System and method for controlling virtual engine sound of electric vehicle

Abstract

A method for controlling a virtual engine sound of an electric vehicle includes the following steps performed by a controller: collecting a driving state including a vehicle speed and an accelerator pedal opening of the electric vehicle, determining a virtual gear based on the vehicle speed and the accelerator pedal opening of the electric vehicle, a virtual engine speed of the electric vehicle is obtained based on the vehicle speed and the virtual gear, and a virtual engine sound corresponding to the virtual engine speed is output.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to electric vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to controlling virtual engine sounds of electric vehicles. Background Art

[0002] An electric vehicle is a vehicle driven by an electric motor, and in recent years, research and development of electric vehicles have been actively conducted.

[0003] Electric vehicles are equipped with a speed reducer configured to reduce the number of rotations of the motor, and unlike internal combustion engine vehicles, electric vehicles do not require a multi-speed transmission. Therefore, electric vehicles can provide smooth driving without the setbacks that occur when multi-speed shifting occurs, but the driving pleasure brought by multi-speed shifting is reduced.

[0004] The information contained in this Background section of the present invention is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information constitutes the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art. Summary of the invention

[0005] Aspects of the present invention are directed to providing a method and system for controlling a virtual engine sound of an electric vehicle, which is configured to enhance driving pleasure by providing the same multi-speed feeling as provided by an internal combustion engine vehicle.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for controlling a virtual engine sound of an electric vehicle, the method and system being configured to provide a virtual shift sound corresponding to the shift feel of an internal combustion engine vehicle.

[0007] The objects of the present invention are not limited to the foregoing contents, and a person skilled in the art (hereinafter referred to as "technical personnel") to which the present invention belongs will clearly understand other objects not mentioned herein based on the following description.

[0008] Features of the present invention to be described below for achieving the objects of the present invention as described above and for performing characteristic functions of the present invention are as follows.

[0009] According to some forms of the invention, a method for controlling a virtual engine sound of an electric vehicle includes: collecting, by a controller, a driving state including a vehicle speed and an accelerator pedal opening of the electric vehicle; determining, by the controller, a virtual gear position based on the vehicle speed and the accelerator pedal opening of the electric vehicle; determining, by the controller, a virtual engine speed of the electric vehicle based on the vehicle speed and the virtual gear position; and outputting, by the controller, a virtual engine sound corresponding to the virtual engine speed.

[0010] According to some forms of the invention, a system for controlling a virtual engine sound of an electric vehicle includes a controller programmed to collect a driving state of the electric vehicle, determine a virtual engine speed based on the driving state of the electric vehicle, and output a virtual engine sound corresponding to the virtual engine speed.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an electric vehicle comprising the system.

[0012] Other aspects and exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below.

[0013] It should be understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicle-related" or other similar terms used herein generally include motor vehicles, such as passenger cars including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, water craft including various ships, aircraft, etc., and include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from resources other than petroleum). As referenced herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle having two or more power sources, such as a vehicle powered by both gasoline and electricity.

[0014] The above and other features of the present invention will be described below.

[0015] The method and apparatus of the present invention have other features and advantages, which will become apparent from or are described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description herein, which together serve to explain the principles of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a virtual shift system for an electric vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a virtual shift sound according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a virtual shift sound according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 A profile diagram showing a shift sound obtained by controlling a virtual shift sound according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 A sound profile diagram under a non-shifting condition and a fuel cut condition in a profile diagram of a shifting sound obtained by controlling a virtual shifting sound according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0021] Figure 6 A sound profile diagram under a power-on upshift condition among profile diagrams of shift sounds obtained by controlling a virtual shift sound according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention; and

[0022] Figure 7 A sound profile diagram in a power-off downshift condition is shown among profile diagrams of a shift sound obtained by controlling a virtual shift sound according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0023] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but rather present a somewhat simplified representation of various exemplary features illustrating the basic principles of the invention. The predetermined design features of the present invention (including, for example, predetermined dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes) will be determined in part by the intended application and use environment.

[0024] In the drawings, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. Although the present invention will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that this description is not intended to limit the present invention to these exemplary embodiments of the present invention. On the other hand, the present invention is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments that may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0026] The description of the specific structure or function presented in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is only for explaining the exemplary embodiment of the concept according to the present invention, and the exemplary embodiment of the concept according to the present invention can be implemented in various forms. In addition, the description should not be understood as being limited to the exemplary embodiment described herein, but should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents and alternative forms within the concept and scope of the present invention.

[0027] Meanwhile, in the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, terms such as "first" and / or "second" may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component. For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may be referred to as a first component without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0028] It is understood that when a component is referred to as being "connected to" or "contacting" another component, the component may be directly connected to or contacting the other component, or intervening components may also be present. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected to" or "directly contacting" another component, there are no intervening components. Other terms used to describe the relationship between components should also be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.).

[0029] Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals represent the same parts. The terms used in this article are used to illustrate the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the singular form includes the plural meaning. The terms "comprise" and / or "comprising" used in this specification mean that the referenced parts, steps, operations and / or elements do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other parts, steps, operations and / or elements.

[0030] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electric vehicle V includes a motor. The electric vehicle V may be driven by the motor. In one example, the electric vehicle V may be a battery electric vehicle. The electric vehicle V may be at least partially driven by the motor. In one example, the electric vehicle V may be a hybrid electric vehicle.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an electric vehicle V includes a virtual shift system 100. The electric vehicle V driven by a motor includes a reducer, but may not include a transmission of an internal combustion engine vehicle. However, the virtual shift system 100 can provide the electric vehicle V without an internal combustion engine with the same shift feeling as an internal combustion engine vehicle, thereby increasing the fun of driving the electric vehicle.

[0033] The operation of the virtual shift system 100 may be controlled and supervised by a vehicle controller 200. In some examples, one or more separate controllers may be provided for the virtual shift system 100, and the one or more controllers may communicate with the vehicle controller 200. Here, one or more vehicle controllers 200 means that the operation of the virtual shift system 100 may be performed by one controller or by two or more controllers.

[0034] The vehicle controller 200 is configured to communicate with various components of the electric vehicle V. The vehicle controller 200 may collect opening (%) information of an accelerator pedal AP of the electric vehicle V. Also, the vehicle controller 200 may collect current vehicle speed information of the electric vehicle V in real time.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the virtual shift system 100 can be selectively activated. The virtual shift system 100 can be operated by manipulating a button provided in the cabin of the electric vehicle V. For example, a button for activating the virtual shift system 100 can be provided on an instrument, an audio-video-navigation (AVN), etc. of the electric vehicle V. When the button is used to request activation of the virtual shift system 100, the vehicle controller 200 can activate the virtual shift system 100. In addition, the electric vehicle V can be provided with an operating lever that enables the operator to select the P range or the N range, the D range, the R range, etc.

[0036] The vehicle controller 200 may perform various operations.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, by activating the virtual shift system 100, the vehicle controller 200 may be configured to determine the current virtual gear position (gear position a, a≥0) of the electric vehicle V based on the vehicle speed of the electric vehicle V and the opening degree of the accelerator pedal AP. The vehicle speed of the electric vehicle V may be the average vehicle speed of the left and right driving wheels. The opening degree of the accelerator pedal AP may be detected by an accelerator pedal sensor (APS) of the electric vehicle V.

[0038] In addition, the vehicle controller 200 may be configured to determine in real time the virtual engine speed at the current virtual gear (gear a) of the electric vehicle V. As shown in Expression 1, the vehicle controller 200 may obtain the virtual engine speed based on the average vehicle speed of the electric vehicle V, the tire dynamic radius, and the virtual gear ratio.

[0039] [Expression 1]

[0040]

[0041] Here, VSE a is the virtual engine speed in the virtual gear (gear a), V avg is the average vehicle speed of the left and right driving wheels of the electric vehicle V, r d is the dynamic radius of the tire, and g a is the virtual gear ratio, which is a value preset according to the virtual gear position (gear position a).

[0042] The vehicle controller 200 may obtain the virtual engine angular acceleration according to the opening degree of the accelerator pedal AP.

[0043] The vehicle controller 200 may also determine at least one of the sound source or volume of the virtual engine sound according to the virtual shift state. The vehicle controller 200 may be configured to determine the sound source and volume of the virtual engine sound based on the virtual engine speed and / or virtual engine angular acceleration under the current virtual gear. In this article, the sound source may be the characteristic timbre of the virtual engine sound selectable in the vehicle V. As a non-limiting example, the characteristic timbre of the virtual engine sound may be a 4-cylinder engine sound, a 6-cylinder engine sound, an 8-cylinder engine sound, and the like. The vehicle controller 200 may be configured to determine the sound source of the virtual engine sound according to the virtual shift situation of the vehicle V. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the volume of the virtual engine sound may be a measure of the selected sound source (i.e., how high or low the sound is).

[0044] For internal combustion engine vehicles, the power from the engine is transmitted to the wheels through the clutch torque of the transmission via the gears. In other words, the engine torque can be used to drive the vehicle or partially brake it. The engine torque T that represents this relationship can be expressed as shown in Expression 2: e Modeling.

[0045] [Expression 2]

[0046] T e =T c +Je·α

[0047] Among them, T c is the clutch torque, J e is the inertia of the engine motion system, and α is the engine angular acceleration.

[0048] Expression 2 shows that the main factor reflecting the engine sound is the engine torque T output by the fuel injected into the engine. e and the engine torque T e The resulting engine angular acceleration α. ​​Engine torque T e It can be determined by the input of the accelerator pedal operated by the driver. In addition to the accelerator pedal, when the clutch torque T c The engine torque T is delivered based on the amount of air drawn into the engine and the amount of fuel injected into the engine. e When the engine torque T e It can be configured to generate an engine angular acceleration α corresponding thereto.

[0049] In other words, the engine torque T eThe main factors are the accelerator pedal, the amount of air and the injected fuel, and the result is the engine angular acceleration α. ​​Since the virtual shift system 100 is a virtual system, the amount of air and the amount of fuel injected in the virtual shift system 100 cannot be known. Therefore, it can be said that the generation of the virtual engine sound is proportional to the size of the virtual engine torque, and finally, the virtual engine sound can simulate the engine torque by the opening of the input accelerator pedal AP and the virtual engine angular acceleration. Since it is known that the engine sound increases in proportion to the engine speed, it can be known that the volume % of the virtual engine sound can be determined based on the opening of the accelerator pedal AP, the virtual engine speed and the virtual engine angular acceleration.

[0050] The virtual shift system 100 may further include a sound controller 300. The sound controller 300 may be included in the vehicle controller 200, or may be one or more sound controllers disposed separately from the vehicle controller 200.

[0051] The sound controller 300 may be configured to determine a sound source and a size of a virtual engine sound corresponding to a virtual engine speed at a current virtual gear obtained from the vehicle controller 200. Based on the determined sound source and size of the sound source, the sound controller 300 may transmit the sound source and the size of the corresponding sound source of the virtual engine sound.

[0052] The sound controller 300 may transmit a sound source including a virtual engine sound of a determined magnitude through an output device including a speaker 400. The speaker 400 may be installed at least inside or outside the electric vehicle V.

[0053] As described below, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the virtual engine sound may be output controlled differently according to a virtual gear position that changes in real time.

[0054] refer to Figure 2 , in operation S200 , control for generating a virtual engine sound according to a virtual shift state starts.

[0055] In operation S202, the vehicle controller 200 is configured to determine whether the virtual shift system 100 is activated. As described above, in one example, the virtual shift system 100 may be activated by the driver of the vehicle V.

[0056] In operation S204 , the vehicle controller 200 is configured to determine whether the electric vehicle V is currently in a neutral gear (N gear or P gear). When the electric vehicle V is not currently in a neutral gear, the vehicle controller 200 proceeds to F1 , or, when the vehicle is currently in a neutral gear, proceeds to S206 .

[0057] In the case of the neutral gear, the vehicle controller 200 can instruct the sound controller 300 to control the sound source and the size of the sound source to be output in the first mode, and output the virtual engine sound according to the sound source and its size. In the first mode, the virtual engine sound corresponding to the virtual engine speed obtained by expression 3 can be output. The first mode can simulate the engine sound in the idle state.

[0058] [Expression 3]

[0059] Virtual engine speed at idle = reference idle speed + / - first offset

[0060] In the neutral gear position, the (virtual) engine speed remains at idle speed. In order to simulate the engine idle state in an internal combustion engine, the phenomenon of the idle speed remaining constant but fluctuating slightly is reproduced. Figure 4 As shown, in order to simulate this phenomenon, the virtual engine speed can fluctuate with a positive or negative first offset at predetermined intervals relative to the reference idle speed. In order to reproduce the fluctuation of the virtual engine speed, the vehicle controller 200 is configured to determine a profile of the virtual engine sound to be output in the idle state, and instruct the sound controller 300 to generate a virtual engine sound including the determined profile. The generated virtual engine sound is transmitted by the speaker 400 to express the idle state with sound. In the first mode, the virtual engine sound is output according to the virtual engine speed, and increases or decreases in proportion to the magnitude of the virtual engine speed.

[0061] In operation S208 , in the neutral gear position, the vehicle controller 200 is configured to determine whether the accelerator pedal AP is depressed. In operation S206 , if the accelerator pedal AP is not depressed, the vehicle controller 200 is configured to control and output the virtual engine sound in the first mode.

[0062] In operation S210, if the vehicle controller 200 detects that the accelerator pedal AP is depressed, the vehicle controller 200 controls the virtual engine sound in the second mode. In the second mode, a sound simulating an in-gear state can be provided. As shown in Expression 4, the virtual engine speed increases at a slope set according to the opening of the accelerator pedal AP. In the second mode, a virtual engine sound set according to the opening of the accelerator pedal AP and the virtual engine speed can be output as the virtual engine speed increases or decreases.

[0063] [Expression 4]

[0064] Virtual engine speed (t) @ accelerator pedal pressed

[0065] = Virtual engine speed (t-1) + engine speed slope (according to the setting value of the accelerator pedal)

[0066] Here, t is the current time and t-1 is the time earlier than the current time.

[0067] In addition, refer to Figure 5 In operation S212, the vehicle controller 200 is configured to determine whether the electric vehicle V is currently in a fuel cut-off condition. In operation S214, if the vehicle is determined to be in a fuel cut-off condition, the vehicle controller 200 may be configured to control the virtual engine sound in a third mode, generating a virtual engine sound simulating a fuel cut-off condition in the third mode.

[0068] In the case where the virtual engine speed increases as shown in Expression 4, when a predetermined engine red-zone start speed is reached, the behavior of the virtual engine speed is as shown in Expression 5. The engine red zone or engine red line is shown in the speedometer of the vehicle, and the engine red zone start speed is predetermined during manufacturing. The engine red zone start speed is intended to protect the engine or traction motor from over-acceleration, and can be referred to as a safety threshold value of the revolutions per minute (RPM) of the engine or motor.

[0069] [Expression 5]

[0070] Virtual engine speed under fuel cut condition = virtual engine red zone start speed + / - second offset

[0071] By the vehicle controller 200, the virtual engine speed in the fuel cut condition is determined according to Expression 5 and repeated at a predetermined interval. Here, as in the neutral gear position, the virtual engine sound in the fuel cut condition is also repeated at a predetermined interval. The magnitude of the sound source set according to the opening of the accelerator pedal AP and the virtual engine speed and the magnitude of the sound source simulating the discharge of fuel from the engine are specified to control the slope of the magnitude of the sound source, which is repeatedly increased or decreased at a predetermined interval, thereby outputting the sound. The fluctuation is indicated as a second offset in Expression 5, and the second offset may be greater than the first offset in the neutral gear position.

[0072] If the vehicle controller 200 determines that the vehicle is not in a fuel cut-off condition in operation S212, the vehicle controller 200 is configured to determine whether the opening of the accelerator pedal AP is 0% (the accelerator pedal is not depressed) in operation S216. If the opening of the accelerator pedal AP is not 0%, the vehicle controller 200 returns to operation S210. Conversely, if the opening of the accelerator pedal AP is 0%, in operation S218, the vehicle controller 200 is configured to control the virtual engine sound in the fourth mode.

[0073] If the opening of the accelerator pedal AP is fully open (0%), the virtual engine speed decreases as shown in Expression 6. In the fourth mode, a virtual engine sound set according to the opening of the accelerator pedal AP and the virtual engine speed is output.

[0074] [Expression 6]

[0075] Virtual engine speed (accelerator pedal not depressed) (t)

[0076] =Virtual engine speed (t-1) + engine speed slope (value set according to virtual engine speed)

[0077] In operation S220, the vehicle controller 200 is configured to determine whether the virtual engine speed is in an idle state. When the virtual engine speed reaches the reference idle speed set in the idle state, the virtual engine speed is determined as shown in Expression 3, and the vehicle controller 200 returns to operation S206, so that as described above, the virtual engine sound when the engine is idling is output.

[0078] Reference Figure 3 In F1, if the controller determines that the electric vehicle V is not currently in the neutral gear position, it is determined that the vehicle is in the in-gear state, and in operation S300, the virtual engine sound to be output by the vehicle controller 200 can be controlled in the second mode or the fourth mode. As described above, since the virtual engine speed increases at a slope set according to the opening of the accelerator pedal AP in the second mode, the opening of the accelerator pedal AP and the virtual engine sound set according to the virtual engine speed can be output. In the fourth mode, the opening of the accelerator pedal AP is 0%, and the virtual engine speed decreases at a set slope. Therefore, the opening of the accelerator pedal AP and the virtual engine sound set according to the virtual engine speed can be output in the fourth mode.

[0079] As described above, in the non-shift (engaged) gear position a, the virtual engine speed (VSE in-gear,a It can be determined as shown in Expression 7.

[0080] [Expression 7]

[0081]

[0082] According to the determined virtual engine speed and the opening of the accelerator pedal AP, the virtual engine sound is output. In order to prevent the volume from changing rapidly during the current time, the vehicle controller 200 adjusts the volume by a positive or negative slope determined according to the opening of the accelerator pedal AP and the value of the virtual engine speed through slope control.

[0083] Starting from operation S302 and thereafter, the output of the virtual engine sound at the time of gear shifting may be controlled.

[0084] refer to Figure 6 to Figure 7 In operations S302 and S306, the vehicle controller 200 is configured to determine whether a powered upshift or an unpowered downshift occurs. A "powered upshift" refers to "upshifting" when the accelerator pedal AP is depressed. In an internal combustion engine vehicle, when a powered upshift occurs, the transmission controller is configured to send a request to reduce the engine torque. When the engine controller responds to the request, the slope of the engine angular acceleration is determined to be negative.

[0085] A "downshift" in which the accelerator pedal AP is not depressed is referred to as an "unpowered downshift." In an internal combustion vehicle, when an unpowered downshift occurs, the transmission controller is configured to send a request to increase engine torque, and the engine controller responds to the request by determining that the slope of the engine angular acceleration is positive.

[0086] Similarly, the virtual shift system 100 can be configured to generate engine sounds by simulating the change process of engine torque under powered upshift and unpowered downshift conditions. If powered upshift occurs, in operation S304, the vehicle controller 200 is configured to control the virtual engine sound in the fifth mode. If unpowered downshift occurs, in operation S308, the vehicle controller 200 is configured to control the virtual engine sound in the sixth mode.

[0087] In the fifth and sixth modes, the vehicle controller 200 may be configured to determine the slope of the virtual engine sound to be negative or positive based on a shift progress rate and a virtual engine angular acceleration.

[0088] The gear shift progress rate % depends on the total time t tot and the remaining time t rem The difference between the total time t tot It is the time required for the virtual engine speed to change from the current gear speed to the target gear speed during a powered upshift or unpowered downshift. rem It refers to the remaining time from the current time point until the target gear speed is reached. The gear shift progress rate can be determined by Expression 8.

[0089] [Expression 8]

[0090]

[0091] The virtual engine speed at the virtual gear (gear a) that changes in real time is determined by Expression 1. Similarly, the target gear speed at the virtual gear (a+x) can be determined by Expression 9. Here, a+x is the target gear.

[0092] t rem It can be obtained by dividing the virtual engine slip speed by the virtual engine angular acceleration. The virtual engine slip speed is the difference between the virtual engine speed that changes with time during the gear shift process and the virtual engine speed at the virtual target gear (a+x). The virtual engine speed at the virtual target gear (a+x) can be obtained using Expression 9, which is similar to Expression 1.

[0093] [Expression 9]

[0094]

[0095] Here, VSE a+x is the virtual engine speed at the virtual target gear (gear a+x), V avg is the average vehicle speed of the left and right driving wheels of the electric vehicle V, r d is the dynamic radius of the tire, and g a+x is a virtual gear ratio, which is a value preset according to the virtual target gear position (a+x).

[0096] The shift progress rate is a variable that changes based on the RPM difference between the current gear and the final shift target, determined using the vehicle speed when shifting, ensuring a consistent shift time profile for various transmissions that vary in shift patterns based on vehicle speed. In addition, the engine angular acceleration indicates the transition speed from the current gear to the target gear based on vehicle speed. The speed is generally dependent on the drive mode (Eco / Normal / Sport / Sport+, etc.), so that the closer the engine speed slope is to Sport+, the faster the speed. In an internal combustion engine, the size of a cooperative control known as "intervention" is adjusted to control the speed. To do this, the sound is enabled to be adjusted based on the speed (i.e., the shift progress rate), which ultimately serves to satisfy the true degree of simulated cooperative control between the engine and the transmission.

[0097] In operation S310, after completing the shift from the current gear to the target gear, the vehicle controller 200 is configured to determine whether the vehicle is in a fuel cut-off condition. If it is determined that the vehicle is not in a fuel cut-off condition, then in operation S314, the control ends. If it is determined that the vehicle is in a fuel cut-off condition (similar to operations S212 and S214), then in operation S312, the vehicle controller 200 outputs a virtual engine sound corresponding to the third mode.

[0098] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, by analyzing the shifting mechanism in an actual internal combustion engine, the quality of the virtual engine sound is improved so that the engine sound of the actual internal combustion engine can be reproduced in the virtual shifting system, thereby increasing driving pleasure.

[0099] As can be seen from the above description, the present invention provides the following effects.

[0100] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method and system for controlling a virtual engine sound of an electric vehicle are provided, which are configured to enhance driving pleasure by providing the same multi-speed feeling as provided in an internal combustion engine vehicle.

[0101] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method and system for controlling a virtual engine sound of an electric vehicle are provided, the method and system being configured to provide a virtual shift sound corresponding to a shift feeling in an internal combustion engine vehicle.

[0102] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above contents, and those skilled in the art can clearly recognize other effects not mentioned herein based on the above description.

[0103] In addition, terms related to the control device, such as "controller", "control device", "control unit", "control device", "control module", "control circuit" or "server", etc., refer to a hardware device including a memory and a processor, which is configured to execute one or more steps interpreted as an algorithm structure. The memory stores the algorithm steps, and the processor implements the algorithm steps to perform one or more processes of the method according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The control device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be implemented by a non-volatile memory (which is configured to store algorithms for controlling the operation of various components of the vehicle or data related to software instructions for implementing the algorithm) and a processor (which is configured to perform the above-mentioned operations using data stored in the memory). The memory and the processor can be separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and the processor can be integrated in one chip. The processor can be implemented as one or more processors. The processor can include various logic circuits and operating circuits, can be configured to process data according to a program provided by the memory, and can be configured to generate a control signal according to the processing results.

[0104] The control device may be at least one microprocessor operated by a predetermined program, which may include a series of instructions for executing the methods included in the aforementioned various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0105] The above invention may also be embodied as a computer-readable code on a computer-readable recording medium. A computer-readable recording medium is any data storage device that can store data that can be read thereafter by a computer system, and store and implement program instructions that can be read thereafter by a computer system. Examples of computer-readable recording media include hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state disks (SSDs), silicon disk drives (SDDs), read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, and the like, as well as implementations as carrier waves (e.g., transmission over the Internet). Examples of program instructions include machine language codes, such as those generated by a compiler, and high-level language codes that can be implemented by a computer using an interpreter, etc.

[0106] In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, each of the operations described above may be performed by a control device, which may be configured as a plurality of control devices or an integrated single control device.

[0107] In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the memory and the processor may be provided as one chip, or provided as separate chips.

[0108] In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the scope of the present invention includes software or machine-executable instructions (e.g., operating systems, applications, firmware, programs, etc.) for enabling operations of methods according to various embodiments to be performed on a device or computer, including non-transitory computer-readable media on which such software or instructions are stored and executable on a device or computer.

[0109] In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the control device may be implemented in the form of hardware or software, or may be implemented in the form of a combination of hardware and software.

[0110] In addition, terms such as “unit”, “module” and the like included in the present specification mean a unit for processing at least one function or operation, which can be implemented by hardware, software or a combination thereof.

[0111] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle may be considered as being based on a concept including various vehicles. In some cases, a vehicle may be interpreted as being based on a concept including not only various land vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses traveling on roads, but also various vehicles such as airplanes, drones, ships, and the like.

[0112] For ease of explanation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms "up", "down", "inside", "outside", "upward", "downward", "upward", "downward", "front", "rear", "rear", "inside", "outside", "inward", "outward", "interior", "exterior", "inner", "exterior", "forward", and "rearward" are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the term "connect" or its derivatives refers to both direct and indirect connections.

[0113] The term "and / or" may include a combination of multiple related listed items or any one of the multiple related listed items. For example, "A and / or B" includes all three cases, such as "A", "B" and "A and B".

[0114] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, "at least one of A and B" may refer to "at least one of A or B" or "at least one of a combination of at least one of A and B". In addition, "one or more of A and B" may refer to "one or more of A or B" or "one or more of a combination of one or more of A and B".

[0115] In this specification, unless otherwise specified, a singular expression includes a plural expression.

[0116] In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that terms such as “including” or “having” are intended to indicate the presence of features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, parts, or a combination thereof described in this specification, and do not exclude the possibility of adding or existing one or more other features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, parts, or a combination thereof.

[0117] According to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, components may be combined with each other to be implemented as a whole, or some of the components may be omitted.

[0118] Hereinafter, multiple hardwares being operatively coupled may include establishing direct and / or indirect connections between the multiple hardwares via wired and / or wireless means.

[0119] The foregoing description of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. These descriptions are not intended to be exhaustive, nor are they intended to limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed, and it is apparent that many modifications and variations may be made in light of the above teachings. In order to explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, exemplary embodiments have been selected and described to enable those skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the present invention and various alternatives and modifications thereof. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a virtual engine sound of an electric vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: The controller collects the driving state of the electric vehicle, wherein the driving state includes the vehicle speed and the accelerator pedal opening; determining, by the controller, a virtual gear position based on the vehicle speed and the accelerator pedal opening; determining, by the controller, a virtual engine speed of the electric vehicle based on the vehicle speed and the virtual gear; as well as The controller outputs a virtual engine sound corresponding to the virtual engine speed through an output device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Outputting the virtual engine sound through the output device comprises the following steps: determining a sound source and a volume corresponding to the virtual engine speed; and The sound source is output at the determined volume.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: In response to an accelerator pedal of the electric vehicle being depressed, the virtual engine sound is output by the controller including a sound source and a volume determined based on the virtual engine speed and the accelerator pedal opening.

4. The method according to claim 3, comprising the steps of: determining, by the controller, whether the driving state is in a fuel cut-off condition; In response to determining that the driving state is in the fuel cut condition, determining, by the controller, a sound source and a sound volume corresponding to a virtual engine speed in the fuel cut condition; as well as The controller adjusts the volume of the sound source to a predetermined volume at predetermined time intervals.

5. The method according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: determining, by the controller, whether a powered upshift occurs; as well as In response to determining that a powered upshift has occurred, a virtual engine sound to be output is determined by the controller based on a shift progress rate and a virtual engine angular acceleration in the powered upshift.

6. The method according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: determining, by the controller, whether a powerless downshift occurs; as well as In response to determining that an unpowered downshift has occurred, a virtual engine sound to be output is determined by the controller based on a shift progress rate and a virtual engine angular acceleration in the unpowered downshift.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The shift progress rate is determined based on a difference between a total time required for the virtual engine speed to change from a current gear speed to a target gear speed and a remaining time from a current time point until the target gear speed is reached.

8. The method according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: In response to determining that the driving state is in a neutral gear position, determining, by the controller, a sound source and a sound volume corresponding to a virtual engine speed in the neutral gear position; as well as The controller adjusts the volume of the sound source to a predetermined first volume at predetermined time intervals.

9. The method according to claim 3, comprising the steps of: determining, by the controller, whether the driving state is in a fuel cut-off condition; In response to determining that the driving state is in a fuel cut condition, determining, by the controller, a sound source and a sound volume corresponding to a virtual engine speed in the fuel cut condition; and ； The controller adjusts the volume of the sound source to a predetermined second volume at predetermined time intervals, wherein the second volume is greater than the first volume.

10. A system for controlling a virtual engine sound of an electric vehicle, the system comprising: processor; as well as a non-transitory storage medium containing program instructions, The processor is configured to: collecting a driving state of the electric vehicle, wherein the driving state includes a vehicle speed and an accelerator pedal opening; determining a virtual gear position based on the vehicle speed and the accelerator pedal opening; determining a virtual engine speed of the electric vehicle based on the vehicle speed and the virtual gear; and A virtual engine sound corresponding to the virtual engine speed is outputted through an output device.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein: When outputting the virtual engine sound through the output device, the processor is further configured to: determining a sound source and a volume corresponding to the virtual engine speed; and The sound source is output at the determined volume.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein: The processor is further configured to: In response to an accelerator pedal of the electric vehicle being depressed, the virtual engine sound is outputted including a sound source and a volume determined based on the virtual engine speed and the accelerator pedal opening.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein: The processor is further configured to: determining whether the driving state is in a fuel cut-off condition; In response to determining that the driving state is in the fuel cut condition, determining a sound source and a sound volume corresponding to a virtual engine speed in the fuel cut condition; and The volume of the sound source is adjusted to a predetermined volume at predetermined time intervals.

14. The system according to claim 10, wherein: The processor is further configured to: determining whether a powered upshift occurred; and In response to determining that a powered upshift has occurred, a virtual engine sound to be output is determined based on a shift progress rate and a virtual engine angular acceleration in the powered upshift.

15. The system according to claim 10, wherein: The processor is further configured to: determining whether an unpowered downshift has occurred; and In response to determining that an unpowered downshift has occurred, a virtual engine sound to be output is determined based on a shift progress rate in the unpowered downshift and a virtual engine angular acceleration.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein: The shift progress rate is determined based on a difference between a total time required for the virtual engine speed to change from a current gear speed to a target gear speed and a remaining time from a current time point until the target gear speed is reached.

17. The system according to claim 10, wherein: The processor is further configured to: In response to determining that the driving state is in a neutral gear position, determining a sound source and a sound volume corresponding to a virtual engine speed in the neutral gear position; and The volume of the sound source is adjusted to a predetermined first volume at predetermined time intervals.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein: The processor is further configured to: determining whether the driving state is in a fuel cut-off condition; In response to determining that the driving state is in a fuel cut condition, determining a sound source and a sound volume corresponding to a virtual engine speed in the fuel cut condition; as well as The volume of the sound source is adjusted to a predetermined second volume at predetermined time intervals, wherein the second volume is greater than the first volume.

19. An electric vehicle comprising the system according to claim 10.

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