Vehicle approach notification device

Abstract

This vehicle approach notification device (1) is attached to a vehicle (10) provided with a crash box (12) and an undercover (11) provided below the crash box (12). The vehicle approach notification device (1) comprises a speaker (2) that is disposed above a lower-surface portion (121) of the crash box (12) and issues notification regarding the approach of the vehicle (10) by emitting a notification sound.

Description

Approaching vehicle notification device

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Vehicles that can run on electric motors, such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, are equipped with vehicle approach notification devices to notify pedestrians of approaching vehicles while the vehicle is running.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle approach warning device that includes a speaker that emits a warning sound and is disposed in the vicinity of an undercover that covers the lower part of a vehicle.

[0004] JP 2023-151844 A

[0005] In the vehicle approach warning device described in Patent Document 1, the speaker is located directly above a plurality of slit-shaped holes formed in the undercover. As a result, if the undercover comes into contact with an object on the road surface or a structure installed on the road surface while the vehicle is traveling, the undercover may be pushed up and hit the speaker. This may result in damage to the speaker due to the impact.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a vehicle approaching warning device in which the speaker is less likely to be damaged even if the undercover interferes with an object or structure on the road surface and is pushed up.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle approach warning device according to the present invention is a vehicle approach warning device that is attached to a vehicle that includes a first frame component and an undercover provided below the first frame component, and that includes a speaker that is disposed above the underside of the first frame component and that emits a warning sound to warn of an approaching vehicle.

[0008] According to the configuration of the present invention, the speaker is disposed above the underside of the first frame component. Even if the undercover interferes with an object or structure on the road surface and is pushed up, it will only hit the first frame component. Therefore, even if the undercover interferes with an object or structure on the road surface and is pushed up, the speaker is less likely to be damaged.

[0009] It is a side view of a frame part provided on a vehicle to which a vehicle approach notification device according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached. It is an enlarged view of an II region shown in Figure 1. It is a perspective view of a vehicle approach notification device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view showing a position of an undercover when the undercover interferes with a structure on a road surface and is pushed up in the vehicle approach notification device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] A vehicle approach notification device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical or equivalent parts are designated by the same reference numerals. In the illustrated Cartesian coordinate system XYZ, the left-right direction of the vehicle on which the vehicle approach notification device is installed is designated the X axis, and the front-rear direction is designated the Y axis. The direction perpendicular to the X axis and the Y axis is designated the Z axis. The right direction is the +X direction, the front is the +Y direction, and the upward direction is the +Z direction. This coordinate system will be referred to where appropriate in the following description.

[0011] The vehicle approach notification device according to the embodiment is a device that is installed in a so-called quiet vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, and that emits a notification sound when the vehicle is traveling at a low speed using an electric motor to notify nearby people such as pedestrians (hereinafter simply referred to as pedestrians) of the approach of the vehicle. The configuration of the vehicle approach notification device will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4, using as an example an embodiment in which the vehicle approach notification device is installed in the front part of a hybrid vehicle.

[0012] 1 to 4 show the front portion of the vehicle 10 with some exterior parts removed to expose the frame parts for ease of understanding. Also, in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, a cross section of a portion of the undercover 11 is shown to show the opening 112 provided in the undercover 11.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the vehicle approach notification device 1 includes a speaker 2 and a bracket 3 .

[0014] The speaker 2 is disposed in a position adjacent to a crash box 12 on an undercover 11 provided on the vehicle 10 in the left-right direction.

[0015] Specifically, the lower part of the vehicle 10 is covered by an undercover 11 to reduce air resistance and rectify the air flowing under the vehicle 10 while the vehicle 10 is in motion. A side member 13, which is one of the structural components of the vehicle 10, and a suspension member 14, which is another structural component of the vehicle 10 and is connected to the side member 13 and supports the undercover 11, are provided on the undercover 11 in this order from top to bottom. A crash box 12, which is yet another structural component of the vehicle 10 and is installed to absorb impact in the event of a collision of the vehicle 10, is provided at the front end of the suspension member 14. The speaker 2 is aligned horizontally with the crash box 12. Specifically, the speaker 2 is provided on the right side of the crash box 12, i.e., on the +X side.

[0016] The speaker 2 may be located to the side of the crash box 12, or may be provided on the left side of the crash box 12, that is, on the -X side.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2 , the speaker 2 is disposed a distance D1 above the lower surface 121 of the crash box 12. In the vehicle 10, if the undercover 11 comes into contact with an object on the road surface, a structure on the road surface, or the like, the undercover 11 may be pushed upward. If the speaker 2 is disposed immediately above the undercover 11, the undercover 11 may be pushed upward and hit the speaker 2, resulting in damage to the speaker 2. To prevent such damage to the speaker 2, the speaker 2 is disposed above the lower surface 121 of the crash box 12. As a result, even if the undercover 11 is pushed upward by an object on the road surface, a structure, or the like, the undercover 11 will only hit the lower surface 121 of the crash box 12. As a result, the speaker 2 is prevented from being damaged by contact with the undercover 11.

[0018] Furthermore, the speaker 2 is disposed in a position overlapping the crash boxes 12 in the front-rear direction in a left-right view, i.e., in a side view. Specifically, the speaker 2 is shorter than the crash boxes 12 in the front-rear direction in a side view. The speaker 2 is disposed rearward of the front ends of the crash boxes 12. As a result, the speaker 2 overlaps the crash boxes 12 in the front-rear direction in a side view. This makes the speaker 2 less likely to come into contact with the undercover 11 and be damaged, even if the undercover 11 is pushed up from the front portion by contacting an object, structure, or the like as the vehicle 10 moves forward. Furthermore, by disposing the speaker 2 in this position, the warning sound is more easily heard by pedestrians located outside the vehicle 10, for example, in front of the vehicle 10, than if the speaker 2 were disposed to the side of the side member 13, which is located rearward of the crash boxes 12.

[0019] The crash boxes 12 are an example of the first structural component of the present invention, and the side members 13 are an example of the second structural component of the present invention.

[0020] The vehicle approach notification device 1 includes a control unit (not shown). The control unit is connected to a control unit of the vehicle 10, and the control unit outputs a signal to control the speaker 2 when the vehicle 10 is traveling at low speeds, for example. The speaker 2 converts audio data into sound under the control of the control unit, and emits a notification sound. In this way, the speaker 2 notifies pedestrians and the like of the approach of the vehicle 10.

[0021] Returning to FIGS. 1 to 3, the speaker 2 is attached to the vehicle 10 by the bracket 3 and is disposed at the position described above.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 3, the bracket 3 is formed by bending a plate-like member. Specifically, the bracket 3 is formed by bending a thin metal plate into an L-shape. The plate surface of the bracket 3 faces the front-rear direction. As a result, the strength of the bracket 3 in the front-rear direction is lower than the strength in the left-right direction.

[0023] As described above, the speaker 2 is aligned with the crash box 12 in the left-right direction. As a result, the bracket 3 is also aligned with the crash box 12 in the left-right direction. In this case, if the plate surface of the bracket 3 faces left-right, when the crash box 12 is crushed in a collision of the vehicle 10, the bracket 3 will be less likely to break, and may act as an obstacle, reducing the amount of crushing of the crash box 12. In other words, the bracket 3 may hinder the crash box 12 from absorbing the collision energy. By orienting the plate surface of the bracket 3 in the direction described above, it becomes easier for the bracket 3 to bend or flex in the direction opposite to the collision side, preventing the crash box 12 from absorbing the collision energy.

[0024] Furthermore, because the bracket 3 is made of a plate-like member and has its plate surface facing in the front-rear direction, its strength in the front-rear direction is lower than that of the crash boxes 12. This prevents the bracket 3 from interfering with the absorption of collision energy by the crash boxes 12 described above.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2 , the bracket 3 has one end 31 of an L-shaped plate-like member with its plate surface facing the front-rear direction, i.e., the Y direction. The one end 31 of the bracket 3 is fixed to the front end of the side member 13, one of the multiple frame components of the vehicle 10 described above. For example, the one end 31 is fixed to the front end of the side member 13 by a fastening member. Furthermore, the other end 32 of the bracket 3 is positioned below the one end 31 of the L-shaped plate-like member, i.e., on the −Z side. The plate surface of the other end 32 of the bracket 3 faces the Z direction. The speaker 2 is attached to the −Z surface of the other end 32. The bracket 3 has such a configuration to attach the speaker 2 to the vehicle 10. Furthermore, the other end 32 of the bracket 3 extends forward, thereby positioning the speaker 2 to the side of the crash box 12, which is located forward of the side member 13. Furthermore, the bracket 3 positions the speaker 2 on the +Z side of the lower surface portion 121 of the crash box 12 and on the +Z side of the undercover 11.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the undercover 11 is provided with a cylindrical portion 111 that protrudes in the +Z direction from a plate-like portion of the undercover 11 with its axis oriented in the Z direction.

[0027] The cylindrical portion 111 has a truncated cone shape that tapers toward the +Z direction. The -Z surface of the cylindrical portion 111 is open, with no portion covering the bottom. A plurality of openings 112 are arranged on the +Z surface of the cylindrical portion 111, i.e., the top surface. For example, each of the openings 112 is a small circular hole. The plurality of openings 112 are arranged, for example, in a matrix on the top plate of the cylindrical portion 111.

[0028] Each opening 112 may have a shape other than a circle, such as a rectangle or hexagon, or may be a slit.

[0029] A diaphragm (not shown) is provided on the underside 21 of the speaker 2, and sound is emitted from the diaphragm. The underside (sound-generating surface) of the speaker 2 where the diaphragm is located faces the upper surface of the tubular portion 111 of the undercover 11. As a result, the speaker 2 emits the warning sound toward the multiple openings 112. The tubular portion 111 of the undercover 11 has a shape that widens downward, which improves the energy transmission efficiency of the sound from the speaker 2. As a result, the warning sound is easily transmitted to pedestrians.

[0030] The height H1 of the cylindrical portion 111 of the undercover 11 is greater by a predetermined amount than the distance D1 from the speaker 2 to the lower surface portion 121 of the crash box 12 shown in Fig. 2. The reason for this will be explained below.

[0031] It is desirable that the distance D2 from the underside portion 21 of the speaker 2 to the opening 112 of the tubular portion 111 described above be small in order to ensure the volume of the warning sound and make it easier to transmit the warning sound to pedestrians. However, if the undercover 11 interferes with an object, structure, or the like on the road surface and is pushed up, and the tubular portion 111 is shifted to the left or right from the left-right position of the crash boxes 12, the tubular portion 111 will not hit the crash boxes 12, and there is a risk that the tubular portion 111 will hit the speaker 2 and damage the speaker 2.

[0032] To solve this problem, the inventors have studied the case where the undercover 11 interferes with an object, structure, etc. on the road surface and is pushed up. In particular, the inventors have studied the case where the undercover 11 interferes with a structure that forms a step between the undercover 11 and the road surface, such as a curb, and is pushed up.

[0033] In such cases, there are two cases: (1) when the vehicle 10 moves forward, the structure such as the curb interferes with the undercover 11 from the front of the vehicle 10; and (2) when the vehicle 10 moves backward with its front wheels on the structure, the structure interferes with the undercover 11 from below when the front wheels come down from the structure.

[0034] In the case of (1), the driver of the vehicle 10 will notice the interference of the undercover 11 early on, and will generally stop the vehicle 10 before the structure interferes with the tubular portion 111 of the undercover 11. On the other hand, in the case of (2), the driver of the vehicle 10 will generally reverse the vehicle 10 without predicting that the structure will interfere, causing the structure to interfere with the undercover 11. As a result, the amount of lift of the undercover 11 is greater in the case of (2) than in the case of (1).

[0035] Therefore, the inventor analyzed the trajectory and amount of interference of the above-mentioned structure with the undercover 11 in case (2). From this analysis, the inventor found that the point where the undercover 11 interferes with the above-mentioned structure is forward of the tubular portion 111. As a result, the inventor also found that the undercover 11 is pushed up into the shape shown by the dotted line 113 in Figure 4, and that the tubular portion 111 does not interfere with the speaker 2 even if the height H1 of the tubular portion 111 is made larger by a predetermined amount than the distance D1 from the speaker 2 to the underside portion 121 of the crash box 12.

[0036] Based on the results of this analysis, the height H1 of the tubular portion 111 of the undercover 11 is formed to be a predetermined amount greater than the distance D1 from the speaker 2 to the lower surface portion 121 of the crash box 12. The predetermined amount is, for example, 30 mm. As a result, the undercover 11 minimizes the distance D2 from the lower surface portion 21 of the speaker 2 to the opening 112 of the tubular portion 111, ensuring the volume of the warning sound, thereby making it easier to convey the warning sound to pedestrians.

[0037] Here, the phrase "height H1 of tubular portion 111 is greater than distance D1 by a predetermined amount" means that the height H1 of tubular portion 111 is greater than distance D1 to such an extent that the upper end of tubular portion 111 does not come into contact with the lower surface portion 21 of speaker 2 when the front end of undercover 11 is pushed up higher than the rear end and the front end of undercover 11 is pushed up to the lower surface portion 121 of crash box 12. Also, when height H1 of tubular portion 111 is greater than distance D1 by a predetermined amount, it is desirable that splashes, etc., kicked up by the front wheel do not directly enter opening 112. Furthermore, it is desirable that the air flow is not disturbed while vehicle 10 is traveling, thereby preventing a decrease in aerodynamic performance.

[0038] Furthermore, although it is desirable that the height H1 of the tubular portion 111 be greater than the distance D1 by a predetermined amount, the height H1 of the tubular portion 111 does not have to be greater than the distance D1 by a predetermined amount. For example, the height H1 of the tubular portion 111 may be the same as the distance D1. Even in such a case, it is sufficient as long as the volume of the alert sound is ensured. The height H1 of the tubular portion 111 should be designed taking into consideration the volume of the alert sound, splashing, and reduced aerodynamic performance.

[0039] As described above, in the vehicle approach warning device 1 according to the embodiment, the speaker 2 is disposed above the lower surface portion 121 of the crash box 12, which is a type of frame component, and emits a warning sound to warn of the approach of the vehicle 10. Therefore, even if the undercover 11 interferes with an object, structure, etc. on the road surface and is pushed up, the undercover 11 will only hit the crash box 12. As a result, the speaker 2 is unlikely to be damaged even if the undercover 11 interferes with an object, structure, etc. on the road surface and is pushed up.

[0040] Furthermore, since the speaker 2 is disposed in a position horizontally adjacent to the crash box 12, even if the undercover 11 is pushed up, it will only hit the crash box 12. As a result, the undercover 11 does not come into contact with the speaker 2. As a result, the speaker 2 is less likely to be damaged.

[0041] Furthermore, the speaker 2 is disposed at a position overlapping the crash box 12 in the front-to-rear direction in a side view. Therefore, when a pedestrian is present in front of the vehicle 10, the warning sound is more easily heard by the pedestrian than when the speaker 2 overlaps the side member 13 or the suspension member 14 located behind the crash box 12 in the front-to-rear direction in a side view.

[0042] Since the speaker 2 is disposed above the opening 112 provided in the undercover 11, the warning sound can be easily heard by pedestrians.

[0043] In the vehicle approaching warning device 1, the bracket 3 is attached to the side member 13 to support the speaker 2 and position the speaker 2 above the lower surface portion 121 of the crash box 12. By providing the bracket 3, the vehicle approaching warning device 1 makes it easy to position the speaker 2.

[0044] Furthermore, the strength of the bracket 3 in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 10 is lower than the strength of the bracket 3 in the left-to-right direction of the vehicle 10. For example, by having a plate-shaped member with its plate surface facing in the front-to-rear direction, the strength of the bracket 3 in the front-to-rear direction is lower than the strength of the bracket 3 in the left-to-right direction. As a result, when the crash boxes 12 are crushed due to a collision of the vehicle 10, the bracket 3 is likely to deform in the front-to-rear direction. This prevents the bracket 3 from impeding the crash boxes 12 from absorbing the collision energy.

[0045] Here, the front-rear direction refers to the front-rear direction when the vehicle 10 moves forward or backward, and the left-right direction refers to the left-right direction when the driver faces the direction in which the vehicle 10 moves forward.

[0046] Furthermore, since the strength of the bracket 3 in the front-rear direction is lower than the strength of the crash box 12 in the front-rear direction, the bracket 3 is prevented from hindering the absorption of collision energy by the crash box 12 when the vehicle 10 collides.

[0047] In the undercover 11, the tubular portion 111 is located rearward of the front end of the undercover 11, and the height H1 of the tubular portion 111 is greater by a predetermined amount than the distance D1 from the speaker 2 to the underside portion 121 of the crash box 12. As a result, the volume of the warning sound is ensured, making it easy for pedestrians to hear the warning sound.

[0048] The vehicle approach notification device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the vehicle approach notification device 1 is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0049] For example, in the vehicle approaching notification device 1 according to the embodiment, the speaker 2 is disposed above the lower surface portion 121 of the crash box 12. However, the arrangement of the vehicle approaching notification device 1 is not limited to this.

[0050] In the vehicle approach warning device 1, when the undercover 11 is provided below the first frame component, the speaker 2 may be provided above the lower surface of the first frame component. Therefore, although the first frame component is the crash box 12 in the vehicle approach warning device 1, the first frame component may be a component forming the frame of the vehicle body other than the crash box 12. Therefore, in the vehicle approach warning device 1, the speaker 2 may be provided above the undercover 11 and disposed in a so-called vehicle body metal component or frame component that forms the frame of the vehicle body. For example, the speaker 2 may be disposed above the lower surface 141 of the suspension member 14, which is the first frame component, as shown in FIG. 3 .

[0051] In addition, in the embodiment, the speaker 2 is disposed on the right side and in the front of the vehicle 10, but it may be disposed on the left side and in the front of the vehicle 10. The speaker 2 is preferably disposed in a position where it can notify pedestrians of the warning sound.

[0052] In the embodiment, the bracket 3 is attached to the front end of the side member 13. However, the bracket 3 is not limited to this.

[0053] The bracket 3 may be attached to the second frame component, support the speaker 2, and position the speaker 2 above the lower surface of the first frame component. Here, the second frame component refers to a so-called vehicle body metal component or frame component that forms the frame of the vehicle body, including the first frame component. In the embodiment, the second frame component is the side member 13, but the second frame component may be a component that forms the frame of the vehicle body other than the side member 13. For example, the bracket 3 may be attached to the side member 13, or the bumper reinforcement 15 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0054] In the embodiment, the bracket 3 is formed of a plate-like member, but the bracket 3 is not limited to this.

[0055] The bracket 3 may be any member that satisfies the above conditions, and may be formed, for example, from a columnar member such as a rectangular pillar or a cylindrical column. When the bracket 3 satisfies the above conditions, it is preferable that the strength of the bracket 3 in the front-to-rear direction is lower than the strength of the bracket 3 in the left-to-right direction. Therefore, when the bracket 3 is formed from a columnar member, it is preferable that the strength of the bracket 3 in the front-to-rear direction is lower than the strength of the bracket 3 in the left-to-right direction. For example, when the bracket 3 is a quadrangular pillar with a rectangular cross section, it is preferable that the short side direction is oriented in the front-to-rear direction and the long side direction is oriented in the left-to-right direction.

[0056] The present invention allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention. In other words, the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and within the scope of the meaning of the invention equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0057] 1...vehicle approach warning device, 2...speaker, 3...bracket, 10...vehicle, 11...undercover, 12...crash box, 13...side member, 14...suspension member, 15...bumper reinforcement, 21...underside portion, 31, 32...end portion, 111...tubular portion, 112...opening, 113...dotted line, 121...underside portion, 141...underside portion, D1, D2...distance, H1...height

Claims

1. A vehicle approach warning device that is attached to a vehicle that has a first frame part and an undercover that is provided below the first frame part, the vehicle approach warning device including a speaker that is positioned above the underside of the first frame part and that issues a warning sound to alert the driver of an approaching vehicle.

2. The vehicle approach notification device according to claim 1, wherein the speaker is disposed adjacent to the first frame component in the horizontal direction.

3. A vehicle approaching warning device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first frame component is a crash box provided at the front end of a suspension member equipped on the vehicle, and the speaker is positioned so as to overlap the crash box in the fore-and-aft direction in a side view.

4. A vehicle approaching notification device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vehicle is provided with a second skeletal component separate from the first skeletal component, and the vehicle approaching notification device further comprises a bracket attached to the second skeletal component, supporting the speaker and positioning the speaker above the lower surface portion of the first skeletal component.

5. A vehicle approaching alarm device according to claim 4, wherein the strength of the bracket in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle is lower than the strength of the bracket in the left-to-right direction of the vehicle.

6. A vehicle approaching warning device as described in claim 4, wherein the first frame component is a crash box provided at the front end of a suspension member equipped on the vehicle, and the strength of the bracket in the fore-and-aft direction is lower than the strength of the crash box in the fore-and-aft direction.

7. A vehicle approaching notification device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the bracket has a plate-shaped member with a plate surface facing in the front-to-rear direction.

8. A vehicle approach warning device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the undercover has an opening, and the speaker is disposed above the opening.

9. A vehicle approaching warning device as described in claim 8, wherein the undercover has a tubular portion that protrudes upward with its axis facing in the vertical direction, the tubular portion being open on the lower surface side and having the opening on the upper surface, the tubular portion being located rearward of the front end of the undercover, and the height of the tubular portion being greater by a predetermined amount than the distance from the speaker to the underside portion of the first frame component.

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