US 5,635,903 AGranted

Simulated sound generator for electric vehicles

AssigneeHonda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha

InventorsMakoto Koike, Masashi Kitagawa, Kazunari Ishiguro

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Abstract

Based on detected information from a start sensor, a rotational speed sensor (or a vehicle speed sensor), and an accelerator opening sensor, a simulated sound selector device controls a simulated sound source device to generate a simulated sound signal corresponding to an operating condition of an electric vehicle when it starts, runs and is accelerated or decelerated, and also controls a sound level switcher device to adjust the level of the simulated sound signal. The simulated sound signal which is generated by the simulated sound source device and adjusted in level by the sound level switcher device is amplified by amplifiers, which drive respective loudspeakers to produce simulated sounds. The sound level switcher device is also controlled based on an ambient noise level detected by a noise sensor.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A simulated sound generator for use in an electric passenger vehicle in which motive power for the vehicle is supplied by electricity comprising:

an electrically powered drive motor for driving wheels of the electric vehicle;
a start sensor for detecting starting of the electric vehicle and ignition operation of said drive motor;
a speed sensor for detecting a running speed of the electric vehicle;
an accelerator opening sensor for detecting a degree of opening of an accelerator of the electric vehicle;
a simulated sound selector device for outputting simulated sound selection information based on starting information from said start sensor, speed information from said speed sensor and accelerator degree of opening information from said accelerator opening sensor;
a simulated sound source device for producing a simulated sound based on the simulated sound selection information from said simulated sound selector device;
and
a sound level switcher device for selecting a sound level of the simulated sound from said simulated sound source device based on said starting information, said speed information and said accelerator degree of opening information, wherein simulated sounds depending on operating conditions of the electric vehicle are produced.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.