Control device

Abstract

Disclosed is a control device that is connected to a temperature sensor disposed in a drive device from outside the drive device of a vehicle via a connector. The control device performs the following processes: periodically acquiring a detected temperature obtained by the temperature sensor; when the detection temperature is obtained every time, a first temperature difference is calculated, and the first temperature difference is the absolute difference between the detection temperature and the previous detection temperature obtained in the previous period; and when a temperature shock condition that the first temperature difference is greater than or equal to a first specified temperature is repeatedly established at intervals within a first specified time until a specified number of times, determining that the foreign matter is immersed into the connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a control device. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-139223 discloses a control device for detecting abnormality of a vehicle wire harness. The control device detects abnormality of the wire harness based on a detected temperature obtained by a thermistor wound around the wire harness.

[0003] In a vehicle, foreign matter such as water may sometimes penetrate into the connector of the temperature sensor. In this case, the terminals in the connector will be short-circuited due to the foreign matter, and the detected temperature obtained by the temperature sensor will show an abnormal value. Therefore, by monitoring the detected temperature obtained by the temperature sensor, the infiltration of foreign matter into the connector can be sensed. However, in the case where the foreign matter (typically water) that penetrates into the connector is a small amount, the foreign matter will move in the connector in accordance with the acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle, and the terminals in the connector will sometimes be short-circuited due to the foreign matter, and sometimes the short circuit will be eliminated. In this case, the detected temperature obtained by the temperature sensor will intermittently show abnormal values, and it is difficult to distinguish whether the changes are caused by the infiltration of foreign matter into the connector or the changes are caused only by noise. Summary of the invention

[0004] This specification provides a technology that can determine whether foreign matter has penetrated into a connector.

[0005] In a first aspect disclosed in the present specification, a control device is disclosed which is connected from outside a drive device of a vehicle to a temperature sensor disposed in the drive device via a connector.

[0006] The control device executes: an acquisition process for periodically acquiring the detected temperature obtained by the temperature sensor; a first calculation process for calculating a first temperature difference each time the detected temperature is acquired, wherein the first temperature difference is the absolute difference between the detected temperature and the previous detected temperature acquired in the previous cycle; and a first judgment process for judging that foreign matter has penetrated into the connector when a temperature sudden change condition that the first temperature difference is greater than or equal to a first specified temperature is repeatedly satisfied at intervals within a first specified time for a specified number of times.

[0007] As mentioned above, when foreign matter penetrates into the connector, the terminals in the connector will be short-circuited due to the foreign matter. In this case, the detected temperature obtained by the temperature sensor will show an abnormal value, so that the temperature sudden change condition that the first temperature difference is greater than or equal to the first specified temperature is established. At this time, when the foreign matter immersed in the connector is a small amount, the terminals in the connector will be intermittently short-circuited, and thus the temperature sudden change condition will also be established intermittently. The temperature sudden change condition is sometimes established sporadically due to the influence of noise, but in the case of a small amount of foreign matter immersed in the connector, the temperature sudden change condition will be repeatedly established at relatively short intervals. Therefore, when the temperature sudden change condition is repeatedly established at intervals within the first specified time until the specified number of times, it is determined that foreign matter has penetrated into the connector, thereby even if the foreign matter immersed in the connector is a small amount, the immersion can be accurately determined.

[0008] In the second scheme, it may also be that in the above-mentioned first scheme, the following are further performed: a second calculation processing, when the temperature sudden change condition is met, storing the previous detected temperature, and calculating a second temperature difference, wherein the second temperature difference is the absolute difference between the detected temperature detected later and the stored previous detected temperature; and a second judgment processing, when a judgment that the second temperature difference is greater than or equal to the second prescribed temperature is continuously made over a second prescribed time shorter than the first prescribed time, it is judged that an abnormality has occurred in the temperature sensor.

[0009] When the second temperature difference is determined to be greater than or equal to the second specified temperature continuously over the second specified time, an abnormality different from the abnormality of foreign matter intruding into the connector may have occurred (e.g., disconnection of the wiring portion of the temperature sensor, etc.). According to the above configuration, the control device can determine the intrusion of foreign matter into the connector, and can determine the occurrence of the above-mentioned different abnormalities.

[0010] In the third scheme, it may also be that in the above-mentioned first scheme or second scheme, the first judgment processing includes the following processing: counting the number of times that the temperature sudden change condition is repeatedly satisfied at intervals within a first specified time; when the counted number reaches the specified number, determining that foreign matter has penetrated into the connector; and before the counted number reaches the specified number, when the temperature sudden change condition is not satisfied after the first specified time has elapsed, clearing the counted number to zero.

[0011] According to the above configuration, when the temperature sudden change determination is not established after the first predetermined time has passed, the control device clears the counted number of times. According to this configuration, compared with a configuration in which the counted number of times is not cleared, it is possible to more accurately determine whether foreign matter has entered the connector.

[0012] In a fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the temperature sensor may be a sensor for detecting a temperature of a lubricating fluid in the drive device.

[0013] In a fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the drive device may include an electric motor that drives wheels of the vehicle.

[0014] In the sixth embodiment, it may also be that in any one of the above-mentioned first to fifth embodiments, the control device further performs: a third judgment processing, when the temperature sudden change condition is met and the first temperature difference is greater than or equal to the third prescribed temperature, it is judged that the first type of foreign matter has penetrated into the connector; and a fourth judgment processing, when the temperature sudden change condition is met and the first temperature difference is less than the third prescribed temperature, it is judged that the second type of foreign matter has penetrated into the connector.

[0015] The amount of change in the detected temperature varies depending on the type of foreign matter that has penetrated into the connector. According to the above configuration, the control device can appropriately determine the type of foreign matter that has penetrated into the connector based on the first temperature difference.

[0016] In a seventh aspect, in the sixth aspect, the first foreign matter may be water, and the second foreign matter may be metal.

[0017] Foreign matter that is likely to penetrate into the connector is water and metal. Therefore, the control device can determine whether the foreign matter that penetrates into the connector is water or metal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Hereinafter, features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 The structure of the vehicle 2 is shown.

[0020] Figure 2 A flowchart showing an abnormality determination process executed by the control device 14 of the vehicle 2 is shown.

[0021] Figure 3 The flowchart of the foreign object determination process executed by the control device 14 of the vehicle 2 is shown.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a timing chart showing a case where a small amount of water enters the connector 34 of the temperature sensor 28 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] like Figure 1As shown, the vehicle 2 includes a drive device 10, a battery 12, a control device 14, a left front wheel 16L, a right front wheel 16R, a left rear wheel 18L, and a right rear wheel 18R. The battery 12 has a plurality of secondary battery cells built therein and is configured to be rechargeable by an external power source (not shown). As an example, the secondary battery cells are lithium-ion cells.

[0024] The drive device 10 includes an electric motor 20 and a gear unit 22. The electric motor 20 is a device that drives the left front wheel 16L and the right front wheel 16R of the vehicle 2 by supplying power from the battery 12. The electric motor 20 is connected to the left front wheel 16L and the right front wheel 16R via the gear unit 22. The gear unit 22 includes a planetary gear mechanism 24 and a differential mechanism 26. The planetary gear mechanism 24 amplifies the output torque of the electric motor 20. The differential mechanism 26 distributes the power transmitted from the planetary gear mechanism 24 to the left front wheel 16L and the right front wheel 16R.

[0025] Lubricating fluid for lubricating and cooling the electric motor 20 and the gear unit 22 is stored in the drive device 10. A temperature sensor 28 for detecting the temperature of the lubricating fluid is installed in the drive device 10. The temperature sensor 28 has a sensing portion 30, a wiring portion 32, and a connector 34. The sensing portion 30 is connected to one end of the wiring portion 32, and the connector 34 is connected to the other end of the wiring portion 32. The connector 34 is electrically connected to the connector of the control device 14.

[0026] The control device 14 is a controller having a memory 14A. The control device 14 controls the operation of the electric motor 20 and the like according to a program (not shown) stored in the memory 14A. The temperature sensor 28 is electrically connected to the control device 14. The control device 14 is configured to periodically (for example, in a period of several tens of milliseconds) obtain the detected temperature obtained by the temperature sensor 28. It should be noted that a first abnormality flag and a second abnormality flag are stored in the memory 14A. The first abnormality flag indicates either "OFF" indicating that an abnormality caused by water intrusion into the connector 34 has not occurred or "ON" indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the temperature sensor 28 due to water intrusion into the connector 34 as determined. The second abnormality flag indicates either "OFF" indicating that an abnormality caused by metal intrusion into the connector 34 has not occurred or "ON" indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the temperature sensor 28 due to metal intrusion into the connector 34 as determined.

[0027] Abnormal determination and processing; Figure 2

[0028] Reference Figure 2The abnormality determination process performed by the control device 14 of the vehicle 2 is described below. The abnormality determination process is a process for determining whether various abnormalities have occurred based on the detected temperature obtained by the temperature sensor 28. When the ignition switch (not shown) of the vehicle 2 is turned on, the control device 14 starts Figure 2 processing.

[0029] In S10, the control device 14 calculates a first temperature difference using the detected temperature periodically acquired from the temperature sensor 28. The first temperature difference is the absolute difference between the acquired detected temperature and the detected temperature acquired in the previous cycle (hereinafter referred to as "previous detected temperature"). It should be noted that the previous detected temperature is stored in the memory 14A.

[0030] In S12, the control device 14 monitors whether the temperature sudden change condition that the first temperature difference is greater than or equal to the first predetermined temperature is satisfied. The first predetermined temperature is set as a threshold for sensing an abnormality in the detected temperature obtained by the temperature sensor 28. As an example, the first predetermined temperature is 10° C. When the first temperature difference is greater than or equal to the first predetermined temperature, the control device 14 determines “yes” in S12 and proceeds to S14.

[0031] In S14 , the control device 14 stores the previous detected temperature in the memory 14A as the specific previous detected temperature.

[0032] In S20, the control device 14 calculates a second temperature difference using the periodically acquired detected temperature and the specific previous detected temperature stored in the memory 14A. The second temperature difference is the absolute difference between the acquired detected temperature and the specific previous detected temperature.

[0033] In S22, the control device 14 monitors whether the second temperature difference is less than the second predetermined temperature. For the second predetermined temperature, a threshold value for sensing that the temperature sensor 28 is normal is set. As an example, the second predetermined temperature is 5° C. When the second temperature difference is less than the second predetermined temperature, the control device 14 determines “yes” in S22 and proceeds to S30.

[0034] In addition, simultaneously with the monitoring of S22, the control device 14 monitors in S24 whether the first elapsed time is greater than or equal to the first determination time. The first elapsed time is the elapsed time from the determination of "yes" in S12. When the first elapsed time is greater than or equal to the first determination time, the control device 14 determines "yes" in S24 and proceeds to S26.

[0035] In S26, the control device 14 determines that an abnormality is detected in the temperature sensor 28. The abnormality in this case is an abnormality in which the wiring portion 32 of the temperature sensor 28 is disconnected, an abnormality in which a large amount of water has penetrated into the connector 34, etc. When it is determined that an abnormality is detected in the temperature sensor 28, the control device 14 reports to the user that an abnormality has occurred in the temperature sensor 28. As an example, the control device 14 turns on the warning light (not shown) on the instrument panel. Thus, the user can know that an abnormality has occurred in the temperature sensor 28. When S26 ends, the control device 14 ends. Figure 2 processing.

[0036] Furthermore, in S30 , the control device 14 calculates a first temperature difference.

[0037] In S32, the control device 14 monitors whether the temperature change condition (ie, the first temperature difference is greater than or equal to the first predetermined temperature) is satisfied. If the temperature change condition is satisfied, the control device 14 determines "yes" in S32 and proceeds to S34.

[0038] In S34, the control device 14 counts up the number of times N of satisfaction stored in the memory 14A. The number of times N of satisfaction indicates the number of times the temperature sudden change condition is satisfied within a second determination time period described later.

[0039] In S36, the control device 14 determines whether the number of establishment times N in the memory 14A has reached a predetermined number of times (for example, ten times). If the number of establishment times N has reached the predetermined number of times ("Yes" in S36), the control device 14 proceeds to S38. On the other hand, if the number of establishment times N has not reached the predetermined number of times ("No" in S36), the control device 14 returns to S30.

[0040] In S38, the control device 14 determines that an abnormality is detected in the temperature sensor 28. In this case, the detected abnormality is an abnormality such as a small amount of water that has penetrated into the connector 34. When it is determined that an abnormality is detected in the temperature sensor 28, the control device 14 reports to the user that an abnormality has occurred in the temperature sensor 28. As an example, the control device 14 turns on the warning light of the instrument panel. Thus, the user can know that an abnormality has occurred in the temperature sensor 28. When S38 ends, the control device 14 ends. Figure 2 processing.

[0041] In addition, at the same time as the monitoring of S32, the control device 14 monitors in S40 whether the second elapsed time is greater than or equal to the second determination time. The second elapsed time is the time that has elapsed when the temperature sudden change condition is not satisfied. As an example, the second determination time is 20 seconds, which is longer than the first determination time. When the second elapsed time is greater than or equal to the second determination time, the control device 14 determines as "yes" in S40 and proceeds to S42.

[0042] In S42 , the control device 14 determines that the temperature sensor 28 is normal, and clears the number of times N. When S42 is completed, the control device 14 returns to S10 .

[0043] Foreign body identification and processing; Figure 3

[0044] Reference Figure 3 The foreign object determination process performed by the control device 14 of the vehicle 2 is described below. The foreign object determination process is a process for determining the type of foreign object that has penetrated into the connector 34. When the ignition switch of the vehicle 2 is turned on, the control device 14 starts Figure 3 processing.

[0045] S50 and S52 are respectively Figure 2 The same as S10 and S12.

[0046] In S54, the control device 14 determines whether the first temperature difference is greater than or equal to the third prescribed temperature. The third prescribed temperature is a threshold value for determining whether the foreign matter immersed in the connector 34 is water or metal. Specifically, the control device 14 converts the first temperature difference into a change in voltage, and uses the converted change in voltage to determine the change in resistance value (hereinafter referred to as "resistance value change"). Then, the control device 14 determines whether the resistance value change is greater than or equal to the prescribed change. When the resistance value change is greater than or equal to the prescribed change, the control device 14 determines that the first temperature difference is greater than or equal to the third prescribed temperature ("yes" in S54), and enters S60. On the other hand, when the resistance value change is less than the prescribed change, the control device 14 determines that the first temperature difference is less than the third prescribed temperature ("no" in S54), and enters S70.

[0047] In S60, the control device 14 Figure 2 In the abnormality determination process, the control device 14 determines whether an abnormality is determined in the temperature sensor 28. If it is determined that an abnormality is determined in the temperature sensor 28 ("Yes" in S60), the control device 14 proceeds to S62. On the other hand, if it is determined that the temperature sensor 28 is normal ("No" in S60), the control device 14 ends. Figure 3 processing.

[0048] In S62 , the control device 14 determines that the foreign matter that has penetrated into the connector 34 is water.

[0049] In S64, the control device 14 changes the first abnormality flag from "off" to "on". In response to the first abnormality flag being changed to "on", the control device 14 reduces the upper limit of the output value of the electric motor 20 to the first upper limit value. When S64 ends, the control device 14 ends. Figure 3 processing.

[0050] The S70 is the same as the S60.

[0051] Furthermore, in S72 , the control device 14 determines that the foreign matter infiltrated into the connector 34 is metal.

[0052] In S74, the control device 14 changes the second abnormality flag from "off" to "on". In response to the second abnormality flag being changed to "on", the control device 14 reduces the upper limit of the output value of the electric motor 20 to a second upper limit value that is smaller than the first upper limit value. That is, the control device 14 switches the upper limit of the output value of the electric motor 20 according to the type of foreign matter immersed in the connector 34. When S74 ends, the control device 14 ends. Figure 3 processing.

[0053] Specific examples; Figure 4

[0054] Reference Figure 4 A specific example will be described in which it is determined that an abnormality is detected in the temperature sensor 28 due to a small amount of water entering the connector 34 of the temperature sensor 28 . Figure 4 The vertical axis of the time graph is the detected temperature.

[0055] The detected temperature between time T0 and time T1 is substantially constant at temperature TE1. Therefore, between time T0 and time T1, the vehicle 2 determines that the first temperature difference is less than the first predetermined temperature ( Figure 2 In S12 of Figure 3 (“No” in S52 of FIG. 1 ).

[0056] At time T2, due to the infiltration of water into the connector 34 of the temperature sensor 28, the terminals in the connector 34 are short-circuited. As a result, the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 28 changes suddenly from the temperature TE1 to the temperature TE2. That is, the detected temperature shows an abnormal value. The absolute difference between the temperature TE2 and the temperature TE1 is greater than the first predetermined temperature. Therefore, the vehicle 2 determines that the first temperature difference is greater than or equal to the first predetermined temperature ("Yes" in S12), and stores the temperature TE1 as the specific previous detected temperature in the memory 14A (S14).

[0057] Furthermore, the vehicle 2 determines at time T2 that the first temperature difference is greater than or equal to the first predetermined temperature (at Figure 3 The first temperature difference is used to determine the change in resistance value (hereinafter referred to as "resistance change"). In this example, water has penetrated into the connector 34, so the resistance change is greater than the specified change. Figure 3 The judgment in S54 is "Yes".

[0058] As in this example, when a small amount of water enters the connector 34, the terminals in the connector 34 are sometimes short-circuited by the water and sometimes the short-circuit is eliminated according to the acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle 2. Since the short-circuit of the terminals in the connector 34 is eliminated, at time T3, which is the time before the first determination time has passed from time T2, the detected temperature becomes temperature TE3 which is lower than the temperature TE2 by the second predetermined temperature. In this case, the vehicle 2 determines that the second temperature difference is less than the second predetermined temperature (at Figure 2 After that, the detected temperature returns to the temperature TE1.

[0059] Next, at time T4, which is the time before the second determination time has passed since the second temperature difference became less than the second predetermined temperature, the terminals in the connector 34 are short-circuited due to water. As a result, the detected temperature suddenly changes from temperature TE1 to temperature TE2. In this case, the vehicle 2 determines that the first temperature difference is greater than or equal to the first predetermined temperature ("Yes" in S32), counts up the number of times N to "1" (S34), and determines that the number of times N has not reached the predetermined number ("No" in S36). Thereafter, the detected temperature returns to temperature TE1.

[0060] Next, at time T5, which is the moment before the second determination time has passed since the first temperature difference is greater than or equal to the first prescribed temperature, the terminals in the connector 34 are short-circuited due to water. As a result, the detected temperature changes suddenly from temperature TE1 to temperature TE2. In this case, the vehicle 2 determines that the first temperature difference is greater than or equal to the first prescribed temperature ("Yes" in S32), increases the number of times N is established to "2" (S34), and determines that the number of times N is established has not reached the prescribed number of times ("No" in S36). After that, sometimes the terminals in the connector 34 are short-circuited due to water, and sometimes the short circuit is eliminated. As a result, the temperature sudden change condition is intermittently established. Then, in response to the establishment of the temperature sudden change condition, the number of times N is established is counted up (S34).

[0061] At time T6 after the number of times N is counted up to "9", the terminals in the connector 34 are short-circuited due to water. As a result, the detected temperature suddenly changes from temperature TE1 to temperature TE2. In this case, the vehicle 2 determines that the first temperature difference is greater than or equal to the first specified temperature ("Yes" in S32), counts the number of times N to "10" (S34), and determines that the number of times N has reached the specified number of times ("Yes" in S36). In this case, the vehicle 2 determines that an abnormality is detected in the temperature sensor 28 (S38), and turns on the warning light on the instrument panel. Thus, the user can know that an abnormality has occurred in the temperature sensor 28. In this way, even if the water intruding into the connector 34 is a small amount, the intrusion of water into the connector 34 of the temperature sensor 28 can be detected.

[0062] Furthermore, the vehicle 2 determines at time T6 that it is Figure 2 In the abnormality determination process of Figure 3 Then, the vehicle 2 determines that the foreign matter infiltrated into the connector 34 is water (S62), and changes the first abnormality flag from "off" to "on". Thus, the vehicle 2 reduces the upper limit of the output value of the electric motor 20 to the first upper limit value.

[0063] As described above, the control device 14 first performs the following processing: periodically obtains the detected temperature obtained by the temperature sensor 28; and each time the detected temperature is obtained, calculates the first temperature difference, wherein the first temperature difference is the absolute difference between the detected temperature and the previous detected temperature obtained in the previous cycle ( Figure 2 Furthermore, the control device 14 performs the following processing: when the temperature sudden change condition that the first temperature difference is greater than or equal to the first specified temperature is repeatedly satisfied for a specified number of times at intervals within the second determination time (an example of the “first specified time”) (“Yes” in S36), it is determined that water (an example of “foreign matter”) has penetrated into the connector 34 (S38).

[0064] When water enters the connector 34, the terminals in the connector 34 are short-circuited by the water. In this case, the detected temperature obtained by the temperature sensor 28 shows an abnormal value, and thus the temperature sudden change condition that the first temperature difference is greater than or equal to the first predetermined temperature is satisfied (in Figure 2In S32, it is "Yes"). At this time, when a small amount of water has penetrated into the connector 34, the terminals in the connector 34 will be intermittently short-circuited in accordance with the acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle 2. As a result, the temperature sudden change condition will also be intermittently established. The temperature sudden change condition may sometimes be established sporadically due to the influence of noise, but in the case of a small amount of water penetrating into the connector 34, the temperature sudden change condition will be repeatedly established at relatively short intervals. Therefore, in the case where the temperature sudden change condition is repeatedly established at intervals within the second judgment time until a prescribed number of times ("Yes" in S36), it is determined that water has penetrated into the connector 34 (S38), thereby accurately determining the infiltration of water into the connector 34 even if the water penetrating into the connector 34 is a small amount.

[0065] In addition, the control device 14 also performs: a second calculation process (S20), when the temperature sudden change condition is met, the previous detected temperature (S14) is stored, and a second temperature difference is calculated, wherein the second temperature difference is the absolute difference between the detected temperature detected later and the stored previous detected temperature. The control device 14 further performs: a second determination process (S26), when the second temperature difference is continuously determined to be greater than or equal to the second specified temperature over a first determination time (an example of the "second specified time") shorter than the first specified time ("yes" in S24), it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the temperature sensor 28 (S26).

[0066] When the second temperature difference is continuously determined to be greater than or equal to the second predetermined temperature over the first determination time, an abnormality different from the abnormality of water intrusion into the connector 34 may have occurred (e.g., disconnection of the wiring portion 32 of the temperature sensor 28, attachment of foreign matter to the sensing portion 30, etc.). According to the above configuration, the control device 14 can determine the intrusion of water into the connector 34, and can determine the occurrence of the above-mentioned different abnormalities.

[0067] In addition, the control device 14 performs the following processing: counting the number of times N that the temperature sudden change condition is repeatedly satisfied at intervals within the second determination time (S34); and when the number of times N reaches a predetermined number (“Yes” in S36), determining that water has entered the connector 34 (S38). Furthermore, the control device 14 performs the following processing: before the number of times N reaches the predetermined number, when the second determination time has elapsed and the temperature sudden change determination is not satisfied (“Yes” in S40), clearing the number of times N to zero (S42).

[0068] According to the above configuration, when the temperature sudden change determination is not established after the second determination time has elapsed, the control device 14 clears the establishment number N. According to this configuration, water intrusion into the connector 34 can be determined more accurately than a configuration in which the establishment number N is not cleared.

[0069] In addition, when the temperature sudden change condition is satisfied and the first temperature difference is greater than or equal to the third predetermined temperature (in Figure 2 In S32, it is "yes", Figure 3 In the case where the temperature sudden change condition is satisfied and the first temperature difference is less than the third predetermined temperature (in ... Figure 2 In S32, it is "yes", Figure 3 In the case of "No" in S54 and "Yes" in S70), the control device 14 determines that metal (an example of "second type of foreign matter") has penetrated into the connector 34 (S72).

[0070] The amount of change in the detected temperature varies depending on the type of foreign matter that has penetrated into the connector 34. According to the above configuration, the control device 14 can appropriately determine the type of foreign matter that has penetrated into the connector 34 based on the first temperature difference. In particular, in this embodiment, the control device 14 can determine whether the foreign matter that has penetrated into the connector 34 is water or metal.

[0071] The specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification are described in detail above, but these specific examples are only examples and do not limit the claims. The technology described in the claims includes the content obtained by various deformations and changes of the specific examples shown above. The following lists the modified examples of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0072] First Modification

[0073] Can be omitted Figure 2 S10 to S26.

[0074] Second Modification

[0075] Can be omitted Figure 2 In this modification, the number of times N is stored in a volatile memory. In this modification, when the power of the vehicle 2 is turned off, the number of times N is automatically cleared.

[0076] Third Modification

[0077] The “temperature sensor” is not limited to a sensor for detecting the temperature of lubricating fluid, and may be a sensor for detecting the temperature of a high-voltage cable or a low-voltage cable of an electric vehicle (electrified vehicle).

[0078] Fourth Modification

[0079] The "vehicle" is not limited to an electric vehicle, and may be an engine vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, a fuel cell electric vehicle, a hydrogen engine vehicle, or the like.

[0080] Fifth Modification

[0081] Can be omitted Figure 3 processing.

[0082] Sixth Modification

[0083] The third predetermined temperature may be, for example, a threshold value for determining whether the foreign matter infiltrated into the connector 34 is resin or water.

[0084] Seventh Modification

[0085] Alternatively, the control device 14 does not change the upper limit of the output value of the electric motor 20 when the first abnormality flag becomes "enabled", and changes the upper limit of the output value of the electric motor 20 only when the second abnormality flag becomes "enabled". In other words, the control device 14 switches the content of the processing (control mode, etc.) applied when the first abnormality flag becomes "enabled" and when the second abnormality flag becomes "enabled".

[0086] The technical elements described in this specification or drawings can be used alone or in various combinations to achieve technical practicality, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of application. In addition, the technology exemplified in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple purposes at the same time, and achieving one of the purposes itself has technical practicality.

Claims

1. A control device connected to a temperature sensor arranged in a driving device of a vehicle via a connector from outside the driving device, wherein: The control device performs: Acquisition processing, periodically acquiring the detected temperature obtained by the temperature sensor; a first calculation process, calculating a first temperature difference each time the detected temperature is acquired, wherein the first temperature difference is an absolute difference between the detected temperature and a previous detected temperature acquired in a previous cycle; as well as The first determination process determines that foreign matter has penetrated into the connector when a temperature sudden change condition that the first temperature difference is equal to or greater than a first predetermined temperature is repeatedly satisfied a predetermined number of times at intervals within a first predetermined time.

2. The control device according to claim 1 further performs: The second calculation process is to store the previous detected temperature and calculate the second temperature difference when the temperature sudden change condition is satisfied, wherein: The second temperature difference is an absolute difference between the detected temperature detected later and the stored previous detected temperature; as well as The second determination process determines that an abnormality has occurred in the temperature sensor when a determination is continuously made that the second temperature difference is equal to or greater than a second predetermined temperature over a second predetermined time shorter than the first predetermined time.

3. The control device according to claim 2, wherein: The first determination process includes the following processes: Counting the number of times the temperature sudden change condition is repeatedly satisfied at intervals within the first predetermined time; When the counted number reaches the specified number, determining that foreign matter has penetrated into the connector; as well as Before the counted number of times reaches the predetermined number of times, when the first predetermined time has elapsed and the temperature sudden change condition is not satisfied, the counted number of times is cleared to zero.

4. The control device according to claim 1, wherein: The temperature sensor is a sensor for detecting the temperature of the lubricating fluid in the driving device.

5. The control device according to claim 1, wherein: The drive device includes an electric motor that drives wheels of the vehicle.

6. The control device according to claim 1 further performs: a third determination process of determining that a first type of foreign matter has penetrated into the connector when the temperature sudden change condition is satisfied and the first temperature difference is greater than or equal to a third predetermined temperature; and The fourth determination process determines that a second type of foreign matter has penetrated into the connector when the temperature sudden change condition is satisfied and the first temperature difference is smaller than the third predetermined temperature.

7. The control device according to claim 6, wherein: The first foreign body is water, The second foreign matter is metal.

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