JP2021142884A - Vehicle control method and vehicle control system - Google Patents

Abstract

To obtain acceleration feeling comfortable for a driver.SOLUTION: A vehicle control method is a control method for a vehicle 100 comprising an electric motor (motor 6) for driving the vehicle, an engine 1 for driving a power generator (motor 2) which generates electricity supplied to the electric motor (motor 6), and a sound output apparatus 9 for outputting sound. Further, in this vehicle control method, after acceleration of the vehicle 100 is started in the state that the engine 1 stops, a magnitude of sound outputted from the sound output apparatus 9 is controlled on the basis of an acceleration degreed and a rotation speed of the engine 1 when the engine 1 is started during acceleration and the engine 1 becomes in a prescribed state suitable for power generation by drive of the power generator (motor 2).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle control method and a vehicle control system including an electric motor for driving a vehicle and an engine for driving a generator for generating electricity supplied to the electric motor.

Conventionally, a device that outputs a predetermined sound in a vehicle driven by an electric motor is known. For example, in order to generate a pseudo sound suitable for an acceleration / deceleration state of an electric vehicle, a pseudo sound generator for an electric vehicle that generates a pseudo sound corresponding to an operating state of the electric vehicle is known (for example, a patent document). 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 07-182587

In recent years, a so-called series-type hybrid vehicle having an electric motor for driving a vehicle and an engine for driving a generator for generating electricity supplied to the electric motor is known. In the case of this series hybrid vehicle, the engine is stopped / operated according to the state of charge of the battery and the required power of the vehicle. Therefore, when the driver depresses the accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle, the engine is stopped at the beginning of acceleration, but there may be a case where the engine is started during acceleration and the engine is being driven. In this case, the engine driving sound is generated during acceleration, and the driver may not be able to obtain a comfortable feeling of acceleration.

An object of the present invention is to give the driver a comfortable feeling of acceleration.

One embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle control method including an electric motor for driving a vehicle, an engine for driving a generator for generating electricity supplied to the electric motor, and a sound output device for outputting sound. In this vehicle control method, when acceleration of the vehicle is started while the engine is stopped, the engine is started during acceleration and the engine is in a predetermined state suitable for power generation by driving a generator. , The loudness of the sound output from the sound output device is controlled based on the acceleration ratio and the engine speed.

According to the present invention, the driver can obtain a comfortable feeling of acceleration.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a vehicle according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2A is a diagram showing the relationship between the vehicle speed and the time of the vehicle. FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the relationship between the engine speed and time. FIG. 3A is a diagram showing the relationship between the loudness of the sound output from the sound output device and the time. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing the relationship between the loudness of the sound output from the sound output device and the time. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of sound output processing executed by the control device. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of sound output processing executed by the control device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Vehicle configuration example]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a vehicle 100 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 100 includes an engine 1, a motor 2, a speed reducer 3, an inverter 4, a battery 5, a motor 6, a speed reducer / differential 7, a control device 8, and a sound. It includes an output device 9 and drive wheels 10 and 11. The vehicle 100 is a so-called series type in which the electric power generated by the motor 2 is supplied to the battery 5 by using the power of the engine 1 and the drive wheels 10 and 11 are driven by rotating the motor 6 based on the electric power of the battery 5. It is configured as a hybrid vehicle of. Therefore, in the vehicle 100, the engine 1 is used not as a power source for driving the vehicle but as a power source for generating electric power of the motor 2.

The engine 1 constituting the vehicle 100 is a so-called internal combustion engine that uses gasoline or the like as fuel, and is mechanically connected to the motor 2 via a speed increaser 3. The engine 1 is used as a drive source for rotationally driving the motor 2 when charging the battery 5.

The motor 2 is configured to generate electricity by rotating based on the power from the engine 1 and to charge the battery 5. Further, the motor 2 is also configured to drive the engine 1 by power running (motoring) by rotationally driving it with the electric power of the battery 5. By executing the motoring control that rotates the engine 1 by using the power of the motor 2 in this way, the throttle valve is opened when the engine 1 is cranked at the time of starting the engine or when negative pressure for brake pedal assist is required. It can be closed to generate negative pressure in the intake passage. As described above, the motor 2 functions as a power generation motor and an engine starter.

The speed increaser 3 is a transmission mechanism that mechanically connects the engine 1 and the motor 2 to transmit rotation.

The inverter 4 is electrically connected to the motors 2, 6 and the battery 5. The inverter 4 is configured to convert the AC power generated by the motor 2 into DC power and supply it to the battery 5, and convert the DC power output from the battery 5 into AC power and supply it to the motor 2. Further, the inverter 4 is configured to convert the DC power output from the battery 5 into AC power and supply it to the motor 6, and convert the AC power regenerated by the motor 6 into DC power and supply it to the battery 5. Has been done. As described above, the inverter 4 functions as an inverter for a drive motor and a power generation motor.

The motor 6 is rotationally driven by an alternating current supplied from the inverter 4 and transmits the driving force to the drive wheels 10 and 11 via the speed reducer / differential 7. Further, the motor 6 is configured to generate electricity when it is rotated by the drive wheels 10 and 11 when the vehicle is decelerating or traveling on the coast, and the kinetic energy of the vehicle is recovered as electric energy in the battery 5. .. In this way, the motor 6 functions as a drive motor and a power generation motor.

The speed reducer / differential 7 is a transmission mechanism that mechanically connects the motor 6 and the drive wheels 10 and 11 to transmit rotation, and also functions as a differential device (differential).

The control device 8 is a control device that controls various devices, and is a microcomputer provided with a central arithmetic unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and an input / output interface (I / O interface). Consists of. The control device 8 functions as a control unit that controls the operation of various devices such as the engine 1, the motors 2, 6, the inverter 4, and the battery 5 by executing a specific program. The control device 8 is not composed of one microcomputer, but may be composed of a plurality of microcomputers. For example, it may be composed of a vehicle control device that controls various devices, an engine ECU (Engine Control Unit) that controls the engine 1, and a CU (Control Unit) that controls the sound output device 9.

The control device 8 controls the throttle valve, injector, spark plug, etc. of the engine 1 according to the state signals of the rotation speed and the load (torque) of the engine 1, and determines the intake air amount, the fuel injection amount, the ignition timing, and the like. adjust.

The control device 8 calculates the charge state (SOC: State Of Charge) of the battery 5 based on the current and voltage during charging and discharging of the battery 5, and uses the calculated SOC information and the like to input the power that can be input to the battery 5 and the input possible power of the battery 5. Calculate the output power.

The control device 8 issues a motor torque command to the motor 6 in response to information such as vehicle condition information such as accelerator opening, vehicle speed, and road surface gradient, SOC information, inputtable power of the battery 5, and outputable power of the battery 5. The value is calculated, and the target generated power to be supplied from the motor 2 to the battery 5 or the motor 6 is calculated. Further, the control device 8 switches and controls the inverter 4 so that the torque of the motor 6 becomes the motor torque command value.

Further, the control device 8 calculates an engine torque command value for the engine 1 and a rotation speed command value for the motor 2 in order to realize the target generated power. The control device 8 switches and controls the inverter 4 according to a state such as a rotation speed detection value of the motor 2 so that the rotation speed of the generator matches the rotation speed command value. In such a normal running state at the time of filling, the engine 1 is controlled to operate at a fuel-efficient operating point according to the running state of the vehicle.

The sound output device 9 is a device that outputs various sounds based on the control of the control device 8. For example, the sound output device 9 includes a sound supply device that supplies various sounds and an output unit that outputs the sound supplied by the sound supply device. The sound supply device is realized by, for example, a microcomputer provided with a central arithmetic unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and an input / output interface (I / O interface). Further, the output unit is composed of, for example, a speaker that outputs sound, and is installed in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 100 at a position where the driver of the vehicle 100 can easily hear the sound.

The sound output by the sound output device 9 is a pseudo motor sound related to the motor 6 or a pseudo engine sound related to the engine 1. These sounds can be generated by combining a plurality of frequencies. For example, as for the motor sound, since a plurality of frequencies are determined according to the rotation sound and the friction sound, the plurality of frequencies can be combined and generated. Further, since a plurality of frequencies are determined according to the explosion sound and the engine speed, the engine sound can be generated by combining the plurality of frequencies. The sound output from the sound output device 9 may be one type of sound, or may be a plurality of types of sound. For example, it may be a pseudo motor sound related to another type of motor, a pseudo engine sound related to another type of engine, or another sound related to a running sound generated when the vehicle is running. Further, when the sound output device 9 can output a plurality of types of sounds, the driver may be able to select the optimum sound according to the driver's preference. In this embodiment, an example of outputting a pseudo motor sound related to the motor 6 from the sound output device 9 is shown.

[Example of sound output from the sound output device when accelerating the vehicle]
As described above, in the series type hybrid vehicle, the engine is stopped or operated according to the state of charge of the battery and the required power of the vehicle. For example, in the vehicle 100, when a decrease in SOC of the battery 5 is detected during normal driving, the motor 2 is driven by using the power of the engine 1, and the electric power generated by the motor 2 is used as the battery 5. Charge to. Therefore, when the driver depresses the accelerator pedal and the vehicle 100 accelerates, the engine 1 is stopped at the start of acceleration of the vehicle 100, but the engine 1 starts during the acceleration of the vehicle 100 to start power generation. Can also occur. In this case, the engine sound generated from the engine 1 for charging the battery 5 is generated during the acceleration of the vehicle 100, and the engine sound is generated regardless of the acceleration of the vehicle 100. Therefore, there is a possibility that the driver of the accelerating vehicle 100 may feel uncomfortable. Therefore, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the driver of the vehicle 100 does not feel uncomfortable and the driver can obtain a comfortable feeling of acceleration.

[Example of relationship between vehicle speed and time]
FIG. 2A is a diagram showing the relationship between the vehicle speed of the vehicle 100 and the time. In FIG. 2A, the vertical axis represents the vehicle speed and the horizontal axis represents the time axis. Further, in FIG. 2A, for ease of explanation, an example in which the vehicle 100 moves forward at a constant acceleration, that is, an example of so-called uniform acceleration linear motion is shown.

For example, when the accelerator pedal is depressed by the driver of the stopped vehicle 100 at the timing of time t0, the control device 8 detects the accelerator opening degree and controls the rotation speed of the motor 6 based on the detection result. To accelerate. For example, as shown in the straight line 20 of FIG. 2A, the control device 8 controls the rotation speed of the motor 6 to accelerate the vehicle 100 so that the vehicle speed becomes v1 between t0 and t4.

[Example of relationship between engine speed and time]
FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the relationship between the rotation speed of the engine 1 and time. In FIG. 2B, the vertical axis represents the rotation speed of the engine 1 and the horizontal axis represents the time axis. Further, the time axes t0 to t4 shown in FIG. 2B correspond to the time axes t0 to t4 shown in FIG. 2A.

Further, FIG. 2B shows an example in which the engine 1 is started at the timing of time t1 and the engine 1 is in a predetermined state suitable for power generation by driving the motor 2 at the timing of time t3. The predetermined state means, for example, a state in which the engine 1 reaches the optimum fuel consumption point and maintains the predetermined rotation speed e2. Further, the timing at which the rotation speed of the engine 1 rises after the start of the engine 1 and becomes idle is defined as the time t2, and the rotation speed of the engine 1 at the time t2 is defined as e1. As shown by the solid line 30 in FIG. 2B, in the period from time t1 to t3, after the engine 1 is started, the engine speed increases and then decreases, and then starts to increase at the timing of time t2. However, this is due to the structural characteristics of the engine. The present embodiment is also applicable to an engine in which the rotation speed of the engine 1 increases without decreasing for a predetermined period after the engine 1 is started.

In this way, when the engine start command is output from the control device 8, the motor 2 cranks the engine 1 without opening the throttle too much, and then the throttle is opened by a predetermined amount to supply fuel to the engine 1. It supplies and puts the engine 1 in an idle state. After that, the control device 8 outputs a command for opening the throttle wide and putting the engine 1 in a predetermined state suitable for power generation. In this way, when the engine start command is output from the control device 8, the engine 1 is idle for a predetermined period after the engine 1 is started. At the start timing of the engine 1, a start sound is also generated from the engine 1, and when the engine 1 is driven, an engine sound is generated from the engine 1.

[Example of relationship between the volume of sound output from a sound output device and time]
3A and 3B are diagrams showing the relationship between the loudness of the sound output from the sound output device 9 and the time. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, the vertical axis represents the loudness and the horizontal axis represents the time axis. Further, the time axes t0 to t4 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B correspond to the time axes t0 to t4 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Note that FIG. 3B is a modification of a part of FIG. 3A, and the slopes of the straight lines 42 and 51 in the period from time t2 to t3 are different. Therefore, in the following, FIG. 3A will be mainly described, and FIG. 3B will be mainly described in terms of differences from FIG. 3A.

There are a plurality of sound pressure indexes as indexes representing the sound pressure (physical parameter) which is a physical quantity. For example, the decibel [dB], which physically indicates the sound pressure level, is a physical sound pressure index that does not consider the audible characteristics of the human ear. For example, even if the sound pressure level is constant, the sound seems to become louder to the human ear as the frequency is increased. Even if the sound pressure level is constant, the sound seems to become quieter to the human ear as the frequency is lowered.

In addition, there is loudness (loudness sound) as an index showing sound pressure in consideration of the hearing characteristics of the human ear. This loudness is generally a sound pressure index that means the loudness of a sound that a human feels, and is a sound pressure index that takes into consideration that, for example, a high frequency makes it easier for a human to hear. By adjusting this loudness, it is possible to adjust the sound that humans can hear. Therefore, in the present embodiment, an example of adjusting the sound output from the sound output device 9 by adjusting the loudness is shown.

Further, in the present embodiment, in order to generate a pseudo motor sound, an example of mixing sounds having three frequency characteristics to generate one sound is shown. For example, since the motor is a rotating object, the motor sound as a rotating object is the main sound, that is, the primary component, and other motor sounds, such as friction sounds, are the sounds of the secondary component and the tertiary component. do.

Here, three elements of sound are known as elements that determine the properties (characteristics) of sound. The three elements of this sound are composed of loudness (sound pressure level), pitch (frequency), and timbre (frequency component). However, in the present embodiment, an example of adjusting the loudness by changing the loudness and pitch of the sound is shown.

Specifically, in FIG. 3A, the sound pressure level of the sound output from the sound output device 9 is changed according to the acceleration of the vehicle 100. Here, the degree of acceleration of the vehicle 100 means the degree of acceleration of the vehicle 100, for example, the magnitude of the acceleration of the vehicle 100, the length of time for acceleration, the length of time for which the vehicle speed continues to increase, and the like. .. For example, as shown by the straight line 20 in FIG. 2A, even when the vehicle 100 moves forward at a constant acceleration, the sound pressure level of the sound output from the sound output device 9 is increased during the time period during which the acceleration continues. .. Further, for example, when the vehicle 100 suddenly accelerates, the sound pressure level of the sound output from the sound output device 9 is increased according to the magnitude of the acceleration during the time period during which the acceleration continues.

As described above, as shown by the straight line 20 in FIG. 2A, the vehicle 100 advances at a constant acceleration during the period from t0 to t4. Therefore, the sound pressure level of the sound output from the sound output device 9 is also set to increase at a constant rate during the period from t0 to t4. In FIG. 3A, the sound pressure level corresponding to the setting is shown by a solid line 43 and a dotted line 44.

Further, in FIG. 3A, the frequency of the sound output from the sound output device 9 is linearly increased regardless of the acceleration of the vehicle 100. Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, in order to generate a pseudo motor sound, an example of mixing three frequencies to generate one sound is shown. For example, in the period from t0 to t4, the first frequency linearly changing from 0 to 500Hz, the second frequency linearly changing from 0 to 1000Hz, and the third frequency linearly changing from 0 to 2000Hz are combined. To generate one synthetic sound. In this way, the frequency is increased over time. That is, a pseudo motor sound is generated by using a sine sweep wave that changes linearly.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the sound pressure level of the sound output from the sound output device 9 is changed according to the acceleration of the vehicle 100, but the frequency of the sound output from the sound output device 9 is changed. , It is increased linearly regardless of the acceleration of the vehicle 100. That is, in the present embodiment, the loudness is increased as the acceleration of the vehicle 100 progresses.

Further, in the present embodiment, the loudness of the sound output from the sound output device 9 becomes larger than the background noise in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 100 during the period from the start of the engine 1 to the idle state. Moreover, the sound pressure level is adjusted so as to be louder than the engine sound and the starting sound generated from the engine 1. Specifically, in the period from t0 to t2 shown in FIG. 3A, the sound pressure level corresponding to the dotted line 44 shown in FIG. 3A is increased by 5 decibels. The sound pressure level raised by 5 decibels is shown by the solid line 41.

In the period from the start of the engine 1 to the idle state, the loudness of the sound output from the sound output device 9 becomes larger than the background noise in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 100, and the sound output from the engine 1 The frequency may be adjusted so as to be louder than the generated engine noise or starting noise. That is, the sound output device 9 may output a sound having a frequency that is louder than the background noise in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 100 and is louder than the engine sound and the starting sound generated from the engine 1.

The background noise means a specific sound, that is, a sound other than the specific sound when there is no motor sound and engine sound, that is, noise in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 100. For example, the background noise in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 100 can be a combination of the wind noise of the vehicle 100 and the road noise.

Further, in the present embodiment, the sound pressure level raised by 5 decibels is adjusted to be restored at the timing when the engine 1 is in the idle state.

Specifically, in the period from t2 to t3 shown in FIG. 3A, the sound pressure level is returned to the level corresponding to the dotted line 44 and the solid line 43 shown in FIG. 3A. However, in FIG. 3A, in order to maintain the continuity of the sound pressure level, the sound pressure level is adjusted so as to be gradually decreased with the passage of time. Specifically, in the period from t2 to t3 shown in FIG. 3A, as shown by the solid line 42 in FIG. 3A, the sound pressure level is sequentially changed from the sound pressure level shown by the solid line 41 to the sound pressure level shown by the solid line 43. Reduce. For example, the sound pressure level corresponding to the solid line 41 shown in FIG. 3A, that is, the sound pressure level raised by 5 decibels is sequentially lowered from 5 to 0 decibels and returned to the sound pressure level corresponding to the solid line 43. However, as described above, even in the period from t2 to t3 shown in FIG. 3A, the sound frequency is linearly increased regardless of the acceleration of the vehicle 100.

In this way, the sound pressure level is increased according to the acceleration of the vehicle 100 until the timing (t2) when the engine 1 is in the idle state.

Further, as shown in the period from t2 to t3 in FIG. 2B, when the rotation speed of the engine 1 changes from the idle state to a constant value e2, the rotation speed of the engine 1 rises sharply, so that the engine 1 generates the engine 1. The engine noise also suddenly increases. Therefore, in the period from t2 to t3, the loudness of the sound output from the sound output device 9 is reduced. That is, the sound pressure level is reduced in at least a part of the period from the idle state timing (t2) to the timing (t3) when the rotation speed of the engine 1 becomes constant. In other words, the sound pressure level is reduced for a predetermined period during the period when the engine speed increases after reaching the idle state.

In this way, by reducing the loudness of the sound output from the sound output device 9 during the period from t2 to t3, the pseudo motor sound output from the sound output device 9 and the pseudo motor sound generated from the engine 1 are generated. The continuity with the engine sound can be maintained. That is, in the period from t2 to t3, the engine sound generated from the engine 1 increases, but the pseudo motor sound output from the sound output device 9 decreases, so that these sounds become smooth and overall. The sound is also comfortable for the driver.

Further, as shown by the straight line 43 in FIG. 3A, the loudness of the sound output from the sound output device 9 is increased according to the acceleration of the vehicle 100 at the timing before the time t3 elapses.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the loudness of the sound output from the sound output device 9 is increased according to the acceleration of the vehicle 100. However, for a predetermined period in which the engine sound generated from the engine 1 increases, the loudness of the sound output from the sound output device 9 is reduced according to the acceleration of the vehicle 100.

In FIG. 3B, as shown by the straight line 51, the loudness of the sound output from the sound output device 9 is reduced according to the acceleration of the vehicle 100 during the period from time t2 to t3. Then, as shown by the straight line 43 in FIG. 3B, the loudness of the sound output from the sound output device 9 is increased at the timing of the time t3.

The period for reducing the loudness of the sound output from the sound output device 9 may be set based on the rotation speed of the engine 1, or a fixed period may be set in advance. .. Further, these settings may be changed by user settings.

Note that FIGS. 3A and 3B show an example in which the sound pressure level is increased according to the acceleration of the vehicle 100. However, when the engine 1 is in a predetermined state, that is, in a state where the predetermined rotation speed e2 is maintained, the sound pressure level may be constant and only the frequency may be linearly increased. In this case, the sound pressure level is constant, but the frequency rises linearly, so that the human ear hears that the pseudo motor sound is loud. That is, the loudness sound that enters the human ear will increase.

[Operation example of control device]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of sound output processing executed by the control device 8. This processing procedure is executed based on the program stored in the storage unit of the control device 8.

In step S201, the control device 8 calculates the change in the accelerator opening degree. That is, the control device 8 acquires the accelerator opening degree as information regarding the degree of depression of the accelerator pedal depressed by the driver of the vehicle 100, and calculates the change in the accelerator opening degree.

In step S202, the control device 8 determines whether or not the accelerator opening degree change calculated in step S201 satisfies the acceleration intention condition. For example, it is determined whether or not the acceleration intention condition is satisfied based on the amount of change in the accelerator opening, the absolute value of the accelerator opening, and the like. In other words, it is determined whether or not the acceleration intention condition is satisfied based on the opening speed of the accelerator opening, the opening degree of the accelerator opening, and the like. For example, when the accelerator opening is wide open or when the accelerator opening is opened early, it is determined that the vehicle 100 accelerates. If the acceleration intention condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S203, and if the acceleration intention condition is not satisfied, the sound output processing operation is terminated.

In step S203, the control device 8 determines the strength of acceleration of the vehicle 100, that is, the magnitude of the acceleration, based on the motor torque of the motor 6 and the traveling resistance of the vehicle 100. The motor torque of the motor 6 can be acquired based on the current value for controlling the motor 6. Further, the motor torque of the motor 6 may be acquired by using the accelerator opening degree acquired in step S201, the current value for controlling the motor 6, the rotation speed of the motor 6, and the like.

The running resistance of the vehicle 100 is a value determined by the air resistance of the vehicle 100 and the rolling resistance of the tires of the vehicle 100. Since the air resistance of the vehicle 100 and the rolling resistance of the tires of the vehicle 100 are values determined according to the vehicle speed of the vehicle 100, the running resistance of the vehicle 100 can be acquired based on the vehicle speed of the vehicle 100. Further, the control device 8 stores map information indicating the relationship between the vehicle speed of the vehicle 100 and the traveling resistance of the vehicle 100 in the storage unit of the control device 8, and uses the map information to store the traveling resistance of the vehicle 100. Can be obtained.

Further, the acceleration strength of the vehicle 100 can be calculated by using a calculation formula for obtaining the acceleration.

In step S204, the control device 8 determines the increase allowance of the motor sound output from the sound output device 9 based on the acceleration intensity of the vehicle 100 determined in step S203. That is, how much motor sound is output from the sound output device 9 is determined based on the acceleration ratio of the vehicle 100. For example, when the acceleration is large, a loud motor sound is output according to the acceleration, and when the acceleration is small, that is, when the acceleration is slow, a small motor sound is output according to the acceleration. be able to. For example, the motor sound corresponding to the straight line (dotted line 44 and solid line 43) shown in FIG. 3A and the motor sound corresponding to the straight line (dotted line 52 and solid line 43) shown in FIG. 3B are determined.

In step S205, the control device 8 determines whether or not the sound output device 9 is before operation and the engine 1 is stopped. The control device 8 acquires the rotation speed of the engine 1 at a predetermined timing, and determines whether or not the engine 1 is stopped. If the sound output device 9 has not been operated and the engine 1 is stopped, the process proceeds to step S206. On the other hand, if the sound output device 9 is already in operation or the engine 1 is being driven, the process proceeds to step S215.

In step S215, the control device 8 operates the sound output device 9 and outputs the motor sound from the sound output device 9 based on the increase allowance of the motor sound determined in step S204. In this case, since it is not necessary to consider the engine sound, for example, it corresponds to the motor sound corresponding to the straight line (dotted line 44 and solid line 43) shown in FIG. 3A and the straight line (dotted line 52 and solid line 43) shown in FIG. 3B. The sound of the motor is output. If the sound output device 9 is in operation, the operation is continued. If the vehicle speed of the vehicle 100 does not continue to increase, the process proceeds to step S214.

In step S206, the control device 8 determines whether or not the vehicle speed increase of the vehicle 100 is continuing. The vehicle speed of the vehicle 100 can be calculated based on the rotation speed of the motor 6. If the vehicle speed of the vehicle 100 is continuously increasing, the process proceeds to step S207. On the other hand, if the vehicle speed of the vehicle 100 does not continue to increase, the process proceeds to step S214. If the sound output device 9 has not been put into operation but the vehicle speed of the vehicle 100 has not continued to increase, the operation of the sound output process is terminated.

In step S207, the control device 8 operates the sound output device 9 and increases the loudness of the motor sound output from the sound output device 9 according to the acceleration of the vehicle 100. For example, as shown by the straight line 41 in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the loudness of the motor sound is increased.

In step S208, the control device 8 determines whether or not a start command is issued to the engine 1. For example, when a decrease in SOC of the battery 5 is detected, it is necessary to charge the battery 5 with the electric power generated by the motor 2, so that the control device 8 issues a start command to the engine 1. If the start command to the engine 1 has not been issued, the process returns to step S206. On the other hand, if a start command is issued to the engine 1, the process proceeds to step S209. In this way, the control device 8 confirms whether or not the engine 1 starts while outputting the motor sound.

In step S209, the control device 8 calculates the timing at which the motor sound from the sound output device 9 is turned to decrease based on the sound pressure behavior data. The sound pressure behavior data is map information regarding the behavior of the motor sound from the start of the engine 1 (time t1 shown in FIG. 2B) to the predetermined state (time t3 shown in FIG. 2B), and is stored in the control device 8. It is remembered in the department. That is, the sound pressure behavior data is data acquired in advance as experimental data regarding the engine 1, and is the timing at which the engine 1 is idle (time t1 shown in FIG. 2B) based on the start timing of the engine 1 (time t1 shown in FIG. 2B). This is data for calculating the time t2) and the like shown in. As described above, in the present embodiment, the timing at which the engine 1 is in the idle state (time t2 shown in FIG. 2B) is set as the timing at which the motor sound from the sound output device 9 is turned to decrease.

In step S210, the control device 8 determines whether or not it is time to turn the motor sound from the sound output device 9 to decrease. If it is not the timing to turn the motor sound from the sound output device 9 to decrease, the process proceeds to step S211. On the other hand, when it is time to turn the motor sound from the sound output device 9 to decrease, the process proceeds to step S212.

In step S211 the control device 8 increases the loudness of the motor sound output from the sound output device 9 according to the acceleration of the vehicle 100. For example, in the state before the timing for turning the motor sound from the sound output device 9 to decrease is reached, the loudness of the motor sound is increased as shown by the straight line 41 in FIGS. 3A and 3B. On the other hand, in the state after the motor sound from the sound output device 9 is turned to decrease, the loudness of the motor sound is increased as shown by the straight line 43 in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

In step S212, the control device 8 reduces the loudness of the motor sound output from the sound output device 9 by a predetermined period according to the acceleration of the vehicle 100. For example, as shown in the straight line 42 in FIG. 3A and the straight line 51 in FIG. 3B, the loudness of the motor sound is reduced. As the predetermined period, for example, a fixed value may be used, or a variable period according to the rotation speed of the engine 1 may be used. For example, the period during which the rotation speed of the engine 1 transitions from e1 to e2 shown in FIG. 2B can be set as a predetermined period. Further, for example, the first partial period of the period in which the rotation speed of the engine 1 transitions from e1 to e2 shown in FIG. 2B can be set as a predetermined period.

In step S213, the control device 8 determines whether or not the vehicle speed increase of the vehicle 100 is continuing. If the vehicle speed of the vehicle 100 is continuously increasing, the process returns to step S210. On the other hand, if the vehicle speed of the vehicle 100 does not continue to increase, the process proceeds to step S214.

In step S214, the control device 8 stops the operation of the sound output device 9.

[Modification example]
In the above, an example is shown in which the timing at which the pseudo motor sound is turned to decrease is calculated based on the sound pressure behavior data, and the increase / decrease of the pseudo motor sound is controlled by using the timing. Here, the control device 8 can acquire the rotation speed of the engine 1. Therefore, in the following, an example will be shown in which the control device 8 periodically checks the rotation speed of the engine 1 and controls the increase / decrease of the pseudo motor sound based on the rotation speed.

[Operation example of control device]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of sound output processing executed by the control device 8. This processing procedure is executed based on the program stored in the storage unit of the control device 8. Further, this processing procedure is a modification of a part of the processing procedure shown in FIG. 4, and the same reference numerals are given to the parts common to the processing procedure shown in FIG. 4, and a part of the description is omitted. Specifically, FIG. 5 is different in that step S211 is executed instead of steps S209 and S210 shown in FIG.

In step S220, the control device 8 determines whether or not the engine 1 has reached a predetermined timing in the idle state based on the rotation speed of the engine 1. Here, the predetermined timing of the idle state is the timing when the engine speed becomes the idle speed, and can be the same as the timing of step S209 shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 2B, the timing (time t2) when the engine 1 is in the idle state can be set as a predetermined timing in the idle state. When the engine 1 reaches a predetermined timing in the idle state, the process proceeds to step S212. On the other hand, if the engine 1 is not in the idle state, or if the engine 1 is in the idle state but the predetermined timing is not reached, the process proceeds to step S211.

In this way, the control device 8 starts monitoring the rotation speed of the engine 1 at the timing of outputting the engine start command, and after the engine 1 is in the idle state and the rotation speed of the engine 1 drops, it starts to rise. Detect timing. Then, the control device 8 reduces the output of the pseudo motor sound by a predetermined period at the detected timing.

In this embodiment, an example is shown in which a pseudo motor sound is output from the sound output device 9 in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 100. However, another sound, for example, a pseudo engine sound may be output from the sound output device 9 in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 100. The sound to be output from the sound output device 9 may be set by a user operation. As a result, the optimum sound according to the driver's preference of the vehicle 100 can be output, and the acceleration feeling of the vehicle 100 can be further enhanced.

In this embodiment, an example of outputting sound from the sound output device 9 in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 100 is shown. However, the sound may be output from the sound output device 9 inside and outside the vehicle 100. Whether or not the sound is output from the sound output device 9 to the outside of the vehicle 100 may be set by the user operation. Further, the sound output to the interior of the vehicle 100 and the sound output to the outside of the vehicle 100 may be output at different levels. Further, the sound output to the interior of the vehicle 100 and the sound output to the outside of the vehicle 100 may be output as different types of sounds. For example, the above-mentioned pseudo motor sound is output to the inside of the vehicle 100, and a melody that makes people outside the vehicle 100 comfortable is output to the outside of the vehicle 100. It may be output according to the output level of. As a result, a person who exists outside the vehicle 100 can also enjoy the feeling of acceleration of the vehicle 100 with a comfortable melody.

[Action and effect of this embodiment]
The vehicle control method according to the present embodiment includes an electric motor (motor 6) for driving the vehicle, an engine 1 for driving a generator (motor 2) for generating electricity to be supplied to the electric motor, and a sound for outputting sound. This is a control method for a vehicle 100 including an output device 9. In this vehicle control method, after the acceleration of the vehicle 100 is started while the engine 1 is stopped, the engine 1 is started during the acceleration and the engine 1 is driven by a generator (motor 2) to generate electricity. When a suitable predetermined state is reached, the loudness of the sound output from the sound output device 9 is controlled based on the acceleration of the vehicle 100 and the rotation speed of the engine 1.

According to such a vehicle control method, when the vehicle 100 accelerates, the pseudo motor sound output from the sound output device 9 and the engine generation sound due to the increase in the rotation speed of the engine 1 are appropriately adjusted. Therefore, the driver can get a comfortable feeling of acceleration.

Further, in the vehicle control method according to the present embodiment, the rotation speed of the engine 1 started in the middle of acceleration becomes the rotation speed in the idle state before the predetermined state, depending on the acceleration of the vehicle 100. The loudness of the sound output from the sound output device 9 is increased.

According to such a vehicle control method, when the vehicle 100 accelerates, the pseudo motor sound output from the sound output device 9 increases, and the engine generation sound increases due to the increase in the rotation speed of the engine 1. Occurs continuously, and the driver can get a comfortable feeling of acceleration.

Further, in the vehicle control method according to the present embodiment, the rotation speed of the engine 1 started during acceleration increases from the rotation speed in the idle state before the predetermined state to the predetermined rotation speed in the predetermined state. In at least a part of the period, the loudness of the sound output from the sound output device 9 is reduced according to the acceleration of the vehicle 100.

According to such a vehicle control method, there is no overlap between the increase in the engine generation sound due to the increase in the engine speed and the increase in the sound output from the sound output device 9, and an excessive sound is given to the driver. There will be no such thing. As a result, the driver can obtain a comfortable feeling of acceleration.

Further, in the vehicle control method according to the present embodiment, the engine 1 is brought into a predetermined state after the rotation speed of the engine 1 started during acceleration reaches a predetermined rotation speed e2 (see FIG. 2B), which is a predetermined state. While maintaining the speed, the loudness of the sound output from the sound output device 9 is increased according to the acceleration of the vehicle 100.

According to such a vehicle control method, a pseudo motor output from the sound output device 9 when the engine 1 is operated in a state where the rotation speed of the engine 1 is constant, that is, the engine generation sound is constant. By increasing the sound, the driver can obtain a comfortable feeling of acceleration even when the rotation speed of the engine 1 is constant.

Further, in the vehicle control method according to the present embodiment, the sound output is performed until the rotation speed of the engine 1 started during acceleration becomes the rotation speed e1 in the idle state (see FIG. 2B) before the predetermined state is reached. The loudness of the sound output from the device 9 is made larger than the engine sound generated from the engine 1.

According to such a vehicle control method, the situation in which the engine generation sound is suddenly heard during acceleration is eliminated, so that the driver can obtain a comfortable feeling of acceleration.

Further, in the vehicle control method according to the present embodiment, the sound output device 9 outputs a sound in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 100, and the rotation speed of the engine 1 started in the middle of acceleration is in an idle state before reaching a predetermined state. The loudness of the sound output from the sound output device 9 is made larger than the background noise in the vehicle interior until the number of rotations e1 (see FIG. 2B) is reached.

According to such a vehicle control method, the pseudo motor sound from the sound output device 9 is not drowned out by the background noise. As a result, the driver can obtain a comfortable feeling of acceleration.

Further, in the vehicle control method according to the present embodiment, the sound output device 9 sets either a pseudo motor sound related to the electric motor (motor 6) or a pseudo engine sound related to the engine 1 according to the setting. Output.

According to such a vehicle control method, it is possible to output an optimum sound according to the preference of the driver of the vehicle 100, and the driver can obtain a comfortable feeling of acceleration.

Further, the vehicle control system according to the present embodiment has an electric motor (motor 6) for driving the vehicle 100, an engine 1 for driving a generator (motor 2) for generating electricity to be supplied to the electric motor, and a sound. A sound output device 9 for output, an electric motor (motor 6), an engine 1, and a control device 8 for controlling the sound output device 9 are provided. Further, in the control device 8, after the acceleration of the vehicle 100 is started while the engine 1 is stopped, the engine 1 is started during the acceleration and the engine 1 is in a predetermined state suitable for power generation by driving the generator. In the case of, the loudness of the sound output from the sound output device 9 is controlled based on the acceleration of the vehicle 100 and the rotation speed of the engine 1.

According to such a vehicle control system, when the vehicle 100 accelerates, the pseudo motor sound output from the sound output device 9 and the engine generation sound due to the increase in the rotation speed of the engine 1 are appropriately adjusted. Therefore, the driver can get a comfortable feeling of acceleration.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments are only a part of the application examples of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is limited to the specific configurations of the above embodiments. No. Further, the control flow shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is an example, and some of the processes included in the control flow can be changed or omitted to the extent that the present invention can be implemented.

1 Engine 2 Motor 3 Accelerator 4 Inverter 5 Battery 6 Motor 7 Reducer / Differential 8 Control device 9 Sound output device 10, 11 Drive wheel 100 Vehicle

Claims (8)

The electric motor that drives the vehicle and
An engine that drives a generator that generates electricity to be supplied to the electric motor,
A vehicle control method equipped with a sound output device that outputs sound.
When the acceleration of the vehicle is started with the engine stopped, and then the engine is started during the acceleration to bring the engine into a predetermined state suitable for power generation driven by the generator. The loudness of the sound output from the sound output device is controlled based on the acceleration ratio and the rotation speed of the engine.
How to control the vehicle. The vehicle control method according to claim 1.
The loudness of the sound output from the sound output device is increased according to the acceleration until the rotation speed of the engine started during the acceleration becomes the rotation speed of the idle state before the predetermined state is reached. Let,
How to control the vehicle. The vehicle control method according to claim 1 or 2.
At least a part of the period during which the rotation speed of the engine started during the acceleration rises from the rotation speed in the idle state before the predetermined state to the predetermined rotation speed in the predetermined state. In the above, the loudness of the sound output from the sound output device is reduced according to the acceleration ratio.
How to control the vehicle. The vehicle control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
After the rotation speed of the engine started in the middle of the acceleration reaches the predetermined rotation speed of the predetermined state, the sound output device responds to the acceleration while the engine maintains the predetermined state. Increase the loudness of the sound output from
How to control the vehicle. The vehicle control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The engine sound generated from the engine is the loudness of the sound output from the sound output device until the rotation speed of the engine started during the acceleration becomes the rotation speed of the idle state before the predetermined state is reached. Make it bigger than
How to control the vehicle. The vehicle control method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The sound output device outputs the sound in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
The loudness of the sound output from the sound output device is determined from the background noise in the vehicle interior until the rotation speed of the engine started during the acceleration reaches the rotation speed of the idle state before the predetermined state is reached. Make it bigger,
How to control the vehicle. The vehicle control method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
The sound output device outputs either a pseudo motor sound related to the electric motor or a pseudo engine sound related to the engine according to a setting.
How to control the vehicle. The electric motor that drives the vehicle and
An engine that drives a generator that generates electricity to be supplied to the electric motor,
A sound output device that outputs sound and
A control device for controlling the electric motor, the engine, and the sound output device is provided.
After the acceleration of the vehicle is started with the engine stopped, the control device starts the engine during the acceleration and puts the engine in a predetermined state suitable for power generation by driving the generator. In this case, the loudness of the sound output from the sound output device is controlled based on the acceleration ratio and the rotation speed of the engine.
Vehicle control system.

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