Communication system, electronic control device, and management device

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication system, an electronic control device, and a management device. A communication system (1) is provided with ECUs (2-6) that are connected so as to be able to transmit and receive communication frames. Power is received from the ECUs (3, 5) from the battery (7) via the relays (25, 26), respectively. On the basis of the NM frame, the main ECU (2) sets the relays (25, 26) to either an ON state or an OFF state. The NM frame is a communication frame including two pieces of switching information indicating whether or not the relays (25, 26) are turned on, and two pieces of activation information indicating whether or not the slave ECUs (4, 6) that are not connected to the relays (25, 26) are activated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication system including a plurality of electronic control devices. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 describes an in-vehicle network system that includes a power relay for independently switching the power supply of each of a plurality of electronic control devices on / off, 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] The inventors have found the following problems as a result of detailed research. In the vehicle network system described in Patent Document 1, all the electronic control devices connected to the management device receive power supply from the power supply via relays. Therefore, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, in a communication system where there are mixed electronic control devices connected to relays and electronic control devices not connected to relays, it is impossible to independently manage the activation of multiple electronic control devices. Summary of the invention

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

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a communication system including a plurality of electronic control devices connected so as to be able to transmit and receive communication frames.

[0007] The plurality of electronic control devices include a power supply switching device and a management device.

[0008] The power supply switching device receives power supply from a power supply via a power supply switching unit configured to switch between an on state in which a power supply path is made conductive and a cutoff state in which the power supply path is cutoff.

[0009] The management device is connected to the plurality of electronic control devices so as to be able to transmit and receive communication frames, and is configured to control the operation of one or more power supply switching units.

[0010] At least one of the plurality of electronic control devices includes a frame generating unit and a frame transmitting unit.

[0011] The frame generation unit is configured to generate a management frame according to the service if it is determined to provide a preset service based on the detected event. The management frame is a communication frame including one or more switching information and one or more startup information, wherein the one or more switching information is information indicating whether to turn on the one or more power supply switching units, and the one or more startup information is information indicating whether to start the one or more normal power supply devices by treating the electronic control device not connected to the power supply switching unit as a normal power supply device.

[0012] The frame transmission unit is configured to transmit a management frame.

[0013] The management device includes a power supply control unit configured to set one or more power supply switching units to either an on state or an off state based on a management frame.

[0014] In the communication system of the present disclosure thus constructed, the management device can make one or more power supply switching units either an on state or an off state based on one or more switching information included in the management frame. Furthermore, in the communication system of the present disclosure, the management device can instruct one or more permanent power supply devices whether to start them based on one or more startup information included in the management frame. Therefore, the communication system of the present disclosure can independently manage the startup of multiple electronic control devices in the case where there are a mixture of electronic control devices connected to the power supply switching unit and electronic control devices not connected to the power supply switching unit.

[0015] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a communication system including a plurality of electronic control devices connected to each other so as to be able to transmit and receive communication frames.

[0016] The plurality of electronic control devices include a power supply switching device and a management device.

[0017] The power supply switching device receives power supply from a power supply via a power supply switching unit configured to switch between an on state in which a power supply path is made conductive and a cutoff state in which the power supply path is cutoff.

[0018] The management device is connected to the plurality of electronic control devices so as to be able to transmit and receive communication frames, and is configured to control the operation of one or more power supply switching units.

[0019] The management device includes a power supply control unit. The power supply control unit is configured to, upon receiving a management frame, respectively set one or more power supply switching units to either an on state or an off state based on the management frame. The management frame is a communication frame including one or more switching information and one or more startup information, wherein the one or more switching information is information indicating whether to set one or more power supply switching units to an on state, and the one or more startup information is information indicating whether to start an electronic control device that is not connected to the power supply switching unit as a permanent power supply device.

[0020] In the communication system of the present disclosure thus constructed, the management device can make one or more power supply switching units either an on state or an off state based on one or more switching information included in the management frame. Furthermore, in the communication system of the present disclosure, the management device can instruct one or more permanent power supply devices whether to start them based on one or more startup information included in the management frame. Therefore, the communication system of the present disclosure can independently manage the startup of multiple electronic control devices in the case of a mixture of electronic control devices connected to the power supply switching unit and electronic control devices not connected to the power supply switching unit.

[0021] Another aspect of the present disclosure is an electronic control device included in a communication system having one or more power supply switching units, wherein the power supply switching unit is configured to switch between an on state in which a power supply path from a power source to the power supply switching device is turned on and a off state in which the power supply path is turned off.

[0022] The electronic control device frame includes a generation unit and a frame transmission unit. The frame generation unit is configured to generate a management frame corresponding to the service if it is determined to provide a preset service. The management frame is a communication frame including one or more switching information and one or more startup information. The one or more switching information is information indicating whether to turn on one or more power supply switching units, and the one or more startup information is information indicating whether to start one or more permanent power supply devices not connected to the power supply switching unit. The communication unit is configured to transmit the management frame.

[0023] The electronic control device of the present disclosure configured in this manner is a device used in the communication system of the present disclosure, and can obtain the same effects as the communication system of the present disclosure.

[0024] Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a management device that is connected in a manner capable of sending and receiving communication frames between multiple electronic control devices and controls the operation of one or more power supply switching units, and includes a power supply control unit that is configured to switch between an on state in which a power supply path from a power supply to a power supply switching device is turned on and a off state in which the power supply path is turned off.

[0025] The management device of the present disclosure configured in this way is a device used in the communication system of the present disclosure, and can obtain the same effects as the communication system of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the structure of an NM frame.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a flowchart showing the management process.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the configuration of the startup table and the diagnosis main table.

[0030] Figure 5 It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system according to the second embodiment.

[0031] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing the correspondence between control objects and clusters.

[0032] Figure 7 It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system according to the third embodiment.

[0033] Figure 8 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a central ECU and an upstream power distribution unit according to the third embodiment.

[0034] Fig. 9 This is a first block diagram showing the configuration of a zone ECU according to the third embodiment.

[0035] Fig.10 This is a second block diagram showing the configuration of the zone ECU according to the third embodiment.

[0036] Fig.11 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a slave ECU according to the third embodiment.

[0037] Fig.12 is a flow chart showing the central management process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The following and attached Figure 1 The embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described.

[0039] The communication system 1 of this embodiment is installed in a vehicle, such as Figure 1 As shown, a master ECU 2, slave ECUs 3, 4, 5, 6, and a battery 7 are provided. ECU is an abbreviation of Electronic Control Unit.

[0040] The master ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 , 4 , and 5 are connected via a communication bus 8 so as to be able to perform data communication with each other.

[0041] The master ECU 2 and the slave ECU 6 are connected via a communication bus 9 so as to be able to perform data communication with each other.

[0042] The battery 7 supplies electric 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 6 receive electric power from the battery 7 to operate.

[0043] The main ECU 2 includes a control unit 21, CAN communication units 22 and 23, a storage unit 24, and relays 25 and 26. CAN is an abbreviation of Controller Area Network. The communication protocol of the communication system 1 is not limited to CAN.

[0044] 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.

[0045] The CAN communication unit 22 communicates with the slave ECUs 3 , 4 , and 5 connected to the communication bus 8 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0046] The CAN communication unit 23 communicates with the slave ECU 6 connected to the communication bus 9 by sending and receiving communication frames based on the CAN communication protocol. Hereinafter, the CAN communication frame is referred to as a CAN frame.

[0047] The storage unit 24 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 24 stores a management table 35 and a diagnosis master table 36 described later.

[0048] The relay 25 is arranged on the power supply path 10 between the battery 7 and the slave ECU 3. The relay 26 is arranged on the power supply path 12 between the battery 7 and the slave ECU 5. The slave ECU 4 receives power supply from the battery 7 via the power supply path 11.

[0049] The relay 25 is configured to switch to either an on state for conducting the power supply path 10 or an off state for interrupting the power supply path 10 in response to a command from the control unit 21 .

[0050] Relay 26 is configured to switch to either an on state for conducting power supply path 12 or an off state for interrupting power supply path 12 according to a command from control unit 21. Hereinafter, the on state is also referred to as an on state, and the off state is also referred to as an off state.

[0051] The slave ECUs 3 to 6 include a control unit 41 , a CAN communication unit 42 , and a storage unit 43 .

[0052] The control unit 41 is an electronic control device centered around a microcomputer having a CPU 51, a ROM 52, and a RAM 53. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 51 executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium. 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.

[0053] The CAN communication unit 42 of the slave ECUs 3 to 5 communicates with the communication devices (that is, the master ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 to 5 ) connected to the communication bus 8 based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0054] The CAN communication unit 42 of the slave ECU 6 communicates with a communication device (that is, the master ECU 2 ) connected to the communication bus 9 based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0055] The storage unit 43 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 34 stores a management table 55 and a diagnosis master table 56 described later.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] The master ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3, 4, 5, and 6 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 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.

[0060] In the communication system 1, in order to switch the relays 25 and 26 to the on state or the off state, or to switch the slave ECUs 4 and 6 not connected to the relays 25 and 26 to the awake state or the sleep state, a CAN frame including switching information and start information, namely, an NM frame is used. NM is the abbreviation of Network Management.

[0061] The switching information is information indicating whether to turn on the relays 25 and 26. The start-up information is information indicating whether to turn on the slave ECUs 4 and 6.

[0062] For example, Figure 2 The switching information and the startup information are 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 and the startup information are 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.

[0063] To each of the eight-bit data are allocated the switching information of the relay 25 , the switching information of the relay 26 , the activation information from the ECU 4 , and the activation information from the ECU 6 .

[0064] exist Figure 2 In the NM frame shown, the switching information of relay 25 is assigned to the upper first bit of the first data, the startup information from ECU4 is assigned to the upper second bit of the first data, the switching information of relay 26 is assigned to the upper third bit of the first data, and the startup information from ECU6 is assigned to the upper fourth bit of the first data.

[0065] Moreover, in Figure 2 In the NM frame shown, since the first bit of the first data is set to 1, Figure 2 The NM frame shown indicates that the relay 25 is turned on.

[0066] In addition, Figure 2In the NM frame shown, since the second upper bit of the first data is set to 0, Figure 2 The NM frame shown indicates that the slave ECU 4 is put into a sleep state.

[0067] In addition, Figure 2 In the NM frame shown, since the third bit of the first data is set to 0, Figure 2 The NM frame shown indicates that the relay 26 is in the open state.

[0068] In addition, Figure 2 In the NM frame shown, since the fourth bit of the uppermost position of the first data is set to 1, Figure 2 The NM frame shown indicates that the slave ECU 6 is in the awake state.

[0069] Figure 1 The management tables 35 and 55 shown are as follows: Figure 4 As shown, for each of the plurality of services provided to the passengers of the vehicle using the main ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 to 6, a correspondence between the service and the switching information and the start information is set. In addition, the management tables 35 and 55 of the main ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 to 6 may not store the switching information and the start information of the service for which the start condition of the service cannot be determined based on the event detected by the device.

[0070] Management tables 35 and 55, for example, for the first service, set relay 25 to be in the on state as the switching information of relay 25, set relay 26 to be in the off state as the switching information of relay 26, set slave ECU 4 to be in the awake state as the startup information of slave ECU 4, and set slave ECU 6 to be in the sleep state as the startup information of slave ECU 6.

[0071] Management tables 35 and 55, for example, for the second service, set relay 25 to an OFF state as switching information of relay 25, set relay 26 to an ON state as switching information of relay 26, set slave ECU 4 to a sleep state as startup information of slave ECU 4, and set slave ECU 6 to an Awake state as startup information of slave ECU 6.

[0072] By rewriting the management tables 35 and 55 , it is possible to update the switching information and activation information included in the NM frames transmitted from the master ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 to 6 .

[0073] Furthermore, the management tables 35 and 55 may include activation information of the slave ECUs 3 and 5 that receive power supply from the battery 7 via the relays 25 and 26 .

[0074] Figure 1 The diagnostic master tables 36, 56 shown are as follows Figure 4As shown, for each service, a slave ECU that cuts off the power supply via the relay (hereinafter referred to as a cutoff ECU) and a slave ECU that enters a sleep state (hereinafter referred to as a sleep ECU) are set to correspond to the CAN ID of the CAN frame that is not received (hereinafter referred to as a non-receiving frame ID). Therefore, in the diagnosis master table 36, 56, one or more combinations of the cutoff ECU and the non-receiving frame ID, and the combination of the sleep ECU and the non-receiving frame ID are set for one service.

[0075] The diagnosis master tables 36 and 56 set, for example, a combination of the slave ECU 5 and the first CANID and a combination of the slave ECU 6 and the second CANID for the first service.

[0076] The diagnosis master tables 36 and 56 set, for example, a combination of the slave ECU 3 and the third CANID and a combination of the slave ECU 4 and the fourth CANID for the second service.

[0077] Therefore, if the master ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 to 6 detect that the start condition of the service is satisfied, they extract the switching information and the start information corresponding to the corresponding service from the management table 35, 55, generate and send the NM frame containing the extracted switching information and the start information. In addition, the master ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 to 6 extract the combination of the disconnection ECU or the sleep ECU and the non-receiving frame ID corresponding to the corresponding service from the diagnosis master table 36, 56, and send the extracted combination as the diagnosis master information.

[0078] 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 are transmitted as one NM frame corresponding to the plurality of services.

[0079] Thus, even when the master ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 to 6 determine that the communication with the shutdown ECU and the sleep ECU is disconnected, it is possible not to regard it as abnormal.

[0080] By rewriting the diagnosis master tables 36 and 56 , it is possible to update the diagnosis master information transmitted from the master ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 to 6 .

[0081] Next, the procedure of the management process executed by the control unit 21 of the main ECU 2 will be described. The management process is a process that is repeatedly executed when the main ECU 2 is activated.

[0082] When the 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 management process. In addition, there is a case where the main ECU 2 generates and transmits an NM frame. In this case, the same operation is performed as when an NM frame is received.

[0083] On the other hand, when an NM frame is received, the CPU 31 transfers the received NM frame in S20. That is, the CPU 31 sends the received NM frame to slave ECUs other than the slave ECU of the transmission source. If a slave ECU (i.e., slave ECU 4, 6) not connected to the relay 25, 26 receives an NM frame from the master ECU 2, it puts the device into an awake state or a sleep state based on the startup information included in the received NM frame and corresponding to the device. For example, when the startup information included in the received NM frame and corresponding to the device is 1, the slave ECU 4, 6 puts the device into an awake state.

[0084] In S30, based on the switching information included in the NM frame received in S10, the CPU 31 turns the relays 25 and 26 on or off, and ends the management process. For example, when the switching information included in the NM frame received in S10 and corresponding to the relay 25 is 1, the CPU 31 turns the relay 25 on.

[0085] The communication system 1 configured in this manner includes ECUs 2 to 6 connected to each other so as to be able to transmit and receive CAN frames.

[0086] The ECUs 3 and 5 receive electric power from the battery 7 via relays 25 and 26 configured to switch between an on state for connecting the power supply paths 10 and 12 and an off state for disconnecting the power supply paths 10 and 12 , respectively.

[0087] The master ECU 2 is connected to the slave ECUs 3 to 6 so as to be able to transmit and receive CAN frames, and controls the operations of the relays 25 and 26 .

[0088] The master ECU 2 is configured to, upon receiving the NM frame, turn the relays 25 and 26 to either the on state or the off state based on the NM frame. The NM frame is a CAN frame including two switching information indicating whether to turn the relays 25 and 26 to the on state, and two activation information indicating whether to activate the slave ECUs 4 and 6 not connected to the relays 25 and 26.

[0089] The master ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 to 6 are configured to generate and transmit an NM frame including switching information and activation information corresponding to the corresponding service when a service start condition is determined to be satisfied.

[0090] In such a communication system 1, the master ECU 2 can make the relays 25 and 26 either in the on state or the off state based on the two switching information included in the NM frame. In addition, in the communication system 1, the master ECU 2 can instruct the slave ECUs 4 and 6 whether to start the slave ECUs 4 and 6 based on the two startup information included in the NM frame. Therefore, the communication system 1 can independently manage the startup of multiple ECUs when there are a mixture of ECUs connected to the relay and ECUs not connected to the relay.

[0091] In addition, the master ECU 2 is configured to forward the received NM frame to the slave ECUs 4 and 6 when receiving the NM frame. In such a communication system 1, the master ECU 2 can instruct the slave ECUs 4 and 6 whether to start the slave ECUs 4 and 6 by forwarding the received NM frame. Therefore, the communication system 1 can simplify the processing of instructing whether to start, and can reduce the processing load of the master ECU 2.

[0092] In addition, the master ECU 2 has a management table 35, and the slave ECUs 3 to 6 each have a management table 55. The management tables 35 and 55 show the correspondence between the service and two switching information and two startup information for each of a plurality of services set in advance. Thus, the communication system 1 can update the switching information and startup information included in the NM frame transmitted by the master ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 to 6 by rewriting the management tables 35 and 55.

[0093] In the above-described embodiment, ECUs 2 to 6 correspond to a plurality of electronic control devices, relays 25 and 26 correspond to power supply switching units, battery 7 corresponds to a power source, slave ECUs 3 and 5 correspond to power supply switching devices, and master ECU 2 corresponds to a management device.

[0094] The slave ECUs 4 and 6 correspond to the permanent power supply device, the NM frame corresponds to the management frame, S30 corresponds to the processing as the power supply control unit, and S20 corresponds to the processing as the transfer unit.

[0095] The control units 21 and 41 correspond to a frame generation unit, and the CAN communication units 22, 23, and 42 correspond to a frame transmission unit.

[0096] [Second embodiment]

[0097] The following and attached Figure 1 A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the second embodiment, portions different from those of the first embodiment will be described. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same configurations.

[0098] The communication system 1 of the second embodiment is as follows Figure 5As shown in FIG. 1 , the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that a smart sensor 13 , a smart actuator 14 , a wireless device 15 , and relays 27 , 28 are added.

[0099] The smart sensor 13 is a sensor including a CAN communication unit 45 .

[0100] The smart actuator 14 is an actuator including a CAN communication unit 46 .

[0101] The CAN communication units 45 and 46 communicate with devices connected to the communication bus 8 by sending and receiving communication frames based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0102] The wireless device 15 is a wireless communication device for wirelessly communicating with an external communication device installed outside the vehicle. The wireless device 15 is, for example, a DCM. DCM is an abbreviation of Data Communication Module.

[0103] The relay 27 is arranged on the power supply path 16 between the battery 7 and the smart sensor 13. The relay 28 is arranged on the power supply path 17 between the battery 7 and the smart actuator 14.

[0104] The relays 27 and 28 are respectively configured to switch to either an on state for connecting the power supply paths 16 and 17 or an off state for disconnecting the power supply paths 16 and 17 in accordance with a command from the control unit 21 .

[0105] Hereinafter, the master ECU 2 , the slave ECUs 3 to 6 , the smart sensor 13 , and the smart actuator 14 are also collectively referred to as nodes.

[0106] (Prerequisites)

[0107] The master ECU 2, slave ECU 4 and slave ECU 6 are always powered by the battery 7 without relays, and the nodes can be switched to the awake state or the sleep state independently. Hereinafter, the master ECU 2, slave ECU 4 and slave ECU 6 are also referred to as NM-equipped nodes. NM-equipped nodes refer to nodes that have the function of generating NM frames.

[0108] The slave ECU 3, the slave ECU 5, the smart sensor 13, and the smart actuator 14 receive power via the relay, and cannot switch 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 13, and the smart actuator 14 are also referred to as NM non-equipped nodes. NM non-equipped nodes refer to nodes that do not have the function of generating and interpreting NM frames.

[0109] The NM non-mounted node includes at least one of an actuator and a sensor in addition to the ECU having a control function.

[0110] The power supply paths of the NM non-mounted nodes are connected to the relays 25 , 26 , 27 , and 28 of the main ECU 2 , respectively.

[0111] 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.

[0112] The main ECU 2 and the NM-mounted node have a CAN communication unit and can transmit and receive NM frames.

[0113] The NM-equipped node determines whether the node is in the awake state or the sleep state based on the NM frame sent and received via the communication bus.

[0114] The main ECU 2 turns on or off the relays 25 , 26 , 27 , and 28 to which the NM non-mounted nodes are connected, based on the NM frames transmitted and received via the communication bus.

[0115] 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.

[0116] One or more main ECUs (ie, ECUs with built-in relays) are mounted on a vehicle.

[0117] like Figure 6 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.

[0118] (First startup example)

[0119] 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.

[0120] First, a connection is requested from the base station (ie, cloud) side to the wireless device 15 of the vehicle.

[0121] Next, if the wireless device 15 determines that the connection is valid, it transmits the event received from the cloud to the main ECU 2.

[0122] Next, the master ECU 2 determines a service called “failure diagnosis of the slave ECU 3 ” based on the event, and generates an NM frame that enables only the bit of the third cluster to which the slave ECU 3 belongs in order to activate the slave ECU 3 .

[0123] Next, the main ECU 2 sends the generated NM frame to the communication buses 8 , 9 .

[0124] Since there are no NM-mounted nodes belonging to the third cluster on the communication buses 8 and 9, there is no change in the devices on the communication buses.

[0125] Next, the main ECU 2 regards that the NM frame in which the bit of the third cluster is validated is received simultaneously with the above, and executes processing based on the NM frame through the control unit 21 .

[0126] Next, when 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 control unit 21 turns on the relay 25 because the third cluster includes the relay 25 .

[0127] When the relay 25 is turned on, electric power is supplied to the downstream slave ECU 3 to start the slave ECU 3 .

[0128] The master ECU 2 waits for the slave ECU 3 to be started, requests the slave ECU 3 to send a diagnostic code, and transmits the response result from the slave ECU 3 to the base station via the wireless device 15 .

[0129] (Second startup example)

[0130] The second activation example is an operation example of performing a fault diagnosis of the slave ECU 4 in response to a request from the cloud.

[0131] First, a connection is requested from the base station (ie, cloud) side to the wireless device 15 of the vehicle.

[0132] Next, when the wireless device 15 determines that the connection is valid, it transmits the event received from the cloud to the main ECU 2 .

[0133] Next, the master ECU 2 determines a service called “failure diagnosis of the slave ECU 4 ” based on the event, and generates an NM frame that enables only the bit of the fourth cluster to which the slave ECU 4 belongs in order to activate the slave ECU 4 .

[0134] Next, the main ECU 2 sends the generated NM frame to the communication buses 8 , 9 .

[0135] Since the slave ECU 4 is present on the communication bus 8 as a node belonging to the fourth cluster, the slave ECU 4 wakes up.

[0136] Next, the main ECU 2 regards that the NM frame in which the bit of the fourth cluster is validated is received simultaneously with the above, and executes processing based on the NM frame through the control unit 21 .

[0137] Next, even if the control unit 21 of the main ECU 2 determines to issue a wake-up instruction to the fourth cluster based on the NM frame, the instruction is ignored because the corresponding relay is not included in the fourth cluster.

[0138] When the slave ECU 4 is activated, the master ECU 2 requests a diagnostic code from the slave ECU 4 via the communication bus 8 , and transmits a response result from the slave ECU 46 to the base station via the wireless device 15 .

[0139] (Third startup example)

[0140] The third activation example is an action example in which a user remotely activates the air conditioner via a smartphone.

[0141] First, the user instructs to turn on the car air conditioner from the smartphone.

[0142] The wireless device 15 receives the instruction signal from the smartphone, and if the wireless device 15 determines that the instruction signal is valid, it transmits the event (ie, instruction signal) received from the cloud to the main ECU 2 .

[0143] The main ECU 2 determines the "air conditioning service" based on the event, and generates an NM frame for activating the second cluster as the air conditioning cluster.

[0144] The main ECU 2 periodically sends the generated NM frame to the communication buses 8 and 9 until the air conditioner stop instruction is issued. If the activation state is to be continued, the NM frame needs to be sent periodically. At the same time, the control unit 21 of the main ECU 2 executes processing based on the NM frame.

[0145] If an NM frame for activating the second cluster is generated on the communication bus 8 , the slave ECU 4 (ie, the air-conditioning ECU) belonging to the second cluster receives the NM frame and wakes up according to the received NM frame.

[0146] When detecting that the second cluster is activated, the control unit 21 of the main ECU 2 turns on the relays 27 and 28 belonging to the second cluster.

[0147] When the relay 27 and the relay 28 are turned on, power is supplied to the smart sensor 13 (ie, temperature sensor) and the smart actuator 14 (ie, compressor).

[0148] Through the above, power supply to the air-conditioning ECU, the smart sensor 13, and the smart actuator 14 starts, and the vehicle air-conditioning can be turned on.

[0149] When the user instructs to turn off the vehicle air conditioner from the smartphone, the main ECU 2 stops the periodic transmission of the NM frame.

[0150] When the NM frame is interrupted, the slave ECU 4 enters the sleep state, and the master ECU 2 turns off the relay 27 and the relay 28. As a result, the vehicle air conditioner stops.

[0151] (Fourth startup example)

[0152] The fourth activation example is an operation example in which the vehicle air conditioner is activated from the ECU 4 .

[0153] Since the slave ECU 4 is always supplied with power even when the vehicle is stopped, it is possible to detect input of a signal indicating that a start switch connected to the slave ECU 4 is turned on and wake up even when the vehicle is in sleep mode.

[0154] When the awakened slave ECU 4 confirms an input to activate the vehicle air conditioner, it generates an NM frame that turns on a bit corresponding to the second cluster.

[0155] The slave ECU 4 transmits the generated NM frame via the CAN communication unit 42. When the master ECU 2 receives the NM frame, the master ECU 2 turns on the relays 27 and 28 belonging to the second cluster.

[0156] When the start switch of the vehicle air conditioner is turned off, the ECU 4 stops sending the NM frame and enters the sleep state after a while.

[0157] If the NM frame is interrupted, the main ECU 2 will soon turn the relays 27 and 28 off and terminate the control.

[0158] When the master ECU 2 determines that control needs to be continued even after the transmission of the NM frame stops, the master ECU 2 transmits an NM frame that turns on the bit belonging to the second cluster. Thus, the slave ECU 4 and the relays 27 and 28 can also maintain the activated state until the transmission of the NM frame generated by the master ECU 2 stops.

[0159] (Power outage processing extended)

[0160] The NM-equipped node can be supplied with power without 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.

[0161] The communication system 1 of the second embodiment can perform the following first, second, third, and fourth measures in order to ensure time for terminating the process.

[0162] (First Countermeasure)

[0163] Before disconnecting the relays, the main ECU 2 that controls the relays 25, 26, 27, and 28 notifies subordinate nodes (i.e., slave ECUs 3, 5, smart sensors 13, and smart actuators 14) of a notice message of relay disconnection via the CAN communication unit 22. 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.

[0164] The master ECU 2 manages the required time for the termination process of the subordinate nodes (i.e., slave ECUs 3, 5, smart sensors 13, and smart actuators 14). 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 25, 26, 27, and 28 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.

[0165] (Second Countermeasure)

[0166] Before executing the disconnection of the relay, the master ECU 2 notifies the subordinate nodes (i.e., slave ECUs 3, 5, smart sensor 13, and smart actuator 14) of the relay disconnection notice message via the CAN communication unit 22. In addition, the master ECU 2 stops sending CAN communications except for emergency communications. The notice message only needs to have a predetermined CANID and data mode.

[0167] The master ECU 2 manages the required time for the node to terminate the processing for each subordinate node (i.e., slave ECUs 3, 5, smart sensors 13, and smart actuators 14). 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.

[0168] (Third Countermeasure)

[0169] The main ECU 2 and the NM-equipped node can synchronize the sleep timing by mutually transmitting and receiving NM frames.

[0170] 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-mounted node determines the interruption of the NM frame (e.g., 3 seconds) and the time required for the termination processing of the NM non-mounted node (e.g., 2 seconds) passes, the main ECU 2 turns the relay to the disconnected state. The NM non-mounted node monitors the NM frame on the communication bus 8, and if the NM frame is interrupted for a certain time (e.g., 3 seconds), the transmission from the node to the communication bus 8 is stopped, the termination processing is executed, and the power supply is waited for to be cut off.

[0171] Furthermore, when there is no hope that the end processing can be completed within the predetermined required time, the NM non-mounted node can send a predetermined command to the main ECU 2 to request that the time until the relay is turned off be extended.

[0172] (Fourth Countermeasure)

[0173] The main ECU 2 and the NM-equipped node can synchronize the sleep timing by mutually transmitting and receiving NM frames.

[0174] 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.

[0175] 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 in the disconnected state. In this case, the main ECU 2 waits to turn the relay into the disconnected state while receiving the extension request from the NM non-mounted node.

[0176] [Third Embodiment]

[0177] The following and attached Figure 1 The third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the third embodiment, the parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

[0178] The communication system 100 of the third embodiment is as follows Figure 7 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.

[0179] 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.

[0180] The upstream power distribution unit 102 receives power supply from the battery 117 through a power supply path 121 between the battery 117 and the upstream power distribution unit 102 .

[0181] The upstream power distribution unit 103 receives power supply from the battery 117 through a power supply path 122 between the battery 117 and the upstream power distribution unit 103 .

[0182] 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.

[0183] 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.

[0184] 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.

[0185] 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.

[0186] 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.

[0187] 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.

[0188] The ECU 118 receives electric power from the battery 117 via the power supply path 136 .

[0189] 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 via a communication line 142 so as to be able to perform data communication with each other.

[0191] The central ECU 101 and the regional ECUs 104 , 105 , 106 , and 107 are connected via communication lines 143 , 144 , 145 , and 146 , respectively, so as to be able to perform data communication with each other.

[0192] The area ECU 104 and the slave ECUs 108 , 109 , and 118 are connected via a communication bus 147 so as to be able to perform data communication with each other.

[0193] The area ECU 105 and the slave ECUs 110 and 111 are connected via a communication bus 148 so as to be able to perform data communication with each other.

[0194] The area ECU 106 and the slave ECUs 112 , 113 , and 114 are connected via a communication bus 149 so as to be able to perform data communication with each other.

[0195] The area ECU 107 and the slave ECUs 115 and 116 are connected via a communication bus 150 so as to be able to perform data communication with each other.

[0196] like Figure 8 As shown, the central ECU 101 includes a control unit 151 , communication units 152 , 153 , 154 , 155 , 156 , 157 , and a storage unit 158 ​​.

[0197] The control unit 151 is an electronic control device centered around 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, etc. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 151 may be one or more.

[0198] 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.

[0199] 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 the Ethernet communication protocol, for example.

[0200] The communication unit 154 communicates with the zone ECU 104 connected to the communication line 143 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0201] The communication unit 155 communicates with the zone ECU 105 connected to the communication line 144 by sending and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0202] The communication unit 156 communicates with the zone ECU 106 connected to the communication line 145 by sending and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0203] The communication unit 157 communicates with the zone ECU 107 connected to the communication line 145 by sending and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0204] The storage unit 158 ​​is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 158 ​​stores a management table 165 and a diagnosis master table 167 which will be described later.

[0205] The upstream power distribution unit 102 includes a control circuit 171 , a communication unit 172 , and electronic fuses 173 and 174 .

[0206] The control circuit 171 performs control to switch the electronic fuses 173 and 174 between the on state and the off state based on an instruction received from the central ECU 101 via the communication unit 172 .

[0207] 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.

[0208] 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.

[0209] The upstream power distribution unit 103 includes a control circuit 181 , a communication unit 182 , and electronic fuses 183 and 184 .

[0210] 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 .

[0211] 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.

[0212] 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.

[0213] like Fig. 9 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 .

[0214] 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.

[0215] 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.

[0216] 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.

[0217] The storage unit 194 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 194 stores a management table 205 and a diagnosis master table 207 which will be described later.

[0218] The electronic fuse 195 is disposed between the power supply path 123 and the power supply path 127. The electronic fuse 196 is disposed between the power supply path 123 and the power supply path 128.

[0219] The zone 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 .

[0220] The control unit 211 is an electronic control device centered around a microcomputer having a CPU 221, a ROM 222, and a RAM 223. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 221 executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium. 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, a part or all of the functions executed by the CPU 221 may be constituted in hardware by one or more ICs, etc. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 211 may be one or more.

[0221] 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.

[0222] 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.

[0223] The storage unit 214 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 214 stores a management table 225 and a diagnosis master table 227 described later.

[0224] The electronic fuse 215 is disposed between the power supply path 124 and the power supply path 129. The electronic fuse 216 is disposed between the power supply path 124 and the power supply path 130.

[0225] like Fig.10 As shown, the zone 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 .

[0226] The control unit 231 is an electronic control device centered around a microcomputer having a CPU 241, a ROM 242, and a RAM 243. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 241 executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium. 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, a part or all of the functions executed by the CPU 241 may be constituted in hardware by one or more ICs, etc. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 231 may be one or more.

[0227] 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.

[0228] 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.

[0229] The storage unit 234 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 234 stores a management table 245 and a diagnosis master table 247 described later.

[0230] The electronic fuse 235 is disposed between the power supply path 125 and the power supply path 131. The electronic fuse 236 is disposed between the power supply path 125 and the power supply path 132. The electronic fuse 237 is disposed between the power supply path 125 and the power supply path 133.

[0231] The zone 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 .

[0232] The control unit 251 is an electronic control device centered around a microcomputer having a CPU 261, a ROM 262, and a RAM 263. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 261 executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium. 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 executed by the CPU 261 may be constituted in hardware by one or more ICs, etc. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 251 may be one or more.

[0233] 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.

[0234] 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.

[0235] The storage unit 254 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 254 stores a management table 265 and a diagnosis master table 267 described later.

[0236] The electronic fuse 255 is disposed between the power supply path 126 and the power supply path 134. The electronic fuse 256 is disposed between the power supply path 126 and the power supply path 135.

[0237] like Fig.11As shown, the slave ECUs 108 , 109 , and 118 include a control unit 271 , a CAN communication unit 272 , and a storage unit 273 .

[0238] The control unit 271 is an electronic control device centered around a microcomputer having a CPU 281, a ROM 282, and a RAM 283. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 281 executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium. In this example, the 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, a part or all of the functions executed 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.

[0239] CAN communication unit 272 communicates with area ECU 104 connected to communication bus 147 based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0240] The storage unit 273 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 273 stores a management table 285 and a diagnosis master table 287 described later.

[0241] The slave ECUs 110 and 111 include a control unit 291 , a CAN communication unit 292 , and a storage unit 293 .

[0242] The control unit 291 is an electronic control device centered around a microcomputer having a CPU 301, a ROM 302, and a RAM 303. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 301 executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium. In this example, the ROM 302 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 301 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.

[0243] CAN communication unit 292 communicates with area ECU 105 connected to communication bus 148 based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0244] The storage unit 293 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 293 stores a management table 305 and a diagnosis master table 307 which will be described later.

[0245] The slave ECUs 112 , 113 , and 114 include a control unit 311 , a CAN communication unit 312 , and a storage unit 313 .

[0246] The control unit 311 is an electronic control device centered around a microcomputer having a CPU 321, a ROM 322, and a RAM 323. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 321 executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium. In this example, the ROM 322 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 321 may be constituted in hardware by one or more ICs, etc. In addition, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 311 may be one or more.

[0247] CAN communication unit 312 communicates with area ECU 106 connected to communication bus 149 based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0248] The storage unit 313 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 313 stores a management table 325 and a diagnosis master table 327 which will be described later.

[0249] The slave ECUs 115 and 116 include a control unit 331 , a CAN communication unit 332 , and a storage unit 333 .

[0250] The control unit 331 is an electronic control device centered around a microcomputer having a CPU 341, a ROM 342, and a RAM 343. The various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 341 executing a program stored in a non-migrating physical recording medium. In this example, the ROM 342 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 341 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.

[0251] The CAN communication unit 332 communicates with the regional ECU 107 connected to the communication bus 150 based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0252] The storage unit 333 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 333 stores a management table 345 and a diagnosis master table 347 described later.

[0253] The management tables 165 , 205 , 225 , 245 , 265 , 285 , 305 , 325 , 345 set correspondence between services, switching information, and activation information for each of a plurality of services provided to vehicle passengers using the central ECU 101 , the area ECUs 104 to 107 , and the slave ECUs 108 to 116 , 118 .

[0254] Therefore, in the management tables 165 , 205 , 225 , 245 , 265 , 285 , 305 , 325 , 345 , switching information is set for the electronic fuses 173 , 174 , 183 , 184 , 195 , 196 , 215 , 216 , 235 , 236 , 237 , 255 , 256 , and activation information is set for the central ECU 101 and the slave ECU 118 .

[0255] Furthermore, the management tables 165 , 205 , 225 , 245 , 265 , 285 , 305 , 325 , and 345 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.

[0256] Diagnostic main tables 167, 207, 227, 247, 267, 287, 307, 327, and 347 set, for each service, a slave ECU that cuts off the power supply via the electronic fuse (hereinafter referred to as the cut-off ECU) and a slave ECU that goes into sleep mode (hereinafter referred to as the sleep ECU) by establishing a correspondence with the CANID of the CAN frame that is not received (hereinafter referred to as the non-received frame ID).

[0257] Therefore, when the central ECU 101, the regional ECUs 104 to 107, and the slave ECUs 108 to 116 and 118 determine that the start condition of the service is satisfied based on the detected event, the central ECU 101, the regional ECUs 104 to 107, and the slave ECUs 108 to 116 and 118 extract the switching information and the activation information corresponding to the corresponding service from the management table 165, 205, 225, 245, 265, 285, 305, 325 and 345, generate and transmit the NM frame including the extracted switching information and the activation information. Furthermore, the central ECU 101, the regional ECUs 104 to 107, and the slave ECUs 108 to 116 and 118 extract the combination of the disconnection ECU or the sleep ECU and the non-reception frame ID corresponding to the corresponding service from the diagnosis master table 167, 207, 227, 247, 267, 287, 307, 327 and 347, and transmit the extracted combination as the diagnosis master information.

[0258] Next, the procedure of the central management process executed by the control unit 151 of the central ECU 101 will be described. The central management process is a process that is repeatedly executed when the central ECU 101 is activated.

[0259] If the central management process is executed, the CPU 161 of the control unit 151 Fig.12 As shown, in S110, it is determined whether an NM frame has been received. Here, if an NM frame has not been received, the CPU 161 proceeds to S140.

[0260] On the other hand, when the NM frame is received, the CPU 161 transfers the received NM frame to the regional ECUs 104 to 107 in S120. The regional ECUs 104 to 107 that have received the NM frame from the central ECU 101 transfer the NM frame to the subordinate slave ECUs. In addition, the regional ECUs 104 to 107 that have received the NM frame from the central ECU 101 turn the built-in electronic fuses on or off based on the switching information included in the received NM frame.

[0261] In S130, CPU 161 sends a power supply switching control instruction to the upstream power distribution units 102 and 103 to turn on or off the electronic fuses 173, 174, 183, and 184 of the upstream power distribution units 102 and 103 based on the switching information included in the NM frame received in S10, and moves to S140.

[0262] When the process proceeds to S140, the CPU 161 determines whether a service start condition set in advance for the central ECU 101 is satisfied. Here, if the service start condition is not satisfied, the CPU 161 ends the central management process.

[0263] On the other hand, when the service start condition is satisfied, the CPU 161 extracts the switching information and activation information corresponding to the service established in S140 from the management table 165 in S150 , generates an NM frame including the extracted switching information and activation information, and transmits it to the area ECUs 104 to 107 .

[0264] In S160, CPU161 refers to the management table 165 and, based on the switching information corresponding to the service established in S140, sends a power supply switching control instruction to the upstream power distribution units 102 and 103 to instruct the electronic fuses 173, 174, 183, and 184 of the upstream power distribution units 102 and 103 to be in the on state or the off state, and ends the central management processing.

[0265] The communication system 100 configured in this manner includes ECUs 101 , 104 to 116 , and 118 connected to each other so as to be able to transmit and receive communication frames.

[0266] ECUs 108 and 109 receive power from battery 117 via electronic fuses 195 and 196 , respectively. Electronic fuses 195 and 196 are configured to switch between an on state in which power supply paths 127 and 128 are connected and an off state in which power supply paths 127 and 128 are disconnected.

[0267] The central ECU 101 is connected to the regional ECU 104 and the slave ECUs 108 and 109 so as to be able to transmit and receive communication frames, and controls the operation of the electronic fuses 195 and 196 .

[0268] ECU101, 104-116, 118 is configured to generate an NM frame according to the service if it is determined to provide a preset service based on the detected event. The NM frame is a communication frame including switching information indicating whether to turn on each electronic fuse 195, 196, 215, 216, 235, 236, 237, 255, 256 and start information indicating whether to start the slave ECU118 not connected to the electronic fuse.

[0269] The ECUs 101 , 104 to 116 , and 118 are configured to transmit the generated management frames.

[0270] The central ECU 101 is configured to set each of the electronic fuses 195 and 196 to either an on state or an off state based on the NM frame.

[0271] In such a communication system 100, the central ECU 101 can set the electronic fuses 195 and 196 to either the on state or the off state based on the two switching information included in the NM frame. In addition, in the communication system 100, the central ECU 101 can instruct the slave ECU 118 whether to start the slave ECU 118 based on one start information included in the NM frame. Therefore, the communication system 100 can independently manage the start of multiple ECUs when there are a mixture of ECUs connected to the electronic fuse and ECUs not connected to the electronic fuse.

[0272] In the above-described embodiment, ECU 101, 104 to 116, 118 correspond to a plurality of electronic control devices, electronic fuses 195, 196 correspond to power supply switching units, battery 117 corresponds to a power source, slave ECUs 108, 109 correspond to power supply switching devices, and central ECU 101 corresponds to a management device.

[0273] It is to be noted that slave ECU 118 corresponds to a permanent power supply device, an NM frame corresponds to a management frame, and S130 corresponds to processing as a power supply control unit.

[0274] The control units 151 , 191 , 211 , 231 , 251 , 271 , 291 , 311 , 331 correspond to frame generation units, and the communication units 154 to 157 , 192 , 212 , 232 , 252 and the CAN communication units 193 , 213 , 233 , 253 , 272 , 292 , 312 , 332 correspond to frame transmission units.

[0275] As mentioned above, although one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be implemented with various modifications.

[0276] The control units 21, 41 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 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 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 does not necessarily need to include software, and all of its functions may be implemented using one or more hardware.

[0277] 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.

[0278] In addition to the above-mentioned ECU2~6, 101, 104~116, 118, the present disclosure can also be implemented in various ways such as a system with the ECU2~6, 101, 104~116, 118 as a constituent element, a program for making a computer function as the ECU2~6, 101, 104~116, 118, a non-migrating physical recording medium such as a semiconductor memory recording the program, a communication management method, etc.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising a plurality of electronic control devices connected so as to be able to send and receive communication frames, wherein: The plurality of electronic control devices mentioned above include: A power supply switching device receives power supply from a power supply via a power supply switching unit, wherein the power supply switching unit is configured to switch between an on state for conducting a power supply path and an off state for cutting off the power supply path; as well as a management device connected to the plurality of electronic control devices so as to be able to send and receive the communication frames, and controlling the operation of one or more of the power supply switching units; At least one of the plurality of electronic control devices comprises: a frame generating unit configured to generate the communication frame, i.e., the management frame, including one or more switching information and one or more startup information according to the service if it is determined to provide a preset service based on the detected event, wherein the one or more switching information is information indicating whether to put one or more of the power supply switching units into the on state, and the one or more startup information is information indicating whether to start the electronic control device not connected to the power supply switching unit as a permanent power supply device, respectively, to one or more of the permanent power supply devices; and A frame sending unit, configured to send the above-mentioned management frame, The above management device has: The power supply control unit is configured to set one or more of the power supply switching units to either the on state or the off state based on the management frame.

2. A communication system comprising a plurality of electronic control devices connected so as to be able to send and receive communication frames, wherein: The plurality of electronic control devices mentioned above include: A power supply switching device receives power supply from a power supply via a power supply switching unit, wherein the power supply switching unit is configured to switch between an on state for conducting a power supply path and an off state for cutting off the power supply path; as well as a management device connected to the plurality of electronic control devices so as to be able to send and receive the communication frames, and controlling the operation of one or more of the power supply switching units; The above management device has: The power supply control unit is configured to, upon receiving the above-mentioned communication frame, i.e., the management frame, include one or more switching information and one or more startup information, then based on the above-mentioned management frame, respectively make one or more of the above-mentioned power supply switching units be any one of the above-mentioned conduction state or the above-mentioned disconnection state, wherein the above-mentioned one or more switching information is information indicating whether to make one or more of the above-mentioned power supply switching units be the above-mentioned conduction state, and the above-mentioned one or more startup information is information indicating whether to start the above-mentioned electronic control device that is not connected to the above-mentioned power supply switching unit as a normal power supply device.

3. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein: The management device also includes: The transfer unit is configured to transfer the received management frame to one or more of the permanent power supply devices upon receiving the management frame.

4. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein: Each of the plurality of electronic control devices further comprises: The management table shows, for each of a plurality of preset services, a correspondence between the service, one or more pieces of the switching information, and one or more pieces of the activation information.

5. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein: The management frame includes information indicating whether to activate the power supply switching device that receives power from the power supply via the power supply switching unit.

6. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein: The permanent power supply device is configured to switch between an awake state and a sleep state based on the activation information included in the management frame.

7. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein: The management device is configured to transfer the received management frame to the power supply switching device.

8. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein: The management device is configured to send a notification message to the power supply switching device connected to the power supply switching device that will be in the cut-off state, notifying that the power supply switching device will be in the cut-off state, before the power supply switching device is put into the cut-off state; if after the notification message is sent, a termination processing required time that is pre-set as the time required for the power supply switching device to execute the termination processing has passed, the power supply switching device is put into the cut-off state.

9. The communication system according to claim 8, wherein: The time required for the end processing is independently set for each of the one or more power supply switching devices connected to the power supply switching unit.

10. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein: The management device is configured to stop sending the management frame if a pre-set sleep condition for switching the management device to a sleep state is met, and to put the power supply switching unit into the cut-off state if the power supply switching device determines that the total time of the interruption of the management frame and the time required for the termination processing of the power supply switching device are exceeded.

11. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein: The management device is configured such that if a sleep condition preset for switching the management device to a sleep state is met, the bits of all the switching information and the startup information contained in the management frame are changed from 1 to 0; and if a certain time has passed since the bits of all the switching information and the startup information were changed to 0, the power supply switching unit is placed in the cut-off state.

12. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein: The plurality of electronic control devices include the power supply switching device as a slave control device that receives power supply from the power source via the power supply switching unit, a regional control device that is connected to the slave control device in a manner capable of transmitting and receiving the communication frame and controls the operation of the power supply switching unit, and a central control device that is connected to the regional control device in a manner capable of transmitting and receiving the communication frame. The management device is composed of the central control device and the regional control device.

13. An electronic control device, included in a communication system having one or more power supply switching units, the power supply switching unit being configured to switch between an on state in which a power supply path from a power source to the power supply switching device is turned on and a off state in which the power supply path is turned off, wherein: have: The frame generation unit is configured to generate a communication frame, i.e., a management frame, including one or more switching information and one or more startup information corresponding to the service if it is determined to provide a preset service based on the detected event, wherein the one or more switching information is information indicating whether to put one or more of the power supply switching units into the above-mentioned conductive state, and the one or more startup information is information indicating whether to start one or more of the permanent power supply devices not connected to the power supply switching unit; as well as The frame transmission unit is configured to transmit the above-mentioned management frame.

14. The electronic control device according to claim 13, wherein: When the sleep condition for shifting to the sleep state is satisfied as the service ends, the transmission of the management frame is stopped.

15. The electronic control device according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein: The plurality of electronic control devices include the power supply switching device as a slave control device that receives power supply from the power source via the power supply switching unit, a regional control device that is connected to the slave control device in a manner capable of transmitting and receiving the communication frame and controls the operation of the power supply switching unit, and a central control device that is connected to the regional control device in a manner capable of transmitting and receiving the communication frame. The electronic control unit is the central control unit mentioned above, The central control device is configured to generate and transmit the management frame when determining to provide the service.

16. A management device, which is connected to a plurality of electronic control devices in a manner capable of transmitting and receiving communication frames, and controls the operation of one or more power supply switching units, wherein the power supply switching unit is configured to switch between an on state in which a power supply path from a power source to the power supply switching device is turned on and a off state in which the power supply path is turned off, the management device comprising: The power supply control unit is configured to, upon receiving the above-mentioned communication frame, i.e., a management frame, comprising one or more switching information and one or more startup information, respectively make one or more of the above-mentioned power supply switching units be either the above-mentioned on state or the above-mentioned off state based on the above-mentioned management frame, wherein the above-mentioned one or more switching information is information indicating to the one or more above-mentioned power supply switching units whether to make it be the above-mentioned on state, and the above-mentioned one or more startup information is information indicating to the one or more above-mentioned normal power supply devices whether to start the above-mentioned electronic control device which is not connected to the above-mentioned power supply switching unit as a normal power supply device.

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