NETWORK SYSTEM AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL

Abstract

Network system that features: a first electrical control (1); a second electrical control (2); and a transmission line (3) through which the first electrical control and the second electrical control are connected to each other, the transmission line being used for communication, wherein the first electrical control includes: a condition determination device (13, S110, S120) that determines whether an operating condition for activating a controlled object (25), to which current is supplied by the second controller, is met, a request sending device (11, 13, S130) which sends a request signal of a request for a power supply drive of the controlled object to the second electrical control when the operating condition is determined to be fulfilled by the condition determination device, and an information transmission device (11, 13, S140) that sends control information indicating a possibility that the operating condition is met to the second electrical control, the second electrical control includes: a request receiving device (21) that receives the request signal, a controller (23, S210, S220, S310, S320, S340, S360) that supplies power to the controlled object in a case where the request signal is received from the request receiving device, in order to activate the controlled object until a predetermined time period has elapsed during which the request signal is not received. an information receiving device (21) that receives the tax information, and a modification device (23, S410 to S440) that modifies the time period based on the tax information received from the information receiving device, the information transmission device sends the control information at predetermined time intervals, The change facility performs a process to set the time expiry period based on the tax information each time the tax information is received from the information receiving facility, and a time period during which the information receiving device performs receiving the control information, a time period from a time at which the communication request is received by the request receiving device until a time at which the control device determines that the continuous time period during which the request signal is not received has reached the time elapse period.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a network system and an electronic controller.

[0002] According to JP 2004-254196 A, in a network system in which multiple communication nodes are connected via a transmission line used for communication, a first node among the communication nodes sends a wake-up signal to a second node among the communication nodes operating in a power-saving state or a sleep state. When the second node receives the wake-up signal, the second node transitions from the power-saving state to a normal state.

[0003] In the above network system, the first node, which is an electronic controller, determines whether a controlled object that is electrically energized (powered) and driven by the second node, which is a specified electrical controller, needs to be activated. If the first node determines that the controlled object needs to be activated, the first node sends a request signal requesting the activation of the controlled object to the second node.

[0004] When the second node receives the request signal from the first node, the second node electrically energizes (supplies power) the controlled object to activate the controlled object until a continuous period of time during which the request signal is not received reaches a predetermined timeout period.

[0005] In the above network system, when the first node requests to activate the controlled object, it controls the second node to perform power supply drive of the controlled object.

[0006] If the first node requests reactivation of the controlled object after the second node stops powering the controlled object, the controlled object cannot be activated immediately. A delay is required, including a time period for transmitting the request signal and a time period from the time the second node receives the request signal to the time the powering drive of the controlled object is restarted.

[0007] Therefore, it is advantageous if the elapsed time is longer to improve a responsiveness for activating the controlled object. During a period from a time when the first node determines that the power supply drive of the controlled object is not necessary and does not transmit the request signal to a time when the first node determines that the power supply drive of the controlled object is necessary and starts transmitting the request signal, the probability that the power supply drive of the controlled object is terminated can be reduced. In other words, if the elapsed time is longer, a situation in which the controlled object is reactivated after the power supply drive of the controlled object has been terminated can be reduced.

[0008] However, if the timing period is longer, the time during which the controlled object is continuously energized and driven becomes longer, even if the first node determines that the controlled object does not need to be activated. Therefore, extra energy is consumed. Therefore, it is advantageous to set the timing period shorter to reduce energy consumption.

[0009] DE 11 2011 102 625 T5 discloses an electric controller connected to an external electric controller that transmits a request signal of a power supply drive request of a controlled object in a case where the external electric controller determines that an operating condition for activating the predetermined controlled object is satisfied, via a transmission line used for communication, the electric controller comprising: request receiving means that receives the request signal; and information receiving means that receives control information.

[0010] JP 2013-25439 A discloses a storage device that monitors the status of data transmission and reception to and from a host device and shortens the time required for the host device to detect the occurrence of an error according to the status of data transmission and reception. To shorten the time required for the host device to detect an error, the storage device, when it detects an abnormal state of data transmission or reception, changes its own timeout length according to the state of data transmission or reception.

[0011] JP 2001 - 45 193 A discloses a data processing system that can synchronize the operation of an external data processor or a terminal device with a function that reduces power consumption in standby mode by initiating a power-saving mode upon receipt of a power-on notification instruction and switching to the power-saving mode when a timer has expired.

[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide a network system in which a first electrical controller sends a request signal for activating a controlled object to a second electrical controller, and the second electrical controller energizes and drives the controlled object until the second electrical controller determines that a continuous period during which the request signal is not received has reached a time-out period after the second electrical controller receives the request signal, in order to reduce power consumption without deteriorating a responsiveness for activating the controlled object, and to provide a corresponding electrical controller. This object is achieved by a network system having the features of claim 1 and by an electrical controller having the features of claim 4. The dependent claims are directed to advantageous developments of the invention.

[0013] When the probability that the operating condition is met is high, the timing period is set to be longer. Therefore, a situation in which the controlled object is reactivated after the power supply drive of the controlled object has been stopped can be reduced. Thus, deterioration of the responsiveness to activate the controlled object can be prevented. When the probability that the operating condition is met is low, the timing period is set to be shorter. Therefore, a period during which the controlled object is continuously energized and driven can be shortened even when the first electrical controller determines that the controlled object does not need to be activated. Thus, excess energy consumption can be prevented without deteriorating the responsiveness to activate the controlled object.

[0014] The electrical controller according to the invention can be used as a second electrical controller in the network system of the present invention.

[0015] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a network system and an ECU according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing transmission control processing executed by an air conditioning ECU; Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing a timer reset processing executed by an engine ECU; Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing communication control processing executed by the engine ECU; Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing elapsed time control processing executed by the engine ECU; Fig. 6 is a graph showing a relationship between control information and a time lapse period; and Fig. 7 is a diagram showing relationships between the air conditioning ECU, the engine ECU, energy consumption, and time.

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, parts that are the subject of a previously described embodiment may be designated by the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof may not be repeated. When only a part of a configuration is described in one embodiment, another previous embodiment may be used for the other parts of the configuration. The parts may be combined even if it is not explicitly stated that the parts can be combined. The embodiments may be partially combined even if it is not explicitly stated that the embodiments can be combined, provided that the combination is not impaired.

[0017] A network system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0018] As it is in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the network system 10 is mounted in a motor vehicle having an idle reduction function. Hereinafter, the above motor vehicle is referred to as the "vehicle."

[0019] The network system 10 serves as a communication node and includes an air conditioning electronic control unit (air conditioning ECU) 1, which is an ECU that controls an air conditioner, and an internal combustion engine ECU 2, which is an ECU that controls an internal combustion engine of the vehicle.

[0020] The air conditioning ECU 1 and the engine ECU 2 are connected to a transmission line 3 so that they can communicate with each other. In other words, the air conditioning ECU 1 is connected to the engine ECU 2 via the transmission line 3. The transmission line 3 is used for communication. The transmission line 3 is a communication line that performs communication according to a control area (CAN) standard. According to the present embodiment, the air conditioning ECU 1 is an external electrical controller, and the engine ECU 2 is a specified electrical controller.

[0021] The air conditioning ECU 1 controls a temperature and an air quantity discharged from a blower outlet in a vehicle interior such that the current temperature in the vehicle interior, detected by a temperature sensor in the vehicle interior, becomes equal to a target temperature. Hereinafter, the current temperature in the vehicle interior is referred to as the current interior temperature. The temperature of a coolant of the internal combustion engine is used for heating. However, when the internal combustion engine is operated in an idle reduction mode (automatic stop), a mechanical water pump driven by power of the internal combustion engine cannot recirculate the coolant. Therefore, the coolant is typically cooled down, and cooling air is blown out from the blower outlet of the air conditioner. In this regard, an electric water pump 25 that recirculates the coolant is arranged in the vehicle.The engine ECU 2 performs a power supply drive of the electric water pump 25.

[0022] The air conditioning ECU 1 sends a request to drive the electric water pump 25 as needed to the engine ECU 2. The air conditioning ECU 1 sends a differential temperature as control information to the engine ECU 2. In this case, the differential temperature is a value obtained by subtracting the current temperature from the target temperature. The target temperature is a setting temperature of the air conditioning system.

[0023] The air conditioning ECU 1 includes a transceiver 11 connected to the transmission line 3 for communicating with other ECUs, a controller 13 that controls the operation of the air conditioning ECU 1, and a drive circuit 17 that energizes and drives a controlled object 15 according to a command from the controller 13. The controlled object 15 may be a blower motor of the air conditioner or a motor that drives a brush to change a blower passage. According to the present embodiment, the transceiver 11 corresponds to a request transmission device and an information transmission device.

[0024] The controller 13 is a microcomputer including a CPU 13a, a ROM 13b storing a program executed by the CPU 13a, and a RAM 13c storing a calculation result of the CPU 13a.

[0025] The engine ECU 2 includes a transceiver 21 connected to the transmission line 3 for communicating with other ECUs, a controller 23 that controls operation of the engine ECU 2, and a drive circuit 27 that energizes and drives the electric water pump 25 according to a command from the controller 23. According to the present embodiment, the electric water pump 25 is also a controlled object; the transceiver 21 corresponds to request receiving means and information receiving means, and the controller 23 corresponds to control means and changing means.

[0026] The controller 23 is a microcomputer including a CPU 23a, a ROM 23b that stores a program executed by the CPU 23a, and a RAM 23c that stores a calculation result of the CPU 23a

[0027] With reference to Fig. 2, transmission control processing executed by the controller 13 of the air conditioning ECU 1 will be described below. In addition, the CPU 13a executes the program stored in the ROM 13b to achieve the transmission control processing.

[0028] As it is in Fig. 2, the controller 13 executes the transmission control processing at predetermined intervals.

[0029] As it is in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, when the transmission control processing is started, the controller 13 determines in S110 whether an air conditioning switch is turned on. The air conditioning switch is a switch turned on by a user of the vehicle to activate the air conditioning. If the controller 13 determines that the air conditioning switch is turned off, the controller 13 proceeds to S140. If the controller 13 determines that the air conditioning switch is turned on, the controller 13 proceeds to S120. According to the present embodiment, S110 corresponds to condition determination means.

[0030] In S120, the controller 13 determines whether the differential temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Na. Furthermore, the controller 13 calculates the differential temperature at predetermined time intervals through other calculation processing (not shown). Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the predetermined value Na may be 3°C. According to the present embodiment, S120 corresponds to the condition determination means.

[0031] If the controller 13 determines that the differential temperature is less than the predetermined value Na, it proceeds to S140. If the controller 13 determines that the differential temperature is equal to or greater than the predetermined value Na, it proceeds to S130.

[0032] In S130, the controller 13 sends a communication request to the engine ECU 2. In this case, the communication request includes the request for power supply drive of the electric water pump 25. The controller 13 sends the communication request to the transceiver 11, and the communication request is transmitted from the transceiver 11 to the transmission line 3. According to the present embodiment, the communication request is also a request signal, and S130 corresponds to the request transmission means.

[0033] The communication request also includes address information and content information indicating a detailed request. The engine ECU 2 receiving the communication request can determine whether the communication request is for the engine ECU 2 itself based on the address information. Furthermore, the engine ECU 2 can recognize a content of the communication request based on the content information.

[0034] The content information of the communication request includes, in addition to the request to drive the power supply to the electric water pump 25, a request to receive specified information from another object and a request to activate another object. According to the present embodiment, the content information of the communication request corresponds to the request to drive the power supply to the electric water pump 25 and is sent from the air conditioning ECU 1 in S130.

[0035] When transmission processing of the communication request is completed in S130, the controller 13 proceeds to S140.

[0036] In S140, the controller 13 sends the differential temperature to the engine ECU 2 as control information. Specifically, the controller 13 sends the control information to the transceiver 11, and the control information is transmitted from the transceiver 11 to the transmission line 3. When transmission processing of the control information is completed in S140, the controller 13 ends the current transmission control processing. According to the present embodiment, S140 corresponds to the information transmission means.

[0037] The control information includes a predetermined communication frame containing address information and type information. The engine ECU 2 receiving the communication frame can determine whether the control information is for the engine ECU 2 itself based on the address information. Furthermore, the engine ECU 2 can recognize a type of information included in the communication frame based on the type information.

[0038] According to the present embodiment, a condition that the air conditioning switch is turned on and the differential temperature is equal to or greater than the predetermined value Na is an operating condition for activating the electric water pump 25. This operating condition is also referred to as a pump operating condition. When the controller 13 determines that the pump operating condition is satisfied, it sends the communication request to the engine ECU 2 at predetermined intervals. In other words, when the controller 13 determines that the results of the determinations in S110 and S120 are both YES, it proceeds to S130. In S140, the controller 13 sends the control information to the engine ECU 2 at predetermined time intervals without reference to the pump operating condition. According to the present embodiment, the control information corresponds to the differential temperature sent from the air conditioning ECU 1 in S140.

[0039] In the following, with reference to the Fig. 3 to 6, processing executed by the controller 23 of the engine ECU 2 is described. Furthermore, the CPU 23a executes the program stored in the ROM 23b to achieve the above processing.

[0040] In the engine ECU 2, when the transceiver 21 receives the communication request from the air conditioning ECU 1, it outputs a notification signal to the controller 23 to notify of receipt of the communication request. The notification signal is an interrupt signal. The controller 23 performs timer reset processing, which is Fig. 3, each time the notification signal is output from the transceiver 21.

[0041] As it is in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, when the timer reset processing is started, the controller 23 determines in S210 whether the communication request is received. Specifically, the controller 23 determines whether the data received from the transceiver 21 is the communication request based on the type information included in the data. According to the present embodiment, S210 corresponds to the control means.

[0042] If the controller 23 determines in S210 that the communication request is received, it proceeds to S220. In S220, the controller 23 resets a time counter. In other words, the controller 23 sets the time counter to zero. The time counter is a counter that measures a continuous period of time during which the communication request of the air conditioning ECU 1 is not received. This continuous period of time is also referred to as a non-request reception time. In addition, a value of the time counter is also referred to as a time counter value. According to the present embodiment, S220 corresponds to the control means.

[0043] When the controller 23 determines in S210 that the communication request is not received, it ends the current timer reset processing.

[0044] Thus, the time counter is reset each time the communication request from the air conditioning ECU 1 is received. In addition, the operation in S210 can be omitted.

[0045] The controller 23 performs communication control processing which is Fig. 4, at predetermined intervals. An execution time of the communication control processing may be the same as the execution time of the transmission control processing, but need not be.

[0046] As it is in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, when the communication control processing is started, the controller 23 performs an increment of the time counter in S310. In other words, the controller 23 adds 1 to the time counter value. When the time counter value becomes equal to a maximum value to be counted, the time counter value is maintained at the maximum value in S310. An initial value of the time counter value, which is set in a case where the controller 23 is activated, may be equal to the maximum value. According to the present embodiment, S310 corresponds to the control means.

[0047] In S320, the controller 23 determines whether the time counter value is equal to or greater than a value corresponding to a time-out period currently set. This value is also referred to as a time-out period corresponding value. When the execution period of the communication control processing is denoted by Tc, the time-out period corresponding value is a value of the time-out period divided by the execution period Tc. In S320, the controller 23 determines whether the non-request reception time exceeds the time-out period. The time-out period is set in advance. The time-out period corresponds to a value not greater than the maximum value of the time counter value. According to the present embodiment, S320 corresponds to the controller.

[0048] If the controller 23 determines that the timer value is less than the time-out period, it proceeds to S330 and S340. Since the timer is reset each time the communication request is received from the air conditioning ECU 1, the operations in S330 and S340 are executed every execution period of the communication control processing until the timer value becomes equal to or greater than the time-out period corresponding value since the communication request is received.

[0049] In S330, the controller 23 controls the transceiver 21 to receive the control information from the air conditioning ECU 1. Then, the transceiver 21 receives the control information from the air conditioning ECU 1. When the transceiver 21 receives the control information, it notifies the controller 23 that the control information is received. The transceiver 21 determines whether the information in the received communication frame is the control information from the air conditioning ECU 1 for the engine ECU 2 based on the address information and the type information included in a received communication frame.

[0050] When the communication request includes the request for power supply drive of the electric water pump 25 and a request for transmitting predetermined data, the controller 23 also controls the transceiver 21 to transmit a communication frame containing requested data to the air conditioning ECU 1 in S330.

[0051] In S340, the controller 23 controls the drive circuit 27 to turn on the electric water pump 25 and then terminates the communication control processing. When the electric water pump 25 is turned on, the electric water pump 25 is supplied with electrical energy (power) and driven.

[0052] When the electric water pump 25 is turned off, the power supply drive of the electric water pump 25 is stopped. According to the present embodiment, S340 corresponds to the control means.

[0053] When the controller 23 determines in S320 that the time counter value is equal to or greater than the time-up period corresponding value, it determines that the non-request reception time has reached the time-up period, and proceeds to S350 and S360.

[0054] In S350, the controller 23 controls the transceiver 21 to stop receiving the control information from the air conditioning ECU 1. Then, the transceiver 21 is in a state where the control information from the air conditioning ECU 1 is not received.

[0055] In S360, the controller 23 controls the drive circuit 27 to turn off the electric water pump 25 and then terminates the communication control processing. According to the present embodiment, S360 corresponds to the control device.

[0056] When the communication request of the air conditioning ECU 1 is received by the transceiver 21, the controller 23 keeps the electric water pump 25 in the on-state until the non-request reception time reaches the time elapsed period. During a period in which the electric water pump 25 is on, the controller 23 controls the transceiver 21 to receive the control information from the air conditioning ECU 1 at predetermined time intervals. In this case, the time elapsed period is a period from the time the communication request is received until the time elapsed period when the controller 23 determines that the non-request reception time has reached the time elapsed period.

[0057] The controller 23 performs a time-out duration control processing which is Fig. 5, each time the control information is received from the transceiver 21.

[0058] As it is in Fig. As shown in Fig. 5, when the time-out duration control processing is started, the controller 23 acquires current control information from the transceiver 21 in S410. According to the present embodiment, S410 corresponds to the changing means. In S420, the controller 23 determines whether a value of the control information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Nb. In this case, the value of the control information is the differential temperature. The predetermined value Nb is less than the predetermined value Na. According to the present embodiment, the predetermined value Nb is 1°C, and S420 corresponds to the changing means.

[0059] If the controller 23 determines in S420 that the value of the control information is equal to or greater than the predetermined value Nb, it determines that the possibility of satisfying the pump operating condition is high and then proceeds to S430. In S430, the controller 23 sets the timer period to a predetermined value T1 and then terminates the timer period control processing. According to the present embodiment, the predetermined value T1 is 60 seconds, and S430 corresponds to the changing means.

[0060] If the controller 23 determines in S420 that the value of the control information is less than the predetermined value Nb, it determines that the possibility of satisfying the pump operating condition is low and proceeds to S440. In S440, the controller 23 sets the time-out period to a predetermined value T2 less than the predetermined value T1 and then ends the time-out period control processing. According to the present embodiment, the predetermined value T2 is 2 seconds, and S440 corresponds to the changing means.

[0061] The predetermined values ​​T1 and T2 are greater than a duration during which the air conditioning ECU 1 transmits the communication request in a case where the pump operation condition is satisfied. In addition, a value obtained by dividing the time elapsed period set in S430 or S440 by the execution period Tc of the communication control processing is used as the time elapsed period corresponding value in S320, as shown in Fig. 4. A value of the time-out period corresponding value set in a case where the controller 23 is activated may be the predetermined value T1 divided by the execution period Tc (=T1 / Tc).

[0062] Alternatively, the controller 23 may set the time-elapsed duration corresponding value in S430 and S440. For example, an elapsed time since the communication request was received may be measured with a timer processing different from the processing performed in Fig. 4. In this case, S310 is the Fig. 4 is not necessary. In S220 of the Fig. 3, the controller 23 can reset a measured value of the timer processing. In S320 of the Fig. 4, the controller 23 may determine whether the measured value of the timer processing is equal to or greater than the time elapsed time set in S430 or S440, the Fig. 5 is set.

[0063] As it is in Fig. 6, in the engine ECU 2, the time period is variably set based on the control information from the air conditioning ECU 1, since the processings performed in the Fig. 3 to 5 are executed by the controller 23.

[0064] In a case where the air conditioner switch is turned on, according to the series Ra shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, when the value of the control information is equal to or greater than the predetermined value Na, the pump operation condition is satisfied, and the communication request is sent from the air conditioning ECU 1 to the engine ECU 2 at predetermined time intervals. In this case, since the electric water pump 25 does not need to be continuously turned on, the time period is set to the predetermined value T1, which is the longer predetermined value among the predetermined values ​​T1 and T2.

[0065] Alternatively, in a case where the air conditioning switch is turned on, as shown in the row Rb of the Fig. As shown in Figure 6, when the value of the control information is less than the predetermined value Na and equal to or greater than the predetermined value Nb, the pump operating condition is not met, but the possibility of meeting the pump operating condition is high. That is, the pump operating condition can be met within a short period of time. Therefore, the timeout period is set to the predetermined value T1.

[0066] Alternatively, in a case where the air conditioning switch is turned on, as shown in a row Rc of the Fig. As shown in Figure 6, when the value of the control information is less than the predetermined value Nb, the possibility of satisfying the pump operating condition is low. That is, the pump operating condition will not be satisfied for a long period of time. Therefore, the timeout period is set to the predetermined value T2, which is the shorter predetermined value among the predetermined values ​​T1 and T2.

[0067] Based on Fig. 7, the effects of the present embodiment will be described below.

[0068] As it is in Fig. 7, the air conditioning ECU 1, when determining that the differential temperature is equal to or greater than the predetermined value Na, determines that the pump operating condition is satisfied and sends the communication request in S130 at predetermined intervals as shown in Fig. 2. According to the present embodiment, the air conditioning ECU 1 is the transmitting end. As shown in Fig. 7, tc indicates a time point of the predetermined time at which the communication request is sent, and tnc indicates a time point at which the communication request is not sent because the differential temperature is smaller than the predetermined value Na.

[0069] The engine ECU 2 sets the time counter in S220, which is in Fig. 3, each time the communication request is received. According to the present embodiment, the engine ECU 2 is the receiving end. In S310 of the Fig. 4, the engine ECU 2 periodically increments the time counter to measure the non-request reception time, which is the time elapsed since the time the communication request was received.

[0070] In S340 the Fig. 4, the engine ECU 2 continuously turns on the electric water pump 25 from the time the communication request is received until the engine ECU 2 determines that the non-request reception time has reached the timeout period. If the communication request includes the request to transmit the predetermined data, the engine ECU 2 transmits a communication frame containing the requested data to the air conditioning ECU 1 during a period during which the electric water pump 25 is turned on.

[0071] When the engine ECU 2 determines that the non-request reception time has reached the time elapsed period (S320: YES), it turns on the electric water pump 25 in S360, which is Fig. 4 is shown.

[0072] In this case, when the engine ECU 2 receives the communication request after the time has elapsed, that is, after the electric water pump 25 has been turned off, it turns the electric water pump 25 on again. As shown in Fig. However, as shown in FIG. 7, a delay Td is generated from a time when the air conditioning ECU 1 determines that the pump operating condition is satisfied to a time when the electric water pump 25 is turned on. The delay includes a time period for transmitting the communication request and a time period from a time when the engine ECU 2 receives the communication request to a time when the power supply drive of the electric water pump 25 is restarted. Thus, when the air conditioning ECU 1 restarts the electric water pump 25 after the engine ECU 2 stops the power supply drive of the electric water pump 25, the electric water pump 25 cannot be activated immediately. Therefore, it is advantageous if the time period is set longer to improve a responsiveness for activating the electric water pump.However, as the elapsed time becomes longer, a period during which the electric water pump 25 is continuously energized and driven becomes longer even if the air conditioning ECU 1 determines that the electric water pump 25 does not need to be activated. Therefore, extra energy may be consumed.

[0073] According to the present embodiment, the air conditioning ECU 1 in the network system 10 periodically sends the control information to the engine ECU 2 as shown in Fig. 7. The control information is a reference for determining the possibility that the pump operating condition is met.

[0074] As it is in Fig. 5, the engine ECU 2 receives the control information from the air conditioning ECU 1 and changes the timing period based on the control information.

[0075] Specifically, when the engine ECU 2 determines that the value of the control information is equal to or greater than the predetermined value Nb, the engine ECU 2 determines that the possibility of the pump operating condition being satisfied is high, and the engine ECU 2 sets the time elapse period to the predetermined value T1, which is the longer one among the predetermined values ​​T1 and T2, as shown in Fig. 7. When the engine ECU 2 determines that the value of the control information is less than the predetermined value Nb, it determines that the possibility of satisfying the pump operating condition is low, and sets the time elapse period to the predetermined value T2, which is the shorter one among the predetermined values ​​T1 and T2.

[0076] As it is in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, when the pump operating condition is satisfied so that the air conditioning ECU 1 sends the communication request, the engine ECU 2 sets the time elapsed period to the predetermined value T1 because the predetermined value Nb is smaller than the predetermined value Na required to satisfy the pump operating condition. Even if the value of the control information is smaller than the predetermined value Na, if the value of the control information is equal to or greater than the predetermined value Nb, the engine ECU 2 also sets the time elapsed period to the predetermined value T1. If the value of the control information is smaller than the predetermined value Nb, the engine ECU 2 sets the time elapsed period to the predetermined value T2.

[0077] According to the network system 10, if the possibility that the pump operating condition is met is high, the time elapsed period is set to be longer. Therefore, a situation in which the electric water pump 25 is reactivated after the power supply drive of the electric water pump 25 has been terminated can be reduced. Thus, deterioration of the responsiveness for activating the electric water pump 25 can be prevented. If the possibility that the pump operating condition is met is low, the time elapsed period is set to be shorter. Therefore, a period during which the electric water pump 25 is continuously energized and driven can be shortened even if the air conditioning ECU 1 determines that the electric water pump 25 does not need to be activated. Thus, consumption of extra energy can be prevented. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, ΔP indicates a difference between power consumption when the timing period is fixed at the predetermined value T1 and power consumption when the timing period is changed from the predetermined value T1 to the predetermined value T2. When the timing period is changed between the predetermined value T1 and the predetermined value T2, power consumption is reduced. Thus, power consumption can be reduced without deteriorating the responsiveness for activating the electric water pump 25.

[0078] In S420, the controller 23 of the engine ECU 2 alternatively determines whether the possibility of satisfying the pump operating condition is high or low based on the control information. In S430 or S440, the controller 23 sets the time elapsed period in a case where the possibility is determined to be low to be shorter than the time elapsed period in a case where the possibility is determined to be high. In contrast, the controller 23 sets the time elapsed period in a case where the possibility is determined to be high to be longer than the time elapsed period in a case where the possibility is determined to be low. Thus, an operation for changing the time elapsed period is simplified. When the time elapsed period is changed to one of three or more values, the time elapsed period can be changed substantially stepwise.However, according to the above configuration, the operation for changing the time-lapse period is carried out even more easily than in the case where the time-lapse period is changed substantially stepwise.

[0079] The differential temperature sent from the air conditioning ECU 1 as control information has a value (value of the control information) that indicates the possibility that the pump operating condition is met. The controller 23 of the engine ECU 2 alternatively determines whether the possibility is high or low by determining whether the value of the control information is not less than the predetermined value Nb. Thus, the operation for changing the timing period is further simplified.

[0080] As the differential temperature increases, the possibility of satisfying the pump operating condition increases. However, the possibility of satisfying the pump operating condition may increase according to a decrease in the value of the control information. In this case, if the controller 23 determines that the value of the control information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it determines that the possibility of satisfying the pump operating condition is low. If the controller 23 determines that the value of the control information is less than the predetermined value, it determines that the possibility of satisfying the pump operating condition is high.

[0081] The air conditioning ECU 1 sends the control information at predetermined time intervals. The controller 23 of the engine ECU 2 executes the time-out duration control processing described in Fig. 5, to variably set the time-out period each time the transceiver 21 receives the control information. A period of time during which the controller 23 controls the transceiver 21 to execute the reception of the control information is a period of time from a time when the communication request is received to a time when the non-request reception time has reached the time-out period. Therefore, the time-out period control processing shown in Fig. 5 is not executed after the time lapse, and a processing load of the controller 23 can be reduced.

[0082] When the transceiver 21 executes the reception of the control information until the controller 23 controls the transceiver 21 to stop the reception of the control information, after the controller 23 has controlled the transceiver 21 to execute the reception of the control information, the controller 23 may stop the transceiver 21 immediately after S220 of the Fig. 3 instead of S330 in Fig. 4 to execute the reception of the control information. Furthermore, the controller 23 may control the transceiver 21 to execute the reception of the control information once in a case where the controller 23 first determines that the result of the determination in S350 is YES after the controller 23 determines that the result of the determination in S320 is NO.

[0083] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be applied to various embodiments within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the above values ​​are merely examples, and other values ​​may be used.

[0084] The ECU connected to the transmission line 3 may be an ECU other than the air conditioning ECU 1 and the engine ECU 2. Furthermore, the total number of ECUs connected to the transmission line may be three or more. In this case, one of the ECUs serves as the air conditioning ECU 1, and another of the ECUs serves as the engine ECU 2. The controlled object is not limited to the electric water pump 25. An electrical load such as a solenoid or a stepping motor may be used as the controlled object. The control information is not limited to the differential temperature. According to the above embodiment, information related to the differential temperature can be used as control information. The present invention is not limited to the network system for a vehicle. The present invention can be applied to other network systems.

[0085] In the above embodiment, a single component may be divided into multiple components, and multiple components may be combined as one component. At least a part of the above configuration according to the above embodiment may be replaced with a known configuration having the same function. A part of the above configuration according to the above embodiment may be omitted in a case where the object is still achieved. The present invention can be applied to any other embodiment within the scope of the present invention. The present invention can be embodied in various forms, for example, a program that controls a computer to serve as the air conditioner ECU 1 and the engine ECU 2, a medium that stores the program, and a power supply driving method of the controlled object.

Claims

[1] Network system that has: a first electrical control (1); a second electrical control (2); and a transmission line (3) via which the first electrical control and the second electrical control are connected to each other, the transmission line being used for communication, wherein the first electrical control contains: a condition determining device (13, S110, S120) which determines whether an operating condition for activating a controlled object (25) to which power is supplied by the second controller is satisfied, a request transmission device (11, 13, S130) that transmits a request signal of a power supply drive request of the controlled object to the second electrical controller when the operating condition is determined to be satisfied by the condition determination device, and an information transmitting device (11, 13, S140) which transmits control information indicating a possibility that the operating condition is met to the second electrical controller, the second electrical control contains: a request receiving device (21) which receives the request signal, a controller (23, S210, S220, S310, S320, S340, S360) which, in a case where the request signal is received from the request receiving means, supplies power to the controlled object to activate the controlled object until a continuous period during which the request signal is not received has reached a predetermined time period, an information receiving device (21) which receives the control information, and a changing device (23, S410 to S440) which changes the time period on the basis of the control information received by the information receiving device, the information transmitting device transmits the control information at predetermined time intervals, the changing means executes processing for setting the time-out period based on the control information each time the control information is received from the information receiving means, and a time period during which the information receiving means executes receiving the control information is a time period from a time point at which the communication request is received by the request receiving means to a time point at which the control means determines that the continuous time period during which the request signal is not received has reached the time-out period. [2] Network system according to claim 1, wherein the change device alternatively determines, based on the control information, whether the possibility that the operating condition is met is high or low, and the changing device sets the elapsed time in a case where the possibility is determined to be low to be shorter than the elapsed time in a case where the possibility is determined to be high. [3] Network system according to claim 2, wherein the control information has a value that indicates the possibility that the operating condition will be met, and Alternatively, the changing means determines whether the possibility of the operating condition being satisfied is high or low by determining whether the value of the control information is not less than a predetermined value. [4] An electrical controller (2) connected to an external electrical controller (1) that sends a request signal of a power supply drive request of a controlled object in a case where the external electrical controller determines that an operating condition for activating the predetermined controlled object (25) is satisfied, via a transmission line (3) used for communication, the electrical controller comprising: a request receiving device (21) which receives the request signal; a control device (23, S210, S220, S310, S320, S340, S360) which, in a case where the request signal is received from the request receiving device, supplies power to the controlled object to activate the controlled object until a continuous period during which the request signal is not received has reached a predetermined time period, an information receiving device (21) which receives control information; and a changing device (23, S410 to S440) which changes the time period on the basis of the control information received from the information receiving device, wherein the information transmitting device transmits the control information at predetermined time intervals, the changing means executes processing for setting the time-out period based on the control information each time the control information is received from the information receiving means, and a time period during which the information receiving means executes receiving the control information is a time period from a time point at which the communication request is received by the request receiving means to a time point at which the control means determines that the continuous time period during which the request signal is not received has reached the time-out period. [5] Electrical control according to claim 4, wherein the change device alternatively determines, based on the control information, whether the possibility that the operating condition is met is high or low, and the changing device sets the elapsed time in a case where the possibility is determined to be low to be shorter than the elapsed time in a case where the possibility is determined to be high. [6] Electrical control according to claim 5, wherein the control information has a value that indicates the possibility that the operating condition will be met, and Alternatively, the changing means determines whether the possibility of the operating condition being satisfied is high or low by determining whether the value of the control information is not less than a predetermined value.

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