EV Torque and Sound Control for Realistic Virtual Shifting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric vehicles fail to realistically imitate the behaviors of vehicles with engines and transmissions, leading to sudden loss of virtual engine sound during mode shifts and lack of revving sound when parked, compromising the driving experience.

Innovation Solution

A control system for electric vehicles that includes a first sound source for motor sounds, a second sound source for simulated engine sounds, and a selector device to manually or automatically control operating modes, ensuring continuous simulated engine sounds during mode shifts and parking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If virtual engine sound is emitted during manual shifting operation, then driving experience realism is improved, but sudden loss of sound during mode shifts occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving experience realismVSAvoidsound continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller predicts the upcoming mode shift based on operating conditions and pre-emptively adjusts the virtual engine sound parameters before the actual shift occurs. This preliminary action ensures that the sound transitions smoothly without sudden loss or discontinuity, maintaining both realism and reliability throughout the mode transition process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If virtual engine sound is emitted during parking mode, then revving sound experience is improved, but unnecessary sound emission occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverevving sound experienceVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The controller continuously monitors the operating mode and accelerator pedal position, using feedback signals to determine when to emit virtual engine sound. During parking mode, the system activates revving sound only when the accelerator pedal is depressed, and deactivates it when the pedal is released, thereby providing the desired revving experience while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption during idle parking states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If manual shifting operation is implemented, then driver engagement is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver engagementVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it manages motor torque control, selects appropriate torque maps, generates virtual engine sounds, and handles various operating modes (drive, reverse, neutral, parking). By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional control unit, the system achieves high driver engagement through manual shifting operations without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12539772B2Control system for electric vehicle

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A control system for an electric vehicle 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. In a virtual AT mode, a target torque value of a motor with respect to a motor speed is changed stepwise in accordance with an operating range shifted automatically, and a simulated engine sound is emitted. The emission of the simulated engine sound is continued until the virtual AT mode is cancelled and a shift lever is moved to a drive position.