In-vehicle relay device

Abstract

A vehicle-mounted relay device installed on the roof among multiple vehicle-mounted relay devices that are installed on a vehicle and connected to multiple vehicle-mounted devices and relay communications to the multiple vehicle-mounted devices includes: a branch line connector that is connected to the vehicle-mounted loads included in the multiple vehicle-mounted devices and installed on the roof via power lines and communication lines installed on the roof; a trunk line connector that is connected to a power supply device included in the multiple vehicle-mounted devices and installed outside the roof and that supplies power, and other vehicle-mounted relay devices, via power lines and communication lines installed on pillars; and a control unit that controls the supply and disconnection of power supplied from the power supply device via the power lines installed on the pillars and distributed to the vehicle-mounted loads via the power lines installed on the roof, and the relaying of communications between the vehicle-mounted loads and other vehicle-mounted relay devices.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle-mounted relay device.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Japanese application No. 2019-233528, filed on December 24, 2019, and incorporates by reference all the contents described in the aforementioned Japanese application. Background Art

[0003] Vehicles are equipped with various onboard devices, such as power supply devices and communication devices. A wiring harness, including communication lines for communication between the onboard devices and power lines for supplying power to the onboard devices, is installed inside the vehicle. The wiring harness is installed, for example, on a vehicle support column. (See, for example, Patent Document 1)

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-196174 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The on-vehicle relay device of one embodiment of the present disclosure is an on-vehicle relay device installed on the roof of the vehicle, which is one of a plurality of on-vehicle relay devices installed on a vehicle and connected to a plurality of on-vehicle devices and relays communications to the plurality of on-vehicle devices, wherein the plurality of on-vehicle devices include an on-vehicle load installed on the roof, a power supply device installed outside the roof and supplying power, and other on-vehicle relay devices, the on-vehicle relay device comprising: a branch line connector connected to the on-vehicle load via a power line and a communication line installed on the roof; a trunk line connector connected to the power supply device and the other on-vehicle relay devices via a power line and a communication line installed on a pillar of the vehicle; and a control unit that controls the supply and disconnection of power supplied from the power supply device via the power line installed on the pillar and distributed to the on-vehicle load via the power lines installed on the roof, and the relaying of communications between the on-vehicle load and the other on-vehicle relay devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle equipped with the in-vehicle relay device according to the first embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the vehicle-mounted relay device according to the first embodiment.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing in planar form the functional blocks of the vehicle-mounted relay device including the first circuit and the second circuit.

[0011] Figure 4This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of an in-vehicle relay device according to the second embodiment.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of an in-vehicle relay device according to a third embodiment.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of an in-vehicle relay device according to a fourth embodiment.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of an in-vehicle relay device according to a fifth embodiment.

[0015] Figure 8 This is a block diagram showing in planar form the functional blocks of an in-vehicle relay device including a communication circuit and a power supply circuit.

[0016] Figure 9 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of an in-vehicle relay device according to a sixth embodiment.

[0017] Figure 10 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of an in-vehicle relay device according to a seventh embodiment.

[0018] Figure 11 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of an in-vehicle relay device according to the eighth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] [Problems to be Solved by the Present Disclosure]

[0020] In recent years, with the increase in the number of in-vehicle devices installed in vehicles, there is a concern that the layout of wire harnesses in vehicles will become more complicated. In the wire harness of Patent Document 1, further research is desired regarding the increase in the number of wire harnesses installed (arranged) on the pillar.

[0021] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an in-vehicle relay device capable of suppressing an increase in the number of wiring harnesses such as communication lines and power lines installed on a pillar.

[0022] [Effects of the Present Disclosure]

[0023] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of communication lines and power lines installed on the support columns.

[0024] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure]

[0025] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. In addition, at least some of the embodiments described below may be combined arbitrarily.

[0026] (1) An on-vehicle relay device according to one embodiment of the present invention is an on-vehicle relay device installed on a vehicle and connected to a plurality of on-vehicle devices and relaying communications to the plurality of on-vehicle devices, wherein the plurality of on-vehicle devices include an on-vehicle load installed on the roof and a power supply device and other on-vehicle relay devices installed outside the roof and supplying power, and the on-vehicle relay device comprises: a branch line connector connected to the on-vehicle load via a power line and a communication line installed on the roof; a trunk line connector connected to the power supply device and the other on-vehicle relay devices via a power line and a communication line installed on a pillar of the vehicle; and a control unit controlling the supply and disconnection of power supplied from the power supply device via the power line installed on the pillar and distributed to the on-vehicle load via the power lines installed on the roof, and relaying of communications between the on-vehicle load and the other on-vehicle relay devices.

[0027] In this embodiment, the on-board relay device is installed on the roof of the vehicle and is connected to the power supply device, the on-board load and other on-board relay devices. A plurality of on-board loads are mounted on the vehicle. The plurality of on-board loads are installed on the roof of the vehicle. The plurality of on-board loads are connected to the branch connector of the on-board relay device via the communication line and power line (e.g., wiring harness) installed on the roof. The power supply device is connected to the trunk connector of the on-board relay device via the communication line and power line installed on the pillar of the vehicle. The on-board relay device performs the supply and disconnection (supply and disconnection) of the power supplied from the power supply device via the power supply line installed on the pillar and distributed to the on-board load via the power lines installed on the roof. The power supply device and the plurality of on-board loads are connected via the on-board relay device. That is, the power supply device and the plurality of on-board loads are not independently connected by the communication line and power supply line. Therefore, the increase in the number of communication lines and power lines installed on the pillar can be suppressed. The other on-board relay devices are connected to the trunk connector of the on-board relay device via the communication line and power supply line installed on the pillar of the vehicle. Other on-board relay devices are connected to, for example, multiple control devices that control the driving of each on-board load, and relay the communication of the control devices. The control device is, for example, an on-board ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The on-board relay device relays the communication from the other on-board relay devices to the on-board load. The communication from the other on-board relay devices is, for example, the communication of the control device relayed from the other on-board relay devices for controlling the on-board load. The other relay devices and the multiple on-board loads are connected via the on-board relay devices. That is, the other relay devices and the multiple on-board loads are not connected independently. Therefore, the increase in the number of communication lines and power supply lines provided on the pillars can be suppressed.

[0028] (2) An on-vehicle relay device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a circuit substrate including the branch line connector and the trunk line connector, wherein the circuit substrate includes a communication circuit on the roof side for communicating with the on-vehicle load and the other on-vehicle relay devices, and includes a power supply circuit on the floor side of the vehicle for distributing the power supplied from the power supply device to the on-vehicle load.

[0029] In this embodiment, the circuit board includes a communication circuit on its roof-side surface. The circuit board further includes a power supply circuit on its floor-side surface. That is, the communication circuit and the power supply circuit are vertically isolated. This suppresses noise propagation from the communication circuit to the power supply circuit, and vice versa. Since noise propagation to the communication circuit is suppressed, communication between other relay devices and onboard loads can be stably relayed. By utilizing both sides of the circuit board (the roof-side surface and the floor-side surface), the onboard relay device can be miniaturized. This reduces the area required for installing the onboard relay device, effectively utilizing the limited roof area. Because the power supplied by the power supply device is distributed within the power circuit, a large amount of current flows through the power circuit. Furthermore, since the power circuit includes relays and fuses, the heat generated by the power circuit increases. The power circuit is formed on the floor-side surface of the circuit board, i.e., the surface facing the vehicle interior. Therefore, heat generated by the power circuit can be effectively dissipated into the air-conditioned vehicle interior.

[0030] (3) The vehicle-mounted relay device of one embodiment of the present disclosure has a circuit substrate including the branch line connector and the trunk line connector, the circuit substrate including: a first substrate, arranged on the roof side, having a communication circuit for communicating with the vehicle-mounted load and the other vehicle-mounted relay devices; and a second substrate, arranged on the floor side of the vehicle, having a power supply circuit for distributing the power supplied from the power supply device to the vehicle-mounted load, and supplying power from the power supply circuit to the communication circuit.

[0031] In this embodiment, the first substrate includes a communication circuit and is disposed on the roof side (the upper side of the vehicle). The second substrate includes a power supply circuit and is disposed on the floor side (the lower side of the vehicle). That is, the communication circuit and the power supply circuit are isolated in the vertical direction. Therefore, the propagation of noise from the communication circuit to the power supply circuit and the propagation of noise from the power supply circuit to the communication circuit can be suppressed. Since the propagation of noise to the communication circuit is suppressed, the relaying of communications between other relay devices and the on-board load can be performed stably. In the roof of the vehicle, the area in which the on-board relay device and the on-board load can be installed is limited. By arranging the first substrate and the second substrate in the vertical direction, the on-board relay device can be miniaturized. That is, the area required for installing the on-board relay device is reduced, and the limited area of the roof can be effectively utilized. Since the power supplied from the power supply device is distributed in the power supply circuit, a large amount of current flows in the power supply circuit. In addition, since the power supply circuit includes relays, fuses, etc., the heat generated in the power supply circuit increases. Since the power supply circuit is formed on the second substrate, heat generated in the power supply circuit can be effectively dissipated into the air-conditioned vehicle interior.

[0032] (4) In an in-vehicle relay device of one embodiment of the present invention, the first substrate and the second substrate are opposite to each other, and the first substrate has one of the branch line connector and the trunk line connector and the communication circuit on the surface opposite to the second substrate, and the second substrate has the other of the branch line connector and the trunk line connector and the power supply circuit on the surface opposite to the first substrate, and the branch line connector and the trunk line connector overlap in the thickness direction.

[0033] In this embodiment, the first substrate has a branch line connector and a trunk line connector, and a communication circuit on the surface opposite to the second substrate. The second substrate has a branch line connector and the other of the trunk line connector and a power supply circuit on the surface opposite to the first substrate. For example, the vehicle-mounted relay device is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The branch line connector is provided on one side surface of the vehicle-mounted relay device. The trunk line connector is provided on the surface opposite to the one side surface of the vehicle-mounted relay device, that is, on the other side surface. The branch line connector and the trunk line connector are provided on different side surfaces and overlap in the thickness direction of the vehicle-mounted relay device. By overlapping in the thickness direction, the height of the side surface of the vehicle-mounted relay device can be reduced. That is, the thickness of the vehicle-mounted relay device can be reduced.

[0034] (5) The in-vehicle relay device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a noise suppression member for suppressing propagation of noise between the communication circuit and the power supply circuit.

[0035] In this embodiment, the noise suppression component effectively suppresses the propagation of noise from the communication circuit to the power supply circuit and vice versa. Since the propagation of noise to the communication circuit is suppressed, communication between other relay devices and the onboard load can be relayed more stably.

[0036] (6) An on-vehicle relay device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a circuit substrate including the branch line connector and the trunk line connector, the on-vehicle load includes an off-vehicle communication device for communicating with a communication object outside the vehicle, the circuit substrate includes a plurality of substrates arranged from the roof side toward the floor side of the vehicle, each surface of the plurality of substrates includes a surface for mounting the off-vehicle communication device, a surface for forming a communication circuit for communicating with the on-vehicle load and the other on-vehicle relay devices, and a surface for forming a power supply circuit for distributing the power supplied from the power supply device to the on-vehicle load, and a stacked structure is formed in the order of the surface for mounting the off-vehicle communication device, the surface for forming the communication circuit, and the surface for forming the power supply circuit from the roof side toward the floor side.

[0037] In this embodiment, the circuit board includes multiple substrates. Each surface of the multiple substrates includes a surface for mounting an external communication device, a surface for forming a communication circuit, and a surface for forming a power supply circuit. The surface for mounting the external communication device, for example, includes a circuit for implementing the functions of the external communication device. The onboard relay device communicates with a communication partner outside the vehicle via the mounted external communication device. This can prevent an increase in the number of communication and power lines connecting the onboard relay device and the external communication device. The surfaces of the multiple substrates are stacked in the order of the surface for mounting the external communication device, the surface for forming the communication circuit, and the surface for forming the power supply circuit, from the roof side toward the floor side of the vehicle. That is, the circuit for implementing the functions, the communication circuit, and the power supply circuit are isolated in the vertical direction. Therefore, the propagation of noise from and to each circuit can be suppressed. Since the surface for mounting the external communication device is located on the roof side, communication between the external communication device and the communication partner outside the vehicle is stable. Furthermore, the antenna for external communication, located on the outside of the roof (vehicle), can be easily connected (communicated) to the mounted external communication device. Because the power supplied by the power supply device is distributed within the power circuit, a large amount of current flows through it. Furthermore, since the power circuit includes relays and fuses, the heat generated within the power circuit increases. Since the surface forming the power circuit is located on the floor side, the heat generated by the power circuit can be effectively dissipated into the air-conditioned vehicle interior.

[0038] (7) The in-vehicle relay device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a first noise suppression member for suppressing propagation of noise between the external vehicle communication device and the communication circuit.

[0039] In this embodiment, a first noise suppression member (e.g., an electromagnetic shield) is provided between the external communication device and the communication circuit. This first noise suppression member effectively suppresses the propagation of noise from and to the installed external communication device. This enables more stable communication via the installed external communication device.

[0040] (8) The in-vehicle relay device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a second noise suppression member between the communication circuit and the power supply circuit for suppressing propagation of noise.

[0041] In this embodiment, a second noise suppression member (e.g., an electromagnetic shield) is provided between the communication circuit and the power supply circuit. This second noise suppression member effectively suppresses the propagation of noise from the communication circuit to the power supply circuit, and vice versa. This suppression of noise propagation to the communication circuit allows for more stable relaying of communications between other relay devices and onboard loads.

[0042] (9) An on-vehicle relay device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a circuit substrate including the branch line connector and the trunk line connector, the on-vehicle load includes an off-vehicle communication device for communicating with a communication object outside the vehicle, the branch line connector includes a first branch line connector connected to the off-vehicle communication device and a second branch line connector connected to the on-vehicle load different from the off-vehicle communication device, the circuit substrate includes the first branch line connector and a first circuit connected to the first branch line connector on a surface on the roof side of the vehicle, and includes the second branch line connector and the trunk line connector and a second circuit connected to the second branch line connector and the trunk line connector on a surface on the floor side of the vehicle.

[0043] In this embodiment, the circuit board has a first branch line connector and a first circuit on the surface on the vehicle's roof side. The circuit board has a second branch line connector, a main line connector, and a second circuit on the surface on the vehicle's floor side. The area on the vehicle's roof where the onboard relay device and onboard loads can be installed is limited. By using both sides of the circuit board (the roof side and the floor side), the onboard relay device can be miniaturized. In other words, the area required to install the onboard relay device is reduced, allowing for effective utilization of the limited roof area. Many off-board communication devices are located on the upper portion of the roof. Since the first branch line connector is provided on the roof-side surface, i.e., the upper surface, of the circuit board, the communication and power lines connecting the on-board relay device and the off-board communication device are easily arranged (installed) on the roof. The length of these communication and power lines can be shortened. Since the second circuit includes relays, fuses, and the like, the heat generated in the second circuit increases. The second circuit is formed on the vehicle's floor-side surface, i.e., the surface facing the interior of the vehicle. Therefore, the heat generated in the second circuit can be efficiently dissipated into the air-conditioned vehicle interior.

[0044] (10) In the vehicle-mounted relay device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the circuit board includes a noise suppression member inside the circuit board for suppressing propagation of noise.

[0045] In this embodiment, a noise suppression member is provided within the circuit board, that is, between the roof-side and floor-side surfaces of the circuit board. The noise suppression member is, for example, an electromagnetic shield. The noise suppression member suppresses the propagation of noise from the second circuit to the first circuit, and from the first circuit to the second circuit. This suppressed noise propagation enables stable driving of the vehicle's loads.

[0046] (11) An on-vehicle relay device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a circuit substrate including the branch line connector and the trunk line connector, the on-vehicle load includes an off-vehicle communication device for communicating with a communication object outside the vehicle, the branch line connector includes a first branch line connector connected to the off-vehicle communication device and a second branch line connector connected to the on-vehicle load different from the off-vehicle communication device, the circuit substrate includes: a first substrate, arranged on the roof side of the vehicle, including the first branch line connector and a first circuit connected to the first branch line connector; and a second substrate, arranged on the floor side of the vehicle, including the second branch line connector and the trunk line connector, and a second circuit connected to the second branch line connector and the trunk line connector, the first substrate and the second substrate being connected by a power line and a communication line.

[0047] In this embodiment, the first substrate is located on the roof side, i.e., the upper side of the vehicle. The second substrate is located on the floor side, i.e., the lower side of the vehicle. The area on the vehicle roof where the onboard relay device and onboard loads can be installed is limited. By arranging the first and second substrates in a vertical arrangement, the onboard relay device can be miniaturized. In other words, the area required for installing the onboard relay device is reduced, allowing for effective utilization of the limited roof area. Many of the off-board communication devices are located on the upper portion of the roof. Because the first branch line connector is located on the roof-side surface, i.e., the upper surface, of the circuit substrate, the communication and power lines connecting the on-board relay device and the off-board communication device are easily arranged (installed) on the roof. This allows for the shortening of the length of these communication and power lines. Because the second circuit includes relays, fuses, and other components, the heat generated in the second circuit increases. The second circuit is formed on the surface of the circuit substrate on the vehicle floor side, i.e., the surface facing the interior of the vehicle. Therefore, the heat generated in the second circuit can be effectively dissipated into the air-conditioned vehicle interior.

[0048] (12) In an in-vehicle relay device of one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first substrate and the second substrate are opposite to each other, the first substrate has the first branch line connector and the first circuit on the surface opposite to the second substrate, the second substrate has the second branch line connector, the main line connector and the second circuit on the surface opposite to the first substrate, and the first branch line connector, the second branch line connector and the main line connector overlap in the thickness direction.

[0049] In this embodiment, the first substrate has a first branch line connector and a first circuit on the surface opposite to the second substrate, that is, on the floor side (lower side). The second substrate has a second branch line connector, a trunk line connector and a second circuit on the surface opposite to the first substrate, that is, on the roof side (upper side). For example, the vehicle-mounted relay device is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The first branch line connector is provided on one side of the vehicle-mounted relay device. The second branch line connector and the trunk line connector are provided on the surface on the opposite side of the one side of the vehicle-mounted relay device, that is, on the other side. The first branch line connector and the second branch line connector and the trunk line connector are provided on different sides and overlap in the thickness direction of the vehicle-mounted relay device. By overlapping in the thickness direction, the height of the side of the vehicle-mounted relay device can be reduced. That is, the thickness of the vehicle-mounted relay device can be reduced.

[0050] (13) In the vehicle-mounted relay device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the external vehicle communication device is mounted on a surface of the first substrate opposite to a surface facing the second substrate.

[0051] In this embodiment, the off-vehicle communication device is mounted on the surface of the first substrate opposite to the surface facing the second substrate, that is, on the roof side of the first substrate. That is, the off-vehicle communication device is built into the on-vehicle relay device. For example, the circuit for realizing the function of the off-vehicle communication device is formed on the roof side of the first substrate. The increase in the number of communication lines and power lines connecting the on-vehicle relay device and the off-vehicle communication device can be suppressed. Since the off-vehicle communication device is mounted on the roof side of the first substrate, the communication between the off-vehicle communication device and the communication object outside the vehicle is easy and stable. In addition, the antenna for off-vehicle communication provided on the outside of the roof (vehicle) is easy to connect (communicate) with the off-vehicle communication device installed on the on-vehicle relay device.

[0052] (14) In the vehicle-mounted relay device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the first substrate includes a first noise suppression member inside the first substrate for suppressing propagation of noise.

[0053] In this embodiment, a first noise suppression member is provided within the first substrate, that is, between the roof-side surface and the floor-side surface of the first substrate. The first noise suppression member is, for example, an electromagnetic shield. The first noise suppression member suppresses the propagation of noise to and from the circuitry used to implement the functions of the external vehicle communication device (the installed external vehicle communication device). Since the propagation of noise to the circuitry used to implement the functions of the external vehicle communication device is suppressed, stable communication with the installed external vehicle communication device is possible.

[0054] (15) In the vehicle-mounted relay device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a second noise suppression member for suppressing propagation of noise is provided between the first substrate and the second substrate.

[0055] In this embodiment, a second noise suppression member (e.g., an electromagnetic shield) is provided between the first and second substrates. This second noise suppression member suppresses the propagation of noise from the second circuit to the first circuit, and vice versa. This suppressed noise propagation enables stable driving of vehicle-mounted loads.

[0056] (16) An on-vehicle relay device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a circuit substrate including the branch line connector and the trunk line connector, the on-vehicle load includes an off-vehicle communication device for communicating with a communication object outside the vehicle, the off-vehicle communication device is mounted on the surface of the circuit substrate on the roof side of the vehicle, the circuit substrate includes the branch line connector and the trunk line connector and a circuit connected to the branch line connector and the trunk line connector on the surface of the floor side of the vehicle, and has a noise suppression component inside for suppressing the propagation of noise.

[0057] In this embodiment, an off-vehicle communication device is mounted on the roof-side surface of the circuit substrate. That is, the off-vehicle communication device is built into the on-board relay device. For example, the circuitry used to implement the functions of the off-vehicle communication device (off-vehicle communication circuit) is formed on the roof-side surface of the circuit substrate. This can prevent an increase in the number of communication lines and power lines connecting the on-board relay device and the off-vehicle communication device. Since the off-vehicle communication device is mounted on the roof-side surface of the circuit substrate, communication between the off-vehicle communication device and a communication partner outside the vehicle is facilitated and stabilized. Furthermore, the antenna for off-vehicle communication, located on the outside of the roof (vehicle), is easily connected (communication) to the off-vehicle communication device. A noise suppression member (e.g., an electromagnetic shield) is provided within the circuit substrate, i.e., between the roof-side surface and the floor-side surface of the circuit substrate. The noise suppression member suppresses the propagation of noise from the circuitry to the off-vehicle communication circuit, and from the off-vehicle communication circuit to the circuitry. Since the propagation of noise to the circuitry used to implement the functions of the off-vehicle communication device (off-vehicle communication circuit) is suppressed, stable communication with a communication partner outside the vehicle is possible.

[0058] (17) An in-vehicle relay device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a lamp device having a lamp and a switch that outputs a signal indicating whether the lamp is turned on or off, and the control unit turns the lamp on or off according to the output signal.

[0059] In this embodiment, the on-board relay device includes a lighting device comprising a lamp and a switch that outputs a signal indicating whether the lamp is on or off. The lighting device, for example, is a map light, which is integrally formed with the on-board relay device. The map light switch outputs a signal indicating whether the lamp is on or off. A control unit turns the map light on and off in response to the on / off signal output from the map light. Since the on-board relay device and the map light are integrally formed, the limited roof area can be effectively utilized. This also reduces the number of communication and power lines installed on the roof.

[0060] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure]

[0061] The present disclosure will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings showing embodiments thereof. Figure 1 The vehicle-mounted relay device 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims and equivalents.

[0062] (Implementation 1)

[0063] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described based on the drawings. Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle C equipped with the in-vehicle relay device 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the vehicle-mounted relay device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0064] The vehicle C is equipped with a plurality of vehicle-mounted devices and a plurality of vehicle-mounted relay devices including a vehicle-mounted relay device 1 installed on the roof (ceiling) R of the vehicle C and other vehicle-mounted relay devices (hereinafter referred to as repeaters) 2 installed outside the roof R. The plurality of vehicle-mounted relay devices are connected to the plurality of vehicle-mounted devices and relay the communication (transmission and reception of data) of the plurality of connected vehicle-mounted devices. Among the plurality of vehicle-mounted devices, there is an on-board load 4 installed on the roof R of the vehicle C and driven by electricity. Among the plurality of vehicle-mounted devices, there is also an on-board ECU 3 that controls the drive of the on-board load 4 and a power supply device 5 that supplies electricity. The on-board ECU 3 is equivalent to a control device. In the vehicle C, the on-board load 4 and the on-board ECU 3 are respectively equipped with a plurality of (in Figure 1 2 each in the middle).

[0065] Although details will be described later, each on-board load 4 is connected to the on-board relay device 1 via a communication line and power line (e.g., a wiring harness) installed (arranged) on the roof R. The communication line supports communication using a communication protocol such as CAN (Control Area Network / registered trademark) or Ethernet (registered trademark). The on-board relay device 1 and each on-board load 4 can communicate. The relay device 2, on-board ECU 3, and power supply device 5 are installed outside the roof R. Examples of areas outside the roof R include the engine compartment of the vehicle C, the floor F of the vehicle C, and the floor portion of the vehicle C. The floor portion of the vehicle C includes, for example, the lower portion of the rear seats.

[0066] The power supply device 5 is a storage battery for the vehicle C and is composed of a secondary battery such as a lead-acid battery or a lithium-ion battery. The power supply device 5 is located outside the roof R (for example, in the engine compartment at the front of the vehicle C). The power supply device 5 supplies electricity (power) and is charged by electricity generated by an AC generator (generator) not shown on the vehicle C. In addition, if the vehicle C is a plug-in hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, the power supply device 5 is charged by a charging device not shown outside the vehicle C. The power supply device 5 may also include an on-board ECU 3 (not shown) that controls power supply and charging.

[0067] The vehicle-mounted relay device 1 and the power supply device 5 are connected via a communication line and a power line (e.g., a wiring harness) provided (arranged) on the pillar P of the vehicle C. The communication line and the power line connecting the vehicle-mounted relay device 1 and the power supply device 5 are provided, for example, along the pillar P on the left front side of the vehicle C (the A-pillar on the left). The communication line and the power line may also be provided on a pillar P other than the left front side of the vehicle C (e.g., the pillar P on the left rear side of the vehicle C (the C-pillar on the left)). The communication line corresponds to communication using a communication protocol such as CAN or Ethernet. In Figure 1In the figure, the communication line connecting the vehicle-mounted relay device 1 and the power supply device 5 is omitted. Although the details will be described later, the power supplied from the power supply device 5 via the power line installed in the pillar P is distributed to each vehicle-mounted load 4 by the vehicle-mounted relay device 1.

[0068] The on-board ECU 3 is located outside the roof R (e.g., on the floor of the vehicle C, such as below the rear seats) and is communicatively connected to the repeater 2 via an in-vehicle LAN 30 compatible with a communication protocol such as CAN or Ethernet. Although details will be described later, the on-board ECU 3 controls the driving of the on-board loads 4. For example, the on-board ECU 3 may also include an ECU related to autonomous driving of the vehicle C.

[0069] The on-vehicle ECU 3 includes a control unit, a storage unit, and an in-vehicle communication unit (not shown). The storage unit of the on-vehicle ECU 3 is composed of volatile memory devices such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or non-volatile memory devices such as ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), or flash memory. The storage unit of the on-vehicle ECU 3 stores programs and data for the on-vehicle ECU 3.

[0070] The control unit of the on-board ECU 3 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit of the on-board ECU 3 reads and executes programs and data stored in the ECU's storage unit to perform control processing, thereby controlling the driving of the on-board load 4. The on-board communication unit of the on-board ECU 3 is an input / output interface that uses a communication protocol such as CAN or Ethernet. The control unit of the on-board ECU 3 communicates with the repeater 2 via the on-board LAN 30 via the on-board communication unit of the on-board ECU 3. Furthermore, the control unit of the on-board ECU 3 communicates with other on-board ECUs 3 connected to the on-board LAN 30 via the on-board communication unit of the on-board ECU 3. A portion of the on-board ECU 3 (the on-board communication unit of a portion of the on-board ECU 3) can be installed on the pillar P of the vehicle C without being connected to the repeater 2, and connected to the on-board relay device 1 via a communication line compatible with communication protocols such as CAN or Ethernet.

[0071] The repeater 2 is connected to multiple onboard ECUs 3 via the in-vehicle LAN 30. The repeater 2 is a gateway that, for example, manages multiple segments, such as the control system onboard ECU 3, the safety system onboard ECU 3, and the body system onboard ECU 3, and relays communications between the onboard ECUs 3 within these segments. Alternatively, the repeater 2 may serve as a functional unit of the body ECU that controls the entire vehicle C.

[0072] The repeater 2 is provided outside the roof R (for example, the floor portion of the vehicle C, such as the lower portion of the rear seat). The vehicle-mounted relay device 1 and the repeater 2 are connected via a communication line and a power line (for example, a wiring harness) provided (arranged) on the pillar P of the vehicle C. The communication line and the power line connecting the vehicle-mounted relay device 1 and the repeater 2 are provided, for example, along the pillar P on the left front side of the vehicle C (the A-pillar on the left). The communication line and the power line may also be provided on a pillar P other than the left front side of the vehicle C (for example, the pillar P on the left rear side of the vehicle C (the C-pillar on the left)). The communication line corresponds to communication using a communication protocol such as CAN or Ethernet. The repeater 2 communicates with the vehicle-mounted relay device 1. In Figure 1 , the power line connecting the vehicle-mounted relay device 1 and the repeater 2 is omitted from the illustration. The repeater 2 includes a control unit (not shown), a storage unit, a first in-vehicle communication unit, and a second in-vehicle communication unit.

[0073] The control unit of the repeater 2 is composed of a CPU or MPU, etc., and performs various control processes and calculations by reading and executing control programs and data pre-stored in the storage unit. The control unit of the repeater 2 controls communication with the on-vehicle ECU 3 (relays communication with the on-vehicle ECU 3) and communication with the on-vehicle relay device 1 by executing the control programs stored in the storage unit.

[0074] The storage unit of the repeater 2 is composed of a volatile memory element such as RAM or a non-volatile memory element such as ROM, EEPROM or flash memory. A control program is stored in advance in the storage unit.

[0075] The first in-vehicle communication unit is an input / output interface that uses a communication protocol such as CAN or Ethernet. There are multiple first in-vehicle communication units. A communication line that constitutes an in-vehicle LAN30 corresponding to a communication protocol such as CAN or Ethernet is connected to each first in-vehicle communication unit. By providing multiple first in-vehicle communication units in this way, the in-vehicle LAN30 is divided into multiple segments. At each segment, the on-board ECU3 is connected according to the function of the on-board ECU3 (for example, control system function, safety system function, body system function, etc.). The control unit of the repeater 2 communicates with the on-board ECU3 connected to the in-vehicle LAN30 via the first in-vehicle communication unit. The control unit can also further communicate with other in-vehicle devices not shown in the figure that are connected to the in-vehicle LAN30.

[0076] The second in-vehicle communication unit is connected to a communication line (wiring harness) corresponding to communication using a communication protocol such as CAN or Ethernet, and is connected to the on-board relay device 1 via this communication line. This communication line is installed on a pillar P of the vehicle C. The control unit of the repeater 2 communicates with the on-board relay device 1 via the second in-vehicle communication unit. The control unit of the repeater 2 relays communications from the on-board ECU 3 to the on-board relay device 1 via the first in-vehicle communication unit and the second in-vehicle communication unit. Furthermore, the repeater 2 relays communications from the on-board relay device 1 to the on-board ECU 3. For example, the repeater 2 relays communications from the on-board ECU 3 to the on-board relay device 1. Communications from the on-board ECU 3 are, for example, signals (programs or data) output by the on-board ECU 3 to control a predetermined on-board load 4 (the on-board load 4 to be controlled). The repeater 2 relays (outputs) signals (programs or data) output from the on-board relay device 1 (for example, signals received by the on-board relay device 1 from the off-vehicle communication device 40, described later) to the on-board ECU 3. That is, the in-vehicle relay device 1 and the in-vehicle ECU 3 can communicate with each other via the repeater 2 .

[0077] The vehicle-mounted load 4 is installed on the roof R and is driven by electricity. The vehicle-mounted load 4 may not be strictly installed on the roof R, but may be installed near the roof R (for example, on the roof R side (upper side) of the pillar P). The vehicle-mounted load 4 includes an in-vehicle camera 42 (see Figure 3 ), display device and map light 41 (refer to Figure 3 ) and interior lights. The in-vehicle camera 42 is, for example, a driver monitoring camera. The display device is, for example, a roof display. The in-vehicle load 4 also includes an off-vehicle communication device 40 for communicating with a communication partner outside the vehicle C.

[0078] The external vehicle communication device 40 includes an analog communication device 401 (see Figure 3 ) and a digital communication device 402 for digital communication (refer to Figure 3 Analog communication device 401 includes, for example, a broadcast receiver. The broadcast receiver receives broadcast radio waves transmitted from a broadcast tower (a radio wave tower) not shown. In other words, the broadcast receiver communicates with the broadcast tower (a radio wave transmitting device installed on the broadcast tower). The broadcast tower is a communication target outside of vehicle C. Vehicle C may also be equipped with multiple analog communication devices 401.

[0079] The digital communication device 402 includes, for example, a communication device for performing wireless communication using a mobile communication protocol such as LTE (Long Term Evolution / registered trademark), 4G, or 5G. This device is, for example, a TCU (Telematics Control Unit). The digital communication device 402 includes a communication device for performing wireless communication using a wireless communication protocol such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). Alternatively, one digital communication device 402 may perform communication based on multiple different communication protocols. For example, the digital communication device 402 may perform wireless communication using a wireless communication protocol such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth in addition to wireless communication using a mobile communication protocol such as LTE, 4G, or 5G. Vehicle C may also be equipped with multiple digital communication devices 402. For example, vehicle C may be equipped with a digital communication device 402 that performs communication based on LTE, 4G, or 5G and a digital communication device 402 that performs communication based on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The digital communication device 402 communicates with a computer (external server) such as a server connected to an external network such as the Internet or a public network via the external network. In addition, the digital communication device 402 communicates with a communication terminal (such as a smartphone) carried by the operator of the vehicle C.

[0080] Digital communication device 402 includes, for example, an ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) communication device for communicating with vehicles other than vehicle C and communication devices installed on the road, and an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) communication device. Digital communication device 402 includes, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver and a television receiver. The GPS receiver receives GPS signals transmitted from GPS satellites (not shown). In other words, the GPS receiver communicates with GPS satellites. The television receiver receives television radio waves transmitted from a television tower (a television broadcast tower). In other words, the television receiver communicates with a television tower (a radio wave transmission device installed on the television tower). For example, the television radio waves received by the television receiver are so-called mobile terrestrial digital broadcasting waves. Communication targets outside vehicle C include external servers, vehicles other than vehicle C, communication devices installed on the road, GPS satellites, and television towers.

[0081] like Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle-mounted relay device 1 includes a housing (casing) 10 and a circuit board 100 provided in the housing 10 , and is mounted on a roof R. The housing 10 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped box. The housing 10 is made of, for example, resin. Figure 2 The upper side on the paper in ⊂ indicates the roof R side of the vehicle C, that is, the upper side of the vehicle C. Figure 2 The lower side of the paper in FIG. 1 represents the floor F side of the vehicle C, that is, the lower side of the vehicle C. Figure 2 The up-down direction of the paper in represents the up-down direction of the vehicle C. Figure 2 The left side of the paper in FIG represents the front side of the vehicle C. Figure 2 The right side of the paper in represents the rear side of vehicle C. Figure 2 The left-right direction on the paper in represents the front-rear direction of the vehicle C. Figure 2 The front and back directions of the paper in FIG represent the left and right directions of the vehicle C. Figure 4 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 7 、 Figure 9 、 Figure 10 and Figure 11 The same is true.

[0082] The circuit substrate 100 is, for example, rectangular in shape and extends in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction of the vehicle C (the front-back direction and the left-right direction of the vehicle C). The circuit substrate 100 can be, for example, a single substrate or a laminated substrate. The circuit substrate 100 has a noise suppression component 13 inside, that is, between the surface on the roof R side and the surface on the floor F side. The noise suppression component 13 is, for example, an electromagnetic shielding member such as a sheet made of magnetic metal or a sheet made of resin containing magnetic metal. The noise suppression component 13 is, for example, rectangular in shape and extends in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction of the vehicle C. The noise suppression component 13 suppresses the propagation of noise to the first circuit 11 and the second circuit 12 described later. Hereinafter, the surface on the roof R side of the circuit substrate 100 is referred to as the upper surface, and the surface on the floor F side of the circuit substrate 100 is referred to as the lower surface.

[0083] The circuit board 100 includes a main line connector 6 connected to the power supply device 5 and the repeater 2 via power lines and communication lines installed (disposed) on the pillars P of the vehicle C. The circuit board 100 also includes branch line connectors connected to the onboard load 4 via power lines and communication lines installed (disposed) on the roof R. The branch line connectors include a first branch line connector 70 connected to the external communication device 40 and a second branch line connector 71 connected to an onboard load 4 different from the external communication device 40. The circuit board 100 includes the first branch line connector 70 on the top surface and the main line connector 6 and the second branch line connector 71 on the bottom surface.

[0084] The first branch line connector 70 is mounted on the edge of the upper surface of the circuit substrate 100. Figure 2The first branch line connector 70 is mounted on the rear side of the circuit board 100. A portion of the first branch line connector 70 is exposed to the outside of the housing 10 through an opening provided in the rear side of the housing 10. Specifically, the first branch line connector 70 is provided (mounted) on the rear side of the housing 10 (on-board relay device 1). A portion of the first branch line connector 70 is connected to the power line and communication line (wiring harness) installed on the roof R and connected to the external communication device 40.

[0085] The first branch line connector 70 may also be installed on the front side, right side, or left side of the circuit substrate 100. That is, the first branch line connector 70 may also be provided on the side surface of the front side, right side, or left side of the housing 10. A plurality of first branch line connectors 70 may also be installed. Each first branch line connector 70 may also be installed on a different side of the upper surface of the circuit substrate 100. For example, each first branch line connector 70 may also be installed on the front side of the circuit substrate 100 (the side surface of the front side of the housing 10) and the rear side of the circuit substrate 100 (the side surface of the rear side of the housing 10).

[0086] The first branch line connector 70 is connected to a first circuit 11 formed on the upper surface of the circuit substrate 100. The first circuit 11 includes electronic components 11a such as transistors, diodes, capacitors, and integrated circuits (ICs).

[0087] The main line connector 6 and the second branch line connector 71 are mounted on the edge of the lower surface of the circuit board 100. Figure 2 In the embodiment, the trunk line connector 6 and the second branch line connector 71 are arranged in the left and right directions of the vehicle C ( Figure 2 The trunk connector 6 and the second branch connector 71 are arranged on the front and back directions of the paper and are mounted on the edge of the front side of the circuit substrate 100. A portion of the trunk connector 6 and a portion of the second branch connector 71 are exposed to the outside of the housing 10 through openings provided on the side surface of the front side of the housing 10. That is, the trunk connector 6 and the second branch connector 71 are provided (installed) on the side surface of the front side of the housing 10 (on-board relay device 1). A portion of the trunk connector 6 is connected to each power line and communication line provided on the pillar P of the vehicle C and connected to the repeater 2 and the power supply device 5. A portion of the second branch connector 71 is connected to the power line and communication line provided on the roof R and connected to an on-board load 4 different from the off-board communication device 40 (on-board load 4 other than the off-board communication device 40).

[0088] The main line connector 6 and the second branch line connector 71 may not be arranged on the same side of the circuit substrate 100, but may be installed on different sides of the circuit substrate 100. That is, the main line connector 6 and the second branch line connector 71 may be respectively arranged on different sides of the housing 10. For example, the main line connector 6 may be installed on the front side of the circuit substrate 100 (the side of the front side of the housing 10), and the second branch line connector 71 may be installed on the rear side of the circuit substrate 100 (the side of the rear side of the housing 10). Multiple main line connectors 6 and second branch line connectors 71 may be installed respectively. Each main line connector 6 may also be installed on a different side of the lower surface of the circuit substrate 100 (a different side of the housing 10). Each second branch line connector 71 may also be installed on a different side of the lower surface of the circuit substrate 100 (a different side of the housing 10).

[0089] The main line connector 6 and the second branch line connector 71 are connected to the second circuit 12 formed on the lower surface of the circuit substrate 100. The second circuit 12 includes electronic components 12a such as transistors, diodes, capacitors, memory elements, and integrated circuits. The first circuit 11 and the second circuit 12 are electrically connected, for example, via through-holes (not shown) provided in the circuit substrate 100. The first circuit 11 (electronic components 11a) and the second circuit 12 (electronic components 12a) constitute the functional blocks of the in-vehicle relay device 1, which will be described later.

[0090] A map light 41 is mounted on the outer surface of the floor F side of the housing 10. The map light 41 includes a plurality of Figure 2 The map light 410 includes two lights (two in the example) and a switch 411 that outputs a signal indicating whether the lights 410 are turned on or off. The lights 410 are, for example, LED lights. The map light 41 is connected to the aforementioned portion of the second branch line connector 71 via a power line and a communication line. The map light 41 can also be connected to the second circuit 12 via a power line and a communication line, for example, through a hole (not shown) that extends through the inside and outside of the housing 10.

[0091] The switch 411 of the map light 41 can be switched between three states: "lit," "off," and "open / close detection." When the switch 411 is switched from the "off" or "open / close detection" state to the "lit" state, it outputs a signal indicating that the light 410 is lit. When the switch 411 is switched from the "lit" or "open / close detection" state to the "off" state, it outputs a signal indicating that the light 410 is turned off. The case where the switch 411 is in the "open / close detection" state will be described later.

[0092] The map light 41 is included in the lighting equipment defined in the claims. Lighting equipment is not limited to the map light 41 and may also include, for example, a cabin light. Since the on-board relay device 1 includes the map light 41, i.e., the on-board relay device 1 and the map light 41 are integrally constructed, the limited area of the vehicle roof R can be effectively utilized. Since the communication and power lines connecting the on-board relay device 1 and the map light 41 are not installed on the vehicle roof R, the number of communication and power lines installed on the vehicle roof R can be reduced.

[0093] Figure 3 1 is a block diagram showing a functional block of the vehicle-mounted relay device 1 including a first circuit 11 and a second circuit 12. The vehicle-mounted relay device 1 includes a control unit 101 and a storage unit 102. Figure 3 In FIG, the control unit 101 is included in the first circuit 11. That is, the control unit 101 is composed of the electronic component 11a. The control unit 101 may also be included in the second circuit 12 (or may be composed of the electronic component 12a). Figure 3 In the embodiment, the storage unit 102 is included in the second circuit 12. The storage unit 102 may be included in the first circuit 11. Alternatively, both the control unit 101 and the storage unit 102 may be included in the first circuit 11 or the second circuit 12.

[0094] The storage unit 102 is composed of a volatile memory element such as RAM or a non-volatile memory element such as ROM, EEPROM, or flash memory. A control program is pre-stored in the storage unit 102. The control program stored in the storage unit 102 may be read from a recording medium readable by the on-board relay device 1. Alternatively, the control program may be downloaded from an external computer (not shown) connected to a communication network (not shown) and stored in the storage unit 102.

[0095] The control unit 101, comprised of a CPU or MPU, performs various control and computational processes by reading and executing control programs and data pre-stored in the storage unit 102. By executing the control program stored in the storage unit 102, the control unit 101 controls the supply and disconnection of power supplied from the power supply device 5 via power lines installed on the pillars P of the vehicle C and distributed to the onboard loads 4 via power lines installed on the roof R. By executing the control program stored in the storage unit 102, the control unit 101 controls the relaying of communications between the onboard loads 4 and the repeater 2. By executing the control program stored in the storage unit 102, the control unit 101 functions as a sleep and wakeup unit, disabling relaying (communication) when the vehicle C is not in use (when the engine of the vehicle C is stopped) and resuming relaying (communication) when the vehicle C is in use (when the engine of the vehicle C is started). This suppresses the effects of dark current (e.g., power consumption of the battery of the vehicle C). The control unit 101 executes a control program stored in the storage unit 102 to function as a lamp control unit that controls the lighting and extinguishing of the lamp 410 based on a signal indicating the lighting and extinguishing of the lamp 410 output from the switch 411 .

[0096] The control unit 101 can also function as a security unit that performs security-related processing in communication with a communication partner (not shown) outside the vehicle C (extra-vehicle communication) by executing a control program stored in the storage unit 102. Processing related to security in extra-vehicle communication includes, for example, authentication of the communication partner outside the vehicle C, such as an external server, and encryption and decryption of communication data. In authenticating the communication partner outside the vehicle C, the control unit 101 determines, for example, whether the ID (Identification) number of the communication partner outside the vehicle C, pre-stored in the storage unit 102, and the ID number transmitted from the communication partner outside the vehicle C match. If the ID numbers match, authentication of the communication partner outside the vehicle C is successful. Processing related to security in extra-vehicle communication can also be performed by, for example, the repeater 2.

[0097] The vehicle-mounted relay device 1 includes a plurality of ( Figure 3 The first branch line connectors 70 (two in the example) are connected to (included in) the first circuit 11. Each first branch line connector 70 is connected to the ground. In other words, each first branch line connector 70 is grounded. Alternatively, each first branch line connector 70 may be connected to a common ground (not shown) of the vehicle C.

[0098] The first branch line connector 70 is connected to the analog communication device 401 via a communication line and a power line (e.g., a wiring harness) installed on the vehicle roof R. Furthermore, it is electrically connected to an analog-to-digital (A / D) converter 110 included in the vehicle-mounted relay device 1. The A / D converter 110 is included in the first circuit 11. Specifically, the first circuit 11 includes an analog signal circuit related to the transmission of analog signals. The A / D converter 110 is included in the analog signal circuit. The A / D converter 110 converts the analog signal received from the analog communication device 401 via the first branch line connector 70 into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal.

[0099] For example, the analog communication device 401 (broadcast receiver) receives broadcast waves and outputs a signal (broadcast signal) related to the received broadcast waves. The control unit 101 obtains the broadcast signal output from the broadcast receiver. In detail, the broadcast signal output from the broadcast receiver is sent to the AD converter 110, and the AD converter 110 converts the analog signal into a digital signal. The control unit 101 obtains the broadcast signal after the conversion into a digital signal. The control unit 101 relays (outputs) the obtained broadcast signal to the repeater 2 via the CAN communication unit 111 or the Ethernet communication unit 112 described later and a trunk connector 6 described later. The repeater 2 obtains the broadcast signal output from the control unit 101 (on-board relay device 1) and relays (outputs) the obtained broadcast signal to the on-board ECU 3 related to the broadcast. The on-board ECU 3 related to the broadcast obtains the broadcast signal output from the repeater 2 and outputs the obtained broadcast signal to a speaker (not shown) installed in the vehicle C. The broadcast voice is output from the speaker.

[0100] The vehicle-mounted relay device 1 may also include an analog signal combining unit that combines (synthesizes) multiple analog signals. The analog signal combining unit is electrically connected to, for example, a first branch line connector 70 and an AD converter 110. The analog signal combining unit combines multiple analog signals received from the analog communication device 401 via the first branch line connector 70, and outputs the combined analog signal to the AD converter 110. The AD converter 110 obtains the combined analog signal, converts the obtained analog signal into a digital signal, and outputs the signal. The analog signal combining unit is included in the analog signal circuit (first circuit 11). The AD converter 110 may also combine the analog signals.

[0101] The other first branch line connector 70 is connected to the digital communication device 402 via a communication line and a power line (e.g., a wiring harness) installed on the roof R. Furthermore, it is electrically connected to the CAN communication unit 111 and the Ethernet communication unit 112 included in the vehicle-mounted relay device 1. The CAN communication unit 111 and the Ethernet communication unit 112 are included in the first circuit 11.

[0102] The Ethernet communication unit 112 includes an input and output interface corresponding to the Ethernet communication protocol. The Ethernet communication unit 112 communicates with the digital communication device 402 via the other first branch line connector 70 using the Ethernet communication protocol. The Ethernet communication unit 112 communicates with the vehicle-mounted load 4 other than the off-vehicle communication device 40 via the second branch line connector using the Ethernet communication protocol. The Ethernet communication unit 112 communicates with the repeater 2 and the power supply device 5 via the trunk line connector 6 using the Ethernet communication protocol. The Ethernet communication unit 112 converts a communication protocol other than Ethernet (such as CAN) into an Ethernet protocol. For example, the Ethernet communication unit 112 converts a program or data received from the digital communication device 402 via the other first branch line connector 70 into an Ethernet communication protocol and outputs the converted program or data. The Ethernet communication unit 112 includes, for example, an Ethernet circuit and an Ethernet switch, which are circuits related to Ethernet-based communication. The control unit 101 communicates with the vehicle-mounted load 4 , the digital communication device 402 , the repeater 2 , and the power supply device 5 , other than the off-vehicle communication device 40 , via the Ethernet communication unit 112 using the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0103] The CAN communication unit 111 includes an input and output interface corresponding to the CAN communication protocol. The CAN communication unit 111 communicates with the digital communication device 402 via the other first branch connector 70 using the CAN communication protocol. The CAN communication unit 111 communicates with the vehicle-mounted load 4 other than the off-vehicle communication device 40 via the second branch connector using the CAN communication protocol. The CAN communication unit 111 communicates with the repeater 2 and the power supply device 5 via the trunk connector 6 using the CAN communication protocol. The CAN communication unit 111 performs protocol conversion from a communication protocol other than CAN (such as Ethernet) to the CAN protocol. For example, the CAN communication unit 111 converts a program or data received from the digital communication device 402 via the other first branch connector into the CAN communication protocol and outputs the converted program or data. The CAN communication unit 111 includes, for example, a circuit related to CAN-based communication (CAN circuit). The control unit 101 communicates with the vehicle-mounted load 4 , the digital communication device 402 , the repeater 2 , and the power supply device 5 , other than the external communication device 40 , via the CAN communication unit 111 using the CAN communication protocol.

[0104] For example, the digital communication device 402 (TCU) communicates with a computer (external server) such as a server connected to an off-vehicle network such as the Internet or a public line network via the off-vehicle network. The digital communication device 402 obtains the update program for the on-vehicle ECU 3 from the external server and outputs the obtained update program to the on-vehicle relay device 1. The control unit 101 of the on-vehicle relay device 1 obtains the update program output from the digital communication device 402 via the CAN communication unit 111 or the Ethernet communication unit 112 and the other first branch line connector 70. The control unit 101 relays (outputs) the obtained update program to the repeater 2 via the CAN communication unit 111 or the Ethernet communication unit 112 and a trunk line connector 6. The repeater 2 obtains the update program output from the control unit 101 (on-vehicle relay device 1) and relays (outputs) the obtained update program to the on-vehicle ECU 3 to be updated.

[0105] Communication protocols other than CAN and Ethernet may be used between the control unit 101 and the onboard load 4, repeater 2, and power supply 5. Specifically, the first circuit 11 may include a communication unit (communication interface) that supports communication using a communication protocol other than CAN and Ethernet. The control unit 101 communicates with the onboard load 4, repeater 2, and power supply 5 via this communication unit. Examples of communication protocols other than CAN and Ethernet include CAN-FD (CAN with Flexible Data Rate), LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling), and LIN (Local Interconnect Network).

[0106] The vehicle-mounted relay device 1 includes a plurality of ( Figure 3 2) trunk connectors 6 and multiple (in Figure 3 (two in the figure) second branch line connectors 71. Each main line connector 6 and each second branch line connector 71 is connected to (included in) the second circuit 12. Each main line connector 6 and each second branch line connector 71 is connected to the ground. In other words, each main line connector 6 and each second branch line connector 71 is grounded. Each main line connector 6 and each second branch line connector 71 may also be connected to a common ground (not shown) of the vehicle C, for example.

[0107] A trunk connector 6 is connected to the repeater 2 via a communication line and a power line (e.g., a wiring harness) provided on a pillar P of the vehicle C. The control unit 101 communicates with the repeater 2 via the CAN communication unit 111 or the Ethernet communication unit 112 and the trunk connector 6. The control unit 101 obtains the communication of the on-board ECU 3 relayed from the repeater 2 (e.g., a signal (program or data) used by the on-board ECU 3 to control a predetermined on-board load 4 (the on-board load 4 to be controlled)). The trunk connector 6 (on-board relay device 1) and the repeater 2 may not be connected by a power line. In this case, the repeater 2 is connected to the power supply device 5, for example, via a power line.

[0108] The other trunk connectors 6 are connected to the power supply device 5 via communication lines and power lines (e.g., wiring harnesses) provided on the pillars P of the vehicle C. Furthermore, they are electrically connected to a power distribution unit 120 that distributes power. The power distribution unit 120 includes, for example, a distribution circuit or a distributor for distributing the power supplied from the power supply device 5. The power distribution unit 120 is electrically connected to each of the first branch connectors 70 and each of the second branch connectors 71, and distributes the power supplied from the power supply device 5 via the other trunk connectors 6 to the vehicle-mounted loads 4 via each of the first branch connectors 70 and each of the second branch connectors 71. The power distribution unit 120 is further electrically connected to one of the trunk connectors 6, and distributes the power supplied from the power supply device 5 to the repeater 2 via one of the trunk connectors 6. The power distribution unit 120 distributes the power based on, for example, a predetermined (designed) ratio.

[0109] Furthermore, the power distribution unit 120 includes, for example, a relay (relay switch) for supplying and disconnecting the distributed power, that is, supplying the distributed power to the vehicle-mounted load 4 and the relay 2, and stopping (disconnecting) the supply of the power. Furthermore, it includes a fuse for cutting off the current when an overcurrent flows into the first circuit 11 or the second circuit 12, thereby protecting the first circuit 11 and the second circuit 12, as well as the power lines (wiring harness) connected to the first circuit 11 and the second circuit 12. The switching of the relays of the power distribution unit 120 is controlled by the control unit 101. That is, the control unit 101 causes the power distribution unit 120 to switch the relays and control the supply and disconnection of the distributed power. For example, the control unit 101 may also output a signal indicating that an overcurrent has flowed to the power supply device 5 when the above-mentioned fuse operates (when an overcurrent has flowed).

[0110] The above-mentioned fuse is preferably a semiconductor fuse. This is because the semiconductor fuse also serves as a semiconductor relay and also functions as the above-mentioned relay. By using a semiconductor fuse (semiconductor relay), the increase in the number of electronic components 12a (the number of components of the vehicle-mounted relay device 1) can be suppressed. The semiconductor fuse (semiconductor relay) does not need to be replaced. For example, the control unit 101 is connected to the semiconductor fuse (semiconductor relay) through wiring not shown in the figure. When an overcurrent flows, the control unit 101 causes the semiconductor fuse to cut off the current. When the current returns to normal after the current is cut off, the control unit 101 causes the semiconductor fuse to start energizing again (release the current cut-off). The above-mentioned relay is not limited to a semiconductor relay, and can also be a mechanical relay. For example, when a mechanical relay is used, the mechanical fuse is included in the power distribution unit 120. The mechanical fuse needs to be replaced, so it is arranged in a position where it is easy to replace.

[0111] Each second branch line connector 71 is connected to the vehicle-mounted load 4 other than the vehicle external communication device 40 via a communication line and a power line (eg, a harness). One second branch line connector 71 is connected to the map light 41 via a communication line and a power line.

[0112] The following describes the case where the switch 411 of the map light 41 is in the "open / close detection" state. In the "open / close detection" state, the open / closed state of a door (not shown) of vehicle C is detected (based on the door's open / closed state), and the light 410 of the map light 41 is turned on and off. For example, a sensor is installed on a door of vehicle C to detect whether the door is open or closed. When the door is open, this sensor outputs a signal indicating that the door is open (an open signal) to the onboard ECU 3 associated with the map light 41. The onboard ECU 3 associated with the map light 41 receives the open signal output from the sensor and outputs a signal (a lighting signal) for lighting the light 410. The repeater 2 receives the lighting signal output from the onboard ECU 3 associated with the map light 41 and relays (outputs) the received lighting signal to the control unit 101 of the onboard relay device 1. The control unit 101 receives the lighting signal output from the repeater 2 via the trunk connector 6 and the CAN communication unit 111 or the Ethernet communication unit 112. The control unit 101 lights up the lamp 410 of the map light 41. Specifically, the control unit 101 causes the power distribution unit 120 to switch the relay to supply power to the map light 41 (the second branch line connector 71 connected to the map light 41). The supplied power turns on the lamp 410.

[0113] When the vehicle door is closed, the sensor outputs a signal (a closed signal) indicating that the door is closed to the onboard ECU 3 associated with the map light 41. The onboard ECU 3 associated with the map light 41 receives the closed signal from the sensor and outputs a signal (an off signal) to turn off the light 410. The repeater 2 receives the off signal from the onboard ECU 3 associated with the map light 41 and relays (outputs) the received off signal to the control unit 101 of the onboard relay device 1. The control unit 101 receives the off signal from the repeater 2 via the trunk connector 6 and the CAN communication unit 111 or the Ethernet communication unit 112. The control unit 101 turns off the light 410 of the map light 41. Specifically, the control unit 101 causes the power distribution unit 120 to switch the relay, thereby stopping (cutting off) the power supply to the map light 41 (the second branch line connector 71 connected to the map light 41). Since the power supply is stopped, the light 410 turns off.

[0114] When the switch 411 is switched from the "off" or "open / close detection" state to the "on" state, it outputs a signal indicating the lighting of the lamp 410. The control unit 101 receives the output signal indicating the lighting of the lamp 410 via the second branch line connector 71 and lights the lamp 410 of the map lamp 41 as described above.

[0115] When the switch 411 is switched from the "lit" or "open / close detection" state to the "off" state, it outputs a signal indicating that the light 410 has been turned off. The control unit 101 receives the output signal indicating that the light 410 has been turned off via the second branch line connector 71 and turns off the map light 410 as described above. The map light 41 can also be connected to a second branch line connector 71 without using a communication line or a power line. As described above, the map light 41 can also be connected to the second circuit via a communication line and a power line through a hole through the housing 10. In this case, the control unit 101 receives the signal indicating that the light 410 has been lit and the signal indicating that the light 410 has been turned off via the communication line.

[0116] The map light 41 and the on-board relay device 1 are integrally formed, but each can also be mounted on the vehicle C as an independent device. In addition to or in place of the map light 41, a sun visor having a light and a vanity mirror, for example, can be connected to the second branch connector 71. This sun visor is, for example, mounted above the passenger seat of the vehicle C on the roof R. A cover is attached to the vanity mirror on the sun visor. This cover functions as a switch that outputs a signal indicating whether the light is on or off. When the cover is open, it outputs a signal indicating whether the light is on to the control unit 101. When the cover is closed, it outputs a signal indicating whether the light is off to the control unit 101. In other words, the cover outputs a signal indicating whether the light is on or off depending on the opening and closing conditions. The sun visor described above is included in the lighting device described in the claims.

[0117] To the other second branch line connector 71, an in-vehicle camera 42 is connected as an example of an in-vehicle load 4 other than the off-vehicle communication device 40. The in-vehicle camera 42 is, for example, a driver monitoring camera. The in-vehicle ECU 3 associated with the in-vehicle camera 42 outputs a signal (shooting start signal) for starting shooting with the in-vehicle camera 42, for example, when the engine of the vehicle C is started. The repeater 2 obtains the shooting start signal output from the in-vehicle ECU 3 associated with the in-vehicle camera 42, and relays (outputs) the obtained shooting start signal to the control unit 101 of the in-vehicle relay device 1. The control unit 101 obtains the shooting start signal output from the repeater 2 via the trunk connector 6 and the CAN communication unit 111 or the Ethernet communication unit 112. The control unit 101 relays (outputs) the obtained shooting start signal to the in-vehicle camera 42 via the other second branch line connector 71 and the CAN communication unit 111 or the Ethernet communication unit 112. The in-vehicle camera 42 begins capturing images and outputs data (image data) related to the captured images (moving or still images) to the control unit 101 of the in-vehicle relay device 1. The control unit 101 receives the image data output from the in-vehicle camera 42 via the second branch line connector 71 and the CAN communication unit 111 or the Ethernet communication unit 112. The control unit 101 relays (outputs) the received image data to the repeater 2 via the main line connector 6 and the CAN communication unit 111 or the Ethernet communication unit 112. The repeater 2 receives the image data output from the in-vehicle relay device 1 and relays (outputs) the received image data to the in-vehicle ECU 3 associated with the in-vehicle camera 42.

[0118] The on-board load 4 is connected to the on-board relay device 1 (first branch line connector 70 or second branch line connector 71) via a communication line such as a wiring harness and a power line. Alternatively, at least one of the on-board loads 4 may be connected to the on-board relay device 1 via a dedicated communication line and power line (dedicated line). A dedicated line is a so-called direct line that independently connects the on-board load 4 and the on-board relay device 1 (first branch line connector or second branch line connector). For example, the map light 41 may be connected to the on-board relay device 1 (second branch line connector 71 or second circuit 12) via a dedicated line. For example, the in-vehicle camera 42 may be connected to the on-board relay device 1 (second branch line connector 71) via a dedicated line.

[0119] Since the noise suppression member 13 is provided inside the circuit board 100, the propagation of noise from the second circuit 12 to the first circuit 11 and from the first circuit 11 to the second circuit 12 is suppressed. As a result, the vehicle-mounted load 4 can be driven stably (for example, communication by the external communication device 40).

[0120] In the connection between the main connector 6 and the repeater 2 and the power supply device 5, and in the connection between the branch connector (first branch connector 70 or second branch connector 71) and the vehicle-mounted load 4, PoE (Power of Ethernet / Power over Ethernet) can also be used to supply power and communicate through one cable (wiring).

[0121] The on-board relay device 1 is connected to a plurality of on-board loads 4 installed on the roof R via power lines and communication lines installed on the roof R. Furthermore, the on-board relay device 1 is connected to a repeater 2 (another on-board relay device) and a power supply device 5 other than those installed on the roof R via power lines and communication lines installed on the pillars P of the vehicle C. The on-board relay device 1 switches on and off (supplies and cuts off) the power supplied from the power supply device 5 via the power supply lines installed on the pillars P and distributed to the on-board loads 4 via the power lines installed on the roof R. The on-board relay device 1 relays communication between the on-board loads 4 and the relay device 2. The on-board loads 4, the power supply device 5, and the relay device 2 are connected via the on-board relay device 1. That is, the on-board loads 4 and the power supply device 5 are not connected independently. The on-board loads 4 and the relay device 2 are not connected independently. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of communication lines and power lines installed on the pillars P of the vehicle C.

[0122] The circuit board 100 includes a first circuit 11 on its upper surface (the surface facing the roof R) and a second circuit on its lower surface (the surface facing the floor F). In other words, both sides of the circuit board 100 are used. This allows for miniaturization of the in-vehicle relay device 1. Specifically, the area required for installing the in-vehicle relay device 1 is reduced, effectively utilizing the limited area of the roof R.

[0123] Many of the off-vehicle communication devices 40 are installed on the upper portion of the vehicle roof R. Since the first branch line connector 70 is provided on the surface of the circuit board 100 facing the vehicle roof R, the communication lines and power lines connecting the on-vehicle relay device 1 and the off-vehicle communication device 40 can be easily arranged (installed) on the roof R. This allows for shortening the length of the communication lines and power lines connecting the on-vehicle relay device 1 and the off-vehicle communication device 40.

[0124] Generally, a heat insulator is installed on the roof R, so heat generated by the in-vehicle relay device 1 (first circuit 11 and second circuit 12) is less likely to dissipate outside the vehicle C. Since the second circuit 12 includes relays, fuses, and other components, the amount of heat generated in the second circuit 12 increases. Since the second circuit 12 is formed on the surface of the circuit board 100 facing the floor F of the vehicle C, i.e., the interior of the vehicle C, heat generated by the second circuit 12 can be effectively dissipated into the interior of the vehicle C. In other words, heat is less likely to be trapped within the in-vehicle relay device 1 (housing 10).

[0125] (Implementation Method 2)

[0126] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the vehicle-mounted relay device 1 according to Embodiment 2. Components in the structure of Embodiment 2 that are identical to those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The vehicle-mounted relay device 1 according to Embodiment 2 is mounted on the roof R of a vehicle C.

[0127] In the in-vehicle relay device 1 of Embodiment 2, the circuit board 100 includes a first substrate 140 disposed on the roof R side (upper side) within the housing 10, and a second substrate 150 disposed on the floor F side (lower side) within the housing 10. The first substrate 140 and the second substrate 150 may be, for example, a single substrate or a laminated substrate. The first and second substrates 140, 150 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction of the vehicle C, facing each other.

[0128] The first substrate 140 is mounted on the inner surface of the roof R side of the housing 10, for example. The first circuit 11 is formed on the surface of the first substrate 140 on the floor F side (the lower surface of the first substrate 140). The first branch line connector 70 is mounted on the edge of the lower surface of the first substrate 140. The first branch line connector 70 is connected to the first circuit 11. Figure 4 In the embodiment, the first branch line connector 70 is mounted on the rear edge of the lower surface of the first substrate 140. A portion of the first branch line connector 70 is exposed to the exterior of the housing 10 through an opening provided in the rear side of the housing 10. In other words, the first branch line connector 70 is provided (mounted) on the rear side of the housing 10 (in-vehicle relay device 1). A portion of the first branch line connector 70 connects to the power line and communication line installed on the roof R and connected to the external communication device 40.

[0129] The second substrate 150 is installed on the inner surface of the floor F side of the housing 10, for example. A second circuit 12 is formed on the surface of the second substrate 150 on the roof R side (the upper surface of the second substrate 150). The second circuit 12 is connected to the first circuit 11 through the wiring 16 including the communication line and the power line. That is, the first substrate 140 and the second substrate 150 are connected by the wiring 16. The main line connector 6 and the second branch line connector 71 are installed on the edge of the lower surface of the second substrate 150. The main line connector 6 and the second branch line connector 71 are connected to the second circuit 12, respectively. Figure 4 In the embodiment, the trunk line connector 6 and the second branch line connector 71 are arranged in the left and right directions of the vehicle C ( Figure 4The trunk connector 6 and the second branch connector 71 are arranged on the front and back directions of the paper and are installed on the front side of the second substrate 150. A portion of the trunk connector 6 and a portion of the second branch connector 71 are exposed to the outside of the housing 10 through openings provided on the side surface of the front side of the housing 10. That is, the trunk connector 6 and the second branch connector 71 are provided (installed) on the side surface of the front side of the housing 10 (on-vehicle relay device 1). A portion of the trunk connector 6 is connected to the power lines and communication lines provided on the pillar P of the vehicle C and connected to the repeater 2 and the power supply device 5. A portion of the second branch connector 71 is connected to the power lines and communication lines provided on the roof R and connected to the on-vehicle load 4 other than the off-vehicle communication device 40.

[0130] Since the first and second substrates are arranged side by side in the vertical direction, the vehicle-mounted relay device 1 can be miniaturized. In other words, the area required for installing the vehicle-mounted relay device 1 is reduced, and the limited area of the vehicle roof R can be effectively utilized.

[0131] The first substrate 140 has a first circuit 11 and a first branch line connector 70 on the surface facing the second substrate 150, that is, on the floor F side of the first substrate 140. The second substrate 150 has a second circuit 12, a main line connector 6, and a second branch line connector 71 on the surface facing the first substrate 140, that is, on the roof R side of the second substrate 150. Figure 4 In the embodiment, the first branch line connector 70 is provided on the side surface of the rear side of the housing 10. The main line connector 6 and the second branch line connector 71 are provided on the side surface of the front side of the housing 10. That is, the first branch line connector 70, the main line connector 6, and the second branch line connector 71 are respectively provided on different side surfaces of the housing 10, and overlap in the thickness direction of the vehicle-mounted relay device 1 (housing 10). In other words, the main line connector 6 and the branch line connector 7 do not overlap when viewed from the front of the vehicle-mounted relay device 1. By overlapping in the thickness direction, the width of the side surface of the vehicle-mounted relay device 1 can be reduced. That is, the height of the side surface of the vehicle-mounted relay device 1 can be reduced, and the thickness of the vehicle-mounted relay device 1 can be reduced. As long as the first branch line connector 70, the main line connector 6, and the second branch line connector 71 overlap in the thickness direction, the configuration of the first branch line connector 70, the main line connector 6, and the second branch line connector 71 is not limited to the above configuration.

[0132] The in-vehicle relay device 1 includes a noise suppression member 17 within the housing 10. The noise suppression member 17 is disposed between the first substrate 140 and the second substrate 150, that is, between the first circuit 11 and the second circuit 12. The noise suppression member 17 is, for example, an electromagnetic shielding member such as a sheet made of magnetic metal or a sheet made of resin containing magnetic metal. The noise suppression member 17 has, for example, a rectangular shape extending in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction of the vehicle C. The noise suppression member 17 effectively suppresses the propagation of noise from the second circuit 12 to the first circuit 11, and from the first circuit 11 to the second circuit 12. This suppressed noise propagation allows for stable driving of the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the in-vehicle relay device 1. The noise suppression member 17 corresponds to the second noise suppression member in the claims.

[0133] The vehicle-mounted relay device 1 includes a map light 41. The map light 41 is mounted on the outer surface of the housing 10 on the floor F side, similarly to the first embodiment. The lamp 410 of the map light 41 can also be mounted (connected) to the second circuit 12, for example. For example, the lamp 410 is an LED lamp, mounted on the surface of the second substrate 150 on the floor F side, and electrically connected to the second circuit 12 via a through hole (not shown) provided in the second substrate 150. The lamp 410 is exposed to the outside of the housing 10 (inside the interior of the vehicle C) through an opening provided on the floor F side of the housing 10. The switch 411 of the map light 41 is electrically connected to the second circuit 12, for example, via a hole that passes through the inside and outside of the housing 10. The switch 411 can also be mounted on the surface of the second substrate 150 on the floor F side.

[0134] Since the on-board relay device 1 and the map light 41 are integrally formed, the limited area of the roof R can be effectively utilized. Since the communication lines and power lines connecting the on-board relay device 1 and the map light 41 are not installed on the roof R, an increase in the number of communication lines and power lines installed on the roof R can be suppressed.

[0135] The on-board relay device 1 is connected to a plurality of on-board loads 4 installed on the roof R via power lines and communication lines installed on the roof R, as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the on-board relay device 1 is connected to a repeater 2 and a power supply device 5 installed outside the roof R via power lines and communication lines installed on the pillars P of the vehicle C. The on-board relay device 1 performs supply and disconnection (supply and disconnection) of power supplied from the power supply device 5 via the power supply lines installed on the pillars P and distributed to the on-board loads 4 via the power lines installed on the roof R. The on-board relay device 1 relays communication between the on-board loads 4 and the repeater 2. The on-board loads 4, the repeater 2, and the power supply device 5 are connected via the on-board relay device 1. That is, the on-board loads 4, the repeater 2, and the power supply device 5 are not connected independently. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of communication lines and power lines installed on the pillars P of the vehicle C.

[0136] Since the first branch line connector 70 is provided on the first substrate 140, the communication line and power line connecting the on-board relay device 1 and the external communication device 40 can be easily arranged (installed) on the roof R. This shortens the length of the communication line and power line connecting the on-board relay device 1 and the external communication device 40.

[0137] Generally, a heat insulator is installed on the roof R, so heat generated by the in-vehicle relay device 1 (first circuit 11 and second circuit 12) is less likely to dissipate outside the vehicle C. Since the second circuit 12 includes relays, fuses, and other components, the amount of heat generated in the second circuit 12 increases. Since the second circuit 12 is formed on the second substrate 150, i.e., inside the vehicle C, the heat generated in the second circuit 12 can be effectively dissipated inside the vehicle C. In other words, heat is less likely to be trapped inside the in-vehicle relay device 1 (housing 10).

[0138] (Implementation 3)

[0139] Figure 5 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of a vehicle-mounted relay device 1 according to Embodiment 3. Components in Embodiment 3 that are identical to those in Embodiment 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. The vehicle-mounted relay device 1 according to Embodiment 3 is mounted on the roof R of a vehicle C.

[0140] The in-vehicle relay device 1 of the third embodiment, like the in-vehicle relay device 1 of the second embodiment, includes a first substrate 140 disposed within the housing 10. In the in-vehicle relay device 1 of the third embodiment, the first substrate 140 is disposed within the housing 10, for example, with a space formed between the first substrate 140 and the inner surface of the housing 10 on the roof R side.

[0141] An off-vehicle communication device 40 is mounted on the surface of the first substrate 140 on the roof R side, that is, on the opposite side of the surface facing the second substrate 150. That is, the on-vehicle relay device 1 has a built-in off-vehicle communication device 40. In detail, an off-vehicle communication circuit 43 for realizing the functions of the off-vehicle communication device 40 is formed on the surface of the first substrate 140 on the roof R side. The off-vehicle communication circuit 43 includes a communication circuit (wireless circuit) for communicating with a communication object outside the vehicle C, and includes electronic components 43a such as transistors, diodes, capacitors, antennas, and ICs for constituting the communication circuit. The off-vehicle communication circuit 43 is electrically connected to the first circuit 11 formed on the surface of the first substrate 140 on the floor F side via a through hole (not shown) provided in the first substrate 140.

[0142] The off-vehicle communication circuit 43 includes, for example, an antenna related to (corresponding to) LTE, 4G or 5G communication, a modulation circuit, a digital processing circuit, and other wireless circuits related to LTE, 4G or 5G communication, thereby realizing the function of the TCU (off-vehicle communication device 40). The off-vehicle communication circuit 43 (electronic component 43a) may also include, for example, an antenna for ITS-related communication and an IC for ITS-related communication, as well as an antenna for ETC-related communication and an IC for ETC-related communication. The off-vehicle communication circuit 43 may also include an antenna related to Wi-Fi communication and an IC related to Wi-Fi communication, as well as an antenna for receiving GPS signals and an IC for receiving GPS signals. Various signals may also be encapsulated in the off-vehicle communication circuit 43. The on-vehicle relay device 1 can communicate with a communication object outside the vehicle C via the off-vehicle communication circuit 43.

[0143] The off-vehicle communication circuit 43 may also include a television amplifier and a radio amplifier. For example, there are restrictions on the placement of television and radio antennas. For example, antennas with limited placement, such as television and radio antennas, may be mounted on the roof R, outside the vehicle C, and connected to the off-vehicle communication circuit 43 via a communication line provided on the roof R. This communication line, for example, connects to the off-vehicle communication circuit 43 via a hole extending through the housing 10. This communication line may also be connected to the first branch line connector 70, and then connected to the off-vehicle communication circuit 43 via the first circuit 11 and a through-hole provided in the first substrate 140.

[0144] Because the on-board relay device 1 incorporates the external communication device 40, the number of communication lines and power lines installed on the roof R and connecting the on-board relay device 1 and the external communication device 40 can be minimized. Since the external communication device 40 is mounted on the roof R-side surface of the first substrate 140 (forming the external communication circuit 43), communication with a communication partner outside the vehicle C is facilitated and stabilized. Furthermore, antennas installed on the roof R, such as those for broadcasting and television, outside the vehicle C, can be easily connected (communicated) to the on-board relay device 1 (external communication circuit 43).

[0145] The first substrate 140 includes a noise suppression member 141. The noise suppression member 141 is provided inside the first substrate 140, that is, between the surface on the roof R side and the surface on the floor F side. The noise suppression member 141 is, for example, an electromagnetic shielding member such as a sheet made of magnetic metal or a sheet made of resin containing magnetic metal. The noise suppression member 141 is, for example, a rectangular shape extending in a direction perpendicular to the up and down direction of the vehicle C. The noise suppression member 141 effectively suppresses the propagation of noise from the external communication circuit 43 and the propagation of noise to the external communication circuit 43. Since the propagation of noise is suppressed, communication based on the installed external communication device 40 (external communication circuit 43) can be performed stably. The noise suppression member 141 is equivalent to the first noise suppression member in the claims.

[0146] The first branch line connector 70 can be used to connect to an off-vehicle communication device 40 that is not built into the on-vehicle relay device 1. For example, if the on-vehicle relay device 1 does not have a built-in (installed) GPS receiver, the on-vehicle relay device 1 can be connected to the GPS receiver via the first branch line connector 70. This allows the GPS receiver to be externalized. For example, an off-vehicle communication device 40 that communicates with a communication standard that the on-vehicle relay device 1 does not support can be connected to the on-vehicle relay device 1 via the first branch line connector 70. By storing the control program for the off-vehicle communication device 40 in the storage unit 102, the on-vehicle relay device 1 can communicate with the non-supported communication standard.

[0147] (Implementation 4)

[0148] Figure 6 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of a vehicle-mounted relay device 1 according to Embodiment 4. Components in the structure of Embodiment 4 that are identical to those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The vehicle-mounted relay device 1 according to Embodiment 4 is mounted on the roof R of a vehicle C.

[0149] In the in-vehicle relay device 1 of the fourth embodiment, a circuit 18 including a first circuit 11 and a second circuit 12 is formed on the floor F-side surface (lower surface) of the circuit board 100. The first circuit 11 and the second circuit 12 are electrically connected. The circuit board 100 has a main line connector 6, a first branch line connector 70, and a second branch line connector 71 on its lower surface. In other words, the circuit board 100 has a main line connector 6 and a branch line connector on its lower surface.

[0150] The main line connector 6 and the branch line connectors (the first branch line connector 70 and the second branch line connector 71) are mounted on the side of the lower surface of the circuit board 100. Figure 6In the embodiment, the first branch line connector 70 is mounted on the rear side edge of the circuit substrate 100. A portion of the first branch line connector 70 is exposed to the outside of the housing 10 through an opening provided on the side surface of the rear side of the housing 10. In other words, the first branch line connector 70 is provided (mounted) on the side surface of the rear side of the housing 10. The first branch line connector 70 may also be mounted on an edge other than the rear side of the circuit substrate 100 (a side surface other than the rear side of the housing 10). The first branch line connector 70 is connected to the first circuit 11. In other words, the first branch line connector 70 is connected to the circuit 18.

[0151] The trunk connector 6 and the second branch connector 71 are Figure 6 In the embodiment 1, the main line connector 6 and the second branch line connector 71 are installed on the side of the front side of the circuit substrate 100 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. That is, the main line connector 6 and the second branch line connector 71 are provided (installed) on the side of the front side of the housing 10. The main line connector 6 and the second branch line connector 71 can also be installed on the side other than the front side of the circuit substrate 100 (the side other than the front side of the housing 10). The main line connector 6 and the second branch line connector 71 are connected to the second circuit 12. That is, the main line connector 6 and the branch line connectors (the first branch line connector 70 and the second branch line connector 71) are connected to the circuit 18.

[0152] An off-vehicle communication device 40 is mounted on the surface (upper surface) on the roof R side of the circuit substrate 100. That is, the on-vehicle relay device 1 has a built-in off-vehicle communication device 40. Specifically, an off-vehicle communication circuit 44 for realizing the functions of the off-vehicle communication device 40 is formed on the surface on the roof R side of the circuit substrate 100. The off-vehicle communication circuit 44 includes a communication circuit (wireless circuit) for communicating with a communication partner outside the vehicle C, and includes electronic components 44a such as transistors, diodes, capacitors, antennas, and ICs that constitute the communication circuit. The off-vehicle communication circuit 44 and the electronic components 44a are the same as the off-vehicle communication circuit 43 and the electronic components 43a of Embodiment 3. Therefore, the description of the off-vehicle communication circuit 44 and the electronic components 44a is omitted. The off-vehicle communication circuit 44 is electrically connected to the first circuit 11 (circuit 18) formed on the surface (lower surface) on the floor F side of the circuit substrate 100 via a through hole provided in the circuit substrate 100. The in-vehicle relay device 1 can communicate with a communication partner outside the vehicle C via the external communication circuit 44 .

[0153] A noise suppression member 19 is provided inside the circuit board 100, that is, between the surface of the circuit board 100 on the roof R side and the surface of the circuit board 100 on the floor F side. The noise suppression member 19 suppresses the propagation of noise from the external communication circuit 44 to the circuit 18, and from the circuit 18 to the external communication circuit 44. Since the propagation of noise to the external communication circuit 44 is suppressed, stable communication can be performed by the installed external communication device 40 (external communication circuit 44).

[0154] As in the third embodiment, the first branch line connector 70 can be used to connect to an external communication device 40 that is not built into the on-board relay device 1. Since the on-board relay device 1 incorporates the external communication device 40, the number of communication lines and power lines built into the roof R and connecting the on-board relay device 1 and the external communication device 40 can be minimized. Since the external communication device 40 is mounted on the top surface of the circuit board 100 (forming the external communication circuit 44), communication with a communication partner outside the vehicle C is facilitated and stabilized. Furthermore, antennas outside the vehicle C (e.g., radio and television antennas) installed on the roof R can be easily connected (communication) to the on-board relay device 1 (external communication circuit 44).

[0155] (Implementation 5)

[0156] Figure 7 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of a vehicle-mounted relay device 1 according to Embodiment 5. Components in Embodiment 5 that are identical to those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The vehicle-mounted relay device 1 according to Embodiment 5 is mounted on the roof R of a vehicle C.

[0157] In the in-vehicle relay device 1 of the fifth embodiment, the circuit board 100 includes a branch line connector 7 including a first branch line connector 70 and a second branch line connector 71, and a trunk line connector 6. Figure 7 In the embodiment, the branch line connector 7 is mounted on the rear side edge of the surface (upper surface) on the roof R side of the circuit substrate 100. A portion of the branch line connector 7 is exposed to the outside of the housing 10 through an opening provided on the side surface on the rear side of the housing 10. That is, the first branch line connector 70 is provided on the side surface on the rear side of the housing 10 (on-board relay device 1). A power line and a communication line provided on the roof R and connected to the on-board load 4 are connected to a portion of the branch line connector 7. The configuration of the branch line connector 7 is not limited to the above configuration. The branch line connector 7 may also be mounted on an edge other than the rear side of the upper surface of the circuit substrate 100. For example, the branch line connector 7 may also be mounted on an edge of the surface (lower surface) on the floor F side of the circuit substrate 100.

[0158] exist Figure 7In the embodiment, the trunk connector 6 is mounted on the front side of the floor F side (lower surface) of the circuit substrate 100. A portion of the trunk connector 6 is exposed to the outside of the housing 10 through an opening provided on the side of the front side of the housing 10. A portion of the trunk connector 6 is connected to the power lines and communication lines provided on the pillar P and connected to the repeater 2 and the power supply device 5. The configuration of the trunk connector 6 is not limited to the above configuration. The trunk connector 6 can also be mounted on an edge other than the front side of the lower surface of the circuit substrate 100. The trunk connector 6 can also be mounted on an edge of the upper surface of the circuit substrate 100. A power supply collection connector in which the power lines connected to a plurality of vehicle-mounted devices (various vehicle-mounted loads 4, repeaters 2 and power supply devices 5) are collected and connected, and a communication collection connector in which the communication lines connected to a plurality of vehicle-mounted devices are collected and connected can also be mounted on the circuit substrate 100.

[0159] A communication circuit 80 for communicating with the vehicle-mounted load 4 and the repeater 2 is formed on the upper surface of the circuit board 100. The communication circuit 80 includes electronic components 80a such as transistors, diodes, capacitors, and ICs. The communication circuit 80 is connected to the main line connector 6 and the branch line connector 7, respectively.

[0160] A power supply circuit 81 for distributing the power supplied from the power supply device 5 to the vehicle-mounted load 4 is formed on the lower surface of the circuit substrate 100. The power supply circuit 81 includes electronic components 81a such as transistors, diodes, capacitors and ICs. The power supply circuit 81 is connected to the trunk connector 6 and the branch connector 7, respectively. The communication circuit 80 and the power supply circuit 81 are connected, for example, via a through hole provided in the circuit substrate 100. Power is supplied from the power supply circuit 81 to the electronic component 80a (communication circuit 80) via the through hole. The communication circuit 80 and the power supply circuit 81 can also be connected to the map light 41, respectively. The communication circuit 80 (electronic component 80a) and the power supply circuit 81 (electronic component 81a) constitute the functional blocks of the vehicle-mounted relay device 1.

[0161] Figure 8 1 is a block diagram showing a functional block of the vehicle-mounted relay device 1 including a communication circuit 80 and a power supply circuit 81. The vehicle-mounted relay device 1 includes a control unit 101 and a storage unit 102. Figure 8 In FIG, the control unit 101 and the storage unit 102 are included in the communication circuit 80. That is, the control unit 101 and the storage unit 102 are composed of the electronic component 80a. The control unit 101 and the storage unit 102 may also be included in the power supply circuit 81 (or may be composed of the electronic component 81a).

[0162] The in-vehicle relay device 1 includes an AD converter 110, a CAN communication unit 111, and an Ethernet communication unit 112. The AD converter 110, CAN communication unit 111, and Ethernet communication unit 112 are included in a communication circuit 80. The AD converter 110, CAN communication unit 111, and Ethernet communication unit 112 are connected to the branch line connector 7 and the trunk line connector 6. The communication circuit 80 may also include the aforementioned analog signal circuit. The communication circuit 80 may also include the aforementioned analog signal combining unit. The control unit 101 communicates with the repeater 2 and the in-vehicle load 4 (external vehicle communication device 40) via the communication circuit 80 (AD converter 110, CAN communication unit 111, and Ethernet communication unit 112) and the trunk line connector 6 and the branch line connector 7. In other words, the control unit 101 controls the relaying of communications between the repeater 2 and the in-vehicle load 4 via the communication circuit 80.

[0163] The on-board relay device 1 includes a power distribution unit 120 included in the power circuit 81. As described above, the power distribution unit 120 includes a fuse and a relay. The power distribution unit 120 is connected to the branch connector 7 (the first branch connector 70 and the second branch connector 71) and the main connector 6. The power supplied from the power supply device 5 via the power line installed in the support P is distributed to the on-board load 4 via the power circuit 81 (power distribution unit 120) and the branch connector 7. This power can also be distributed to the repeater 2 via the power circuit 81 and the main connector 6. The control unit 101 controls the supply and disconnection of the power supplied from the power supply device 5 and distributed to the on-board load 4 as described above. Since the power supplied from the power supply device 5 is distributed to the power circuit 81, a high-voltage current flows in the power circuit 81. The power circuit 81 is a so-called high-current circuit and is prone to noise propagation to other circuits. It should be noted that the communication circuit 80 is a so-called low-current circuit.

[0164] The on-board relay device 1 is connected to multiple on-board loads 4 installed on the vehicle roof R via power lines and communication lines installed on the vehicle roof R. Furthermore, the on-board relay device 1 is connected to the relay device 2 and power supply device 5 installed outside the vehicle roof R via power lines and communication lines installed on the support pillars P. In other words, the on-board loads 4, relay device 2, and power supply device 5 are connected via the on-board relay device 1, rather than being connected independently. This prevents an increase in the number of communication lines and power lines installed on the support pillars P.

[0165] Since the communication circuit 80 and the power supply circuit 81 are isolated in the vertical direction, the propagation of noise from the communication circuit 80 to the power supply circuit 81 and the propagation of noise from the power supply circuit 81 to the communication circuit 80 can be suppressed. Figure 7As shown, a noise suppression member 13 is provided inside the circuit board 100 (between the upper and lower surfaces). Specifically, the noise suppression member 13 is provided between the communication circuit 80 and the power supply circuit 81. The noise suppression member 13 effectively suppresses the propagation of noise from the communication circuit 80 to the power supply circuit 81, and vice versa. This suppression of noise propagation to the communication circuit 80 enables stable communication between the repeater 2 and the in-vehicle load 4.

[0166] By using both sides of the circuit substrate 100 (the side on the roof R side and the side on the floor F side), the vehicle-mounted relay device 1 can be miniaturized. Since the power supplied from the power supply device 5 is distributed in the power circuit 81, a large amount of current flows in the power circuit 81. In addition, since the power circuit 81 includes relays and fuses, the heat generated in the power circuit increases. The power circuit 81 is formed on the lower surface of the circuit substrate 100, that is, the surface facing the interior of the vehicle C. Therefore, the heat generated in the power circuit 81 can be effectively dissipated to the interior of the vehicle C where air conditioning is implemented.

[0167] (Implementation 6)

[0168] Figure 9 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of a vehicle-mounted relay device 1 according to Embodiment 6. Components in the structure of Embodiment 6 that are identical to those in Embodiment 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The vehicle-mounted relay device 1 according to Embodiment 6 is mounted on the roof R of a vehicle C.

[0169] In the vehicle-mounted relay device 1 of the sixth embodiment, a circuit 18 including a communication circuit 80 and a power supply circuit 81 is formed on the floor F-side surface (lower surface) of the circuit substrate 100. The communication circuit 80 and the power supply circuit 81 are identical to those of the fifth embodiment, and therefore detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. A trunk connector 6 and a branch connector 7 are mounted on the floor F-side surface (lower surface) of the circuit substrate 100. The trunk connector 6 and the branch connector 7 are connected to the communication circuit 80 and the power supply circuit 81, respectively. In other words, the trunk connector 6 and the branch connector 7 are connected to the circuit 18. A map light 41 may also be connected to the circuit 18 via wiring (not shown).

[0170] By isolating (separating) the communication circuit 80 and the power supply circuit 81 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle C on the lower surface of the circuit substrate 100, the propagation of noise from the communication circuit 80 to the power supply circuit 81 and the propagation of noise from the communication circuit 80 to the power supply circuit 81 can be suppressed. Figure 9 In FIG, the communication circuit 80 is provided at the rear, and the power supply circuit 81 is provided at the front. The communication circuit 80 and the power supply circuit 81 may be provided separately in the left-right direction of the vehicle C, for example.

[0171] The external vehicle communication device 40 is mounted on the surface (upper surface) on the roof R side of the circuit substrate 100. Specifically, an external vehicle communication circuit 44 for implementing the functions of the external vehicle communication device 40 is formed on the upper surface of the circuit substrate 100. The external vehicle communication circuit 44 is connected to the communication circuit 80 and the power supply circuit 81, for example, via a through-hole provided in the circuit substrate 100. The in-vehicle relay device 1 can communicate with a communication partner outside the vehicle C via the external vehicle communication circuit 44. Since the external vehicle communication device 40 is mounted (built-in) in the in-vehicle relay device 1, the increase in communication lines and power lines connecting the in-vehicle relay device 1 and the external vehicle communication device 40 can be suppressed.

[0172] A noise suppression member 19 is provided between the upper and lower surfaces of the circuit board 100, that is, between the mounted external vehicle communication device 40 (external vehicle communication circuit 44) and the communication circuit 80. The noise suppression member 19 suppresses the propagation of noise to and from the external vehicle communication circuit 44. Since the propagation of noise to and from the external vehicle communication circuit 44 is suppressed, communication using the external vehicle communication circuit 44 can be performed stably.

[0173] (Implementation 7)

[0174] Figure 10 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of a vehicle-mounted relay device 1 according to Embodiment 7. Components in Embodiment 7 that are identical to those in Embodiment 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. The vehicle-mounted relay device 1 according to Embodiment 7 is mounted on the roof R of a vehicle C.

[0175] In the vehicle-mounted relay device 1 of the seventh embodiment, the first substrate 140 and the second substrate 150 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction and face each other, similarly to the second embodiment. The first substrate 140 is arranged on the roof R side (upper side) and has one of the branch line connector 7 and the trunk line connector 6 on its surface facing the second substrate 150 (the surface facing the floor F side). The second substrate 150 is arranged on the floor F side (lower side) and has the other of the branch line connector 7 and the trunk line connector 6 on its surface facing the first substrate 140 (the surface facing the roof R side).

[0176] exist Figure 10In the embodiment, a branch line connector 7 is mounted on the rear edge of the surface of the first base plate 140 on the floor F side. A portion of the branch line connector 7 is exposed to the outside of the housing 10 through an opening provided in the side surface on the rear side of the housing 10. In other words, the branch line connector 7 is provided on the side surface on the rear side of the housing 10. A main line connector 6 is mounted on the front edge of the surface of the second base plate 150 on the roof R side. A portion of the main line connector 6 is exposed to the outside of the housing 10 through an opening provided in the side surface on the front side of the housing 10. In other words, the main line connector 6 is provided on the side surface on the front side of the housing 10.

[0177] The main line connector 6 and the branch line connector 7 are respectively provided on different side surfaces of the housing 10, overlapping in the thickness direction of the vehicle-mounted relay device 1 (housing 10). That is, the main line connector 6 and the branch line connector 7 do not overlap when viewed from the front of the vehicle-mounted relay device 1. This overlap in the thickness direction can reduce the width of the side surface of the vehicle-mounted relay device 1. In other words, the height of the side surface of the vehicle-mounted relay device 1 can be reduced, reducing the thickness of the vehicle-mounted relay device 1. As long as the main line connector 6 and the branch line connector 7 overlap in the thickness direction, the configuration of the branch line connector 7 and the main line connector 6 is not limited to the configuration described above.

[0178] A communication circuit 80 is formed on the surface on the floor F side of the first substrate 140. A power supply circuit 81 is formed on the surface on the roof R side of the second substrate 150. The communication circuit 80 and the power supply circuit 81 are the same as the communication circuit 80 and the power supply circuit 81 of Embodiment 5, so detailed description is omitted. The trunk connector 6 and the branch connector 7 are connected to the communication circuit 80 and the power supply circuit 81, respectively. The communication circuit 80 and the power supply circuit 81 are electrically connected by wiring 16 including a power line. Electric power is supplied from the power supply circuit 81 to the electronic component 80a, i.e., the communication circuit 80, via the wiring 16. The electronic component 80a (e.g., the IC of the communication circuit 80) is driven by this electric power. The map light 41 can also be connected to the communication circuit 80 and the power supply circuit 81 via wiring not shown.

[0179] The on-board relay device 1 is connected to multiple on-board loads 4 installed on the roof R via power lines and communication lines installed on the roof R. Furthermore, it is connected to repeaters 2 and power supply devices 5 installed outside the roof R via power lines and communication lines installed on pillars P. The on-board relay device 1 switches on and off the power supplied from the power supply device 5 and distributed to the on-board loads 4. The on-board relay device 1 relays communications between the on-board loads 4 and the repeater 2. The on-board loads 4, repeaters 2, and power supply devices 5 are connected via the on-board relay device 1, not independently. This prevents an increase in the number of communication lines and power lines installed on the pillars P.

[0180] The area on the vehicle roof R where the onboard relay device 1 and the onboard load 4 can be installed is limited. Since the first substrate 140 and the second substrate 150 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction, the onboard relay device 1 can be miniaturized. In other words, the area required for installing the onboard relay device 1 is reduced, making effective use of the limited area of the vehicle roof R.

[0181] Because the first substrate 140 and the second substrate 150 are arranged vertically side by side, the communication circuit 80 and the power supply circuit 81 are vertically isolated. This effectively suppresses the propagation of noise from the communication circuit 80 to the power supply circuit 81 and vice versa. A noise suppression member 17 is provided between the first substrate 140 and the second substrate 150, that is, between the communication circuit 80 and the power supply circuit 81. This effectively suppresses the propagation of noise from the power supply circuit 81 to the communication circuit 80. This suppression of noise propagation to the communication circuit 80 allows for stable communication between the repeater 2 and the on-board load 4.

[0182] Since the power supplied from the power supply device 5 is distributed within the power circuit 81, a large amount of current flows through the power circuit 81. Furthermore, since the power circuit 81 includes relays, fuses, and the like, the amount of heat generated within the power circuit 81 increases. Since the power circuit 81 is formed on the second substrate 150, the heat generated by the power circuit 81 can be effectively dissipated into the interior of the air-conditioned vehicle C.

[0183] (Implementation 8)

[0184] Figure 11 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of an on-vehicle relay device 1 according to Embodiment 8. Components in the structure of Embodiment 8 that are identical to those in Embodiment 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. The on-vehicle relay device 1 according to Embodiment 8 is mounted on the roof R of a vehicle C.

[0185] In the vehicle-mounted relay device 1 of the eighth embodiment, the circuit board 100 includes a plurality of boards arranged from the roof R side toward the floor F side. The plurality of boards include a first board 140 and a second board 150 .

[0186] The first substrate 140 is disposed within the housing 10, with a space formed between it and the inner surface of the housing 10 on the roof R side. The vehicle exterior communication device 40 is mounted on the roof R side surface (upper surface) of the first substrate 140, i.e., the surface opposite the surface facing the second substrate 150. Specifically, the vehicle exterior communication circuit 43 for implementing the functions of the vehicle exterior communication device 40 is formed on the roof R side surface of the first substrate 140. The vehicle exterior communication circuit 43 is similar to the vehicle exterior communication circuit 43 of the third embodiment, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0187] A communication circuit 80 is formed on the floor F-side surface (lower surface) of the first substrate 140. The communication circuit 80 and the external communication circuit 43 are connected, for example, via through-holes provided in the circuit substrate 100. A power supply circuit 81 is formed on the roof R-side surface (upper surface) of the second substrate 150. The power supply circuit 81 and the external communication circuit 43 are connected, for example, via wiring (not shown). The three surfaces—the surface on which the external communication device 40 is mounted (the surface on which the external communication circuit 43 is formed), the surface on which the power supply circuit 81 is formed, and the surface on which the power supply circuit 81 is formed—are arranged in a vertical direction. In other words, the three surfaces form a stacked structure, in the order of the surface on which the external communication device 40 is mounted, the surface on which the communication circuit 80 is formed, and the surface on which the power supply circuit 81 is formed, from the roof R side toward the floor F side. This suppresses the propagation of noise from and to the three circuits: the external communication circuit 43, the communication circuit 80, and the power supply circuit 81. In other words, the propagation of noise between the three circuits can be suppressed.

[0188] The arrangement of the external communication circuit 43, the communication circuit 80, and the power supply circuit 81 is not limited to that described above. The external communication circuit 43 may also be formed on the lower surface of the first substrate 140. In this case, for example, the communication circuit 80 is formed on the upper surface of the second substrate 150, and the power supply circuit 81 is formed on the lower surface of the second substrate 150. For example, the in-vehicle relay device 1 includes a first substrate 140 on which the external communication circuit 43 is formed, a second substrate 150 on which the power supply circuit 81 is formed, and a third substrate disposed between the first and second substrates 140, 150 and on which the communication circuit 80 is formed.

[0189] A noise suppression member 141 is provided within the first substrate 140, namely, between the external vehicle communication circuit 43 (the installed external vehicle communication device 40) and the communication circuit 80. The noise suppression member 141 effectively suppresses the propagation of noise to and from the external vehicle communication circuit 43. This suppression of noise propagation to and from the external vehicle communication circuit 43 enables stable communication using the external vehicle communication circuit 43. The noise suppression member 141 serves as a first noise suppression member.

[0190] A noise suppression member 17 is provided between the first substrate 140 and the second substrate 150, that is, between the communication circuit 80 and the power supply circuit 81. The noise suppression member 17 effectively suppresses the propagation of noise from the communication circuit 80 to the power supply circuit 81, and vice versa. This suppression of noise propagation to the communication circuit 80 enables more stable relaying of communications between the repeater 2 and the in-vehicle load 4. The noise suppression member 17 serves as a second noise suppression member.

[0191] Since the surface on which the external communication device 40 is mounted is located on the roof R side, communication with the external communication device 40 is easily and stably performed. Since the power supplied by the power supply device 5 is distributed within the power circuit 81, a large amount of current flows through the power circuit 81. Furthermore, since the power circuit 81 includes relays and fuses, the amount of heat generated within the power circuit increases. Since the surface on which the power circuit is formed is located on the floor side, the heat generated within the power circuit can be effectively dissipated into the air-conditioned vehicle interior.

[0192] The embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and non-restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the above, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0193] Description of Reference Numerals

[0194] C Vehicle

[0195] F Floor

[0196] P pillar

[0197] R Roof

[0198] 1 Vehicle-mounted relay device

[0199] 10 Housing

[0200] 100 circuit board

[0201] 101 Control Department

[0202] 102 Storage Department

[0203] 11 First Circuit

[0204] 11a Electronic components

[0205] 110 AD conversion unit

[0206] 111 CAN Communication Department

[0207] 112 Ethernet Communications Department

[0208] 12 Second Circuit

[0209] 12a Electronic components

[0210] 120 Power Distribution Department

[0211] 13 Noise suppression components

[0212] 140 first substrate

[0213] 141 Noise suppression member (first noise suppression member)

[0214] 150 second substrate

[0215] 16 Wiring

[0216] 17 Noise suppression member (second noise suppression member)

[0217] 18 Circuit

[0218] 19 Noise suppression components

[0219] 2 Repeaters (his vehicle-mounted repeater device)

[0220] 3 On-board ECU (control unit)

[0221] 30 In-car LAN

[0222] 4 Vehicle load

[0223] 40 External communication device

[0224] 401 Analog Communication Device

[0225] 402 Digital Communication Device

[0226] 41 Map Light

[0227] 410 lights

[0228] 411 switch

[0229] 42 In-car cameras

[0230] 43 External vehicle communication circuit

[0231] 43a Electronic components

[0232] 44 External vehicle communication circuit

[0233] 44a Electronic components

[0234] 5 Power supply unit

[0235] 6 Trunk connector

[0236] 7 branch line connector

[0237] 70 First branch line connector

[0238] 71 Second branch line connector

[0239] 80 Communication Circuit

[0240] 80a Electronic components

[0241] 81 Power Circuit

[0242] 81a Electronic components.

Claims

1. A vehicle-mounted relay device, the vehicle-mounted relay device being mounted on a vehicle and connected to a plurality of vehicle-mounted devices and relaying communications to the plurality of vehicle-mounted devices, wherein: The plurality of vehicle-mounted devices include a vehicle-mounted load installed on the vehicle roof, a power supply device installed outside the vehicle roof and supplying power, and other vehicle-mounted relay devices. The vehicle-mounted relay device comprises: a branch line connector connected to the vehicle-mounted load via a power line and a communication line provided on the vehicle roof; a trunk line connector connected to the power supply device and the other on-vehicle relay device via a power line and a communication line provided on a support column of the vehicle; and a control unit that controls the supply and disconnection of power supplied from the power supply device via the power line installed in the pillar and distributed to the vehicle-mounted load via the power lines installed in the roof, and controls the relaying of communication between the vehicle-mounted load and the other vehicle-mounted relay device; The vehicle-mounted relay device includes a circuit board including the branch line connector and the trunk line connector. The vehicle-mounted load includes an off-vehicle communication device for communicating with a communication partner outside the vehicle. The circuit substrate includes a plurality of substrates arranged from the roof side toward the floor side of the vehicle, Each surface of the plurality of substrates includes a surface on which the off-vehicle communication device is mounted, a surface on which a communication circuit for communicating with the on-vehicle load and the other on-vehicle relay device is formed, and a surface on which a power supply circuit for distributing power supplied from the power supply device to the on-vehicle load is formed. A laminated structure is formed in this order from the roof side toward the floor side, with a surface on which the external vehicle communication device is mounted, a surface on which the communication circuit is formed, and a surface on which the power supply circuit is formed.

2. The vehicle-mounted relay device according to claim 1, The circuit substrate includes: a first substrate, disposed on the roof side, having a communication circuit for communicating with the vehicle-mounted load and the other vehicle-mounted relay device; and The second substrate is disposed on the floor side of the vehicle and includes a power supply circuit for distributing the power supplied from the power supply device to the vehicle-mounted load. Power is supplied from the power supply circuit to the communication circuit.

3. The vehicle-mounted relay device according to claim 2, The first substrate and the second substrate face each other. The first substrate includes one of the branch line connector and the trunk line connector and the communication circuit on a surface facing the second substrate. The second substrate includes the other of the branch line connector and the trunk line connector and the power supply circuit on a surface facing the first substrate. The branch line connector and the trunk line connector overlap in a thickness direction.

4. The vehicle-mounted relay device according to claim 2 or 3, A noise suppression member for suppressing propagation of noise is provided between the communication circuit and the power supply circuit.

5. The vehicle-mounted relay device according to claim 1, A lighting device is provided, the lighting device having a lamp and a switch outputting a signal indicating whether the lamp is turned on or off, The control unit turns on and off the lamp according to the output signal.

6. The vehicle-mounted relay device according to claim 1, A first noise suppression member for suppressing propagation of noise is provided between the external vehicle communication device and the communication circuit.

7. The vehicle-mounted relay device according to claim 1 or 6, A second noise suppression member for suppressing propagation of noise is provided between the communication circuit and the power supply circuit.

8. A vehicle-mounted relay device, the vehicle-mounted relay device being mounted on a vehicle and connected to a plurality of vehicle-mounted devices and relaying communications to the plurality of vehicle-mounted devices, wherein: The plurality of vehicle-mounted devices include a vehicle-mounted load installed on the vehicle roof, a power supply device installed outside the vehicle roof and supplying power, and other vehicle-mounted relay devices. The vehicle-mounted relay device comprises: a branch line connector connected to the vehicle-mounted load via a power line and a communication line provided on the vehicle roof; a trunk line connector connected to the power supply device and the other on-vehicle relay device via a power line and a communication line provided on a support column of the vehicle; and a control unit that controls the supply and disconnection of power supplied from the power supply device via the power line installed on the pillar and distributed to the vehicle-mounted load via the power lines installed on the roof, and controls the relaying of communication between the vehicle-mounted load and the other vehicle-mounted relay device; The vehicle-mounted relay device includes a circuit board including the branch line connector and the trunk line connector. The vehicle-mounted load includes an off-vehicle communication device for communicating with a communication partner outside the vehicle. The branch line connector includes a first branch line connector connected to the off-vehicle communication device and a second branch line connector connected to the on-vehicle load other than the off-vehicle communication device. The circuit substrate has the first branch line connector and the first circuit connected to the first branch line connector on the roof side of the vehicle, and has the second branch line connector and the main line connector and the second circuit connected to the second branch line connector and the main line connector on the floor side of the vehicle.

9. The vehicle-mounted relay device according to claim 8, The circuit board includes a noise suppression member inside the circuit board for suppressing propagation of noise.

10. The vehicle-mounted relay device according to claim 8, A lighting device is provided, the lighting device having a lamp and a switch outputting a signal indicating whether the lamp is turned on or off, The control unit turns on and off the lamp according to the output signal.

11. A vehicle-mounted relay device, the vehicle-mounted relay device being mounted on a vehicle and connected to a plurality of vehicle-mounted devices and relaying communications to the plurality of vehicle-mounted devices, the vehicle-mounted relay device being installed on a roof of the vehicle, wherein: The plurality of vehicle-mounted devices include a vehicle-mounted load installed on the vehicle roof, a power supply device installed outside the vehicle roof and supplying power, and other vehicle-mounted relay devices. The vehicle-mounted relay device comprises: a branch line connector connected to the vehicle-mounted load via a power line and a communication line provided on the vehicle roof; a trunk line connector connected to the power supply device and the other on-vehicle relay device via a power line and a communication line provided on a support column of the vehicle; and a control unit that controls the supply and disconnection of power supplied from the power supply device via the power line installed on the pillar and distributed to the vehicle-mounted load via the power lines installed on the roof, and controls the relaying of communication between the vehicle-mounted load and the other vehicle-mounted relay device; The vehicle-mounted relay device includes a circuit board including the branch line connector and the trunk line connector. The vehicle-mounted load includes an off-vehicle communication device for communicating with a communication partner outside the vehicle. The branch line connector includes a first branch line connector connected to the off-vehicle communication device and a second branch line connector connected to the on-vehicle load other than the off-vehicle communication device. The circuit substrate comprises: a first substrate, disposed on a roof side of the vehicle, comprising the first branch line connector and a first circuit connected to the first branch line connector; and The second substrate is arranged on the floor side of the vehicle and includes the second branch line connector, the main line connector, and a second circuit connected to the second branch line connector and the main line connector. The first substrate and the second substrate are connected by a power line and a communication line.

12. The vehicle-mounted relay device according to claim 11, The first substrate and the second substrate face each other, The first substrate includes the first branch line connector and the first circuit on a surface facing the second substrate. The second substrate includes the second branch line connector, the trunk line connector, and the second circuit on a surface facing the first substrate. The first branch line connector, the second branch line connector, and the trunk line connector overlap in a thickness direction.

13. The vehicle-mounted relay device according to claim 12, The vehicle exterior communication device is mounted on a surface of the first substrate that is opposite to a surface facing the second substrate.

14. The vehicle-mounted relay device according to claim 13, The first substrate includes a first noise suppression member inside the first substrate for suppressing propagation of noise.

15. The vehicle-mounted relay device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, A second noise suppression member for suppressing propagation of noise is provided between the first substrate and the second substrate.

16. The vehicle-mounted relay device according to claim 11, A lighting device is provided, the lighting device having a lamp and a switch outputting a signal indicating whether the lamp is turned on or off, The control unit turns on and off the lamp according to the output signal.

17. A vehicle-mounted relay device, the vehicle-mounted relay device being mounted on a vehicle, connected to a plurality of vehicle-mounted devices, and relaying communications to the plurality of vehicle-mounted devices, the vehicle-mounted relay device being installed on a roof of the vehicle, wherein: The plurality of vehicle-mounted devices include a vehicle-mounted load installed on the vehicle roof, a power supply device installed outside the vehicle roof and supplying power, and other vehicle-mounted relay devices. The vehicle-mounted relay device comprises: a branch line connector connected to the vehicle-mounted load via a power line and a communication line provided on the vehicle roof; a trunk line connector connected to the power supply device and the other on-vehicle relay device via a power line and a communication line provided on a support column of the vehicle; and a control unit that controls the supply and disconnection of power supplied from the power supply device via the power line installed in the pillar and distributed to the vehicle-mounted load via the power lines installed in the roof, and controls the relaying of communication between the vehicle-mounted load and the other vehicle-mounted relay device; The vehicle-mounted relay device includes a circuit board including the branch line connector and the trunk line connector. The vehicle-mounted load includes an off-vehicle communication device for communicating with a communication partner outside the vehicle. The vehicle exterior communication device is mounted on a surface of the circuit board on the roof side of the vehicle. The circuit board includes the branch line connector and the main line connector, and circuits connected to the branch line connector and the main line connector, on a surface on the floor side of the vehicle, and includes a noise suppression member therein for suppressing propagation of noise.

18. The vehicle-mounted relay device according to claim 17, A lighting device is provided, the lighting device having a lamp and a switch outputting a signal indicating whether the lamp is turned on or off, The control unit turns on and off the lamp according to the output signal.

Images