Vehicle control system and vehicle control method

Abstract

To provide a vehicle control system and its control method for improving reproducibility of a starting sound of a virtual engine when generating a virtual engine sound in a cabin of an electric vehicle.SOLUTION: The method performs starting sound output processing for outputting a starting sound of a virtual engine generated on the basis of starting sound source data to a speaker when a starting operation signal from a starting input device is input. The starting sound source data includes cranking sound data generated by cranking of the virtual engine and explosion sound data after the initial explosion of the virtual engine. The starting sound output processing includes counting an input duration time of the starting operation signal, and switching from reproduction of the starting sound based on the cranking sound data to reproduction of the starting sound based on the explosion sound data when the input duration time exceeds a prescribed time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technology applied to a vehicle equipped with an electric motor as a driving force source. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2022-036005 discloses a control device for an electric vehicle equipped with an electric motor as a driving force source. This conventional control device estimates the engine load when a virtual engine serving as a driving force source for a virtual vehicle is controlled based on the driving operation of the electric vehicle. The conventional control device also estimates the virtual engine sound that will be generated in the passenger compartment of the virtual vehicle when the virtual engine is controlled using the estimated engine load, and controls the acoustic equipment of the electric vehicle so that the estimated virtual engine sound is generated in the passenger compartment of the electric vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-036005 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, the engine as a driving force source is started by operating a dedicated input device such as a start switch. Therefore, the above-mentioned conventional control device, which is not configured to generate a virtual engine sound based on the operation of a start input device, cannot generate the sound that occurs when the virtual engine is started.

[0005] The sounds generated when starting a typical engine include sounds generated during engine cranking (cranking sounds) and sounds generated after the initial combustion of the engine (explosion sounds). In typical engines, the transition from cranking to the initial combustion of the engine can fail if the input device for starting is not operated properly. Therefore, improvements are needed to enhance the reproducibility of the engine starting sounds used as a driving force source.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and one object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that can improve the reproducibility of the starting sound of a virtual engine when generating the virtual engine sound inside the cabin of an electric vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle control system that generates a virtual engine sound generated in a virtual vehicle equipped with a virtual engine as a driving force source, inside the passenger compartment of a real vehicle equipped with an electric motor as a driving force source, and has the following features. The vehicle control system includes one or more storage devices in which startup sound source data for the virtual engine is stored, one or more processors that generate sounds to be output from speakers of the real vehicle, and an input device for starting the real vehicle. When a start operation signal is input from the start input device, the one or more processors perform a start sound output process to output to the speaker a start sound of the virtual engine generated based on the start sound source data. The start sound source data includes cranking sound data generated in conjunction with cranking of the virtual engine and explosion sound data generated after the initial explosion of the virtual engine. The start-up sound output process includes counting the input duration of the start-up operation signal, and when the input duration exceeds a specified time, switching from reproducing a start-up sound based on the cranking sound data to reproducing a start-up sound based on the explosion sound data.

[0008] A second aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle control method for generating a virtual engine sound generated in a virtual vehicle equipped with a virtual engine as a driving force source, inside the passenger compartment of a real vehicle equipped with an electric motor as a driving force source, and has the following features. The vehicle control method includes one or more processors that generate a sound to be output from speakers of the real vehicle, performing a startup sound output process in which, when a startup operation signal is input from a startup input device of the real vehicle, one or more processors that generate a sound to be output from speakers of the real vehicle perform a startup sound output process in which the startup sound of the virtual engine is generated based on startup sound source data of the virtual engine stored in one or more storage devices and is output from the speakers of the real vehicle. The startup sound source data includes cranking sound data generated in conjunction with cranking of the virtual engine and explosion sound data generated after the initial explosion of the virtual engine. The start-up sound output process includes counting the input duration of the start-up operation signal, and when the input duration exceeds a specified time, switching from reproducing a start-up sound based on the cranking sound data to reproducing a start-up sound based on the explosion sound data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, when a start operation signal is input from a start input device, a start sound output process is performed. In the start sound output process, if the input duration of the operation signal exceeds a specified time, the reproduction of the start sound based on cranking sound data is switched to the reproduction of the start sound based on explosion sound data. Therefore, in a real vehicle equipped with an electric motor as a driving force source, it is possible to reproduce the engine start sound in which the transition from cranking to initial engine explosion occurs depending on the operation time of the start input device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a vehicle control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the vehicle control device 100 relating to output control of the virtual engine sound. FIG. [Figure 3]3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating operation modes assumed in the embodiment. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a vehicle control device related to output control of a start-up sound of a virtual engine. FIG. [Figure 5] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of engine sound data generated by a start-up sound generating unit. [Figure 6] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of engine sound data generated by a start-up sound generating unit. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of computer processing (start-up sound output processing) particularly related to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of computer processing (mode setting processing) related to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding components are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

[0012] 1. Overall structure FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a vehicle control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 illustrates an electric vehicle 10 as an actual vehicle and a vehicle control device 100 applied to the electric vehicle 10. The electric vehicle 10 is equipped with an electric motor 18. Examples of the electric motor 18 include a brushless DC motor and a three-phase AC synchronous motor. The electric vehicle 10 uses the electric motor 18 as a driving force source for traveling.

[0013] The electric vehicle 10 is also equipped with various sensors 12. The various sensors 12 include operation state sensors such as an accelerator position sensor, a brake position sensor, and a shift position sensor, as well as driving state sensors such as a wheel speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a rotational speed sensor. The accelerator position sensor detects the amount of accelerator pedal operation (accelerator opening). The brake position sensor detects the amount of brake pedal operation. The shift position sensor detects the shift position. The wheel speed sensor detects the rotational speed of the wheels of the electric vehicle 10. The acceleration sensor detects the lateral acceleration and longitudinal acceleration of the electric vehicle 10. The rotational speed sensor detects the rotational speed of the electric motor 18.

[0014] The various sensors 12 also include position sensors such as a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) sensor, and recognition sensors such as a camera, radar, and Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging (LIDAR). The GNSS detects the position and attitude of the electric vehicle 10. The camera captures an image of at least the area in front of the electric vehicle 10. The radar and LIDAR recognize the situation around the electric vehicle 10.

[0015] The electric vehicle 10 also includes various switches 14. The various switches 14 include operation switches such as a turn signal switch, a light switch, and a start switch. The turn signal switch switches the operation state (ON / OFF) of a turn signal light. The light switch switches the operation state (ON / OFF) of a light (e.g., a headlight). The start switch switches the operation state (ON / OFF) of a power supply circuit of the electric vehicle 10. The start switch is an example of a "start input device" of the present disclosure. The various switches 14 also include a mode change switch that switches the driving mode of the electric vehicle 10.

[0016] The electric vehicle 10 further includes speakers 16. The speakers 16 output sound into the cabin of the electric vehicle 10. The speakers 16 include, for example, front speakers provided at the front of the cabin and rear speakers provided at the rear of the cabin. The total number of speakers constituting the speakers 16 and the layout of the speakers 16 can be changed as desired.

[0017] The vehicle control device 100 controls the output of the electric motor 18 to drive the electric vehicle 10. The output control of the electric motor 18 by the vehicle control device 100 includes normal control for driving the electric vehicle 10 as a typical electric vehicle, and control for driving the electric vehicle 10 so as to simulate the torque characteristics of a virtual vehicle equipped with a virtual engine and a manual transmission (hereinafter also referred to as an "MT engine vehicle") as a driving power source for driving. Output control of the electric motor 18 so as to simulate the torque characteristics of a MT engine vehicle will also be described in "Section 2."

[0018] The vehicle control device 100 also generates a sound to be output from the speaker 16 (hereinafter also referred to as "indoor sound"). The vehicle control device 100 also outputs the generated indoor sound from the speaker 16. For example, the vehicle control device 100 generates a sound produced by a virtual engine (hereinafter also referred to as "virtual engine sound") and outputs the generated virtual engine sound from the speaker 16 as indoor sound. In another example, the vehicle control device 100 generates indoor sound including a virtual engine sound and outputs the generated indoor sound from the speaker 16. Output control of the virtual engine sound will also be described in "Section 3."

[0019] The entire vehicle control device 100 may be mounted on the electric vehicle 10. As another example, at least a part of the vehicle control device 100 may be included in a management server external to the electric vehicle 10. In this case, the vehicle control device 100 may remotely generate interior sounds, receive the generated interior sounds, and output them from the speaker 16.

[0020] Generally speaking, the vehicle control device 100 includes at least one processor 102 and at least one storage device 104. The processor 102 executes various processes. Examples of the processor 102 include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The storage device 104 stores various pieces of information. Examples of the storage device 104 include a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), and a solid state drive (SSD).

[0021] 2. Electric motor output control The electric motors used as the driving force source for general electric vehicles have significantly different torque characteristics than the internal combustion engines used as the driving force source for conventional vehicles. Due to the difference in torque characteristics of the power plant, conventional vehicles require a transmission, whereas electric vehicles generally do not have a transmission. Furthermore, general electric vehicles do not have a manual transmission operated by the driver. For this reason, the driving experience is significantly different between driving a vehicle with a manual transmission and driving an electric vehicle.

[0022] On the other hand, the torque of an electric motor can be controlled relatively easily by controlling the applied voltage and magnetic field. Therefore, with an electric motor, it is possible to obtain the desired torque characteristics within the operating range of the electric motor by implementing appropriate control. By utilizing this feature, the torque of an electric vehicle can be controlled to simulate the torque characteristics unique to a manual transmission vehicle. Furthermore, an electric vehicle can be equipped with a pseudo manual transmission so that the driver can experience the driving sensation of a manual transmission vehicle. This makes it possible to simulate a manual transmission vehicle in an electric vehicle.

[0023] In this embodiment, the output of the electric motor 18 is controlled to simulate torque characteristics unique to manual transmission vehicles. By controlling the output of the electric motor 18, the driver of the electric vehicle 10 can feel as if they are driving a manual transmission vehicle. The control mode of the electric motor 18 for simulating the torque characteristics unique to manual transmission vehicles is hereinafter also referred to as the "manual mode." Furthermore, the control mode of the electric motor 18 for driving the electric vehicle 10 as a general electric vehicle is hereinafter also referred to as the "automatic mode."

[0024] 3. Virtual engine sound output control In the control system according to the embodiment, output control of the electric motor is performed in combination with output control of the virtual engine sound. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the vehicle control device 100 related to output control of the virtual engine sound. The vehicle control device 100 includes, as functional blocks related to the virtual engine sound, an information acquisition unit 110, a vehicle sound source management unit 120, an engine sound generation unit 130, and a sound output control unit 140. These functional blocks are realized, for example, by cooperation between the processor 102 and the storage device 104.

[0025] The information acquisition unit 110 acquires information BEV about the electric vehicle 10. The information BEV includes information about the driving state of the electric vehicle 10, information about the driving environment of the electric vehicle 10, information about the current setting of the driving mode of the electric vehicle 10, etc. The information BEV is typically detected by the various sensors 12 and the various switches 14. Some of the information about the driving environment of the electric vehicle 10 may be acquired by combining information detected by the various sensors 12 (for example, position information of the electric vehicle 10) with map data.

[0026] The information BEV also includes a virtual engine rotation speed Ne. Here, it is assumed that the electric vehicle 10 uses a virtual engine as a driving force source. The virtual engine rotation speed Ne is the rotation speed of the virtual engine when it is assumed that the electric vehicle 10 is driven by the virtual engine. For example, the information acquisition unit 110 may calculate the virtual engine rotation speed Ne so that it increases as the wheel speed increases. Furthermore, if the electric vehicle 10 has a manual mode, the information acquisition unit 110 may calculate the virtual engine rotation speed Ne in the manual mode based on the wheel speed, the overall reduction ratio, and the slip ratio of the virtual clutch.

[0027] The vehicle sound source management unit 120 stores sound source data EVS of the engine vehicle used to generate the virtual engine sound. The vehicle sound source management unit 120 is mainly realized by the storage device 104. Typically, the sound source data EVS includes multiple types of sound source data. The multiple types of sound source data include, for example, sound source data (for low, medium, and high revolutions) of sounds caused by engine combustion, sound source data (for low, medium, and high revolutions) of sounds caused by operation of the drivetrain such as gears, sound source data of noise sounds, and sound source data of event sounds (e.g., engine stall sounds). Each type of sound source data is generated in advance through simulations based on an engine model and a vehicle model of the engine vehicle. Each type of sound source data is flexibly adjustable. In other words, at least one of the sound pressure and frequency of the sound represented by the sound source data can be flexibly adjusted.

[0028] The engine sound generation unit 130 (engine sound simulator) is a simulator that generates a virtual engine sound. The engine sound generation unit 130 acquires at least a portion of the information BEV from the information acquisition unit 110. In particular, the engine sound generation unit 130 acquires information on the virtual engine rotation speed Ne and the vehicle speed from the information acquisition unit 110. The engine sound generation unit 130 also reads engine vehicle sound source data EVS from the vehicle sound source management unit 120. The engine sound generation unit 130 then combines one or more pieces of sound source data included in the engine vehicle sound source data EVS to generate a virtual engine sound that corresponds to the operating state of the electric vehicle 10 (the virtual engine rotation speed Ne and the vehicle speed). The engine sound data EGS is data that indicates the generated virtual engine sound.

[0029] Note that generating a virtual engine sound is a well-known technique, and the method of generating a virtual engine sound that can be applied to the present disclosure is not particularly limited. For example, the virtual engine sound may be generated by a well-known engine sound simulator used in games, etc. A method may also be used in which a map of virtual engine rotation speed Ne vs. frequency and a map of virtual engine torque vs. sound pressure are prepared, and the frequency of the virtual engine sound is increased or decreased in proportion to the virtual engine rotation speed Ne, and the sound pressure of the virtual engine sound is increased or decreased in proportion to the virtual engine torque.

[0030] The sound output control unit 140 receives the engine sound data EGS generated by the engine sound generation unit 130. Then, the sound output control unit 140 outputs the engine sound data EGS to the speaker 16. When outputting the engine sound data EGS, the sound output control unit 140 controls the sound pressure of the virtual engine sound by controlling an amplifier. The sound output control unit 140 also changes the frequency of the virtual engine sound by controlling an FMC (frequency modulator).

[0031] The vehicle sound source management unit 120 may store sound source data EVS (EVS1, ..., EVSn) of multiple types of engine vehicles corresponding to multiple vehicle models (1, ..., n). In other words, the vehicle sound source management unit 120 may store sound source data EVS of engine vehicles for each vehicle model. In this case, the sound source data EVSk (1 ≤ k ≤ n) is generated in advance based on the engine model and vehicle model of the corresponding vehicle model. The driver may specify his / her preferred vehicle model from multiple vehicle models. In this case, the engine sound generation unit 130 acquires sound source data EVSk corresponding to the vehicle model specified by the driver. Then, the engine sound generation unit 130 generates a virtual engine sound using the acquired sound source data EVSk of the engine vehicle. This allows the driver to feel as if he / she is driving his / her preferred vehicle model.

[0032] 4. Setting the operating mode As described above, in the control system according to the embodiment, the output control of the electric motor is performed in combination with the output control of the virtual engine sound. Therefore, the automatic mode and manual mode described in the explanation of the output control of the electric motor are subdivided to take into account the execution of the output control of the virtual engine sound. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the driving modes assumed in the embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the automatic mode has a normal EV mode MD0 and a custom EV mode MD2. The manual mode has custom EV modes MD1 and MD3.

[0033] Normal EV mode MD0 and custom EV mode MD1 are driving modes in which only the output of the electric motor is controlled. In normal EV mode MD0, normal control is performed to operate the electric vehicle 10 as a general electric vehicle. Normal EV mode MD0 is an example of the "normal mode" of the present disclosure. In custom EV mode MD1, control is performed to operate the electric vehicle 10 so as to simulate the torque characteristics of a manual transmission (MT) engine vehicle. Custom EV mode MD1 is also referred to as MT mode.

[0034] Custom EV modes MD2 and MD3 are driving modes in which output control of virtual engine sound is performed. In custom EV modes MD2 and MD3, output control of the electric motor is also performed. However, the output control of the electric motor in custom EV mode MD2 is the same as that in normal EV mode MD0. Furthermore, the output control of the electric motor in custom EV mode MD3 is the same as that in custom EV mode MD1. Custom EV modes MD2 and MD3 are examples of "sound modes" in this disclosure. Custom EV mode MD3 is also referred to as sound MT mode.

[0035] The driving mode switching shown in FIG. 3 occurs between any two driving modes. The driving mode switching is performed based on the driver's expression of intent to switch. For example, the driver expresses his / her intent by operating a mode selector switch. In another example, the driver expresses his / her intent by a predetermined gesture. In this case, the expression of intent is confirmed, for example, by recognizing the predetermined gesture through analysis of a camera image. In yet another example, the driver expresses his / her intent by uttering a predetermined sound. In this case, the expression of intent is confirmed, for example, by recognizing the predetermined sound through analysis of a microphone sound.

[0036] 5. Output control of virtual engine start sound The virtual engine sound includes the start-up sound of the virtual engine. The start-up sound of the virtual engine is a sound generated when the virtual engine is started, and includes a sound generated in conjunction with cranking of the virtual engine (cranking sound) and a sound generated after the initial explosion of the virtual engine (explosion sound). FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the vehicle control device 100 related to output control of the start-up sound of the virtual engine. The vehicle control device 100 includes a start-up sound generation unit 150 as a functional block related to the start-up sound of the virtual engine in addition to the information acquisition unit 110, vehicle sound source management unit 120, and sound output control unit 140 shown in FIG. 2.

[0037] The start-up sound generation unit 150 generates a start-up sound of the virtual engine. The start-up sound generation unit 150 acquires at least a portion of the information BEV from the information acquisition unit 110. In particular, the start-up sound generation unit 150 acquires start-up operation signals from the various switches 14 (start switches) and current setting information of the driving mode of the electric vehicle 10 from the information acquisition unit 110. The start-up sound generation unit 150 also reads start-up sound source data ESS (cranking sound data CLS and explosion sound data EXS) from the vehicle sound source management unit 120. The start-up sound source data ESS is data included in the engine vehicle sound source data EVS described in FIG. 2. The start-up sound generation unit 150 then generates a start-up sound of the virtual engine based on the start-up sound source data ESS. The engine sound data EGS shown in FIG. 4 is data indicating the generated start-up sound of the virtual engine.

[0038] Furthermore, the start-up sound generation unit 150 outputs the engine sound data EGS to the sound output control unit 140. The output of the engine sound data EGS from the start-up sound generation unit 150 to the sound output control unit 140 continues, for example, until a driving operation signal is input to the information acquisition unit 110 from various sensors 12 (for example, sensors that detect driving operations such as a shift position sensor and an accelerator position sensor).

[0039] In a typical engine, if the operation time of the start switch is insufficient, the transition from cranking to the initial combustion of the engine may fail. Therefore, the start sound generation unit 150 generates engine sound data EGS based on the relationship between the input duration time DT of the start operation signal and the regulation time RT. The regulation time RT can be set in advance as a time sufficient for the transition from cranking to the initial combustion of the engine. The regulation time RT is, for example, approximately 1 to 3 seconds. If the start sound source data ESS is stored for each vehicle model, the regulation time RT may be set for each vehicle model.

[0040] 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating examples of generation of engine sound data EGS by the start-up sound generation unit 150. In both the examples shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the start switch is pressed down at time T1. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the pressing operation continues until time T2. On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the pressing operation continues until time T3 (<time T2). Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the input duration DT is longer than the specified time RT, and in the example shown in FIG. 6, the input duration DT is shorter than the specified time RT.

[0041] In this embodiment, when the input duration DT is longer than the specified time RT (FIG. 5), a start-up sound including a cranking sound is reproduced from time T1 until the specified time RT has elapsed, in order to generate a start-up sound that sounds like the transition from cranking to the initial combustion of the engine has been successful, and after time T4, when the specified time RT has elapsed, the start-up sound is switched to a start-up sound including an explosion sound. On the other hand, when the input duration DT is shorter than the specified time RT (FIG. 6), a start-up sound including a cranking sound is reproduced from time T1 to time T3, in order to generate a start-up sound that sounds like the transition from cranking to the initial combustion of the engine has failed, and the start-up sound is not switched to an explosion sound after time T3 (i.e., the explosion sound is not reproduced). By changing the reproduction mode of the start-up sound in this way, it is possible to improve the reproducibility of the start-up sound of an engine vehicle.

[0042] The specified time RT may be changed based on the cumulative number of times NS that the cranking sound has been switched to the explosion sound, or the cumulative number of times NF that the switch did not occur. For example, the specified time RT may be shortened as the cumulative number NT increases, thereby changing the specified time RT so that the transition from cranking to the initial combustion of the engine is more likely to be successful. Alternatively, the specified time RT may be lengthened as the cumulative number NT increases, thereby changing the specified time RT so that the transition from cranking to the initial combustion of the engine is less likely to be successful. By making such changes, it is possible to provide the driver of the electric vehicle 10 with an experience unique to engine-powered vehicles, where engine start-up can sometimes fail.

[0043] 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of computer processing (start-up sound output processing) particularly related to the embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is executed by the processor 102 when a start operation signal is input to the vehicle control device 100, for example.

[0044] In the processing routine shown in Fig. 7, first, it is determined whether the current driving mode of the electric vehicle 10 corresponds to the sound mode (step S10). In the processing of step S10, first, the current driving mode is identified from the driving mode setting information contained in the information BEV. Then, it is determined whether the identified driving mode corresponds to the custom EV mode MD2 or MD3 described in Fig. 3. If the determination result of step S10 is negative, that is, if the identified driving mode corresponds to the normal EV mode MD0 or the custom EV mode MD1 described in Fig. 3, the processing routine is exited.

[0045] If the determination result of step S10 is positive, counting of the input duration DT is started (step S11), and playback of the cranking sound is started (step S12). In the processing of step S11, the input duration DT is counted as the elapsed time from the start of the processing routine, for example. In the processing of step S12, playback of the cranking sound is performed based on the start sound source data ESS (cranking sound data CLS). If the cranking sound data CLS is stored for each vehicle model, the cranking sound may be played based on that of the selected vehicle model.

[0046] Following the processing of step S12, it is determined whether the input duration DT has exceeded the specified time RT (step S13). If the determination result of step S13 is affirmative, the process switches to playing an explosion sound (step S14). In the processing of step S14, the explosion sound is played based on the start-up sound source data ESS (explosion sound data EXS). If the explosion sound data EXS is stored for each vehicle model, the explosion sound may be a cranking sound based on that of the selected vehicle model.

[0047] If the determination result of step S13 is negative, it is determined whether or not the input of the start operation signal has ended (step S15). Ending the input of the start operation signal means that the operation of pressing the start switch has ended. Therefore, if the determination result of step S15 is positive, the reproduction of the cranking sound ends (step S16). In addition, the current input duration DT is recorded (step S16). The recorded input duration DT is used, for example, to adjust the above-mentioned specified time RT. If the determination result of step S15 is negative, the process returns to step S13.

[0048] Following the processing of step S14, it is determined whether or not the input of the start operation signal has ended (step S17). The content of the processing of step S17 is the same as that of step S15. If the determination result of step S17 is positive, it is determined whether or not a driving operation signal has been input to the vehicle control device 100 (step S18). The input of a driving operation signal means that a driving operation of the electric vehicle 10 has been performed. Therefore, if the determination result of step S18 is positive, the reproduction of the explosion sound is ended (step S19). In addition, the current input duration DT is recorded (step S19). The recorded input duration DT is used, for example, to adjust the above-mentioned specified time RT.

[0049] 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of computer processing (mode setting processing) related to the embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is executed by the processor 102 when, for example, a start operation signal is input to the vehicle control device 100.

[0050] In the routine shown in FIG. 8, first, it is determined whether or not the current driving mode of the electric vehicle 10 corresponds to the sound mode (step S20). The processing content of step S20 is the same as that of step S10 in FIG. 7. If the determination result of step S20 is positive, counting of the input duration DT and the elapsed time ET is started (step S21). The input duration DT has already been described. The elapsed time ET is calculated from the time when the start operation signal is input. The calculation of the elapsed time ET may start from the same time as the input duration DT (i.e., the start time of the processing routine).

[0051] Following the processing of step S21, it is determined whether or not the input duration DT has exceeded the specified time RT (step S22). The processing content of step S22 is the same as that of step S13 in FIG. 7. If the determination result of step S22 is positive, the processing routine is exited. In this case, the driving mode is maintained in the sound mode.

[0052] If the determination result of step S22 is negative, it is determined whether or not the input of the start operation signal has ended (step S23). The content of the process of step S23 is the same as that of step S15 in Fig. 7. If the determination result of step S23 is negative, the process returns to step S22.

[0053] If the determination result of step S23 is positive, it is determined whether or not a driving operation signal has been input to the vehicle control device 100 (step S24). The process content of step S24 is the same as that of step S18 in FIG. 7. If the determination result of step S24 is positive, the driving mode is changed to the non-sound mode (i.e., normal EV mode MD0 or custom EV mode MD1) (step S25).

[0054] If the determination result in step S24 is negative, it is determined whether the elapsed time ET is less than the waiting time WT (step S26). If the determination result in step S26 is negative, that is, if the elapsed time ET is equal to or greater than the waiting time WT, the process of step S25 is performed.

[0055] Even if the playback of the cranking sound does not switch to the playback of the explosion sound, the power supply circuit of the electric vehicle 10 will operate if the start switch is operated. Therefore, the electric vehicle 10 itself can be driven. On the other hand, a driver who expects the output of the virtual engine start sound to be reproduced is expected to try operating the start switch again if only the cranking sound is reproduced and the explosion sound is not reproduced. In such a case, it is inconvenient for the driver if the mode is changed to the non-sound mode.

[0056] Therefore, in this embodiment, if the elapsed time ET is less than the waiting time WT, the process of step S27 is performed to wait for re-input of the start operation signal. That is, if the determination result of step S26 is positive, the process of step S27 determines whether or not a start operation signal has been input to the vehicle control device 100. Then, if the determination result of step S27 is positive, the process routine is exited. As a result, the driving mode is maintained in the sound mode, and the process routine of FIG. 7 is started by input of the start operation signal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10...electric vehicle, 12...various sensors, 14...switch, 16...speaker, 18...electric motor, 100...vehicle control device, 102...processor, 104...storage device, 110...information acquisition unit, 120...vehicle sound source management unit, 130...engine sound generation unit, 140...sound output control unit, 150...start-up sound generation unit, DT...input duration, ET...elapsed time, RT...specified time, WT...standby time, BEV...information about electric vehicle, CLS...cranking sound data, EGS...engine sound data, ESS...start-up sound data, EVS...engine vehicle sound source data, EXS...explosion sound data, MD0...normal EV mode, MD1 to MD3...custom EV mode

Claims

1. A vehicle control system that generates a virtual engine sound generated in a virtual vehicle having a virtual engine as a driving force source in a passenger compartment of a real vehicle having an electric motor as a driving force source, one or more storage devices in which startup sound source data of the virtual engine is stored; one or more processors that generate sounds to be output from speakers of the real vehicle; an input device for starting the real vehicle; the one or more processors, when a start operation signal is input from the start input device, perform a start sound output process of outputting a start sound of the virtual engine, which is generated based on the start sound source data, to the speaker; The startup sound source data includes cranking sound data generated in conjunction with cranking of the virtual engine and explosion sound data generated after the initial explosion of the virtual engine, The startup sound output process includes: Counting the input duration of the start operation signal; When the input duration exceeds a specified time, switching from reproduction of the start-up sound based on the cranking sound data to reproduction of the start-up sound based on the explosion sound data; A vehicle control system comprising:

2. 2. The vehicle control system according to claim 1, When the input of the start operation signal ends before the input duration exceeds the specified time, the start sound output process ends the reproduction of the start sound based on the cranking sound data and does not switch from the reproduction of the start sound based on the cranking sound data to the reproduction of the start sound based on the explosion sound data. A vehicle control system comprising:

3. 3. The vehicle control system according to claim 1 or 2, the one or more processors further perform a specified time change process to change the specified time; The specified time change process is Calculating at least one of the total number of times that the start-up sound output process has switched from the reproduction of the start-up sound based on the cranking sound data to the reproduction of the start-up sound based on the explosion sound data, and the total number of times that the switching has not been performed; shortening or extending the specified time based on at least one of a cumulative total of the number of times the switching has been performed and a cumulative total of the number of times the switching has not been performed, The specified time is shortened as the cumulative number of times the switching is performed increases, and the specified time is extended as the cumulative number of times the switching is not performed increases. A vehicle control system comprising:

4. 3. The vehicle control system according to claim 1 or 2, the one or more processors further perform a mode setting process to set a driving mode of the real vehicle; the driving modes include a normal mode in which a virtual engine sound including a start-up sound of the virtual engine is not generated, and a sound mode in which the virtual engine sound is generated, The mode setting process When the operation mode is set to the sound mode and a start operation signal is input from the start input device, switching from the sound mode to the normal mode in accordance with the input duration time is included; If the input of the start operation signal ends before the input duration exceeds the specified time, the sound mode is switched to the normal mode when the elapsed time from the input of the start operation signal is equal to or longer than a waiting time that is longer than the specified time. A vehicle control system comprising:

5. A vehicle control method for generating a virtual engine sound generated in a virtual vehicle having a virtual engine as a driving force source in a passenger compartment of a real vehicle having an electric motor as a driving force source, the method comprising: one or more processors that generate a sound to be output from speakers of the real vehicle perform a start-up sound output process that outputs, from speakers of the real vehicle, a start-up sound of the virtual engine that is generated based on start-up sound source data of the virtual engine stored in one or more storage devices, when a start-up operation signal is input from a start-up input device of the real vehicle; The startup sound source data includes cranking sound data generated in conjunction with cranking of the virtual engine and explosion sound data generated after the initial explosion of the virtual engine, The startup sound output process includes: Counting the input duration of the start operation signal; When the input duration exceeds a specified time, switching from reproduction of the start-up sound based on the cranking sound data to reproduction of the start-up sound based on the explosion sound data; A vehicle control method comprising:

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