JP5785738B2 - Vehicle approach notification device for saddle-ride type electric vehicles - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle approach notification device for a saddle-ride type electric vehicle that outputs a notification sound for notifying the approach of a vehicle.

In motor vehicles such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles that have been developed in recent years, pedestrians and the like are approaching the motor vehicle because the traveling noise when traveling by the electric motor is smaller than the traveling noise of the engine vehicle. There is a problem that it is difficult to recognize, and an appropriate response to this problem is required.
For example, in the following Patent Document 1, in a hybrid four-wheeled vehicle that travels mainly with a driving force of an electric motor at a low speed, when it is detected that the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than a predetermined value and the brake is operated, There is disclosed a vehicle approach notification device that notifies a pedestrian or the like of the approach of the vehicle by outputting a notification sound from a speaker disposed inside.

JP 2008-195137 A

However, when a speaker (sound generator) is attached to a saddle-ride type vehicle such as a two-wheeled vehicle that has less surplus space than a four-wheeled vehicle, a very large speaker cannot be applied. Therefore, even when a relatively small speaker is used. An arrangement that provides a high notification effect is desired.
In addition, in the case of a relatively small saddle-ride type vehicle, there is a limit to separating the speaker from the driver, and there is a balance between reducing the volume of the notification sound to the driver and the volume of the notification sound to the surroundings, which is the original purpose. There is also a problem that is difficult.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle approach notification device for a saddle-ride type electric vehicle in which the arrangement of sound generators that output a notification sound for notifying the vicinity of the vehicle to the surroundings is optimized.

As a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the invention described in claim 1 is directed to a sound engine (341) attached to a vehicle body of a saddle-ride type electric vehicle (301) including an electric motor (332) in a power engine (309). A vehicle approach notification device (340) for a saddle-ride type electric vehicle that outputs a notification sound for notifying the surroundings of the approach of the saddle-ride type electric vehicle (301).
The sound generator (341) includes a drive unit (309) that supports the electric motor (332) and drive wheels (308) and is connected to the vehicle body frame (305) so as to be swingable up and down. provided below the seating portion to the driving unit (309),
The saddle riding type electric vehicle (301) is a swing type vehicle in which the body frame (305) swings left and right with respect to the drive unit (309) having a pair of left and right drive wheels (308). The sound generator (341) is disposed above a swing mechanism (317) that connects the drive unit (309) and the vehicle body frame (305) .
The saddle riding type electric vehicle includes all electric vehicles in which the driver rides across the vehicle body, and includes not only two-wheeled vehicles (including scooter type vehicles) but also three-wheeled vehicles (in addition to the front and rear two wheels, Including a front two-wheel and rear one vehicle) or a four-wheel vehicle.
The invention described in claim 2 includes a unit cover (358a) that covers the drive unit (309), and the sound generator (341) is disposed in the unit cover (358a).
The invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that the sound generator (341) has a sound generation direction (341a) directed downward.
The invention described in claim 4 is characterized in that a battery (351) is provided between the pair of left and right drive wheels (308), and the sound generator (341) is disposed in front of the battery (351). To do.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the sound generator (341) increases the frequency of the notification sound in proportion to the increase in the rotation speed of the electric motor (332), and the rate of increase in the frequency of the notification sound. Is set to be smaller than the rate of increase in the rotational speed of the electric motor (332).
The invention described in claim 6 is characterized in that the sounding frequency of the sound generator (341) is set between 100 HZ and 800 HZ.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, by disposing the sound generator in the drive unit that is relatively close to the ground below the driver's seat, the sound of the notification sound can be heard by the driver remotely. In addition to being able to reduce, it is possible to efficiently propagate the notification sound to the surroundings while utilizing sound reflection from the ground.
Further, the relatively strong rocking mechanism can suppress the jumping of the sound generator from the road surface.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the sound of the sound generator can be diffused in the unit cover so that the sound can be efficiently propagated to the surroundings, and the sound generator can be easily protected. In addition, the sound of notification sound to the driver can be further reduced.
According to the invention described in claim 3, the notification sound can be efficiently propagated to the surroundings by utilizing the sound reflection of the ground, and the hearing of the notification sound to the driver can be further reduced.
According to the invention described in claim 4 , while concentrating the mass of the drive unit, it is possible to easily handle the wiring when the battery is connected to the electric motor. Moreover, by arranging the sound generator in front of the battery, the notification sound can be efficiently diffused in the drive unit while giving the directivity to the notification sound by the sound reflection effect of the mass battery. .
According to the invention described in claim 5 , by increasing the sound generation frequency of the sound generator in proportion to the increase in the rotation speed of the electric motor, it is possible for the pedestrian or the like to grasp the state of acceleration / deceleration of the vehicle, Combined with the arrangement of sound generators, even a small sound generator can achieve a high notification effect.
Also, by making the rate of increase in the frequency of the notification sound smaller than the rate of increase in the number of rotations of the electric motor, the notification sound is set in a sound range where the notification effect is high and a favorable impression can be achieved while allowing the vehicle acceleration to be recognized by the surroundings. can do.
According to the invention described in claim 6 , by setting the frequency of the notification sound between 100HZ and 800HZ, it is possible to produce a sound that is easy to hear and has a good feeling, regardless of age, etc., in combination with the arrangement of the sound generators. Can be emitted with a small sound generator.

1 is a left side view of an automatic tricycle to which a vehicle approach notification device for a saddle-ride type electric vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a left side view of a motorcycle to which a vehicle approach notification device for a saddle-ride type electric vehicle according to a second embodiment (reference example) of the present invention is applied. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the frequency of the notification sound in each embodiment, and the rotation speed of an electric motor. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the volume of the notification sound in each embodiment, and the rotation speed of an electric motor. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the frequency of notification sound, and a vehicle speed as a modification of the control shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the speaker control unit in an electric motor. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of notification sound output control.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings are viewed in the direction of the reference numerals. In addition, left and right and front and rear mean directions viewed from the driver.

<First embodiment>
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
A motor tricycle 301 as a saddle-ride type electric vehicle shown in FIG. 1 includes a cabin 304 with a roof having a wind screen 302 at the front and a low floor floor 303 at the bottom. The cabin 304 is supported by a front vehicle body FB including a single front wheel (steering wheel) 307, and the front vehicle body FB swings left and right (rolling motion) with respect to a rear vehicle body RB including a pair of left and right rear wheels (drive wheels) 308. Connected as possible. That is, the tricycle 301 is configured as a swinging vehicle in which the front and rear vehicle bodies FB and RB can swing relative to each other.

  The vehicle body frame 305 that forms the skeleton of the front vehicle body FB includes a head pipe 312 inclined rearward with respect to the vertical direction at the front end portion, and a steering stem 314 is rotatably inserted into the head pipe 312. The upper end portions of a pair of left and right front forks 313 are integrally connected to the lower end portion of the steering stem 314. A steering handle 315 is integrally attached to the upper end of the steering stem 314.

  From the lower ends of the left and right front forks 313, a pair of left and right trailing arms 313a extend obliquely downward and rearward, and a front wheel 307 is pivotally supported at the distal ends of these left and right trailing arms 313a. A pair of left and right cushion units 311b are interposed between the left and right trailing arms 313a and the left and right front forks 313. A front fender 307 a is attached to the left and right front forks 313.

  The vehicle body frame 305 has a single front frame 305f extending obliquely rearward and downward from the lower rear side of the head pipe 312 and a left and right branch from the lower end of the front frame 305f and is parallel to each other along the low floor floor 303. A pair of left and right lower frames 305b extending rearwardly, a pair of left and right rear frames 305r extending curved rearward and upward from the rear ends of the left and right lower frames 305b, and a diagonally upper rearward curve from the rear ends of the left and right rear frames 305r. And a pair of left and right cargo bed frames 305n.

  A front end portion of a swing joint 317 that connects the rear vehicle body RB so as to be swingable is connected to a rear portion of the left and right lower frames 305b via a link member 316. The link member 316 protrudes below the left and right lower frames 305b and can swing back and forth by a predetermined angle. A front end portion of a swing joint 317 extending in the front-rear direction is supported on the lower end of the link member 316 so as to be swingable up and down via a swing axis S along the vehicle width direction.

  The swing joint 317 includes a joint case 318 whose front end is supported by the link member 316, and a joint shaft 319 that is inserted and supported so as to be rotatable about the rearwardly descending axis R on the rear end side of the joint case 318. .

  The joint shaft 319 is connected to the lower front side of the power unit 309 that is a prime mover of the motor tricycle 301 via a hanger plate 320. The power unit 309 constitutes the rear vehicle body RB together with the left and right rear wheels 308 supported on both sides thereof. That is, the front and rear vehicle bodies FB and RB are connected to each other so as to be relatively swingable about the axis R via the swing joint 317.

  The lower end of the rear cushion 321 is connected to the upper part of the joint case 318, and the upper end of the rear cushion 321 is connected to the left and right rear frames 305r. As a result, a rear suspension that swings the swing joint 317 and the rear vehicle body RB up and down with respect to the front vehicle body FB is configured.

  The vehicle body cover provided in the front vehicle body FB includes a front cover body 324 that covers the periphery of the head pipe 312 from the front, a front inner cover 325 that covers the periphery of the head pipe 312 from the rear, and the low floor that covers the periphery of the left and right lower frames 305b. A floor 303, a rear cover 326 that covers the periphery of the left and right rear frames 305r, and a cargo bed 327 that covers the periphery of the left and right cargo frame 305n.

  The front cover body 324 and the front inner cover 325 constitute a front cover 324A that covers the front portion of the vehicle body including the periphery of the head pipe 312 by being joined to each other in the front-rear direction. The front cover 324 </ b> A is provided in a range extending from the lower end of the wind screen 302 to the front end of the low floor floor 303, and constitutes the front lower side of the cabin 304. The upper portion of the cabin 304 is configured by a wind screen 302, a roof 302a, and a roof rear support portion 302b. A lower portion of the cabin 304 is configured by a low floor floor 303 and a rear cover 326. On the rear end of the rear cover 326, a cargo bed front wall portion 328 is provided standing below the roof rear support portion 302b.

  An occupant seat 329 is disposed inward of the cabin 304 and in front of the loading platform 327, and this seat 329 is supported on a lower seat cover 329a provided so as to project from the rear cover 326 inward of the cabin 304. The

  The loading platform 327 and the loading platform frame 305n are rotatably connected to the rear cover 326 and the rear frame 305r via a hinge shaft 327a that is provided on the base side (front end side) along the vehicle width direction. Thereby, the loading platform 327 and the loading platform frame 305n can be rotated between the use state arranged substantially horizontally and the storage state rising substantially vertically. By setting the loading platform 327 and the loading platform frame 305n in the retracted state, maintenance of the power unit 309 and the like located below them is facilitated. In the figure, reference numeral 327a denotes an article storage box that can be mounted on the loading platform 327.

  The power unit 309 includes a motor unit 330 that supports the axle 334 of the left and right rear wheels 308, and a battery unit 331 that is disposed and fixed above the motor unit 330.

  The motor unit 330 includes a traveling electric motor 332 that drives the left and right rear wheels 308, and a differential mechanism (not shown) that engages the electric motor 332 via a counter gear 336, which are motor cases 333. Stored inside. The hanger plate 320 is fixed to the lower front side of the motor case 333.

  The battery unit 331 includes a battery case 350 integrally connected on the motor case 333 and a lithium ion type battery 351 housed in the battery case 350, for example.

  The battery 351 is, for example, a pair of front and rear upper batteries 352 located between the left and right rear wheels 308 and above the axle 334, and a lower portion that is also placed between the left and right rear wheels 308 and forward (or rearward) of the axle 334. The battery 353 is distributed. These batteries 352 and 353 are connected in series to generate a high voltage of 48 to 72V.

The upper lid 358 of the battery case 350 is provided with an air intake duct 370 at the front thereof, and an air exhaust duct 372 having a built-in cooling fan at the upper rear thereof. The outside air taken into the case from the air intake duct 370 flows around the battery 351 and cools it, and then is discharged from the air discharge duct 372 to the outside of the case.
On both sides of the battery case 350, left and right rear fenders 366 that cover the upper outer periphery of the left and right rear wheels 308 are integrally provided.

A 12V sub-battery 377 that supplies power to 12V auxiliary machines, control devices, and the like is housed inside the rear end of the low floor floor 303 and the lower end of the lower seat cover 329a.
A DC-DC converter 394 that steps down the voltage of the battery 351 and charges the sub battery 377 is attached to the outer surface of the front wall of the battery case 350. A vertical fin for heat dissipation is provided on the front surface of the DC-DC converter.

  Inside the battery case 350 and in front of the upper battery 352, a contactor 396 for turning on / off the drive circuit of the electric motor 332, and a battery managing which is disposed below the contactor 396 and performs charge / discharge control of the battery 351. A unit (BMU) 397 is accommodated.

  A control unit 398 disposed below the DC-DC converter 394 on the outer surface of the front wall of the motor case 333 includes a power drive unit (PDU) that is a switching unit (driver) that drives the electric motor 332, a battery managing unit 397, and An ECU that controls the power drive unit is integrally provided (both not shown).

  The ECU receives an accelerator opening signal from an accelerator grip provided on the steering handle 315, and controls the battery managing unit 397 and the power drive unit based on the accelerator opening signal. The ECU accepts not only the accelerator opening signal but also signals from various sensors and outputs control signals for various auxiliary machines.

  The electric power output from the battery 351 is supplied to the power drive unit via a contactor 396 interlocked with a main switch (not shown), and after being converted from direct current to three-phase alternating current by the power drive unit, it is a three-phase alternating current motor. It is supplied to the electric motor 332. The power output from the battery 351 is stepped down via the DC-DC converter and supplied to the sub-battery 377 and the like.

  The battery managing unit 397 monitors the charge / discharge status and temperature of the battery 351, and the information is shared with the ECU. In addition to the accelerator opening signal, signal information from various sensors is input to the ECU, and this ECU drives and controls the electric motor 332 via the power drive unit based on the information. The battery 351 can be charged by supplying power from an external power source, for example. Note that a separate inverter may be provided when charging the battery 351 from a commercial power supply of AC 100V.

Here, the tricycle 301 includes a vehicle approach notification device 340 that notifies a pedestrian or the like of the approach of the vehicle by outputting a predetermined notification sound from a sound generator attached to the vehicle.
In the present embodiment, the speaker 341 that is a sound generator that emits a notification sound is provided on the front end side (base end side) of the power unit 309 below the driver's seat (upper surface of the seat 329).
At the front end of the power unit 309, an extension cover 358a integrally connected in front of the battery case 350 and the motor case 333 is provided, and the speaker 341 is housed in the extension cover 358a together with the DC-DC converter 394 and the control unit 398. Is done.

The sound generation direction (sound emission direction, indicated by an arrow 341a in the figure) of the speaker 341 is directed obliquely downward and forward, and sound is emitted toward the ground from the lower opening of the extension cover 358a that opens downward. Thereby, the sound of the speaker 341 can be efficiently propagated to the surroundings while utilizing the sound reflection of the ground, and the notification sound to the driver can be reduced by the speaker 341 being remote from the driver. In addition, a swing joint 317 is positioned below the speaker 341, and the hooking of the speaker 341 from the road surface can be suppressed.
The volume or the like of the speaker 341 is controlled by the control unit 398 according to the vehicle speed or the like. Note that the number of speakers 341 installed is not limited.

As described above, the vehicle approach notification device 340 of the saddle-ride type electric vehicle in the above embodiment is directed from the speaker 341 attached to the vehicle body of the tricycle 301 including the electric motor 332 in the power engine (power unit 309) to the surroundings. And outputs a notification sound for notifying the approach of the tricycle 301 to the surroundings, and supports the electric motor 332 and the driving wheel (rear wheel 308) and can swing up and down with respect to the body frame 305. The speaker 341 is provided in the power unit 309 below the driver's seat (seat 329).
According to this configuration, by disposing the speaker 341 in the power unit 309 that is relatively close to the ground below the driver's seating portion, the sound of the notification sound to the driver can be reduced by the remote of the speaker 341, and the ground The sound of notifications can be efficiently propagated to the surroundings while using the sound reflection.

The vehicle approach notification device 340 includes an extension cover 358a that covers the front portion of the power unit 309, and the speaker 341 is disposed in the extension cover 358a.
According to this configuration, the sound of the speaker 341 can be diffused within the extension cover 358a to efficiently propagate this sound to the surroundings, and the speaker 341 can be easily protected. In addition, the sound of notification sound to the driver can be further reduced.

In the vehicle approach notification device 340, the speaker 341 directs the sound generation direction 341a downward.
According to this configuration, the notification sound can be efficiently propagated to the surroundings using the sound reflection of the ground, and the hearing of the notification sound to the driver can be further reduced.

The vehicle approach notification device 340 is a swinging vehicle in which the three-wheeled vehicle 301 swings the vehicle body frame 305 left and right with respect to the power unit 309 having a pair of left and right drive wheels (rear wheels 308). The speaker 341 is disposed above a swing joint 317 that connects the power unit 309 and the vehicle body frame 305.
According to this configuration, the relatively strong swing joint 317 can prevent the speaker 341 from jumping up from the road surface.

The vehicle approach notification device 340 includes a battery 351 between a pair of left and right drive wheels (rear wheels 308), and the speaker 341 is disposed in front of the battery 351.
According to this configuration, it is possible to concentrate the mass of the power unit 309 and to easily handle the wiring when the battery 351 is connected to the electric motor 332. Further, by disposing the speaker 341 in front of the battery 332, the notification sound can be efficiently diffused in the power unit 309 while giving the directivity to the notification sound by the sound reflection effect of the massive battery 351. Can do.

<Second embodiment (reference example) >
Next, a second embodiment (reference example) of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
A motorcycle 201 as a saddle-ride type electric vehicle shown in FIG. 2 is provided between a steering handle 202 and a seat 203 for seating an occupant, and a step floor 204 as a low floor portion on which an occupant places his feet, The scooter type vehicle includes a vehicle body cover 205 that covers the entire vehicle body, and includes a front wheel 214 that is a steering wheel and a rear wheel 207 that is a driving wheel. In the figure, arrow FR indicates the front of the vehicle, and arrow UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle.

  A battery unit 206 is mounted at a rear position of the step floor 204. Electric power of the battery unit 206 is supplied to an electric motor 208 on the left side of the rear wheel 207, and the electric motor 208 is driven. The motorcycle 201 is driven to run.

  The body frame 211 of the motorcycle 201 is formed by integrally joining a plurality of types of steel materials by welding or the like. A head pipe 212 is provided at the front end of the body frame 211 to support the front wheel suspension system so as to be steerable. A pivot bracket 213a is provided on the lower rear side of the vehicle body frame 211 to support the rear wheel suspension system so as to swing up and down.

  The rear wheel suspension system includes a swing arm 218 that pivotally supports the rear wheel 207 at the rear end. The swing arm 218 constitutes a swing unit 218U in which the electric motor 208 and a gear mechanism (deceleration mechanism) 219 are built in the rear end portion of the left arm.

  The front end portion of the swing unit 218U is supported by the pivot bracket 213a of the vehicle body frame 211 via the pivot shaft 213 so as to be vertically swingable. The rear end portion of the swing unit 218U is elastically supported on the upper rear side of the vehicle body frame 211 via the cushion unit 221. The outside of the swing unit 218U is covered with a unit cover 218a.

Here, the motorcycle 201 includes a vehicle approach notification device 240 that notifies a pedestrian or the like of the approach of the vehicle by outputting a predetermined notification sound from a sound generator attached to the vehicle.
In the present embodiment, the speaker 241 that is a sound generator that emits a notification sound is disposed below the driver's seat (upper surface of the seat 203) and on the front end side (base end side) of the swing unit 218U. Stored in the front inward.

  The sound generation direction of the speaker 241 (sound emission direction, indicated by an arrow 241a in the figure) is directed obliquely downward and forward, and sound is emitted toward the ground through gaps such as the swing unit 218U, the body frame 211, and the battery unit 206. . Since the front end portion of the swing unit 218U is positioned below the speaker 241, the hooking of the speaker 241 from the road surface can be suppressed.

As described above, also in the vehicle approach notification device 240 of the saddle-ride type electric vehicle in the above embodiment, by disposing the speaker 241 on the swing unit 218U that is relatively close to the ground below the driver's seat, The sound of the notification sound to the driver can be reduced by remote control of the speaker 241 and the notification sound can be efficiently propagated to the surroundings while utilizing the sound reflection of the ground.
Further, the sound of the speaker 241 can be diffused in the unit cover 218a so that this sound can be efficiently transmitted to the surroundings, and the speaker 241 can be easily protected.
Further, the notification sound can be efficiently propagated to the surroundings by utilizing the sound reflection of the ground, and the hearing of the notification sound to the driver can be further reduced.

Hereinafter, frequency control of the notification sound of the speaker in each embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the rotation speed rpm of the electric motor and the frequency Hz of the notification sound of the speaker when a centrifugal clutch is provided in the transmission path from the electric motor to the rear wheel.
In each embodiment, the notification sound is output as a synthesized sound (including a consonant sound and a dissonant sound) of four frequencies. Specifically, the notification sound includes a first sound as a reference sound, a second sound having a frequency 1.18 times the reference sound, a second sound having a frequency 1.23 times the reference sound, And a fourth sound having a frequency 1.33 times that of the reference sound. For each sound, the first sound is output at 30% of the total, the second sound is output at 25%, the third sound is output at 25%, and the fourth sound is output at a ratio of 5%. The remaining 15% is occupied by noise sound.

In FIG. 3, the slope of the first sound is 48 Hz / 1000 rpm, and has an intercept of 288 Hz at 1000 rpm.
That is, the frequency of the first sound at 1000 rpm is obtained from the following formula (1).
1000 × 48/1000 + 288 = 336 (Hz) (1)
At this time, the frequency of the second sound is 396 Hz, the frequency of the third sound is 413 Hz, the frequency of the fourth sound is 447 Hz, and a synthesized sound including these sounds is output from the speaker 160. The reason why the notification sound is a synthesized sound is to make it easy to hear a single sound having a specific frequency. A single notification sound may be output.

  The notification sound is output when the rotation speed of the electric motor is in the range of 1000 to 4400 rpm. 1000 rpm of the electric motor corresponds to the connection rotational speed of the centrifugal clutch, that is, the starting rotational speed of the vehicle, and 4400 rpm corresponds to the rotational speed at which the vehicle speed at which the notification sound is unnecessary.

The notification sound shifts to a high frequency in proportion to the increase in the motor rotation speed. This is to make it possible to grasp the state of acceleration / deceleration of the vehicle.
Moreover, by making the rate of increase in the notification sound frequency smaller than the rate of increase in the motor rotation speed, the fluctuation range of the frequency of the notification sound can be suppressed, and even the highest frequency becomes smaller than the specific frequency (800 Hz). This makes it easy to hear the sound regardless of age and the like, and the notification sound can be set in a sound range where a favorable feeling can be obtained. Note that the lowest frequency of the notification sound is preferably greater than 100 Hz in consideration of ease of hearing.
That is, by setting the sound generation frequency of the speaker to between 100HZ and 800HZ, it is possible to emit a notification sound using an easily audible range.

Here, when the ratio of the frequency of the second sound to the frequency of the first sound (reference sound) is a2, the ratio of the frequency of the third sound is a3, and the ratio of the frequency of the fourth sound is a4, these are the following formulas ( 2).
a2-1> a3-a2 (2)
It has been found that by setting the “a3-a2” to 0.05 or less, the notification sound can be made to have a favorable feeling by making the notification sound have fluctuations and undulations.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the notification sound is output at a constant volume from the vehicle starting rotational speed X1 (1000 rpm in each embodiment), but a parabola from the middle turning rotational speed X2 (2000 rpm in each embodiment). The output is set to stop at a sound stop rotational speed X3 (4400 rpm in each embodiment).

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, you may make it control the frequency of a notification sound, etc. according to the change of a vehicle speed instead of the rotation speed of an electric motor. In this case, for example, a notification sound may be generated when the rotation of the wheel is detected from the stop state (vehicle speed 0 km / h).

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit for a speaker. The control unit includes a REG (regulator) circuit 270, an EEPROM 271 as a pseudo engine sound volume storage means in which a sound source and sound volume such as engine sound of an internal combustion engine vehicle is recorded, and a WDT (watchdog) for maintaining normal operation of the system. Timer) 272, audio processor 275, and amplifier 276.

  Information from a PDU (motor driver) is input to the control unit via the first coupler 277. Further, a sub-battery that is a speaker power source is connected to the REG circuit 270 of the control unit via a two-pin type second coupler 279. Further, a speaker is connected to the amplifier 276 of the control unit via the second coupler 279. The audio processor 275 receives the output information of the EEPROM 271 and the WDT 272 and the motor speed Nm and the vehicle speed V input from the PDU.

  The audio processor 275 calls a predetermined sound source from the EEPROM 271 based on the information on the motor rotation speed Nm and the vehicle speed V, and outputs a notification sound from the speaker at a predetermined volume via the amplifier 276.

  In this figure, the input part from the sub-battery and the output part from the amplifier 276 are shown separately, but these two parts are integrated into a four-pin type second coupler 279. Further, output information of the raindrop sensor 273 and the illuminance sensor 274 can be further input to the audio processor 275. In this case, for example, the four-pin type second coupler 279 can be replaced with a six-pin type.

  When the raindrop sensor 273 detects that it is raining, the audio processor 275 can increase the volume of the notification sound from the normal time so that the recognition effect of the notification sound is not reduced by the rain sound. Further, when it is detected by the illuminance sensor 274 that it is night, it can be set so that the volume of the notification sound is lower than normal. Furthermore, by applying a noise sensor or the like, for example, it can be set to increase the volume of the notification sound when the surrounding noise is large due to a large traffic volume or the like.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of approach notification sound output control. In step S1, the motor rotation speed Nm is detected based on information from the PDU, and in step S2, the vehicle speed V is detected based on information from the PDU. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the motor rotation speed Nm is equal to or less than the upper limit value NL. This upper limit value NL is set to the connection rotational speed of the centrifugal clutch disposed in the output transmission path of the electric motor.

  In step S4, a notification sound is output from the speaker so that the volume increases as the motor rotation speed Nm increases. In step S5, it is determined whether or not the motor rotation speed Nm has exceeded the upper limit value NL. If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S6, and if a negative determination is made, the process returns to step S4. That is, in a non-running state until the centrifugal clutch is connected, a notification sound is output so as to increase according to the rotation speed of the electric motor.

  In step S6, it is determined whether or not the vehicle speed V is equal to or lower than the upper limit value VL. In each embodiment, the upper limit value VL is set to a vehicle speed of 20 km / h. If an affirmative determination is made in step S6, the process proceeds to step S7, and a notification sound is output so as to fill the difference from the target sound volume as the vehicle speed V increases. In each embodiment, the notification sound is output so as to fill the volume difference between the two-wheeled electric motor and the two-wheeled internal combustion engine.

  The volume of the notification sound at each predetermined vehicle speed can be preset as volume data in accordance with each vehicle through experiments or the like, and these setting data can be stored in the EEPROM 271 of the control unit. In each embodiment, it is set to output a traveling sound equivalent to a motor vehicle equipped with a 50cc engine corresponding to the vehicle grade of each vehicle. For example, the vehicle grade of each vehicle is a normal motorcycle. In a corresponding case, it is possible to output a traveling sound equivalent to that of a normal motorcycle equipped with a 400 cc engine. Note that the relationship between the vehicle grade of each vehicle and the volume of the notification sound can be arbitrarily set according to the vehicle classification, the license classification, etc. in the Road Traffic Law.

  In step S8, it is determined whether or not the vehicle speed V has exceeded the upper limit value VL. If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S9 to stop the output of the notification sound, and the series of controls is terminated. If a negative determination is made in step S6, the process proceeds to step S9. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S8, the process returns to step S7.

  According to the approach notification sound output control as described above, the sound volume is in line with the actual traveling sound of the internal combustion engine vehicle, compared to a control method in which the sound volume is simply increased based on the increase in the motor speed or the vehicle speed. An approach notification sound can be output. Specifically, it can be controlled to output a traveling sound equivalent to that of the internal combustion engine vehicle corresponding to the vehicle case or vehicle classification of each vehicle. Furthermore, as the timbre of the approach notification sound, various timbres may be selected in addition to the recording data by the internal combustion engine vehicle corresponding to the vehicle type or vehicle classification of each vehicle.

In addition, the sound generator increases the frequency of the notification sound in proportion to the increase in the rotation speed of the electric motor, so that the accelerating / decelerating state of the vehicle can be grasped by a pedestrian or the like. Combined with the arrangement, even a small sound generator can achieve a high notification effect.
Further, the rate of increase in the frequency of the notification sound is set to be smaller than the rate of increase in the rotation speed of the electric motor, so that the notification effect is high and good feeling while the vehicle acceleration is recognized to the surroundings. Announcement sound can be set in the range of
In addition, the sound generation frequency of the sound generator is set between 100HZ and 800HZ, and in combination with the arrangement of the sound generator, a sound that is easy to hear and has a good feeling regardless of age etc. can be obtained with a small sound generator. Can be emitted.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, as described above, in addition to the electric motorcycle and the electric tricycle, the present invention is not limited to the front two wheels and the rear as long as the driver rides across the vehicle body. The present invention may be applied to a single tricycle or a four-wheel vehicle. In addition, the configurations of the above-described embodiments can be appropriately combined or replaced.
And the structure in each said embodiment is an example of this invention, and a various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary of the said invention.

201 Motorcycle (saddle-ride type electric vehicle)
301 Tricycle (saddle-type electric vehicle)
240,340 Vehicle approach notification device 241,341 for saddle-ride type electric vehicle Speaker (sound generator)
241a, 341a Sound generation direction 218U Swing unit (power engine, drive unit)
218a Unit cover 309 Power unit (power engine, drive unit)
358a Extension cover (unit cover)
208,332 Electric motor 207,308 Rear wheel (drive wheel)
211,305 Body frame 317 Swing joint (swing mechanism)
351 battery

Claims (6)

A power generator (309) includes an electric motor (332), and a sound generator (341) attached to a vehicle body of the saddle-ride type electric vehicle (301) surrounds the approach of the saddle-type electric vehicle (301) with respect to the surroundings. A vehicle approach notification device (340) for a saddle-ride type electric vehicle that outputs a notification sound for notification to the vehicle,
The sound generator (341) includes a drive unit (309) that supports the electric motor (332) and drive wheels (308) and is connected to the vehicle body frame (305) so as to be swingable up and down. provided below the seating portion to the driving unit (309),
The saddle riding type electric vehicle (301) is a swing type vehicle in which the body frame (305) swings left and right with respect to the drive unit (309) having a pair of left and right drive wheels (308). The sound generator (341) is disposed above a swing mechanism (317) that connects the drive unit (309) and the vehicle body frame (305), and the vehicle approach of the saddle-ride type electric vehicle is characterized in that Notification device.   The saddle-ride type electric vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a unit cover (358a) covering the drive unit (309), wherein the sound generator (341) is disposed in the unit cover (358a). Vehicle approach notification device.   The vehicle approach notification device for a saddle-ride type electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sound generator (341) has a sound generation direction (341a) directed downward. The battery (351) is provided between the pair of left and right drive wheels (308), and the sound generator (341) is disposed in front of the battery (351) . A vehicle approach notification device for a saddle-ride type electric vehicle according to item 1 . The sound generator (341) increases the frequency of the notification sound in proportion to the increase in the rotation speed of the electric motor (332), and the rate of increase in the frequency of the notification sound is determined by the electric motor (332). The vehicle approach notification device for a saddle-ride type electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the vehicle approach notification device is set so as to be smaller than a rate of increase in the number of revolutions. The vehicle approach notification device for a saddle-ride type electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a sound generation frequency of the sound generator (341) is set between 100HZ and 800HZ.

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