Battery electric vehicle and vehicle characteristic customization system

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery electric vehicle and a vehicle characteristic customization system. A battery electric vehicle includes: a driving operation member; a dummy shift operation member; and a control device configured to control a movement of the battery electric vehicle with respect to an operation of the driving operation member according to an operation state of the dummy shift operation member. The control device is configured to obtain a customized setting of a vehicle characteristic of the manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle; changing a setting of a motion characteristic of the battery electric vehicle with respect to the operation of the driving operation member and the operation of the dummy shift operation member based on the customized setting when the customized setting is suitable for the battery electric vehicle; and maintain the setting of the motion characteristic at the current setting or the default setting when the customized setting is not suitable for the battery-powered vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery electric vehicle including an electric motor as a drive source, and to a vehicle characteristic customization system for customizing vehicle characteristics of the battery electric vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Various devices that allow people to enjoy driving simulator video games have been proposed and put to practical use. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-180853 (JP 2008-180853 A) discloses a reaction force device for a driving simulator. The device is configured to detect a steering angle of a steering wheel and apply a reaction force to the steering wheel based on angle information indicating the detected steering angle and a predetermined friction characteristic. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a driving simulator video game, a user can customize a virtual vehicle that he / she operates according to his / her favorite vehicle characteristics. When preferred vehicle characteristics are obtained through customization, if the user can try such vehicle characteristics on an actual vehicle, he / she can increase the fun. However, since safety is given priority in the real world, the vehicle characteristics set in the game cannot be reflected on the actual vehicle without limitation.

[0004] The present disclosure provides a battery electric vehicle and a vehicle characteristic customization system that enable a user to enjoy customizing vehicle characteristics without causing the vehicle to become inoperable.

[0005] A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a battery electric vehicle including an electric motor as a drive source, the battery electric vehicle including: a driving operation member for driving the battery electric vehicle; a pseudo-shifting operation member that mimics an operation member for performing a shifting operation of a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle; and a control device configured to control the movement of the battery electric vehicle with respect to an operation of the driving operation member according to an operation state of the pseudo-shifting operation member. The control device is configured to acquire a customization setting of vehicle characteristics of a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle reproduced by the battery electric vehicle; when the customization setting is suitable for the battery electric vehicle, change a setting of a movement characteristic of the battery electric vehicle with respect to an operation of the driving operation member and an operation of the pseudo-shifting operation member based on the customization setting; and when the customization setting is not suitable for the battery electric vehicle, maintain the setting of the movement characteristic at a current setting or a default setting.

[0006] In the battery electric vehicle according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the control device may be configured to present a settable range for customization according to the current setting or the default setting to the user.

[0007] In a battery electric vehicle according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, the driving operation member may include an accelerator pedal; the pseudo-shifting operation member may include a pseudo-shifter that simulates a shifter of a manual transmission; and the customization setting may include a relationship among a vehicle speed of the present vehicle, an operation amount of the accelerator pedal, a gear selected by an operation of the pseudo-shifter, and a torque of an electric motor.

[0008] In a battery electric vehicle according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, the driving operation member may include an accelerator pedal; the pseudo-shifting operation member may include a pseudo-shifter that simulates a shifter of a manual transmission and a pseudo-clutch operation device that simulates a clutch operation device; and the customization setting may include a relationship among a vehicle speed of the present vehicle, an operation amount of the accelerator pedal, a gear selected by an operation of the pseudo-shifter, an operation amount of the pseudo-clutch operation device, and a torque of an electric motor.

[0009] In a battery electric vehicle according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, the customization setting may include whether the pseudo-clutch operation device is used.

[0010] In a battery electric vehicle according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, the pseudo-shifter may include a pseudo-sequential shifter that simulates a sequential shifter of a manual transmission and a pseudo-H shifter that simulates an H-type shifter of a manual transmission; and the customization setting may include whether to use the pseudo-sequential shifter or the pseudo-H shifter.

[0011] In a battery electric vehicle according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, the customization setting may include at least one setting among settings of at least one characteristic of an engine characteristic, a shifting characteristic, and a suspension characteristic of a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle.

[0012] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a vehicle characteristic customization system that customizes vehicle characteristics of a battery electric vehicle, the battery electric vehicle including an electric motor as a drive source, a driving operation member for torque control of the electric motor, and a pseudo-shifting operation member that simulates an operation member for a shifting operation of a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle. The vehicle characteristic customization system includes: a human-machine interface configured to set a customization setting of vehicle characteristics of a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle to be reproduced by the battery electric vehicle; and a processing circuit configured to communicate with the human-machine interface. The processing circuit is configured to determine whether the customization setting set through the human-machine interface is suitable for the battery electric vehicle; when the customization setting is suitable for the battery electric vehicle, change a setting of a motion characteristic of the battery electric vehicle with respect to operations of the driving operation member and the pseudo-shifting operation member based on the customization setting; and when the customization setting is not suitable for the battery electric vehicle, maintain the setting of the motion characteristic at a current setting or a default setting.

[0013] In the vehicle characteristic customization system according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the human-machine interface may include a touch panel display; and the human-machine interface may be configured to display a characteristic map indicating the vehicle characteristics of a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle on the touch panel display, such that a user can change the characteristic map on the touch panel display through a touch operation and accept the changed characteristic map as the customization setting.

[0014] In the vehicle characteristic customization system according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the processing circuit may be configured to present, via the human-machine interface, a settable range for customization from the current setting or the default setting to the user.

[0015] In the vehicle characteristic customization system according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the processing circuit may be configured to: record the driving history performed by the driver using the pseudo-shifting operation member; and increase the settable range of the customization setting on the human-machine interface according to the driving history.

[0016] In the vehicle characteristic customization system according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the human-machine interface may be installed on a portable terminal, which is configured to be wirelessly or wiredly connected to a battery electric vehicle.

[0017] In the vehicle characteristic customization system according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the processing circuit may be installed on the battery electric vehicle; and the processing circuit may be configured to determine whether the customization setting downloaded from the portable terminal is suitable for the battery electric vehicle.

[0018] In the vehicle characteristic customization system according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, a part of the processing circuit may be installed on the portable terminal; and a part of the processing circuit may be configured to use a filter prepared for each battery electric vehicle to determine whether the customization setting set using the human-machine interface is suitable for the battery electric vehicle, and upload the customization setting determined to be suitable for the battery electric vehicle to the battery electric vehicle.

[0019] In the vehicle characteristic customization system according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the human-machine interface may be installed on a game device, which is configured to be wirelessly or wiredly connected to a battery electric vehicle; and the human-machine interface may be configured such that the vehicle characteristics of a virtual vehicle set by a user in a video game running on the game device can be set as the customization setting.

[0020] In the vehicle characteristic customization system according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the video game may include: a mode for selecting a battery electric vehicle to which the customization setting is to be uploaded; and a mode for setting the vehicle characteristics of the virtual vehicle using a filter for the selected battery electric vehicle.

[0021] In a vehicle characteristic customization system according to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a human-machine interface may be configured to increase a range of settings that can be set according to an amount of money a user pays for a video game.

[0022] In a vehicle characteristic customization system according to a second aspect of the present disclosure, the human-machine interface and a processing circuit may be installed on a battery electric vehicle.

[0023] A battery electric vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a pseudo-shifting operation member. Thus, by controlling the movement of the battery electric vehicle relative to the operation of a driving operation member according to an operation state of the pseudo-shifting operation member, the battery electric vehicle can reproduce vehicle characteristics of a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle. With the battery electric vehicle according to the present disclosure, further, a user can customize settings of the vehicle characteristics of the manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle reproduced by the battery electric vehicle according to his / her taste. However, the customized settings are not unconditionally applied to the battery electric vehicle. When the customized settings are not suitable for the battery electric vehicle, settings of the movement characteristics of the battery electric vehicle relative to the operations of the driving operation member and the pseudo-shifting operation member are maintained at current settings or default settings. This allows the user to enjoy customized vehicle characteristics without causing the vehicle to become inoperable.

[0024] With a vehicle characteristic customization system according to the present disclosure, a user can use a human-machine interface to customize settings of the vehicle characteristics of a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle to be reproduced by the battery electric vehicle according to his / her taste. However, the customized settings set using the human-machine interface are not unconditionally applied to the battery electric vehicle, and it is determined whether the customized settings are suitable for the battery electric vehicle. When the customized settings are not suitable for the battery electric vehicle, settings of the movement characteristics of the battery electric vehicle relative to the operations of the driving operation member and the pseudo-shifting operation member are maintained at current settings or default settings. This allows the user to enjoy customized vehicle characteristics without causing the vehicle to become inoperable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which:

[0026] Figure 1 shows a configuration of a battery electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 2 is a tree diagram showing an example of a control mode of a battery electric vehicle that can be selected by a control device;

[0028] Figure 3 shows a configuration of a control device related to travel control of a battery electric vehicle;

[0029] Figure 4 Shows the configuration of a control device related to the sound control of a battery electric vehicle;

[0030] Figure 5 Is a tree diagram showing an example of a process for operating a human-machine interface (HMI) to customize vehicle characteristics;

[0031] Figure 6 Shows an example of a method for customizing shift characteristics by operating the HMI;

[0032] Figure 7 Shows an example of a method for customizing shift characteristics by operating the HMI;

[0033] Figure 8 Shows an example of a method for customizing shift characteristics by operating the HMI;

[0034] Figure 9 Shows an example of a method for customizing shift characteristics by operating the HMI;

[0035] Figure 10 Shows an example of a method for customizing engine characteristics by operating the HMI;

[0036] Figure 11 Shows an example of a method for customizing engine characteristics by operating the HMI;

[0037] Figure 12 Shows an example of a method for customizing engine characteristics by operating the HMI;

[0038] Figure 13 Is a flowchart showing the process executed by a vehicle characteristic customization system;

[0039] Figure 14 Is a flowchart for a mobile terminal and a vehicle control device, showing an example of a process executed by a vehicle characteristic customization system using the mobile terminal;

[0040] Figure 15 Is a flowchart for a mobile terminal and a vehicle control device, showing another example of a process executed by a vehicle characteristic customization system using the mobile terminal; and

[0041] Figure 16 Is a flowchart for a game device and a vehicle control device, showing an example of a process executed by a vehicle characteristic customization system using the game device. Detailed Description

[0042] 1. Configuration of the powertrain of a battery electric vehicle

[0043] Figure 1Schematically shows the configuration of a battery electric vehicle 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. First, reference will be made to Figure 1 Describe the configuration of the powertrain of the battery electric vehicle 100.

[0044] The battery electric vehicle 100 includes two electric motors (M) 4F, 4R at the front and rear as power sources for driving. The electric motors 4F, 4R are, for example, three-phase alternating current (AC) electric motors. The front electric motor 4F is connected to a front drive shaft 5F that drives the front wheels 6F. The rear electric motor 4R is connected to a rear drive shaft 5R that drives the rear wheels 6R. The front wheels 6F are suspended on independently electronically controlled right and left front suspensions 7F. The rear wheels 6R are suspended on independently electronically controlled right and left rear suspensions 7R.

[0045] The front electric motor 4F and the rear electric motor 4R are respectively equipped with inverters (INV) 3F, 3R. The front inverter 3F and the rear inverter 3R are each connected to a battery (BATT) 2. The battery 2 stores electrical energy for driving the electric motors 4F, 4R. That is, the battery electric vehicle 100 is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) that runs based on the electrical energy stored in the battery 2. The inverters 3F, 3R are, for example, voltage inverters, and respectively control the torque of the electric motors 4F, 4R through pulse width modulation (PWM) control.

[0046] 2. Configuration of the control system of the battery electric vehicle

[0047] Subsequently, reference will be made to Figure 1 Describe the configuration of the control system of the battery electric vehicle 100.

[0048] The battery electric vehicle 100 includes a battery management system (BMS) 10. The battery management system 10 is a device that monitors the cell voltage, current, temperature, etc. of the battery 2. The battery management system 10 has a function of estimating the state of charge (SOC) of the battery 2.

[0049] The battery electric vehicle 100 includes a vehicle speed sensor 11. At least one of the wheel speed sensors (not shown) provided for the left and right front wheels 6F and the left and right rear wheels 6R is used as the vehicle speed sensor 11. The battery electric vehicle 100 also includes an accelerator pedal stroke sensor 12. The accelerator pedal stroke sensor 12 is provided for the accelerator pedal 22 and outputs a signal indicating the depression amount of the accelerator pedal 22 (i.e., the accelerator operation amount). The battery electric vehicle 100 also includes a brake pedal stroke sensor 13. The brake pedal stroke sensor 13 is provided for the brake pedal 23 and outputs a signal indicating the depression amount of the brake pedal 23 (i.e., the brake operation amount).

[0050] The accelerator pedal 22 and the brake pedal 23 are driving operation members for driving the battery electric vehicle 100. In addition to these driving operation members, the battery electric vehicle 100 includes a pseudo-shifting operation member that mimics an operation member for performing a shifting operation of a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle. The pseudo-shifting operation member includes a pseudo-H shifter 24, a pseudo-paddle shifter 25, and a pseudo-clutch pedal 26, which will be described below.

[0051] The pseudo-H shifter 24 is a dummy different from a real H shifter. The pseudo-H shifter 24 has a structure that mimics a shift lever disposed in a console and can move between gears along an H-shaped pattern shift groove. However, since the battery electric vehicle 100 does not include an actual transmission, the gears of the pseudo-H shifter 24 are virtual gears. The pseudo-H shifter 24 is provided with a gear position sensor 14. The gear position sensor 14 outputs a signal indicating the gear selected using the pseudo-H shifter 24.

[0052] The pseudo-paddle shifter 25 is a dummy different from an actual paddle shifter which is a type of sequential shifter. The pseudo-paddle shifter 25 has a structure that mimics paddle shifters attached to a steering wheel and includes two left and right paddles that can move independently. The pseudo-paddle shifter 25 is provided with a paddle shift switch 15. The paddle shift switch 15 outputs an upshift signal when the right paddle is pulled and outputs a downshift signal when the left paddle is pulled.

[0053] The pseudo-clutch pedal 26 is a dummy different from a real clutch pedal. The pseudo-clutch pedal 26 has a structure that mimics a clutch pedal disposed in a conventional manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle. For example, the pseudo-clutch pedal 26 includes a reaction force mechanism that generates a reaction force against the depression by the driver. The position of the pseudo-clutch pedal 26 when no downward pressure is applied is the start position of the pseudo-clutch pedal 26, and the position of the pseudo-clutch pedal 26 when the pseudo-clutch pedal 26 is fully depressed is the end position of the pseudo-clutch pedal 26. The driver can operate the pseudo-clutch pedal 26 from the start position to the end position by overcoming the reaction force from the reaction force mechanism. The pseudo-clutch pedal 26 is provided with a clutch pedal stroke sensor 16. The clutch pedal stroke sensor 16 outputs a signal indicating the amount of depression of the pseudo-clutch pedal 26. Since the battery electric vehicle 100 does not include an actual clutch, the operation amount of the pseudo-clutch pedal 26, i.e., the clutch operation amount, is a virtual clutch operation amount.

[0054] Although the pseudo-clutch pedal 26 is a pedal-type operating device operated by the foot, a lever-type operating device or a dial-type operating device operated by the hand may be provided as the pseudo-clutch operating device. The pseudo-clutch operating device may have various structures as long as the driver can operate the pseudo-clutch operating device from the start position to the end position against the reaction force and allows the driver to have an operating feeling similar to that of the clutch pedal provided in a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle with a manual transmission with his / her foot or hand.

[0055] The battery electric vehicle 100 also includes a human-machine interface (HMI) 20 as an interface for communicating with the driver, and an in-vehicle speaker 21. The HMI 20 includes a touch panel display. The HMI 20 displays information on the touch panel display and accepts input from the driver through a touch operation on the touch panel display. The in-vehicle speaker 21 can provide information to the driver by voice and output a pseudo-engine sound which will be discussed later.

[0056] The battery electric vehicle 100 includes a control device 101. Sensors and controlled target devices mounted on the battery electric vehicle 100 are connected to the control device 101 through an in-vehicle network. In addition to the battery management system 10, vehicle speed sensor 11, accelerator pedal stroke sensor 12, brake pedal stroke sensor 13, gear position sensor 14, paddle shift switch 15, and clutch pedal stroke sensor 16, various other sensors are also mounted on the battery electric vehicle 100.

[0057] The control device 101 is generally an electronic control unit (ECU). The control device 101 may be a combination of multiple ECUs. The control device 101 at least includes a processor 102 and a memory 103. The memory 103 includes a random access memory (RAM) for temporarily storing data and a read-only memory (ROM) for storing a program 104 executable by the processor 102 and various data 105 related to the program. The program 104 consists of a plurality of instruction codes. The processor 102 reads the program 104 and data 105 from the memory 103, executes the program 104, and generates a control signal based on the signals obtained from the sensors. The control device 101 may include one processor 102, or may include multiple processors 102.

[0058] The control device 101 can control the battery electric vehicle 100 in various control modes. The driver can select a control mode by performing a touch operation on the touch panel display of the HMI 20. Specifically, when a touch operation is performed on the touch panel display of the HMI 20, one or more programs 104 associated with the touch operation are read from the memory 103 and executed by the processor 102. The control modes of the control device 101 for the battery electric vehicle 100, which can be selected by the driver through the operation of the HMI 20, will be described below.

[0059] 3. Control Modes of Battery Electric Vehicles

[0060] Figure 2 is a tree diagram showing examples of control modes of the battery electric vehicle 100 that can be selected by the control device 101. According to Figure 2 the control tree shown, a selection screen is displayed on the touch panel display of the HMI 20.

[0061] The option "Control Mode" OP000 is displayed on the initial screen of the HMI 20. When the option "Control Mode" OP000 is selected, the options "Automatic Mode" OP110 and "Manual Mode" OP120 are displayed on the touch panel display. When the option "Automatic Mode" OP110 is selected, the control mode of the battery electric vehicle 100 is switched to the automatic mode. The automatic mode is a control mode for driving the battery electric vehicle 100 as a normal BEV. In the automatic mode, the driver can basically drive the battery electric vehicle 100 only by operating the accelerator pedal 22, the brake pedal 23, and the steering wheel (not shown). In the automatic mode, the shift operation of the pseudo H-type shifter 24, the shift operation of the pseudo paddle shifter 25, and the clutch operation of the pseudo clutch pedal 26 are disabled.

[0062] When the option "Manual Mode" OP120 is selected, the control mode of the battery electric vehicle 100 is switched to the manual mode. The manual mode is a control mode for operating the battery electric vehicle 100 like a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle. When the option "Manual Mode" OP120 is selected, the options "Shift Mode" OP210, "Engine Characteristics" OP220, "Engine Sound" OP230, "Drive Mode" OP240, and "Suspension Characteristics" OP250 are displayed on the touch panel display. The driver can determine the characteristics of the manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle to be reproduced by the battery electric vehicle 100 by appropriately combining the options OP210 to OP250.

[0063] The option "Shift Mode" OP210 is an option for selecting the shift mode of a manual transmission when causing the battery electric vehicle 100 to operate like a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle. When the option "Shift Mode" OP210 is selected, the options "Paddle Shift" OP311, "Gear Lever Shift with Clutch Operation" OP312, and "Gear Lever Shift without Clutch Operation" OP313 are displayed on the touch panel display. When the option "Paddle Shift" OP311 is selected, the shift mode of the manual transmission reproduced by the battery electric vehicle 100 is switched to the paddle shift mode. The paddle shift mode is the mode in which the pseudo paddle shifter 25 is used for shift operations. In the paddle shift mode, the shift operation of the pseudo H-type shifter 24 is disabled. In the paddle shift mode, the movement that occurs when the gear ratio of the manual transmission changes is reproduced by the shift operation of the pseudo paddle shifter 25. The clutch operation in a real paddle shift manual transmission is automatically performed by a robot. Therefore, the clutch operation of the pseudo clutch pedal 26 is not required in the paddle shift mode. In the paddle shift mode, the clutch operation of the pseudo clutch pedal 26 is disabled.

[0064] When the option "Gear Lever Shift with Clutch Operation" OP312 is selected, the gear lever shift mode with clutch operation is selected. The gear lever shift mode with clutch operation is the mode in which the pseudo H-type shifter 24 and the pseudo clutch pedal 26 are used for shift operations. In this mode, the movement that occurs when the gear ratio of the manual transmission changes is reproduced by the shift operation of the pseudo H-type shifter 24 and the clutch operation of the pseudo clutch pedal 26. In this mode, additionally, the shift operation of the pseudo paddle shifter 25 is deactivated.

[0065] When the option "Gear Lever Shift without Clutch Operation" OP313 is selected, the gear lever shift mode without clutch operation is selected. The gear lever shift mode without clutch operation is the mode in which the pseudo clutch pedal 26 is not used and only the pseudo H-type shifter 24 is used for shift operations. Real manual transmissions of the H-type shifter type also include transmissions in which the clutch operation is performed by the driver himself and transmissions in which the clutch operation is performed by a robot. In this mode, the movement that occurs when the gear ratio of the manual transmission changes is reproduced by the shift operation of the pseudo H-type shifter 24. In this mode, additionally, the shift operation of the pseudo paddle shifter 25 and the clutch operation of the pseudo clutch pedal 26 are disabled.

[0066] The option "Engine Characteristics" OP220 is an option for selecting the characteristics of an internal combustion engine when causing the battery electric vehicle 100 to operate like a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle. For example, when the option "Engine Characteristics" OP220 is selected, the options "Engine Characteristic A" OP321 and "Engine Characteristic B" OP322 are displayed on the touch panel display. Engine Characteristic A and Engine Characteristic B are different engine characteristics. For example, as default settings, Engine Characteristics A and B can be set to the engine characteristics of a low to medium rotation engine, a high rotation engine, and a full range engine.

[0067] The option "Engine Sound" OP230 is an option for selecting the engine sound to be reproduced by the battery electric vehicle 100. When the option "Engine Sound" OP230 is selected, the options "Engine Sound A" OP331 and "Engine Sound B" OP332 are displayed on the touch panel display. Engine Sound A and Engine Sound B are different engine sounds. For example, as default settings, Engine Sounds A and B can be set to the engine sounds of a supercharged inline 4-cylinder engine, a horizontally opposed 6-cylinder engine, and a V-type 12-cylinder engine.

[0068] The option "Drive Mode" OP240 is an option for selecting the drive mode of the battery electric vehicle 100. When the option "Drive Mode" OP240 is selected, the options "Four-Wheel Drive" OP341 and "Rear-Wheel Drive" OP342 are displayed on the touch panel display. When the option "Four-Wheel Drive" OP341 is selected, the drive mode of the battery electric vehicle 100 switches to the four-wheel drive mode. In the four-wheel drive mode, the front wheels 6F are driven by the front electric motor 4F, and the rear wheels 6R are driven by the rear electric motor 4R. By using the inverters 3F, 3R to control the electric motors 4F, 4R, the torque distribution between the front wheels 6F and the rear wheels 6R can be fixed or variable. When the option "Rear-Wheel Drive" OP342 is selected, the drive mode of the battery electric vehicle 100 switches to the rear-wheel drive mode. In the rear-wheel drive mode, only the rear wheels 6R are driven by the rear electric motor 4R. The drive mode of the battery electric vehicle 100 can include an option for a front-wheel drive mode, where instead of or in addition to the rear-wheel drive mode, only the front wheels 6F are driven by the front electric motor 4F.

[0069] The option "Suspension Characteristics" OP250 is an option for selecting the suspension characteristics of the battery electric vehicle 100. When the option "Suspension Characteristics" OP250 is selected, the options "Suspension Characteristic A" OP351 and "Suspension Characteristic B" OP352 are displayed on the touch panel display. The damping force of the suspensions 7F, 7R is different between Suspension Characteristic A and Suspension Characteristic B. For example, as default settings, Suspension Characteristics A and B can be set to soft, medium, and hard suspension characteristics.

[0070] The driver can switch the control mode of the battery electric vehicle 100 according to his / her preference by operating the touch panel display of the HMI 20 according to the above control tree. The switchable control modes include modes related to the driving control of the battery electric vehicle 100 and modes related to the sound control of the battery electric vehicle 100. Specifically, the mode related to the option "engine sound" OP230 is a mode related to sound control, and the remaining modes are modes related to driving control. In the following sections, the driving control and sound control of the battery electric vehicle 100 by the control device 101 will be described.

[0071] 4. Driving control of battery electric vehicle

[0072] Figure 3 The configuration of the control device 101 related to the driving control of the battery electric vehicle 100 is shown. Specifically, Figure 3 The configuration related to the torque control of the driving control in particular is shown. When the processor 102 executes one or more driving control programs 104 stored in the memory 103, the processor 102 functions as a driving control device.

[0073] A control mode signal is input from the HMI 20 to the control device 101 that functions as a driving control device. The control mode signal includes information about the control mode selected by the driver. The control device 101 executes a process P110 based on the control mode signal. In the process P110, the control mode is switched according to the control mode signal. The switching of the control mode that particularly affects the driving control is the switching between the automatic mode and the manual mode.

[0074] When the control mode is switched to the automatic mode, the control device 101 executes a process P120 for calculating torque in the automatic mode. In the process P120, the control device 101 obtains the vehicle speed from the signal from the vehicle speed sensor 11 and obtains the accelerator operation amount from the signal from the accelerator pedal stroke sensor 12. The control device 101 has a motor torque map in which the accelerator operation amount and the vehicle speed are used as parameters. The control device 101 inputs the vehicle speed and the accelerator operation amount into the motor torque map and controls the inverters 3F, 3R so that the electric motors 4F, 4R generate the torque obtained from the motor torque map.

[0075] When the control mode is switched to the manual mode, the control device 101 executes the process P130 of calculating the torque in the manual mode. The process P130 includes the process P131 of calculating the torque to be generated by the drive wheels. The process P130 also includes the processes P132 and P133. The process P132 is the process of calculating the torque to be generated by the front electric motor 4F, and the process P133 is the process of calculating the torque to be generated by the rear electric motor 4R. The processes P132 and P133 are executed based on the drive wheel torque calculated in the process P130 and the torque distribution between the front wheels 6F and the rear wheels 6R.

[0076] In the process P131, the vehicle model MOD01 is used to calculate the drive wheel torque. The vehicle model MOD01 includes the engine model MOD11, the clutch model MOD12, and the transmission model MOD13. The engine, clutch, and transmission virtually realized by the vehicle model MOD01 will be referred to as the "virtual engine", the "virtual clutch", and the "virtual transmission", respectively. The engine model MOD11 models the virtual engine. The clutch model MOD12 models the virtual clutch. The transmission model MOD13 models the virtual transmission.

[0077] The engine model MOD11 calculates the virtual engine speed and the virtual engine torque. The virtual engine speed is calculated from the vehicle speed, the overall reduction ratio, and the slip ratio of the virtual clutch. The virtual engine torque is calculated based on the virtual engine speed and the accelerator operation amount. The vehicle speed is obtained from the signal from the vehicle speed sensor 11. The accelerator operation amount is obtained from the signal from the accelerator pedal stroke sensor 12. The overall reduction ratio is a value obtained by multiplying the transmission ratio of the virtual transmission by the reduction ratio determined by the mechanical structure from the virtual transmission to the drive wheels. In the engine model MOD11, the relationship between the virtual engine speed and the virtual engine torque is specified for each accelerator operation amount. The driver can select the engine characteristics of the engine model MOD11 by operating the HMI20.

[0078] The clutch model MOD12 calculates the torque transfer gain. The torque transfer gain is the gain for calculating the torque transfer degree of the virtual clutch based on the clutch operation amount. When the paddle shift mode with clutch operation is selected as the shift mode, the clutch operation amount is obtained from the signal of the clutch pedal stroke sensor 16. The clutch operation amount is 0% at the starting position of the pseudo clutch pedal 26 and 100% at the terminal position of the pseudo clutch pedal 26. The clutch model MOD12 gives the torque transfer gain with respect to the clutch operation amount. The torque transfer gain is converted into the clutch torque capacity of the virtual clutch, that is, the virtual clutch torque capacity. The virtual clutch torque to be input from the virtual clutch to the virtual transmission is calculated based on the comparison between the virtual clutch torque capacity and the virtual engine torque calculated by the engine model MOD11. At the same time, the clutch model MOD12 calculates the slip ratio by subtracting the torque transfer gain from 1. The engine model MOD11 uses the slip ratio to calculate the virtual engine speed.

[0079] When the paddle shift mode is selected as the shift mode, the clutch operation model is used to calculate the clutch operation amount to be input to the clutch model MOD12. In addition, when the lever shift mode without clutch operation is selected as the shift mode, the clutch operation model is used to calculate the clutch operation amount to be input to the clutch model MOD12. The clutch operation model is a model that simulates the clutch operation by the model driver. When the paddle shift mode is selected, the vehicle speed, the virtual engine speed, and the signal from the paddle shift switch 15 are input to the clutch operation model. When the lever shift mode without clutch operation is selected, the vehicle speed, the virtual engine speed, and the signal from the gear position sensor 14 are input to the clutch operation model.

[0080] The signal from the paddle shift switch 15 and the signal from the gear position sensor 14 are used to determine the timing of the clutch operation. When a shift operation of the driver is detected based on the signal from the paddle shift switch 15 or the signal from the gear position sensor 14, the clutch operation model maximizes the clutch opening amount to disengage the virtual clutch. The vehicle speed and the virtual engine speed are used to calculate the clutch operation amount. The clutch operation model calculates the clutch operation amount based on the difference between the input shaft speed of the virtual transmission calculated from the vehicle speed and the virtual engine speed, so that the speed of the input shaft of the virtual transmission matches the virtual engine speed smoothly.

[0081] The transmission model MOD13 calculates a virtual gear ratio. The virtual gear ratio is the gear ratio determined by the virtual gear positions of the virtual transmission. A virtual gear ratio is set for each gear position. The virtual gear ratio is the highest for the first gear and decreases in the order of the second gear, third gear, fourth gear, and so on. In each lever shift mode, the gear positions correspond one-to-one with the signals from the gear position sensor 14. In the paddle shift mode, the gear position shifts up one gear in response to an upshift signal from the paddle shift switch 15, and the gear position shifts down one gear in response to a downshift signal from the paddle shift switch 15. Although the number of gear positions is physically determined by the pseudo-H shifter 24, there is no physical limit to the number of gear positions of the pseudo-paddle shifter 25. Therefore, the settings of the transmission model MOD13 can be different between the lever shift mode and the paddle shift mode, such that the number of gear positions in the paddle shift mode is greater than the number of gear positions in the lever shift mode.

[0082] The transmission model MOD13 calculates a virtual transmission torque using the virtual gear ratio and the virtual clutch torque. The virtual transmission torque is the virtual torque output from the virtual transmission. The control device 101 controls the inverters 3F, 3R to change the output torques of the electric motors 4F, 4R according to the virtual transmission torque. The virtual transmission torque changes discontinuously in response to the change in the virtual gear ratio. This discontinuous change in the virtual transmission torque causes a torque shock in the battery electric vehicle 100, thereby allowing the vehicle to act like a vehicle with a stepped transmission.

[0083] The vehicle model MOD01 calculates the drive wheel torque based on the virtual transmission torque and the reduction ratio. When the four-wheel drive mode is selected as the drive mode, the drive wheel torque is the sum of the torques applied to the left and right front wheels 6F and the left and right rear wheels 6R. The torque distribution between the front wheels 6F and the rear wheels 6R can be fixed, or can change actively or passively. When the rear-wheel drive mode is selected as the drive mode, the drive wheel torque is the sum of the torques applied to the left and right rear wheels 6R.

[0084] In the process P132, the torque of the front electric motor 4F (front motor torque) in the manual mode is calculated by multiplying the drive wheel torque calculated in the process P131 by the torque distribution ratio of the front wheels 6F and the reduction ratio from the output shaft of the front electric motor 4F to the front wheels 6F. The control device 101 controls the front inverter 3F to cause the front electric motor 4F to generate the front motor torque calculated in the process P132.

[0085] In process P133, the torque of the rear electric motor 4R (rear motor torque) in the manual mode is calculated by multiplying the drive wheel torque calculated in process P131 by the torque distribution ratio of the rear wheels 6R and the reduction ratio from the output shaft of the rear electric motor 4R to the rear wheels 6R. The control device 101 controls the rear inverter 3R so that the rear electric motor 4R generates the rear motor torque calculated in process P133.

[0086] In Figure 3 In the configuration shown, the battery management system 10 and the brake pedal stroke sensor 13 are not necessarily required for the above-described driving control. However, when the switching of the control mode affects the SOC of the battery 2, the signal from the battery management system 10 can be used as information for determining whether to enable the switching of the control mode. When the method of operating the battery electric vehicle 100 changes significantly, such as when the control mode is switched between the automatic mode and the manual mode, the control mode can be switched under the condition that the brake pedal 23 is depressed. In this case, the signal from the brake pedal stroke sensor 13 can be used as information for determining whether the brake pedal 23 is depressed.

[0087] 5. Sound control of battery electric vehicle

[0088] Figure 4 The configuration of the control device 101 related to the sound control of the battery electric vehicle 100 is shown. When the processor 102 executes one or more sound control programs 104 stored in the memory 103, the processor 102 functions as a sound control device. The processor 102 that functions as a torque control device and the processor 102 that functions as a sound control device can be different processors or the same processor.

[0089] The control device 101 as a sound control device can generate an artificial sound from the in-vehicle speaker 21. One such artificial sound is a pseudo-engine sound that simulates the engine sound of a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle. When a control mode signal indicating that the manual mode has been selected is input from the HMI 20, the control device 101 as a sound control device executes process P140. In process P140, a pseudo-engine sound is generated based on the virtual engine torque and virtual engine speed calculated in process P131.

[0090] In process P140, the engine sound selected using the HMI 20 is used as the sound source of the pseudo-engine sound to be generated from the in-vehicle speaker 21. However, in process P140, the sound from the sound source is not used. In process P140, for example, the sound pressure of the sound source is changed by an amplifier, and the frequency of the sound source is changed by a frequency modulator.

[0091] The process P140 includes a process P141 of calculating the engine sound pressure and a process P142 of calculating the engine sound frequency. In the process P141, the sound pressure of the pseudo engine sound is calculated from the virtual engine torque using the sound pressure map M11. The sound pressure map M11 is prepared such that the sound pressure increases as the virtual engine torque increases. In the process P142, the frequency of the pseudo engine sound is calculated from the virtual engine speed using the frequency map M12. The frequency map M12 is prepared such that the frequency increases as the virtual engine speed increases. The virtual engine torque and the virtual engine speed vary according to the driver's accelerator operation, shift operation, and clutch operation. Changing the sound pressure and frequency of the pseudo engine sound according to the thus-changed virtual engine torque and virtual engine speed can make the driver feel as if he or she is actually driving a real manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle.

[0092] 6. Vehicle characteristic customization system

[0093] 6-1. Overview

[0094] By operating the HMI20 to switch the control mode to the manual mode, the driver of the battery electric vehicle 100 can enjoy operating the battery electric vehicle 100 as if operating a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle. In addition, the driver can set the vehicle characteristics of the manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle reproduced by the battery electric vehicle 100 to his / her favorite characteristics by selecting his / her favorite option from among a plurality of options prepared in advance for various modes (such as shift modes and engine characteristics).

[0095] However, some users (such as drivers who fully enjoy driving in the manual mode) may not be satisfied with the setting of the vehicle characteristics based on the combination of the plurality of options prepared in advance. For example, although there are manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicles with various vehicle characteristics, it is not necessarily possible to reproduce the vehicle characteristics of all vehicles using the combination of the pre-set options. There may be users who wish to reproduce the vehicle characteristics that cannot be reproduced using the combination of the pre-set options. In addition, there may be users who wish to reproduce a vehicle that does not exist in reality but that he / she has experienced in a video game, for example, using the battery electric vehicle 100. To meet the demands from such users, the battery electric vehicle 100 includes a vehicle characteristic customization system that allows users to freely customize the vehicle characteristics of the manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle to be reproduced by the battery electric vehicle 100. The vehicle characteristic customization system consists of the control device 101 and the HMI20.

[0096] 6-2. Customization process

[0097] Figure 5It is a tree diagram showing an example of a process for operating the HMI120 to customize vehicle characteristics. The option "Customize" CM000 is displayed on the screen of the HMI120 at the same level as or at a lower level than the option "Control Mode" OP000. When the option "Customize" CM000 is selected, the options "Paddle Shift Shift Characteristics" CM110, "Lever Shift Shift Characteristics" CM120, "Engine Characteristics" CM130, "Engine Sound" CM140, and "Suspension Characteristics" CM150 are displayed on the touch panel display. The user can select the option for the characteristic to be customized from among the options CM110 to CM150.

[0098] When the option "Paddle Shift Shift Characteristics" CM110 is selected, the options "Default Setting" CM211 and "Custom Setting" CM212 become selectable. When the user selects the option "Default Setting" CM211, the shift characteristics in the paddle shift mode are set to the pre-set default setting. When the user selects the option "Custom Setting" CM212, the shift characteristics in the paddle shift mode are set to the custom setting customized by the user. By switching between the two options, the user can switch the shift characteristics in the paddle shift mode between the default setting and the custom setting as needed.

[0099] When the user registers the custom setting in the memory 103, the custom setting becomes available. Therefore, the option "Custom Setting" CM212 is not selectable in the initial state. To register the custom setting, with the option "Default Setting" CM211 selected, the option "Customize" CM311 is selected. This selection enables the user to customize the shift characteristics in the paddle shift mode based on the default setting and register the customized shift characteristics as a custom setting. Examples of customization of the shift characteristics include changes in the gear ratio for each gear. The example can also include changes in the number of gears. When the custom setting has been registered in the memory 103, with the option "Custom Setting" CM212 selected, the option "Customize" CM312 can also be selected. This selection enables the user to customize the shift characteristics in the paddle shift mode based on the currently registered custom setting. The customized shift characteristics are registered in the memory 103 as a new custom setting.

[0100] When the option "Shift Lever Shift Characteristics" CM120 is selected, the shift characteristics in the shift lever shift mode with clutch operation and the shift characteristics in the shift lever shift mode without clutch operation can be customized. The procedure for customizing the shift characteristics in these shift lever shift modes is the same as the procedure for customizing the shift characteristics in the paddle shift mode. The user can customize the shift characteristics in the shift lever shift mode based on the default settings by selecting the option "Default Settings" CM221 and then selecting the option "Customize" CM321. At the same time, the user can customize the shift characteristics in the shift lever shift mode based on the currently registered custom settings by selecting the option "Custom Settings" CM222 and then selecting the option "Customize" CM322. Examples of the customization of shift characteristics include changes in the gear ratio for each gear. However, in the shift lever shift mode, the number of gears is physically determined according to the structure of the pseudo-H type shifter 24. Therefore, examples of the customization of shift characteristics in the shift lever shift mode do not include changes in the number of gears.

[0101] When the option "Engine Characteristics" CM130 is selected, the engine characteristics of the manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle to be reproduced by the battery electric vehicle 100 can be customized. The procedure for customizing the engine characteristics is the same as the procedure for customizing the shift characteristics. The user can customize the engine characteristics based on the default settings by selecting the option "Default Settings" CM231 and then selecting the option "Customize" CM331. Either engine characteristic A or engine characteristic B can be selected as the default setting. At the same time, the user can customize the engine characteristics based on the currently registered custom settings by selecting the option "Custom Settings" CM232 and then selecting the option "Customize" CM332. Examples of the customization of engine characteristics include changes in the engine speed - engine torque map. The examples can also include changes in the accelerator operation amount - engine torque map.

[0102] When the option "Engine Sound" CM140 is selected, the pseudo engine sound of the manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle to be reproduced by the battery electric vehicle 100 can be customized. The procedure for customizing the pseudo engine sound is the same as the procedure for customizing the shift characteristics. The user can customize the pseudo engine sound based on the default settings by selecting the option "Default Settings" CM241 and then selecting the option "Customize" CM341. Either engine sound A or engine sound B can be selected as the default setting. At the same time, the user can customize the pseudo engine sound based on the currently registered custom settings by selecting the option "Custom Settings" CM242 and then selecting the option "Customize" CM342. Examples of the customization of engine sound include changes in the sound pressure - engine torque map and changes in the frequency - engine speed map. The examples can also include changes in the sound source.

[0103] When the option "Suspension Characteristics" CM150 is selected, the suspension characteristics can be customized. The process for customizing the suspension characteristics is the same as the process for customizing the shift characteristics. The user can customize the suspension characteristics based on the default settings by selecting the option "Default Settings" CM251 and then selecting the option "Customize" CM351. Either Suspension Characteristic A or Suspension Characteristic B can be selected as the default setting. At the same time, the user can customize the suspension characteristics based on the currently registered custom settings by selecting the option "Custom Settings" CM252 and then selecting the option "Customize" CM352. Examples of the customization of suspension characteristics include changes in suspension damping force. The suspension damping force of the front wheels and the suspension damping force of the rear wheels can be varied independently.

[0104] 6-3. Specific Examples of Customization

[0105] 6-3-1. Method for Customizing Shift Characteristics

[0106] The method for customizing vehicle characteristics when the option "Customize" is selected on the HMI120 will be specifically described with reference to several examples. First, reference will be made to Figures 6 to 9 as a specific example to describe the method for customizing the shift characteristics in the paddle shift mode.

[0107] First, when the user selects the option "Customize" CM311 or the option "Customize" CM312, a screen SCR1 as shown in Figure 6 is displayed on the touch panel display of the HMI120. A characteristic diagram of the gear ratio for each gear is displayed on the screen SCR1. This characteristic diagram corresponds to the mapping of the gear ratio for each gear used by the transmission model MOD13. In the Figure 6 example shown, the paddle shift mode has gears from the first gear to the eighth gear. In the characteristic diagram, the gear ratio for each gear is represented by a black dot. For example, the black dot TR3 represents the gear ratio of the third gear, and the black dot TR4 represents the gear ratio of the fourth gear. In the characteristic diagram, in addition, the allowable range of the gear ratio for each gear is indicated by a high line and a low line. The decision button BTN11 and the reset button BTN12 are displayed on the screen SCR1 together with the characteristic Figure 1 starting from.

[0108] The user can directly edit the characteristic diagram of the gear ratio for each gear on the screen SCR1. For example, when it is desired to reduce the gear ratio of the fourth gear, it is only necessary to use the finger F01 to drag the black dot TR4 downward to lower the position of the black dot TR4 on the characteristic diagram, as shown in Figure 7As shown. The gear ratios of other gears can also be individually edited in the same way. Additionally, when customizing the shift characteristics in the paddle shift mode, the black dot corresponding to the eighth gear can be removed to form a 7-speed transmission, or a black dot corresponding to the ninth gear can be added to form a 9-speed transmission, although not shown. When the user's favorite shift characteristics as a whole are successfully customized, by clicking the decision button BTN11 with finger F01, the customized shift characteristics are registered in the memory 103 as a custom setting. On the other hand, when wishing to start customizing again, by clicking the reset button BTN12 with finger F01, all the black dots on the characteristic diagram are returned to their original positions before editing.

[0109] By operating the HMI120 as described above, the user can customize the shift characteristics of the manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle reproduced by the battery electric vehicle 100 to his / her favorite shift characteristics. However, it is not always possible to register all the shift characteristics customized by the user. For example, when comparing the black dots TR3 and TR4 shown Figure 9 the black dot TR4 is set at a higher position than the black dot TR3. This means that the gear ratio of the fourth gear is set higher than that of the third gear. However, this setting of the gear ratio does not allow the battery electric vehicle 100 to travel smoothly and may result in a situation where the battery electric vehicle 100 cannot move. That is, when evaluating the relationship between the gear ratios of the gears as a whole, Figure 9 the relationship shown cannot be accepted as a setting of the motion characteristics of the battery electric vehicle 100 as a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle. This also applies to the case where the gear ratios of adjacent gears are significantly wide, and such shift characteristics cannot be considered suitable for the battery electric vehicle 100.

[0110] In the vehicle characteristic customization system, the conditions suitable for the shift characteristics of the battery electric vehicle 100 are determined in advance. When the setting of the shift characteristics customized by the user, i.e., the custom setting, does not meet the conditions of the suitable characteristics, even if the decision button BTN11 is clicked with finger F01, the custom setting is not registered in the memory 103. In this case, an error indication ERR is displayed on the screen SCR1, and the gear ratios are forced to return to their original positions, as shown by the white dots on the characteristic diagram. Alternatively, the error indication ERR can simply be displayed on the screen SCR1 until the user clicks the reset button BTN12. In either case, when the custom setting is not suitable for the battery electric vehicle 100, the registration of the custom setting is cancelled, and the setting of the motion characteristics of the battery electric vehicle 100 as a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle remains at the current setting or the default setting.

[0111] 6-3-2. Method for Customizing Engine Characteristics

[0112] Next, reference will be made toFigures 10 to 12 A method of customizing engine characteristics of a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle to be reproduced by a battery electric vehicle 100 is described as another specific example.

[0113] First, when the user selects the option "Customize" CM331 or the option "Customize" CM332, a screen SCR2 as shown is displayed on the touch panel display of the HMI120. A characteristic graph indicating the relationship between engine speed and engine torque is displayed on the screen SCR2. This characteristic graph corresponds to the engine speed - engine torque map used by the engine model MOD11. In the characteristic graph, the currently set torque curve TC and the upper limit UL and lower limit LL of the engine torque with respect to the engine speed are indicated. The decision button BTN21 and the reset button BTN22 are displayed on the screen SCR2 together with the characteristic Figure 10 graph. Figure 1 The user can directly edit the characteristic graph of the engine torque with respect to the engine speed on the screen SCR2. For example, when it is desired to increase the engine torque in the high rotation range, it is only necessary to drag the end of the torque curve TC on the high rotation side upward with the finger F01, as shown

[0114] in the figure. This allows the torque curve TC in the high rotation range to move upward as a whole, changing the engine characteristics to a high rotation type. The user can customize the torque curve TC to a desired shape between the upper limit UL and the lower limit LL. When the customization of the user's favorite engine characteristics as a whole is successful, by clicking the decision button BTN21 with the finger F01, the customized engine characteristics are registered in the memory 103 as the customization settings. On the other hand, when it is desired to start the customization again, by clicking the reset button BTN22 with the finger F01, the torque curve TC on the characteristic graph returns to the original shape. Figure 11 By operating the HMI120 as described above, the user can customize the engine characteristics of the manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle reproduced by the battery electric vehicle 100 to his / her favorite shift characteristics. However, in the vehicle characteristic customization system, similar to the customization of the shift characteristics, conditions suitable for the engine characteristics of the battery electric vehicle 100 are determined in advance. For example, it is determined that settings where the engine torque suddenly increases in the high rotation range and settings where the engine torque suddenly decreases in the medium rotation range are outside the appropriate range for the battery electric vehicle 100. When the customization settings of the engine characteristics are outside this appropriate range, the registration of the customization settings is cancelled, and the settings of the motion characteristics of the battery electric vehicle 100 as a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle are maintained at the current settings or the default settings.

[0115]

[0116] ​The engine characteristics of a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle include engine characteristics that can be easily handled even by novice drivers and engine characteristics that can only be handled by skilled drivers with some driving experience. This also applies to the case where a battery electric vehicle 100 reproduces the engine characteristics of a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle. When the engine characteristics of the battery electric vehicle 100 can be customized and even customized for novice drivers as for skilled drivers, depending on the content of the customization, driving may be difficult. However, restricting the range of customization to the characteristics of novice drivers will not be able to meet the needs of skilled drivers who try various engine characteristics.

[0117] In order to meet the needs of skilled drivers while avoiding difficult driving situations for novice drivers, the upper and lower limits of engine torque with respect to engine speed are changed according to the driving history of the user in the manual mode. Specifically, as Figure 12 shown, a first upper limit UL1 and a second upper limit UL2 higher than the first upper limit UL1 are prepared as the upper limit of the torque curve TC. In addition, a first lower limit LL1 and a second lower limit LL2 lower than the first lower limit LL1 are prepared as the lower limit of the torque curve TC. The range from the first lower limit LL1 to the first upper limit UL1 is used as the settable range for the customization settings of users with little driving experience (i.e., novice drivers) in the manual mode. The range from the second lower limit LL2 to the second upper limit UL2 is used as the settable range for the customization settings of users with a lot of driving experience (i.e., skilled drivers) in the manual mode. The driving history in the manual mode can be obtained by accumulating the driving distance in the manual mode, or can be obtained, for example, by accumulating the driving time in the manual mode.

[0118] Changing the settable range for customization settings according to the driving history in the manual mode is also applicable to the customization of the above-mentioned shift characteristics. In addition, the methods of customizing shift characteristics and customizing engine characteristics discussed above are also applicable to customizing other vehicle characteristics, such as engine sound and suspension characteristics.

[0119] 6-4. Process Flow

[0120] The above process executed by the vehicle characteristic customization system can be represented by the Figure 13 flowchart shown. The control device 101 that constitutes the vehicle characteristic customization system executes the routine indicated in this flowchart at a predetermined interval.

[0121] In the flowchart, in step S101, it is determined whether customized settings are obtained by the HMI 120. When the customized settings are obtained, it means that the settings customized by the user are input into the HMI 120. In a specific example, in the case of "6-3-1. Method for customizing shift characteristics", it is determined that the customized settings are obtained when the decision button BTN11 is clicked. The subsequent processes are skipped before the customized settings are obtained.

[0122] When the customized settings are obtained, step S102 is executed. In step S102, it is determined whether the obtained customized settings are suitable for the battery electric vehicle 100. When the customized settings suitable for the battery electric vehicle 100 are obtained, in step S103, the settings of the motion characteristics of the battery electric vehicle 100, which is a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle, are changed based on the customized settings. However, if the obtained customized settings are not suitable for the battery electric vehicle 100, then in step S104, the settings of the motion characteristics of the battery electric vehicle 100, which is a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle, are maintained at the original settings. This allows the user to enjoy customized vehicle characteristics without causing the battery electric vehicle 100 to become inoperable.

[0123] 7. Vehicle characteristic customization system using a mobile terminal

[0124] 7-1. Overview

[0125] In the embodiment discussed above, the vehicle characteristic customization system is composed of the control device 101 and the HMI 120 installed on the battery electric vehicle 100. With this configuration, the user can customize the vehicle characteristics of the manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle reproduced by the battery electric vehicle 100 while riding in the battery electric vehicle 100. However, some users may wish to perform customization outside the battery electric vehicle 100. For example, if the customization is completed at home, the battery electric vehicle 100 can reproduce the desired vehicle characteristics of the manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle immediately after the user rides in the battery electric vehicle 100.

[0126] A portable terminal can be used as a tool for performing customization outside the battery electric vehicle 100. The vehicle characteristic customization system using a portable terminal can be constructed by enabling the customized settings prepared using the portable terminal to be downloaded to the battery electric vehicle 100. Typical examples of portable terminals include smart phones and tablet personal computers (PCs). Two examples of the processes executed by the vehicle characteristic customization system using a portable terminal will be described below.

[0127] 7-2. First example of the process executed by the vehicle characteristic customization system

[0128] Figure 14Flowchart of a mobile terminal and a vehicle control device according to a first example. This flowchart illustrates a process executed by a vehicle characteristic customization system using a portable terminal. In a vehicle characteristic customization system using a portable terminal, communication occurs between the portable terminal 200 and the control device 101. The portable terminal 200 includes an HMI 201 and a communication circuit 202. However, the HMI 201 includes not only hardware including a touch panel display but also software for displaying a screen on the touch panel display. The control device 101 includes a processing circuit 111 and a communication circuit 112. The processing circuit 111 consists of a processor 102 and a memory 103. A first example of the process executed between the portable terminal 200 and the control device 101 will be described below with reference to the flowchart.

[0129] In step S201, the HMI 201 of the portable terminal 200 receives a customization request from the user. The customization request received by the HMI 201 is sent to the communication circuit 202. In step S202, the communication circuit 202 sends the customization request to the control device 101.

[0130] In step S203, the communication circuit 112 of the control device 101 receives the customization request sent from the portable terminal 200. The customization request received by the communication circuit 112 is input to the processing circuit 111. In step S204, when the processing circuit 111 receives the input of the customization request, it reads the default settings of the vehicle characteristics requested to be customized from the memory 103. The read default settings are sent to the communication circuit 112. In step S205, the communication circuit 112 sends the default settings to the portable terminal 200. Although the default settings are read here, if customized settings have been registered, the currently registered customized settings can be read according to a request from the user.

[0131] In step S206, the communication circuit 202 of the portable terminal 200 receives the default settings sent from the control device 101. The default settings received by the communication circuit 202 are sent to the HMI 201. In step S207, the HMI 201 displays the default settings on the screen. The user customizes the vehicle characteristics of a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle to be reproduced by the battery electric vehicle 100 with reference to the default settings displayed on the screen of the HMI 201.

[0132] In step S208, the HMI 201 receives the customized settings from the user. The customized settings received by the HMI 201 are sent to the communication circuit 202. In step S209, the communication circuit 202 sends the customized settings to the control device 101.

[0133] In step S210, the communication circuit 112 of the control device 101 receives the customization settings transmitted from the portable terminal 200. The customization settings received by the communication circuit 112 are input to the processing circuit 111. In step S211, the processing circuit 111 determines whether the customization settings are suitable for the battery electric vehicle 100. Here, it is assumed that the customization settings are suitable for the battery electric vehicle 100. In step S212, the processing circuit 111 changes the settings of the motion characteristics of the battery electric vehicle 100, which is a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle, based on the customization settings.

[0134] 7-3. Second example of the process executed by the vehicle characteristic customization system

[0135] Figure 15 is a flowchart of the mobile terminal and the vehicle control device according to the second example. This flowchart shows the process executed by the vehicle characteristic customization system using the portable terminal. In the second example, the portable terminal 200 includes an HMI 201, a communication circuit 202, and a processing circuit 203. The processing circuit 203 consists of a processor and a memory. The control device 101 includes a processing circuit 111 and a communication circuit 112. The second example of the process executed between the portable terminal 200 and the control device 101 will be described below with reference to the flowchart.

[0136] In step S301, the HMI 201 of the portable terminal 200 receives a customization request from the user. The customization request received by the HMI 201 is transmitted to the communication circuit 202. In step S302, the communication circuit 202 transmits the customization request to the control device 101.

[0137] In step S303, the communication circuit 112 of the control device 101 receives the customization request transmitted from the portable terminal 200. The customization request received by the communication circuit 112 is input to the processing circuit 111. In step S304, when receiving the input of the customization request, the processing circuit 111 reads the default settings of the vehicle characteristics requested to be customized from the memory 103. The read default settings are transmitted to the communication circuit 112. In step S305, the communication circuit 112 transmits the default settings to the portable terminal 200.

[0138] In step S306, the communication circuit 202 of the portable terminal 200 receives the default settings transmitted from the control device 101. The default settings received by the communication circuit 202 are transmitted to the HMI 201. In step S307, the HMI 201 displays the default settings on the screen. The user customizes the vehicle characteristics of the manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle to be reproduced by the battery electric vehicle 100 with reference to the default settings displayed on the screen of the HMI 201.

[0139] In step S308, the HMI 201 receives customization settings from the user. The customization settings received by the HMI 201 are input into the processing circuit 203. In step S309, the processing circuit 203 determines whether the customization settings are suitable for the battery electric vehicle 100. A filter prepared for the specifications of the battery electric vehicle 100 is used for this determination. The specifications of the battery electric vehicle 100 affect the determination as to whether the customization settings are suitable for the battery electric vehicle 100. The processing circuit 203 acquires identification information regarding the battery electric vehicle 100 from the control device 101 with which the portable terminal 200 is communicating, and selects a filter to be used based on the identification information. When the customization settings are suitable for the battery electric vehicle 100, the customization settings are sent to the communication circuit 202. In step S310, the communication circuit 202 sends the customization settings to the control device 101.

[0140] On the other hand, when the processing circuit 203 determines that the customization settings are not suitable for the battery electric vehicle 100 (step S315), the HMI 201 again displays the default settings on the screen (step S316). The user customizes the vehicle characteristics of the manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle to be reproduced by the battery electric vehicle 100 with reference again to the default settings again displayed on the screen of the HMI 201.

[0141] In step S311, the communication circuit 112 of the control device 101 receives the customization settings sent from the portable terminal 200. The customization settings received by the communication circuit 112 are input into the processing circuit 111. In step S312, the processing circuit 111 changes the settings of the motion characteristics of the battery electric vehicle 100 as a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle based on the customization settings.

[0142] 8. Vehicle Characteristic Customization System Using a Game Device

[0143] 8-1. Overview

[0144] In a driving simulator video game, the user can customize the virtual vehicle that he / she operates in the video game according to his / her favorite vehicle characteristics. A vehicle characteristic customization system using a game device can be constructed by connecting a game device on which such a video game can be played to the battery electric vehicle 100, such that the customization settings of the virtual vehicle prepared in the video game can be uploaded to the battery electric vehicle 100.

[0145] 8-2. Example of a Process Executed by the Vehicle Characteristic Customization System

[0146] Figure 16It is a flowchart of a game device and a vehicle control device. This flowchart shows the process executed by a vehicle characteristic customization system that uses a game device. In a vehicle characteristic customization system that uses a game device, communication is performed between the game device 300 and the control device 101. The game device 300 includes an HMI 301, a communication circuit 302, and a processing circuit 303. However, the HMI 301 includes not only the hardware including a touch panel display but also the software for displaying a screen on the touch panel display. The control device 101 includes a processing circuit 111 and a communication circuit 112. An example of the process performed between the game device 300 and the control device 101 will be described with reference to the flowchart.

[0147] In step S401, the HMI 301 of the game device 300 accepts the selection of a vehicle model to be customized by the user. A plurality of vehicle models of the battery electric vehicle 100 to be customized are registered in the video game to be played on the game device 300. The user can select the vehicle model of the battery electric vehicle 100 that he / she desires to customize from the registered plurality of vehicle models.

[0148] In step S402, the HMI 301 accepts the payment of a fee from the user. By paying a fee for the video game, the user can increase the types of vehicle characteristics that can be customized or increase the settable range for customization settings. This is described Figure 12 as follows. For example, although the torque curve TC cannot be changed when no fee is paid, paying a certain amount of fee can allow the torque curve TC to be customized within a range from a first lower limit LL1 to a first upper limit UL1, and paying another certain amount of fee can allow the torque curve TC to be customized within a range from a second lower limit LL2 to a second upper limit UL2. In step S403, the HMI 301 increases the settable range for customization settings according to the amount of fee from the user.

[0149] In step S404, the HMI 301 accepts the customization settings from the user. The customization settings accepted by the HMI 301 are input to the processing circuit 303. In step S405, the processing circuit 303 changes the settings of the motion characteristics of the virtual vehicle in the video game based on the customization settings. In step S406, the HMI 301 accepts the operation of the virtual vehicle by the user. The operation of the virtual vehicle accepted by the HMI 301 is input to the processing circuit 303. In step S407, the processing circuit 303 calculates the motion of the virtual vehicle in the video game based on the input operation. The result of the processing circuit 303 calculating the motion of the virtual vehicle is sent to the HMI 301.

[0150] In step S408, the HMI 301 displays the movement of the virtual vehicle in the video game on the screen. The user watches the movement of the virtual vehicle displayed on the screen of the HMI 301 and determines whether the customized settings made by the user himself / herself are satisfactory. The user can repeatedly execute steps S404, S406, and S408 until a satisfactory result can be obtained. Here, it is assumed that a result satisfactory to the user has been obtained in the customized settings.

[0151] In step S409, the HMI 301 accepts a request from the user to upload the customized settings. The customized settings requested to be uploaded on the HMI 301 are sent to the communication circuit 302. In step S410, the communication circuit 302 sends the customized settings to the control device 101.

[0152] In step S411, the communication circuit 112 of the control device 101 receives the customized settings sent from the game device 300. The customized settings received by the communication circuit 112 are input to the processing circuit 111. In step S412, the processing circuit 111 changes the settings of the motion characteristics of the battery electric vehicle 100, which is an internal combustion engine vehicle with a manual transmission, based on the customized settings.

[0153] 9. Effects

[0154] With the vehicle characteristic customization system according to the present embodiment, the user can use the HMI to customize the settings of the vehicle characteristics of the internal combustion engine vehicle with a manual transmission to be reproduced by the battery electric vehicle 100 according to his / her taste. However, the customized settings made using the HMI are not unconditionally applied to the battery electric vehicle 100, and it is determined whether the customized settings are suitable for the battery electric vehicle. When the customized settings are not suitable for the battery electric vehicle 100, the settings of the motion characteristics of the battery electric vehicle 100, which is an internal combustion engine vehicle with a manual transmission, remain at the current settings or the default settings. This allows the user to enjoy customizing the vehicle characteristics without causing the battery electric vehicle 100 to become inoperable.

[0155] 10. Other Embodiments

[0156] In another configuration, the battery electric vehicle 100 may include only the pseudo H-type shifter 24 and the pseudo clutch pedal 26, without including the pseudo paddle shifter 25. In yet another configuration, the battery electric vehicle 100 may include only the pseudo paddle shifter 25, without including the pseudo H-type shifter 24 or the pseudo clutch pedal 26. In yet another configuration, the battery electric vehicle 100 may include only the pseudo H-type shifter 24, without including the pseudo paddle shifter 25 or the pseudo clutch pedal 26.

Claims

1. A battery electric vehicle comprising an electric motor as a driving source, characterized in that include: a driving operation member for driving the battery electric vehicle; a pseudo shift operating member that imitates an operating member for performing a shift operation of a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle; as well as a control device configured to control movement of the battery electric vehicle relative to operation of the driving operating member according to an operating state of the pseudo shift operating member, wherein the control device is configured to: obtaining customized settings of vehicle characteristics of a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle to be reproduced by the battery electric vehicle; when the customized setting is suitable for the battery electric vehicle, changing the setting of the sporting characteristics of the battery electric vehicle relative to the operation of the driving operating member and the operation of the pseudo shift operating member based on the customized setting, and When the customized setting is not suitable for the battery electric vehicle, the setting of the motion characteristic is maintained at a current setting or a default setting.

2. The battery electric vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that The control device is configured to present to a user a settable range for customization from the current setting or the default setting.

3. The battery electric vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving operating member includes an accelerator pedal; The pseudo shift operating member includes a pseudo shifter that simulates a shifter of a manual transmission; and The customized settings include the relationship between the vehicle speed of the host vehicle, the operation amount of the accelerator pedal, the gear position selected by the operation of the pseudo shifter, and the torque of the electric motor.

4. The battery electric vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving operating member includes an accelerator pedal; The pseudo shift operating member comprises: a pseudo shifter that simulates the shifter of a manual transmission, and A pseudo clutch operating device simulating a clutch operating device; and The customized settings include the relationship between the vehicle speed of the host vehicle, the operation amount of the accelerator pedal, the gear selected by the operation of the pseudo shifter, the operation amount of the pseudo clutch operating device, and the torque of the electric motor.

5. The battery electric vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that The custom setting includes whether to use the pseudo clutch operating device.

6. The battery electric vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that: The pseudo shifter comprises: a pseudo-sequential shifter that emulates a sequential shifter of the manual transmission, and a pseudo H-type shifter that mimics an H-type shifter of the manual transmission; and The custom settings include whether to use the pseudo-sequential shifter or the pseudo-H-pattern shifter.

7. The battery electric vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that The customized settings include at least one of settings of engine characteristics, shift characteristics, and suspension characteristics of the manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle.

8. A vehicle characteristics customization system, the vehicle characteristics customization system customizing vehicle characteristics of a battery electric vehicle, the battery electric vehicle comprising: An electric motor as a drive source; a driving operating member for torque control of the electric motor; and a pseudo shift operating member simulating an operating member for a shift operation of a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle, the vehicle characteristic customization system being characterized by comprising: a human machine interface configured to set customized settings of vehicle characteristics of the manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle to be reproduced by the battery electric vehicle; and a processing circuit configured to communicate with the human-machine interface, wherein the processing circuit is configured to: determining whether the customized settings set by using the human-machine interface are appropriate for the battery electric vehicle; when the customized setting is suitable for the battery electric vehicle, changing the setting of the sporting characteristics of the battery electric vehicle relative to the operation of the driving operating member and the pseudo shift operating member based on the customized setting, and When the customized setting is not suitable for the battery electric vehicle, the setting of the motion characteristic is maintained at a current setting or a default setting.

9. The vehicle characteristic customization system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The human-machine interface includes a touch panel display; and The human-machine interface is configured as follows: displaying a characteristic map on the touch panel display, the characteristic map indicating vehicle characteristics of the manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle, enabling a user to change the characteristic diagram on the touch panel display through a touch operation; as well as The changed characteristic diagram is accepted as the custom setting.

10. The vehicle characteristic customization system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The processing circuit is configured to present to a user via the human-machine interface a settable range for customization from the current setting or the default setting.

11. The vehicle characteristic customization system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The processing circuit is configured to: recording a history of driving performed by a driver using the pseudo shift operating member; and A settable range for the customized setting is increased on the human-machine interface according to the driving history.

12. The vehicle characteristic customization system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The human-machine interface is mounted on a portable terminal configured to be wirelessly or wiredly connected to the battery electric vehicle.

13. The vehicle characteristic customization system according to claim 12, characterized in that: The processing circuit is mounted on the battery electric vehicle; and The processing circuit is configured to determine whether the customized settings downloaded from the portable terminal are appropriate for the battery electric vehicle.

14. The vehicle characteristic customization system according to claim 12, characterized in that: A portion of the processing circuit is mounted on the portable terminal; and The portion of the processing circuit is configured to: using a filter prepared for each battery electric vehicle to determine whether the customized setting set using the human-machine interface is suitable for the battery electric vehicle, and The customized settings determined to be appropriate for the battery electric vehicle are uploaded to the battery electric vehicle.

15. The vehicle characteristic customization system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The human-machine interface is mounted on a gaming device, the gaming device being configured to be wirelessly or wiredly connected to the battery electric vehicle; and The human-machine interface is configured to enable vehicle characteristics of a virtual vehicle set by a user in a video game running on the gaming device to be set to the customized settings.

16. The vehicle characteristic customization system according to claim 15, characterized in that: The video games include: for selecting a mode of a battery electric vehicle to which the customized settings are to be uploaded; A mode for setting vehicle characteristics of the virtual vehicle using filters for a selected battery electric vehicle.

17. The vehicle characteristic customization system according to claim 15, characterized in that: The human-machine interface is configured to increase a settable range for the custom setting according to an amount of fee paid by the user for the video game.

18. The vehicle characteristic customization system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The human-machine interface and the processing circuit are mounted on the battery electric vehicle.

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