In-vehicle device

Abstract

The present application is to prevent the execution of the diagnosis based on the on-board diagnostic system in the elapsed time measurement based on the stand-by timer after the ignition-on state continues for a long time in the ECU start based on the stand-by timer. The on-board device is provided with a stand-by timer for starting the ECU after a prescribed time elapses from the engine stop, and performs a process for receiving the ECU start reservation based on the stand-by timer in the case where the start of the ECU is performed by the stand-by timer in the ignition-on state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle-mounted device. Background Technology

[0002] The stationary timer disclosed in Patent Document 1 measures the elapsed time when the internal combustion engine stops, and activates the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) in order to perform fault diagnosis through a fault diagnosis program after a specified time has elapsed.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-202440 Summary of the Invention

[0004] For example, if the ignition is on for an extended period during an ECU startup based on a previous timer, it can sometimes hinder the execution of OBD (On-Board Diagnostics)-based diagnostics during subsequent rest periods. Here, the rest period refers, for example, to the time during which a timer-based time measurement is performed. Furthermore, OBD is, for example, a self-diagnostic function of the vehicle integrated into the ECU.

[0005] This phenomenon occurs because, according to the specifications of the previous static timer function, for example, in the case of multiple ECUs starting repeatedly based on the static timer when ignition is turned on, the reservation information for ECU starting based on the static timer will be cleared.

[0006] The present invention was made in view of the above and its object is to perform ECU startup based on a static timer more reliably.

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, the vehicle device according to the present invention includes a stationary timer that starts the ECU after a predetermined time has elapsed since the engine stopped. When the ECU is started by the stationary timer while the ignition is on, the device performs a process of receiving the ECU start reservation based on the stationary timer.

[0008] Invention Effects

[0009] According to the present invention, the starting of an ECU based on a static timer is more reliably executed. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the vehicle-mounted device according to the embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of ECU start-up reservation processing performed by the vehicle-mounted device involved in the implementation method.

[0012] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates an example of the ECU start-up reservation receiving conditions involved in the implementation method.

[0013] Figure 4 It is a flowchart illustrating the process of ECU startup execution based on the static timer involved in the implementation method. Detailed Implementation

[0014] Hereinafter, the vehicle-mounted device according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the constituent elements in the following embodiments include elements that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art or are substantially the same.

[0015] (Structure of vehicle-mounted device 10)

[0016] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the vehicle-mounted device according to the embodiment. Figure 1 The vehicle-mounted device 10 shown is, for example, an information processing device mounted on a vehicle. Figure 1 In this example, the vehicle-mounted device 10 is represented as a single information processing device, but it can also be composed of multiple information processing devices. Furthermore, the vehicle equipped with the vehicle-mounted device 10 may be, for example, a battery electric vehicle (BEV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). The vehicle-mounted device 10 may include, for example, a communication unit 11, a control unit 12, a storage unit 13, a timer 14, and a personal space function 15.

[0017] The communication unit 11 is a processing unit that controls communication with other information processing devices via a network, and may be, for example, a communication interface composed of a data communication module (DCM). Furthermore, this network may be, for example, a public line network such as an internet network or a mobile phone network.

[0018] The control unit 12 may be, for example, an ECU, which is an electronic control unit with a microcomputer consisting of a CPU, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. as its main components.

[0019] The storage unit 13 is, for example, a storage device such as RAM or ROM that stores various data and programs executed by the control unit 12.

[0020] The stationary timer 14 is, for example, a device that measures the time from when the vehicle's power source, i.e., the engine or electric motor (hereinafter referred to as "motor"), stops until it restarts. Furthermore, time measurement based on the stationary timer 14 can, for example, begin when the engine stops in a PHEV scenario, or when the motor stops in a BEV scenario, etc.

[0021] Furthermore, for example, in fault diagnosis programs for various sensors mounted on a vehicle, there are programs whose accuracy decreases if executed during the operation of the vehicle's engine or motor. Therefore, the stationary timer 14 activates the ECU to execute a prescribed fault diagnosis program for diagnosing the vehicle, for example, after the vehicle's engine or motor has stopped and reached a stable state after a predetermined time.

[0022] Personal space function 15 is, for example, a function that uses power from an external power source to operate the air conditioning or audio system, allowing the vehicle to be used as a passenger room while charging. Furthermore, it is required that personal space function 15 be used while the ignition is on. Therefore, while it was previously thought that the frequency of prolonged ignition-on states during idle periods was low, this frequency is increased by personal space function 15. Moreover, if the ignition-on state is prolonged during idle periods, for example, in the case of repeated ECU starts based on idle timer 14, there is a problem that the reservation information for ECU starts based on idle timer 14 may be cleared, preventing subsequent ECU starts during idle periods. If this problem occurs, for example, ECU starts will not be executed in order to perform fault diagnosis procedures such as EVAP OBD, thus hindering the execution of diagnoses based on such procedures. Additionally, EVAP OBD refers to a function for diagnosing faults in the evaporator system, for example.

[0023] Therefore, when the vehicle-mounted device 10 of the embodiment performs ECU startup via the timer 14 while the ignition is on, it re-schedules the ECU startup based on the timer 14. As a result, the vehicle-mounted device 10 of the embodiment can more reliably perform ECU startup based on the timer 14.

[0024] (ECU start-up appointment processing)

[0025] Next, the ECU start-up reservation process performed by the vehicle-mounted device 10 will be explained. Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of ECU start-up reservation processing performed by the vehicle-mounted device involved in the implementation method. Figure 2 The ECU start-up reservation process shown is a process that performs an ECU start-up reservation based on a static timer 14 under specified conditions.

[0026] First, such as Figure 2 As shown, the on-board unit 10, for example, determines whether the conditions for receiving the ECU start-up reservation based on the static timer 14 are met (step S101). Regarding these conditions, the following is used... Figure 3 To provide a more specific explanation.

[0027] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates an example of the ECU start-up reservation acceptance conditions involved in the implementation method. (See diagram below.) Figure 3 As shown, the conditions for receiving the reservation for ECU startup based on the static timer 14 are, for example, (1) when the vehicle's power source, i.e., the engine or motor, is started, (2) when a restart request is made for a fault diagnosis program such as OBD, (3) when the ECU power is turned on, and (4) when the ECU startup based on the static timer 14 is executed. For example, if any one of these conditions is met, it is determined that the condition of step S101 (the so-called OR condition) is met.

[0028] Furthermore, conditions (1) to (3) are conventional conditions, while condition (4) is an additional condition added in the embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, the phrase "ECU startup execution based on timer 14" in condition (4) can include, for example, "the ECU startup is performed by timer 14 while the ignition is on." Also, the phrase "ECU startup execution based on timer 14" in condition (4) can include, for example, "the ECU startup is performed by timer 14 while the personal space function 15 is being used (i.e., while the ignition is on)." Furthermore, the ECU startup reservation receiving conditions, such as conditions (1) to (4), can be, for example, as described above, when a certain event such as "~~" occurs, therefore... Figure 2 The ECU start-up reservation process shown can be triggered by any one of the conditions (1) to (4) to execute the process after step S102.

[0029] Return to Figure 2 If the ECU start reservation reception conditions are met (step S101: Yes), the vehicle device 10, for example, turns on the receptive reservation flag, which is used to set the state for receiving ECU start reservations based on the static timer 14 (step S102). On the other hand, if the ECU start reservation reception conditions are not met (step S101: No), the execution of step S101 is skipped.

[0030] Next, the vehicle-mounted device 10 determines, for example, whether the receivable reservation flag is on (step S103). If the receivable reservation flag is on (step S103: Yes), the vehicle-mounted device 10 performs a reservation process for the idle timer 14 (step S104). This reservation process is, for example, setting a reservation time for starting the ECU in the ECU start-up reservation information based on the idle timer 14. Furthermore, the reservation time set here can be, for example, the elapsed time after the engine or motor has stopped. Thus, a reservation time for starting the ECU is set for the idle timer 14, and during the idle period, if the set reservation time arrives, the ECU is started by the idle timer 14. Furthermore, multiple reservation times can be set; for example, an array of multiple reservation times can be stored in the storage unit 13. In this case, the earliest future reservation time is selected from the multiple set reservation times, and the ECU is started by the idle timer 14 according to the selected reservation time.

[0031] After executing step S104, Figure 2 The ECU start-up reservation process shown has ended. On the other hand, if the receptive reservation flag is not enabled (step S103: No), step S104 is skipped. Figure 2 The ECU start-up reservation process shown has ended.

[0032] (ECU starts execution processing)

[0033] Next, the ECU startup execution process performed by the vehicle-mounted device 10 will be explained. Figure 4 It is a flowchart illustrating the process of ECU startup execution based on the static timer involved in the implementation method. Figure 4 The ECU startup execution process shown is based on... Figure 2 The ECU shown is set with a reservation time for the reservation process, and the ECU's processing is started by the static timer 14.

[0034] First, such as Figure 4 As shown, the on-board device 10 determines, for example, whether the vehicle's power source, i.e., the engine or motor, has stopped (step S201). Furthermore, the determination in step S201 could be, for example, determining whether the engine has stopped in the case of a PHEV, or whether the motor has stopped in the case of a BEV. If the vehicle's engine or motor has not stopped (step S201: No), step S201 is repeated until it stops.

[0035] On the other hand, when the vehicle's engine or motor stops (step S201: Yes), the on-board device 10, for example, starts the idle timer 14 (step S202) and measures the time elapsed since the engine or motor stopped. Furthermore, the processing after step S203 is performed during the idle period; therefore, for example, if the stopped engine or motor is restarted, the measurement of the elapsed time based on the idle timer 14 ends at that point. Figure 4 The ECU startup process shown was also interrupted and terminated.

[0036] Next, the vehicle-mounted device 10 obtains, for example, the earliest reservation information (step S203). Furthermore, the earliest reservation information obtained in step S203 can be obtained, for example, from... Figure 2 In step S104 of the ECU start-up reservation process, the earliest future reservation time is selected from the reservation information with a set reservation time. That is, this process can be, for example, as follows: after starting the static timer 14 in step S202, the following steps are executed... Figure 2 The ECU shown initiates the pre-start process and executes step S203.

[0037] Next, the vehicle-mounted device 10 determines, for example, whether the reservation time obtained from the reservation information obtained in step S203 has arrived (step S204). If the reservation time has not arrived (step S204: no), step S204 is repeated until the reservation time arrives.

[0038] On the other hand, if the scheduled time has arrived (step S204: Yes), the vehicle device 10, for example, activates the ECU (step S205).

[0039] Then, the on-board unit 10 executes, for example, the fault diagnosis program assembled in the ECU that was started in step S205, to perform fault diagnosis on the vehicle equipped with the on-board unit 10 (step S206). After executing step S206, Figure 4 The ECU startup process shown has ended.

[0040] According to the embodiments described above, the vehicle-mounted device 10 includes a stationary timer 14 that starts the ECU after a predetermined time has elapsed since the engine stopped. Then, when the vehicle-mounted device 10 performs ECU startup via the stationary timer 14 while the ignition is on, it performs processing to receive the ECU startup reservation based on the stationary timer 14. Therefore, the vehicle-mounted device 10 can more reliably perform ECU startup based on the stationary timer 14.

[0041] Furthermore, the vehicle-mounted device 10 also includes a personal space function 15 that utilizes power from an external power source to operate at least one of the air conditioning and audio equipment during the charging of the vehicle equipped with the vehicle-mounted device 10. Then, if the vehicle-mounted device 10 performs ECU startup via a timer 14 while using the personal space function 15, it receives a startup reservation for the ECU based on the timer 14. Thus, the vehicle-mounted device 10, for example, through the personal space function 15, can more reliably perform ECU startup based on the timer 14 even if the ignition is continuously on for an extended period during a standby period.

[0042] Further effects or variations can be readily derived by those skilled in the art, and broader embodiments are not limited to the specific detailed and representative implementations shown and described above. Therefore, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, the embodiments described in this application are illustrative; starting from the manner described in the disclosure section of this invention, various modifications and alterations can be implemented in other ways based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0043] Symbol Explanation

[0044] 10-Vehicle-mounted device, 11-Communication unit, 12-Control unit, 13-Storage unit, 14-Still timer, 15-Personal space function.

Claims

1. A vehicle-mounted device, characterized in that, have: The ECU's static timer is activated after a predetermined time has elapsed since the engine stopped. If the ECU is started by the set timer while the ignition is on, the process of receiving the ECU start reservation based on the set timer is executed.

2. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 1, characterized in that, have: A personal space function that utilizes power from an external power source to operate at least one of the air conditioning and audio equipment during the charging of a vehicle equipped with the aforementioned on-board unit. The process of receiving the start-up reservation from the ECU includes the following steps: If the ECU is started via the idle timer during the use of the personal space function, a start-up reservation for the ECU based on the idle timer is received.

3. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The process of receiving the start-up reservation from the ECU includes the following steps: The timer is set to a scheduled time for the ECU to start. If the set scheduled time arrives, the process of starting the ECU will be executed.

4. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 3, characterized in that, Perform the process of selecting the earliest future appointment time from the set plurality of appointment times. The process of starting the ECU includes the following steps: If the selected scheduled time arrives, the ECU will be activated.

5. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The process of starting the ECU includes the following steps: If the scheduled time arrives, the ECU is activated to perform a prescribed fault diagnosis procedure for diagnosing the vehicle equipped with the on-board unit.

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