Electric vehicles

Abstract

To provide a technique which can improve convenience of a driver in an electric vehicle having a control mode that simulates a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle.SOLUTION: An electric vehicle described in the present disclosure includes an electric motor as a driving source and has a plurality of control modes which is selectable by a driver. The electric vehicle comprises: a driving operation member that is used in driving; a pseudo shifting operation member simulating an operation member that is used to perform a shifting operation of a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle; and a control device that controls the electric vehicle. The plurality of control modes include a manual mode in which operation of the pseudo shifting operation member is associated with torque of the electric motor and an automatic mode in which the operation is not associated with the torque. The control device comprises: a memory device in which one or more driver candidates are registered in association with the control modes. The control device is configured to start the control mode associated with a new driver boarding the electric vehicle when the new driver is included in the driver candidates, at the time of starting the electric vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electric vehicle having an electric motor as a drive source.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent No. 6787507 discloses a prior art related to an electric vehicle capable of pseudo-reproducing a manual shift operation of a vehicle (hereinafter referred to as a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle) equipped with a manual transmission having an internal combustion engine as a power source by controlling an electric motor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The above prior art discloses an electric vehicle having a control mode that simulates a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle. A driver can drive the electric vehicle as a normal electric vehicle, or can enjoy an operation that simulates a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle with the same vehicle. Alternatively, an engine sound simulating a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle can be output, and a sense of presence as if driving a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle can be obtained by the sound. While such an electric vehicle can improve the enjoyment of the driver, an increase in the selectable modes also means an increase in the trouble of setting. Therefore, how to improve the convenience of the driver becomes an issue.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] This disclosure provides an electric vehicle for achieving the above objective. The electric vehicle has an electric motor as its drive source and includes a plurality of control modes that can be selected by the driver. The electric vehicle also includes a driving operation member used for driving, a simulated gear shifting operation member that mimics an operation member used for gear shifting in a manually operated internal combustion engine vehicle, and a control device that controls the electric vehicle in response to the operation of the driving operation member. The plurality of control modes include a manual mode in which the operation of the simulated gear shifting operation member is associated with the torque of the electric motor, and an automatic mode in which the operation of the simulated gear shifting operation member is not associated with the torque of the electric motor. The control device includes a storage device that stores association information in which one or more driver candidates are registered and linked to a control mode. The control device is configured to start the control mode linked to the new driver when the electric vehicle is started and a new driver who has boarded the electric vehicle is included in the driver candidates.

[0006] In the linking information, the control mode linked to a candidate driver may be the control mode selected by the candidate driver the last time they drove the electric vehicle. The control device may update the linking information when a driver drives the electric vehicle, linking the driver with the control mode selected by that driver.

[0007] The linked information may include more detailed settings in manual mode, which may be registered and linked to the driver candidate. These more detailed settings may include settings related to one or more of the following: shift mode, engine characteristics, engine sound, drive mode, and suspension characteristics. If a driver who has newly entered the electric vehicle is included in the driver candidate list, and more detailed settings in manual mode are linked to that driver, the control unit may set one or more of the following of the shift mode, engine characteristics, engine sound, drive mode, and suspension characteristics to be the settings linked to that driver.

[0008] Furthermore, this disclosure provides an electric vehicle for achieving the above objective. The electric vehicle has an electric motor as its drive source. The electric vehicle includes a speaker that outputs sound inside the vehicle and a control device configured to generate a simulated engine sound and output the simulated engine sound from the speaker. The simulated engine sound is generated based on one of several sound sources according to the driver's selection. The control device includes a storage device that stores association information in which one or more driver candidates are registered and linked to sound sources. The control device is configured to set the sound source linked to the new driver as the sound source for generating the simulated engine sound when the electric vehicle is started and a new driver who has boarded the electric vehicle is included in the driver candidates. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the electric vehicle of this disclosure, potential drivers are registered in the storage device in a state linked to a control mode or sound source. The control device refers to the storage device and, if a driver who has just entered the electric vehicle is included in the potential drivers, sets the control mode or sound source linked to that driver. Because the setting is done automatically by the control device, the driver is freed from the hassle of having to readjust the settings every time they get into the electric vehicle. In this way, convenience for the driver can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a tree diagram showing an example of an electric vehicle control mode that can be selected by the control unit. [Figure 3] This is a tree diagram showing an example of an electric vehicle control mode that can be selected by the control unit. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the configuration of a control device related to the driving control of an electric vehicle. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the configuration of a control device related to sound control in an electric vehicle. [Figure 6]This is a block diagram showing an example of linked information. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process related to the automatic setting of the control mode. [Figure 8] Another example of linked information is a block diagram. [Figure 9] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a control device related to suggested recommended settings. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] 1. Configuration of the powertrain of an electric vehicle Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an electric vehicle 100 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. First, the configuration of the power system of the electric vehicle 100 will be described with reference to Figure 1.

[0012] The electric vehicle 100 is equipped with two electric motors (M) 4F and 4R at the front and rear as power sources for propulsion. The electric motors 4F and 4R are, for example, three-phase AC motors. The front electric motor 4F is connected to the front drive shaft 5F, which drives the front wheel 6F. The rear electric motor 4R is connected to the rear drive shaft 5R, which drives the rear wheel 6R. The front wheel 6F is suspended by an independently electronically controlled front suspension 7F on the left and right sides. The rear wheel 6R is suspended by an independently electronically controlled rear suspension 7R on the left and right sides.

[0013] The front electric motor 4F and the rear electric motor 4R are each fitted with inverters (INV) 3F and 3R, respectively. The front inverter 3F and the rear inverter 3R are each connected to the battery (BATT) 2. Battery 2 stores the electrical energy that drives the electric motors 4F and 4R. In other words, electric vehicle 100 is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) that runs on the electrical energy stored in battery 2. Inverters 3F and 3R are, for example, voltage-type inverters that control the torque of electric motors 4F and 4R by PWM control.

[0014] 2. Configuration of the control system of an electric vehicle Next, while referring to FIG. 1, the configuration of the control system of the electric vehicle 100 will be described.

[0015] The electric vehicle 100 includes a battery management system (BMS) 10. The battery management system 10 is a device that monitors the cell voltage, current, temperature, etc. of the battery 2. The battery management system 10 has a function of estimating the state of charge (SOC) of the battery 2.

[0016] The electric vehicle 100 includes a vehicle speed sensor 11. At least one of the wheel speed sensors (not shown) provided on each of the left and right front wheels 6F and the left and right rear wheels 6R is used as the vehicle speed sensor 11. Further, the electric vehicle 100 includes an accelerator pedal stroke sensor 12. The accelerator pedal stroke sensor 12 is provided on the accelerator pedal 22 and outputs a signal indicating the depression amount of the accelerator pedal 22, that is, the accelerator opening. Furthermore, the electric vehicle 100 includes a brake pedal stroke sensor 13. The brake pedal stroke sensor 13 is provided on the brake pedal 23 and outputs a signal indicating the depression amount of the brake pedal 23, that is, the brake opening.

[0017] The accelerator pedal 22 and the brake pedal 23 are driving operation members used for driving the electric vehicle 100. Separately from those driving operation members, the electric vehicle 100 includes a pseudo-shifting operation member that imitates an operation member used for the shifting operation of a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle. The pseudo-shifting operation member includes the following pseudo-H shifter 24, pseudo-paddle shifter 25, and pseudo-clutch pedal 26.

[0018] The pseudo H-type shifter 24 is a dummy different from the original H-type shifter. The pseudo H-type shifter 24 has a structure similar to a shift stick provided on the console and can move between shift positions along an H-shaped gate. However, since the electric vehicle 100 does not have an actual transmission, the shift positions of the pseudo H-type shifter 24 are virtual shift positions. A shift position sensor 14 is provided on the pseudo H-type shifter 24. The shift position sensor 14 outputs a signal indicating the shift position selected by the pseudo H-type shifter 24.

[0019] The pseudo paddle shifter 25 is a dummy different from the original paddle shifter which is a type of sequential shifter. The pseudo paddle shifter 25 has a structure similar to shift paddles attached to the steering wheel and can move the left and right paddles independently. A paddle shift switch 15 is provided on the pseudo paddle shifter 25. The paddle shift switch 15 outputs an upshift signal when the right paddle is pulled and a downshift signal when the left paddle is pulled.

[0020] The pseudo clutch pedal 26 is a dummy different from the original clutch pedal. The pseudo clutch pedal 26 has a structure similar to the clutch pedal provided in a conventional manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle. For example, the pseudo clutch pedal 26 includes a reaction force mechanism that generates a reaction force against the driver's depression. The position when no depressing force is applied is the starting position of the pseudo clutch pedal 26, and the position when depressed to the deepest is the ending position of the pseudo clutch pedal 26. The driver can operate the pseudo clutch pedal 26 against the reaction force from the reaction force mechanism from the starting position to the ending position. A clutch pedal stroke sensor 16 is provided on the pseudo clutch pedal 26. The clutch pedal stroke sensor 16 outputs a signal indicating the depression amount of the pseudo clutch pedal 26. Since the electric vehicle 100 does not have an actual clutch, the operation amount of the pseudo clutch pedal 26, that is, the clutch opening degree is a virtual clutch opening degree.

[0021] Although the simulated clutch pedal 26 is a pedal-type operating device operated with the foot, a lever-type or dial-type operating device operated by hand may also be provided as a simulated clutch operating device. The simulated clutch operating device can be operated by the driver against the reaction force from the starting position to the ending position, and various structures can be adopted as long as the driver can feel the operation sensation of a clutch pedal, similar to that of a conventional manual transmission internal combustion engine, with their feet or hands.

[0022] Furthermore, the electric vehicle 100 is equipped with a human-machine interface (HMI) 20 as an interface with the driver, an in-car speaker 21, and an in-car camera 27. The HMI 20 has a touch panel display. The HMI 20 displays information on the touch panel display and accepts input from the driver through touch operation on the touch panel display. The in-car speaker 21 provides information to the driver by voice and can also output a simulated engine sound, which will be described later. The in-car camera 27 can capture images of the interior of the electric vehicle 100, for example, the driver's seat, and acquire images.

[0023] The electric vehicle 100 is equipped with a control device 101. Sensors and controlled devices mounted on the electric vehicle 100 are connected to the control device 101 via an in-vehicle network. In addition to the battery management system 10, vehicle speed sensor 11, accelerator pedal stroke sensor 12, brake pedal stroke sensor 13, shift position sensor 14, paddle shift switch 15, clutch pedal stroke sensor 16, and in-vehicle camera 27, the electric vehicle 100 is equipped with various other sensors.

[0024] The control device 101 is typically an electronic control unit (ECU). The control device 101 may be a combination of multiple ECUs. The control device 101 includes at least a processor 102 and a memory 103. The memory 103 includes RAM for temporarily recording data and ROM for storing a program 104 executable by the processor 102 and various data 105 related to the program. The data 105 stored in the memory 103 includes at least the association information described later. The data 105 may also include map data for calculating the driving route of the electric vehicle 100. The program 104 consists of multiple instructions. The processor 102 reads the program 104 and data 105 from the memory 103 and executes them, and generates control signals based on signals acquired from each sensor. The control device 101 may have one or more processors 102.

[0025] The control device 101 can control the electric vehicle 100 in various control modes. The control mode can be selected by the driver by touching the touch panel display of the HMI 20. Specifically, by touching the touch panel display of the HMI 20, one or more programs 104 associated with each touch operation are read from the memory 103 and executed by the processor 102. The control modes of the electric vehicle 100 by the control device 101 that can be selected by the driver by operating the HMI 20 will be described below.

[0026] 3. Control modes for electric vehicles Figures 2 and 3 are tree diagrams showing examples of control modes for the electric vehicle 100 that can be selected by the control device 101. In the HMI 20, the selection screen is displayed on the touch panel display according to the control tree shown in Figure 2.

[0027] The initial screen of the HMI20 displays the option "Control Mode" OP100. Selecting "Control Mode" OP100 displays the options "Automatic Mode" OP110 and "Manual Mode" OP120 on the touch panel display. If "Automatic Mode" OP110 is selected, the control mode of the electric vehicle 100 switches to automatic mode. Automatic mode is the control mode for driving the electric vehicle 100 as a normal BEV. In automatic mode, the driver can basically drive the electric vehicle 100 using only the accelerator pedal 22, brake pedal 23, and the steering wheel (not shown). In automatic mode, the shift operation of the simulated H-shaped shifter 24, the shift operation of the simulated paddle shifter 25, and the clutch operation of the simulated clutch pedal 26 are disabled.

[0028] If the option "Manual Mode" OP120 is selected, the control mode of the electric vehicle 100 switches to manual mode. Manual mode is a control mode that makes the electric vehicle 100 operate like a manually operated internal combustion engine. By selecting the option "Manual Mode" OP120, the options "Shift Mode" OP210, "Engine Characteristics" OP220, "Engine Sound" OP230, "Drive Mode" OP240, and "Suspension Characteristics" OP250 are displayed on the touch panel display. The driver can determine the characteristics of a manually operated internal combustion engine that they want the electric vehicle 100 to simulate by appropriately combining these options OP210-OP250.

[0029] The "Shift Mode" option OP210 is an option for selecting the shift mode of the manual transmission when operating the electric vehicle 100 like a manually operated internal combustion engine vehicle. As shown in Figure 2, selecting the "Shift Mode" option OP210 displays the options "Paddle Shift" OP311 and "Stick Shift" OP312 on the touch panel display. If the "Paddle Shift" option OP311 is selected, the shift mode of the manual transmission reproduced in the electric vehicle 100 switches to paddle shift mode. Paddle shift mode is a mode in which the simulated paddle shifter 25 is used for shifting. In paddle shift mode, the shift operation of the simulated H-type shifter 24 is disabled. In paddle shift mode, the operation when the gear ratio of the manual transmission is switched is reproduced by the shift operation of the simulated paddle shifter 25. In a real paddle shift type manual transmission, clutch operation is performed automatically by the robot. Therefore, in paddle shift mode, clutch operation of the simulated clutch pedal 26 is not required. In paddle shift mode, the clutch operation of the simulated clutch pedal 26 is disabled.

[0030] If the option "Stick Shift" OP312 is selected, the stick shift mode is selected. Stick shift mode is a mode in which the simulated H-type shifter 24 is used for shifting. In stick shift mode, the shifting operation of the simulated paddle shifter 25 is disabled. In stick shift mode, the operation when the gear ratio of a manual transmission is switched is reproduced by the shifting operation of the simulated H-type shifter 24. Real H-type shifter manual transmissions come in two types: one in which the driver performs the clutch operation themselves, and another in which the clutch operation is entrusted to a robot. If the option "Stick Shift" OP312 is selected, the options "With Clutch Operation" OP411 and "Without Clutch Operation" OP412 are displayed on the touch panel display. If the option "With Clutch Operation" OP411 is selected, the stick shift mode switches to a mode that requires clutch operation of the simulated clutch pedal 26. On the other hand, if the option "Without Clutch Operation" OP412 is selected, the clutch operation of the simulated clutch pedal 26 is disabled, and the stick shift mode switches to a mode that does not require clutch operation.

[0031] The "Engine Characteristics" option OP220 is an option for selecting the characteristics of the internal combustion engine when operating the electric vehicle 100 like a manually operated internal combustion engine vehicle. As shown in Figure 2, selecting the "Engine Characteristics" option OP220 displays the options "Low-to-Medium RPM Type" OP321, "High-RPM Type" OP322, and "Full-RPM Type" OP323 on the touch panel display. If the "Low-to-Medium RPM Type" OP321 option is selected, the characteristics of the internal combustion engine reproduced in the electric vehicle 100 will switch to a low-to-medium RPM type, where the torque in the low-to-medium RPM range is relatively high. If the "High-RPM Type" OP322 option is selected, the characteristics of the internal combustion engine reproduced in the electric vehicle 100 will switch to a high-RPM type, where the torque in the high-RPM range is relatively high. And if the "Full-RPM Type" OP323 option is selected, the characteristics of the internal combustion engine reproduced in the electric vehicle 100 will switch to a full-range type, where the torque is uniform across the entire range. However, low-to-medium RPM, high-RPM, and full-range RPM types are merely examples of engine characteristics that can be reproduced by the control of the electric vehicle 100.

[0032] The "Engine Sound" option (OP230) is used to select the engine sound to be reproduced in the electric vehicle 100. As shown in Figure 2, selecting the "Engine Sound" option (OP230) displays the following options on the touch panel display: "Inline 4-cylinder turbocharged engine" (OP331), "Flat 6-cylinder engine" (OP332), and "V12 engine" (OP323). If "Inline 4-cylinder turbocharged engine" (OP331) is selected, the engine sound reproduced in the electric vehicle 100 switches to the sound of an inline 4-cylinder turbocharged engine. If "Flat 6-cylinder engine" (OP332) is selected, the engine sound reproduced in the electric vehicle 100 switches to the sound of a flat 6-cylinder engine. And if "V12 engine" (OP333) is selected, the engine sound reproduced in the electric vehicle 100 switches to the sound of a V12 engine. However, the inline 4-cylinder turbocharged engine, flat 6-cylinder engine, and V12 engine are just examples of engine sounds that can be reproduced in the electric vehicle 100.

[0033] The "Drive Mode" option OP240 is used to select the drive mode of the electric vehicle 100. As shown in Figure 3, selecting the "Drive Mode" option OP240 displays the options "Four-Wheel Drive" OP341 and "Rear-Wheel Drive" OP342 on the touch panel display. If the "Four-Wheel Drive" option OP341 is selected, the drive mode of the electric vehicle 100 switches to four-wheel drive mode. In four-wheel drive mode, the front wheels 6F are driven by the front electric motor 4F, and the rear wheels 6R are driven by the rear electric motor 4R. The torque distribution between the front wheels 6F and the rear wheels 6R can be fixed or variable by the control of the electric motors 4F and 4F by inverters 3F and 3R. If the "Rear-Wheel Drive" option OP342 is selected, the drive mode of the electric vehicle 100 switches to rear-wheel drive mode. In rear-wheel drive mode, only the rear wheels 6R are driven by the rear electric motor 4R. However, in the electric vehicle 100, it is also possible to select a front-wheel drive mode in addition to the rear-wheel drive mode, where only the front wheels 6F are driven by the front electric motor 4F.

[0034] The "Suspension Characteristics" option OP250 is used to select the suspension characteristics of the electric vehicle 100. As shown in Figure 3, selecting the "Suspension Characteristics" option OP250 displays the options "Soft" OP351, "Hard" OP352, and "Medium" OP353 on the touch panel display. If "Soft" OP351 is selected, the suspension characteristics of the electric vehicle 100 are switched to soft mode. In soft mode, the damping force of suspensions 7F and 7R is reduced. If "Hard" OP352 is selected, the suspension characteristics of the electric vehicle 100 are switched to hard mode. In hard mode, the damping force of suspensions 7F and 7R is increased. If "Medium" OP353 is selected, the suspension characteristics of the electric vehicle 100 are switched to medium mode. In medium mode, the damping force of suspensions 7F and 7R is set to an intermediate damping force between soft mode and hard mode. However, since the suspensions 7F and 7R are electronically controlled, their suspension characteristics can be widely adjusted. Therefore, the soft mode, hard mode, and medium mode are merely examples of suspension characteristics that can be achieved in the electric vehicle 100. Furthermore, the drive mode and suspension characteristics may be selectable not only in manual mode but also in automatic mode.

[0035] By operating the HMI20's touch panel display according to the control tree described above, the driver can switch the control mode of the electric vehicle 100 to their preference. The switchable control modes include modes related to the driving control of the electric vehicle 100 and modes related to the sound control of the electric vehicle 100. Specifically, the mode related to the "engine sound" option OP230 is a mode related to sound control, while all others are modes related to driving control. The following chapters will describe the driving control and sound control of the electric vehicle 100 by the control device 101.

[0036] 4. Driving control of electric vehicles Figure 4 shows the configuration of the control device 101 related to the driving control of the electric vehicle 100. More specifically, Figure 2 shows the configuration related to torque control within the driving control. The processor 102 functions as a driving control device when one or more driving control programs 104 stored in memory 103 are executed by the processor 102.

[0037] The control device 101, which functions as a driving control device, receives a control mode signal from the HMI 20. The control mode signal contains information about the control mode selected by the driver. Based on the control mode signal, the control device 101 performs process P110. In process P110, the control mode is switched according to the control mode signal. The switch between automatic mode and manual mode is particularly influential on driving control.

[0038] When the control mode is switched to automatic mode, the control device 101 executes process P120 for torque calculation in automatic mode. In process P120, the control device 101 obtains the vehicle speed from the signal of the vehicle speed sensor 11 and the accelerator opening from the signal of the accelerator pedal stroke sensor 12. The control device 101 has a motor torque map with accelerator opening and vehicle speed as parameters. The control device 101 inputs the vehicle speed and accelerator opening into the motor torque map and controls inverters 3F and 3R to generate the torque obtained from the motor torque map in electric motors 4F and 4R.

[0039] When the control mode is switched to manual mode, the control device 101 executes process P130 for torque calculation in manual mode. Process P130 includes process P131 for calculating the torque to be generated by the drive wheels. Process P130 also includes processes P132 and P133. Process P132 is for calculating the torque to be generated by the front electric motor 4F, and process P133 is for calculating the torque to be generated by the rear electric motor 4R. Processes P132 and P133 are executed according to the drive wheel torque calculated in process P130 and the torque distribution between the front wheel 6F and the rear wheel 6R.

[0040] The vehicle model MOD01 is used to calculate the drive wheel torque in process P131. Vehicle model MOD01 includes the engine model MOD11, the clutch model MOD12, and the transmission model MOD13. The engine virtually realized by vehicle model MOD01 is called the virtual engine, the virtually realized clutch is called the virtual clutch, and the virtually realized transmission is called the virtual transmission. The engine model MOD11 models the virtual engine. The clutch model MOD12 models the virtual clutch. The transmission model MOD13 models the virtual transmission.

[0041] Engine model MOD11 calculates virtual engine speed and virtual engine torque. Virtual engine speed is calculated from vehicle speed, overall reduction ratio, and virtual clutch slip ratio. Virtual engine torque is calculated from virtual engine speed and accelerator opening. Vehicle speed is obtained from the signal of vehicle speed sensor 11. Accelerator opening is obtained from the signal of accelerator pedal stroke sensor 12. The overall reduction ratio is a value obtained by multiplying the gear ratio of the virtual transmission by the reduction ratio determined by the mechanical structure from the virtual transmission to the drive wheels. In engine model MOD11, the relationship between virtual engine speed and virtual engine torque is defined for each accelerator opening. The engine characteristics of engine model MOD11 can be selected by the driver by operating the HMI20. In the example shown in Figure 2, engine characteristics can be selected from low-to-medium RPM type, high-RPM type, and full-range type.

[0042] The clutch model MOD12 calculates the torque transmission gain. The torque transmission gain is used to calculate the degree of torque transmission of the virtual clutch according to the clutch opening. When the clutch-operated stick shift mode is selected as the shift mode, the clutch opening is obtained from the signal of the clutch pedal stroke sensor 16. The clutch opening is 0% at the starting position of the simulated clutch pedal 26 and 100% at the ending position of the simulated clutch pedal 26. In the clutch model MOD12, a torque transmission gain is assigned to the clutch opening. The torque transmission gain is converted into the clutch torque capacity of the virtual clutch, i.e., the virtual clutch torque capacity. Then, based on a comparison between the virtual clutch torque capacity and the virtual engine torque calculated by the engine model MOD11, the virtual clutch torque input from the virtual clutch to the virtual transmission is calculated. In addition, the clutch model MOD12 calculates the slip ratio as 1 minus the torque transmission gain. The slip ratio is used in the calculation of the virtual engine speed in the engine model MOD11.

[0043] When paddle shift mode is selected as the shift mode, the clutch opening angle input to clutch model MOD12 is calculated using the clutch operation model. Similarly, when clutchless stick shift mode is selected as the shift mode, the clutch opening angle input to clutch model MOD12 is calculated using the clutch operation model. The clutch operation model is a model that simulates the clutch operation of a model driver. When paddle shift mode is selected, the clutch operation model receives signals from the vehicle speed, virtual engine speed, and paddle shift switch 15. When clutchless stick shift mode is selected, the clutch operation model receives signals from the vehicle speed, virtual engine speed, and shift position sensor 14.

[0044] Signals from the paddle shift switch 15 and the shift position sensor 14 are used to time the clutch operation. When the driver's shift operation is detected by the signals from the paddle shift switch 15 and the shift position sensor 14, the clutch operation model maximizes the clutch opening to disengage the virtual clutch. Vehicle speed and virtual engine speed are used to calculate the clutch opening. In order to smoothly match the rotational speed of the virtual transmission input shaft, which is calculated from the vehicle speed, with the virtual engine speed, the clutch operation model calculates the clutch opening based on the rotational speed difference between the rotational speed of the virtual transmission input shaft and the virtual engine speed.

[0045] Transmission model MOD13 calculates the virtual gear ratio. The virtual gear ratio is the gear ratio determined by the virtual shift position in the virtual transmission. The virtual gear ratio is set for each shift position. The largest virtual gear ratio is set for 1st gear, and the virtual gear ratio decreases in the order of 2nd gear, 3rd gear, 4th gear, ... In stick shift mode, the shift position is mapped one-to-one with the signal from the shift position sensor 14. In paddle shift mode, the shift position is moved up one step in response to an upshift signal from the paddle shift switch 15, and downshifted one step in response to a downshift signal from the paddle shift switch 15. Note that the number of shift positions is physically determined in the pseudo-H type shifter 24, whereas there are no physical constraints on the number of shift positions in the pseudo-paddle shifter 25. Therefore, the transmission model MOD 13 can be different for stick shift mode and paddle shift mode, and the number of shift positions in paddle shift mode can be greater than the number of shift positions in stick shift mode.

[0046] Transmission model MOD13 calculates virtual transmission torque using virtual gear ratios and virtual clutch torque. Virtual transmission torque is a virtual torque output from the virtual transmission. Control device 101 controls inverters 3F and 3R to change the output torque of electric motors 4F and 4R according to the virtual transmission torque. The virtual transmission torque changes discontinuously in accordance with the switching of virtual gear ratios. This discontinuous change in virtual transmission torque generates torque shocks in the electric vehicle 100, creating the impression of a vehicle with a stepped transmission.

[0047] Vehicle model MOD01 calculates drive wheel torque from virtual transmission torque and reduction ratio. When four-wheel drive mode is selected as the drive mode, the drive wheel torque is the sum of the torques acting on the left and right front wheels (6F) and the left and right rear wheels (6R). The torque distribution to the front wheels (6F) and rear wheels (6R) can be fixed, or it can be actively or passively changed. When rear-wheel drive mode is selected as the drive mode, the drive wheel torque is the sum of the torques acting on the left and right rear wheels (6R).

[0048] In process P132, the torque of the front electric motor 4F (front motor torque) in manual mode is calculated by multiplying the drive wheel torque calculated in process P131 by the torque distribution ratio to the front wheel 6F and the reduction ratio from the output shaft of the front electric motor 4F to the front wheel 6F. The control device 101 controls the front inverter 3F to generate the front motor torque calculated in process P132 at the front electric motor 4F.

[0049] In process P133, the torque of the rear electric motor 4R (rear motor torque) in manual mode is calculated by multiplying the drive wheel torque calculated in process P131 by the torque distribution ratio to the rear wheel 6R and the reduction ratio from the output shaft of the rear electric motor 4R to the rear wheel 6R. The control device 101 controls the rear inverter 3R to generate the rear motor torque calculated in process P133 at the rear electric motor 4R.

[0050] In the configuration shown in Figure 2, the battery management system 10 and the brake pedal stroke sensor 13 are not necessarily required for the above-described driving control. However, if switching the control mode affects the State of Charge (SOC) of the battery 2, the signal from the battery management system 10 may be used as information to determine whether or not to switch the control mode. Also, in cases where the operation method of the electric vehicle 100 changes significantly, such as switching between automatic mode and manual mode, the condition for switching may be that the brake pedal 23 is pressed. In that case, the signal from the brake pedal stroke sensor 13 can be used as information to determine whether the brake pedal 23 is pressed.

[0051] 5. Sound control in electric vehicles Figure 5 shows the configuration of a control device 101 related to sound control of an electric vehicle 100. One or more sound control programs 104 stored in memory 103 are executed by the processor 102, thereby enabling the processor 102 to function as a sound control device. The processor 102 that functions as a torque control device and the processor 102 that functions as a sound control device may be separate processors or the same processor.

[0052] The control device 101, acting as a sound control device, can generate artificially produced sounds from the in-vehicle speaker 21. One of these artificial sounds is a simulated engine sound that resembles the engine sound of a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle. When a control mode signal indicating that manual mode has been selected is input from the HMI 20, the control device 101, acting as a sound control device, executes process P140. In process P140, a simulated engine sound is generated based on the virtual engine torque and virtual engine speed calculated in process P131.

[0053] In process P140, the engine sound selected by HMI20 is used as the sound source for the simulated engine sound generated by the in-car speaker 21. In the example shown in Figure 2, the engine sound selected from a straight-four turbocharged engine, a flat-six engine, and a V12 engine is used as the sound source for the simulated engine sound. However, in process P140, the sound source is not used as is. In process P140, for example, the sound pressure of the sound source is changed by an amplifier, and for example, the frequency of the sound source is changed by a frequency modulator.

[0054] Process P140 includes process P141, which calculates engine sound pressure, and process P142, which calculates engine sound frequency. In process P141, the sound pressure of the simulated engine sound is calculated from the virtual engine torque using the sound pressure map M11. The sound pressure map M11 is designed so that the sound pressure increases as the virtual engine torque increases. In process P142, the frequency of the simulated engine sound is calculated from the virtual engine speed using the frequency map M12. The frequency map M12 is designed so that the frequency increases as the virtual engine speed increases. The virtual engine torque and virtual engine speed change according to the driver's accelerator, shift, and clutch operations. By changing the sound pressure and frequency of the simulated engine sound in accordance with these changing virtual engine torque and virtual engine speed, it is possible to give the driver a sense of realism as if they were driving a real manual transmission internal combustion engine.

[0055] As described above, the driver of the electric vehicle 100 can experience operating a manually operated internal combustion engine vehicle by operating the HMI 20 to switch the control mode to manual mode. We will consider ways to utilize such an electric vehicle 100 even more effectively.

[0056] 6. First example of use 6-1. Automatic setting of control modes according to the driver In the first application example, when the electric vehicle 100 is started, a control mode corresponding to the driver is automatically set. The control device 101 performs the automatic setting of the control mode using the linking information. Figure 6 shows an example of the linking information 106 that the control device 101 uses for the automatic setting of the control mode. The linking information 106 is stored in the memory 103.

[0057] The association information 106 is information that associates one or more potential drivers who may drive the electric vehicle 100 with a control mode. In the example in Figure 6, three potential drivers, A, B, and C, are registered, and their appearance information is registered as information to identify each of them. In addition, for each potential driver, either automatic mode or manual mode is registered as the control mode that the potential driver selected the last time they drove the vehicle.

[0058] The linking information 106 is updated by the control device 101 each time the electric vehicle 100 is driven by a driver. For example, suppose person B, who is registered as a driver candidate, gets into the electric vehicle 100 as the driver and selects manual mode to drive. Then, after person B finishes driving, the control device 101 updates the linking information 106, and person B and manual mode become linked as shown in Figure 6.

[0059] The driver candidates registered in the linked information 106 may be automatically updated by the control device 101. For example, if a person newly enters the driver's seat of the electric vehicle 100, the control device 101 recognizes that person based on the image captured by the in-vehicle camera 27. If that person is not included in the driver candidates already registered in the linked information 106, the control device 101 may register that person as a new driver candidate in the linked information 106 along with their appearance information and the control mode selected by that person. Alternatively, automatic updating of driver candidates may not be performed, and only people registered by the occupants of the electric vehicle 100 from the HMI 20 may be registered as driver candidates.

[0060] 6-2. Processing Example The control device 101 automatically sets the control mode by referring to the association information 106. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the process related to the automatic setting of the control mode by the control device 101. The series of processes shown in Figure 7 are realized by the execution of one or more programs 104 stored in memory 103 by the processor 102.

[0061] When the electric vehicle 100 is started, the control device 101 begins a series of processes. Following the flow shown in Figure 7, first, in step S101, the control device 101 recognizes the driver who has just entered the electric vehicle 100. The control device 101 acquires camera images obtained when the in-vehicle camera 27 captures the driver, and can recognize the driver through biometric authentication such as facial recognition or iris recognition by analyzing the camera images.

[0062] When a driver is recognized, step S102 is executed. In step S102, the control device 101 determines whether the driver who has just boarded the electric vehicle 100 is included in the list of registered driver candidates in the linked information 106. The control device 101 can determine whether the new driver is included in the list of registered driver candidates by comparing the recognition result in step S101 with the appearance information registered in the linked information 106.

[0063] If the new driver is not included in the driver candidates, the series of processes ends. On the other hand, if the new driver is included in the driver candidates, step S103 is executed. In step S103, the control device 101 switches the control mode to the control mode associated with the new driver. For example, if it is determined that the new driver is person A, the automatic mode is started.

[0064] At this time, the driver may be notified by the display on the HMI20 that the control mode has been automatically set. Furthermore, after the control mode has been switched by the control device 101, the driver can also manually switch the control mode.

[0065] Furthermore, the linked information 106 shown in Figure 6 is merely an example. For example, fingerprint information, finger vein information, voiceprint information, etc., may be used as biometric authentication information. If fingerprint information or finger vein information is used as linked information 106, an authentication sensor may be provided on the HMI 20, and a new driver who gets into the electric vehicle 100 may be instructed to touch the authentication sensor. If voiceprint information is used as linked information 106, the microphone on the HMI 20 may be used to acquire the voice of the new driver.

[0066] Furthermore, the information registered in the linked information 106 for identifying a candidate driver may also be driver's license information. In this case, the control device 101 can identify a new driver, for example, as follows: The control device 101 instructs the new driver who has boarded the electric vehicle 100 from the HMI 20 to hold up their driver's license. The control device 101 then acquires driver's license information by imaging and analyzing the driver's license presented by the driver with the in-vehicle camera 27. By comparing the acquired driver's license information with the driver's license information registered in the linked information 106, it is possible to determine which candidate driver the new driver is, or whether they are not included in the candidate driver list. Alternatively, the identification information may also be an ID number. In this case, the identification of a new driver is performed, for example, as follows: When the electric vehicle 100 is started, a screen for entering an ID number is displayed on the HMI 20. By comparing the ID number entered by the new driver with the ID number registered in the linked information 106, it is possible to determine whether the new driver is included in the candidate driver list.

[0067] 6-3. Detailed Control Mode Settings The manual mode includes various more detailed modes. In other words, a driver who selects the manual mode can freely combine the options OP210-OP250 shown in Figures 2 and 3. The settings for the detailed modes included in the manual mode, that is, the combination of selections for options OP210-OP250, determine the characteristics of the manually operated internal combustion engine simulated by the electric vehicle 100. If the control mode linked to the driver candidate in the linking information 106 is the manual mode, the linking information 106 may also contain information about the detailed mode settings, linked to the driver candidate.

[0068] Figure 8 shows an example of such linked information 106. In the example in Figure 8, for persons B and C, in addition to the previously selected control mode being manual mode, the previous selection results in options OP210-OP250 are registered as linked information 106. The control device 101 may also set the control mode so that the previous settings are retained for these settings as well.

[0069] Even if the association information 106 includes information about detailed mode settings, the processing by the control device 101 can be represented by a flowchart similar to that in Figure 7. However, if the control mode associated with the driver candidate is manual mode, in step S103, in addition to switching to manual mode, the control device 101 also switches the more detailed modes, such as shift mode, engine characteristics, drive mode, and suspension characteristics, to the settings associated with the driver candidate. Note that the previous settings are not necessarily retained for all of the shift mode, engine characteristics, drive mode, and suspension characteristics; the previous settings may be retained for one or more of these. For example, when person C gets into the electric vehicle 100 for the first time, the control mode may be switched to manual mode, the shift mode may be set to a stick shift with clutch operation, and the other modes may be left at their initial settings. The driver will then select the initial settings. Even if automatic settings are made for any or all of the shift mode, engine characteristics, drive mode, and suspension characteristics, the driver can still change the settings as they see fit.

[0070] 6-4. Updating Linking Information As described above, the linking information registers the control mode that was set when the candidate driver last drove the electric vehicle 100. The control mode that was set when the candidate driver drove the electric vehicle 100 may be the control mode that was set at the following timing, for example. For example, it may be the control mode that was set when the candidate driver finished driving the electric vehicle 100 and turned off the power to the electric vehicle 100, in other words, the control mode that was set between the end of driving and the time the power was turned off. Alternatively, the control mode that was initially set when the candidate driver last got into the electric vehicle 100 and turned on the accessory power to the electric vehicle 100 may be registered in the linking information 106 as the previously selected control mode.

[0071] Furthermore, drivers included in the driver candidates may be able to choose whether or not to register the control mode used during the current drive in the linked information 106. For example, if a driver who normally drives the electric vehicle 100 temporarily drives the electric vehicle 100 in a different control mode, they may be able to choose not to register the current control mode after finishing the drive so that the settings are not carried over to the next time. The same applies to the detailed modes included in the manual mode.

[0072] 6-5. Effects In this way, the control mode is automatically set according to the driver, eliminating the need for the driver to set the control mode every time they get into the electric vehicle 100, thus improving convenience for the driver. In particular, since there are many options for determining the detailed mode included in the manual mode, automatic setting greatly reduces the effort required from the driver. In this way, by not having to input the same settings every time they get in the car, the driver is freed from hassle and can enjoy driving the electric vehicle 100 more comfortably. Furthermore, even after the control mode has been automatically set, the driver can change the settings at their discretion. If they want to drive in a different control mode than last time, they can simply input the settings as usual, so the advantage of the electric vehicle 100, which is the ability to select their preferred mode, is not lost.

[0073] 6-6. Modification - Automatic setting of engine sound Simulated engine sounds may be generated even when automatic mode is selected. Here, assuming that simulated engine sounds can be generated even in automatic mode, the automatic setting of simulated engine sounds will be described. The driver can select from the HMI 20 whether to have engine sounds or not, and if so, which engine sound to reproduce. In automatic mode, if engine sounds are selected, the selected engine sound is used as the sound source, and the sound pressure based on virtual engine torque and the frequency based on virtual engine speed are calculated, which is the same as in the sound control in manual mode. In automatic mode, the virtual engine torque is calculated to increase as, for example, the motor torque increases. The virtual engine speed is calculated to increase as, for example, the wheel speed increases. When simulated engine sounds are generated and played back from the in-vehicle speakers 21, the driver can be given a sense of realism as if they were driving a manually operated internal combustion engine vehicle, regardless of whether or not the simulated gear shift operating member is operated.

[0074] The linking information 106 registers one or more driver candidates and at least the engine sound associated with each driver candidate. The engine sound associated with a driver candidate is the engine sound that the driver candidate selected last time. If the driver candidate selected "no engine sound" last time, no engine sound is registered.

[0075] The processing by the control device 101 regarding the automatic setting of the engine sound can be represented by a flowchart similar to that in Figure 7. However, in step S103, the control device 101 sets the engine sound associated with the driver who has just boarded the electric vehicle 100. In this example as well, the driver is spared the trouble of setting the engine sound each time they board the vehicle, which is convenient for the driver.

[0076] 7.2nd Use Case - Suggested Recommended Settings In the electric vehicle 100, it is possible to select between manual and automatic modes. Furthermore, when manual mode is selected in the electric vehicle 100, it is possible to simulate a manual transmission internal combustion engine with various characteristics. Even with just the combinations of options exemplified in Figures 2 and 3, numerous characteristics can be set, and the electric vehicle 100 may allow for even more characteristics to be selected. While this can enhance the driver's enjoyment, having too many options may lead to situations where the driver is unsure which characteristics to choose. In particular, if the driver is not familiar with the different types of manual transmission internal combustion engines, they may have difficulty determining which vehicle characteristics are optimal.

[0077] Therefore, in the second application example, the electric vehicle 100 is equipped with a suggestion function for the driver. Figure 9 shows an example of the configuration of the control device 101. The recommendation unit 107 of the control device 101 suggests control modes and vehicle characteristics to the driver. The function of the recommendation unit 107 is realized when one or more programs 104 stored in the memory 103 are executed by the processor 102.

[0078] The recommendation unit 107 obtains driver information and route information from the HMI 20. For example, the driver inputs their driving experience with a manually operated internal combustion engine vehicle and the number of times they have driven the electric vehicle 100 into the HMI 20, and this is obtained as driver information. The route information is information about the route the driver plans to travel on this trip. The driving route may be directly entered into the HMI 20 by the driver, or it may be calculated based on the destination entered into the HMI 20 and the map information stored in the memory 103.

[0079] The recommendation unit 107 selects the optimal control mode and characteristics for the driver based on driver information or route information, and proposes them to the driver as recommended settings. The proposal may include suggestions for selecting automatic mode or manual mode, or it may include suggestions for more detailed mode settings in manual mode.

[0080] The suggestion may be made at the moment the driver starts driving. For example, the recommendation unit 107 acquires driver information from the HMI 20 when the driver starts driving. For drivers who are not accustomed to operating a manually operated internal combustion engine vehicle, the recommendation unit 107 may suggest a setting that is relatively easy to drive within the manual mode. For example, it may suggest a shift mode that does not require clutch operation, such as a paddle shift mode or a clutchless stick shift mode, or it may suggest an option that provides a flat engine characteristic. Conversely, for drivers who are accustomed to operating a manually operated internal combustion engine vehicle, an advanced setting may be suggested. For example, it may suggest a stick shift mode with clutch operation or an engine characteristic with a peaky feature.

[0081] Furthermore, driver information may be obtained from information entered by the driver themselves via the HMI 20, or information stored in memory 103 or on an external server may be used. For example, the server may store driving history for each driver. The recommendation unit 107 recognizes the driver by acquiring images captured by the in-vehicle camera 27 at the start of driving and reads the driver's driving history from the server. The recommendation unit 107 proposes a control mode and vehicle characteristics to the driver that match the driving history. The driving history includes driving distance and driving time for each control mode and vehicle characteristics. The driving history may include, for example, the driving distance in the clutchless stick shift mode and the driving distance in the clutch-operated stick shift mode. In this case, the recommendation unit 107 may propose a shift mode to the driver based on the results of comparing the respective driving distances. In addition, the driver's driving skill may be determined from the driving history, and the content of the proposals may differ depending on whether the driving skill reaches a certain level or not. For example, you could suggest settings for beginners and intermediate drivers until their driving skills reach a certain level, and then unlock the option to suggest advanced settings once their driving skills reach that level.

[0082] Furthermore, the control mode may be suggested while driving, and driver information may be acquired based on images from the in-vehicle camera 27. For example, when the driver is driving the electric vehicle 100 in manual mode, the recommendation unit 107 acquires images of the driver from the in-vehicle camera 27 and determines the driver's fatigue level from the movements of the driver's eyeballs and eyelids. Since publicly known techniques can be used for determining the driver's fatigue level, details are omitted. Based on the information indicating the driver's fatigue level, if the fatigue level is high, the recommendation unit 107 suggests switching to automatic mode.

[0083] Furthermore, examples of suggestions based on route information include the following: The recommendation unit 107 acquires route information at the start of driving and recommends vehicle characteristics suitable for the planned route. For example, if the planned route includes many uphill sections, it may suggest a four-wheel drive mode as the drive mode to enable powerful driving. Alternatively, if the planned route has many corners, it may suggest a rear-wheel drive mode as the drive mode.

[0084] In the second example of application, electric vehicle 100, the driver is offered control modes and vehicle characteristics that match the planned route, the driver's condition, and their skill level. Therefore, even drivers who are not familiar with the differences in characteristics of manually operated internal combustion engine vehicles will not have trouble deciding which control mode or characteristics to select. Even experienced drivers are more likely to select a mode that is more appropriate for the situation by accepting the suggestions. In this way, the driver's sense of security and ease of driving can be enhanced.

[0085] Furthermore, the recommendation unit 107 may acquire road traffic information, including congestion information, and weather information, and propose control modes and vehicle characteristics based on that information. For example, if congestion is expected on the planned route, it may propose a paddle shift mode or a clutchless stick shift mode. Also, if an accident has occurred on the planned route, it may propose an automatic mode to allow the driver to drive with peace of mind. If snowfall is expected, it may propose a four-wheel drive mode as the drive mode and a low-to-medium rotation type as the engine characteristic.

[0086] 8. Other Embodiments As an alternative configuration of the electric vehicle 100, it may be equipped only with a pseudo-H-shaped shifter 24 and a pseudo-clutch pedal 26, without the pseudo-paddle shifter 25. Furthermore, as an alternative configuration of the electric vehicle 100, it may be equipped only with a pseudo-paddle shifter 25, without the pseudo-H-shaped shifter 24 and the pseudo-clutch pedal 26.

[0087] The electric vehicle 100 is equipped with electric motors 4F and 4R at the front and rear, but it may be equipped with only one of them. Furthermore, although the electric vehicle 100 is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) that runs on electricity stored in battery 2, the electric vehicle of this disclosure may be any electric vehicle that has an electric motor as a drive source.Therefore, the electric vehicle of this disclosure is also applicable to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0088] 2 Battery, 3F Front Inverter, 3R Rear Inverter, 4F Front Electric Motor, 4R Rear Electric Motor, 5F Front Driveshaft, 5R Rear Driveshaft, 6F Front Wheels, 6R Rear Wheels, 7F Front Suspension, 7R Rear Suspension, 10 Battery Management System, 11 Vehicle Speed ​​Sensor, 12 Accelerator Pedal Stroke Sensor, 13 Brake Pedal Stroke Sensor, 14 Shift Position Sensor, 15 Paddle Shift Switch, 16 Clutch Pedal Stroke Sensor, 18 GPS, 20 HMI, 21 In-Car Speaker, 22 Accelerator Pedal, 23 Brake Pedal, 24 Simulated H-Type Shifter, 25 Simulated Paddle Shifter, 26 Simulated Clutch Pedal, 27 In-Car Camera, 100 Electric Vehicle, 101 Control Unit, 102 Processor, 103 Memory, 104 Program, 105 Data, 106 Linking Information, 107 Recommendation Unit

Claims

1. An electric vehicle having an electric motor as a drive source and equipped with multiple control modes selectable by the driver, Driving control members used for driving the electric vehicle, A simulated gear shift operating member that mimics the operating member used for shifting gears in a manually operated internal combustion engine, The system includes a control device that controls the electric vehicle in response to the operation of the driving operation member, The plurality of control modes include a manual mode in which the operation of the pseudo-speed shifting operating member is associated with the torque of the electric motor, and an automatic mode in which the operation of the pseudo-speed shifting operating member is not associated with the torque of the electric motor. In the manual mode, the characteristics of the manual transmission internal combustion engine simulated by the electric vehicle are determined according to the settings for the detailed mode that the driver can select. The control device includes a storage device that stores association information registered in which one or more driver candidates are associated with the control mode. The aforementioned linking information includes information about the detailed mode settings linked to the one or more driver candidates, The control device, when the electric vehicle is started, To determine whether the new driver who got into the electric vehicle is included in the one or more candidate drivers, If the new driver is included in the one or more candidate drivers, the control mode associated with the new driver is started. If the new driver is associated with the manual mode, the system is configured to set the detailed mode to the setting associated with the new driver. The settings for the aforementioned detailed modes include the selection results of the engine characteristics options. An electric vehicle characterized by the following features.

2. An electric vehicle having an electric motor as a drive source and equipped with multiple control modes selectable by the driver, Driving control members used for driving the electric vehicle, A simulated gear shift operating member that mimics the operating member used for shifting gears in a manually operated internal combustion engine, The system includes a control device that controls the electric vehicle in response to the operation of the driving operation member, The plurality of control modes include a manual mode in which the operation of the pseudo-speed shifting operating member is associated with the torque of the electric motor, and an automatic mode in which the operation of the pseudo-speed shifting operating member is not associated with the torque of the electric motor. The simulated gear shifting operating member includes a simulated H-type shifter that simulates an H-type shifter of a manual transmission, and a simulated sequential shifter that simulates a sequential shifter of a manual transmission. In the manual mode, the characteristics of the manual transmission internal combustion engine simulated by the electric vehicle are determined according to the settings for the detailed mode that the driver can select. The control device includes a storage device that stores association information registered in which one or more driver candidates are associated with the control mode. The aforementioned linking information includes information about the detailed mode settings linked to the one or more driver candidates, The control device, when the electric vehicle is started, To determine whether the new driver who got into the electric vehicle is included in the one or more candidate drivers, If the new driver is included in the one or more candidate drivers, the control mode associated with the new driver is started. If the new driver is associated with the manual mode, the system is configured to set the detailed mode to the setting associated with the new driver. The aforementioned detailed mode settings include the selection results for the shift mode options, The shift mode includes a mode in which the pseudo-H-shaped shifter is used for shifting gears, and a mode in which the pseudo-paddle shifter is used for shifting gears. An electric vehicle characterized by the following features.

3. An electric vehicle having an electric motor as a drive source and equipped with multiple control modes selectable by the driver, Driving control members used for driving the electric vehicle, A simulated gear shift operating member that mimics the operating member used for shifting gears in a manually operated internal combustion engine, The system includes a control device that controls the electric vehicle in response to the operation of the driving operation member, The plurality of control modes include a manual mode in which the operation of the pseudo-speed shifting operating member is associated with the torque of the electric motor, and an automatic mode in which the operation of the pseudo-speed shifting operating member is not associated with the torque of the electric motor. The simulated gear shifting operating member includes a simulated clutch operating device that simulates a clutch operating device, In the manual mode, the characteristics of the manual transmission internal combustion engine simulated by the electric vehicle are determined according to the settings for the detailed mode that the driver can select. The control device includes a storage device that stores association information registered in which one or more driver candidates are associated with the control mode. The aforementioned linking information includes information about the detailed mode settings linked to the one or more driver candidates, The control device, when the electric vehicle is started, To determine whether the new driver who got into the electric vehicle is included in the one or more candidate drivers, If the new driver is included in the one or more candidate drivers, the control mode associated with the new driver is started. If the new driver is associated with the manual mode, the system is configured to set the detailed mode to the setting associated with the new driver. The aforementioned detailed mode settings include the selection results for the shift mode options, The shift mode includes a mode in which the driver is required to operate the simulated clutch operating device, and a mode in which the driver is not required to operate the simulated clutch operating device. An electric vehicle characterized by the following features.

4. In the electric vehicle according to claim 1, The control mode associated with the new driver is the control mode selected by the new driver the last time they drove the electric vehicle. An electric vehicle characterized by the following features.

5. In the electric vehicle according to claim 4, The control mode selected by the new driver the last time they drove the electric vehicle is the control mode that was set between the time the new driver last drove the electric vehicle and the time the electric vehicle's power was turned off, or the control mode that was set when the new driver last got into the electric vehicle and turned on the electric vehicle's accessory power. An electric vehicle characterized by the following features.

6. In the electric vehicle according to claim 1, The aforementioned detailed mode settings further include the selection results or combinations of selection results for one or more of the following: engine sound, drive mode, and suspension characteristics. An electric vehicle characterized by the following features.

7. In the electric vehicle according to claim 2 or 3, The aforementioned detailed mode settings further include the selection result or combination of selection results for one or more of the following: engine characteristics, engine sound, drive mode, and suspension characteristics. An electric vehicle characterized by the following features.

8. In an electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1, 4 to 6, The aforementioned driving operation member includes an accelerator pedal, The aforementioned pseudo-speed shifting operating member is A pseudo-H-type shifter that simulates the H-type shifter of a manual transmission, Includes a simulated clutch operating device that mimics a clutch operating device. An electric vehicle characterized by the following features.

9. In the electric vehicle according to claim 8, The control device is configured to change the torque of the electric motor in the control mode according to the shift position selected by the pseudo-H type shifter, the amount of operation of the pseudo-clutch operating device, and the amount of operation of the accelerator pedal. An electric vehicle characterized by the following features.

10. In an electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1, 4 to 6, The aforementioned driving operation member includes an accelerator pedal, The aforementioned simulated gear shifting operating member includes a simulated sequential shifter that mimics the sequential shifter of a manual transmission. An electric vehicle characterized by the following features.

11. In the electric vehicle according to claim 10, The control device is configured to change the torque of the electric motor in the control mode according to the shift position selected by the pseudo-sequential shifter and the amount of operation of the accelerator pedal. An electric vehicle characterized by the following features.

12. In an electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1, 4 to 6, The aforementioned driving operation member includes an accelerator pedal, The aforementioned simulated gear shifting operating member includes a simulated H-shaped shifter that mimics the H-shaped shifter of a manual transmission. An electric vehicle characterized by the following features.

13. In the electric vehicle according to claim 12, The control device is configured to change the torque of the electric motor in the control mode according to the shift position selected by the pseudo-H-type shifter and the amount of operation of the accelerator pedal. An electric vehicle characterized by the following features.

14. In the electric vehicle according to claim 7, The aforementioned driving operation member includes an accelerator pedal, The aforementioned pseudo-speed shifting operating member is A pseudo-H-type shifter that simulates the H-type shifter of a manual transmission, A simulated clutch operating device that mimics a clutch operating device, A simulated sequential shifter that mimics the sequential shifter of a manual transmission, Includes, The aforementioned detailed modes are: A mode in which the torque of the electric motor is changed according to the shift position selected by the pseudo-H-type shifter, the amount of operation of the pseudo-clutch operating device, and the amount of operation of the accelerator pedal; a mode in which the torque of the electric motor is changed according to the shift position selected by the pseudo-sequential shifter and the amount of operation of the accelerator pedal; and a mode in which the torque of the electric motor is changed according to the shift position selected by the pseudo-H-type shifter and the amount of operation of the accelerator pedal. An electric vehicle characterized by the following features.

15. An electric vehicle having an electric motor as its driving source, Speakers that output sound inside the car, The system includes a control device configured to control the electric motor to reproduce virtual engine torque, generate a simulated engine sound, and output the simulated engine sound from the speaker, The aforementioned simulated engine sound is generated based on one of several sound sources, depending on the driver's selection. The virtual engine torque is generated based on one of several engine characteristics, depending on the driver's selection. The control device is The system includes a storage device that stores linked information registered in which one or more driver candidates are associated with the sound source, When the aforementioned electric vehicle is started, To determine whether the new driver who got into the electric vehicle is included in the one or more candidate drivers, If the new driver is included in the one or more candidate drivers, the system is configured to set the sound source associated with the new driver as the sound source for generating the simulated engine sound, and to set the engine characteristics associated with the new driver as the engine characteristics for generating the virtual engine torque. An electric vehicle characterized by the following features.

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