Vibration generator and method for generating vibration

Abstract

To provide a vibration generator that can generate pseudo-engine vibration having high reproduction probability.SOLUTION: Four vibrators 21-24 are disposed in a seat S of a mobile body. A control unit 3 acquires an accelerator opening degree as travel state information of the mobile body, determines amplitude A(x) as a vibration parameter and an interval Δt(x) between pulse groups in accordance with the accelerator opening degree, and vibrates each of the vibrators 21-24, thereby generating pseudo-engine vibration having high reproduction probability.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vibration generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an electric racing kart equipped with a seat vibrator and a speaker provided on the driver's seat has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the electric racing kart described in Patent Document 1, the seat vibrator and the speaker are controlled to allow the driver to experience simulated engine vibrations and engine sounds. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-180800 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, actual engine vibrations are complex, and it has been difficult to obtain a sufficient degree of reproduction by simply vibrating a seat vibrator as described in Patent Document 1.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vibration generator capable of generating pseudo engine vibrations with a high degree of reproducibility. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the vibration generating device of the present invention described in claim 1 comprises a plurality of vibrators arranged on a seat of a moving body, an acquisition unit that acquires running state information regarding the running state of the moving body, and a control unit that controls each of the plurality of vibrators in accordance with the running state information, and is characterized in that the control unit vibrates the plurality of vibrators in order starting from the vibrator closest to a virtual vibration generating source. Furthermore, the vibration generating method described in claim 9 is a vibration generating method executed by a vibration generating device that vibrates a plurality of vibrators arranged on a seat of a moving body, and includes a step of acquiring running state information regarding the running state of the moving body, and a step of controlling each of the plurality of vibrators in accordance with the running state information, characterized in that in the controlling step, the plurality of vibrators are vibrated in order starting from the vibrator closest to a virtual vibration generating source. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a vibration generator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a vibrator of the vibration generating device is provided on a seat of a moving body. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line V1-V1 in FIG. [Figure 5] 4 is a graph showing the change over time in vibration displacement of the vibrator. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an emphasis process executed by a control unit of the vibration generating device. [Figure 7] 10 is a graph showing an example of the relationship between the vibration intensity determined by the first process and the second process in the enhancement process and the running speed. [Figure 8] 10 is a graph showing another example of the relationship between the vibration intensity and the running speed determined by the first process and the second process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described. A vibration generator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of vibrators arranged on a seat of a moving body, an acquisition unit that acquires running state information relating to the running state of the moving body, and a control unit that controls each of the plurality of vibrators in accordance with the running state information.

[0009] Actual engine vibrations that occur in engine vehicles vary depending on the seat position, with different vibration strengths and timing of vibration occurrence, etc. Therefore, by controlling the vibration of each of the multiple vibrators placed on the seats in accordance with driving condition information, it is possible to generate pseudo engine vibrations with a high degree of reproducibility.

[0010] The traveling state information may include at least one of the power source rotation speed, accelerator opening, and traveling speed of the mobile object. That is, vibration may be controlled based on the power source rotation speed (engine rotation speed or motor rotation speed), the accelerator opening, the traveling speed, or a combination of these.

[0011] The control unit may control the vibration of the plurality of vibrators so that at least one of the frequency, amplitude, time change in amplitude, and intervals between pulse groups is different from one another.

[0012] The plurality of vibrators preferably includes one disposed on the back of the seat and one disposed on the seat cushion, thereby enabling highly realistic pseudo engine vibration to be generated when the actual engine vibrations occurring in an engine vehicle differ between the back and seat cushion.

[0013] It is preferable that the plurality of vibrators include those arranged in the same target portion of the seat, which makes it possible to generate highly realistic pseudo engine vibrations in cases where the actual engine vibrations generated in an engine vehicle vary depending on the position within a single portion (the back or seat).

[0014] In this case, it is more preferable that the vibration directions of the two or more vibrators arranged in the same target part are different from each other. This makes it possible to generate highly realistic pseudo engine vibrations in cases where the vibration direction of actual engine vibrations generated in an engine vehicle varies depending on the position within a single part.

[0015] The moving body may be any body equipped with a motor as a power source, and pseudo engine vibrations may be generated when the moving body is driven by the motor.

[0016] It is preferable to further include a sound generating unit that generates a pseudo engine sound according to the traveling speed of the moving object. This makes it possible to generate not only pseudo engine vibrations but also pseudo engine sounds. Note that the sound generating unit may be provided separately from the vibrators, or all or some of the multiple vibrators may be used as the sound generating unit by utilizing the sound generated when the vibrators vibrate. [Example]

[0017] Each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. As shown in Fig. 1, the vibration generator 1 of this embodiment includes four vibrators 21 to 24, a control unit 3, an amplifier 4, and a storage unit 5, and is mounted on a mobile object (electric vehicle) equipped with a motor as a power source.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 2, the four vibrators 21 to 24 are arranged on the seat S of the moving body, with two of them arranged on the back portion (backrest portion) S1 of the seat S and the other two arranged on the seat surface portion S2. The vibrators 21 and 22 arranged on the back portion S1 are arranged side by side in the width direction of the moving body, and both vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the front surface of the back portion S1. The vibrators 23 and 24 arranged on the seat surface S2 are arranged side by side in the width direction of the moving body, and both vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the seat surface S2.

[0019] Here, details of the vibrators 21 to 24 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along the V1-V1 cutting line in Figure 3(A).

[0020] The vibrators 21 to 24 each have a magnetic circuit 220 housed in a case 210. The case 210 has a low cylindrical frame 211, the opening of which at one end is closed by a circular first plate wall 213 having a plurality of through holes 212 in the center, and the opening at the other end is closed by a circular second plate wall 214. Fig. 3(A) shows the vibrators 21 to 24 as seen from the first plate wall 213 side where the through holes 212 are formed, and Fig. 3(B) shows the vibrators 21 to 24 as seen from the opposite side.

[0021] A cylindrical bobbin 215 stands upright from approximately the center of the first plate wall 213 toward the second plate wall 214 so as to surround the multiple through holes 212, and a voice coil 216 is provided on the outer periphery of the bobbin 215. In this manner, the voice coil 216 is fixed to the first plate wall 213 via the bobbin 215. The multiple through holes 212 are provided in an area 213a that corresponds to the inside of the voice coil 216 in a plan view when viewed from a direction intersecting with the first plate wall 213.

[0022] Each magnetic circuit 220 includes a ring-shaped plate 221, a magnet 222, and a disk-shaped yoke 223. The plate 221 and the magnet 222 are arranged coaxially with a gap between them and the voice coil 216. The plate 221, i.e., the magnetic circuit 220, is supported on the inner wall surface of the cylindrical frame 211 via a damper 230 so as to be vibrable in a direction D1 toward and away from the first plate wall 213.

[0023] When an AC signal is applied to the voice coil 216, the magnetic circuit 220 vibrates in the approaching / separating direction D1 relative to the first plate wall 213. Furthermore, the case 210 also vibrates due to a reaction to the vibration via the damper 230. Thus, in the vibrators 21-24, relative vibration occurs between the case 210 and the magnetic circuit 220 when current is applied to the voice coil 216. Due to this relative vibration, the vibrators 21-24 vibrate together with the case 210. Furthermore, in the case 210, the first plate wall 213 to which the voice coil 216 is fixed, which receives a reaction from the magnetic circuit 220, vibrates locally. This vibration of the first plate wall 213 generates sound. Thus, the vibrators 21-24 vibrate together with the case 210 due to the relative vibration between the case 210 and the magnetic circuit 220 caused by the application of current to the voice coil 216, and emit sound.

[0024] The control unit 3 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) equipped with memories such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), and is responsible for overall control of the vibration generator 1. That is, the control unit 3 transmits drive signals according to the acquired information to the vibrators 21-24. An amplifier 4 is provided between the control unit 3 and the vibrators 21-24, so that the drive signals transmitted by the control unit 3 are amplified and supplied to the vibrators 21-24.

[0025] The control unit 3 receives information on the running state of the mobile object from the CAN (Controller Area Network) 10 of the mobile object. The control unit 3 acquires traveling state information relating to the vehicle and functions as an acquisition unit. In this embodiment, the traveling state information is the accelerator opening of the vehicle (the amount of accelerator depression by the driver), but the traveling state information may be the motor rotation speed or the traveling speed, or an appropriate combination of these parameters may be used as the traveling state information. In addition, the control unit 3 acquires the traveling speed of the vehicle from the CAN 10 as traveling speed information of the vehicle, and functions as a first acquisition unit.

[0026] The control unit 3 acquires the current position of the mobile object from the current position estimation unit 20, and also acquires map information from the map information storage unit 30. That is, the control unit 3 acquires the type of road (expressway or general road) on which the mobile object is currently traveling and its speed limit as the traveling environment information, and functions as a second acquisition unit. An example of the current position estimation unit 20 is a GPS receiving unit that receives radio waves transmitted from multiple GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites. The map information storage unit 30 may be a storage unit of a car navigation system or a storage unit of an external server.

[0027] The storage unit 5 stores a table showing the relationship between the accelerator opening and a combination of vibration parameters of each of the vibrators 21 to 24. The vibration parameters of the vibrators 21 to 24 are variables for determining a vibration waveform (time-dependent change in vibration displacement). Such a table may be determined by measuring vibrations that actually occur at each seat position (positions where the vibrators 21 to 24 are provided) of an engine vehicle, or may be determined based on simulation results. Instead of a table, the storage unit 5 may store a mathematical expression showing the relationship between the accelerator opening and the vibration parameters. Instead of the accelerator opening, the storage unit 5 may store a table showing the relationship between the motor rotation speed or the driving speed, or a combination thereof, and a combination of the vibration parameters of each of the vibrators 21 to 24.

[0028] [Method for determining vibration parameters of multiple vibrators] The control unit 3 controls the vibration of each of the plurality of vibrators 21 to 24 in accordance with the driving state information. This will be described in detail below. The control unit 3 reads a table from the storage unit 5 to obtain a combination of vibration parameters corresponding to the accelerator opening. Furthermore, the control unit 3 transmits a drive signal corresponding to the obtained combination of vibration parameters to the vibrators 21 to 24. An example of the change over time in vibration displacement of each of the vibrators 21 to 24 at this time is shown in FIG. 5.

[0029] The oscillator 23 generates vibrations based on a pulse group composed of multiple pulses (three in the illustrated example), and then generates vibrations based on another pulse group after a predetermined time interval, repeating this process. The amplitudes of the pulses that make up one pulse group are approximately equal. Furthermore, the amplitude A(x) of one pulse group is different from the amplitude A(x+1) of the next pulse group. Furthermore, the interval Δt(x) between pulse groups is different from the interval Δt(x+1) of the next pulse group. In this embodiment, the wavelength (e.g., 40 to 120 Hz) of each pulse that makes up a pulse group and the number of pulses included in the pulse group are constant.

[0030] Thus, the vibration parameters that determine the vibration waveform of vibrator 23 (shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5) are the amplitude A(x) and interval Δt(x) of the pulse group. Similarly, the vibration waveform of vibrators 22 to 24 is determined by the amplitude A(x) and interval Δt(x) of the pulse group. The interval Δt(x) is preferably about 60 to 250 msec.

[0031] The vibration waveforms of the vibrators 21 to 24 are different from one another. Specifically, when x = n, the amplitudes A(x) of the vibrators 21 to 24 are different from one another, and the intervals Δt(x) are also different from one another. Furthermore, for pulse groups with approximately the same timing, the center times t0 of the vibrators 21 to 24 are different from one another. As shown by the dashed-dotted lines in FIG. 5 , the order of the center times t0 of the vibrators, from earliest to latest, is vibrator 23 located on the left side of the seat S2, vibrator 21 located on the left side of the back S1, vibrator 24 located on the right side of the seat S2, and vibrator 22 located on the right side of the back S1. In this embodiment, the vibration of a vehicle with a driver's seat located on the right side in the width direction and an engine mounted in the front is simulated, and a virtual vibration source is located to the left and front as viewed from the seat S. That is, the vibrators closest to the virtual vibration source are vibrated in order.

[0032] The timing for determining and updating the vibration parameters is arbitrary, and the control unit 3 may determine the vibration parameters every time a predetermined time elapses while the moving body is traveling, or may determine new vibration parameters when the accelerator opening degree changes by more than a predetermined value.

[0033] [Changes in vibration parameter determination process] The control unit 3 not only determines the combination of vibration parameters of the vibrators 21 to 24 as described above, but also determines the vibration parameters so as to give the driver a pseudo engine vibration according to the traveling speed of the mobile object, and functions as a determination unit.

[0034] The speed perceived by the driver is a speed that corresponds to the vibration strength of the vibrators 21 to 24. The vibration strength is determined by the vibration parameters, amplitude A(x) and interval Δt(x). That is, the larger the amplitude A(x), the higher the vibration strength, and the shorter the interval Δt(x), the higher the vibration strength. In this way, determining the vibration parameters by the control unit 3 is equivalent to determining the vibration strength.

[0035] The control unit 3 executes an emphasis process while the moving object is traveling. An example of the emphasis process will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The control unit 3 determines whether the moving object has entered an ordinary road from an expressway (step S1). If the moving object has entered an ordinary road from an expressway (Y in step S1), the control unit 3 determines whether the moving object's traveling speed (speed determination value) is equal to or less than the speed limit (threshold value) of the ordinary road (step S2). If the moving object's traveling speed is equal to or less than the speed limit (Y in step S2), the control unit 3 determines the vibration intensity by a first process (step S3). On the other hand, if the moving object's traveling speed is higher than the speed limit (N in step S2), the control unit 3 determines the vibration intensity by a second process (step S4).

[0036] Following steps S3 and S4, the control unit 3 determines whether the traveling state of the mobile object satisfies a termination condition (step S5). The termination condition may be, for example, that the mobile object has traveled a predetermined distance since entering an ordinary road from an expressway, that a predetermined time has elapsed, that the mobile object has stopped, or any combination thereof.

[0037] If the termination condition is not met (N in step S5), the control unit 3 returns to step S2. On the other hand, if the moving object has not entered an ordinary road from an expressway (N in step S1) or if the termination condition is met (Y in step S5), the control unit 3 determines the vibration intensity by the first process (step S6). After step S6, the control unit 3 returns to step S1.

[0038] Here, the first process is a process of determining vibration parameters so that the vibration intensity of the vibrators 21-24 is approximately equal to the vibration intensity actually obtained in an engine vehicle traveling at a similar traveling speed. The relationship between the actual traveling speed of an engine vehicle and the vibration intensity of the generated vibration may be measured in advance or may be determined based on simulation results. The vibration intensity obtained by the first process may be set higher or lower than the vibration intensity actually obtained in an engine vehicle traveling at that traveling speed. On the other hand, the second process is a process of determining vibration parameters so that a vibration intensity higher than the vibration intensity obtained by the first process at the same traveling speed can be obtained.

[0039] The relationship between the vibration intensity of the vibrators 21 to 24 and the speed is shown schematically in Figure 7. When the traveling speed of the moving object exceeds the speed limit, by determining the vibration intensity using the second process, a higher vibration intensity is obtained than when the vibration intensity is determined using the first process, and the perceived speed increases. In other words, when traveling at or below the speed limit, the actual traveling speed and the perceived speed are approximately the same, and when traveling over the speed limit, the perceived speed is higher than the actual traveling speed (for example, when the actual traveling speed is 60 km / h, the perceived speed is 70 km / h).

[0040] In the example shown in Figure 7, the straight line indicating the first processing and the straight line indicating the second processing are discontinuous at the speed limit and have approximately the same slope, but these straight lines may be continuous at the speed limit and have different slopes, or they may be discontinuous at the speed limit and have different slopes.

[0041] With the above configuration, each of the four vibrators 21 to 24 arranged on the seat S is vibrated by determining vibration parameters according to the accelerator opening as driving state information, thereby generating pseudo engine vibrations with a high degree of reproducibility.

[0042] Furthermore, since the vibrators 21 and 22 are arranged on the back surface S1 and the vibrators 23 and 24 are arranged on the seat surface S2, when the actual engine vibrations occurring in an engine vehicle differ between the back surface S1 and the seat surface S2, pseudo engine vibrations can be generated with a high degree of reproduction.

[0043] Furthermore, by arranging the two vibrators 21 and 22 on the back surface S1, it is possible to generate highly realistic pseudo engine vibrations when the actual engine vibrations generated in an engine vehicle vary depending on the position within the back surface S1. Furthermore, by arranging the two vibrators 23 and 24 on the seat surface S2, it is possible to generate highly realistic pseudo engine vibrations when the actual engine vibrations generated in an engine vehicle vary depending on the position within the seat surface S2.

[0044] Furthermore, two vibrators 21 and 22 are arranged on the back surface S1 and two vibrators 23 and 24 are arranged on the seat surface S2, so that the four vibrators 21 to 24 are arranged three-dimensionally with the seated person (driver) as the reference, and a twisting sensation can be created by the vibration.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes other configurations that can achieve the object of the present invention, and the following modifications are also included in the present invention.

[0046] For example, in the above embodiment, the amplitude A(x), interval Δt(x), and center time t0 of the oscillators 21 to 24 are different from one another, but other parameters may be different. For example, the frequency, wavelength, or number of pulses constituting the pulse group may be different between the multiple oscillators. Furthermore, depending on the actual engine vibration, some of the vibration parameters of the multiple oscillators may be equal to one another.

[0047] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the vibration generator 1 is provided with both vibrators 21 and 22 arranged on the back surface S1 and vibrators 23 and 24 arranged on the seat surface S2, but the vibration generator may be provided with only vibrators arranged on the back surface S1, or may be provided with only vibrators arranged on the seat surface S2.

[0048] In the above embodiment, two vibrators 21 and 22 are arranged on the back surface S1 and two vibrators 23 and 24 are arranged on the seat surface S2, but three or more vibrators may be arranged on each of the back surface S1 and the seat surface S2, or only one vibrator may be arranged on each of the back surface S1 and the seat surface S2. Also, the number of vibrators arranged on the back surface S1 and the seat surface S2 may differ from each other.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the vibrators 21 and 22 arranged on the back surface S1 have the same (approximately parallel) vibration direction, and the vibrators 23 and 24 arranged on the seat surface S2 have the same (approximately parallel) vibration direction, but two or more vibrators arranged on the same target part may have different vibration directions. For example, in the case of vibrators arranged on the seat surface S2, one vibrator may vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the seat surface S2, and the other vibrators may vibrate in a direction inclined with respect to the perpendicular direction or in a direction along the in-plane direction of the upper surface of the seat surface S2.

[0050] With this configuration, when the actual engine vibrations generated in an engine vehicle have different vibration directions depending on the position within a single part, it is possible to generate pseudo engine vibrations with a high degree of reproducibility. Note that the vibration direction may be changed by providing a driving means for changing the orientation of the entire vibrator (for example, by changing the tilt angle).

[0051] In the above embodiment, the traveling speed of the moving object is used as the speed determination value and the speed limit is used as the threshold value, but the threshold value may be lower or higher than the speed limit. The speed determination value may be acceleration, or the combined value of the traveling speed and acceleration may be used as the speed determination value. That is, the speed determination may determine whether or not the speed limit has actually been exceeded, or whether or not the speed limit is likely to be exceeded. For example, if the acceleration is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the second process may be executed assuming that the speed limit is likely to be exceeded, or if the combined value of the traveling speed and acceleration is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the second process may be executed assuming that the speed limit is likely to be exceeded.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the vibration intensity is determined by the first process or the second process from when the mobile object enters the general road from the expressway until the end condition is satisfied, but the control unit 3 may determine the vibration intensity by the first process or the second process at an appropriate timing. For example, the control unit 3 may always determine whether the mobile object is exceeding the speed limit while traveling (i.e., omitting steps S1, S5, and S6) and then execute the first process or the second process.

[0053] In addition, in the above embodiment, the first process or the second process is executed based on whether the speed judgment value is equal to or less than the threshold value, but the first process and the second process may be switched based only on the driving environment information.

[0054] In addition, in the above embodiment, the first process or the second process is executed based on whether the speed judgment value is equal to or less than the threshold value, but the first process and the second process may be switched based only on the driving environment information.

[0055] For example, the first process may be executed under normal circumstances, and the second process may be executed without comparing the speed judgment value with the threshold value until the termination condition (for example, the same condition as in the above embodiment) is satisfied after the mobile object has entered an ordinary road from an expressway. In other words, when the mobile object has entered an ordinary road from an expressway, the perceived speed may be increased regardless of whether or not the speed is being exceeded, thereby preventing the mobile object from speeding.

[0056] Furthermore, the control unit 3, which functions as a second acquisition unit, may acquire the road gradient as driving environment information, execute the first process under normal circumstances, and execute the second process when the gradient exceeds a threshold value. Speeding is likely to occur on downhill gradients, and speed reduction on uphill gradients can cause traffic jams. Therefore, by switching to the second process to increase or decrease the perceived speed depending on the road gradient, the driver can be naturally encouraged to drive at a desired speed. The acquired road gradient may be the gradient at the current position of the mobile object, or may be the gradient at a position ahead of the current position. The control unit 3 may acquire the road gradient using a sensor or camera that transmits and receives electromagnetic waves, or may acquire the road gradient from the map information storage unit 30.

[0057] Furthermore, the control unit 3, which functions as a second acquisition unit, may acquire at least one of the brightness around the moving object and the time of day as driving environment information, and may execute the first process under normal circumstances and the second process when the brightness falls below a threshold or the time of day is nighttime. When the area around the moving object is dark, visibility is likely to decrease, so it is preferable to drive at a low speed. Therefore, if the brightness falls below a threshold or the time of day is nighttime, switching to the second process that increases the perceived speed can encourage driving at a low speed. Note that the time of day of night may be determined based on the time of sunset, and may be different times in summer and winter, for example.

[0058] Furthermore, the control unit 3 as a second acquisition unit may acquire the degree of deterioration of the road surface condition, execute the first process under normal circumstances, and execute the second process when the degree of deterioration is equal to or greater than a threshold. When the road surface condition is deteriorating, it may be difficult to control the traveling of the mobile object, so it is preferable to travel at a low speed. Therefore, if the degree of deterioration of the road surface is equal to or greater than a threshold, switching to the second process that increases the perceived speed can encourage traveling at a low speed. Examples of cases where the degree of deterioration of the road surface condition is high include when the road surface is frozen or when the road surface is very uneven.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the vibration intensity obtained by the second process is set higher than the vibration intensity obtained by the first process at the same speed to prevent speeding, but the vibration intensity obtained by the second process may be set lower than the vibration intensity obtained by the first process at the same speed, as shown in Fig. 8. For example, if a decrease in driving speed while driving on a highway causes congestion, the vibration intensity may be lowered to lower the perceived speed, thereby encouraging an increase in speed.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the amplitude A(x) and the interval Δt(x) are exemplified as vibration parameters for determining the vibration intensity, but the vibration intensity may be determined by adjusting other vibration parameters. For example, the vibration intensity may be determined by using the period or wavelength of the pulses constituting the pulse group as the vibration parameter.

[0061] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the vibration generator 1 is mounted on an electric vehicle equipped with a motor as a power source, but the vibration generator 1 may also be mounted on a hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine and a motor. Furthermore, when the generated engine vibration is small or when the engine speed and acceleration are not easily proportional (for example, in a vehicle equipped with a continuously variable transmission), the vibration generator 1 may also be mounted on an engine vehicle without a motor.

[0062] The vibration generating device may also be mounted on a seat in a fixed (non-moving) device, for example, a seat in a game cabinet for a racing game or the like, or a seat in a driving simulator.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the vibrators 21 to 24 generate simulated engine vibrations, but the vibration generator may further include a sound generating unit such as a speaker to generate a simulated engine sound according to the traveling speed of the moving object. In this case, the sound generating unit may be provided separately from the vibrators 21 to 24, or all or some of the vibrators 21 to 24 may be used as the sound generating unit by utilizing the sounds generated when the vibrators 21 to 24 vibrate.

[0064] Although the best configurations and methods for carrying out the present invention have been disclosed above, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, although the present invention has been particularly illustrated and described mainly with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the above-described embodiments in terms of shape, material, quantity, and other detailed configurations without departing from the scope of the technical idea and purpose of the present invention. Therefore, the above-disclosed descriptions limiting the shape, material, etc. are provided as examples to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, descriptions using names of components that are free from some or all of the limitations on shape, material, etc. are included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1. Vibration generator 21~24 vibrators 3. Control unit (acquisition unit) S seat S1 back part S2 Seat part

Claims

1. A plurality of vibrators arranged on a seat of a moving body; an acquisition unit that acquires running state information relating to a running state of the moving object; a control unit that controls each of the plurality of vibrators in accordance with the running state information, The vibration generating device is characterized in that the control unit vibrates the plurality of vibrators in order starting from the vibrator closest to the virtual vibration generating source.

2. 2. The vibration generator according to claim 1, wherein the traveling state information includes at least one of a power source rotation speed of the moving body, an accelerator opening, and a traveling speed.

3. 3. The vibration generating device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the vibration of the plurality of vibrators so that at least one of frequency, amplitude, time change in amplitude, and intervals between pulse groups is different from one another.

4. 4. The vibration generating device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of vibrators include one arranged on a back surface of the seat and one arranged on a seat surface.

5. 5. The vibration generator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of vibrators include vibrators arranged at the same target portion of the seat.

6. The vibration generator according to claim 5 , wherein the two or more vibrators arranged on the same target portion vibrate in mutually different directions.

7. 7. The vibration generator according to claim 1, wherein the moving body is provided with a motor as a power source.

8. 8. The vibration generator according to claim 1, further comprising a sound generating unit that generates a pseudo-engine sound according to the traveling speed of the moving body.

9. A vibration generating method performed by a vibration generating device that vibrates a plurality of vibrators arranged on a seat of a moving body, comprising: acquiring running state information relating to a running state of the moving object; and controlling each of the plurality of vibrators in accordance with the running state information, A vibration generating method, wherein the step of controlling vibrators causes the vibrators to vibrate in order starting from the vibrator closest to the virtual vibration generating source.

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