared between the camera and the acoustic sensor and accommodates a board (6, 106) on which the microphone (3a, 103a) is mounted, and the hood portion has a sound guide hole (5c, 105c) that connects the microphone to the internal space.

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

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

6. The in-vehicle device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the microphone is in intimate contact with the external structure with an elastic body (13d, 113d) disposed between the microphone and the housing.

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

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

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

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

11. An in-vehicle device as described in claim 1, comprising a housing (215, 235, 245, 255, 265) that houses the electromagnetic wave element, the acoustic sensor having a microphone (213a, 233a, 243a, 253aY, 266a) housed in the housing and detecting air vibrations as the sound, and the housing having a sound guide hole (215h, 235h, 245h, 255hY, 265hY, 266a) that connects the microphone to the outside of the device.

12. The in-vehicle device described in claim 11, wherein the sound guide hole (215h) connects the microphone to the surrounding environment of the vehicle as an external part of the device, and the housing further has a sound-permeable filter (215i) arranged to cover the sound guide hole and having both sound-permeable and waterproof properties.

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

14. An in-vehicle device as described in claim 1, comprising a housing (225) that houses the electromagnetic wave element, the acoustic sensor having a microphone (223a) housed in the housing and detecting air vibrations as the sound, the electromagnetic wave element having a lens system (222c) having a plurality of lenses including an exposed lens (222d) exposed to the surrounding environment of the vehicle and other lenses (222e, 222f), and the housing having a sound guide hole (225h) that connects between the microphone and a space formed between the exposed lens and the other lenses in the lens system.

15. An in-vehicle device as described in claim 1, comprising a housing (255) that houses the electromagnetic wave element, wherein the acoustic sensor (253) has a first microphone (253aX) housed in the housing and detecting air vibrations as the sound, and a second microphone (253aY) separate from the first microphone, housed in the housing and detecting air vibrations as the sound, and wherein the housing has a first sound guide hole (255hX) that guides sound from the external environment of the vehicle to the first microphone, and a second sound guide hole (255hY) that guides sound from the interior space of the vehicle to the second microphone.

16. An in-vehicle device as described in claim 1, comprising a housing (265) that houses the electromagnetic wave element, the acoustic sensor (263) being housed in the housing and having a microphone (263a) that detects air vibrations as the sound, and the housing having a first sound guide hole (265hX) that guides sound from the external environment of the vehicle to the microphone, and a second sound guide hole (265hY) that guides sound from the internal space of the vehicle to the microphone.

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

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

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