Method for setting an artificial driving noise for an electrically powered motor vehicle, control unit and motor vehicle

Abstract

Method for setting an artificial driving noise for an electrically powered motor vehicle, in which - by means of a display device (10) a variety of noise profiles (12) are offered to a vehicle occupant (14) for selection, each of which specifies respective noise compositions for a variety of different states of the motor vehicle, wherein the closer the offered noise profiles (12) are arranged to each other on the display device (10), the less the respective noise compositions of these noise profiles (12) differ for the respective states of the motor vehicle (V1), - by means of a control device, depending on a determined user input from the vehicle occupant (14), one of the noise profiles (12) is selected (V2), - by means of the control unit the noise composition assigned to the selected noise profile (12) and a determined state of the motor vehicle is selected (V4), wherein the state of the motor vehicle is determined as a function of a determined value of at least one predefined state parameter (V3), and - the selected sound composition is output as the artificial driving sound by means of at least one loudspeaker device of the motor vehicle (V5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for setting an artificial driving noise for an electrically powered motor vehicle, a control device for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle.

[0002] German patent application DE 10 2012 102 107 B4 discloses a method for controlling noise in a vehicle with a passenger compartment. The method detects whether the vehicle is in a constant or variable driving state. Upon detecting a constant driving state, the method emits a first sound wave into the passenger compartment that neutralizes other sound waves, thereby reducing the noise level in the passenger compartment. Alternatively, the method emits a second sound wave into the passenger compartment that amplifies noise when the vehicle changes from a constant to a variable driving state, in order to simulate operating noise.

[0003] Furthermore, DE 10 2019 111 913 A1 discloses a method for generating an artificial engine noise in a motor vehicle with an electric motor and a data transmission system connected to one or more sensors. In this method, sensor data is acquired by the sensors and transmitted to the data transmission system. This data includes the torque of the electric motor, the vehicle speed, and the position of the brake pedal and / or accelerator pedal. The data transmission system then forwards the sensor data to a sound control unit, which identifies a driving situation, such as being ready to drive with maximum acceleration, based on this sensor data.The process involves calculating an artificial engine noise for the driving situation using an algorithm based on sensor data, and the sound is then output via an amplifier and loudspeaker of the vehicle.

[0004] From DE 10 2020 007 391 A1, a method for generating a synthetic driving noise characteristic is known. In this method, driving-state characteristic noise sequence activation conditions are linked with noise sequences selected from a noise sequence database, and the selected noise sequences are combined with the linked noise sequence activation conditions to form a synthetic driving noise characteristic.

[0005] Furthermore, DE 10 2014 019 157 A1 discloses a method for adjusting at least one driving dynamics characteristic of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of displaying at least one image stored in an image file on a display of the vehicle; receiving an input effected by a person via at least one control element of the vehicle, by means of which the person selects at least a partial area of ​​the image; analyzing data stored in the image file; and adjusting the driving dynamics characteristic depending on the analyzed data.

[0006] Furthermore, DE 10 2017 011 568 A1 discloses a method for generating a sound pattern to be output in a vehicle. This method provides that a desired signal sequence of the sound pattern is created manually using a touch-sensitive input unit in the vehicle, with the signal sequence being simultaneously displayed on a vehicle-side display unit during creation, and the created signal sequence is converted into a technically implementable signal sequence by means of a control unit.

[0007] Furthermore, US 2022 / 0185178 A1 reveals a pseudo-driving noise reproduction system.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to enable a particularly simple and intuitive individual adjustment of an artificial driving sound for an electrically powered motor vehicle.

[0009] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further possible embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims, the description, and the figures. Features, advantages, and possible embodiments set forth in the description for one of the subject matter of the independent claims are to be regarded, at least analogously, as features, advantages, and possible embodiments of the respective subject matter of the other independent claims, as well as of any possible combination of the subject matter of the independent claims, optionally in conjunction with one or more of the dependent claims.

[0010] The invention relates to a method for setting an artificial driving sound for an electrically powered motor vehicle. The motor vehicle is thus configured to be driven solely by an electric traction motor. This electric traction motor is particularly quiet in operation compared to an internal combustion engine, so that it can be especially difficult for vehicle occupants or other road users to infer the vehicle's driving condition solely from the noise generated by the electric traction motor. To overcome this disadvantage, it is provided that an artificial driving sound is generated and emitted by means of at least one loudspeaker in the motor vehicle.In particular, it is intended that this artificial driving noise characterizes the current state of the motor vehicle, thereby enabling vehicle occupants and other road users to be informed about the current state of the vehicle in a particularly easy and intuitive way. Driving noises for electrically powered vehicles are a polarizing topic. Similar to music, there can be many different tastes regarding driving noises in the automotive sector, making it challenging to offer the ultimate artificial driving noise that appeals to all tastes. The method according to the invention is intended to provide a solution to this problem by allowing a vehicle occupant to manipulate the sound characteristics of a sound source of the motor vehicle in real time.

[0011] The method involves offering a vehicle occupant a selection of noise profiles via a display device, in particular a display device located in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. Each of these noise profiles specifies respective noise compositions for a multitude of different vehicle states. This means that each noise profile contains a noise composition corresponding to each of the numerous different vehicle states. The closer the offered noise profiles are arranged to each other on the display device, in particular on a display shown by the device, the less the respective noise compositions of these noise profiles differ for the respective vehicle states.This means that for each of the states, the sound compositions of two sound profiles positioned close together on the display differ less from each other than those of two sound profiles positioned further apart. Vehicle occupants can therefore easily identify from the display which of the different sound profiles represent similar sound compositions for the respective states of the vehicle and which represent more distinct sound compositions.

[0012] The procedure further stipulates that a control unit selects one of the noise profiles based on user input from the vehicle occupant. If the display unit has a touch-sensitive surface, such as a touchscreen, the user input from the vehicle occupant could be characterized, for example, by the occupant tapping on one of the noise profiles displayed. The greater the number of noise profiles available for selection and the smaller the difference between adjacent noise profiles displayed, the more seamless the transition between these profiles will appear to the driver.

[0013] In other words, the system determines which of the suggested noise profiles is selected by the vehicle occupant based on user input.

[0014] The procedure further stipulates that the control unit selects the noise composition associated with the chosen noise profile and a determined vehicle condition, and that this selected noise composition is then output as the artificial driving noise via the vehicle's loudspeaker system. The vehicle's condition is determined based on a calculated value of at least one predefined condition parameter. The vehicle occupant can then use the noise composition output via the loudspeaker system to ascertain the current condition of the vehicle.Because the noise profiles suggested by the display device are presented in such a way that less distinct noise profiles are positioned closer together than more distinct ones, the vehicle occupant can easily and intuitively adjust the noise profile used to generate the artificial driving sound to their individual preferences. If the occupant already finds the current noise profile very pleasing and only wants to make minor adjustments, they can select a different noise profile that is positioned close to the current one in the display.This allows for a gradual, individual adjustment of the noise profile. If the vehicle occupant is not entirely satisfied with the current noise profile and desires a significant change, they can select a different noise profile using their user input. This new profile will be displayed on the screen and will differ significantly from the currently selected profile.

[0015] This method allows the driver to easily and intuitively adjust the artificial driving sound. Due to the described arrangement of the sound profiles displayed on the screen, the driver is minimally distracted from driving, thus enhancing road safety. The driver can therefore select the sound profile used to adjust the artificial driving sound quickly and easily while driving.

[0016] In a possible further development of the invention, the multitude of noise profiles are displayed in the form of at least a two-dimensional display by means of the display device. Noise compositions for the respective states of the vehicle, arranged directly next to each other in the display, differ less significantly from one another than noise profiles displayed further apart. This allows the vehicle occupant to easily and gradually adjust the noise compositions for the respective states of the vehicle by means of user input. Because the noise profiles are displayed two-dimensionally relative to each other, the vehicle occupant can easily select the noise profile that best suits their preferences from the multitude of other noise profiles, starting from the current one.The two-dimensional representation can be viewed as a coordinate system with two axes, where the different axes depict different characteristics of the noise profiles. The further out a noise profile is positioned relative to its axis, the more pronounced that characteristic is within that profile. Therefore, if a vehicle occupant wishes to enhance or reduce a characteristic of a given noise profile, they can select a profile located on the side of the display that either enhances or reduces that characteristic. This two-dimensional arrangement of numerous noise profiles allows the vehicle occupant to quickly and intuitively find their desired profile.If the vehicle occupant is the driver, then he will be particularly little distracted from his driving task when adjusting the noise profile.

[0017] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the value of at least one of the following state parameters is determined to ascertain the state of the motor vehicle. The state parameter can be, on the one hand, the steering angle of the motor vehicle's steering wheel and / or the speed of the motor vehicle and / or the accelerator pedal angle of the accelerator or brake pedal of the motor vehicle and / or the torque applied to the wheels of the motor vehicle, and thus the load of the motor vehicle. The steering angle of the motor vehicle's steering wheel can, for example, be determined by means of a steering angle sensor. The speed of the motor vehicle can, for example, be determined by means of a speed sensor. The wheel rotation speed of at least one wheel of the motor vehicle can, for example, be determined by means of the speed sensor.The accelerator pedal angle can be determined using an accelerator pedal angle sensor. The torque applied to each wheel of the vehicle can be determined, for example, as a function of the torque supplied on the output side by the vehicle's electric traction motor. Because the respective noise composition, which is output as an artificial driving noise, is determined as a function of the values ​​of at least one of these state parameters, the vehicle occupants can be informed about the determined value of the respective state parameter particularly easily and intuitively via the artificial driving noise.For example, the vehicle occupant, especially the driver, can estimate the speed of the motor vehicle based on the artificial driving noise and / or the torque applied to the wheels of the motor vehicle and thus the load of the motor vehicle and / or the accelerator pedal angle of the motor vehicle and / or the steering angle of the steering wheel of the motor vehicle.

[0018] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, the selected sound composition is output via the vehicle's loudspeaker system in the passenger compartment. This means that the vehicle occupant can individually adjust the virtual driving sound heard in the passenger compartment using user input. The vehicle occupant can thus adapt this virtual driving sound heard in the passenger compartment to their individual preferences particularly easily and intuitively within the framework of the method. It may be the case that legal requirements exist for artificial driving sounds of electrically powered vehicles that are output outside the vehicle, whereas artificial driving sounds output in the passenger compartment may be subject to fewer or no legal regulations.Within the framework of this procedure, the driver can thus vary the artificial driving noise emitted in the passenger compartment particularly extensively by selecting one of the noise profiles from the multitude of noise profiles offered, and thus adapt it particularly easily to individual needs.

[0019] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, it is provided that, upon detection of a change in the state of the motor vehicle, a further noise composition is selected which, within the selected noise profile, corresponds to the changed state of the motor vehicle. This further noise composition is then output as the artificial driving noise by means of the at least one loudspeaker device of the motor vehicle. In other words, it is thus provided that as soon as the state of the motor vehicle changes, for example, because the steering angle of the motor vehicle's steering wheel changes, and / or because the speed of the motor vehicle changes, and / or because the accelerator pedal angle of the at least one accelerator pedal of the motor vehicle changes, and / or because the torque applied to the wheels of the motor vehicle changes, the artificial driving noise is adjusted accordingly.This ensures that the vehicle occupants, especially the driver, are informed at all times about the current state of the vehicle by means of the artificial driving noise, in particular about the current value of the respective state parameters characterized by the noise composition.

[0020] In this context, it can be particularly advantageous for the transition from one noise composition to another, and thus from the first, original noise composition to the second, subsequent noise composition, to be continuous. This allows for a smooth and, in particular, seamless transition, for example, by crossfading between the different noise compositions emitted as artificial driving noise by means of at least one loudspeaker device. This enables a particularly smooth transition between the noise compositions as the vehicle's condition changes. As a result, the artificial driving noise is perceived as especially pleasant by vehicle occupants, since abrupt breaks in the transition between the noise compositions are avoided.

[0021] The invention further relates to a control unit for an electrically powered motor vehicle, which is configured to trigger a display device, in particular a display device of the motor vehicle, to offer a vehicle occupant a selection of a multitude of predefined sound profiles. Furthermore, the control unit is configured to select one of the sound profiles depending on a user input detected by a vehicle occupant. In addition, the control unit is configured to determine a state of the motor vehicle depending on a determined value of at least one predefined state parameter.Furthermore, the control unit is configured to select and trigger the noise composition associated with the selected noise profile and the determined state of the motor vehicle, so that the selected noise composition is output as an artificial driving noise via at least one loudspeaker device of the motor vehicle. In particular, the control unit is configured to be used within a method as already described in connection with the inventive method for setting an artificial driving noise for an electrically powered motor vehicle. The control unit can, in particular, be part of the electrically powered motor vehicle.

[0022] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle with a control unit as already described in connection with the control unit according to the invention. The motor vehicle is, in particular, an electrically powered motor vehicle. The motor vehicle can thus have an electric drivetrain, which in particular comprises at least one electric traction motor. The motor vehicle can further comprise a display device configured to offer a vehicle occupant a selection of the multitude of sound profiles. In addition, the motor vehicle can comprise at least one loudspeaker device configured to output the selected sound composition as the artificial driving sound, in particular in the passenger compartment.

[0023] Further features of the invention may become apparent from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features shown below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures themselves, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0024] The drawing shows in: Fig. 1. A procedure diagram for a method for adjusting an artificial driving noise for an electrically powered motor vehicle; and Fig. 2 A schematic top view of a display output by means of a display device.

[0025] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a method for setting an artificial driving noise for an electrically powered motor vehicle. In a first method step V1 of the method, it is provided that a large number of noise profiles 12 are offered to a vehicle occupant 14 for selection by means of a display device 10.

[0026] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a display 16 output by means of the display device 10. This display 16 shows a two-dimensional surface 18 in the form of a circle, which can also be referred to as the HypersonX Wheel. Each point of this surface 18 is assigned to a predefined noise profile 12. For the sake of clarity, only some of the noise profiles 12 are shown with their respective circles within the surface 18 and are thus highlighted separately. In this case, each point of the surface 18 is assigned a separate, individual noise profile 12. Fig. Figure 2 shows a noise profile 12 currently set in the vehicle with a solid border. A selection of potential noise profiles 12, selectable by the vehicle occupants 14 as alternative noise profiles 12, are shown with a dashed line in Fig. 2 is outlined. However, it is possible for the vehicle occupant 14 to select a noise profile 12 assigned to any point on the surface 18. Each of the noise profiles 12 specifies respective noise compositions for a variety of different vehicle states. By means of user input, the vehicle occupant 14 can select one of the many noise profiles 12 suggested by the display device 10. In this case, it is intended that the vehicle occupant 14 selects one of the suggested noise profiles 12 by tapping the display device 10 with one of their fingers 20, which is then to be set in the vehicle. Depending on where the vehicle occupant 14 taps their finger 20 on the surface 18, the noise profile 12 assigned to 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 represents a two-dimensional form for displaying the multitude of noise profiles 12. The closer the respective points within the surface 18 are arranged to each other, the less the respective noise profiles 12 assigned to these points differ with regard to the stored noise compositions in the respective noise profiles 12 for the respective states of the vehicle, or for each of the states of the vehicle. The closer the offered noise profiles 12 are arranged to each other on the display device 10, the less the respective noise compositions of these noise profiles 12 differ for the respective states of the vehicle.In particular, it is provided that the noise compositions specified for the respective states of the motor vehicle of noise profiles 12 arranged directly next to each other in the display 16 differ less from each other than noise profiles 12 shown further apart in the display 16, whereby the vehicle occupant 14 can gradually adjust the noise compositions for the respective states of the motor vehicle by means of user input.

[0027] For example, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, if the initial noise profile 12 is the one assigned to a central point on surface 18, then the vehicle occupant 14 can select a noise profile 12 that is located further away from or closer to the central point, depending on whether they choose an alternative noise profile 12 at a point on surface 18 that is further away from or closer to the central point. This allows them to select a noise profile 12 that specifies similar or less similar noise compositions for the respective states of the vehicle. Depending on the direction in which the respective noise profiles 12 are arranged from the central point on surface 18, the noise profiles 12 differ in various aspects or properties from the initially selected noise profile 12.

[0028] In Fig. Figure 2 shows exemplary arrows indicating the direction along which the noise profiles 12 assigned to the respective adjacent points are amplified with respect to their respective properties A to D. For example, if the vehicle occupant 14 wishes to hear a noise profile 12 that is more pronounced with respect to property B than the initially selected noise profile 12 assigned to the central point on the surface 18, then the vehicle occupant 14 should select a point on the surface 18 that, with respect to the direction assigned to property B, is located further out on the surface 18 and thus closer to the edge of the surface 18 compared to the central point. The respective exemplary properties A to D and their respective directions with respect to the noise profiles 12 can be explicitly indicated in the display 16, where in Fig.2 the marking is only indicated by way of example.

[0029] In the third process step V3 of the procedure, the current state of the motor vehicle is determined. To determine the state of the motor vehicle, the value of at least one predefined state parameter of the motor vehicle can be determined. State parameters can include, in particular, the steering angle of the motor vehicle's steering wheel and / or the speed of the motor vehicle and / or the accelerator pedal angle of at least one accelerator pedal and / or the torque applied to the wheels of the motor vehicle. In a fourth process step V4 of the procedure, the noise composition associated with the noise profile 12 selected based on the determined user input and the determined state of the motor vehicle is selected.Subsequently, in the fifth process step V5, the selected noise composition can be output as the artificial driving noise by means of at least one loudspeaker device of the motor vehicle, in particular in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0030] The procedural steps describe instructions that, while pertaining to the (visual) display of information, do not focus on conveying specific content or presenting it in a particular way. Instead, they focus on presenting visual content in a manner that takes into account the physical characteristics of human perception and information processing, and is designed to enable, improve, or facilitate human perception of the displayed information. The procedure thus allows the vehicle occupant 14 to easily and intuitively recognize which of the numerous noise profiles 12 differ more and which less, as well as in which characteristics the noise profiles 12 differ, and how strongly or weakly each of the respective characteristics is pronounced in each of the noise profiles 12.

[0031] If it is determined that the state of the vehicle has changed after or during the output of the selected sound composition, then, depending on the changed state, the further sound composition assigned to this changed state in the selected sound profile 12 can be selected and output as the artificial driving sound by means of at least one loudspeaker device. A transition from the initially output sound composition to the further sound composition assigned to the changed state can occur continuously.

[0032] The described two-dimensional display 16, which offers the vehicle occupant 14 a selection of various noise profiles 12, enables real-time modulation of the artificial driving noise both when the vehicle is stationary and while driving. The vehicle occupant 14 can vary the artificial driving noise via a touch-sensitive surface of the display device 10, which may be based on an x / y coordinate system. This allows the vehicle occupant 14 to help shape the driving noise and adapt it to their preferences. The respective noise compositions can be set depending on various state parameters, whereby typical vehicle parameters – such as speed, accelerator pedal angle, or torque – or alternatively or additionally, the steering wheel angle can be used.The point on surface 18 selected by tapping the touch-sensitive surface of the display unit 10, and in particular its coordinates, can be transmitted to the control unit via Ethernet. The control unit, which can also be referred to as an audio control unit, can read and translate the coordinates, thereby enabling the control unit to determine the sound profile 12 associated with the user input based on the coordinates. The control unit can, in turn, translate the selected sound profile 12 into suitable sound parameters for the artificial driving noise, also taking into account the driver's driving behavior.In other words, depending on the selected noise profile 12 and the determined state of the motor vehicle, the control unit can determine the associated noise composition and trigger that this selected noise composition is output by means of the at least one loudspeaker device of the motor vehicle, in particular in the passenger compartment. Reference symbol list 10 Display device 12 Noise profile 14 vehicle occupants 16 ads 18 area A - D respective properties V1 - V5 respective process steps

Claims

[1] Method for setting an artificial driving noise for an electrically powered motor vehicle, wherein - by means of a display device (10) a variety of noise profiles (12) are offered to a vehicle occupant (14) for selection, each of which specifies respective noise compositions for a variety of different states of the motor vehicle, wherein the closer the offered noise profiles (12) are arranged to each other on the display device (10), the less the respective noise compositions of these noise profiles (12) differ for the respective states of the motor vehicle (V1), - by means of a control device, depending on a determined user input from the vehicle occupant (14), one of the noise profiles (12) is selected (V2), - by means of the control unit the noise composition assigned to the selected noise profile (12) and a determined state of the motor vehicle is selected (V4), wherein the state of the motor vehicle is determined as a function of a determined value of at least one predefined state parameter (V3), and - the selected sound composition is output as the artificial driving sound by means of at least one loudspeaker device of the motor vehicle (V5). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by, that the multitude of noise profiles (12) are output in the form of at least a two-dimensional display (16) by means of the display device (10) (V1) and that noise compositions specified for the respective states of the motor vehicle of noise profiles (12) arranged directly next to each other in the display (16) differ less from each other than noise profiles (12) shown further apart in the display (16), whereby the vehicle occupant (14) can gradually adjust the noise compositions for the respective states of the motor vehicle by means of user input. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that to determine the condition of the motor vehicle, the value of at least one of the following condition parameters is determined (V3): - Steering angle of a motor vehicle's steering wheel, - Speed ​​of the motor vehicle, - Accelerator pedal angle, - torque applied to the wheels of the motor vehicle. [4] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the selected sound composition is output via the loudspeaker system of the motor vehicle in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle (V5). [5] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that when a change in the state of the motor vehicle is detected, a further noise composition is selected which is assigned to the changed state of the motor vehicle in the selected noise profile (12), and the further noise composition is output as the artificial driving noise by means of the at least one loudspeaker device. [6] Method according to claim 5, characterized by that the transition from the noise composition to the further noise composition occurs continuously. [7] Control device for an electrically powered motor vehicle, which is designed to be used in a method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and which is designed to - to trigger a display device (10) to offer a vehicle occupant (14) a selection of predefined noise profiles (12), - depending on a user input determined by a vehicle occupant (14), to select one of the noise profiles (12), - to determine a state of the motor vehicle depending on a determined value of at least one given state parameter, - to select the noise composition associated with the selected noise profile (12) and the determined condition of the motor vehicle, and - to trigger the selected sound composition to be output as an artificial driving sound by means of at least one loudspeaker device of the motor vehicle. [8] Motor vehicle with a control device according to claim 7.

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