Sound-generating module intended to be fitted to an electric vehicle and system comprising such a sound-generating module

EP4724336A2Pending Publication Date: 2026-04-15ADEMUS
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-06-07
Publication Date
2026-04-15

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Electric vehicles are nearly silent, posing a danger to pedestrians and road users, and existing audible warning devices fail to credibly replicate the sound environment of thermal vehicles, requiring a more effective and authentic sound generation solution.

Method used

A sound generation module for electric vehicles featuring an air circulation duct with a pivotally mounted sound emitting member and an actuator, generating mechanical sound vibrations, along with a control unit that adjusts sound frequency and amplitude based on vehicle speed and acceleration, to faithfully reproduce the sound environment of thermal vehicles.

Benefits of technology

The solution provides a more authentic and effective warning system that enhances driver and road user awareness, with reduced electrical consumption and improved resistance to vibrations, while also offering a dual functionality for thermal cooling.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a sound-generating module (2) intended to be fitted to an electric vehicle (1), the sound-generating module comprising - an air circulation duct (13) having an air intake inlet (14) and an air exhaust outlet (15) configured to guide an air flow in a flow direction and a flow orientation (F1) oriented from the air inlet (14) to the air outlet (15); and - a sound-emitting member (17) pivotably mounted inside the air circulation duct (13) along a pivot axis (X) intersecting the flow direction, the sound-emitting member (17) comprising at least one edge (19, 20); and - an actuator arranged to pivot the sound-emitting member (17) about the pivot axis (X) so as to create flow disturbances in the air flow that produce sound vibrations as the edge (19, 20) moves in the flow orientation (F1).
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Description

Sound generation module intended to equip an electric vehicle and system comprising such a sound generation module

[0001] The invention relates to the field of electric vehicles.

[0002] It relates more particularly to a sound generation module intended to equip an electric vehicle, such as a two-wheeled electric vehicle for example, a system comprising such a sound generation module, an electric vehicle equipped with such a system and a method for controlling a sound generation module. Technological background

[0003] Without an audible warning system, electric vehicles are virtually silent, posing a danger to pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users in general. Therefore, it is necessary to equip electric vehicles with audible warning devices.

[0004] Document EP2540600 discloses a two-wheeled electric vehicle equipped with such an audible warning device and proposes various embodiments. Some do not require a power supply and are based on the principle of Helmotz resonators or vibrating reeds. Others plan to use a loudspeaker.

[0005] However, none of these audible warning devices is fully satisfactory. Indeed, audible warning devices comprising Helmotz resonators or vibrating blades do not allow the sound environment of a thermal vehicle, and in particular a motorcycle, to be reproduced in a credible manner. However, it is particularly advantageous to have a sound generation device that can reproduce the sound environment of a thermal vehicle as faithfully as possible both to guarantee the effectiveness of the alert function for other road users and to ensure better driving sensations, in particular by offering the driver a better sensory perception of the vehicle's driving conditions.Furthermore, in order to be able to broadcast sound with sufficient volume, without distortion, and with sufficient low frequencies to simulate the sound environment of a thermal vehicle, audible warning devices with loudspeakers require significant power consumption and size. Summary

[0006] One idea behind the invention is therefore to propose a sound generation module for an electric vehicle which is particularly simple, has limited electrical consumption and is capable of reproducing more faithfully the sound environment of a thermal vehicle.

[0007] Another idea underlying the invention therefore consists of proposing a system intended to equip an electric vehicle and comprising a sound generation module for an electric vehicle which is particularly simple and is capable of reproducing more faithfully the sound environment of a thermal vehicle.

[0008] Thus, according to one embodiment, the invention provides a sound generation module intended to equip an electric vehicle comprising:- an air circulation duct having an air intake inlet and an air exhaust outlet and configured to conduct an air flow in a flow direction and a flow direction oriented from the air intake inlet to the air exhaust outlet; and- a sound emission member which is pivotally mounted along a pivot axis intersecting the flow direction, said sound emission member comprising at least one edge; and- an actuator which is arranged to pivot said sound emission member around the pivot axis so as to create flow disturbances in the air flow, generating sound vibrations when the edge moves in the flow direction.

[0009] Thus, the sound generated by such a sound generation module is more authentic because it is of mechanical origin and not synthetic. Such a sound emission organ is therefore likely to faithfully reproduce the sound environment of a thermal vehicle.

[0010] Furthermore, for the same electrical power and a similar size to that of a loudspeaker, such a sound-emitting device generates sound vibrations, without distortion and with a higher sound volume. This advantage is even more marked for low frequencies which have the longest range. The sound-generating module of the aforementioned type therefore makes it possible to more effectively warn other road users of the arrival of the electric vehicle.

[0011] In addition, such a sound generation module is particularly simple, which ensures a long service life and better resistance to vibrations at a lower cost.

[0012] Finally, electric vehicles of the state of the art generally include a cooling device equipped with a fan which generates sound vibrations and whose rotation speed is not controlled according to the driving conditions of the vehicle but according to the temperature of the vehicle components to be cooled. Therefore, in such a case, the sound vibrations generated by the fan are likely to mislead the driver or road users about the driving conditions of the electric vehicle. Thus, a sound generation module of the aforementioned type makes it possible to conceal or transform the sound vibrations generated by such a fan.

[0013] According to embodiments, such a sound generation module may comprise one or more of the following features.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the sound emission member is housed inside the air circulation duct, is arranged opposite the air intake inlet or opposite the air intake inlet.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the sound generation module comprises a flow control device which is housed in the air circulation duct and is configured to control the flow of air circulating inside the air circulation duct. Such a flow control device thus makes it possible to act on the amplitude of the sound vibrations generated by the sound emitting member.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the flow control device comprises a fan. Such a fan thus makes it possible to ensure a sufficient air flow to generate a sound, whatever the driving conditions, i.e. even when the vehicle is stationary. It also makes it possible to increase the amplitude of the sound vibrations generated.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the fan is an axial fan.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the fan is a radial fan.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the actuator is an electric motor configured to rotate the sound emitting member around said pivot axis.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the sound generation module comprises a fixing device suitable and intended for fixing said sound generation module to an electric vehicle. The sound generation module is therefore suitable for being mounted on the vehicle and for being dismantled, which in particular facilitates maintenance operations.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the fixing device is a reversible fixing device.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the air intake inlet is positioned on a front face of the sound generation module, said front face being intended to be directed towards the front of the electric vehicle. This promotes the intake of air into the air circulation duct under the effect of the movement of the vehicle.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the air intake inlet has a section which decreases according to the direction of flow.

[0024] According to another embodiment, the air intake inlet is positioned on an external lateral face of the sound generation module, said external lateral face being intended to be directed laterally towards the outside of the electric vehicle. The air flow circulating in the air circulation duct is thus decorrelated from the speed of the electric vehicle.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the module comprises a fairing and at least part of the air circulation duct and the actuator are housed inside the fairing. The fairing thus makes it possible to protect the actuator as well as at least part of the air circulation duct duct and in particular that equipped with the sound emission member.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a system intended to equip an electric vehicle, the system comprising at least one sound generation module of the aforementioned type and a control unit for controlling said sound generation module.

[0027] According to embodiments, such a system may include one or more of the following features.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the control unit is configured to:- receive a variable representative of a speed V mot rotation of an electric motor of the electric vehicle; - determine a speed setpoint V act as a function of said variable representing the speed V mot ; and- control the actuator by means of said speed setpoint V act.

[0029] The control unit thus varies the frequency of the sound vibrations according to the engine speed, which makes it possible to reproduce more faithfully the sound environment of a thermal vehicle while providing the driver with sensory indications on the vehicle's driving conditions.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the value of the speed setpoint V act is between a minimum value V act _min and a maximum value V act _max.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the value of the speed setpoint V act is determined by means of at least one function V act = f1(V mot ).

[0032] According to one embodiment, f1 is a strictly increasing function, linear or not.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the system comprises two sound generation modules each comprising a sound emission member and an actuator arranged to pivot said sound emission member; the control unit being configured to, at least in a particular operating mode of the electric vehicle:- determine two speed setpoints V act1 and V act2 for the actuator of one and the other of the two sound generation modules as a function of said variable representative of the speed V mot ; and- control the actuator of one and the other of the two sound generation modules respectively by means of one and the other of two speed instructions V act1et Vact2 ;les consignes de vitesse Vact1et Vact2présentant une différence telle qu’un écart entre les fréquencesdes vibrations sonores générées par les deux organes d’émission sonore est compris entre 0 Hz, non inclus, et 30 Hz.

[0034] Such a difference in frequency between the vibrations generated by the two sound generation modules introduces a sound effect, called "beating", which informs the driver and / or other road users of a particular operating mode of the electric vehicle.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the control unit is configured to:- receive a variable representative of an acceleration instruction S acc of the electric vehicle; - determine a Q instruction _deb as a function of said variable representing the acceleration instruction S acc ; and- control a flow control device which is housed in the air circulation duct by means of said setpoint Q _deb .

[0036] Thus, the control unit varies the amplitude of the sound vibrations according to the vehicle's acceleration, which makes it possible to reproduce more faithfully the sound environment of a thermal vehicle while providing the driver with sensory indications on the vehicle's driving conditions.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the flow control device comprises a fan and said fan is controlled by means of said setpoint Q _deb .

[0038] According to one embodiment, the value of the setpoint Q _deb is between a minimum value Q _deb _ min and a maximum value Q _deb _ max.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the value of the setpoint Q _deb is determined by means of one less function Q _deb = f2 (S acc ) with S acc : an acceleration instruction V act , positive or negative.

[0040] According to one embodiment, f2 is a strictly increasing function, linear or not.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the control unit has at least:- a sound generation mode in which the control unit controls the sound generation module as a function of the variable representative of the speed V mot and the variable representing the acceleration instruction S acc ; and- a silent mode in which the control unit controls the sound generation module so as not to generate sound vibrations or to generate sound vibrations at frequencies inaudible to the human ear.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the control unit is configured to:- receive a variable representative of the operating mode of the sound generation modules selected by the driver; and- activate the silent mode when the value of said variable corresponds to a selection of the silent mode by the driver.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the control unit is configured to:- receive a location variable containing information representative of a position of the electric vehicle; and- activate or deactivate the silent mode depending on the location variable.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides an electric vehicle of the aforementioned type.

[0045] According to embodiments, such an electric vehicle may include one or more of the following features.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the electric vehicle is intended to be ridden, for example, an electric motorcycle.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the electric vehicle comprises a frame and the sound generation module is attached to said frame.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the system comprises two sound generation modules fixed to the frame, laterally on either side of said frame.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the air exhaust outlet of the sound generation module is directed towards one or more components of the electric vehicle selected from an electric motor, an electrical energy storage unit, a controller, one or more electronic cards, interconnection bars, a reducer, a gearbox and an air / liquid heat exchanger. In general, the exhaust outlet can be directed towards any component of the electric vehicle generating thermal energy.

[0050] Therefore, the sound generation module has a dual functionality since, in addition to its sound generation function, it also provides a thermal cooling function.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the electric vehicle comprises an air / liquid heat exchanger which is housed inside the air circulation duct, is positioned opposite the air exhaust outlet or opposite the air intake inlet.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the invention provides a system intended to equip an electric vehicle comprising:- at least one sound generation module configured to generate sound vibrations having at least one frequency and one amplitude;- a control unit for controlling said sound generation module, said control unit being configured to, at least in a sound generation mode:- receive a variable representative of a speed Vmot rotation of an electric motor of the electric vehicle and a variable representative of an acceleration instruction S acc of the electric vehicle; and- control the sound generation module according to the variable representing the speed V mot and the variable representing the acceleration instruction S acc so as to vary the frequency of the sound vibrations as a function of the variable representing the speed V mot and the amplitude of the sound vibrations as a function of the variable representing the acceleration setpoint S acc.

[0053] Thus, the control unit varies the frequency of the sound vibrations according to the engine speed and varies the amplitude of the sound vibrations according to the vehicle's acceleration, which makes it possible to reproduce more faithfully the sound environment of a thermal vehicle while providing the driver with sensory indications on the vehicle's driving conditions.

[0054] According to embodiments, such a system may include one or more of the following features.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the system comprises two sound generation modules configured to generate sound vibrations having at least one frequency and one amplitude, the control unit being configured to, at least in a particular operating mode of the electric vehicle, control the sound generation modules as a function of the variable representative of the speed V motand the variable representing the acceleration instruction S acc in such a way that the frequency of the sound vibrations generated by one and the other of the two sound generation modules varies according to the variable representative of the speed V mot and that the frequencies des vibrations sonores générées par les deux organes d’émission sonore présentent un écart compris entre 0 Hz, non inclus et 30 Hz, et de préférence supérieur à 0,2 Hz.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the control unit is configured to, in the particular operating embodiment of the electric vehicle, control the two sound emitting members with two different setpoint signals so that the frequencies of the sound vibrations generated by the two sound emitting members have a difference of between 0 Hz, not included, and 30 Hz, and preferably greater than 0.2 Hz.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the system comprises two sound generation modules configured to generate sound vibrations having at least one frequency and one amplitude and each comprising a sound emission member and an actuator arranged to pivot said sound emission member; the control unit being configured to, at least in a particular operating mode of the electric vehicle:- determine two speed setpoints V act1 and V act2 for the actuator of one and the other of the two sound generation modules as a function of said variable representative of the speed V mot ; and- control the actuator of one and the other of the two sound generation modules respectively by means of one and the other of two speed instructions V act1et Vact2 ;les consignes de vitesse Vact1et Vact2présentant une différence telle qu’un écart entre les fréquencesdes vibrations sonores générées par les deux organes d’émission sonore est compris entre 0 Hz, non inclus, et 30 Hz, de préférence supérieur à 0,2 Hz.

[0058] Such a difference in frequency between the vibrations generated by the two sound generation modules introduces a sound effect, called "beating", which informs the driver and / or other road users of a particular operating mode of the electric vehicle.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the or each sound generation module comprises:- an air circulation duct having an air intake inlet and an air exhaust outlet and configured to conduct an air flow in a flow direction and a flow direction oriented from the air intake inlet to the air exhaust outlet; and- a sound emission member which is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis intersecting the flow direction, said sound emission member comprising at least one edge; and- an actuator which is arranged to pivot said sound emission member about the pivot axis so as to create flow disturbances in the air flow, generating the sound vibrations when the edge moves in the flow direction; the control unit being configured to:- determine a speed setpoint V act as a function of said variable representing the speed V mot; and- control the actuator by means of said speed setpoint V act.

[0060] Thus, the sound generated by such a sound generation module is more authentic because it is of mechanical origin and not synthetic. Such a sound emission organ is therefore likely to faithfully reproduce the sound environment of a thermal vehicle.

[0061] Furthermore, for the same electrical power and a similar size to that of a loudspeaker, such a sound-emitting device generates sound vibrations, without distortion and with a higher sound volume. This advantage is even more marked for low frequencies which have the longest range. The sound-generating module of the aforementioned type therefore makes it possible to more effectively warn other road users of the arrival of the electric vehicle.

[0062] In addition, such a sound generation module is particularly simple, which ensures a long service life and better resistance to vibrations at a lower cost.

[0063] Finally, electric vehicles of the state of the art generally include a cooling device equipped with a fan which generates sound vibrations and whose rotation speed is not controlled according to the driving conditions of the vehicle but according to the temperature of the vehicle components to be cooled. Therefore, in such a case, the sound vibrations generated by the fan are likely to mislead the driver or road users about the driving conditions of the electric vehicle. Thus, a sound generation module of the aforementioned type makes it possible to conceal or transform the sound vibrations generated by such a fan.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the sound emission member is housed inside the air circulation duct, is arranged opposite the air intake inlet or opposite the air intake inlet.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the value of the speed setpoint V act is between a minimum value V act _min and a maximum value V act _max.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the value of the speed setpoint V act is determined by means of at least one function V act = f1(V mot ).

[0067] According to one embodiment, f1 is a strictly increasing function, linear or not.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the actuator is an electric motor configured to rotate the sound emitting member around said pivot axis.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the system comprises two sound generation modules configured to generate sound vibrations having at least one frequency and one amplitude and each comprising a sound emission member and an actuator arranged to pivot said sound emission member; the control unit being configured to, at least in a particular operating mode of the electric vehicle:- determine two speed setpoints V act1 and V act2 for the actuator of one and the other of the two sound generation modules as a function of said variable representative of the speed V mot ; and- control the actuator of one and the other of the two sound generation modules respectively by means of one and the other of two speed instructions V act1et Vact2 ;les consignes de vitesse Vact1et Vact2présentant une différence telle qu’un écart entre les fréquencesdes vibrations sonores générées par les deux organes d’émission sonore est compris entre 0 Hz, non inclus, et 30 Hz, de préférence supérieur à 0,2 Hz.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the sound generation module comprises a flow control device which is housed in the air circulation duct and is configured to regulate the flow of air circulating inside the air circulation duct, and the control unit is configured to:- determine a setpoint Q _deb as a function of said variable representing the acceleration instruction S acc ; and- control the flow control device by means of said instruction Q _deb .

[0071] According to one embodiment, the flow control device comprises a fan, said fan being controlled by means of said setpoint Q _deb . Such a fan thus ensures sufficient air flow to generate sound, whatever the driving conditions, i.e. even when the vehicle is stationary. It also increases the amplitude of the sound vibrations generated.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the fan is an axial fan.

[0073] According to another embodiment, the fan is a radial fan.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the value of the setpoint Q _deb is between a minimum value Q _deb _ min and a maximum value Q _deb _ max.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the value of the setpoint Q _deb is determined by means of one or more functions Q _deb = f2 (S acc ) with S acc : an acceleration instruction V act , positive or negative.

[0076] According to one embodiment, f2 is a strictly increasing function, linear or not.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the control unit has at least:- a sound generation mode in which the control unit controls the sound generation module as a function of the variable representative of the speed V mot and the variable representing the acceleration instruction S acc ; and- a silent mode in which the control unit controls the sound generation module so as not to generate sound vibrations or to generate sound vibrations at frequencies inaudible to the human ear.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the control unit is configured to:- receive a variable representative of the operating mode of the sound generation module selected by the driver; and- activate the silent mode when the value of said variable corresponds to a selection of the silent mode by the driver.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the control unit is configured to:- receive a location variable containing information representative of a position of the electric vehicle; and- activate or deactivate the silent mode depending on the location variable.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the sound generation module comprises a fixing device suitable and intended for fixing said sound generation module to an electric vehicle. The sound generation module is therefore suitable for being mounted on the vehicle and for being dismantled, which in particular facilitates maintenance operations.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the fixing device is a reversible fixing device.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the air intake inlet is positioned on a front face of the sound generation module, said front face being intended to be directed towards the front of the electric vehicle. This promotes the intake of air into the air circulation duct under the effect of the movement of the vehicle.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the air intake inlet has a section which decreases according to the direction of flow.

[0084] According to another embodiment, the air intake inlet is positioned on an external lateral face of the sound generation module, said external lateral face being intended to be directed laterally towards the outside of the electric vehicle. The air flow circulating in the air circulation duct is thus decorrelated from the speed of the electric vehicle.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the module comprises a fairing and at least part of the air circulation duct and the actuator are housed inside the fairing. The fairing thus makes it possible to protect the actuator as well as at least part of the air circulation duct duct and in particular that equipped with the sound emission member.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides an electric vehicle comprising a system of the aforementioned type.

[0087] According to embodiments, such an electric vehicle may include one or more of the following features.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the electric vehicle is a vehicle intended to be ridden, for example, an electric motorcycle.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the electric vehicle comprises a frame and the sound generation module is attached to said frame.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the system comprises two sound generation modules fixed to the frame, laterally on either side of said frame.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the air exhaust outlet of the sound generation module is directed towards one or more components of the electric vehicle selected from an electric motor, an electrical energy storage unit, a controller, one or more electronic cards, interconnection bars, a reducer, a gearbox and an air / liquid heat exchanger. In general, the exhaust outlet can be directed towards any component of the electric vehicle generating thermal energy.

[0092] Therefore, the sound generation module has a dual functionality since, in addition to its sound generation function, it also provides a thermal cooling function.

[0093] According to one embodiment, the electric vehicle comprises an air / liquid heat exchanger which is housed inside the air circulation duct, is positioned opposite the air exhaust outlet or opposite the air intake inlet.

[0094] Finally, according to another aspect, the invention also relates to a method for controlling at least one sound generation module intended for an electric vehicle; said sound generation module being configured to generate sound vibrations having at least one frequency and one amplitude, said method comprising the following steps: - receiving a variable representative of a speed V mot rotation of an electric motor of the electric vehicle and a variable representative of an acceleration instruction S acc of the electric vehicle; - control the sound generation module according to the variable representing the speed V motand the variable representing the acceleration instruction S acc so as to vary the frequency of the sound vibrations as a function of the variable representing the speed V mot and the amplitude of the sound vibrations as a function of the variable representing the acceleration setpoint S acc.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the control method is implemented to control two sound generation modules having a frequency and a sound volume, and the two sound generation modules are controlled as a function of the variable representative of the speed V mot and the variable representing the acceleration instruction S acc in such a way that the frequencies of the sound vibrations generated by the two sound emitting members have a difference between 0 Hz, not included, and 30 Hz, preferably greater than 0.2 Hz. Brief description of the figures

[0096] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0097] This is a partial front view of an electric motorcycle comprising two sound generation modules, according to a first embodiment, arranged laterally on either side of the electric motorcycle.

[0098] This is a partial, perspective, three-quarter front view of the electric motorcycle.

[0099] This is a partial, side view of the electric motorcycle.

[0100] This is a sectional view of one of the sound generation modules shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0101] This is a perspective view of the sound generation module, which is positioned on the left side of the electric motorcycle shown in Figures 1 to 3 and showing its attachment device to the frame of the electric motorcycle.

[0102] This is a detailed view of the sound emitting organ of the sound generation module of the.

[0103] The figure represents, by way of example, six other variants of the sound emission organ.

[0104] This is a partial, lateral representation of an electric motorcycle equipped with sound generation modules according to a second embodiment.

[0105] This is a perspective view of the sound generation module which is positioned on the left side of the electric motorcycle shown in the figure, and showing in particular its air exhaust outlets and its attachment device to the frame of the electric motorcycle.

[0106] This is a schematic sectional view of the sound generation module according to the second embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9.

[0107] This is a schematic representation of the principle of sound generation by a sound-emitting organ which is rotated around a pivot axis.

[0108] This is a schematic representation of the principle of sound generation by a sound-emitting organ which oscillates around an equilibrium position by pivoting around a pivot axis.

[0109] This is a schematic representation of a control unit for controlling a sound generation module.

[0110] By convention, the term electric vehicle, within the meaning of this document, is understood to mean:- a vehicle with exclusively electric propulsion, i.e. whose propulsion is ensured solely by means of one or more electric motors; or- a vehicle with hybrid propulsion having at least one operating mode in which propulsion is ensured solely by means of one or more electric motors.

[0111] Although the invention can be used for any type of electric vehicle, it is more particularly intended for an electric vehicle intended to be ridden by its driver, for example a two-wheeled electric vehicle, such as an electric motorcycle.

[0112] With reference to Figures 1 to 3, an electric motorcycle 1 equipped with sound generation modules 2 according to a first embodiment is described below. The electric motorcycle 1 comprises, in particular, two wheels 3, 4, one at the front and the other at the rear, a frame 5, a fork 6 pivotally mounted on the frame 5 and connecting the front wheel 3 to the frame 5 as well as a handlebar 7 secured to the fork 6. The electric motorcycle 1 also comprises an electrical energy storage unit, such as a battery 8, an electric motor 9 connected to the electrical energy storage unit 8 and a transmission system 10 coupling the electric motor 9 to the rear wheel 4.

[0113] Several control devices, not shown, such as a pedal or accelerator handle and a brake, are connected to a controller 11 which is connected to the battery 8 and to the electric motor 9. According to an advantageous embodiment, the controller 11 as well as the control devices and the various sensors equipping the electric motorcycle 1 are connected to each other by a bus, for example of the CAN type. The controller 11 is configured to control the electric motor 9 according to the setpoint signals delivered by the control devices and in particular according to an acceleration setpoint. According to one embodiment, the controller 11 is also configured to implement regenerative braking, that is to say to control the electric motor 9 so that it exerts a resistive torque and thus acts as an electric generator, when the brake is actuated and consequently the acceleration setpoint is negative.

[0114] The electric motorcycle 1 comprises two sound generation modules 2 which are fixed to the frame 5, laterally on either side thereof. Note however that, in other embodiments, not shown, the electric vehicle may comprise only one sound generation module 2 or even more than two. The sound generation modules 2 may also be placed in any other position than those shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0115] Figures 4 and 5 represent one of the sound generation modules 2 equipping the electric motorcycle of Figures 1 to 3. The sound generation module 2 comprises a fairing 12 inside which is housed, at least partially, an air circulation duct 13. The air circulation duct 13 has an air intake inlet 14 and an air exhaust outlet 15. The air circulation duct 13 makes it possible to conduct an air flow in a direction and a flow direction, shown diagrammatically by the arrow referenced F1 on the. In this embodiment, the air intake inlet 14 is positioned on the front face of the sound generation module 2, that is to say on a face directed towards the front of the electric motorcycle 1 when the sound generation module 2 is fixed to the frame 5. This arrangement is advantageous in that it promotes the admission of air into the air circulation duct 13 under the effect of the movement of the electric motorcycle 1.The air intake inlet 14 advantageously has a convergent shape, that is to say that its section decreases in the direction of air flow.

[0116] Advantageously, the sound generation module 2 further comprises a flow rate control device which is configured to control the flow rate of air circulating inside the air circulation duct 13. In the embodiment shown, the flow rate control device comprises a fan 18 for ensuring forced air circulation in the air circulation duct 13. Such a fan 18 is particularly advantageous in that it ensures sufficient air flow to generate sound, even when the electric motorcycle is stationary and in that it allows the amplitude of the sound vibrations to be acted upon, as will be explained later. The fan 18 is here of the axial type, that is to say that it sucks in and discharges the air parallel to its axis of rotation.

[0117] Alternatively or additionally, according to another embodiment not shown, the flow regulation device comprises a flow regulation valve.

[0118] Furthermore, the sound generation module 2 comprises a sound emission member 17 which is shown in detail in the. The sound emission member 17 is pivotally mounted along a pivot axis X which is intersecting, and preferably perpendicular, to the flow direction. The sound emission member 17 is here housed inside the air circulation duct 13. However, according to other variant embodiments not illustrated, the sound emission member 17 may have another position, for example opposite the air intake inlet 14 or opposite the air exhaust outlet 15, as long as this positioning allows it to be placed in the air flow stream.

[0119] The sound emitting member 17, which is shown in detail in the, has a disc shape whose cross-section is slightly smaller than that of the corresponding cross-section of the air circulation duct 13. The sound emitting member 17 here has two edges 19, 20, arranged on either side of the pivot axis X and each connecting the two circular faces of the disc. The sound generation module 2 also comprises an actuator which is housed inside the fairing 12 and is arranged to pivot the sound emitting member 17 around the aforementioned pivot axis X. In the embodiment shown, the actuator is an electric motor 21 which makes it possible to drive the sound emission member 17 in rotation around said pivot axis X. Advantageously, the sound generation module 2 further comprises an encoder 22 coupled in rotation to the electric motor 21 or to the sound emission member 17.The encoder 22 thus delivers a signal representative of the relative position of the sound emission member 17. The encoder 22 is also housed inside the fairing 12.

[0120] The operating principle of such a sound emitting member 17 is explained in relation to the. When the sound emitting member 17 is rotated about the axis X, the two edges 19, 20 move alternately, in the direction of flow (corresponding to the direction of the arrow F1), and in the opposite direction. Each time an edge moves in the direction of flow (the one referenced 20 on the), it is in a leaky state. As soon as an edge 19, 20 is in a leaky state, it generates disturbances in the flow, through the air circulation duct 13, and more particularly Van Karman vortices. Such disturbances have the effect of generating sound vibrations whose frequency depends on the rotation speed of the sound emitting member 17 and the number of edges 19, 20 that it comprises. The amplitude of the sound vibrations depends on the air flow circulating in the air circulation duct 13.

[0121] According to an alternative embodiment, illustrated in the, the sound emitting member 17 does not perform a complete rotation around the pivot axis X but oscillates on either side of an equilibrium position, shown in dotted lines in the. Thus, the edge 19 of the sound emitting member 17 generates sound vibrations:- when it moves over a first angular range α1, arranged on one side of the equilibrium position, in a first direction, represented by the arrow F2 corresponding to a displacement of the edge 19 in the flow direction F1; and- when it moves in a second angular range α2, arranged on the other side of the equilibrium position, in a second direction, represented by the arrow F3, opposite to the first, and also corresponding to a displacement of the edge 19 in the flow direction F1.

[0122] Returning to Figures 2 to 5, it can be seen that the air circulation duct 13 comprises, downstream of the sound emission member 17, an optional outlet director portion 23, which projects from the fairing 12 and which thus makes it possible to position the air exhaust outlet 15 opposite one or more components to be cooled of the electric motorcycle 1, that is to say whose temperature must be maintained below a threshold. Thus, the sound generation module 2 has a dual functionality since it makes it possible, in addition to its sound generation function, to ensure cooling of one or more components of the electric motorcycle 1. In addition, the activity of the fan 18 is likely to benefit simultaneously from the two aforementioned functions, which makes it possible to further improve the overall energy efficiency.

[0123] Advantageously, the air exhaust outlet 15 is directed towards one or more components of the electric vehicle chosen from: the electric motor 9, an electrical energy storage unit, the controller 11, one or more electronic cards, interconnection bars, a reducer and a gearbox. For example, on the, the air exhaust outlet 15 is directed opposite the electric motor 9.

[0124] In an alternative or complementary embodiment, not shown, the electric motorcycle 1 comprises an air / liquid heat exchanger which is connected to a hydraulic cooling circuit, equipped with a pump, and making it possible to ensure cooling of the aforementioned components of the electric vehicle. The air / liquid heat exchanger is housed inside the air circulation duct 13, is positioned opposite the air exhaust outlet 15 or even opposite the air intake inlet 14.

[0125] Furthermore, each of the sound generation modules 2 comprises a fixing device 24, an exemplary embodiment of which is partially shown in FIG. The fixing device 24 is intended to ensure the fixing of said sound generation module 2 to the frame 5 of the electric motorcycle 1. Advantageously, the fixing device 24 is a reversible fixing device. It is thus possible to easily mount and dismount the sound generation modules 2, in particular for maintenance or replacement purposes. In the embodiment shown, the fixing device 24 comprises, on the side of the frame 5 of the electric motorcycle 1, two retaining pins 25, and, on the side of the sound generation module 2, two receiving cradles 26 which are each intended to receive one of the two retaining pins 25 when the sound generation module 2 is fixed to the frame 5 of the electric motorcycle 1.By way of example, patent application EP2779868 discloses examples of retaining pins 25 and receiving cradles 26, capable of being used for such an application.

[0126] Furthermore, the fixing device 24 also comprises, on the side of the frame 5 of the electric motorcycle 1, a V-lock type locking device 27 comprising a V-shaped female element, and on the side of the sound generation module 2, a male element, not visible, also V-shaped, which is received in the female element when the sound generation module 2 is fixed to the frame of the electric motorcycle 1. The locking device also comprises, on the side of the frame 5 of the electric motorcycle 1, a movable bolt, not visible, which is capable of assuming a locked state in which it engages in a housing of the male element in order to lock the male and female elements to each other. The locking device further comprises an unlocking button 44 which is associated with a mechanism of the locking device and is thus capable of moving the movable bolt to an unlocking position when said locking button 44 is actuated.Note that the aforementioned fixing device is described above only as an example. It is thus possible to reverse the arrangement of the aforementioned elements, that is to say to fix the female element and the receiving cradles on the side of the frame of the electric motorcycle 1 and the male element and the retaining pins 25 on the side of the sound generation module 2 or even to use any other type of fixing device.

[0127] The illustration illustrates different variants of sound emission members 17 that may be used. It is thus observed that the shape of the sound emission member 17 is likely to vary significantly, as long as it has at least one edge 19, 20 on its periphery. Thus, the sound emission member 17 may extend only in one plane like that of the but may have an alternative shape, to that of a disc, for example, a rectangular shape (case a) or a triangular shape (case b). The sound emission member 17 may also extend in a multitude of planes and thus have numerous edges 19, 20 (case c). This makes it possible, for the same rotation speed of said sound emission member 17, to increase the frequency of the sound vibrations.The sound emission member 17 may also comprise several portions 28, 29, positioned one above the other and extending along two planes intersecting each other (case d), which also makes it possible to increase the frequency of the sound vibrations. Finally, it is also possible to use sound emission members 17 having complex shapes, inscribed in a sphere, and whose edges 19, 20 do not extend in planes including the pivot axis (cases e and f).

[0128] Figures 8 to 10 illustrate sound generation modules 2 according to a second embodiment. As in the previous embodiment, each sound generation module 2 comprises an air circulation duct 13 and an air intake inlet. However, the air intake inlet 14 is not positioned on the front face of the sound generation module 2 but on an external lateral face, that is to say directed laterally towards the outside of the electric motorcycle 1. Such an arrangement makes it possible in particular to decorrelate the air flow circulating in the air circulation duct 13 from the speed of the electric motorcycle 1.

[0129] Furthermore, the flow control device comprises a radial type fan 18, also referred to as a “centrifugal fan”, that is to say that it sucks in air axially and delivers it radially relative to its axis of rotation. Such a radial type fan 18 makes it possible to achieve higher pressures than an axial fan, such as that of the first embodiment.

[0130] The air circulation duct 13 comprises a Y-shaped portion which divides it into two branches 30, 31 each leading towards a respective air exhaust outlet 32, 33. One of the branches 31 comprises a flow regulating member 34 which makes it possible to vary the distribution of the air flow between the two branches 30, 31. The presence of several air exhaust outlets 32, 33 makes it possible to direct the outgoing air flow onto several components to be cooled and / or onto several different zones of the same component. In the embodiment shown in the, the air exhaust outlets 32, 33 are directed towards the battery 8.

[0131] Furthermore, the sound generation module 2 comprises several sound emission members 17, 35, 36, for example three in the embodiment shown. They may in particular have different shapes, which makes it possible in particular to generate a more complex sound environment. This also makes it possible to act on the sound volume generated by setting in motion more sound emission members to increase it or on the contrary by reducing their number to reduce it. This can also be used to transmit to the driver or other road users even more sensory information about the driving conditions of the vehicle.

[0132] In connection with the, a control unit 37 is described for controlling a sound generation module 2, as described above. Such a control unit 37 can be distributed indifferently on each of the sound generation modules 2 or even be centralized on the electric vehicle or on only one of the sound generation modules 2. Any other combination is also possible. Thus, the control unit 37 can in particular be distributed on the electric vehicle 1 and on each of the sound generation modules 2.

[0133] The control unit 37 is configured to control: - the flow rate regulating member(s), i.e. the fan 18 in the embodiments described above; - the actuator(s) for moving the sound emission member(s) 17, 35, 36, i.e. the electric motor 21 for the embodiments described above; and - optionally, the flow rate regulating member 34 to vary the distribution of the flow rate between two branches 30, 31, assuming that the sound generation module 2 is equipped with it.

[0134] The control unit 37 is connected by a bus to the sensors and control equipment of the electric vehicle. The bus is, for example, of the CAN type, or uses any other communication protocol.

[0135] Thus, the control unit 37 receives at least the following variables: - a variable 38 representative of the speed V motof rotation of the electric motor 9; and- a variable 39 representative of the acceleration setpoint S acc of the electric vehicle.

[0136] The variable 38 can be acquired by means of a sensor mounted on the electric motor 9, on one of the wheels 3, 4 or at any location in the transmission chain between the electric motor 9 and the wheels 4.

[0137] Furthermore, according to advantageous embodiments, the control unit 37 receives one or more of the following variables: - a variable 40 representative of a regenerative braking instruction; - a variable 41 representative of the operating mode of the sound generation modules 2; - a variable 42 representative of the operating mode of the electric vehicle; and - a location variable 43 containing information representative of the position of the electric vehicle.

[0138] The control unit 37 controls the actuator of each of the sound generation modules 2, i.e. the electric motor 21, by means of a speed setpoint V act . In at least one sound generation mode of the sound generation module 2 and a driving mode of the electric vehicle, the speed setpoint V act is determined as a function of variable 38 representing the speed V mot of rotation of the electric motor 9.

[0139] More specifically, the value of the speed setpoint V act is between a minimum value V act _min and a maximum value V act _max and is determined by means of at least one V function act = f1(V mot). According to embodiments, f1 is a strictly increasing function, linear or not. According to other embodiments, f1 can be a sawtooth function comprising a plurality of strictly increasing portions connected by decreasing portions, which makes it possible in particular to simulate gearbox ratio changes.

[0140] According to one embodiment, the control unit 37 determines the value V_S act of the setpoint signal S act by means of two V functions act = f1(V mot ) and V act = f'1(V mot ), one of which is used when the speed V mot believes and the other when she décroit.

[0141] The control unit 37 controls the electric motor 21, in a closed loop, according to the speed setpoint V act and the signal delivered by the encoder 22.

[0142] According to one embodiment, the value V_S actcan be determined as a function of the speed V motet d’une ou plusieurs autres variables, telles que la consigne d’accélération Sacc.

[0143] Furthermore, for the sound generation mode of the sound generation module 2 and the driving mode of the electric vehicle, the control unit 37 controls the flow rate regulating member of each of the sound generation modules 2, i.e. the fan 24, by means of a setpoint Q _deb . The Q instruction _deb is determined as a function of variable 39 representing the acceleration setpoint S acc of the electric vehicle.

[0144] The Q instruction _deb is between a minimum value Q _deb _ min and a maximum value Q _deb _ max and is determined by means of a minus a function Q _deb = f2 (S acc ) with S acc: a positive or negative acceleration instruction, i.e. corresponding to a deceleration. According to embodiments, f2 is a strictly increasing function, linear or not. f2 can also be a sawtooth function.

[0145] According to one embodiment, the control unit 37 determines the setpoint Q _deb by means of two Q functions _deb = f2 (S acc ) and Q _deb = f'2 (S acc ), with f2 and f'2 increasing functions, one of which is used for positive acceleration instructions and the other for negative acceleration instructions, i.e. decelerations.

[0146] According to embodiments, in particular when the air intake inlet 14 is positioned on the front face so that the air flow circulating in the air circulation duct 13 depends on the speed of the vehicle, the flow setpoint Q _deb East déterminé à la fois en fonction de la vitesse du véhicule électrique, et plus particulièrement de la variable 38 représentative de la vitesse Vmotde rotation du moteur électrique 9, et en fonction de la consigne d’accélération Sacc. Ceci permet de tenir compte du débit d’air admis dans le conduit de circulation d’air 13 en raison du déplacement du véhicule électrique.

[0147] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, in at least one particular operating mode of the electric vehicle, the control unit 37 is configured to deliver speed setpoints V to two actuators moving two different sound emission members 17, 35, 36. act1 and V act2 different. More specifically, the difference between the speed instructions V act1 and V act2 is such that the gap between the frequencies des vibrations sonores générées par les deux organes d’émission sonore 17, 35, 36 est compris entre 0 Hz (borne non incluse) et 30 Hz et de préférence entre 0,2 Hz (borne incluse) et 30 Hz. Ainsi, une telle différence introduit un effet sonore, dit « de battement », qui permet d’informer le conducteur et / ou les autres usagers de la route du mode de fonctionnement particulier du véhicule électrique. Selon un mode de réalisation avantageux, un tel effet de battement est généré en fonction de la variable 40 représentative d’une consigne de freinage régénératif, et plus particulièrement lorsqu’un freinage régénératif en mis œuvre par le contrôleur 11 du véhicule électrique. Notons que les deux organes d’émission sonores 17, 35, 36 générant un tel effet de battement peuvent indifféremment appartenir à deux modules de génération sonore 2 différents ou bien encore appartenir au même module de génération sonore 2.

[0148] According to one embodiment, the control unit 37 has at least two operating modes of the sound generation modules 2, namely at least: - a sound generation mode in which said control unit 37 controls the actuator associated with the sound emission member 17 and the flow rate regulation member of each of the sound generation modules 2 as described previously; and - a silent mode in which the sound emission member(s) 17 do not generate sound vibrations or at least not at frequencies audible to the human ear.

[0149] Several variants of implementing silent mode are possible.

[0150] According to a first variant embodiment, in the silent mode, the actuator associated with the sound emission member 17 is no longer supplied with energy so that the sound emission member 17 is free to pivot around the pivot axis X.

[0151] According to a second embodiment, in said silent mode, the control unit 37 controls the actuator according to a position setpoint. In this case, the position of the sound emitting member 17 is fixed, in the silent mode. Advantageously, the position of the sound emitting member 17 corresponding to the aforementioned position setpoint corresponds to that in which the sound emitting member 17 generates the least pressure loss. Therefore, for the sound emitting member 17 described in relation to the, the position setpoint corresponds to an orientation of the plane of the disc which is parallel to the direction of flow.

[0152] Finally, according to a third variant embodiment, in said silent mode, the control unit 37 controls the actuator at a constant speed in order to allow the flow of air through the air circulation duct, this speed preferably being sufficiently low so that the frequency of the vibrations generated is below the audible frequency range, i.e. below 20 Hz.

[0153] In such a silent mode, the fan 18 remains active in order to ensure the cooling function of the electric vehicle equipment. Thus, the flow rate setpoint Q _deb is no longer determined as a function of variable 39 representing the acceleration setpoint S acc of the electric vehicle but depending on one or more parameters representative of the temperature of the equipment to be cooled.

[0154] According to one embodiment, the silent mode is one of the operating modes of the sound generation modules 2 which is capable of being selected by the driver. Thus, the control unit 37 activates this silent mode when the value of the variable 41 representative of the operating mode of the sound generation modules 2 corresponds to a selection of the silent mode.

[0155] According to an alternative or complementary embodiment, the control unit 37 is configured to activate or deactivate the silent mode depending on the location variable 43.

[0156] According to one embodiment, the location variable 43 comprises coordinates representative of the position of the electric vehicle in the terrestrial reference frame. In this case, the control unit 37 determines the active or inactive state of the silent mode by means of a remote or local database establishing a relationship between position coordinates in the terrestrial reference frame and the active or inactive state of the silent mode.

[0157] According to another embodiment, the electric vehicle comprises one or more spatial detection sensors, chosen from cameras, LIDARS, radars and ultrasonic sensors and a signal processing unit configured to process the signals collected by the spatial position sensor(s) and assign to the location variable 43 a value representative of the position and / or the nature of the objects in the environment of the vehicle. For example, the processing unit can be configured to identify an urban area so that the control unit activates the silent mode, in an urban area, for example during the night. In such a case, the electric vehicle 1 comprises a clock.

[0158] According to one embodiment, the silent mode is also activated as a function of the variable 42 representative of the operating mode of the electric vehicle. Thus, the control unit 37 can be configured to activate the silent mode as a function of the value of the variable 42 representative of the operating mode of the electric vehicle, for example when the latter corresponds to a mode of recharging the battery 8.

[0159] According to an alternative embodiment, the control unit 37 is configured to control the sound generation modules 2 so that they produce a specific sound for an operating mode of the electric vehicle, for example when it is in the battery 8 recharging mode.

[0160] Furthermore, when the sound generation modules 2 are equipped with two branches each leading to an air exhaust outlet 32, 33, one of which is equipped with a sound emission member 36 and a flow regulation member 34 which makes it possible to vary the distribution of the air flow between the two branches 30, 31, as in the embodiment described above in relation to the, said flow regulation member 34 can be controlled by the control unit 37 as a function of the variable 39 representative of the acceleration setpoint S acc of the electric vehicle.

[0161] For example, the control unit 37 can be configured to control the flow rate regulating member 34 so as to: - increase the air flow rate in the branch in question, and consequently the sound volume generated by the sound emission member 36 when the acceleration setpoint S accincreases; or- on the contrary, decrease the air flow when the acceleration setpoint S acc decreases.

[0162] In other embodiments not illustrated, the electric vehicle which is equipped with one or more sound generation modules 2 of the aforementioned type comprises a fuel cell. The fuel cell is connected to a hydrogen tank and is configured to generate electrical energy. This electrical energy is intended to be stored in an electrical energy storage device which comprises one or more batteries and / or one or more supercapacitors and which is intended to supply electrical energy to the electric motor of the vehicle.

[0163] As is well known, the fuel cell is the seat of an oxidation-reduction reaction that transforms hydrogen from the tank and oxygen from the air into electricity, water and heat. Also, the vehicle has a compressor to compress the combustion air at the inlet of the fuel cell cells as well as a cooling device to cool it.

[0164] One or more sound generation modules 2 of the type described above can then equip the combustion air supply circuit. Thus, according to one embodiment, the air exhaust outlet 15 of a sound generation module 2 conducts the air towards the combustion air inlet of the fuel cell. In such an embodiment, the compressor can, according to an alternative embodiment, act as a device for regulating the flow rate of the sound generation module and thus be controlled by means of the setpoint Q _deb .

[0165] Alternatively or additionally, one or more sound generation modules 2 of the type described above may equip the cooling device for cooling the fuel cell. The air exhaust outlet of a sound generation module 15 then conducts the air to the cooling circuit of the fuel cell.

[0166] Some elements represented, in particular the control unit, can be implemented in different forms, in a unitary or distributed manner, using hardware and / or software components. Usable hardware components are specific integrated circuits ASIC, programmable logic arrays FPGA or microprocessors. Software components can be written in different programming languages, for example C, C++, Java or VHDL. This list is not exhaustive.

[0167] Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is obvious that it is in no way limited thereto and that it includes all technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims.

[0168] The use of the verb "comprise", "comprise" or "include" and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps than those set out in a claim.

[0169] In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses cannot be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

Sound generation module (2) intended to equip an electric vehicle (1) comprising:- an air circulation duct (13) having an air intake inlet (14) and an air exhaust outlet (15) and configured to conduct an air flow in a flow direction and a flow direction (F1) oriented from the air intake inlet (14) to the air exhaust outlet (15);- a sound emission member (17) which is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis (X) intersecting the flow direction, said sound emission member (17) comprising at least one edge (19, 20); and- an actuator which is arranged to pivot said sound emitting member (17) around the pivot axis (X) so as to create flow disturbances in the air flow, generating sound vibrations when the edge (19, 20) moves in the flow direction (F1). A sound generating module (2) according to claim 1, comprising a flow rate regulating device which is housed in the air circulation duct (13) and is configured to regulate the flow rate of air circulating inside the air circulation duct (13). A sound generating module (2) according to claim 2, wherein the flow regulating device comprises a fan (18). Sound generation module (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the actuator is an electric motor (21) configured to drive the sound emission member (17) in rotation around said pivot axis (X). A sound generating module (2) according to claim 4, comprising a fairing (12) and wherein at least a portion of the air circulation duct (13) and the actuator are housed inside the fairing (12). Sound generation module (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a fixing device (24) suitable and intended for fixing said sound generation module (2) to an electric vehicle (1). Sound generation module (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the air intake inlet (14) is positioned on a front face of the sound generation module (2), said front face being intended to be directed towards the front of the electric vehicle (1). Sound generation module (2) according to claim 7, wherein the air intake inlet (14) has a section which decreases according to the direction of flow. Sound generation module (2) according to claim 1 to 6, wherein the air intake inlet (14) is positioned on an external lateral face of the sound generation module (2), said external lateral face being intended to be directed laterally towards the outside of the electric vehicle (1). System for equipping an electric vehicle (1), the system comprising at least one sound generation module (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a control unit (37) for controlling said sound generation module (2). System according to claim 10, in which the control unit (37) is configured to:- receive a variable (38) representative of a speed V mot rotation of an electric motor (9) of the electric vehicle (1);- determine a speed setpoint V act as a function of said variable (38) representative of the speed V mot; and- control the actuator by means of said speed setpoint V act. System according to claim 10 or 11, in which the control unit (37) is configured to:- receive a variable (39) representative of an acceleration instruction S acc of the electric vehicle (1);- determine a setpoint Q _deb as a function of said variable (38) representative of the acceleration setpoint S acc ; and- controlling a flow control device which is housed in the air circulation duct (13) by means of said setpoint Q _deb . Electric vehicle (1) comprising a system according to any one of claims 10 to 12. Electric vehicle (1) according to claim 13, intended to be ridden and comprising a frame (5), the sound generation module (2) being fixed to said frame (5). Electric vehicle (1) according to claim 14, wherein the system comprises two sound generation modules (2) fixed to the frame (5), laterally on either side of said frame (5). Electric vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the air exhaust outlet (15) of the sound generation module (2) is directed towards one or more components of the electric vehicle (1) chosen from an electric motor, an electrical energy storage unit, a controller, one or more electronic cards, interconnection bars, a reducer, a gearbox and an air / liquid heat exchanger. Electric vehicle according to any one of claims 13 to 15, comprising an air / liquid heat exchanger which is housed inside the air circulation duct (13), is positioned opposite the air exhaust outlet (15) or opposite the air intake inlet (14). System intended to equip an electric vehicle (1) comprising:- two sound generation modules (2) configured to generate sound vibrations having at least one frequency and one amplitude;- a control unit (37) for controlling said sound generation module (2), said control unit (37) being configured to, at least in a sound generation mode:- receive a variable (38) representative of a speed V mot rotation of an electric motor (9) of the electric vehicle (1) and a variable (39) representative of an acceleration instruction S acc of the electric vehicle (1); and- control the sound generation modules (2) according to the variable (38) representative of the speed V mot and the variable (39) representative of the acceleration instruction S acc so as to vary the frequency of the sound vibrations as a function of the variable (38) representative of the speed V motand the amplitude of the sound vibrations as a function of the variable (39) representative of the acceleration setpoint S acc ;ladite unité de contrôle étant en outre configurée pour au moins dans un mode de fonctionnement particulier du véhicule électrique (1), commander les modules de génération sonore (2) en fonction de la variable (38) représentative de la vitesse Vmotet de la variable (39) représentative de la consigne d’accélération Saccd’une manière telle que la fréquence des vibrations sonores générés par l’un et l’autre des deux modules de génération sonore (2) varie en fonction de la variable (38) représentative de la vitesse Vmotet que les fréquencesdes vibrations sonores générées par les deux organes d’émission sonore présentent un écart compris entre 0 Hz, non inclus, et 30 Hz, et de préférence supérieur à 0,2 Hz, pour produire un effet de battement. System according to claim 18, wherein each sound generation module (2) comprises:- an air circulation duct (13) having an air intake inlet (14) and an air exhaust outlet (15) and configured to conduct an air flow in a flow direction and a flow direction (F1) oriented from the air intake inlet (14) to the air exhaust outlet (15); and- a sound emission member (17) which is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis (X) intersecting the flow direction, said sound emission member (17) comprising at least one edge (19, 20); and- an actuator which is arranged to pivot said sound emitting member (17) around the pivot axis (X) so as to create flow disturbances in the air flow, generating the sound vibrations when the edge (19, 20) moves in the flow direction (F1) and in which the control unit (37) is configured to:- determine a speed setpoint Vact as a function of said variable (38) representative of the speed V mot ; and- control the actuator by means of said speed setpoint V act. System according to claim 19, wherein the actuator is an electric motor (21) configured to rotate the sound emitting member (17) around said pivot axis (X). System according to claim 20, in which the control unit (37) is configured to, at least in the particular operating mode of the electric vehicle (1):- determine two speed setpoints V act1 and V act2 for the actuator of one and the other of the two sound generation modules as a function of said variable (38) representative of the speed V mot ; and- control the actuator of one and the other of the two sound generation modules respectively by means of one and the other of two speed instructions V act1et Vact2 ;les consignes de vitesse Vact1et Vact2présentant une différence telle qu’un écart entre les fréquencesdes vibrations sonores générées par les deux organes d’émission sonore est compris entre 0, non inclus et 30 Hz et de préférence supérieur à 0,2 Hz. System according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the sound generation module (2) comprises a flow control device which is housed in the air circulation duct (13) and is configured to regulate the flow of air circulating inside the air circulation duct (13), and wherein the control unit (37) is configured to:- determine a setpoint Q _deb as a function of said variable (38) representative of the acceleration setpoint S acc ; and- control the flow control device by means of said instruction Q _deb . System according to claim 22, wherein the flow control device comprises a fan (18) and wherein said fan is controlled by means of said setpoint Q _deb . System according to any one of claims 18 to 23, in which the control unit (37) has at least:- a sound generation mode in which the control unit (37) controls the sound generation module (2) as a function of the variable (38) representative of the speed V mot and the variable (39) representative of the acceleration instruction S acc ; and- a silent mode in which the control unit (37) controls the sound generation module (2) so as not to generate sound vibrations or to generate sound vibrations at frequencies inaudible to the human ear. System according to claim 24, wherein the control unit (37) is configured to:- receive a variable (41) representative of the operating mode of the sound generation module (2) selected by the driver; and- activate the silent mode when the value of said variable (41) corresponds to a selection of the silent mode by the driver. System according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the control unit (37) is configured to:- receive a location variable (43) containing information representative of a position of the electric vehicle (1); and- activate or deactivate the silent mode depending on the location variable (43). Electric vehicle (1) comprising a system according to any one of claims 18 to 26. An electric vehicle (1) according to claim 27, wherein the electric vehicle (1) is a ride-on vehicle. Method for controlling two sound generation modules (2) intended for an electric vehicle (1); said sound generation modules (2) being configured to generate sound vibrations having at least one frequency and one amplitude, said method comprising the following steps: - receiving a variable (38) representative of a speed V mot rotation of an electric motor (9) of the electric vehicle (1) and a variable (39) representative of an acceleration instruction S acc of the electric vehicle (1);- control the sound generation modules (2) according to the variable (38) representative of the speed V mot and the variable (39) representative of the acceleration instruction S acc so as to vary the frequency of the sound vibrations as a function of the variable (38) representative of the speed V mot and the amplitude of the sound vibrations as a function of the variable (39) representative of the acceleration setpoint Sacc ; les deux modules de génération sonore (2) étant commandés en fonction de la variable (38) représentative de la vitesse Vmotet de la variable (39) représentative de la consigne d’accélération Saccd’une manière telle que les fréquencesdes vibrations sonores générées par les deux organes d’émission sonore présentent un écart compris entre 0 Hz, non inclus et 30 Hz, et de préférence supérieur à 0,2 Hz.