Communication system and power supply switching device

Abstract

A communication system (1) is provided with slave ECUs (3, 6) and a master ECU (2). A master ECU (2) transmits, to a slave ECU (3), a relay ON / OFF request for requesting whether or not a relay (44) is brought into a first conduction state, on the basis of an NM frame including first switching information indicating whether or not the relay (44) is brought into the first conduction state, and second switching information indicating whether or not the relay (26) is brought into a second conduction state. On the basis of the NM frame, the main ECU (2) puts the relay (26) in either a second ON state or a second OFF state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication system including a plurality of control devices and a power supply switching device. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 describes an in-vehicle network system that includes a power relay for independently switching the power supply of an electronic control device on / off according to each of a plurality of electronic control devices, determines the control content of switching the power supply of a specific electronic control device on / off for a specific electronic control device corresponding to a scenario determined based on the condition of the vehicle, and uses the power relay to switch the power supply supplied to the specific electronic control device on / off based on the determined control content.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-81021

[0004] As a result of the inventor's detailed research, the following problems were discovered. In the in-vehicle network system described in Patent Document 1, all of the control devices connected to the management control device (hereinafter referred to as the first slave control device) receive power supply from the power supply via the power relay. However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, when there is a control device further connected to the first slave control device (hereinafter referred to as the second slave control device), the activation of the first slave control device and the second slave control device cannot be managed independently. Summary of the invention

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to independently manage activation of a plurality of control devices in a communication system.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a communication system including a slave control device, a first power supply switching control unit, a second power supply switching control unit, a switching transmission unit, and a power supply control unit.

[0007] The control device receives power supply from the power supply via a first power supply switching unit configured to switch between a first conductive state in which the first power supply path is conductive and a first disconnected state in which the first power supply path is disconnected.

[0008] The first power supply switching control unit is configured to receive power supply from the power supply via the second power supply switching unit configured to switch between a second conductive state that conducts the second power supply path and a second disconnected state that disconnects the second power supply path, and control the operation of the first power supply switching unit.

[0009] The second power supply switching control unit is configured to control the operation of the second power supply switching unit.

[0010] The switching sending unit is configured to send first switching indication information indicating whether to put the first power supply switching unit into the first conduction state to the first power supply switching control unit based on a communication frame, i.e., a management frame, which includes first switching information indicating whether to put the first power supply switching unit into the first conduction state and second switching information indicating whether to put the second power supply switching unit into the second conduction state.

[0011] The power supply control unit is configured to set the second power supply switching unit to either the second on state or the second off state based on the management frame.

[0012] In the communication system of the present disclosure thus constructed, the second power supply switching control unit can make the second power supply switching unit either a second on state or a second off state based on the second switching information included in the management frame. Furthermore, in the communication system of the present disclosure, the first power supply switching control unit can make the first power supply switching unit either a first on state or a first off state based on the first switching instruction information sent from the switching sending unit based on the first switching information included in the management frame. Therefore, the communication system of the present disclosure can independently control the power supply to the first power supply switching control unit connected to the second power supply switching unit and the power supply to the slave control device connected to the first power supply switching unit, and can independently manage the startup of multiple control devices.

[0013] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a power supply switching device configured to control the operation of a second power supply switching unit in a communication system including a slave control device and a power supply switching control unit.

[0014] The power supply switching device of the present disclosure includes a switching transmission unit and a power supply control unit.

[0015] The power supply switching device of the present disclosure configured in this way is a device included in the communication system of the present disclosure, and can obtain the same effects as those of the communication system of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a block diagram showing the configuration of the communication system according to the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the configuration of the NM frame and the relay management table.

[0018] Figure 3 1 is a flowchart showing the main power supply management process according to the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing the slave power management process according to the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 5 It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system according to the second embodiment.

[0021] Figure 6 : is a flowchart showing the main power supply management process according to the second embodiment.

[0022] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing the slave power management process according to the second embodiment.

[0023] Figure 8 It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system according to the third embodiment.

[0024] Fig. 9 It is a diagram showing the correspondence between control objects and clusters.

[0025] Fig.10 It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system according to a fourth embodiment.

[0026] Fig.11 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a central ECU and an upstream power distribution unit according to a fourth embodiment.

[0027] Fig.12 This is a first block diagram showing the configuration of a zone ECU according to the fourth embodiment.

[0028] Fig.13 This is a second block diagram showing the configuration of the zone ECU according to the fourth embodiment.

[0029] Fig.14 It is a block diagram showing the structure of a slave ECU according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] [First embodiment]

[0031] The following and attached Figure 1 The first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. The communication system 1 of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle, such as Figure 1 As shown, a master ECU 2, slave ECUs 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and a battery 10 are provided. ECU is an abbreviation of Electronic Control Unit.

[0032] The master ECU 2 and the slave ECU 3 are connected via a communication bus 11 so as to be able to perform data communication with each other. The master ECU 2 and the slave ECU 4 are connected via a communication bus 12 so as to be able to perform data communication with each other.

[0033] The master ECU 2 and the slave ECU 5 are connected to each other via a communication bus 13 so as to be able to communicate data with each other. The battery 10 supplies power to various parts of the vehicle at a DC battery voltage (eg, 12 V). The master ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 to 9 receive power from the battery 10 to operate.

[0034] The main ECU 2 includes a control unit 21, CAN communication units 22, 23, and 24, a storage unit 25, and relays 26 and 27. CAN is an abbreviation for Controller Area Network. The communication protocol of the communication system 1 is not limited to CAN.

[0035] The control unit 21 is an electronic control device centered around a microcomputer having a CPU 31, a ROM 32, and a RAM 33. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 31 executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium. In this example, the ROM 32 is equivalent to a non-migrating physical recording medium storing the program. In addition, by executing the program, a method corresponding to the program is executed. In addition, a part or all of the functions executed by the CPU 31 may be constituted in hardware by one or more ICs, etc. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 21 may be one or more.

[0036] The CAN communication units 22 , 23 , 24 communicate with the slave ECUs 3 , 4 , 5 connected to the communication buses 11 , 12 , 13 , respectively, by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0037] The storage unit 25 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 25 stores a relay management table 35 and a communication management table 36 described below. The relay 26 is arranged on the power supply path 14 between the battery 10 and the slave ECU 3. The relay 27 is arranged on the power supply path 15 between the battery 10 and the slave ECU 4.

[0038] The relay 26 is configured to switch to either an on state in which the power supply path 14 is turned on or an off state in which the power supply path 14 is turned off according to a command from the control unit 21. The relay 27 is configured to switch to either an on state in which the power supply path 15 is turned on or an off state in which the power supply path 15 is turned off according to a command from the control unit 21. Hereinafter, the on state is also referred to as the on state, and the off state is also referred to as the off state.

[0039] The slave ECU 3 includes a control unit 41, a CAN communication unit 42, a storage unit 43, and relays 44 and 45. The control unit 41 is an electronic control device centered on a microcomputer including a CPU 51, a ROM 52, and a RAM 53. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium by the CPU 51. In this example, the ROM 52 is equivalent to a non-migrating physical recording medium storing the program. In addition, by executing the program, a method corresponding to the program is executed. In addition, a part or all of the functions executed by the CPU 51 may be constituted in hardware by one or more ICs, etc. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 41 may be one or more.

[0040] The CAN communication unit 42 is connected to the CAN communication unit 22 via the communication bus 11, and communicates with the main ECU 2 based on the CAN communication protocol. The storage unit 43 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 43 stores a communication management table 36 described later.

[0041] The relay 44 is arranged on the power supply path 16 between the slave ECU 3 and the slave ECU 6. The power supply path 16 is connected to the battery 10 via the power supply path 14. The relay 45 is arranged on the power supply path 17 between the slave ECU 3 and the slave ECU 7. The power supply path 17 is connected to the battery 10 via the power supply path 14.

[0042] The slave ECU 4 includes a control unit 61, a CAN communication unit 62, a storage unit 63, and relays 64 and 65. The control unit 61 is an electronic control device centered on a microcomputer including a CPU 71, a ROM 72, and a RAM 73. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium by the CPU 71. In this example, the ROM 72 is equivalent to a non-migrating physical recording medium storing the program. In addition, by executing the program, a method corresponding to the program is executed. In addition, a part or all of the functions performed by the CPU 71 may be constituted in hardware by one or more ICs, etc. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 61 may be one or more.

[0043] The CAN communication unit 62 is connected to the CAN communication unit 23 via the communication bus 12, and communicates with the main ECU 2 based on the CAN communication protocol. The storage unit 63 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 63 stores a communication management table 36 described later.

[0044] The relay 64 is arranged on the power supply path 18 between the slave ECU 4 and the slave ECU 8. The power supply path 18 is connected to the battery 10 via the power supply path 15. The relay 65 is arranged on the power supply path 19 between the slave ECU 4 and the slave ECU 9. The power supply path 19 is connected to the battery 10 via the power supply path 15.

[0045] The slave ECU 5 includes a control unit 81, a CAN communication unit 82, and a storage unit 83. The control unit 81 is an electronic control device centered on a microcomputer including a CPU 91, a ROM 92, and a RAM 93. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 91 executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium. In this example, the ROM 92 is equivalent to a non-migrating physical recording medium storing the program. In addition, by executing the program, a method corresponding to the program is executed. In addition, a part or all of the functions executed by the CPU 91 may be constituted in hardware by one or more ICs, etc. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 81 may be one or more.

[0046] The CAN communication unit 82 is connected to the CAN communication unit 24 via the communication bus 13, and communicates with the main ECU 2 based on the CAN communication protocol. The storage unit 83 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 83 stores a communication management table 36 described later.

[0047] The CAN frame is composed of a start frame, an arbitration field, a control field, a data field, a CRC field, an ACK field, and an end frame. In addition, the arbitration field is composed of an eleven-bit or twenty-nine-bit identifier (ie, ID) and a one-bit RTR bit.

[0048] An 11-bit identifier used in CAN communication is called a CANID. The CANID is set in advance based on the content of data included in the CAN frame, the transmission source of the CAN frame, the transmission destination of the CAN frame, and the like.

[0049] The data field is a payload consisting of first data, second data, third data, fourth data, fifth data, sixth data, seventh data and eighth data of eight bits (ie, one byte), respectively.

[0050] The master ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 to 9 are configured to switch between an awake state (i.e., an activated state) and a sleep state (i.e., a dormant state). The awake state is a normal operating state in which the functions assigned to the ECU can be used without restriction. The sleep state is a low-power operating state in which the functions that can be used are limited.

[0051] In the communication system 1, in order to switch the relays 26, 27, 44, 45, 64, 65 to the on state or the off state, an NM frame which is a CAN frame including switching information is used. NM is an abbreviation for Network Management.

[0052] For example, Figure 2 The switching information is set as shown. DLC is the abbreviation of Data Length Code: It is an area that indicates the size of the data field in the CAN frame in bytes. In other words, the switching information is stored in the data field of the CAN frame. Here, in order to simplify the description, the case where DLC is one byte (i.e., eight bits) is shown.

[0053] Switching information of relay 26 , switching information of relay 27 , switching information of relay 44 , switching information of relay 45 , switching information of relay 64 , and switching information of relay 65 are allocated to each bit of the eight-bit data.

[0054] exist Figure 2 In the NM frame shown, the switching information of relay 26 is assigned to the first upper digit of the first data, the switching information of relay 27 is assigned to the second upper digit of the first data, the switching information of relay 44 is assigned to the third upper digit of the first data, the switching information of relay 45 is assigned to the fourth upper digit of the first data, the switching information of relay 64 is assigned to the fifth upper digit of the first data, and the switching information of relay 65 is assigned to the sixth upper digit of the first data.

[0055] Moreover, in Figure 2 In the NM frame shown, for example, the first upper bit of the first data is set to 0, so Figure 2 The NM frame shown indicates that the relay 26 is in the open state.

[0056] In addition, Figure 2 In the NM frame shown, the second upper bit of the first data is set to 1, so Figure 2 The NM frame shown indicates that the relay 27 is turned on. The relay management table 35 is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, for each of the plurality of switching information included in the NM frame, a correspondence relationship is set between the switching information, the control object, and the loading destination.

[0057] Figure 2 The relay management table 35 shown shows the upper first bit of the first data (ie, Figure 2 The switching information of bit 0 of ECU 2 sets the relay 26 as the control object, and the installation destination of the control object (ie, the relay 26) is the main ECU 2.

[0058] Similarly, the relay management table 35 shows the second upper digit of the first data (ie, Figure 2 The switching information of bit 1 of ECU 2 sets the relay 27 as the control object, and the installation destination of the control object (ie, the relay 27) is the main ECU 2.

[0059] In addition, the relay management table 35 shows the third upper digit of the first data (ie, Figure 2 The switching information of bit 2 of ECU 1 sets the relay 44 as the control object, and the installation destination of the control object (ie, the relay 44) is the slave ECU 3.

[0060] In addition, the relay management table 35 shows the fourth upper digit of the first data (ie, Figure 2 The switching information of bit 3 of ECU 1 sets the relay 45 as the control object, and the installation destination of the control object (ie, the relay 45) is from ECU 3.

[0061] In addition, the relay management table 35 shows the fifth bit of the first data (ie, Figure 2 The switching information of bit 4 of the control unit sets the relay 64 as the control object, and the installation destination of the control object (ie, the relay 64) is the slave ECU 4.

[0062] In addition, the relay management table 35 shows the sixth bit of the first data (ie, Figure 2 The switching information of bit5 of ECU 4 sets the relay 65 as the control object, and the installation destination of the control object (ie, the relay 65) is the slave ECU 4.

[0063] Figure 1 The communication management table 36 shown sets a correspondence relationship between a service and switching information for each of a plurality of services provided to passengers of the vehicle using the master ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 to 9 .

[0064] For example, for the first service, the communication management table 36 sets relay 26 to an on state as the switching information of relay 26, sets relay 27 to an off state as the switching information of relay 27, sets relay 44 to an on state as the switching information of relay 44, sets relay 45 to an off state as the switching information of relay 45, sets relay 64 to an off state as the switching information of relay 64, and sets relay 65 to an off state as the switching information of relay 65.

[0065] For example, for the second service, the communication management table 36 sets relay 26 to an OFF state as the switching information of relay 26, sets relay 27 to an ON state as the switching information of relay 27, sets relay 44 to an OFF state as the switching information of relay 44, sets relay 45 to an OFF state as the switching information of relay 45, sets relay 64 to an ON state as the switching information of relay 64, and sets relay 65 to an ON state as the switching information of relay 65.

[0066] Therefore, when the master ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 to 5 detect that the start condition of the service is satisfied, they extract the switching information corresponding to the corresponding service from the communication management table 36 , generate and transmit an NM frame including the extracted switching information.

[0067] Furthermore, in a state where a plurality of NM frames corresponding to a plurality of services are transmitted, the ECU on the receiving side of the NM frames turns the relay on according to the OR (i.e., logical sum) of the switching information, and turns the relay off according to the AND (i.e., logical product) of the switching information. On the other hand, in a case where the same ECU generates NM frames corresponding to a plurality of services, NM frames are generated by OR for the switching information that turns the relay on, and by AND for the switching information that turns the relay off, and transmitted as one NM frame corresponding to the plurality of services.

[0068] Next, a description will be given of a procedure of a main power supply management process executed by the control unit 21 of the main ECU 2. The main power supply management process is a process that is repeatedly executed during activation of the main ECU 2.

[0069] If the main power management process is executed, the CPU 31 of the control unit 21 Figure 3 As shown, in S10, it is determined whether an NM frame is received. Here, if an NM frame is not received, the CPU 31 ends the main power management process. In addition, there is also a case where the main ECU 2 generates and sends an NM frame. In this case, the same action is performed as when an NM frame is received.

[0070] On the other hand, when the NM frame is received, the CPU 31 transmits a relay on / off request to the slave ECUs 3 and 4 based on the switching information included in the received NM frame and the relay management table 35 in S20 .

[0071] Specifically, the CPU 31 first refers to the relay management table 35 to determine the position and control object of the slave ECU 3, 4 as the loading destination. Then, the CPU 31 determines whether to turn on the relay of the control object based on the switching information of the determined position in the received NM frame. Then, the CPU 31 sends a relay on / off request indicating whether to turn on the determined control object to the determined loading destination. However, when the CPU 31 turns off the relay connected to the determined loading destination and the relay mounted on the main ECU 2, the CPU 31 does not send a relay on / off request to the determined loading destination.

[0072] For example, in Figure 2 In the relay management table 35 shown in the figure, the bit that becomes the mounting destination from the ECU 3 is the third bit from the top (ie, Figure 2 bit2) and the fourth bit (i.e. Figure 2 In addition, the control object of the third bit is relay 44, and the control object of the fourth bit is relay 45. Figure 2 In the NM frame shown, the third upper bit is 0 and the fourth upper bit is 1.

[0073] Therefore, the CPU 31 transmits a relay on / off request indicating that the relay 44 is turned off and a relay on / off request indicating that the relay 45 is turned on to the slave ECU 3 .

[0074] However, when the relay 26 connected to the slave ECU 3 and mounted on the master ECU 2 is in the OFF state (ie, when the first upper bit in the NM frame is 0), the CPU 31 does not transmit a relay ON / OFF request to the slave ECU 3 .

[0075] In S30 , the CPU 31 turns the relays 26 and 27 to the on state or the off state based on the switching information included in the received NM frame and the relay management table 35 , and ends the main power supply management process.

[0076] Specifically, the CPU 31 first refers to the relay management table 35 to determine the position and control object of the main ECU 2 as the loading destination. Then, the CPU 31 determines whether to turn on the relay of the control object based on the switching information of the position determined in the received NM frame. Then, the CPU 31 turns on or off the relay of the control object based on the determined result.

[0077] For example, in Figure 2 In the relay management table 35 shown in the figure, the position where the main ECU 2 is installed is the first position in the upper order (ie, Figure 2 bit0) and the second upper bit (i.e., Figure 2 In addition, the control object of the first upper bit is relay 26, and the control object of the second upper bit is relay 27. Figure 2 In the NM frame shown, the first upper bit is 0 and the second upper bit is 1.

[0078] Therefore, CPU 31 turns relay 26 off and turns relay 27 on. Next, the sequence of the slave power management process executed by control units 41 and 61 of slave ECUs 3 and 4 will be described. The slave power management process is a process repeatedly executed when slave ECUs 3 and 4 are activated.

[0079] If the slave power management process is executed, the CPU 51, 71 of the control unit 41, 61 Figure 4 As shown, in S110, it is determined whether a relay on / off request is received. Here, if a relay on / off request is not received, the CPU 51, 71 ends the slave power supply management process.

[0080] On the other hand, when a relay on / off request is received, the CPU 51, 71 turns the relay mounted on the device on or off based on the received relay on / off request in S120, and ends the slave power management process. The relay mounted on the slave ECU 3 is the relay 44, 45. The relay mounted on the slave ECU 4 is the relay 64, 65.

[0081] The communication system 1 thus configured includes a slave ECU 6, a slave ECU 3, and a master ECU 2. The slave ECU 6 receives power supply from the battery 10 via a relay 44 configured to switch between an on state (hereinafter referred to as a first on state) in which the power supply path 16 is turned on and a cutoff state (hereinafter referred to as a first cutoff state) in which the power supply path 16 is cut off.

[0082] The slave ECU 3 is configured to receive power supply from the battery 10 via the relay 26 configured to switch between an on state (hereinafter referred to as a second on state) that makes the power supply path 14 conductive and a cutoff state (hereinafter referred to as a second cutoff state) that cuts off the power supply path 14, and controls the operation of the relay 44.

[0083] The main ECU 2 is configured to control the operation of the relay 26. The main ECU 2 is configured to send a relay on / off request to the slave ECU 3 requesting whether to put the relay 44 into the first conduction state, based on a CAN frame, i.e., an NM frame, which includes switching information indicating whether to put the relay 44 into the first conduction state (hereinafter referred to as the first switching information) and switching information indicating whether to put the relay 26 into the second conduction state (hereinafter referred to as the second switching information).

[0084] The main ECU 2 is configured to set the relay 26 to either the second on state or the second off state based on the NM frame. In addition, the main ECU 2 includes a relay management table 35. The relay management table 35 sets the mounting destination information indicating the ECU equipped with the relay 44 (hereinafter referred to as the first mounting destination information) and the mounting destination information indicating the ECU equipped with the relay 26 (hereinafter referred to as the second mounting destination information).

[0085] The main ECU 2 is configured to, upon receiving a CAN frame, i.e., an NM frame, which includes switching information indicating whether the relay 44 is to be in the first conductive state (hereinafter referred to as the first switching information) and switching information indicating whether the relay 26 is to be in the second conductive state (hereinafter referred to as the second switching information), send a relay on / off request to the slave ECU 3 requesting whether the relay 44 is to be in the first conductive state based on the first loading destination information of the relay management table 35 and the first switching information.

[0086] When receiving the NM frame, the main ECU 2 is configured to set the relay 26 to either the second on state or the second off state based on the second mounting destination information in the relay management table 35 and the second switching information.

[0087] In such a communication system 1, the master ECU 2 can make the relay 26 either the second on state or the second off state based on the second switching information included in the NM frame. And in the communication system 1, the slave ECU 3 can make the relay 44 either the first on state or the first off state according to the relay on / off request sent from the master ECU 2 based on the first switching information included in the NM frame. Therefore, the communication system 1 can independently control the power supply to the slave ECU 3 connected to the master ECU 2 and the power supply to the slave ECU 6 connected to the slave ECU 3, and can independently manage the startup of multiple slave ECUs 3 and 6.

[0088] In addition, the master ECU 2 is configured to prohibit the transmission of the relay on / off request to the slave ECU 3 when the second switching information included in the NM frame indicates the second disconnection state. Such a communication system 1 can suppress the occurrence of a situation in which the master ECU 2 uselessly transmits the relay on / off request related to the slave ECU 6 to the slave ECU 3 even though the power cannot be supplied to the slave ECU 6 due to the relay 26 being in the second disconnection state, and can reduce the processing load of the master ECU 2.

[0089] In the embodiment described above, the power supply path 16 corresponds to the first power supply path, the relay 44 corresponds to the first power supply switching unit, the battery 10 corresponds to the power source, and the slave ECU 6 corresponds to the slave control device.

[0090] The power supply path 14 corresponds to the second power supply path, the relay 26 corresponds to the second power supply switching unit, the slave ECU 3 corresponds to the first power supply switching control unit, and the master ECU 2 corresponds to the second power supply switching control unit and the power supply switching device.

[0091] The relay management table 35 corresponds to the switch management table, the NM frame corresponds to the management frame, the relay on / off request corresponds to the first switch instruction information and the first switch request, S20 corresponds to the process as the switch sending unit, and S30 corresponds to the process as the power supply control unit.

[0092] [Second embodiment]

[0093] The following and attached Figure 1 A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the second embodiment, the parts different from the first embodiment will be described. The same reference numerals are attached to the same configurations.

[0094] like Figure 5 As shown, the communication system 1 of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the relay management table 35 is stored in the storage unit 43 of the slave ECU 3 and the relay management table 35 is stored in the storage unit 63 of the slave ECU 4 .

[0095] The order of the master power management process and the slave power management process of the communication system 1 of the second embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment. Next, the order of the master power management process of the second embodiment is described. The master power management process is a process that is repeatedly executed during activation of the master ECU 2.

[0096] When the main power management process of the second embodiment is executed, the CPU 31 of the control unit 21 Figure 6 As shown, in S210, it is determined whether an NM frame is received. Here, if an NM frame is not received, the CPU 31 ends the main power supply management process.

[0097] On the other hand, when an NM frame is received, CPU 31 specifies slave ECUs 3 and 4 connected to relays 26 and 27 to be turned off as transmission prohibition ECUs based on the switching information included in the received NM frame and relay management table 35 in S220.

[0098] Specifically, CPU 31 first identifies that the upper first bit of the first data sets relay 26 (i.e., slave ECU 3) as the control object, and the upper second bit of the first data sets relay 27 (i.e., slave ECU 4) as the control object by referring to relay management table 35. Then, when the upper first bit of the first data in the received NM frame is 0, CPU 31 determines slave ECU 3 as the transmission prohibition ECU. In addition, when the upper second bit of the first data in the received NM frame is 0, CPU 31 determines slave ECU 4 as the transmission prohibition ECU.

[0099] In S230, CPU 31 determines slave ECUs 3 and 4 connected to relays 26 and 27 switched from the off state to the on state as transmission standby ECUs based on the switching information included in the NM frame received in S210, the switching information included in the last received NM frame, and the relay management table 35.

[0100] Specifically, CPU31 first identifies, by referring to the relay management table 35, that the upper first bit of the first data sets relay 26 (i.e., slave ECU3) as the control object, and that the upper second bit of the first data sets relay 27 (i.e., slave ECU4) as the control object. Then, when the upper first bit of the first data in the last received NM frame is 0, and the upper first bit of the first data in the NM frame received in S210 is 1, CPU31 determines slave ECU3 as the sending standby ECU. In addition, when the upper second bit of the first data in the last received NM frame is 0, and the upper second bit of the first data in the NM frame received in S210 is 1, CPU31 determines slave ECU4 as the sending standby ECU.

[0101] In S240 , the CPU 31 determines the ECU that is not determined as the transmission prohibited ECU and is not determined as the transmission standby ECU among the slave ECUs 3 and 4 as the normal transmission ECU.

[0102] In S250, the CPU 31 sends the NM frame received in S210 to the normal transmission ECU. In S260, the CPU 31 turns the relay connected to the transmission prohibition ECU to the off state, and turns the relay connected to the transmission standby ECU to the on state. Specifically, the CPU 31 turns the relay 26 to the off state when the transmission prohibition ECU is the slave ECU 3, and turns the relay 27 to the off state when the transmission prohibition ECU is the slave ECU 4. In addition, the CPU 31 turns the relay 26 to the on state when the transmission standby ECU is the slave ECU 3, and turns the relay 27 to the on state when the transmission standby ECU is the slave ECU 4.

[0103] In S270 , the CPU 31 determines whether the transmission standby ECU is activated. Specifically, when the CPU 31 receives a startup completion notification indicating that the startup is completed from the transmission standby ECU, the CPU 31 determines that the transmission standby ECU is activated.

[0104] Here, when the transmission standby ECU is not activated, the CPU 31 waits until the transmission standby ECU is activated by repeating the process of S260. If the transmission standby ECU is activated, the CPU 31 transmits the NM frame received in S210 to the transmission standby ECU in S280 and ends the main power management process.

[0105] Next, the sequence of the slave power supply management process of the second embodiment will be described. The slave power supply management process of the second embodiment is a process that is repeatedly executed when the slave ECUs 3 and 4 are activated.

[0106] When the slave power management process of the second embodiment is executed, the CPUs 51 and 71 of the control units 41 and 61 are as follows: Figure 7 As shown, in S310, it is determined whether an NM frame is received. Here, if an NM frame is not received, the CPU 51, 71 ends the slave power management process.

[0107] On the other hand, when an NM frame is received, the CPU 51 or 71 turns on or off the relay mounted on the own device based on the received NM frame in S320, and ends the slave power management process.

[0108] Specifically, the CPU 51, 71 first refers to the relay management table 35 to determine the position and control object of the device as the loading destination. Then, the CPU 51, 71 determines whether to turn on the relay of the control object based on the switching information of the position determined in the received NM frame. Then, the CPU 51, 71 turns on or off the relay of the control object based on the determined result.

[0109] For example, in Figure 2 In the relay management table 35 shown in the figure, the bit that becomes the installation destination from ECU3 is the third bit from the uppermost position (ie, Figure 2 bit2) and the fourth bit (i.e., Figure 2 In addition, the control object of the third bit is relay 44, and the control object of the fourth bit is relay 45. Figure 2 In the NM frame shown, the third upper bit is 0 and the fourth upper bit is 1.

[0110] Therefore, the CPU 51 of the slave ECU 3 turns the relay 44 to the OFF state and turns the relay 45 to the ON state. The communication system 1 configured in this way includes the slave ECU 6 , the slave ECU 3 , and the master ECU 2 .

[0111] Upon receiving an NM frame which is a CAN frame including first switching information indicating whether to set relay 44 to the first conductive state and second switching information indicating whether to set relay 26 to the second conductive state, master ECU 2 is configured to transmit the NM frame to slave ECU 3 .

[0112] When receiving the NM frame, the main ECU 2 is configured to set the relay 26 to either the second on state or the second off state based on the second switching information included in the NM frame.

[0113] When receiving the NM frame, the slave ECU 3 is configured to set the relay 44 to either the first on state or the first off state based on the first switching information included in the NM frame.

[0114] In such a communication system 1, the master ECU 2 can make the relay 26 either the second on state or the second off state based on the second switching information included in the NM frame. And in the communication system 1, the slave ECU 3 can make the relay 44 either the first on state or the first off state based on the first switching information included in the NM frame. Therefore, the communication system 1 can independently control the power supply to the slave ECU 3 connected to the master ECU 2 and the power supply to the slave ECU 6 connected to the slave ECU 3, and can independently manage the startup of multiple slave ECUs 3 and 6.

[0115] In addition, the master ECU 2 is configured to prohibit the transmission of the NM frame when the second switching information included in the NM frame indicates the second disconnection state. Such a communication system 1 can suppress the occurrence of a situation where the master ECU 2 uselessly transmits the NM frame to the slave ECU 3 even though the relay 26 is in the second disconnection state and power cannot be supplied to the slave ECU 6, thereby reducing the processing load of the master ECU 2.

[0116] In addition, when the relay 26 is in the second disconnection state and the second switching information included in the NM frame indicates the second conduction state, the master ECU 2 is configured to send the NM frame after the relay 26 is in the second conduction state and the slave ECU 3 is activated. Such a communication system 1 can suppress the occurrence of a situation where the master ECU 2 uselessly sends the NM frame to the slave ECU 3 even though the slave ECU 3 is not activated, and can reduce the processing load of the master ECU 2.

[0117] In the above-described embodiment, S250 and S280 correspond to the process of switching the transmission unit, and S260 corresponds to the process of the power supply control unit.

[0118] [Third Embodiment]

[0119] The following and attached Figure 1 A third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the third embodiment, the parts different from the first embodiment will be described. The same reference numerals are attached to the same configurations.

[0120] The communication system 1 of the third embodiment is as follows Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that a smart sensor 501 , a smart actuator 502 , a wireless device 503 , and relays 504 and 505 are added.

[0121] The smart sensor 501 is a sensor having a communication function. The smart sensor 501 is connected to the communication bus 13 . The smart actuator 502 is an actuator having a communication function. The smart actuator 502 is connected to the communication bus 13 .

[0122] The wireless device 503 is a wireless communication device for wirelessly communicating with an external communication device installed outside the vehicle. The wireless device 503 is, for example, a DCM. DCM is an abbreviation of Data Communication Module.

[0123] The relay 504 is arranged on the power supply path between the battery 10 and the smart sensor 501. The relay 505 is arranged on the power supply path between the battery 10 and the smart actuator 502.

[0124] Relays 504 and 505 are respectively configured to switch between an on state for conducting the power supply path and an off state for interrupting the power supply path according to a command from the control unit 21. Hereinafter, the master ECU 2, slave ECUs 3 to 5, smart sensor 501, and smart actuator 502 are collectively referred to as nodes.

[0125] (Prerequisites)

[0126] The master ECU 2 and the slave ECU 5 are always powered by the battery 10 without relays, and can switch to the awake state or the sleep state independently. Hereinafter, the master ECU 2 and the slave ECU 5 are also referred to as NM-equipped nodes. NM-equipped nodes are nodes that have the function of generating NM frames.

[0127] The slave ECU 3, 4, smart sensor 501 and smart actuator 502 are powered via the relay, and cannot be switched to the awake state or the sleep state at the node alone. In other words, the awake state is reached with the relay turned on, and the sleep state is reached with the relay turned off. Hereinafter, the slave ECU 3, the slave ECU 5, the smart sensor 501 and the smart actuator 502 are also referred to as NM non-carrying nodes. NM non-carrying nodes refer to nodes that do not have the function of generating and interpreting NM frames.

[0128] The NM non-mounted node includes at least one of an actuator and a sensor in addition to an ECU having a control function. The power supply paths of the NM non-mounted node are connected to the relays 26, 27, 504, and 505 of the main ECU 2, respectively.

[0129] The NM non-mounted nodes and relays may be connected one-to-one, or a plurality of NM non-mounted nodes belonging to the same cluster (ie, a group activated simultaneously) may be connected to one relay.

[0130] The main ECU 2 and the NM-equipped node have a CAN communication unit and can transmit and receive NM frames. The NM-equipped node determines whether the node is in the awake state or the sleep state based on the NM frames transmitted and received via the communication bus.

[0131] The main ECU 2 turns on or off the relays 26 , 27 , 504 , and 505 connected to the NM non-mounted node based on the NM frame transmitted and received via the communication bus.

[0132] One or more bits of information indicating which cluster is activated are stored in the payload (ie, data area) of the NM frame transmitted and received between the main ECU 2 and the NM-equipped node.

[0133] The vehicle is equipped with one or more main ECUs (i.e., ECUs with built-in relays). Fig. 9 As shown, one or more nodes belonging to each cluster are determined in advance by the system developer. Although it is also possible to assign a cluster to each node, multiple nodes can be registered in one cluster. When the bit corresponding to each cluster is activated (i.e., bit = 1), the cluster wakes up. In the case of the main ECU, waking up means turning on the relay.

[0134] (First startup example)

[0135] The first activation case is an operation example of performing a fault diagnosis of the slave ECU 3 in response to a request from the cloud.

[0136] First, a connection request is made from the base station (ie, the cloud) to the vehicle's wireless device 503. Next, if the wireless device 503 determines that the connection is valid, it transmits the event received from the cloud to the main ECU 2.

[0137] Next, the master ECU 2 determines a service called “fault diagnosis of the slave ECU 3 ” based on the event, and generates an NM frame in which only the bit of the third cluster to which the slave ECU 3 belongs is enabled in order to activate the slave ECU 3 .

[0138] Next, the master ECU 2 sends the generated NM frame to the communication buses 11, 12, and 13. Since there is no NM-equipped node belonging to the third cluster on the communication buses 11, 12, and 13, the devices on the communication buses are unchanged.

[0139] Next, the main ECU 2 regards that it has received the NM frame that makes the bit of the third cluster valid at the same time as described above, and executes processing based on the NM frame through the control unit 21. Next, if the control unit 21 of the main ECU 2 determines to issue a wake-up instruction to the third cluster based on the NM frame, the relay 26 is turned on because the third cluster includes the relay 26.

[0140] When the relay 26 is turned on, power is supplied to the downstream slave ECU 3 to start it. The master ECU 2 waits for the slave ECU 3 to start, requests a diagnostic code from the slave ECU 3, and transmits the response result from the slave ECU 3 to the base station via the wireless device 503.

[0141] (Second startup example)

[0142] The second activation example is an operation example of performing a fault diagnosis of the slave ECU 5 in response to a request from the cloud.

[0143] First, a connection request is made from the base station (ie, the cloud) to the vehicle's wireless device 503. Next, if the wireless device 503 determines that the connection is valid, it transmits the event received from the cloud to the main ECU 2.

[0144] Next, the master ECU 2 determines a service called “failure diagnosis of the slave ECU 5 ” based on the event, and generates an NM frame in which only the bit of the fourth cluster to which the slave ECU 5 belongs is enabled in order to activate the slave ECU 5 .

[0145] Next, the master ECU 2 sends the generated NM frame to the communication buses 11, 12, and 13. Since there is a slave ECU 5 on the communication bus 13 as a node belonging to the fourth cluster, the slave ECU 5 wakes up.

[0146] Next, the main ECU 2 regards that the NM frame with the bit of the fourth cluster enabled is received simultaneously and executes processing based on the NM frame through the control unit 21. Next, even if the control unit 11 of the main ECU 2 determines to issue a wake-up instruction to the fourth cluster, it is ignored because the fourth cluster does not include a corresponding relay.

[0147] When the slave ECU 5 is activated, the master ECU 2 requests a diagnostic code from the slave ECU 5 via the communication bus 13 , and transmits a response result from the slave ECU 5 to the base station via the wireless device 503 .

[0148] (Third startup example)

[0149] The third activation example is an example of an action in which a user remotely activates an air conditioner via a smartphone. First, the user instructs the vehicle air conditioner to be turned on via the smartphone.

[0150] The wireless device 503 receives the instruction signal from the smartphone, and if the wireless device 503 determines that the instruction signal is valid, it transmits the event (ie, instruction signal) received from the cloud to the main ECU 2 .

[0151] The main ECU 2 determines "air conditioning service" based on the event, and generates an NM frame to activate the second cluster as the air conditioning cluster. The main ECU 2 periodically sends the generated NM frame to the communication buses 11, 12, and 13 until the air conditioning stop instruction is issued. In the case of continuing the activation state, it is necessary to continue to send NM frames periodically. At the same time, the control unit 21 of the main ECU 2 executes processing based on the NM frame.

[0152] If an NM frame for activating the second cluster is generated on the communication bus 13 , the slave ECU 5 (ie, the air-conditioning ECU) belonging to the second cluster receives the NM frame and wakes up according to the received NM frame.

[0153] If the control unit 21 of the main ECU 2 detects that the second cluster is activated, the relays 504 and 505 belonging to the second cluster are turned on. If the relays 504 and 505 are turned on, power is supplied to the smart sensor 501 (ie, temperature sensor) and the smart actuator 502 (ie, compressor).

[0154] As described above, power is started to be supplied to the air conditioning ECU, the smart sensor 501, and the smart actuator 502, and the vehicle air conditioning can be turned on. When the user instructs to turn off the vehicle air conditioning from the smartphone, the main ECU 2 stops the regular transmission of the NM frame.

[0155] When the NM frame is interrupted, the slave ECU 5 enters the sleep state, and the master ECU 2 turns off the relay 504 and the relay 505. As a result, the vehicle air conditioner stops.

[0156] (Fourth startup example)

[0157] The fourth activation example is an operation example of activating the vehicle air conditioner from the slave ECU 5. Since the slave ECU 6 is always supplied with power even when the vehicle is stopped, it can detect input of a signal indicating that the start switch connected to the slave ECU 5 is turned on and wake up even when it is asleep.

[0158] The awakened slave ECU 5 generates an NM frame to turn on the bit corresponding to the second cluster when confirming the input to start the vehicle air conditioner. The slave ECU 5 transmits the generated NM frame via the CAN communication unit 82. When the master ECU 2 receives the NM frame, the master ECU 2 turns on the relays 504 and 505 belonging to the second cluster.

[0159] If the start switch of the vehicle air conditioner is turned off, the slave ECU 5 stops sending the NM frame and enters the sleep state soon after. If the NM frame is interrupted, the master ECU 2 soon turns the relays 504 and 505 off and ends the control.

[0160] When the master ECU 2 determines that the control needs to be continued even after the transmission of the NM frame stops, the master ECU 2 transmits the NM frame that turns on the bit belonging to the second cluster. Thus, the slave ECU 5, the smart sensor 501, and the smart actuator 502 can also maintain the startup until the transmission of the NM frame generated by the master ECU 2 stops.

[0161] (Power outage processing extended)

[0162] The NM-equipped node is not supplied with power via the relay, and can execute the termination process for moving to a low power consumption state at the node. However, if the power supply to the NM-non-equipped node is suddenly cut off due to the disconnection of the relay, the termination process cannot be performed. Examples of the termination process include saving the log in the operation, saving the diagnosis, saving the learning results, and setting the input and output devices to the initial position for the next startup.

[0163] The communication system 1 according to the third embodiment can perform the following first, second, third, and fourth measures in order to ensure time for terminating the process.

[0164] (First Countermeasure)

[0165] Before disconnecting the relay, the main ECU 2 controlling the relays 26, 27, 504, 505 notifies the subordinate nodes (i.e., slave ECUs 3, 4, 5, smart sensor 501, and smart actuator 502) of the relay disconnection notice message via the CAN communication units 22, 23, 24. In addition, the main ECU 2 stops sending CAN communications except for emergency communications. The notice message only needs to have a predetermined CANID and data pattern.

[0166] The master ECU 2 manages the required time for the termination process of the subordinate nodes (i.e., slave ECUs 3, 4, 5, smart sensor 501, and smart actuator 502). After sending the above-mentioned advance message, the master ECU 2 measures the elapsed time, and if it exceeds the above-mentioned required time for the termination process, the relays 26, 27, 504, and 505 are disconnected. If the NM non-mounted node receives the advance message of relay disconnection, it stops communication, executes the termination process, and waits for the power supply to be cut off.

[0167] (Second Countermeasure)

[0168] Before executing the disconnection of the relay, the master ECU 2 notifies the subordinate nodes (i.e., slave ECUs 3, 4, 5, smart sensor 501, and smart actuator 502) of the advance message of the relay disconnection via the CAN communication units 22, 23, and 24. In addition, the master ECU 2 stops sending CAN communications except for emergency communications. The advance message only needs to have a predetermined CANID and data mode.

[0169] The master ECU 2 manages the required time for the node to terminate the processing for each subordinate node (i.e., slave ECUs 3, 4, 5, smart sensor 501, and smart actuator 502). After sending the above-mentioned advance message, the master ECU 2 measures the elapsed time, and in the case where the above-mentioned required time for the termination processing is exceeded, the relays corresponding to the nodes are disconnected in sequence. If the NM non-mounted node receives the advance message of relay disconnection, it stops communication, executes the termination processing, and waits for the power supply to be cut off.

[0170] (Third Countermeasure)

[0171] The main ECU 2 and the NM-equipped node can synchronize the sleep timing by mutually transmitting and receiving NM frames.

[0172] If the sleep condition is satisfied with the termination of the provided service, the main ECU 2 stops the communication including the NM frame. Then, if the total time (e.g., 5 seconds) of the time when the NM non-equipped node determines that the NM frame is interrupted (e.g., 3 seconds) and the time required for the termination processing of the NM non-equipped node (e.g., 2 seconds) passes, the main ECU 2 turns the relay to the disconnected state. The NM non-equipped node monitors the NM frames on the communication buses 11, 12, and 13. If the NM frame is interrupted for a certain period of time (e.g., 3 seconds), the transmission from this node to the communication buses 11, 12, and 13 is stopped, the termination processing is executed, and the power supply is waited for to be cut off.

[0173] Furthermore, when there is no hope that the NM non-mounted node can complete the end processing within the predetermined required time, it can send a predetermined command to the main ECU 2 to request that the time until the relay is turned off be extended.

[0174] (Fourth Countermeasure)

[0175] The main ECU 2 and the NM-equipped node can synchronize the sleep timing by mutually transmitting and receiving NM frames.

[0176] If the sleep condition of the cluster is met as a result of the termination of the provided service, the main ECU2 sets the bit corresponding to the cluster in the NM frame to 0. Furthermore, if a certain time (for example, 3 seconds) has passed since all the bits have become 0, the main ECU2 stops the communication including the NM frame. Thereafter, if the time required for the termination processing of the NM non-mounted node has passed (for example, 2 seconds), the main ECU2 sets the relay to the disconnected state. The NM non-mounted node here has the function of receiving and interpreting the NM frame. The NM non-mounted node always monitors the NM frame sent by the main ECU2, and starts the termination processing when all the bits of the cluster including the upstream relay that supplies power to this node are 0. As a result, the NM non-mounted node can complete the termination processing before disconnecting the relay that supplies power to this node. The NM-mounted node sleeps according to the NM frame sent and received between it and the main ECU2.

[0177] In addition, when there is no hope that the NM non-mounted node can complete the end processing within the predetermined required time, it can also send a predetermined instruction to the main ECU 2 to request to extend the time until the relay is turned off. In this case, the main ECU 2 waits for the relay to be turned off while receiving the extension request from the NM non-mounted node.

[0178] [Fourth Embodiment]

[0179] The following and attached Figure 1 The fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the fourth embodiment, the parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

[0180] The communication system 100 of the fourth embodiment is as follows Fig.10 As shown, it includes a central ECU 101, upstream power distribution units 102, 103, regional ECUs 104, 105, 106, 107, slave ECUs 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, a battery 117, and a slave ECU 118. Hereinafter, the central ECU 101, regional ECUs 104 to 107, and slave ECUs 108 to 116, 118 are also collectively referred to as nodes.

[0181] The battery 117 supplies power to various parts of the vehicle at a DC battery voltage (eg, 12 V). The central ECU 101 , the upstream power distribution units 102 , 103 , the area ECUs 104 to 107 , and the slave ECUs 108 to 116 , 118 receive power from the battery 117 and operate.

[0182] The upstream power distribution unit 102 receives power from the battery 117 via a power supply path 121 between the battery 117 and the upstream power distribution unit 102. The upstream power distribution unit 103 receives power from the battery 117 via a power supply path 122 between the battery 117 and the upstream power distribution unit 103.

[0183] The regional ECUs 104 and 105 receive power supply from the battery 117 through power supply paths 123 and 124 between the upstream power distribution unit 102 and the regional ECUs 104 and 105 , respectively.

[0184] The regional ECUs 106 and 107 receive power supply from the battery 117 through power supply paths 125 and 126 between the upstream power distribution unit 103 and the regional ECUs 106 and 107 , respectively.

[0185] The slave ECUs 108 and 109 receive electric power from the battery 117 through power supply paths 127 and 128 between the zone ECU 104 and the slave ECUs 108 and 109 , respectively.

[0186] The slave ECUs 110 and 111 are supplied with electric power from the battery 117 through power supply paths 129 and 130 between the zone ECU 105 and the slave ECUs 110 and 111 , respectively.

[0187] The slave ECUs 112 , 113 , 114 receive electric power from the battery 117 through power supply paths 131 , 132 , 133 between the zone ECU 106 and the slave ECUs 112 , 113 , 114 , respectively.

[0188] The slave ECUs 115 and 116 receive electric power from the battery 117 through power supply paths 134 and 135 between the zone ECU 107 and the slave ECUs 115 and 116 , respectively.

[0189] The ECU 118 receives power supply from the battery 117 via the power supply path 136. The central ECU 101 and the upstream power distribution unit 102 are connected via a communication line 141 so as to be able to perform data communication with each other.

[0190] The central ECU 101 and the upstream power distribution unit 103 are connected to each other via a communication line 142 so as to be able to perform data communication with each other. The central ECU 101 and the regional ECUs 104, 105, 106, 107 are connected to each other via communication lines 143, 144, 145, 146, respectively.

[0191] The area ECU 104 and the slave ECUs 108 , 109 , and 118 are connected to each other via a communication bus 147 so as to be able to perform data communication therewith. The area ECU 105 and the slave ECUs 110 and 111 are connected to each other via a communication bus 148 so as to be able to perform data communication therewith.

[0192] The area ECU 106 and the slave ECUs 112 , 113 , and 114 are connected to each other via a communication bus 149 so as to be able to perform data communication with each other. The area ECU 107 and the slave ECUs 115 and 116 are connected to each other via a communication bus 150 so as to be able to perform data communication with each other.

[0193] like Fig.11 As shown, the central ECU 101 includes a control unit 151, communication units 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, and a storage unit 158. The control unit 151 is an electronic control device composed of a microcomputer including a CPU 161, a ROM 162, and a RAM 163. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 161 executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium. In this example, the ROM 162 is equivalent to a non-migrating physical recording medium storing the program. In addition, by executing the program, a method corresponding to the program is executed. In addition, a part or all of the functions executed by the CPU 161 may be constituted in hardware by one or more ICs. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 151 may be one or more.

[0194] The communication unit 152 communicates with the upstream power distribution unit 102 connected to the communication line 141 by sending and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol. Ethernet is a registered trademark.

[0195] The communication unit 153 communicates with the upstream power distribution unit 103 connected to the communication line 142 by sending and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol. The communication unit 154 communicates with the regional ECU 104 connected to the communication line 143 by sending and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0196] The communication unit 155 communicates with the regional ECU 105 connected to the communication line 144 by sending and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol. The communication unit 156 communicates with the regional ECU 106 connected to the communication line 145 by sending and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0197] The communication unit 157 communicates with the zone ECU 107 connected to the communication line 145 by sending and receiving communication frames based on the Ethernet communication protocol, for example. The storage unit 158 ​​is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 158 ​​stores a fuse management table 165 and a communication management table 167 described below.

[0198] The upstream power distribution unit 102 includes a control circuit 171, a communication unit 172, and electronic fuses 173 and 174. The control circuit 171 controls the electronic fuses 173 and 174 to switch between the on state and the off state based on instructions received from the central ECU 101 via the communication unit 172.

[0199] The communication unit 172 communicates with the central ECU 101 connected to the communication line 141 by sending and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0200] The electronic fuse 173 is disposed between the power supply path 121 and the power supply path 123. The electronic fuse 174 is disposed between the power supply path 121 and the power supply path 124. The upstream power distribution unit 103 includes a control circuit 181, a communication unit 182, and electronic fuses 183 and 184.

[0201] The control circuit 181 performs control to switch the electronic fuses 183 and 184 between the on state and the off state based on an instruction received from the central ECU 101 via the communication unit 182 .

[0202] The communication unit 182 communicates with the central ECU 101 connected to the communication line 142 by sending and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0203] The electronic fuse 183 is disposed between the power supply path 122 and the power supply path 125. The electronic fuse 184 is disposed between the power supply path 122 and the power supply path 126. Fig.12 As shown, the zone ECU 104 includes a control unit 191 , a communication unit 192 , a CAN communication unit 193 , a storage unit 194 , and electronic fuses 195 , 196 .

[0204] The control unit 191 is an electronic control device centered around a microcomputer having a CPU 201, a ROM 202, and a RAM 203. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 201 executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium. In this example, the ROM 202 is equivalent to a non-migrating physical recording medium storing the program. In addition, by executing the program, a method corresponding to the program is executed. In addition, a part or all of the functions executed by the CPU 201 may be constituted in hardware by one or more ICs, etc. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 191 may be one or more.

[0205] The communication unit 192 communicates with the central ECU 101 connected to the communication line 143 by sending and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0206] The CAN communication unit 193 communicates with the slave ECUs 108 and 109 connected to the communication bus 147 by sending and receiving communication frames based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0207] The storage unit 194 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 194 stores a communication management table 207 described later. The electronic fuse 195 is arranged between the power supply path 123 and the power supply path 127. The electronic fuse 196 is arranged between the power supply path 123 and the power supply path 128.

[0208] The regional ECU 105 includes a control unit 211, a communication unit 212, a CAN communication unit 213, a storage unit 214, and electronic fuses 215 and 216. The control unit 211 is an electronic control device centered on a microcomputer including a CPU 221, a ROM 222, and a RAM 223. Various functions of the microcomputer are realized by executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium by the CPU 221. In this example, the ROM 222 is equivalent to a non-migrating physical recording medium storing the program. In addition, by executing the program, a method corresponding to the program is executed. In addition, part or all of the functions performed by the CPU 221 may be constituted in hardware by one or more ICs. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 211 may be one or more.

[0209] The communication unit 212 communicates with the central ECU 101 connected to the communication line 144 by sending and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0210] The CAN communication unit 213 communicates with the slave ECUs 110 and 111 connected to the communication bus 148 by sending and receiving communication frames based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0211] The storage unit 214 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 214 stores a communication management table 227 described later. The electronic fuse 215 is arranged between the power supply path 124 and the power supply path 129. The electronic fuse 216 is arranged between the power supply path 124 and the power supply path 130.

[0212] like Fig.13 As shown, the area ECU 106 includes a control unit 231, a communication unit 232, a CAN communication unit 233, a storage unit 234, and electronic fuses 235, 236, and 237. The control unit 231 is an electronic control device composed of a microcomputer including a CPU 241, a ROM 242, and a RAM 243. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium by the CPU 241. In this example, the ROM 242 is equivalent to a non-migrating physical recording medium storing the program. In addition, by executing the program, a method corresponding to the program is executed. In addition, part or all of the functions performed by the CPU 241 may be constituted in hardware by one or more ICs. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 231 may be one or more.

[0213] The communication unit 232 communicates with the central ECU 101 connected to the communication line 145 by sending and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0214] The CAN communication unit 233 communicates with the slave ECUs 112 , 113 , and 114 connected to the communication bus 149 by sending and receiving communication frames based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0215] The storage unit 234 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 234 stores a communication management table 247 described later. The electronic fuse 235 is arranged between the power supply path 125 and the power supply path 131. The electronic fuse 236 is arranged between the power supply path 125 and the power supply path 132. The electronic fuse 237 is arranged between the power supply path 125 and the power supply path 133.

[0216] The regional ECU 107 includes a control unit 251, a communication unit 252, a CAN communication unit 253, a storage unit 254, and electronic fuses 255 and 256. The control unit 251 is an electronic control device centered on a microcomputer including a CPU 261, a ROM 262, and a RAM 263. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium by the CPU 261. In this example, the ROM 262 is equivalent to a non-migrating physical recording medium storing the program. In addition, by executing the program, a method corresponding to the program is executed. In addition, a part or all of the functions performed by the CPU 261 may be constituted in hardware by one or more ICs. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 251 may be one or more.

[0217] The communication unit 252 communicates with the central ECU 101 connected to the communication line 146 by sending and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0218] The CAN communication unit 253 communicates with the slave ECUs 115 and 116 connected to the communication bus 150 by sending and receiving communication frames based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0219] The storage unit 254 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 254 stores a communication management table 267 described later. The electronic fuse 255 is arranged between the power supply path 126 and the power supply path 134. The electronic fuse 256 is arranged between the power supply path 126 and the power supply path 135.

[0220] like Fig.14 As shown, ECU 108, 109, 118 has a control unit 271, a CAN communication unit 272, and a storage unit 273. The control unit 271 is an electronic control device centered on a microcomputer having a CPU 281, a ROM 282, and a RAM 283. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium by the CPU 281. In this example, ROM 282 is equivalent to a non-migrating physical recording medium storing the program. In addition, by executing the program, a method corresponding to the program is executed. In addition, part or all of the functions performed by the CPU 281 may be constituted in hardware by one or more ICs, etc. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 271 may be one or more.

[0221] The CAN communication unit 272 communicates with the area ECU 104 connected to the communication bus 147 based on the CAN communication protocol. The storage unit 273 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 273 stores a communication management table 287 described later.

[0222] ECU110, 111 has a control unit 291, a CAN communication unit 292, and a storage unit 293. The control unit 291 is an electronic control device composed of a microcomputer including a CPU301, a ROM302, and a RAM303. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium by the CPU301. In this example, the ROM302 is equivalent to a non-migrating physical recording medium storing the program. In addition, by executing the program, a method corresponding to the program is executed. In addition, part or all of the functions performed by the CPU301 may be constituted in hardware by one or more ICs, etc. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 291 may be one or more.

[0223] The CAN communication unit 292 communicates with the area ECU 105 connected to the communication bus 148 based on the CAN communication protocol. The storage unit 293 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 293 stores a communication management table 307 described later.

[0224] ECU112, 113, 114 has a control unit 311, a CAN communication unit 312, and a storage unit 313. The control unit 311 is an electronic control device composed of a microcomputer including a CPU321, a ROM322, and a RAM323. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium by the CPU321. In this example, the ROM322 is equivalent to a non-migrating physical recording medium storing the program. In addition, by executing the program, a method corresponding to the program is executed. In addition, part or all of the functions performed by the CPU321 may be constituted in hardware by one or more ICs. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 311 may be one or more.

[0225] The CAN communication unit 312 communicates with the area ECU 106 connected to the communication bus 149 based on the CAN communication protocol. The storage unit 313 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 313 stores a communication management table 327 described later.

[0226] ECU115, 116 has a control unit 331, a CAN communication unit 332, and a storage unit 333. The control unit 331 is an electronic control device composed of a microcomputer including a CPU341, a ROM342, and a RAM343. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium by the CPU341. In this example, the ROM342 is equivalent to a non-migrating physical recording medium storing the program. In addition, by executing the program, a method corresponding to the program is executed. In addition, part or all of the functions performed by the CPU341 may be constituted in hardware by one or more ICs, etc. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 331 may be one or more.

[0227] The CAN communication unit 332 communicates with the area ECU 107 connected to the communication bus 150 based on the CAN communication protocol. The storage unit 333 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 333 stores a communication management table 347 described later.

[0228] The fuse management table 165 sets a correspondence relationship between the switching information, the control object and the loading destination for each of the plurality of switching information included in the NM frame. The communication management tables 167, 207, 227, 247, 267, 287, 307, 327, 347 set a correspondence relationship between the service, the switching information and the activation information for each of the plurality of services provided to the passengers of the vehicle using the central ECU 101, the regional ECUs 104 to 107 and the slave ECUs 108 to 116 and 118.

[0229] The switching information is information indicating whether to turn on electronic fuses 173, 174, 183, 184, 195, 196, 215, 216, 235, 236, 237, 255, 256. The start-up information is information indicating whether to turn slave ECU 118 to the awakened state.

[0230] Furthermore, the communication management tables 167, 207, 227, 247, 267, 287, 307, 327, and 347 may not store switching information and activation information of services for which the own device cannot detect the satisfaction of the start condition of the service.

[0231] Therefore, when the central ECU 101, the regional ECUs 104 to 107, and the slave ECUs 108 to 116 and 118 detect that the start conditions of the service are met, they extract the switching information and startup information corresponding to the corresponding service from the communication management tables 167, 207, 227, 247, 267, 287, 307, 327, and 347, generate an NM frame containing the extracted switching information and startup information, and send it.

[0232] When the CPU 161 of the control unit 151 of the central ECU 101 receives an NM frame (S10), it sends an electronic fuse on / off request (S20) to the regional ECUs 104 to 107 based on the switching information contained in the received NM frame and the fuse management table 165, and sends an electronic fuse on / off request (S30) to the upstream power distribution units 102 and 103.

[0233] Specifically, the CPU 161 first refers to the fuse management table 165 to determine the bit and control object of the regional ECU 104-107 as the loading destination. Then, the CPU 161 determines whether to turn on the electronic fuse of the control object based on the switching information of the bit determined in the received NM frame. Then, the CPU 161 sends an electronic fuse on / off request indicating whether to turn on the determined control object to the determined loading destination (i.e., the regional ECU 104-107).

[0234] In addition, the CPU 161 refers to the fuse management table 165 to determine the bit and control object of the upstream power distribution unit 102, 103 as the loading destination. Then, the CPU 161 determines whether to turn on the electronic fuse of the control object based on the switching information of the bit determined in the received NM frame. Then, the CPU 161 sends an electronic fuse on / off request indicating whether to turn on the determined control object to the determined loading destination (i.e., the upstream power distribution unit 102, 103).

[0235] The upstream power distribution units 102 and 103 and the area ECUs 104 to 107 turn the subordinate electronic fuses to the on state or the off state based on the received electronic fuse on / off request.

[0236] The communication system 100 configured in this way includes a slave ECU 108, a regional ECU 104, a central ECU 101, and an upstream power distribution unit 102. The slave ECU 108 receives power supply from a battery 117 via an electronic fuse 195 configured to switch between a conducting state (hereinafter referred to as a first conducting state) in which a power supply path 127 is conducted and a disconnecting state (hereinafter referred to as a first disconnecting state) in which the power supply path 127 is disconnected.

[0237] The area ECU 104 is configured to receive power supply from the battery 117 via the electronic fuse 173 and control the operation of the electronic fuse 195. The electronic fuse 173 is configured to switch between a conductive state (hereinafter referred to as the second conductive state) in which the power supply path 123 is conductive and a disconnected state (hereinafter referred to as the second disconnected state) in which the power supply path 123 is disconnected.

[0238] The central ECU 101 and the upstream power distribution unit 102 are configured to control the operation of the electronic fuse 173. The central ECU 101 is configured to send an electronic fuse on / off request to the regional ECU 104 requesting whether to set the electronic fuse 195 to the first conductive state, based on an NM frame including switching information indicating whether to set the electronic fuse 195 to the first conductive state (hereinafter referred to as the first switching information) and switching information indicating whether to set the electronic fuse 173 to the second conductive state (hereinafter referred to as the second switching information). The regional ECU 104 that has received the electronic fuse on / off request sets the electronic fuse 195 to the first conductive state or the first disconnected state according to the request.

[0239] The central ECU 101 and the upstream power distribution unit 102 are configured to set the electronic fuse 173 to either the second on state or the second off state based on the NM frame. In such a communication system 100, the central ECU 101 and the upstream power distribution unit 102 can set the electronic fuse 173 to either the second on state or the second off state based on the second switching information included in the NM frame. Specifically, the central ECU 101 sends an electronic fuse on / off request to the upstream power distribution unit 102, and the upstream power distribution unit 102 sets the electronic fuse 173 to either the second on state or the second off state based on the electronic fuse on / off request.

[0240] Furthermore, in the communication system 100, the regional ECU 104 receives the electronic fuse on / off request transmitted from the central ECU 101 based on the first switching information included in the NM frame. Based on the electronic fuse on / off request, the electronic fuse 195 can be set to either the first on state or the first off state. Therefore, the communication system 100 can independently control the power supply to the regional ECU 104 connected to the central ECU 101 and the power supply to the slave ECU 108 connected to the regional ECU 104, and can independently manage the activation of multiple regional ECUs 104 and slave ECUs 108.

[0241] In the above-described embodiment, the power supply path 127 corresponds to the first power supply path, the electronic fuse 195 corresponds to the first power supply switching unit, the battery 117 corresponds to the power source, and the slave ECU 108 corresponds to the slave control device.

[0242] In addition, the power supply path 123 is equivalent to the second power supply path, the electronic fuse 173 is equivalent to the second power supply switching unit, the regional ECU 104 is equivalent to the first power supply switching control unit, and the central ECU 101 and the upstream power supply distribution unit 102 are equivalent to the second power supply switching control unit and the power supply switching device.

[0243] In addition, the fuse management table 165 corresponds to the switch unit management table, and the electronic fuse on / off request corresponds to the first switching instruction information and the first switching request.

[0244] [Fifth Embodiment]

[0245] Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the fifth embodiment, portions different from the fourth embodiment will be described.

[0246] The communication system 100 of the fifth embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment in that not only the central ECU 101 but also the regional ECUs 104 to 107 store the fuse management table 165. The central ECU 101 of the fifth embodiment executes the same main power supply management process as the second embodiment.

[0247] That is, when the CPU 161 of the control unit 151 of the central ECU 101 receives an NM frame (S210), based on the switching information contained in the received NM frame and the fuse management table 165, it determines the regional ECUs 104, 105, 106, 107 connected to the electronic fuses 173, 174, 183, 184 that will be in a disconnected state as the sending prohibition ECUs (S220).

[0248] Based on the switching information contained in the received NM frame, the switching information contained in the last received NM frame, and the fuse management table 165, CPU 161 determines the area ECUs 104, 105, 106, 107 connected to the electronic fuses 173, 174, 183, 184 switched from the off state to the on state as the sending standby ECUs (S230).

[0249] Furthermore, the CPU 161 determines the ECUs that are not determined as the transmission prohibition ECUs and are not determined as the transmission standby ECUs among the area ECUs 104 to 107 as normal transmission ECUs ( S240 ).

[0250] Then, the CPU 161 sends the received NM frame to the normal transmission ECU (S250). In addition, the CPU 161 sends an electronic fuse on / off request to make the electronic fuse connected to the transmission prohibition ECU to be in the off state, and an electronic fuse on / off request to make the electronic fuse connected to the transmission standby ECU to be in the on state to the upstream power distribution unit 102, 103 (S260).

[0251] Then, when the transmission standby ECU is activated ( S270 ), the CPU 161 transmits the received NM frame to the transmission standby ECU ( S280 ). An embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment and can be implemented in various modifications.

[0252] The control units 21, 41, 61 and methods described in the present disclosure may also be implemented by a dedicated computer provided by a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or more functions embodied by a computer program. Alternatively, the control units 21, 41, 61 and methods described in the present disclosure may also be implemented by a dedicated computer provided by a processor composed of one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the control units 21, 41, 61 and methods described in the present disclosure may also be implemented by one or more dedicated computers composed of a combination of a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or more functions and a processor composed of one or more hardware logic circuits. In addition, a computer program may also be stored as an instruction executed by a computer in a non-migratable tangible recording medium that can be read by a computer. The method for implementing the functions of each unit included in the control unit 21, 41, 61 does not necessarily need to include software, and all of its functions may be implemented using one or more hardware.

[0253] It is also possible to realize multiple functions of one component in the above-mentioned embodiment by multiple components, or realize one function of one component by multiple components. In addition, it is also possible to realize multiple functions of multiple components by one component, or realize one function realized by multiple components by one component. In addition, it is also possible to omit a part of the structure of the above-mentioned embodiment. In addition, it is also possible to add or replace at least a part of the structure of the above-mentioned embodiment with the structure of other above-mentioned embodiments.

[0254] In addition to the above-mentioned ECU2~4, 101, 104~116, the present disclosure can also be implemented in various ways such as a system with the ECU2~4, 101, 104~116 as a constituent element, a program for making a computer function as the ECU2~4, 101, 104~116, a non-migrating physical recording medium such as a semiconductor memory recording the program, a communication management method, etc.

Claims

1. A communication system, wherein: have: The control device receives power supply from a power source via a first power supply switching unit, wherein the first power supply switching unit is configured to switch between a first conducting state in which a first power supply path is conducted and a first disconnecting state in which the first power supply path is disconnected; a first power supply switching control unit configured to receive power supply from the power supply via a second power supply switching unit and control the operation of the first power supply switching unit, wherein the second power supply switching unit is configured to switch between a second on state in which the second power supply path is turned on and a second off state in which the second power supply path is turned off; A second power supply switching control unit configured to control the operation of the second power supply switching unit; a switching sending unit configured to send, to the first power supply switching control unit, first switching instruction information indicating whether to put the first power supply switching unit into the first conductive state, based on a communication frame, i.e., a management frame, including first switching information indicating whether to put the first power supply switching unit into the first conductive state and second switching information indicating whether to put the second power supply switching unit into the second conductive state; and The power supply control unit is configured to set the second power supply switching unit to either the second on state or the second off state based on the management frame.

2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein: A switch unit management table is provided in which first mounting destination information indicating a control device equipped with the first power supply switch unit and second mounting destination information indicating a control device equipped with the second power supply switch unit are set. The switching sending unit is configured to, upon receiving the management frame, send a first switching request for requesting whether to set the first power supply switching unit to the first conductive state as the first switching instruction information to the first power supply switching control unit based on the first loading destination information of the switching unit management table and the first switching information.

3. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein: The first power supply path is connected to the power supply via the second power supply path. The handover transmission unit is configured to prohibit transmission of the first handover request when the second handover information included in the management frame indicates the second disconnected state.

4. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein: The switching sending unit is configured to send the management frame as the first switching instruction information to the first power supply switching control unit upon receiving the management frame. The first power supply switching control unit is configured to, upon receiving the management frame, place the first power supply switching unit in either the first on state or the first off state based on the first switching information included in the management frame.

5. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein: The first power supply path is connected to the power supply via the second power supply path. The switching transmission unit is configured to prohibit transmission of the management frame when the second switching information included in the management frame indicates the second disconnected state.

6. The communication system according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein: The switching transmitter is configured to transmit the management frame after the second power supply switch is in the second on state and the first power supply switch control unit is activated, when the second power supply switch is in the second off state and the second switching information included in the management frame indicates the second on state.

7. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The communication system includes: the slave control device mentioned above; a regional control device connected to the slave control device in a manner capable of data communication therebetween and comprising the first power supply switching unit; an upstream power supply distribution unit, comprising the second power supply switching unit; and a central control device connected in a manner capable of data communication with the regional control device and the upstream power distribution unit; The central control device and the upstream power distribution unit include the second power supply switching control unit, the switching transmission unit, and the power supply control unit.

8. A power supply switching device configured to control the operation of a second power supply switching unit in a communication system, the communication system comprising: receiving power supply from a power source from the control device via a first power supply switching unit configured to switch between a first conducting state in which a first power supply path is conducted and a first disconnecting state in which the first power supply path is disconnected; and a power supply switching control unit configured to receive power supply from the power supply via the second power supply switching unit and control the operation of the first power supply switching unit, the second power supply switching unit configured to switch between a second on state in which the second power supply path is turned on and a second off state in which the second power supply path is turned off, The power supply switching device comprises: a switching sending unit configured to send, to the power supply switching control unit, first switching instruction information indicating whether to put the first power supply switching unit into the first conductive state, based on a communication frame, i.e., a management frame, including first switching information indicating whether to put the first power supply switching unit into the first conductive state and second switching information indicating whether to put the second power supply switching unit into the second conductive state; and The power supply control unit is configured to set the second power supply switching unit to either the second on state or the second off state based on the management frame.

Images