EV Shift Control With Continuous Virtual Engine Sound
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric vehicles with motor prime movers lack realistic simulation of manual shifting and engine sound transitions, leading to abrupt sound loss and discomfort when shifting positions, compromising the imitation of conventional vehicles with engines and transmissions.
Innovation Solution
A control system for electric vehicles that includes a sound creator to simulate engine sounds and a controller to manage motor torque based on target values, with a shifting device allowing manual mode selection among first, second, third, and fourth modes, ensuring continuous sound emission during mode transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a shifting device with multiple modes is provided to simulate manual transmission behavior, then the imitation of conventional vehicle characteristics is improved, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shifting device is designed to perform multiple functions: it selects operating modes (first mode for normal operation, second mode for parking/neutral, third mode for manual shifting simulation) and simultaneously controls both torque characteristics and sound emission. This multi-functionality allows the system to imitate conventional vehicle behavior without adding separate control mechanisms for each function, thereby managing complexity while enhancing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system merges the control of torque characteristics and sound emission into a single integrated control process managed by one controller. When the shifting device selects a mode, both the torque map selection and sound emission control are executed together, eliminating the need for separate control systems and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatile imitation capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If the shift lever is moved from manual position to another position, then the operating mode changes, but the virtual engine sound is lost abruptly causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is configured to detect mode changes in advance and prepare for sound emission continuity. When a mode change is detected, the system maintains sound emission by selecting appropriate torque maps that correspond to the new mode while ensuring the sound creator continues to emit virtual engine sound. This preliminary preparation prevents abrupt sound loss before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuous sound emission during mode transitions by maintaining the sound creator's operation across all modes. The controller selectively emits virtual engine sound in the first mode and selectively continues sound emission in the second mode, ensuring uninterrupted auditory feedback. This continuity eliminates the harmful effect of abrupt sound loss while allowing smooth mode switching.
3Adaptability or versatility
If torque characteristics are changed stepwise to imitate transmission behavior, then the simulation of manual shifting is improved, but the smoothness of drive force control is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes torque characteristics by selecting from multiple pre-defined torque maps, each corresponding to different operating ranges. The controller selects the appropriate torque map based on the current mode and operating conditions, allowing stepwise changes in torque characteristics that simulate manual transmission behavior while maintaining overall drive force smoothness through coordinated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses feedback from the shifting device position and operating conditions to dynamically select torque maps and control sound emission. This feedback mechanism ensures that torque characteristics change appropriately in response to driver input while maintaining smooth transitions, as the controller continuously monitors and adjusts the torque output based on the selected mode and current vehicle state.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for an electric vehicle (Ve) configured to allow a driver to enjoy behaviors of conventional vehicles having an engine and a transmission more realistically, without impairing comfort and quietness of the electric vehicle (Ve). An operating mode of the electric vehicle (Ve) is selected from a first mode to a fourth mode. In the third mode a driver is allowed to enjoy a virtual shifting operation and a simulated engine sound is emitted. In the fourth mode, an availability of the virtual shifting operation and the emission of the simulated engine sound are maintained. The third mode is cancelled by shifting to the first mode or the fourth mode; and the fourth mode is cancelled by shifting to the third mode.