Automatic inspection device

Abstract

An automatic inspection device includes an analog load, an electronic load, an analog circuit, and an inspection unit, and the analog circuit simulates a disconnection of the analog load by disconnecting a connection between a power supply system and the electronic load, a connection between an ECU and the electronic load, and a connection between the ECU and the analog load. A short circuit of the analog load is simulated by cutting off the connection between the power supply system and the electronic load and the connection between the ECU and the analog load, and the connection between the ECU and the electronic load is conducted, and a malfunction of the power supply system is simulated by conducting the connection between the ECU and the analog load and the connection between the power supply system and the electronic load, and cutting off the connection between the ECU and the electronic load.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an automatic inspection device that automatically performs inspections of the power control ECU installed in a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-261793 discloses an automatic inspection device that simulates a disconnection in the wiring connecting various electronic control units (ECUs) to loads (engines, electric motors, batteries, etc.) mounted on a vehicle, and can automatically check the operation of the electronic control units under the simulated disconnection condition.

[0003] The automatic inspection device described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-261793 can simulate the abnormal state of a disconnection in the connection line between the electronic control unit and the vehicle load, but it cannot simulate abnormal states such as a short circuit in the connection line or a power system failure for inspection. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an automatic inspection device that can not only simulate the disconnection of the connection line between the electronic control unit and the vehicle load, but also simulate abnormal conditions such as short circuit of the connection line and power system failure to inspect the electronic control unit.

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, one aspect of the present disclosure is an automatic inspection device that automatically inspects a power control ECU. This automatic inspection device comprises: a simulated load, a simulated controlled object; an electronic load consuming power supplied from the power control ECU and a power system connected to supply power to the power control ECU; a simulated circuit inserted between the power control ECU, the simulated load, and the power system and the electronic load; and an inspection unit that inspects the operation of the power control ECU under various simulated states set by the simulated circuit. The simulated circuit simulates a disconnected state of the simulated load by disconnecting the connection between the power system and the electronic load, the connection between the power control ECU and the electronic load, and the connection between the power control ECU and the simulated load; simulates a short-circuit state of the simulated load by disconnecting the connection between the power system and the electronic load, the connection between the power control ECU and the simulated load, and then connecting the connection between the power control ECU and the electronic load; and simulates a fault state of the power system by connecting the connection between the power control ECU and the simulated load, the connection between the power system and the electronic load, and then disconnecting the connection between the power control ECU and the electronic load.

[0006] According to the automatic inspection device disclosed above, in addition to simulating the disconnection of the connection line between the electronic control unit and the vehicle load, it can also simulate abnormal conditions such as short circuit of the connection line and power system failure to inspect the electronic control unit. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Hereinafter, the features, advantages, technical and industrial importance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same constituent elements, wherein:

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the system configuration of an automatic inspection device and its peripheral parts, including one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing the connection status of each switch in the analog circuit under the simulated disconnection state.

[0010] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing the connection status of each switch in the analog circuit under short-circuit simulation conditions.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the connection status of each switch in the analog circuit under power system fault simulation state-1.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the connection status of each switch in the analog circuit under power system fault simulation state-2. Detailed Implementation

[0013] The automatic inspection device disclosed herein appropriately controls characteristic analog circuits and electronic loads, thereby simulating abnormal conditions such as short circuits in the connection lines between the electronic control unit and the vehicle load, in addition to simulating a broken connection, to inspect the electronic control unit by simulating abnormal conditions such as short circuits in the connection lines and power system failures.

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] Implementation

[0016] constitute

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a system configuration example of an automatic inspection device 200 and its peripheral parts that includes an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 The illustrated system includes a high-voltage battery 110, a DC-DC converter 120, an auxiliary battery 130, a power control ECU 140, and an automatic check device 200. The high-voltage battery 110, DC-DC converter 120, auxiliary battery 130, and power control ECU 140 are mounted in a vehicle.

[0018] The high-voltage battery 110 is configured as a rechargeable secondary battery, such as a lithium-ion battery. The high-voltage battery 110 can supply the stored power to the power control ECU 140 via the DC-DC converter 120.

[0019] The DC-DC converter 120 is located between the high-voltage battery 110 and the power control ECU 140. It is a voltage converter used to convert the input voltage of the high-voltage battery 110 into the required voltage and output it to the power control ECU 140.

[0020] The auxiliary battery 130 is configured as a rechargeable secondary battery, such as a lithium-ion battery. This auxiliary battery 130 can supply the stored power to the power control ECU 140.

[0021] The power control ECU 140 is a structure used to supply and control power to multiple loads, such as various devices and apparatuses mounted on the vehicle, by using the high-voltage battery 110 and the auxiliary battery 130 as power sources. This power control ECU 140 performs complex power supply and control corresponding to various vehicle states, and has control logic to appropriately maintain the vehicle's state in the event of abnormalities such as power path disconnection or short circuit.

[0022] The automatic check device 200 simulates potential anomalies in multiple loads connected to the power control ECU 140 in a real vehicle, as well as potential anomalies in the high-voltage battery 110 and auxiliary battery 130 that serve as the power source. The automatic check device 200 is a structure used to check whether the power control ECU 140 performs the correct (as designed) actions in the event of an anomaly. The automatic check device 200 includes multiple simulated loads 211, 212, and 213, an electronic load 220, a simulated circuit 230, and a check unit 240.

[0023] Multiple simulated loads 211, 212, and 213 respectively simulate the circuitry of real loads such as devices or apparatuses installed in the vehicle and acting as the control object. More specifically, the real loads acting as the control object are loads that receive power from the power control ECU 140. These simulated loads 211, 212, and 213 are constructed with resistance values ​​identical to those of each real load in its steady state. Furthermore, each simulated load 211, 212, and 213 can automatically measure its own power consumption. Moreover, the number of simulated loads is not limited. Figure 1 The quantity shown can be arbitrarily set according to the status (inspection status, inspection mode) of the vehicle to be inspected.

[0024] The electronic load 220 is a structure for consuming input power. More specifically, the electronic load 220 consumes power input (supply) from the power control ECU 140, auxiliary battery 130, and DC-DC converter 120, which are connected via analog circuit 230 (described later). In principle, the electronic load 220 operates by absorbing all the input power through maximum current consumption; alternatively, it operates by gradually absorbing the input power through a gradual increase in the current consumption.

[0025] Analog circuit 230 is inserted between power control ECU 140, multiple analog loads 211, 212, 213, auxiliary battery 130 constituting the power system, DC-DC converter 120 and electronic load 220, and is a structure used to switch the electrical conduction state and disconnection state between the two.

[0026] More specifically, in analog circuit 230, a switch SW11 is inserted between analog load 211 and electronic load 220, and switches SW12 and SWc are inserted in parallel with switch SW11 between power control ECU 140 and electronic load 220. Similarly, a switch SW21 is inserted between analog load 212 and electronic load 220, and switches SW22 and SWc are inserted in parallel with switch SW21 between power control ECU 140 and electronic load 220. Likewise, a switch SW31 is inserted between analog load 213 and electronic load 220, and switches SW32 and SWc are inserted in parallel with switch SW31 between power control ECU 140 and electronic load 220. In addition, a switch SWA is inserted between auxiliary battery 130 and electronic load 220, and a switch SWb is inserted between DC-DC converter 120 and electronic load 220. These switches SW11, SW12, SW21, SW22, SW31, SW32, SWA, SWb, and SWc use mechanical relays or semiconductor relays, for example.

[0027] The inspection unit 240 is a structure used to inspect the operation of the power control ECU 140. During inspection, the inspection unit 240 controls the on / off states of switches SW11, SW12, SW21, SW22, SW31, SW32, SWA, SWb, and SWc in the analog circuit 230. Additionally, the inspection unit 240 controls the operation of the electronic load 220. This inspection unit 240 provides information (modes) simulating various vehicle states to the power control ECU 140, controls the analog circuit 230 and the electronic load 220, and measures the output from the power control ECU 140 to the analog loads 211, 212, and 213. Thus, the inspection unit 240 can confirm the operation (movement) of the power control ECU 140.

[0028] As an example, the inspection unit 240 is configured to include a HILS (Hardware In the Loop Simulation) device with functional units for measuring voltage, current, etc., as well as production models of loads and sensors, and a personal computer (PC) for HILS.

[0029] control

[0030] Next, further reference Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 The method for controlling the state of a vehicle to be inspected by the automatic inspection device 200 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In addition, in the following description, anomalies generated in the simulated load 211 will be described using multiple simulated loads 211, 212 and 213 as examples.

[0031] (1) Simulated state of wire breakage

[0032] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates the connection status of switches SW11, SW12, SWA, SWb, and SWc in the analog circuit 230 under the condition that an abnormal state occurs where the connection line between the power control ECU 140 and the analog load 211 is broken.

[0033] In this simulated disconnection state, all switches SW11, SW12, SWA, SWb, and SWc in the simulation circuit 230 are controlled to be in the off state. Through this control, the power control ECU 140 cannot supply power from the auxiliary battery 130 and the DC-DC converter 120 to the simulated load 211. Therefore, the inspection unit 240 can safely and automatically check the operation (action) of the power control ECU 140 in the simulated disconnection state.

[0034] (2) Short-circuit simulation state

[0035] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates the connection status of switches SW11, SW12, SWA, SWb, and SWc in the analog circuit 230 under the condition that an abnormal state occurs where the connection line between the power control ECU 140 and the analog load 211 is short-circuited (grounded).

[0036] In this short-circuit simulation state, switches SW11, SWA, and SWb in the simulation circuit 230 are controlled to be in the off state, while switches SW12 and SWc are controlled to be in the on state. Through this control, the power control ECU 140 does not supply power from the auxiliary battery 130 and the DC-DC converter 120 to the simulation load 211, but instead consumes it entirely in the electronic load 220. Therefore, the inspection unit 240 can safely and automatically check the operation (action) of the power control ECU 140 in the short-circuit simulation state.

[0037] Furthermore, in the event of an abnormal state where the connection line between the power control ECU140 and the simulated load 211 is short-circuited to the power supply level (connected to the power supply), the electronic load 220 can be controlled to operate in a state that supplies the voltage of that power supply level.

[0038] (3) Power system fault simulation state-1

[0039] Figure 4 This diagram illustrates the connection status of switches SW11, SW12, SWA, SWb, and SWc in the simulation circuit 230 under the condition that the auxiliary battery 130 fails, resulting in an abnormal state where the power supply from the auxiliary battery 130 to the power control ECU 140 fails.

[0040] In the simulated power system failure state-1, switches SW12, SWb, and SWc in the simulation circuit 230 are controlled to be in the off state, while switches SW11 and SWA are controlled to be in the on state. Through this control, the power output from the auxiliary battery 130 is completely absorbed by the electronic load 220, and the power supply source from the power control ECU 140 to the simulated load 211 is solely the DC-DC converter 120. Therefore, the inspection unit 240 can safely and automatically inspect the operation (action) of the power control ECU 140 under the simulated power system failure state of the auxiliary battery 130.

[0041] (4) Power system fault simulation state-2

[0042] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates the connection status of switches SW11, SW12, SWA, SWb, and SWc in the simulation circuit 230 under an abnormal state where a DC-DC converter 120 malfunctions, resulting in a failure of the power supply from the DC-DC converter 120 to the power control ECU 140.

[0043] In the simulated power system failure state-2, switches SW12, SWA, and SWc in the simulation circuit 230 are controlled to be in the off state, while switches SW11 and SWb are controlled to be in the on state. Through this control, the power output from the DC-DC converter 120 is completely absorbed by the electronic load 220, and the power supply from the power control ECU 140 to the simulated load 211 becomes only the auxiliary battery 130. Therefore, the inspection unit 240 can safely and automatically inspect the operation (action) of the power control ECU 140 under the simulated power system failure state of the DC-DC converter 120.

[0044] Furthermore, in the case of an abnormal state where the auxiliary battery 130 and the DC-DC converter 120 simultaneously fail, switches SW12 and SWc in the simulation circuit 230 are controlled to be in the off state. Therefore, switches SW11, SWA, and SWb are controlled to be in the on state.

[0045] Functions and effects

[0046] As described above, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the automatic inspection device 200 appropriately controls the connection state of each switch in the analog circuit 230 to simulate and reproduce the open circuit state, short circuit state, and fault state of the power system (auxiliary battery 130, DC-DC converter 120) of the vehicle load. Therefore, the operation (action) of the power control ECU 140 under the open circuit state, short circuit state, and fault state of the power system can be safely and automatically inspected.

[0047] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the automatic inspection device 200 of this disclosure, multiple analog loads 211, 212, and 213 corresponding to multiple vehicle-mounted loads connected to the power control ECU 140 are prepared, and the input mode and expected output mode of the vehicle status are prepared in advance. Thus, a large number of inspections can be performed automatically without changing the connections of the analog loads 211, 212, and 213 during each inspection.

[0048] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the automatic inspection device 200 changes the operating mode of the electronic load 220. This allows not only the simple normal / abnormal switching of the analog loads 211, 212, and 213 performed by the analog circuit 230 to be confirmed, but also the transitional state changes from the normal state to the abnormal state.

[0049] The above describes one embodiment of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure can be understood not only as the automatic inspection device described above, but also as a method executed by an automatic inspection device equipped with a processor and a memory, a program of the method, a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium storing the program, or a vehicle equipped with an automatic inspection device, etc.

[0050] The automatic inspection device disclosed herein can be used in situations where it is desired to automatically perform checks on the power control ECU installed in a vehicle.

Claims

1. An automatic inspection device, wherein, The automatic inspection device automatically inspects the power control ECU; The automatic inspection device includes: Simulate load, simulate controlled object; An electronic load consumes power supplied from the power control ECU and a power system connected to supply power to the power control ECU. An analog circuit is inserted between the power control ECU, the analog load, the power system, and the electronic load. as well as The inspection unit inspects the operation of the power control ECU under each analog state set by the analog circuit. The simulation circuit simulates the disconnection state of the simulated load by disconnecting the connection between the power supply system and the electronic load, the connection between the power control ECU and the electronic load, and the connection between the power control ECU and the simulated load. The simulation circuit simulates a short-circuit state of the simulated load by disconnecting the connection between the power supply system and the electronic load, the connection between the power control ECU and the simulated load, and the connection between the power control ECU and the electronic load. The simulation circuit simulates the fault state of the power system by connecting the power control ECU to the simulated load and the power system to the electronic load, and disconnecting the power control ECU from the electronic load.

2. The automatic inspection device according to claim 1, wherein, There are multiple simulated loads. The analog circuit switches the connection state of the power control ECU with each of the plurality of analog loads based on a mode corresponding to the desired inspection state.

3. The automatic inspection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The analog circuit simulates the transitional state changes from the short-circuit state of the analog load to the fault state of the power supply system by gradually increasing the amount of power consumed by the electronic load.

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