In-vehicle relay device

Abstract

The in-vehicle relay device is provided on the roof of a vehicle, and includes: a first connector connected to a power line and a communication line provided on any one of the pillars of the vehicle; a second connector connected to a power line and a communication line provided on a pillar different from any one of the pillars; a branch connector connected to a power line and a communication line extending from a plurality of in-vehicle devices provided on the roof; a branch section that branches a single wire system in which each power line connected to the first connector and the second connector is configured as one system into each power line connected to the branch connector; and a relay section that relays data flowing between each communication line connected to the first connector and the second connector and each communication line connected to the branch connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an in-vehicle relay device.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Japanese Application No. 2019-233527 filed on December 24, 2019, and incorporates by reference all the descriptions recited in the Japanese application. Background Art

[0003] Various in-vehicle devices such as a power supply device and a communication device are mounted on a vehicle. A harness including a communication line for communication between the in-vehicle devices and a power line for power supply to the in-vehicle devices is provided in the vehicle. Any one of the harnesses provided in the vehicle is disposed along a pillar and connected to a ceiling-side control device (for example, see Patent Document 1) disposed on the ceiling of the vehicle.

[0004] Prior Art Documents

[0005] Patent Documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2018-24395 Summary of the Invention

[0007] An in-vehicle relay device according to an aspect of the present disclosure is provided on the roof of a vehicle, and includes: a first connector connected to a power line and a communication line provided on any one of the pillars of the vehicle; a second connector connected to a power line and a communication line provided on a pillar different from the any one of the pillars; a branch connector connected to a power line and a communication line extending from a plurality of in-vehicle devices provided on the roof; a branch portion configured to branch a single wire system in which each power line connected to the first connector and the second connector forms a single system into each power line connected to the branch connector; and a relay portion configured to relay data flowing between each communication line connected to the first connector and the second connector and each communication line connected to the branch connector. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Figure 1 It is a schematic view when observing the structure of a vehicle equipped with the in-vehicle relay device of Embodiment 1 (left and right pillars) in a plan view.

[0009] Figure 2 It is a block diagram showing the structure of an in-vehicle relay system.

[0010] Figure 3 It is a block diagram showing the structure of an in-vehicle relay device.

[0011] Figure 4 It is a block diagram showing the structure of the in-vehicle relay device of Embodiment 2 (relay element).

[0012] Figure 5It is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit (opening / closing control unit) of the in-vehicle relay device.

[0013] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram when observing the structure of a vehicle equipped with the in-vehicle relay device of Embodiment 3 (front and rear pillars) in a plan view.

[0014] Figure 7 It is a block diagram showing the structure of the in-vehicle relay device of Embodiment 4 (CAN gateway). Detailed Embodiments

[0015] [Problems to be Solved by the Present Disclosure]

[0016] In the ceiling-side control device described in Patent Document 1, points related to redundancy with other devices connected via wiring harnesses arranged along the pillars are not considered.

[0017] In view of such a situation, the present disclosure is completed, and an in-vehicle relay device provided on the roof of a vehicle and capable of having redundancy in connection with in-vehicle devices provided outside the roof is provided.

[0018] [Effects of the Present Disclosure]

[0019] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an in-vehicle relay device provided on the roof of a vehicle and having redundancy in connection with in-vehicle devices provided outside the roof can be provided.

[0020] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure]

[0021] First, embodiments of the present disclosure are listed for explanation. In addition, at least a part of the embodiments described below can be arbitrarily combined.

[0022] (1) An in-vehicle relay device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is provided on the roof of a vehicle, and includes: a first connector connected to a power line and a communication line provided on any one of the pillars of the vehicle; a second connector connected to a power line and a communication line provided on a pillar different from the any one pillar; a branch connector connected to a power line and a communication line extending from a plurality of in-vehicle devices provided on the roof; a branch portion that branches a single wire system in which each power line connected to the first connector and the second connector is formed into one system into each power line connected to the branch connector; and a relay portion that relays data flowing between each communication line connected to the first connector and the second connector and each communication line connected to the branch connector.

[0023] In this solution, the in-vehicle relay device provided on the vehicle roof includes a first connector and a second connector. The power lines and communication lines connected to the first connector and the second connector are provided on different struts. The in-vehicle relay device is connected to in-vehicle devices provided outside the roof via the respective power lines and communication lines disposed on different struts. Therefore, even if any one of the power lines and communication lines disposed on different struts is broken, power and the relay of data flowing in the communication line can be continued for the in-vehicle devices connected to the branch connector via the power lines and communication lines provided on the other strut. That is, by way of the in-vehicle relay device, redundancy in the relay of power and data between the in-vehicle devices provided on the roof and in-vehicle devices such as a power supply device and other repeaters provided outside the roof can be ensured.

[0024] (2) In the in-vehicle relay device according to an aspect of the present disclosure, rectifying elements are respectively provided between the first connector and the second connector and the single wire system, with the direction from the first connector and the second connector to the single wire system being the positive direction.

[0025] In this solution, rectifying elements such as diodes respectively exist between the first connector and the second connector and the single wire system, and the rectifying elements are provided such that the direction from the first connector and the second connector to the single wire system is positive (with the cathode of the diode being on the single wire system side). Therefore, even when there is a difference in the voltages applied to the respective power lines connected to the first connector and the second connector, current backflow can be suppressed.

[0026] (3) In the in-vehicle relay device according to an aspect of the present disclosure, relay elements are respectively provided between the first connector and the second connector and the single wire system.

[0027] In this solution, since relay elements are respectively provided between the first connector and the second connector and the single wire system, the supply of power supplied via the respective power lines connected to the first connector and the second connector can be cut off by opening and closing each of the relay elements.

[0028] (4) The in-vehicle relay device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a detection unit that detects the voltage applied via the power lines connected to the first connector and the second connector; and an opening / closing control unit that controls the opening and closing of each of the relay elements based on the detection value output from the detection unit.

[0029] In this solution, based on the detection value output by the detection unit that detects the voltage applied via the power lines connected to the first connector and the second connector, the opening / closing control unit controls the opening and closing of each relay element. Therefore, the opening and closing of each relay element can be efficiently performed according to the applied voltages.

[0030] (5) In the in-vehicle relay device according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the detection value includes information related to each voltage value of the voltage applied via the power line connected to the first connector and the voltage applied via the power line connected to the second connector. When any one of the voltage values is lower than a specified threshold value, the opening / closing control unit performs control to disconnect the relay element connected to the power line to which the any one voltage value is applied. When any one of the voltage values is equal to or higher than the specified threshold value, the opening / closing control unit performs control to close the relay element connected to the power line to which the any one voltage value is applied.

[0031] In this solution, when the voltage value of any one of the voltages applied via the respective power lines connected to the first connector and the second connector is lower than the specified threshold value, the opening / closing control unit disconnects (cuts off) the relay element on the side to which the voltage is applied. When the voltage value of any one of the voltages is equal to or higher than the specified threshold value, the opening / closing control unit closes (connects) the relay element. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the voltages applied via the respective power lines connected to the first connector and the second connector are normal based on this threshold value, and control the opening and closing of each relay element.

[0032] (6) In the in-vehicle relay device according to an aspect of the present disclosure, when two power supply devices are mounted on the vehicle, the power supply device that applies voltage via the power line connected to the first connector is different from the power supply device that applies voltage via the power line connected to the second connector.

[0033] In this solution, since the power supply device that applies voltage via the power line connected to the first connector and the power supply device that applies voltage via the power line connected to the second connector are set as different power supply devices, for example, even if a disconnection occurs in any one of the power lines, the power supplied via the other power line can be distributed and supplied to the in-vehicle equipment connected to the branch connector.

[0034] (7) In the in-vehicle relay device according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the any one pillar and the pillar different from the any one pillar are pillars located on the left and right in the vehicle.

[0035] In this solution, any pillar and a pillar different from any pillar, that is, the pillar for arranging the power line and communication line connected to the first connector and the pillar for arranging the power line and communication line connected to the second connector, are the left and right pillars in the vehicle. Therefore, for example, even when the vehicle receives a side collision from either the left or the right, the in-vehicle relay device can continue the relay of power and data between the in-vehicle device provided on the roof and the in-vehicle device provided outside the roof via the power line and communication line provided on the pillar on the non-collided side.

[0036] (8) In the in-vehicle relay device according to an aspect of the present disclosure, any pillar and a pillar different from any pillar are the front and rear pillars in the vehicle.

[0037] In this solution, any pillar and a pillar different from any pillar, that is, the pillar for arranging the power line and communication line connected to the first connector and the pillar for arranging the power line and communication line connected to the second connector, are the front and rear pillars in the vehicle. Therefore, for example, even when the vehicle receives a collision from the front or the rear, the in-vehicle relay device can continue the relay of power and data between the in-vehicle device provided on the roof and the in-vehicle device provided outside the roof via the power line and communication line provided on the pillar on the non-collided side.

[0038] (9) In the in-vehicle relay device according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the relay unit includes an Ethernet switch, and an Ethernet PHY unit exists between the first connector and the second connector and the Ethernet switch.

[0039] In this solution, since the relay unit includes an Ethernet switch, the in-vehicle relay device functions as an Ethernet switch such as a Layer 2 switch or a Layer 3 switch for the IP packets flowing in the communication line. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the redundancy in the relay of IP packets between the in-vehicle device provided on the roof and the in-vehicle device provided outside the roof.

[0040] (10) In the in-vehicle relay device according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the relay unit includes a CAN gateway, and a CAN transceiver exists between the first connector and the second connector and the CAN gateway.

[0041] In this solution, since the relay unit includes a CAN gateway, the in-vehicle relay device functions as a CAN controller and a CAN gateway for the CAN messages flowing in the communication line. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the redundancy in the relay of CAN messages between the in-vehicle device provided on the roof and the in-vehicle device provided outside the roof.

[0042] [Details of the Embodiment of the Present Disclosure]

[0043] The present disclosure will be specifically described based on the drawings showing its embodiments. Hereinafter, while referring to the attached Figure 1 FIGS., the in-vehicle relay system S according to the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, and as indicated by the claims, it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0044] (Embodiment 1)

[0045] Figure 1 FIG. is a schematic view showing the structure of a vehicle C equipped with the in-vehicle relay device 1 according to Embodiment 1 (left and right pillars P) when viewed from above. Figure 2 FIG. is a block diagram showing the structure of the in-vehicle relay system S. The in-vehicle relay system S is mounted on the vehicle C, and includes an in-vehicle relay device 1 provided on the roof R of the vehicle C, a repeater 2 connected to the in-vehicle relay device 1 via communication lines 21 provided on different pillars P in a plurality of communication paths, a plurality of in-vehicle devices such as an in-vehicle ECU 3 (automatic driving ECU), and a plurality of power supply devices 5 connected to the in-vehicle relay device 1 via power lines 51 provided on different pillars P.

[0046] An in-vehicle relay device 1, a plurality of in-vehicle devices 4, and in-vehicle devices such as a repeater 2 (central G / W), an in-vehicle ECU 3 (automatic driving ECU), and a power supply device 5 provided other than the roof R are mounted on the vehicle C. The in-vehicle relay device 1 is connected to the repeater 2 (central G / W), the in-vehicle ECU 3 (automatic driving ECU), and two power supply devices 5 provided other than the roof R via the respective power lines 51 and communication lines 21 provided on the left and right pillars P.

[0047] The repeater 2 directly connected to the in-vehicle relay device 1 is, for example, a relay device such as a central G / W (Gate / Way), and has a function as an Ethernet switch or a CAN gateway. Alternatively, the repeater 2 may be configured as a functional part of the body ECU that controls the entire vehicle C.

[0048] The in-vehicle ECU 3 directly connected to the in-vehicle relay device 1 is, for example, an automatic driving ECU that performs processing related to recognition or judgment for automatic driving, and has a function such as an Ethernet switch like the repeater 2.

[0049] The power supply device 5 is a storage battery of the vehicle C, and is composed of a secondary battery such as a lead storage battery or a lithium ion battery. For example, a voltage of 12V is applied to the in-vehicle relay device 1 via the power line 51 provided along each pillar P to supply power.

[0050] Each wire harness composed of the power line 51 and the communication line 21 is disposed between the roof R and the floor F or the like along the left and right pillars P. In the illustrated example, the in-vehicle relay device 1 is connected to the power supply device 5 located on the left front side of the vehicle C through the power line 51 disposed along the left front pillar P, and is connected to the in-vehicle ECU 3 (automatic driving ECU) located on the left rear side of the vehicle C through the communication line 21 disposed along the left front pillar P. Moreover, the in-vehicle relay device 1 is connected to the power supply device 5 located on the right rear side of the vehicle C through the power line 51 disposed along the right front pillar P, and is connected to the repeater 2 located on the right front side of the vehicle C through the communication line 21 disposed along the right front pillar P.

[0051] For the in-vehicle relay device 1, power output from these respective power supply devices 5 is supplied from different respective power supply devices 5 in two systems based on the respective power lines 51 disposed on different pillars P. Therefore, for the in-vehicle relay device 1, power is supplied by two different systems, and a redundant structure in power supply is provided through the in-vehicle relay device 1 and the two power supply devices 5.

[0052] The in-vehicle relay device 1 is directly connected to the repeater 2 and the in-vehicle ECU 3 (automatic driving ECU) through the respective communication lines 21 disposed on different pillars P. Two communication lines 21 are connected to each of the repeater 2 and the in-vehicle ECU 3 (automatic driving ECU). One communication line 21 is connected to the in-vehicle relay device 1 via the pillar P as described above, and the other communication line 21 connects the repeater 2 and the in-vehicle ECU 3 (automatic driving ECU).

[0053] Although details will be described later, the repeater 2 and the in-vehicle ECU 3 (automatic driving ECU) are in-vehicle devices that have the functions of relay devices such as an Ethernet switch or a CAN gateway in the same manner as the in-vehicle relay device 1, and other in-vehicle ECUs 3 are further connected to these repeater 2 and in-vehicle ECU 3 (automatic driving ECU) (refer to Figure 6 ). Therefore, the in-vehicle relay device 1 and the repeater 2 and the in-vehicle ECU 3 (automatic driving ECU) connected in a communicable manner through the respective communication lines 21 disposed on different pillars P form an in-vehicle LAN 30 having a ring-shaped network topology.

[0054] The in-vehicle relay device 1 is connected to the repeater 2 and the in-vehicle ECU 3 (automatic driving ECU) in a communicable manner through two different paths. Therefore, a redundant structure in communication is provided between the in-vehicle device 4 provided on the roof R and in-vehicle devices such as the in-vehicle ECU 3 provided outside the roof R through the in-vehicle relay device 1 and the repeater 2 and the in-vehicle ECU 3 (automatic driving ECU).

[0055] A plurality of in-vehicle devices 4 provided on the vehicle roof R are respectively connected to the in-vehicle relay device 1 through an in-vehicle roof wire 6, an in-vehicle roof communication line 7, or a wire harness including both the in-vehicle roof wire 6 and the in-vehicle roof communication line 7. For each of these plurality of in-vehicle devices 4, the in-vehicle relay device 1 relays power and data (communication data).

[0056] The plurality of in-vehicle devices 4 provided on the vehicle roof R include, for example, wireless devices such as an inter-vehicle communication device, a vehicle-road communication device, or an out-vehicle communication device 40, a display device, a photographing device, sensor devices such as an infrared sensor or a Lidar, and in-vehicle loads 41 (actuators) such as a map light or a vehicle roof R opening / closing device.

[0057] The wireless device may include an analog communication device that performs analog communication and a digital communication device that performs digital communication using a protocol for mobile communication such as Wi-Fi, LTE (Long Term Evolution / registered trademark), 4G, or 5G. The out-vehicle communication device 40 may use these protocols and be connected in a communicable manner to an out-vehicle server such as a cloud server via an external network such as the Internet.

[0058] The photographing device may include an in-vehicle camera, a driver monitoring camera, and a stereo camera for measuring the distance to an object outside the vehicle. The in-vehicle device 4 provided on the vehicle roof R may include a GPS, a broadcast receiver, and a television receiver. The in-vehicle device 4 provided on the vehicle roof R may be an in-vehicle ECU 3 such as an actuator for controlling the rotation of the photographing direction of a camera provided on the outer surface of the vehicle roof R.

[0059] The in-vehicle relay device 1 distributes and supplies the power supplied from two power supply devices 5 to each in-vehicle device 4 provided on the vehicle roof R via the in-vehicle roof wire 6. The in-vehicle relay device 1 relays the data sent from the repeater 2 or the in-vehicle ECU 3 (automatic driving ECU) to each in-vehicle device 4 provided on the vehicle roof R via the in-vehicle roof communication line 7. In addition, the in-vehicle relay device 1 relays the data sent from each in-vehicle device 4 provided on the vehicle roof R to the repeater 2 or the in-vehicle ECU 3 (automatic driving ECU) via the in-vehicle roof communication line 7. The in-vehicle relay device 1 configured in this way is called a PLB (Power Lan Box) or an ACU (Area Control Unit) having both functions such as an electric distribution box and a gateway.

[0060] The in-vehicle relay device 1 has, for example, a rectangular housing, and a first connector 11 and a second connector 12 are provided on one surface of the housing. A power line 51 and a communication line 21 arranged along one pillar P are connected to the first connector 11, and a power line 51 and a communication line 21 arranged along the other pillar P are connected to the second connector 12.

[0061] On one side of the housing of the in-vehicle relay device 1, one or more branch connectors 13 (two in the illustration) are provided. The surface on which the branch connectors 13 are provided may be the same surface as the surface on which the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are provided, or may be a different surface. A plurality of in-vehicle devices provided on the vehicle roof R are connected to each of the branch connectors 13 through the in-vehicle roof wire 6, the in-vehicle roof communication line 7, or both the in-vehicle roof wire 6 and the in-vehicle roof communication line 7.

[0062] In-vehicle devices such as a power storage device or a repeater 2 provided at a location other than the vehicle roof R and in-vehicle equipment 4 such as an out-of-vehicle communication device 40 and a sensor provided on the vehicle roof R are connected via the in-vehicle relay device 1. Therefore, it is not necessary to directly connect the in-vehicle equipment 4 provided on the vehicle roof R and the in-vehicle devices provided at a location other than the vehicle roof R such as the power storage device or the repeater 2, thus suppressing an increase in the number of power lines 51 and communication lines 21 arranged in the pillar P that is a path connecting the vehicle roof R and a location other than the vehicle roof R such as the floor. Also, by connecting the respective power lines 51 and communication lines 21 arranged in different pillars P via the first connector 11 and the second connector 12, a redundant structure can be provided.

[0063] In the present embodiment, the pillars P in which the respective power lines 51 and communication lines 21 are arranged are the left and right pillars P in the vehicle C. Therefore, even if the vehicle C is laterally collided from either the left or the right and the power lines 51 and communication lines 21 arranged in either the left or the right pillar P are broken, it is possible to continue the supply of power to the plurality of in-vehicle devices provided on the vehicle roof R and the relay of communication data using the power lines 51 and communication lines 21 arranged in the other pillar P.

[0064] Figure 3 It is a block diagram showing the structure of the in-vehicle relay device 1. The in-vehicle relay device 1 includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, and a relay unit 103. The control unit 101, the storage unit 102, and the relay unit 103 are communicably connected by an internal bus 105. The in-vehicle relay device 1 includes a plurality of Ethernet PHY units 104 connected to the relay unit 103 via the internal bus 105, for example, as a communication system compliant with Ethernet (registered trademark). The in-vehicle relay device 1 includes a first wire 111 connected to the power line 51 connected via the first connector 11, a second wire 121 connected to the power line 51 connected via the second connector 12, a single wire system 123 in which the first wire 111 and the second wire 121 are integrated into a single system, and a branching unit 130 that branches the single wire system 123 into a plurality of branch wires 131.

[0065] The control unit 101 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (MicroProcessing Unit), etc., and performs various control processes and arithmetic processes, etc., by reading and executing the control programs and data pre-stored in the storage unit 102. The control unit 101 can also function as a Layer 3 switch by executing control programs, etc., and perform relay-related control. In addition, the control unit 101 can also be composed of an IC chip based on an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc., and perform relay-related control based on the circuit structure (relay circuit) of the FPGA, etc. Alternatively, the control unit 101 and the storage unit 102 can also be integrated into a packaged microcomputer. The control unit 101 can also perform conversion processing (protocol conversion) between different protocols such as Ethernet and CAN.

[0066] The storage unit 102 is composed of volatile memory elements such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), or non-volatile memory elements such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), or a flash memory, and pre-stores control programs and data referred to during processing. The control program stored in the storage unit 102 can also be a control program read out from a recording medium (not shown) that can be read by the control unit 101. In addition, the control program can also be downloaded from an external computer (not shown) connected to a communication network (not shown) and stored in the storage unit 102. Moreover, in the storage unit 102, when performing relay control, information related to path information (routing table) defined based on the communication protocol is stored.

[0067] The relay unit 103 is, for example, an arithmetic circuit composed of an FPGA or an ASIC, and is a Layer 2 switch that performs relay processing of IP packets input via the Ethernet PHY unit 104. Alternatively, the relay unit 103 can also include a CPU, etc., similar to the control unit 101, execute a relay control program, and function as a Layer 2 switch and a Layer 3 switch.

[0068] The Ethernet PHY unit 104 includes the Ethernet PHY units 104 (PHY) on the sides of the first connector 11 and the second connector 12, and the Ethernet PHY unit 104 on the side of the branch connector 13. These Ethernet PHY units 104 correspond to the communication units in the in-vehicle relay device 1. The Ethernet PHY unit 104 is a physical layer I / F (interface) determined by the Ethernet-based communication protocol.

[0069] The Ethernet PHY units 104 on the sides of the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected to the communication line 21 (Ethernet cable) connected to the first connector 11 and the second connector 12, that is, the communication line 21 (Ethernet cable) connected to the repeater 2 or the in-vehicle ECU 3 (autopilot ECU) provided outside the vehicle roof R. The Ethernet PHY unit 104 on the side of the branch connector 13 is connected to the in-vehicle communication line 7 (Ethernet cable) connected to the branch connector 13, that is, the in-vehicle communication line 7 (Ethernet cable) connected to the in-vehicle devices 4 such as the out-of-vehicle communication device 40 provided on the vehicle roof R.

[0070] The relay unit 103 that functions as an Ethernet switch and each Ethernet PHY unit 104 are connected in a star topology by the internal bus 105. The relay unit 103 performs relay control such as switching with reference to the MAC address included in the IP packet input via each Ethernet PHY unit 104. The relay unit 103 detects the presence or absence of disconnection of the communication line 21, for example, by obtaining carrier sense of the communication line 21 connected via each Ethernet PHY unit 104. The relay unit 103 can make the Ethernet PHY unit 104 connected to the communication line 21 that is disconnected due to disconnection or the like invalid, and only use the other Ethernet PHY unit 104, that is, the Ethernet PHY unit 104 connected to the normal communication line 21, to achieve communication redundancy.

[0071] In the power supply system of the in-vehicle relay device 1, a parallel circuit of two systems is formed by the first wire 111 and the second wire 121. In the case of this embodiment, the voltage from the power storage device connected via the first connector 11 is applied to the first wire 111, and the voltage from the power storage device connected via the second connector 12 is applied to the second wire 121.

[0072] Rectifying elements 122 such as diodes are provided on the first wire 111 and the second wire 121 respectively. The rectifying element 122 is provided on the first wire 111 that is between the first connector 11 and the single wire system 123 and on the second wire 121 that is between the second connector 12 and the single wire system 123.

[0073] The rectifying element 122 of the diode makes the cathode on the side of the single wire system 123 and the anode on the sides of the first connector 11 and the second connector 12, and is provided on each of the first wire 111 and the second wire 121. That is, the rectifying element 122 of the diode makes the direction from the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 to the single wire system 123 the forward direction, and is provided between the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 and the single wire system 123. Therefore, even when a difference (potential difference) occurs between the voltage of the power supply device 5 connected to the first connector 11 (first wire 111) and the voltage of the power supply device 5 connected to the second connector 12 (second wire 121), it is possible to prevent the current from flowing backward to the power supply device 5 side with a lower voltage.

[0074] The first wire 111 and the second wire 121 are integrated and made into a single system to form the single wire system 123. The single wire system 123 can be composed of, for example, a bus bar, a lead wire, or a pad on a circuit board. For the control unit 101, power is supplied by a wire branched from the single wire system 123.

[0075] The single wire system 123 is branched into a plurality of branch wires 131 by a branch portion 130. A parallel circuit is formed by using the branch wires 131 branched into a plurality by the branch portion 130. Each branch wire 131 is connected to a branch line connector 13 and is connected to each power terminal included in the branch line connector 13. A ground terminal may be provided in such a way as to form a pair with the power terminals connected to these branch wires 131.

[0076] A fuse 133 or a load relay 132 is provided in each branch wire 131 according to the vehicle-mounted equipment 4 such as the vehicle-mounted load 41 connected via the branch line connector 13. The fuse 133 may also be a semiconductor fuse 133 using an FET or the like. The load relay 132 may be a mechanical relay or a semiconductor relay using an FET or the like.

[0077] The vehicle-mounted equipment 4 connected to the branch wire 131 provided with the load relay 132 via the branch line connector 13 is, for example, a vehicle-mounted load 41 such as a map lamp or a cabin lamp, and these lamps are lit or extinguished by the opening and closing (turning on, turning off) of the load relay 132. The control unit 101 and these load relays 132 are connected by a signal line. The control unit 101 can turn on or off the load relay 132 based on the communication data received from a vehicle-mounted device such as a vehicle-mounted ECU 3 (body ECU) other than the roof R via the relay unit 103, and control the driving of actuators such as the vehicle-mounted load 41 connected to the load relay 132.

[0078] According to the present embodiment, even when a disconnection occurs in any of the power lines 51 and communication lines 21 provided on different struts P, power and the relay of data flowing in the communication line 21 can be continued for the in-vehicle device 4 connected to the branch connector 13 via the power lines 51 and communication lines 21 provided on the other strut P. Therefore, redundancy in the relay of power and data between the in-vehicle device 4 provided on the roof R and an in-vehicle device other than the roof R can be ensured.

[0079] According to the present embodiment, a rectifying element 122 such as a diode is provided between the first connector 11 (first electric wire 111) and the second connector 12 (second electric wire 121) and the single electric wire system 123. Therefore, even when the power supply system for supplying power to the in-vehicle relay device 1 is duplicated and a potential difference occurs between the duplicated power supply systems, current backflow in the first electric wire 111 or the second electric wire 121 can be prevented.

[0080] In the present embodiment, the power lines 51 and communication lines 21 are arranged on each strut P, but it is not limited thereto. For example, a cable that integrates the power line 51 and communication line 21 using PoE (Power over Ethernet) or PLC (Power Line Communication) may be used. In this case, the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 may include, for example, a filter circuit that separates current (current for power) and communication data, causes the separated current to flow through the first electric wire 111 and the second electric wire 121, and outputs the communication data to each Ethernet PHY unit 104.

[0081] Figure 4 It is a block diagram showing the structure of the in-vehicle relay device 1 of Embodiment 2 (relay element 124). The in-vehicle relay device 1 of Embodiment 2 is different from Embodiment 1 in that relay elements 124 are provided in each of the first electric wire 111 and the second electric wire 121.

[0082] The in-vehicle relay device 1 of Embodiment 2 includes relay elements 124 provided in each of the first electric wire 111 and the second electric wire 121, and a detection unit 125 that detects voltage values of the first electric wire 111 between the relay element 124 and the first connector 11 and the second electric wire 121 between the relay element 124 and the second connector 12.

[0083] The relay elements 124 provided for each of the first electric wire 111 and the second electric wire 121 may be mechanical relays or semiconductor relays using FETs or the like. Each relay element 124 is connected to the control unit 101 via a signal line and is opened (cut off) or closed (turned on) based on a signal output from the control unit 101. That is, the control unit 101 functions as an opening / closing control unit by executing a control program.

[0084] The detection unit 125 is composed of, for example, a Hall element or a shunt resistor, and detects the voltage values of the first electric wire 111 between the relay element 124 and the first connector 11 and the second electric wire 121 between the relay element 124 and the second connector 12. The detection unit 125 outputs the detected voltage values to the control unit 101, and the control unit 101 (opening / closing control unit) opens (cuts off) or closes (turns on) each relay element 124 based on the voltage values, thereby suppressing the reverse flow of current or an abnormal voltage lower than a specified threshold value being applied.

[0085] In the present embodiment, relay elements 124 are provided instead of rectifying elements 122 such as diodes, but it is not limited thereto. Rectifying elements 122 such as diodes may also be provided for each of the first electric wire 111 and the second electric wire 121 as in the first embodiment, and relay elements 124 may be provided in series with each rectifying element 122. That is, relay elements 124 may be provided on the anode side of each diode (rectifying element 122). By forming a series circuit based on the relay elements 124 and the diodes (rectifying elements 122), the occurrence of reverse current can be prevented more efficiently.

[0086] Figure 5 It is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit 101 (opening / closing control unit) of the in-vehicle relay device 1. The control unit 101 (opening / closing control unit) of the in-vehicle relay device 1 stably performs the following processing, for example, when the vehicle C is in a starting state (ignition switch on) or a stopped state (ignition switch off).

[0087] The control unit 101 of the in-vehicle relay device 1 acquires the voltage values of the respective power lines 51 connected to the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 (S101). Different power supply devices 5 are connected to the respective power lines 51 connected to the first connector 11 and the second connector 12. The control unit 101 acquires the voltage values of the voltages output (applied) from these different power supply devices 5 via the respective power lines 51 connected to the first connector 11 and the second connector 12.

[0088] The control unit 101 of the in-vehicle relay device 1 determines whether each voltage value of each power line 51 is equal to or higher than a specified threshold value (S102). The specified threshold value is, for example, 12V which is determined in advance as the rated output voltage. The control unit 101 obtains each voltage value of the voltage of the first electric wire 111 connected to the first connector 11 and the voltage of the second electric wire 121 connected to the second connector 12 from the detection unit 125, compares each obtained voltage value with the specified threshold value (rated output voltage value) stored in advance in the storage unit 102, and determines whether each voltage value is equal to or higher than the specified threshold value.

[0089] When the voltage values of all the power lines 51 are equal to or higher than the specified threshold value (S102: Yes), the control unit 101 of the in-vehicle relay device 1 closes (turns on) each relay element 124 connected to the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 (S103). When the voltage values of all the power lines 51 (both voltage values) are equal to or higher than the specified threshold value, the voltage output (applied) from each power storage device connected to these power lines 51 is a normal voltage. Therefore, the control unit 101 closes (turns on) each relay element 124 connected to the first connector 11 and the second connector 12. The power supplied from each power storage device is supplied to the in-vehicle device 4 (in-vehicle device 4 provided on the roof R) connected to each branch electric wire 131 via the single electric wire system 123 and each branch electric wire 131.

[0090] When the voltage value of any one of the power lines 51 is less than the specified threshold value (S102: No), the control unit 101 of the in-vehicle relay device 1 determines the power line 51 whose voltage value is less than the specified threshold value (S1021). When the voltage value of any one of the power lines 51 is less than the specified threshold value, the control unit 101 determines the power line 51 whose voltage value is less than the specified threshold value, that is, the electric wire (first electric wire 111 or second electric wire 121) connected to the connector (first connector 11 or second connector 12) connected to the power supply device 5 that has become abnormal.

[0091] The control unit 101 of the in-vehicle relay device 1 disconnects (cuts off) the relay element 124 connected to the determined power line 51 and closes (turns on) the relay element 124 connected to the other connector (S1022). For example, when the voltage of the power line 51 connected to the second connector 12 is abnormal, the control unit 101 disconnects (cuts off) the relay element 124 connected to the determined power line 51, that is, the second electric wire 121 connected to this power line 51 via the second connector 12. The control unit 101 closes (turns on) the relay element 124 connected to the power line 51 that has not been determined, that is, the power line 51 to which a voltage equal to or higher than the specified threshold value, that is, a normal voltage, is applied, that is, the first electric wire 111 connected to this power line 51 via the first connector 11.

[0092] According to this embodiment, by disconnecting (cutting off) the relay element 124 on the power line 51 side to which a voltage (abnormal voltage) less than a specified threshold is applied, and closing (turning on) the relay element 124 on the power line 51 side to which a voltage equal to or higher than the specified threshold is applied (normal voltage), current backflow can be prevented. Moreover, the in-vehicle device 4 provided on the vehicle roof R can be efficiently protected against this abnormal voltage.

[0093] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram when observing the structure of the vehicle C equipped with the in-vehicle relay device 1 of Embodiment 3 (front and rear pillars P) in a plan view. The in-vehicle relay device 1 of Embodiment 3 is connected to a repeater 2 (central G / W), an in-vehicle ECU 3 (automatic driving ECU), and two power supply devices 5 provided outside the vehicle roof R through the respective power lines 51 and communication lines 21 provided in the front and rear pillars P of the vehicle C.

[0094] Each wire harness composed of the power line 51 and the communication line 21 is disposed between the vehicle roof R and the floor or the like along the front and rear pillars P. In the illustrated example, the in-vehicle relay device 1 is connected to the power supply device 5 located at the front of the vehicle C through the power line 51 disposed along the left front pillar P, and is connected to the repeater 2 located in the middle of the vehicle C through the communication line 21 disposed along the left front pillar P. Moreover, the in-vehicle relay device 1 is connected to the power supply device 5 located at the rear of the vehicle C through the power line 51 disposed along the left rear pillar P, and is connected to the in-vehicle ECU 3 (automatic driving ECU) located at the rear of the vehicle C through the communication line 21 disposed along the left rear pillar P.

[0095] For the in-vehicle relay device 1, power output from these power supply devices 5 is supplied from different power supply devices 5 in two systems based on the respective power lines 51 provided on different pillars P. The in-vehicle relay device 1 is directly connected to the repeater 2 and the in-vehicle ECU 3 (automatic driving ECU) through the respective communication lines 21 provided on different pillars P. Similar to Embodiment 1, the in-vehicle relay device 1 and the repeater 2 and the in-vehicle ECU 3 (automatic driving ECU) connected in a communicable manner through the respective communication lines 21 provided on different pillars P form an in-vehicle LAN 30 having a ring-shaped network topology.

[0096] According to this embodiment, the respective power lines 51 and communication lines 21 are located on different front and rear pillars P in the vehicle C. Therefore, even when the vehicle C receives a collision from the front or the rear, power and data can be continuously relayed to the in-vehicle device 4 provided on the vehicle roof R via the power line 51 and the communication line 21 provided on the pillar P on the non-collided side.

[0097] Figure 7It is a block diagram showing the structure of the in-vehicle relay device 1 of Embodiment 4 (CAN gateway). The in-vehicle relay device 1 of Embodiment 4 has, for example, a communication system compliant with CAN, and includes a CAN transceiver 106 as a communication unit.

[0098] The control unit 101 of the in-vehicle relay device 1 has a structure including a relay unit 103 that functions as a CAN gateway. The control unit 101 (relay unit 103) that functions as a CAN gateway and each CAN transceiver 106 are connected to each other via an internal bus 105 so as to be able to communicate.

[0099] The CAN transceiver 106 includes the CAN transceiver 106 on the side of the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 and the CAN transceiver 106 on the side of the branch connector 13. The CAN transceiver 106 is a physical layer I / F (interface) determined based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0100] The CAN transceiver 106 on the side of the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 is connected to the communication line 21 connected to the first connector 11 and the second connector 12, that is, the communication line 21 connected to the repeater 2 or the in-vehicle ECU 3 (autopilot ECU) provided outside the roof R. The CAN transceiver 106 on the side of the branch connector 13 is connected to the in-vehicle communication line 7 (CAN bus) connected to the branch connector 13, that is, the in-vehicle communication line 7 (CAN bus) connected to in-vehicle devices 4 such as the out-of-vehicle communication device 40 provided on the roof R.

[0101] The control unit 101 (relay unit 103) that functions as a CAN gateway also includes the function of a CAN controller, and performs relay control such as mediation processing and relay processing based on the CAN-ID etc. included in the CAN message. The relay unit 103 detects the presence or absence of a disconnection of the communication line 21, for example, by obtaining the differential voltage of the communication line 21 (CAN bus) connected via each CAN transceiver 106. By invalidating the CAN transceiver 106 unit connected to the communication line 21 that is disconnected due to a disconnection or the like, and only using the other CAN transceiver 106, that is, the CAN transceiver 106 connected to the normal communication line 21 (CAN bus), the relay unit 103 can achieve communication redundancy.

[0102] In the present embodiment, as the communication unit in the in-vehicle relay device 1, a CAN transceiver 106 is provided instead of the Ethernet PHY unit 104, but it is not limited thereto. The in-vehicle relay device 1 may also include both the Ethernet PHY unit 104 and the CAN transceiver 106 as communication units. For example, the in-vehicle relay device 1 may perform TCP / IP-based communication via the Ethernet PHY unit 104 with in-vehicle devices other than the in-vehicle device provided on the roof R, i.e., the repeater 2 (central G / W) and the in-vehicle ECU 3 (automatic driving ECU), and perform CAN-based communication via the CAN transceiver 106 with in-vehicle devices 4 such as the in-vehicle load 41 provided on the roof R. In this case, the control unit 101 may also have protocol conversion between IP packets based on TCP / IP and CAN messages based on CAN.

[0103] According to the present embodiment, since the control unit 101 includes the relay unit 103 (CAN gateway), the in-vehicle relay device 1 functions as a CAN controller and a CAN gateway for CAN messages flowing on the communication line 21. Therefore, it is possible to avoid redundancy in the relay of CAN messages between the in-vehicle devices 4 provided on the roof R and the in-vehicle devices 4 provided outside the roof R.

[0104] It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not represented by the above meaning, but by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0105] Description of Reference Numerals

[0106] C Vehicle

[0107] R Roof

[0108] F Floor

[0109] P Pillar

[0110] S In-vehicle Relay System

[0111] 1 In-vehicle Relay Device (PLB)

[0112] 101 Control Unit (Opening / Closing Control Unit, CAN Gateway)

[0113] 102 Storage Unit

[0114] 103 Relay Unit (Ethernet Switch)

[0115] 104 Ethernet PHY Unit (Communication Unit)

[0116] 105 Internal Bus

[0117] 106 CAN Transceiver (Communication Unit)

[0118] 11 First connector

[0119] 12 Second connector

[0120] 13 Branch connector

[0121] 111 First electric wire

[0122] 121 Second electric wire

[0123] 122 Rectifying element (diode)

[0124] 123 Single electric wire system

[0125] 130 Branch

[0126] 131 Branch electric wire

[0127] 132 Load relay

[0128] 133 Fuse

[0129] 124 Relay element

[0130] 125 Detection unit

[0131] 2 Repeater (central G / W)

[0132] 21 Communication line

[0133] 3 Vehicle-mounted ECU (autopilot ECU)

[0134] 30 In-vehicle LAN

[0135] 4 Vehicle-mounted equipment

[0136] 40 External vehicle communication device

[0137] 41 Vehicle-mounted load

[0138] 5 Power supply device

[0139] 51 Power line

[0140] 6 Inner roof electric wire

[0141] 7 Inner roof communication line.

Claims

1. A vehicle-mounted relay device is arranged on the roof of a vehicle, wherein, Comprising: A first connector connected to the power line and communication line provided on any one of the pillars of the vehicle; A second connector connected to the power line and communication line provided on a pillar different from the any one pillar; A branch connector connected to the power line and communication line extending from a plurality of in-vehicle devices provided on the vehicle roof; A branching portion that branches the power lines connected to the first connector and the second connector, which form a single wire system of one system, into the power lines connected to the branch connector; And A relay portion that relays data flowing between the communication lines connected to the first connector and the second connector and the communication lines connected to the branch connector, Two power supply devices are mounted on the vehicle, and the power supply device to which voltage is applied via the power line connected to the first connector is different from the power supply device to which voltage is applied via the power line connected to the second connector, The in-vehicle relay device is connected to a repeater mounted on the vehicle via the communication line connected to the first connector, and is connected to an in-vehicle device via the communication line connected to the second connector.

2. The in-vehicle relay device according to claim 1, Rectifying elements are respectively provided between the first connector and the second connector and the single wire system, with the direction from the first connector and the second connector to the single wire system being the positive direction.

3. The in-vehicle relay device according to claim 1 or 2, Relay elements are respectively provided between the first connector and the second connector and the single wire system.

4. The in-vehicle relay device according to claim 3, comprising: A detection portion that detects the voltage applied via the power lines connected to the first connector and the second connector; and An opening / closing control portion that controls the opening and closing of each of the relay elements based on the detection value output from the detection portion.

5. The in-vehicle relay device according to claim 4, The detection value includes the voltage values of the voltage applied via the power line connected to the first connector and the voltage applied via the power line connected to the second connector, When any one of the voltage values is lower than a specified threshold value, the opening / closing control portion performs control to disconnect the relay element connected to the power line to which the any one voltage value is applied, When any one of the voltage values is equal to or higher than the specified threshold value, the opening / closing control portion performs control to close the relay element connected to the power line to which the any one voltage value is applied.

6. The in-vehicle relay device according to claim 1 or 2, The any one pillar and the pillar different from the any one pillar are the left and right pillars in the vehicle.

7. The in-vehicle relay device according to claim 1 or 2, The any one pillar and the pillar different from the any one pillar are the front and rear pillars in the vehicle.

8. The in-vehicle relay device according to claim 1 or 2, The relay portion includes an Ethernet switch, An Ethernet PHY portion exists between the first connector and the second connector and the Ethernet switch.

9. The in-vehicle relay device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the relay unit includes a CAN gateway, and a CAN transceiver is provided between the first connector and the second connector and the CAN gateway.

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