JPH0247677Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Field of Application> This invention relates to a sound reproducing device for an automobile, and in particular to an audio reproducing device for an automobile that reproduces a stereo sound field by arranging a plurality of speakers in a car.

<Prior Art> In conventional stereo sound reproducing devices for automobiles, L signals are reproduced on both the left and right sides of the front panel 12 of the car 10, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, for example, in order to obtain a wide sound image localization. An L-side speaker 14 for reproducing the R signal and an R-side speaker 16 for reproducing the R signal are provided.
L side speakers 2 are also installed on both the left and right sides of the rear panel 20.
2 and an R side speaker 24 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 9, in each speaker, the rear R side speaker 24 is connected to the R signal input terminal R _IN via a level adjustment circuit 26 and an amplifier 28, and the level adjustment circuit 30 is also connected to the R signal input terminal R _IN . ,
Front R side speaker 1 via amplifier 32
On the other hand, the front L side speaker 14 is connected to the L signal input terminal L _IN via a level adjustment circuit 34 and an amplifier 36, and the level adjustment circuit 38 and amplifier 40 are also connected to the L signal input terminal L _IN. The rear L-side speaker 22 is connected through it.

Then, when the driver D tries to balance the stereo sound field, the level adjustment circuits 26, 30,
Adjust the center position of the sound image and car 1 by adjusting 34 and 38.
The volume of the first half 42 and the second half 44 of 0 is balanced.

In addition to mechanical variable resistors being used as the level adjustment circuits 26, 30, 34, and 38, in recent years, variable impedance elements have been used, and the variable impedance elements are controlled by voltages, code signals, etc. applied from an external control unit. A so-called electronic volume configuration is also often used. The broken line in FIG. 9 indicates the controller 48 based on instructions from the manual switch 46.
shows a configuration in which a control signal is output to level adjustment circuits 26, 30, 34, and 38 composed of variable impedance elements to adjust the volume.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> By the way, in the conventional in-vehicle stereo sound reproduction device described above, once the volume of each speaker is set by manual operation, the sound field remains constant while the vehicle is running. In this case, when driving at low speeds, the braking distance is short and there is no need to concentrate so much on the road ahead, so there is no particular effect on the driver in terms of safe driving, but when driving at high speeds, the braking distance is short. Since drivers need to concentrate their attention forward for a long period of time, if the sound image spreads widely to the left, right, or rear, this, combined with the tendency to play at a loud volume, will cause attention to be dispersed, and the effect of the sound field on the driver will be reduced in terms of safe driving. big. Therefore, for safety reasons, some kind of prisoner has been required when forming a sound field.

In addition, in the above description, the automotive sound reproduction device is shown in 1 in Figure 9.
The same applies to the case where two stereo reproduction speakers such as No. 4 and No. 16 are provided.

The present invention was developed in view of the shortcomings of the prior art, and by varying the spread of the sound image according to the vehicle speed, it is possible to enjoy a wide stereo sound with a rich stereo effect at low speeds. To provide a sound reproducing device for an automobile that automatically switches to sound almost concentrated in the front at high speeds, making it easier to concentrate attention on the front and improving safety.

<Means for Solving the Problems> FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an automobile sound reproducing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 50 is an R-side side speaker installed on the right side of the car 10 for reproducing the R signal, 52 is an L-side side speaker installed on the left side of the car 10 for reproducing the L signal, and 54 and 56 are each installed on the car 10. 58 is a volume control device, and 60 is a vehicle speed detector.

<Function> When the vehicle speed detector 60 detects that the vehicle speed is below a predetermined value, the volume control device 58 increases the volume of the R and L side speakers 50 and 52. Center speaker 54, 56
control to reduce the volume.

At this time, the stereo sound that driver D hears also has sound image localization in a range that extends diagonally forward to the left and right. Therefore, you can fully enjoy rich stereo sound.

When the vehicle speed increases and the vehicle speed detector 60 detects that the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined value, the volume control device 58 reduces the volume of the R and L side speakers 50 and 52, and reduces the volume of the R and L side center speakers 54. ,5
Control the volume of No. 6 to be louder.

At this time, the stereo sound that the driver D hears has a sound image localized in a narrow range in front of the driver.
Therefore, the driver's attention is guided forward according to the movement of the sound image, and the driver's attention is not dispersed to anything other than the front, so that the driver can enjoy stereo sound while easily concentrating on the front at high speeds.

<Example> Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a stereo audio system for an automobile according to a first embodiment of the present invention. First, the arrangement of the speakers is determined. Two R-side and L-side center speakers 54 and 56 are provided with a narrow interval above the central part in front of the driver D.
The R-side side speaker 50 is located on the upper right side of the driver D, and the L-side side speaker 52 is located on the upper left side of the driver D.
is provided. (See Figure 2).

The R-side center speaker 54 and the R-side side speakers 50 are for reproducing the R signal, and the L-side center speaker 56 and the L-side side speaker 52 are for reproducing the L signal. Of the audio signals output from CDs, radios, cassette decks, etc., the R signal is sent to the R side center speaker 54 via the level adjustment circuit 66 and amplifier 68 of the volume control device 58, and also to the level adjustment circuit 62 and amplifier 64. The signal is input to the R-side side speaker 50 via the signal. On the other hand, among the audio signals, the L signal is inputted to the L side center speaker 56 via the level adjustment circuit 70 and amplifier 72 of the volume control device 58, and to the L side side speaker 52 via the level adjustment circuit 74 and amplifier 76. be done.

The volume control device 58 includes level adjustment circuits 62, 66, 70, 7 each consisting of a variable impedance element.
4 and a controller 78 that individually controls them. controller 7
8 receives a vehicle speed detection signal from a vehicle speed detector 60.

This vehicle speed detector 60 detects the vehicle speed and stops.
40Km/H at low speed, 40Km/H to 80Km/H at medium speed, 80
It outputs a three-level vehicle speed detection signal that distinguishes speeds above Km/H as high speeds.

Based on the vehicle speed detection signal, the controller 78
Level adjustment circuits 62, 74 and level adjustment circuits 66, 70 are formed into pairs according to the vehicle speed, and the level adjustment circuits 62, 66, 70, 74 are controlled in stages to automatically vary the volume ratio of each speaker. I feel sorry for you. Note that the vehicle speed value data itself, which is not divided into stages, may be output from the vehicle speed detector 60 to the controller 78, and the controller may continuously control each level adjustment circuit according to the vehicle speed.

Figure 3 shows the vehicle speed when the controller 78 performs stepwise control according to low, medium, and high vehicle speeds, and
side, L side center speakers 54, 56, R side, L
The volume ratio of the side speakers 50 and 52, and
The positions of the virtual image speakers synthesized separately for the R side and the L side are shown.

As shown in FIG. 3, when driving at low speed, the controller 78 controls the R side and L side center speakers 54,
The level adjustment circuits 66 and 70 are controlled so that the volumes of both the R and L side speakers 50 and 52 are increased.

As a result, as shown in Fig. 4, on the R side, the synthesized sound sounds as if it were the output from the virtual image speaker Q ₁ slightly ahead of the right side of the driver D, and the L
Regarding the side, the synthesized sound sounds like the output from the virtual image speaker Q ₂ located slightly in front of the driver D's left side.

Therefore, the sound image becomes large in scale, extending from Q ₁ to Q ₂ .

When the vehicle speed becomes medium speed, the controller 78
is for all R side and L side center speakers 54,5
6. Adjust each level adjustment circuit 6 so that the volumes of the R side and L side side speakers 50 and 52 are both medium.
2, 66, 70, and 74.

As a result, the synthesized sound on the R side can be heard from the virtual image speaker Q ₃ position diagonally forward on the right, and the synthesized sound on the L side can be heard from the virtual image speaker Q ₄ position diagonally forward on the left.

Furthermore, when the vehicle speed increases, the controller 78 controls the R side and L side center speakers 5.
The level adjustment circuits 66 and 70 are controlled so that the volumes of both the speakers 4 and 56 are increased, and the level adjustment circuits 62 and 74 are controlled so that the volumes of both the R and L side speakers 50 and 52 are decreased.

As a result, the sound synthesized for the R side and the sound synthesized for the L side sound as if they were output from the virtual image speakers Q ₅ and Q ₆ located near the center in front of the driver D.

Therefore, the sound image is concentrated in the front. In this way, when driving at low speeds, where the braking distance is short and there is plenty of time to drive, and you only need to pay attention to the road ahead, you can fully enjoy the stereo sound as a spacious sound image. When driving at high speeds, where the distance is long and the behavior of other cars in the distance requires full attention, the stereo sound is concentrated in a narrow area in front of the vehicle, and as a result, attention is naturally directed forward, but is also dispersed in other directions. You can enjoy stereo sound safely.

Here, in the past, when driving on the right hand drive, the right door was very close to the front of the driver's right side, so there was not enough space, and it was not possible to place the R side spacer at a wide angle to the right. According to this embodiment, at low speed, the combined R
Since the side virtual image speakers can be positioned, the sound image becomes wider than before.

The actual installation location of each speaker in the car is as follows:
For example, as shown in FIG. (one not shown) may be provided at the connection between the center pillar 84 and the ceiling 86. By doing as shown in Fig. 5, passengers can avoid hitting their heads on the R side and L side side speakers 50 and 52 when getting on and off, and also prevent occupants from hitting their heads on the R side and L side side speakers 50 and 52 in the event of a collision. Even if you hit your head on the speakers 54, 56, the rearview mirror 80 will fall down, so you can prevent danger.

FIG. 6 is an overall configuration diagram of a stereo audio system for a car according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Instead of the side and L side center speakers 54 and 56, one center speaker 90 for regenerating the R+L signal is provided at the upper side of the center section in front of the vehicle 10 when viewed in the left-right direction.

Level adjustment circuits 66, 70 of volume control device 58
The output side of is connected to one amplifier 94 via a mixer (MIX) 92, and the output of this amplifier 94 is input to the center speaker 90. The other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment.

The volume ratio that the controller 78 sets for each speaker at each vehicle speed stage of low, medium, and high is that the combined volume level of the R-side center speaker 54 and the L-side center speaker 56 in FIG. The R side speaker 50 and the L side speaker 52 are the same as in FIG. 3.

This second embodiment also provides the same effects as the first embodiment, and also simplifies the configuration because one speaker can be omitted.

FIG. 7 shows a modification of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6, in which the center speaker 90 includes a mixer 102 for manually adjusting the balance between the R signal and the L signal using a volume control device 58A. R+ via the level adjustment circuit 104 and the amplifier 94
An L signal is input. On the other hand, the R-side side speaker 50 includes a stereo balance circuit 108 that manually adjusts the balance between the R signal and the L signal using a volume 106;
Level adjustment circuit 70 connected to the R output side of 8
The R signal is inputted to the L side side speaker 52 via the amplifier 72 and the stereo balance circuit 108.
L level adjustment circuit 74 connected to the L output side of
The L signal is inputted via the amplifier 76 and the amplifier 76.

The controller 78A controls each level adjustment circuit 104, 70, 74 in accordance with the vehicle speed so that the volume ratio of the speakers changes as in the case of FIG. 6.

Volumes 100 and 106 are interlocked, and according to FIG.
The position of the sound image can be adjusted by adjusting 06 so that the center of the sound image is directly in front of the driver.

In each of the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 and 6, each speaker is installed above the driver's ears, but this may be the case in sedan cars, etc., where the windshield, rear glass, and side window glass do not have very curved surfaces. The sound from each speaker is radiated downward and absorbed by the sound-absorbing member installed at the bottom of the car interior, suppressing reflected waves, which improves the wide spread of the sound image at low speeds and the forward concentration effect of the sound image at high speeds. can be done.

On the other hand, it is of course possible to lower the position of each speaker than in the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 and 6, but in particular, as shown in Figs. In the case of a car 10A that is equipped with high sound absorbing members 120, 122 and each glass has a curved surface, even if each speaker 50A to 56A is positioned at or below the passenger's ear, the sound emitted from the speaker will be Since the primary reflected wave does not reach the ears of the passenger and is immediately absorbed by a member with a high sound absorption coefficient in the lower part of the vehicle interior, the effect of widening the sound image at low speeds and the effect of concentrating the sound image at high speeds can be fully exerted.

Further, in each of the embodiments described above, the low range and high range on the sound range are not distinguished, but the present invention is not limited to this in any way, and the low range sound is produced by the front panel as shown in FIG. 9, for example. The L side speaker 14 and the R side speaker 16 provided on both the left and right sides of the vehicle reproduce the sound image in stereo regardless of the vehicle speed, and by applying the present invention only to high-frequency sounds, the center speaker and side speakers It may also be possible to control at least the spread of the high-frequency sound field while reducing the size of the vehicle so as not to place a burden on the interior space of the vehicle.

<Effects of the invention> As explained above, according to the invention, the spread of the stereo sound field for the driver is automatically varied according to the vehicle speed, and when driving at low speeds, the stereo sound field is widened and provides a powerful and rich sound. While driving at high speeds, the system shifts to a stereo sound field that concentrates in front of you, allowing you to fully enjoy stereo sound.
Danger can be prevented by directing the driver's attention forward and preventing the driver's attention from being unnecessarily diverted.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an automotive sound reproduction device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of speakers in FIG. 1, and FIGS. An explanatory diagram of the operation of the volume control device in the figure, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the specific mounting position of the speaker, and FIG. 6 is an overall configuration diagram of the automotive sound reproduction device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a modification of Fig. 6, Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing another example of speaker arrangement, Fig. 9 is an overall configuration diagram of a conventional automobile sound reproduction device, and Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing another example of speaker arrangement. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of speakers in FIG. 9. FIG. 10...Car, 50...R side side speaker,
52... L side side speaker, 54... R side center speaker, 56... L side center speaker, 58... Volume control device, 60... Vehicle speed detector.

Claims (1)

[Scope of claim for utility model registration] (1) A side speaker for reproducing the R signal installed on the right side of the car interior near the right side of the driver, and a side speaker for reproducing the L signal installed on the left side of the car interior near the left side of the driver. side speakers, and R and L speakers located near the center of the vehicle in front of the driver.
The volume control device includes a center speaker for signal reproduction, a volume control device that controls the volume ratio of each side speaker and the center speaker, and a vehicle speed detector, and the volume control device controls the volume of the side speakers to the center speaker when the vehicle speed is low. 1. A sound reproduction device for an automobile, characterized in that the volume is set higher than the volume of the vehicle, and controls the volume of the side speakers to be lowered and the volume of the center speaker to be increased when the vehicle speed is high. (2) The sound reproducing device for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein the side speakers and the center speaker are provided above the driver's ears. (3) The center speakers are spaced close together and R
2. The automotive sound reproducing device according to claim 1, which is a utility model registration device, characterized in that the device is a plurality of speakers that reproduce the signal and the L signal separately. (4) Center speaker plays R+L signal 1
A sound reproducing device for an automobile according to claim 1, characterized in that the device comprises two speakers. (5) The automobile sound reproducing device according to claim 1, wherein the center speaker is attached to a detachable mirror. (6) The sound reproducing device for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein the side speakers are installed at or near the center pillar.