Electronic control device for use in vehicles

Abstract

Electronic control device for use in a vehicle (12) which operates by receiving an electrical current / energy supply from a battery for use in a vehicle (11), wherein the electronic control device for use in a vehicle (12) includes: a first power supply path (PL1) which provides power to a load (LD), wherein the power is provided from the battery for use in the vehicle (11) via a power supply connection (TB); a first disconnecting element (21) which performs a connecting / disconnecting of the first power supply path (PL1), wherein the first disconnecting element (21) is provided in the first power supply path (PL1); a second power supply path (PL2) which provides power to a control unit (26) via a control power supply connection (TE) and a power supply integrated circuit (25), wherein the power is provided from the battery for use in the vehicle (11), and wherein the control unit (26) controls the first disconnect unit (21); a third power supply path (PL3) which provides power to a junction point (CP) between the first disconnecting part (21) and the load (LD) in the first power supply path (PL1) from a point between the control power supply terminal (TE) and the power supply integrated circuit (25) in the second power supply path (PL2), wherein the power is provided via the control power supply terminal (TE); a second disconnecting element (23) which performs a connection / disconnection of the third power supply path (PL3), wherein the second disconnecting element (23) is provided in the third power supply path (PL3); and a detection unit (22) which detects a voltage in the first power supply path (PL1) and which is connected to the control unit (26) and outputs a voltage monitoring signal (VM) to the control unit (26).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic control device for use in a vehicle. State of the art

[0002] Typically, a control unit / ECU, which is an electronic control device for use in a vehicle, includes: a power line through which power is supplied to a control target of the ECU from a battery in the vehicle by a user turning on a so-called ignition switch, which puts a vehicle into a drivable state; and an auxiliary line through which power / electrical energy is supplied to a microcomputer constituting the ECU from the battery in the vehicle by the user turning on a so-called auxiliary switch, which supplies power to electronic components in the vehicle.

[0003] Then, the ECU performs a control triggered by supplying or cutting off current / electrical energy through the auxiliary line (activation signal) to supply or cut off current / energy to the control target.

[0004] Therefore, if power / electrical energy is not supplied to the ECU due to an open circuit, ground fault, etc., of the power supply line through a battery terminal, there is a possibility that the ECU's control target may stop operating. To solve this problem, JP 2006-321350 A proposes power line redundancy, which is achieved by providing two power lines, each connecting a battery in the vehicle to an ECU, and two auxiliary lines.

[0005] DE 10 2004 008 935 A1 discloses a control device that is supplied with power in a vehicle via a first power supply path and a second power supply path. A control part is supplied with power from the vehicle battery via power supply integrated circuits.

[0006] JP 2014-136560 A discloses a control device in a vehicle that is supplied with power in parallel or redundant fashion via a first power supply path and a second power supply path. Furthermore, a third backup supply path is provided.

[0007] DE 10 2015 102 159 A1 discloses a control device that is supplied in parallel or redundantly via two current paths from a vehicle battery. Loads are supplied from the first power supply path via isolating elements. A sensing element detects a voltage in the first power supply path via a decoupling diode. Summary of the inventionTechnical problems

[0008] In a technique described in Patent Literature 1 described above, in order to achieve redundancy of power lines, two power lines are provided, each of which connects a battery in the vehicle to a control target of an ECU, and two wire harnesses are required for the power lines, and thus there is a possibility of increasing weight and cost.

[0009] The present invention is made in view of the above description and provides an electronic control device for vehicle use which is capable of efficiently achieving redundancy of power lines with a simple configuration. Solutions to the problems

[0010] An electronic control device for in-vehicle use of one embodiment is an electronic control device for in-vehicle use that operates by receiving an electric power / power supply from a battery for in-vehicle use, and includes a first power supply path for supplying power / electric power to a load, the power being supplied from the battery for in-vehicle use through a power supply terminal; a first disconnecting part that performs connecting / disconnecting of the first power supply path; a second power supply path that supplies power / electric power to a control part through a control power supply terminal and a power supply IC (Integrated Circuit), the power being supplied from the battery for in-vehicle use, and the control part controlling the first disconnecting part;a third power supply path for supplying power / electrical energy to a connection point between the first isolating part and the load, the power being supplied through the control power supply terminal; a second isolating part that performs connecting / disconnecting of the third power supply path; and a detecting part that detects a voltage in the first power supply path and is connected to the control part and outputs a voltage monitoring signal to the control part. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0011] According to the configuration described above, when a power supply shutdown through the first power supply path is detected, power can be supplied from the battery for in-vehicle use to the load by controlling the second disconnect part to connect the third power supply path to the control power supply terminal based on a voltage in the first power supply path. Thus, redundancy of power supply paths can be achieved without making a configuration complex. Short description of the characters Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration block diagram of an ECU included in a control system for vehicle use of an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a process flow diagram of a controller 26. Fig. Figure 3 is an illustrative diagram of ECU operation performed at normal times. Fig. 4 is an illustrative diagram (part 1) of an ECU operation performed when an abnormality is detected. Fig. 5 is an illustrative diagram (part 2) of an ECU operation performed when an abnormality is detected. Description of embodiments

[0012] An embodiment of an electronic control device for vehicle use will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. Although the present embodiment describes an example in which an electronic control device for a vehicle is applied to an electronic control unit (ECU), the device can also be applied to other electronic control devices for vehicle use.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration block diagram of an ECU included in a vehicle-use control system of one embodiment. A vehicle-use control system 10 includes a vehicle-use battery 11; and an ECU / control unit 12 that controls vehicle-use devices by receiving power from the vehicle-use battery 11.

[0014] The ECU 12 includes a battery terminal TB connected to a high-voltage side terminal of the in-vehicle battery 11 through a fuse 13 and functioning as a power supply terminal; a control power supply terminal TE connected to the high-voltage side terminal of the in-vehicle battery 11 through a fuse 14 and a switch 15, for supplying power / electrical energy to electronic components in the vehicle and to which a control current is supplied; a ground terminal TG for connecting the body ground of the ECU 12 to a low-voltage side terminal (power supply ground) of the in-vehicle battery 11; and a power supply terminal TP for supplying power / electrical energy to a load LD connected to the subsequent stage.

[0015] Additionally, in the ECU 12, between the battery terminal TB and the power supply terminal TP, there are connected a first supply switch 21 which functions as a first disconnecting part to supply power from the in-vehicle battery 11 to the load LD through the power supply terminal TP at normal times, and to prevent power from bypassing from the control power supply terminal TE to the battery terminal TB when a power supply from the battery terminal TB is cut off; and a voltage detecting part 22 which detects a voltage to detect whether there is a power supply from the battery terminal TB to the power supply terminal TP.

[0016] In addition, in the ECU 12, a second supply switch 23, which functions as a second disconnecting part to supply power to the power supply terminal TP when a power supply from the battery terminal TB is cut off, is connected to the control power supply terminal TE and a connection point between the first supply switch 21 and the voltage detecting part 22.In addition, the ECU 12 includes a power supply part 24 that supplies power supplied from the battery terminal TB or the control power supply terminal TE as power for operation; a power supply IC (integrated circuit) 25 that detects that the switch 15 has been turned on and a voltage serving as a wake-up signal WU has been applied, and that supplies the current supplied by the power supply part 24 as a controller drive current PC; and a controller 26 that functions as a control part, enters an operation state by supplying the controller drive current PC from the power supply IC (integrated circuit) 25, and controls the entire ECU 12.

[0017] Now, each part of the ECU 12 will be described in detail. The first power switch 21 functions as the first disconnecting part, and ON / OFF control of the first power switch 21 is performed by a first disconnecting control signal C RV carried out.

[0018] The voltage detection part 22 includes a voltage-dividing resistor 33 and a voltage-dividing resistor 34, and divides the voltage of a driving electric power PD and outputs the divided voltage as a voltage monitoring signal VM. The second supply switch 23 functions as the second isolating part, and ON / OFF control of the second supply switch 23 is performed by a second isolating control signal Csw.

[0019] The power supply part 24 includes a first diode 38 whose anode A is connected to the battery terminal TB; and a second diode 39 whose anode A is connected to the control power supply terminal TE and whose cathode K is connected to a cathode K of the first diode 38 in a usual manner.

[0020] The power supply IC (integrated circuit) 25 includes an NPN bipolar transistor 40 which has a collector terminal to which the cathode of the first diode 38 and the cathode of the second diode 39 included in the power supply part 24 are connected, and which has an emitter terminal connected to the controller 26 and which outputs a controller drive current PC through the emitter terminal;and an OR circuit 41, one input terminal of which is connected to the control power supply terminal TE to receive as an input a wake-up signal WU, and the other input terminal of which is connected to the controller 26 to receive as an input a sustain signal ST from the controller 26, and the output terminal of which is connected to a base terminal of the NPN bipolar transistor 40, and sets the NPN bipolar transistor 40 in an ON state when one of the wake-up signal WU and the sustain signal ST is at an "H" level to supply a supplied current, which is at least one of a supplied current from the battery terminal TB and a supplied current from the control power supply terminal TE, to the controller 26 as a controller drive current PC;

[0021] The controller 26 enters a drive state when the controller drive current PC is supplied to it, and starts monitoring based on the voltage monitoring signal VM, and outputs the first separation control signal C RV , the second separation control signal Csw and the maintenance signal ST depending on conditions.

[0022] In the configuration described above, power / electric energy is supplied to the battery terminal TB from the battery 11 through the fuse 13, and a power supply path from the battery terminal TB to the power supply terminal TP through the first supply switch 21 is a first power supply path PL1.

[0023] In addition, power / electric power is supplied to the control power supply terminal TE from the battery 11 through the fuse 14 and the switch 15, and a power supply path that supplies the controller drive current PC to the controller from the control power supply terminal TE through the second diode 39 and the power supply IC (Integrated Circuit) 25 is a second power supply path PL2.

[0024] In addition, a power supply path from the control power supply terminal TE through the second power switch 23 to the connection point CP provided on a downstream side of the first power switch 21 in the first power supply path PL1 is a third power supply path PL3.

[0025] Next, an operation of the embodiment will be described in detail.

[0026] (1) Operations carried out during normal hours.

[0027] First, an operation is described which is carried out during normal times.

[0028] Fig. 2 is a process flow diagram of the controller 26.

[0029] Fig. Figure 3 is an illustrative diagram of ECU operation performed at normal times.

[0030] In an initial state, it is assumed that, as in Fig. 1, the switch 15 is in an OFF state and both the first supply switch 21 and the second supply switch 23 are in an OFF state, and further the NPN bipolar transistor 40 is in an OFF state.

[0031] In this state, when the switch 15 is set to an ON state by a driver performing a key operation, power / electric energy from the battery 11 is input as an "H" level wake-up signal WU to one of the input terminals of the OR circuit 41 in the power supply IC (Integrated Circuit) 25 through the fuse 14, the switch 15, and the control power supply terminal TE.

[0032] As a result, the output terminal of the OR circuit 41 goes to an “H” level and the NPN bipolar transistor 40 goes into an ON state.

[0033] Then, since a driving power / current has been supplied to the power supply IC (integrated circuit) 25 through a first current path DL1 and the first diode 38 in the power supply part 24, a current from the battery 11 input through the battery terminal TB is supplied as a controller driving current PC to the controller 26 through the NPN bipolar transistor 40 in the power supply IC (integrated circuit) 25.

[0034] As a result, the controller 26 is activated and sets a maintenance signal ST to an “H” level, by which the supply of the controller drive current PC from the power supply IC (integrated circuit) 25 is maintained.

[0035] Subsequently, the controller 26 sets the first supply switch 21 to an ON state by a first disconnect control signal C RV .

[0036] As a result, a portion between the battery terminal TB and the power supply terminal TP enters a conduction state, and electric power supplied from the battery 11 is supplied as a current for driving PD to the load LD (e.g., a drive of the integrated circuit) in the subsequent stage by the ECU 12, making a transition to a normal operation state.

[0037] In parallel, the voltage dividing resistor 33 and the voltage dividing resistor 34 in the voltage detecting part 22 divide the voltage of the electric power / current for driving PD and output the divided voltage as a battery monitoring voltage VM to the controller 26.

[0038] Thereby, the controller 26 determines whether the battery monitoring voltage VM is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold voltage (step S12).

[0039] In this case, the battery monitoring voltage VM reaches a value less than or equal to the predetermined threshold voltage, possibly due to an abnormality, for example, when a power supply path from the battery 11 to the battery terminal TB has been interrupted by the fuse 13 or the first power supply path PL1 has gone into a ground flow state.

[0040] In the determination at step S12, since the battery monitoring voltage VM exceeds the predetermined threshold voltage in a normal state (step S12: No), the controller 26 again allows processing to transition to step S11, and repeats processes like those described above every predetermined time point.

[0041] (2) Operation to be performed when an abnormality is detected.

[0042] Next, an operation performed when an abnormality is detected is described.

[0043] If the battery monitoring voltage VM is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold voltage in the determination at step S12, the controller 26 considers that an abnormality has occurred, for example, when the first power supply path PL1 from the battery 11 to the battery terminal TB has been interrupted by the fuse 13 or has entered a ground flow state.

[0044] Fig. 4 is an illustrative diagram (part 1) of an ECU operation performed when an abnormality is detected.

[0045] In this state, as in Fig. 4, despite the fact that the first power switch 21 is in an ON state, a power supply to the load LD through the battery terminal TB, the first power supply path PL1 and the power supply terminal TP is cut off and stopped.

[0046] Also, supply of drive power to the power supply IC (integrated circuit) 25 through the battery terminal TB, the first current path DL1 and the first diode 38 in the power supply part 24 is also turned off and stopped.

[0047] On the other hand, supply of drive power to the power supply IC (integrated circuit) 25 through the control power supply terminal TE, a second current path DL2, and the second diode 39 in the power supply part 24, that is, supply of drive power to the power supply IC (integrated circuit) 25 through the second power supply path PL2, and supply of a controller drive current PC to the controller 26 through the power supply IC (integrated circuit) continues.

[0048] Fig. 5 is an illustrative diagram (part 2) of an ECU operation performed when an abnormality is detected.

[0049] Therefore, the controller 26 operates as a control part and, in order to switch a power supply path to the load LD to the third power supply path PL3 through the control power supply terminal TE, the controller 26 first sets the first supply switch 21, which operates as the first disconnecting part, by the first disconnecting control signal C RV into an OFF state (step S13).

[0050] As a result, the first supply switch 21, which functions as the first separating part, goes into an OFF state, and even if the second supply switch 23 is set into an ON state, a current can be prevented from passing through the control power supply terminal TE, the second supply switch 23, the third power supply path PL3, the connection point CP, and the first current path DL1.

[0051] Therefore, since the first supply switch 21 is switched on by the first isolating control signal C RVis in an OFF state, a continuous power supply to the load LD side through the battery terminal TB does not occur, e.g., even if the battery terminal TB is in a ground fault state, a continuous power supply does not occur.

[0052] Then, the controller 26 sets the second supply switch 23, which functions as the second disconnecting part, to an ON state by a second disconnection control signal Csw (step S14).

[0053] As a result, the second power switch 23 goes into an ON state and a power supply to the load LD starts through the control power supply terminal TE, the third power supply path PL3 (comprising the second power switch 23), the connection point CP and the power supply terminal TP.

[0054] As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when a power supply to the ECU 12 through the battery terminal TB is stopped due to a disconnection, a ground fault, etc., a power supply to the ECU 12 can be maintained through a power supply path that supplies power to in-vehicle electronic components and a power supply to the load through the ECU 12 without making the configuration of the in-vehicle use control system 10 complex, thereby making it possible to improve the reliability of the in-vehicle use control system 10.

[0055] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments may be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and variations thereof are included within the scope and spirit of the invention and are included in the inventions recited in the claims and within the range of equivalence of the claims.

[0056] For example, the circuit arrangements of the first supply switch 21, the voltage detection part 22, the second supply switch 23, the power supply part 24, etc. are examples, and other circuit arrangements having the same functions can be used.

[0057] In addition, although the configuration of the first supply switch 21 has not been described in detail in the above description, for example, the first supply switch 21 may be configured as a transistor (a MOS transistor, a bipolar transistor, an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), etc.) having a gate terminal whose potential level is controlled directly or through another control transistor (a bipolar transistor, a MOS transistor, an IGBT, etc.) by the first cut-off control signal C RV controlled, be trained.

[0058] In addition, although the configuration of the second power switch 23 has not been described in detail, for example, the second power switch 23 may be formed as a MOS transistor group in which a pair of MOS transistors are connected in a back-to-back manner, and the potential level of the gate terminals connected in a usual manner is controlled directly or through another control transistor (a bipolar transistor, a MOS transistor, an IGBT, etc.) by the second cut-off control signal Csw.

[0059] In addition, an electronic control device for use in the vehicle of the present embodiment has at least the following configurations: The electronic control device for in-vehicle use (12) of the present embodiment is an electronic control device for in-vehicle use (12) that operates by receiving an electric power supply from a battery for in-vehicle use (11), and includes a first power supply path (PL1) that supplies a power supply from the battery for in-vehicle use (11) to a load (LD) through a power supply terminal (TB); a first disconnecting part (21) provided in the first power supply path (PL1) and performing connection / disconnection of the first power supply path (PL1);a second power supply path (PL2) which supplies power provided by the battery for use in the vehicle (11) to a control part (26) that controls the first isolating part (21), through a control power supply terminal (TE) and a power supply integrated circuit (25); a third power supply path (PL3) which supplies power / electrical energy provided by the control power supply terminal (TE) to a connection point (CP) between the first isolating part (21) and the load (LD) in the first power supply path (PL1) from a point between the control power supply terminal (TE) and the power supply integrated circuit (25) in the second power supply path; a second isolating part (23) which is provided in the third power supply path (PL3) and performs connecting / disconnecting of the third power supply path (PL3);and a detection part which detects a voltage in the first power supply path (PL1);

[0060] According to this configuration, redundancy of power supply paths can be achieved without making a configuration complex.

[0061] In addition, the control part (26) of the electronic control device for vehicle use (12) of the present embodiment supplies a current / electric power to the load (LD) from the battery for vehicle use (11) by controlling the second separating part (23) to connect the third power supply path (PL3) to the control power supply terminal (TE) based on the voltage in the first power supply path (PL1) detected by the detecting part (22).

[0062] According to this configuration, despite the simple configuration, a current can be safely supplied to the load (LD) through the third power supply path (PL3).

[0063] In addition, the control part (26) of the electronic control device for vehicle use (12) of the present embodiment provides a current of the load (LD) from the battery for vehicle use (11) by controlling the first disconnecting part (21) to turn off the first power supply path (PL1) and by controlling the second disconnecting part (23) to connect the third power supply path (PL3) to the control power supply terminal (TE) based on the voltage in the first power supply path (PL1) detected by the detecting part (22).

[0064] According to this configuration, a current / electric power can be safely supplied to the load (LD) through the third power supply path (PL3) while preventing a current from bypassing from the third power supply path (PL3) to a side of a first power supply path (PL1).

[0065] In addition, the control part (26) of the electronic control device for vehicle use (12) of the present embodiment turns off the first power supply path (PL1) using the first disconnecting part (21) when the voltage in the first power supply path (PL1) detected by the detecting part (22) has reached a value which is less than or equal to a predetermined voltage.

[0066] According to this configuration, even if a power supply is turned off at a side which is further upstream than the connection point (CP) in the first power supply path (PL1), a current can be safely supplied to the load (LD) through the third power supply path (PL3) while preventing a current from bypassing from the third power supply path (PL3) to a side of the first power supply path (PL1).

[0067] In addition, the electronic control device for vehicle use (12) of the present embodiment preferably includes a first current path (DL1) including a first diode (38) whose anode is connected to the first power supply path (PL1) and which is capable of providing drive power that drives the control part (26) from the vehicle-use battery (11); and a second current path (DL2) including a second diode (39) whose anode is connected between the second isolating part (23) and the control power supply terminal (TE) and whose cathode is connected to a cathode of the first diode (38), and which is capable of providing the drive power to the control part (26) from the vehicle-use battery (11).

[0068] According to this configuration, even when a power supply path that supplies power to the load (LD) from the battery for use in the vehicle (11) is switched, supply of drive power that drives the control part (26) can be assured in a secure manner.

[0069] In addition, it is preferable that when a voltage is applied to the second current path (PL2), the power supply integrated circuit (25) of the electronic control device for vehicle use (12) of the present embodiment starts supplying the drive power (PC) to the control part (26) through a connection point (WP) between the first current path and the second current path.

[0070] According to this configuration, a switch (15) also turns on the control part (26) to enable the control part 26 to be activated immediately after a voltage is applied to the second current path (DL2). List of reference symbols

[0071] 10: Control system for vehicle use, 11: Battery for vehicle use, 12: ECU (Electronic Control Unit for Vehicle Use), 21: First supply switch (first disconnection part), 22: Voltage detection part (detection part), 23: Second supply switch (second disconnection part), 24: Power supply part, 25: Power supply integrated circuit (IC) (drive power supply control part), 26: Controller (control part), 38: First diode, 39: Second diode, C RV : First isolation control signal, Csw: Second isolation control signal, DL1: First current path, DL2: Second current path, PL1: First power supply path, and PL2: Second power supply path

Claims

[1] An electronic control device for use in a vehicle (12) which operates by receiving an electrical power supply from a battery for use in a vehicle (11), the electronic control device for use in a vehicle (12) comprising: a first power supply path (PL1) providing power to a load (LD), the power being provided from the battery for use in the vehicle (11) via a power supply terminal (TB); a first separating part (21) which performs connecting / disconnecting of the first power supply path (PL1), the first separating part (21) being provided in the first power supply path (PL1); a second power supply path (PL2) which provides power to a control part (26) via a control power supply terminal (TE) and a power supply integrated circuit (25), the power being provided by the battery for use in the vehicle (11), and the control part (26) controlling the first separating part (21); a third power supply path (PL3) which supplies power to a connection point (CP) between the first isolating part (21) and the load (LD) in the first power supply path (PL1) from a point between the control power supply terminal (TE) and the power supply integrated circuit (25) in the second power supply path (PL2), the power being supplied via the control power supply terminal (TE); a second separating part (23) which performs connecting / disconnecting of the third power supply path (PL3), the second separating part (23) being provided in the third power supply path (PL3); and a detection part (22) which detects a voltage in the first power supply path (PL1) and which is connected to the control part (26) and outputs a voltage monitoring signal (VM) to the control part (26). [2] The electronic control device for vehicle use (12) according to claim 1, wherein the control part (26) supplies power to the load (LD) from the battery for vehicle use (11) by controlling the second disconnecting part (23) to connect the third power supply path (PL3) to the control power supply terminal (TE) based on the voltage in the first power supply path (PL1) detected by the detecting part (22). [3] The electronic control device for vehicle use (12) according to claim 2, wherein the control part (26) supplies power to the load (LD) from the battery for vehicle use (11) by controlling the first isolating part (21) to turn off the first power supply path (PL1) and by controlling the second isolating part (23) to connect the third power supply path (PL3) to the control power supply terminal (TE) based on the voltage in the first power supply path (PL1) detected by the detecting part (22). [4] The electronic control device for use in a vehicle (12) according to claim 3, wherein the control part (26) turns off the first power supply path (PL1) using the first disconnecting part (21) when the voltage in the first power supply path (PL1) detected by the detecting part (22) has reached a value which is less than or equal to a predetermined voltage. [5] Electronic control device for use in a vehicle (12) according to one of claims 1 to 4, comprising: a first current path (DL1) capable of providing drive energy from the battery for use in the vehicle (11), wherein the first current path (DL1) includes a first diode (38) whose anode is connected to the first power supply path (PL1), and wherein the drive energy drives the control part (26), and a second current path (DL2) capable of supplying the drive energy to the control part (26) from the battery for use in the vehicle (11), wherein the second current path (DL2) includes a second diode (39) whose anode is connected between the second isolating part (23) and the control power supply terminal (TE) and whose cathode is connected to a cathode of the first diode (38). [6] The electronic control device for vehicle use (12) according to claim 5, wherein, when a voltage is applied to the second current path (DL2), the power supply integrated circuit (25) starts supplying the drive power to the control part (26) via a connection point (WP) between the first current path (DL1) and the second current path (DL2).

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