Method for setting an artificial driving sound for an electrically drivable motor vehicle, control device and motor vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for setting an artificial driving sound for an electrically driven motor vehicle, wherein a plurality of sound feature configurations (12) are provided to a vehicle occupant (14) for selection by means of a display device (10), each of the plurality of sound feature configurations having a pre-defined sound composition for a plurality of different states of the motor vehicle, wherein the closer the provided sound feature configurations (12) are arranged relative to each other on the display device (10), the smaller the difference between the corresponding sound compositions of these sound feature configurations (12) for the corresponding states of the motor vehicle (VI), one of the sound feature configurations (12) is selected (V2) according to a user input obtained by the vehicle occupant (14), a sound composition matching the selected sound feature configuration (12) and the desired state of the motor vehicle is selected (V4), wherein the state of the motor vehicle is determined (V3) according to the desired value of at least one pre-defined state parameter, and the selected sound composition is output (V5) as an artificial driving sound by means of at least one speaker device of the motor vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for setting artificial driving sounds for an electrically driven motor vehicle, a control device for a motor vehicle, and a motor vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] DE102012102107B4 discloses a method for adjusting sound in a vehicle having a passenger compartment. In this method, the vehicle's driving state is identified as a constant driving state or a non-constant driving state. In this method, in response to identifying a constant driving state, a first sound wave that neutralizes other sound waves is output to the passenger compartment of the vehicle to reduce the sound level in the passenger compartment. Alternatively, in this method, in response to the vehicle's driving state switching from a constant driving state to a non-constant driving state, a second sound wave that enhances the sound is output to the passenger compartment to simulate operating sounds.

[0003] Furthermore, a method for generating an artificial motor sound in a motor vehicle having an electric motor and a data transmission system connected to one or more sensors is known from DE102019111913A1. In this method, sensor data is detected by sensors and forwarded to the data transmission system, wherein the sensor data includes the torque of the electric motor, the speed of the motor vehicle, and the position of the brake pedal and / or driving pedal. The sensor data is forwarded by the data transmission system to a sound control device, and a driving condition, such as a driving-ready state with maximum acceleration capability, is identified based on the sensor data. In this method, an algorithm is further used to calculate a sound for the artificial motor sound based on the sensor data for this driving condition, and the sound is output through the motor vehicle's amplifier and speakers. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The objective of this invention is to enable a remarkably simple and intuitive way to personalize artificial driving sounds for electrically powered motor vehicles.

[0005] The task described herein is solved by the technical solution of the independent claim. Further feasible designs of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims, the specification, and the drawings. Features, advantages, and feasible designs set forth within the scope of the description of one of the technical solutions of the independent claim can at least similarly be considered as features, advantages, and feasible designs of corresponding technical solutions of other independent claims, and, where necessary, as a combination of the technical solutions of the independent claims with each feasible combination of one or more dependent claims.

[0006] This invention relates to a method for setting an artificial driving sound for an electrically driven motor vehicle. The motor vehicle is thus configured to be driven solely by an electric traction machine. This electric traction machine is particularly quiet compared to an internal combustion engine, making it potentially difficult for vehicle occupants or other road users to infer the driving status of the motor vehicle solely from the sound generated by the electric traction machine. To overcome this drawback, an artificial driving sound is generated and output via at least one speaker in the motor vehicle. Specifically, this artificial driving sound characterizes the current state of the motor vehicle, thereby allowing vehicle occupants or other road users to obtain information about the current state of the motor vehicle particularly easily and intuitively for the respective person. The driving sound of an electrically driven motor vehicle is a polarizing topic. Similar to music, there may be many tastes in driving sounds in the automotive field, making it challenging to provide an ultimate artificial driving sound that satisfies all tastes. The method according to the invention provides a solution to this problem, wherein, within the scope of the method, the sound source of the motor vehicle can be manipulated in real time by the vehicle occupants in terms of its acoustic characteristics.

[0007] The method specifies that, with the aid of a display device, particularly a display device arranged in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, and especially a display device of the motor vehicle itself, multiple sound feature configurations are provided to vehicle occupants for selection. Each of these sound feature configurations is pre-given a corresponding sound composition for multiple different states of the motor vehicle. This means that, in each sound feature configuration, a sound composition assigned to that state of the motor vehicle is stored separately for each of the multiple different states of the motor vehicle. The closer the provided sound feature configurations are arranged relative to each other on the display device, especially on the display section displayed by the display device, the smaller the difference between the corresponding sound compositions of these sound feature configurations for the corresponding states of the motor vehicle. This means that, for each of the states, the difference between the sound compositions of two sound feature configurations arranged close to each other on the display section is smaller than the difference between the sound compositions of two sound feature configurations arranged at a relatively large distance from each other on the display section. Vehicle occupants can therefore identify, particularly easily, from the display section which different sound feature configurations for the corresponding states of the motor vehicle are pre-given similar sound compositions and which sound feature configurations are pre-given sound compositions with greater differences.

[0008] The method further specifies that an audio feature configuration is selected from the proposed audio feature configurations based on user input requested by the vehicle occupant. If the display device has, for example, a touch-sensitive surface and is therefore configured as a touch display, the user input of the vehicle occupant may be characterized, for example, by the vehicle occupant clicking on one of the audio feature configurations presented by the display device. The more audio feature configurations available and the smaller the differences between audio feature configurations presented directly adjacent to each other on the display, the more seamless the transition between audio feature configurations presented directly adjacent to each other on the display can appear to the driver. In other words, the method seeks to determine which of the proposed audio feature configurations is selected by the vehicle occupant through user input.

[0009] The method further specifies that an acoustic composition corresponding to the selected acoustic feature configuration and the desired state of the vehicle is selected, and the selected acoustic composition is output as an artificial driving sound via the vehicle's speaker devices. It is specified that the state of the vehicle is determined based on the desired value of at least one pre-given state parameter. Based on the acoustic composition output via the speaker devices, the vehicle occupants can thus re-identify the current state of the vehicle. Because the acoustic feature configuration presented via the display device is presented relative to each other in such a way that acoustic feature configurations with smaller differences are arranged closer to each other in the display section presented via the display device than acoustic feature configurations with larger differences, the vehicle occupants can particularly easily and intuitively match the acoustic feature configuration (which should output an artificial driving sound according to this acoustic feature configuration) to their personalized desires. If the vehicle occupants already like the acoustic composition of the current acoustic feature configuration and therefore only wish to make minor adjustments to the acoustic feature configuration, the vehicle occupants can select another acoustic feature configuration arranged close to the current acoustic feature configuration in the display section presented via the display device. This allows for progressive personalization of the sound feature configuration. If the vehicle occupants do not particularly like the sound composition of the current sound feature configuration and therefore wish to make a significant change to the sound feature configuration, the vehicle occupants can select, through user input, another sound feature configuration that is significantly different from the currently set sound feature configuration on the display unit presented by the display device.

[0010] The method thus allows drivers to personalize artificial driving sounds in a particularly simple and intuitive way. Because of the arrangement of the sound feature configuration presented on the display unit output by the display device, the driver setting the sound feature configuration is minimally distracted from their driving task, thereby achieving a particularly high level of traffic safety. Therefore, drivers of motor vehicles can select sound feature configurations and set artificial driving sounds based on these configurations particularly easily and quickly while controlling the vehicle.

[0011] In a further feasible improvement of the invention, the plurality of acoustic feature configurations are output in the form of at least a two-dimensional display using the display device. The acoustic compositions of acoustic feature configurations directly adjacent to each other in the display are less different from those of acoustic feature configurations presented more distantly in the display than those for corresponding states of the motor vehicle. Thus, vehicle occupants can progressively set the acoustic composition for corresponding states of the motor vehicle with particularly simple user input. By presenting the acoustic feature configurations in a two-dimensional arrangement relative to each other in the display, vehicle occupants can easily select from a plurality of other acoustic feature configurations that better suit their taste, starting from the current configuration. This two-dimensional presentation can be viewed using a coordinate system with two axes, where different axes depict different characteristics of the acoustic feature configurations. Therefore, the further out a corresponding acoustic feature configuration is arranged with respect to its corresponding axis, the stronger the corresponding characteristic is constructed within that configuration. Therefore, if a vehicle occupant wants to enhance or weaken a characteristic of the current sound feature configuration, they can select the sound feature configuration displayed on the screen that is positioned on the side enhancing or weakening that characteristic. This two-dimensional arrangement of multiple sound feature configurations allows the vehicle occupant to find their desired sound feature configuration particularly quickly and intuitively. If the vehicle occupant is a driver, they are therefore less distracted from their driving task when setting the sound feature configuration.

[0012] In another feasible design of the invention, it is specified that, in order to determine the state of the motor vehicle, the value of at least one of the state parameters described below is determined. As state parameters, the steering angle of the motor vehicle's steering wheel and / or the speed of the motor vehicle and / or the driving pedal angle of the accelerator or brake pedal and / or the torque applied to the wheels of the motor vehicle and thus the load on the motor vehicle can be determined, for example, using a steering angle sensor. The speed of the motor vehicle can be determined, for example, using a speed sensor. The wheel speed of at least one wheel of the motor vehicle can be determined, for example, using a speed sensor. The driving pedal angle of the driving pedal can be determined, for example, using a driving pedal angle sensor. The torque applied to the corresponding wheel of the motor vehicle can be determined, for example, based on the torque provided by the output side of the motor vehicle's electric traction machine. Since the corresponding sound components as artificial driving sound output are determined according to the value of at least one of these mentioned state parameters, vehicle occupants can obtain information about the determined values ​​of the corresponding state parameters particularly simply and intuitively by means of artificial driving sounds. For example, vehicle occupants, especially drivers, can estimate the speed of a motor vehicle and / or the torque applied to the wheels of the motor vehicle by means of artificial driving sounds, and thus estimate the load on the motor vehicle and / or estimate the angle of the driving pedals and / or estimate the steering angle of the steering wheel.

[0013] In another feasible embodiment of the invention, a selected sound composition is output in the passenger compartment of the vehicle using the vehicle's speaker devices. This means that vehicle occupants can personalize the virtual driving sounds they wish to hear in the passenger compartment using their user input. Therefore, vehicle occupants can, particularly simply and intuitively, match this virtual driving sound to their personalized preferences within the scope of the method. It may be stipulated that there are legal regulations for artificial driving sounds output outside the vehicle for electrically driven motor vehicles, while artificial driving sounds output inside the passenger compartment may be less or completely unregulated. Therefore, within the scope of the method, the driver can, particularly broadly and thus particularly easily, personalize the artificial driving sound output in the passenger compartment by selecting one of several provided sound feature configurations.

[0014] In another feasible design of the invention, it is specified that, upon detecting a change in the state of the motor vehicle, an additional sound composition is selected, which, in a selected sound feature configuration, corresponds to the changed state of the motor vehicle. This additional sound composition is output as an artificial driving sound using at least one speaker device of the motor vehicle. In other words, it is therefore specified that once the state of the motor vehicle changes (e.g., due to a change in the steering angle of the motor vehicle's steering wheel and / or a change in the speed of the motor vehicle and / or a change in the angle of at least one driving pedal and / or a change in the torque applied to the wheels of the motor vehicle), the artificial driving sound is adjusted accordingly to the change in the state of the motor vehicle. This ensures that, at any time, vehicle occupants, especially the driver, receive information about the current state of the motor vehicle, particularly the current values ​​of the corresponding state parameters characterized by the sound composition, through the artificial driving sound.

[0015] In this respect, it can be specifically stipulated that the transition from the first sound component to the next, and thus from the original first sound component to the next second, is continuous. Therefore, a uniform and, therefore, particularly uninterrupted transition can be achieved, for example, through a gradual change between the sound components that are output as artificial driving sounds by means of the at least one loudspeaker device. Thus, a particularly smooth transition between the sound components can be achieved under changing conditions of the vehicle. Consequently, the artificial driving sounds are particularly comfortable for the vehicle occupants because the transition between the sound components avoids abrupt interruptions.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a control device for an electrically driven motor vehicle, the control device being configured to trigger: providing a plurality of pre-given sound feature configurations for selection to vehicle occupants via a display device, particularly a display device of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the control device is configured to select one of the sound feature configurations based on requested user input from the vehicle occupants. Furthermore, the control device is configured to determine the state of the motor vehicle based on a requested value of at least one pre-given state parameter. Furthermore, the control device is configured to select a sound composition that is compatible with the selected sound feature configuration and the requested state of the motor vehicle and trigger: outputting the selected sound composition as an artificial driving sound via at least one speaker device of the motor vehicle. In particular, the control device is configured to be used within the scope of the methods described herein for setting artificial driving sounds for an electrically driven motor vehicle. The control device may, in particular, be part of an electrically driven motor vehicle.

[0017] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle having a control device as described with respect to the control device according to the invention. The motor vehicle is particularly an electrically driven motor vehicle. The motor vehicle can therefore have an electric drive system, which in particular includes at least one electric traction machine. The motor vehicle may also include a display device configured to provide vehicle occupants with a plurality of acoustic feature configurations for selection. Furthermore, the motor vehicle may include at least one speaker device configured to output the selected acoustic composition as an artificial driving sound, particularly within the passenger compartment.

[0018] Further features of the invention can be derived from the claims, drawings, and description of the drawings. The features and combinations thereof mentioned above in the specification, as well as the features and combinations thereof shown separately in the description of the drawings and / or in the drawings, may be used not only in the combinations given separately, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The attached diagram shows: Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating a method for setting artificial driving sounds for electrically driven motor vehicles; and Figure 2 A schematic top view of the display section output by means of a display device is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0020] exist Figure 1 The present invention illustrates a method for setting artificial driving sounds for an electrically driven motor vehicle. In the first method step V1, a plurality of sound feature configurations 12 are provided to the vehicle occupant 14 for selection by means of a display device 10.

[0021] exist Figure 2 The image shows a display unit 16 output via a display device 10. A circular two-dimensional surface 18, also referred to as a HyperpersonX wheel, is shown on this display unit 16. Each point on this surface 18 is assigned a pre-defined acoustic feature configuration 12. For clarity, only some acoustic feature configurations 12 are shown and thus individually highlighted within the corresponding circles of the surface 18. Here, each point on the surface 18 is assigned a unique, personalized acoustic feature configuration 12. Figure 2 The solid line in the center indicates the current sound characteristic configuration 12 set in the motor vehicle. The selection of potential sound characteristic configurations 12, which can be chosen by the vehicle occupants 14 as alternatives, is shown in [the image / description]. Figure 2The surface 18 is surrounded by a dotted line. However, it is permissible for the vehicle occupant 14 to select an acoustic feature configuration 12 associated with any point on the surface 18. Each acoustic feature configuration 12 is pre-defined with a corresponding acoustic composition for multiple different states of the vehicle. With user input, the vehicle occupant 14 can select one of the multiple acoustic feature configurations 12 presented by the display device 10. Specifically, the vehicle occupant 14 selects one of the proposed acoustic feature configurations 12 to be set in the vehicle by tapping the display device 10 with one of their fingers 20. Depending on where the vehicle occupant 14 taps with their finger 20 in the area of ​​the surface 18, the acoustic feature configuration 12 associated with the corresponding point tapped by the vehicle occupant 14 is marked as selected by the vehicle occupant 14 and set in the vehicle. The surface 18 presents a two-dimensional shape for providing the multiple acoustic feature configurations 12. The closer the corresponding points within the surface 18 are arranged relative to each other, the smaller the difference in the stored sound composition of the corresponding sound feature configuration 12 to which these points belong in terms of the corresponding state of the motor vehicle or each state of the motor vehicle. The closer the sound feature configurations 12 provided on the display device 10 are arranged relative to each other, the smaller the difference in the corresponding sound composition of these sound feature configurations 12 for the corresponding state of the motor vehicle. In particular, it is specified that the difference between the pre-given sound composition of the corresponding state of the motor vehicle for the sound feature configurations 12 directly adjacent to each other in the display unit 16 is smaller than that of the sound feature configurations 12 presented in the display unit 16 that are far apart from each other, thereby allowing the vehicle occupant 14 to progressively set the sound composition for the corresponding state of the motor vehicle by means of the user input.

[0022] If, for example, in Figure 2 As shown, the sound feature configuration 12 assigned to the center point of the surface 18 is selected as the initial sound feature configuration 12. Then, the vehicle occupant 14 can select a sound feature configuration 12 with a pre-given similar or dissimilar sound composition for the corresponding state of the motor vehicle, depending on whether the vehicle occupant selects a point on the surface 18 (set to be set further or closer to the center point) as an alternative sound feature configuration 12 to be set. Depending on the direction from the center point of the surface 18, the sound feature configuration 12 differs from the initially set sound feature configuration 12 in different aspects or characteristics.

[0023] exist Figure 2The corresponding arrows are also exemplarily shown, indicating in which direction the acoustic feature configuration 12, which is associated with corresponding adjacent points, is enhanced in terms of the corresponding characteristics A to D. For example, if a vehicle occupant 14 desires an acoustic feature configuration 12 that is more prominent in terms of characteristic B than the initially selected acoustic feature configuration 12 associated with the center point on the surface 18, then the vehicle occupant 14 should select a point on the surface 18 that is located further outward on the surface 18 with respect to characteristic B and therefore closer to the edge of the surface 18 than the center point. The corresponding exemplary characteristics A to D and their corresponding extending directions with respect to the acoustic feature configuration 12 can be clearly represented in the display unit 16, wherein, Figure 2 The representation is shown only as an example.

[0024] In the third method step V3, the current state of the motor vehicle is determined. To determine the state of the motor vehicle, the value of at least one pre-given state parameter of the motor vehicle can be determined. In particular, the steering angle of the motor vehicle's steering wheel and / or the speed of the motor vehicle and / or the driving pedal angle of at least one driving pedal of the motor vehicle and / or the torque applied to the wheels of the motor vehicle can be determined. In the fourth method step V4, a sound composition corresponding to the sound feature configuration 12 selected according to the determined user input and the determined state of the motor vehicle is selected. Subsequently, in the fifth method step V5, the selected sound composition can be output as an artificial driving sound by means of at least one speaker device of the motor vehicle—particularly in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0025] Each of the method steps is described as follows: although the instructions relate to the reproduction of (visual) information, the focus is not on conveying specific content or its specific form of delivery, but rather on presenting the image content in a manner that takes into account the physical conditions of human perception and information reception, and is intended to first achieve, improve, or conform to the destination design by human perception of the information shown. Therefore, this method enables vehicle occupants 14 to easily and intuitively identify which of the plurality of acoustic feature configurations 12 differ significantly from each other and which differ less, and in which characteristics the acoustic feature configurations 12 differ, or how strong or weak the corresponding characteristics are among the acoustic feature configurations 12.

[0026] If it is determined that the state of the motor vehicle has changed after or during the output of the selected sound composition, then according to the changed state, another sound composition assigned to the changed state can be selected from the selected sound feature configuration 12 and output as an artificial driving sound by means of the at least one speaker device. Here, the transition from the initially output sound composition to the other sound composition assigned to the changed state can be carried out continuously.

[0027] The described two-dimensional display unit 16 (which provides the vehicle occupants 14 with the plurality of sound feature configurations 12 for selection) enables real-time modulation of artificial driving sounds not only when the vehicle is stationary but also when the vehicle is in motion. The vehicle occupants 14 can change the artificial driving sounds via the touch-sensitive surface of the display device 10, which is based on an x / y coordinate system. This allows the vehicle occupants 14 to collaboratively design driving sounds and tailor them to their preferences. Corresponding sound compositions can be set according to different state parameters, where typical vehicle parameters (such as speed, pedal angle or torque, or alternatively, steering wheel angle) can be used. The coordinates of the point on the surface 18 selected by clicking the touch-sensitive surface of the display device 10, in particular, can be transmitted to the controller via Ethernet. The controller (which may also be referred to as an audio control device) can read and transform the coordinates, thereby determining the sound feature configuration 12 assigned to the user input based on the coordinates. The controller can also—also taking into account the driver's driving behavior—convert the selected sound feature configuration 12 into suitable acoustic parameters for artificial driving sounds. In other words, the controller can determine the corresponding sound composition based on the selected sound feature configuration 12 and the desired state of the vehicle, and trigger the output of the selected sound composition by means of at least one speaker device of the vehicle (especially in the passenger compartment).

[0028] List of reference numerals

[0029] 10 Display Devices

[0030] 12 Sound Feature Configuration

[0031] 14. Vehicle occupants

[0032] 16 Display Section

[0033] 18 sides

[0034] AD corresponding characteristics

[0035] The corresponding methods and steps for V1-V5

Claims

1. A method for setting artificial driving sounds for an electrically driven motor vehicle, wherein, - A plurality of acoustic feature configurations (12) are provided to the vehicle occupants (14) for selection by means of a display device (10), each of the plurality of acoustic feature configurations having a corresponding acoustic composition pre-given for a plurality of different states of the motor vehicle, wherein the closer the provided acoustic feature configurations (12) are arranged relative to each other on the display device (10), the smaller the difference between the corresponding acoustic compositions of these acoustic feature configurations (12) for the corresponding states of the motor vehicle (V1). - Select one of the sound feature configurations (V2) from the sound feature configurations (12) based on the user input obtained by the vehicle occupant (14). - Select an acoustic composition (V4) that matches the selected acoustic feature configuration (12) and the desired state of the motor vehicle, wherein the state of the motor vehicle (V3) is determined based on the desired value of at least one pre-given state parameter, and - The selected sound composition is output as the artificial driving sound (V5) by means of at least one speaker device of the motor vehicle.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of acoustic feature configurations (12) are output (V1) in the form of at least two-dimensional display sections (16) by means of the display device (10), and the acoustic feature configurations (12) arranged directly adjacent to each other in the display section (16) have less difference in the acoustic composition of the corresponding state of the motor vehicle compared with the acoustic feature configurations (12) that are presented far apart from each other in the display section (16). Thus, the vehicle occupant (14) can gradually set the acoustic composition for the corresponding state of the motor vehicle by means of user input.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, To determine the state of the motor vehicle, the value of at least one of the following state parameters (V3) is determined: - The steering angle of the steering wheel of the motor vehicle, - The speed of the motor vehicle, - Driving pedal angle, - The torque applied to the wheels of the motor vehicle.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The selected sound composition is output (V5) in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle by means of the loudspeaker device of the motor vehicle.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, In the event that the state of the motor vehicle has changed, an additional sound composition is selected, which is matched with the changed state of the motor vehicle in the selected sound feature configuration (12), and the additional sound composition is output as an artificial driving sound by means of the at least one loudspeaker device.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The transition from the aforementioned sound composition to the next sound composition proceeds continuously.

7. A control device for an electrically driven motor vehicle, the control device being configured to, - Trigger: Multiple pre-defined acoustic feature configurations (12) are provided to the vehicle occupants (14) for selection via a display device (10). - Select one of the sound feature configurations (12) based on the user input obtained by the vehicle occupant (14). - The state of the motor vehicle is determined based on the obtained values ​​of at least one pre-given state parameter. - Select the sound composition that matches the selected sound feature configuration (12) and the desired state of the motor vehicle, and - Trigger: The selected sound composition is output as an artificial driving sound by means of at least one speaker device of the motor vehicle.

8. A motor vehicle having the control device according to claim 7.

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