KR101526602B1 - Virtual engine sound system - Google Patents

Abstract

HEV's motor drive It generates virtual engine sound through the speakers mounted on the vehicle when driving or stopping, so it can warn the pedestrians of approaching the vehicle, diversify output sound and output mode, A virtual engine sound system is provided which can select and turn on / off various sources according to the operation. The virtual engine sound system includes an input unit for inputting a shift signal (P / R / N / D), a hybrid ready signal, an HEV mode signal, or an engine operation signal; A switch operated by a user to select a virtual engine sound output mode of the virtual engine sound system; A control unit for acquiring a signal inputted through an input unit through an interface in a vehicle and controlling output of a virtual engine sound in response to a switch operation; A sound generator for generating a virtual engine sound under the control of the control unit; A sound source amplifying unit for amplifying the generated virtual engine sound; And a sound source output unit for outputting the amplified virtual engine sound, wherein the controller sets the virtual engine sound to a plurality of outputable sounds and an output mode so that the virtual engine sound is selected or turned on / off according to a user's switch operation .

Virtual engine sound, vehicle speed, HEV, beep sound, specialized tone, switch

Description

Virtual engine sound system [0002]

The present invention relates to a virtual engine sound system, and more particularly, to a virtual engine sound system using a speaker mounted on a vehicle at the time of driving or stopping a motor of an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) To alert a pedestrian to vehicle access.

Recently, legislation for the protection of pedestrians around the Quiet Vehicle such as hybrid / electric car is being prepared, and it is necessary to develop a virtual engine sound system related to these regulations.

In addition, hybrid / fuel cell / electric vehicle according to environment friendly / fuel cost priority policy is increasing. In the case of environment friendly vehicle, pedestrians due to engine off may need to recognize the vehicle in common.

On the other hand, as a prior art, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-316201 (filed on April 28, 1999) discloses an invention called "pseudo engine sound generator" do. Here, the pseudo engine sound is used as the same tone as the similar engine sound, and will be described below in a mixed manner.

1 is a configuration diagram of a pseudo engine sound generator according to the prior art.

1, a pseudo engine sound generator according to the related art includes a motor 11, a battery 12, a wiring 13, a current detector 14, a sound controller 15, a speaker 16, An accelerator 17, and a motor controller 18. As shown in Fig.

The vehicle driven by the motor 11 includes a current detector 14 fixed to the wiring 13 between the motor 12 and the battery 11 connected to the motor 11; A sonic controller 15 connected to the current detector 14; And a speaker 16 connected to the beep controller.

Further, the vehicle driven by the motor 11 includes a movable amount detector (not shown) for detecting a change in the amount of movement from the accelerator 17; And an echo canceller (15) for generating an artificial sound according to the variation detected from the movable amount detector. And a speaker 16 connected to the echo canceller controller 15.

Further, the vehicle driven by the motor 11 includes a rotation speed detector (not shown) fixed to the rotating portion of the vehicle; An echo canceller (15) connected to the rotation speed detector via a wire (13); And a speaker 16 connected to the echo canceller controller 15.

According to the pseudo engine sound generator of the related art, in an electric vehicle, the driving state can be informed to the people around, the driver can recognize the driving state by the beep sound, and the traffic safety can be improved.

However, the pseudo engine sound generator according to the related art detects the amount of operation from the Excel and the number of revolutions of the engine and generates a similar engine sound according to the user's on / off, but its function is limited and not varied.

On the other hand, as a prior art, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-32948 (filed on July 20, 1993) discloses an invention of a "pseudo running sound generator for electric vehicles", which will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2 .

2 is a configuration diagram of a pseudo running sound generating apparatus for an electric vehicle according to the prior art.

2, an apparatus for generating driving sound for an electric vehicle according to the related art includes a motor 20, a motor rotation speed sensor 22, a vehicle speed sensor 24, a computer 26, an amplifier 28, (30), an accelerator pedal (32), and an accelerator opening sensor (34).

A first echo signal having a frequency corresponding to the number of revolutions of the motor 20 detected by the motor speed sensor 22 and having an amplitude corresponding to the accelerator opening rate detected by the accelerator opening sensor 34, A second pseudo sound signal having a frequency corresponding to the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 24 and having an amplitude corresponding to the accelerator opening rate is generated by the computer 26, Are outputted through the speaker (30) through the amplifier (28).

Whether to output a beep according to the motor rotation frequency or to output a beep according to the vehicle speed is determined by the switch provided by the computer 26. [

According to the conventional technology for generating a doctor's running sound for an electric vehicle, people around the vehicle recognize the approach of the vehicle, provide a reference to the driver when the vehicle is traveling, and generate a sound that does not give an unpleasant feeling to the vehicle occupant The present invention provides a pseudo traveling sound generating apparatus for an electric vehicle.

However, in the pseudo traveling sound generating apparatus for an electric vehicle according to the related art, a pseudo sound based on the vehicle speed or the number of revolutions can be selected by the user, the sound pressure is varied according to the opening rate of the accelerator pedal, The Sine waveform is generated and used by the frequency generator, so that there is a problem that it can not be outputted except the simple sound source.

On the other hand, in the case of the hybrid vehicle, the traveling mode is classified into various types, and the corresponding mode can be changed according to various conditions such as the vehicle traveling state, the accelerator pedal operation, and the battery charging state. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a pedestrian warning system for generating a virtual engine sound through a speaker mounted on a vehicle during driving or stopping the HEV To provide a virtual engine sound system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a virtual engine sound system capable of diversifying outputable sounds and output modes and selecting and turning on / off various sound sources according to a user's switch operation .

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hybrid engine capable of outputting a virtual engine sound in various output modes in consideration of an engine on / off state and a hybrid vehicle mode state (an electric vehicle mode / an engine output mode / a simultaneous output mode) It is intended to provide a virtual engine sound system.

As a means for achieving the above-mentioned technical object, a virtual engine sound system according to the present invention is a virtual engine sound system in which a virtual engine sound is generated through a speaker mounted on a vehicle at the time of driving or stopping a motor of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) (R / N / D), a hybrid ready (HYBRID READY) signal, an HEV mode signal, or an engine operation signal; A switch operated by a user to select a virtual engine sound output mode of the virtual engine sound system; A control unit for acquiring a signal input through the input unit through an interface in the vehicle and controlling output of a virtual engine sound in response to the switch operation; A sound generator for generating the virtual engine sound under the control of the controller; A sound source amplifier for amplifying the virtual engine sound generated by the sound source generator; And a sound source output unit for outputting a virtual engine sound amplified by the sound source amplifying unit, wherein the controller sets the virtual engine sound to a plurality of outputable sounds and an output mode, And is turned on / off according to the control signal.

Here, the virtual engine sound output mode includes an OFF mode in which no virtual engine sound is output, a virtual engine mode in which an engine-like sound is output according to the type of a virtual engine sound, and a virtual HEV-specific mode in which an HEV- .

Here, the HEV-specific sound effects are stored in a memory.

Here, the virtual engine sound has no virtual engine sound output at the P stage, and the virtual engine sound is always output when the N engine is in the N / R / D state other than the P stage.

Here, the virtual engine sound outputs a bass sound when the engine is turned on, a sound is generated in proportion to the vehicle speed when the engine starts running at a speed exceeding 0 km / h, and a virtual engine sound is output when the engine speed exceeds the maximum speed .

Here, the virtual engine sound can be variably output in proportion to the vehicle speed, with the driving sound level at the maximum output speed being the maximum volume, and the maximum speed can be set in the range of 20 Km / h to 30 Km / h .

Here, the virtual engine sound may be an automatic OFF condition when the engine is started and the vehicle speed is more than 30 km / h.

Here, the virtual engine sound is a sound basic output condition at a starting time, and it is set to output a starting sound once at a fixed volume at the time of initial output, and then output an idling sound repeatedly .

According to the present invention, a virtual engine sound is generated through a speaker mounted on a vehicle at the time of driving or stopping the HEV, thereby improving pedestrian vehicle awareness by alerting the pedestrian to approach the vehicle.

According to the present invention, the output sound and the output mode can be diversified, and various sound sources can be selected and turned on / off according to the switch operation of the user.

According to the present invention, it is possible to output the virtual engine sound in various output modes in consideration of the engine on / off state and the hybrid vehicle mode state (electric vehicle mode / engine output mode / simultaneous output mode).

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In order to clearly illustrate the present invention, parts not related to the description are omitted, and similar parts are denoted by like reference characters throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when an element is referred to as "comprising ", it means that it can include other elements as well, without excluding other elements unless specifically stated otherwise. Also, the term "part" or the like, as described in the specification, means a unit for processing at least one function or operation, and may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

As an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system for outputting a virtual engine sound suitable for a vehicle using vehicle state information, the system comprising: a virtual engine sound outputting unit for outputting a virtual engine sound when the vehicle travels in an EV mode or an HEV mode, And the virtual engine sound is delivered to the outside of the vehicle through a speaker mounted in the engine room of the vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a vehicle to which a virtual engine sound system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 4 is a view showing a vehicle equipped with a virtual engine sound system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3, a vehicle 200 to which a virtual engine sound system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied is a vehicle capable of switching between an EV mode and a hybrid (HEV) mode, and includes an engine 210, a motor 220, A Hybrid Starter & Generator (HSG) 230, a battery 240, a transmission 250, a cluster 260, and a hybrid controller 270. The virtual engine sound system 100 ) Is implemented in the vehicle (200).

For example, an HSG (Hybrid Starter & Generator) 230 may be a device that restarts the engine 210 to a hybrid (HEV) mode at a predetermined speed or higher. At this time, The engine 220 and the engine 210 are driven and run together.

The virtual engine sound system 100 embodied in the vehicle 200 generates a virtual engine sound through speakers mounted on the vehicle 200 at the time of driving the motor of the HEV or stopping the engine 200, R / N / D information from the transmission 250, vehicle speed information from the cluster 260, and engine ON / OFF information from the hybrid controller 270, After the hybrid READY information is acquired using the C-CAN (Chassis-Controller Area Network) communication, the virtual engine sound is output in conjunction with the vehicle speed, and the state of the vehicle (engine driving, Outputs a sound, selects a sound source according to a switch operation of the user, and can turn on / off the sound source.

4, a virtual engine sound system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a virtual engine sound (not shown) through a speaker 160 in an engine room of the vehicle 200 when the motor is driven or stopped, Virtual Engine Sound) to alert pedestrians to vehicle access.

5 is a configuration diagram of a virtual engine sound system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5, a virtual engine sound system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an input unit 110, a switch 120, a control unit 130, a sound source generation unit 140, a sound source amplification unit 150, And a sound output unit 160.

The input unit 110 inputs a P / R / N / D signal, a HYBRID READY signal, a HEV MODE signal, an engine operation signal, and the like.

The switch 120 is operated by the user to select the on / off mode or mode (MODE) of the virtual engine sound system. For example, the mode may be classified into an OFF mode, a virtual engine mode, a virtual HEV-specific mode, and the like, which will be described later. Also, the operation of the virtual engine sound system can be turned on / off (ON / OFF) according to the operation of the switch 120 of the driver and the state of the engine. That is, in the embodiment of the present invention, by applying the switch 120 that can control the virtual engine sound, the driver can directly turn the system on / off (ON / OFF) or select the type of the virtual engine sound . Accordingly, the output sound and the output mode can be diversified, and various sound sources can be selected and turned on / off according to the switch operation of the user.

The control unit 130 is implemented as an MCU and receives the P / R / N / D signal, the HYBRID READY signal, the HEV MODE signal, the engine operation signal and the like input through the input unit 110 through the chassis-CAN interface In accordance with predetermined conditions and the switch operation. At this time, the outputable sound and the output mode corresponding to the predetermined condition will be described later.

The sound source generating unit 140 may be an audio DAC and generates a virtual engine sound under the control of the controller 130. [

The sound source amplification unit 150 amplifies the virtual engine sound generated by the sound source generation unit 140 as an amplifier which is an amplifier.

The sound source output unit 160 outputs a virtual engine sound amplified by the sound source amplifying unit 150 as a speaker.

Therefore, the virtual engine sound corresponding to the current driving situation can be outputted through the speaker 160 via the audio deck (Audio DAC 140) and the amplifier (AMP 150).

The virtual engine sound system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may receive the P / R / N / D signal, the HYBRID READY signal, the HEV MODE signal, the engine operation signal, , And the virtual engine sound automatic off (OFF) condition can be set when the engine is started and when the set vehicle speed is 30 km / h or more.

As a result, in the virtual engine sound system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the engine-like sound and the specialized sound are embedded in the memory, so that the built-in sound source can be outputted according to the situation, , It is possible to recognize the existence of the vehicle to the surrounding people by outputting a special starting sound at the start of the sound source output.

In addition, the virtual engine sound system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention does not use the motor current as a reference for outputting the virtual engine sound, and acquires the CAN information related to the operation of the hybrid vehicle. Direct data is not acquired. For example, the virtual engine sound system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention generates the virtual engine sound using only the processed information through the C-CAN communication.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating operational specifications of a virtual engine sound system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, the virtual engine sound system according to the embodiment of the present invention determines the time and method of implementing the virtual engine sound in consideration of the vehicle state information (engine / EV mode, vehicle speed, motor power, etc.). At this time, as a virtual engine sound output mode, it is determined whether or not a virtual engine sound is output according to the EV mode, the HEV mode, and the PRND selection state, and whether or not a virtual engine sound is implemented is determined by considering ambient noise during driving over a set vehicle speed. For example, in the case of a vehicle that implements a driving state-oriented output (R / D stage and N stage) and also a vehicle in which the EV MODE and HYBRID modes are switched, a smooth smooth sound transition is required below the engine specific RPM. Further, the virtual sound can be turned off at a set vehicle speed or more.

For example, the virtual engine sound system according to the embodiment of the present invention, as an operating condition, outputs a bass sound when the engine is turned on. When the vehicle starts running more than 0 km / h, . At this time, when the speed is more than 20 Km / h to 30 Km / h, there is no need to operate the virtual engine sound system (VESS) because there is a fricative sound and tire noise.

The off mode can be divided into an OFF mode, a first mode (MODE1) and a second mode (MODE2) according to the generated sound source, and the OFF mode is a state in which the virtual engine sound system (VESS) . The first mode (MODE1) and the second mode (MODE2) generate different sound sources. The first mode (MODE1) generates engine similar sounds and the second mode (MODE2) generates HEV- However, it is not limited thereto.

7 is a diagram illustrating an input / output waveform according to time of a virtual engine sound system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, in the virtual engine sound system according to the embodiment of the present invention, when there is no virtual engine sound output in the P stage but in a state other than the P stage, the sound is always output. For example, As a sound basic output condition, the initial sound is output once to the fixed volume at the time of the initial output, and then the idling sound is repeatedly output. At this time, the basic volume needs to be adjusted to match the starting sound.

Further, as a variable condition of the virtual engine sound according to the embodiment of the present invention, the driving sound level at the maximum output speed (20 km / h or 30 km / h) can be output as a maximum volume and proportional to the vehicle speed .

In addition, when the sound source output is changed from the P stage to the READY as the sound source output for each READY condition, no sound is output and the sound is output from the starting sound at the time of P / R / N / D coupling . When the shift from the N-th stage to the READY is made, the starting sound can be output simultaneously with the READY.

Meanwhile, in the virtual engine sound system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the virtual engine sound volume can be varied and output in proportion to the motor power / RPM or the vehicle speed in the EV mode. For example, if the virtual engine sound volume is varied and output in proportion to the vehicle speed, the range of variation relative to the motor power / RPM is small, and when the specific vehicle speed is exceeded, the fade out ratio and the like are easily implemented. In addition, since the volume increases according to the vehicle speed, a distant pedestrian can confirm a sound according to approaching the vehicle and secure a certain time for responding to the sound.

As an example of a specific sound source output according to the embodiment of the present invention, the volume can be set to 0 by applying the above-described fade-out condition at the time of P-step engagement after the vehicle is stopped, When the ignition is turned off, the volume can be set to 0 by applying the above-described fade-out condition. Also, when the vehicle is stationary and repeatedly moves from the P-> R / N / D stage, the fade-out and fade-in of the start sound can be repeatedly performed.

8 is a diagram showing volume processing in a virtual engine sound-off (OFF) condition in a virtual engine sound system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The volume processing at the time of the virtual engine sound OFF condition according to the embodiment of the present invention fades out at a certain rate when the set vehicle speed (20 km / h or 30 km / h) is exceeded as shown in FIG. 8, For example, it can be set to decrease by 10 steps from 30 to 20 after 1 second. At this time, the same operation is performed when the set vehicle speed is exceeded. In addition, when the engine is turned ON at an arbitrary vehicle speed, when the vehicle is faded out at a certain rate, the time point of the volume 0 according to the vehicle speed can be varied.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing volume processing in a virtual engine sound on (ON) condition during running in a virtual engine sound system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9, the volume processing in the virtual engine sound on (ON) condition during traveling according to the embodiment of the present invention is performed at a constant rate when decelerating below the set vehicle speed (20 km / h or 30 km / h) Fade in. For example, it can be set to increase by 10 steps from 20 to 30 after 1 second. At this time, the same operation is performed when the set vehicle speed is exceeded.

In addition, when the engine is turned off at an arbitrary vehicle speed, by fading in a certain rate, the volume setting time according to the vehicle speed can be varied. At this time, it is possible to output only the idle sound without the departure sound, considering that the driving sound that the pedestrian can recognize is generated in the traveling state.

As a result, the virtual engine sound system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes engine-like sounds and specialized sounds in the memory, thereby outputting the built-in sound sources according to the situation, outputting advanced sound sources, By outputting a specialized starting sound, the presence of the vehicle can be recognized by the surrounding persons.

It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. It is therefore to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single entity may be distributed and implemented, and components described as being distributed may also be implemented in a combined form.

The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the detailed description and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents are to be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention do.

1 is a configuration diagram of a pseudo engine sound generator according to the prior art.

2 is a configuration diagram of a pseudo running sound generating apparatus for an electric vehicle according to the prior art.

3 is a view showing a vehicle to which a virtual engine sound system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

4 is a diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a virtual engine sound system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a configuration diagram of a virtual engine sound system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a diagram illustrating operational specifications of a virtual engine sound system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a diagram illustrating an input / output waveform according to time of a virtual engine sound system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a diagram showing volume processing in a virtual engine sound-off (OFF) condition in a virtual engine sound system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing volume processing in a virtual engine sound on (ON) condition during running in a virtual engine sound system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

* Brief description of reference numerals *

100: virtual engine sound system 200: vehicle

110: input unit 120: switch

130: Control unit / MCU 140: Sound source generating unit / Audio DAC

150: Sound source amplifier / amplifier 160: Sound source output / speaker

210: engine 220: motor

230: Hybrid Starter & Generator (HSG)

240: Battery 250: Clutch

260: Cluster 270: Hybrid controller

Claims (9)

HEV (Hybrid-Electric Vehicle) A virtual engine sound system for generating a virtual engine sound through a speaker mounted on a vehicle at the time of driving or stopping the vehicle, An input unit for inputting a shift signal P / R / N / D, a hybrid READY signal, an HEV mode signal, or an engine operation signal; A switch operated by a user to select a virtual engine sound output mode of the virtual engine sound system; A control unit for acquiring a signal input through the input unit through an interface in the vehicle and controlling output of a virtual engine sound in response to the switch operation; A sound generator for generating the virtual engine sound under the control of the controller; A sound source amplifier for amplifying the virtual engine sound generated by the sound source generator; And And a sound source output unit for outputting the virtual engine sound amplified by the sound source amplifying unit, The control unit sets the virtual engine sound to a plurality of outputable sounds and an output mode so that the virtual engine sound is selected or turned on / off according to a user's switch operation, Wherein the virtual engine sound has an auto-off (OFF) condition set at engine start-up and set vehicle speed exceeding. The method according to claim 1, The virtual engine sound output mode is classified into an OFF mode in which a virtual engine sound is not output, a virtual engine mode in which an engine-like sound is output according to the type of virtual engine sound, and a virtual HEV-specific mode in which HEV- The virtual engine sound system comprising: 3. The method of claim 2, Wherein the HEV-specific sound effects are stored in a memory. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the virtual engine sound has no virtual engine sound output in the P-stage and is always output in the N / R / D state other than the P-stage. The method according to claim 1, The virtual engine sound outputs a bass sound when the engine is turned on and a sound is generated in proportion to the vehicle speed when the vehicle starts running at a speed exceeding 0 km / h, and does not output a virtual engine sound when the maximum speed is exceeded Features a virtual engine sound system. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the virtual engine sound is variable output proportional to the vehicle speed with the driving sound level at the maximum output speed being the maximum volume. The method according to claim 5 or 6, Wherein the maximum speed is set in the range of 20 Km / h to 30 Km / h. delete The method according to claim 1, The virtual engine sound is a basic sound output condition at a starting point, and is set to output a starting sound once at a fixed volume at the time of initial output, and then output an idling sound repeatedly. A virtual engine sound system.

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