On-vehicle device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an on-vehicle device or the like for driving and controlling an on-vehicle load by opening / closing each of an upper stream side semiconductor switch and a lower stream side semiconductor switch in response to load information of a connected on-vehicle load.SOLUTION: An on-vehicle device to which an on-vehicle load is connected comprises: a half-bridge having an upper stream side semiconductor switch and a lower stream side semiconductor switch; and a control unit for driving and controlling the on-vehicle load. The control unit acquires load information related to the on-vehicle load with one end connected to between the upper stream side semiconductor switch and the lower stream side semiconductor switch connected in series. In response to the acquired load information, the upper stream side semiconductor switch and the lower stream side semiconductor switch are opening / closing controlled to drive and control the on-vehicle load.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present technology relates to an in-vehicle device, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] A vehicle is equipped with a power supply control device (see, for example, Patent Document 1) that controls power supply from a battery to a load. In the power supply control device described in Patent Document 1, a downstream semiconductor fuse is provided in a current path of a current flowing from the battery to the load, and the power supply from the battery to the load is controlled by switching the downstream semiconductor fuse on or off. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-143905 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the power supply control device described in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the fact that the vehicle load is driven and controlled by opening and closing the upstream semiconductor switch and the downstream semiconductor switch according to load information of the connected vehicle load.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an in-vehicle device etc. that can drive and control an in-vehicle load by opening and closing an upstream semiconductor switch and a downstream semiconductor switch according to load information of a connected in-vehicle load. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An in-vehicle device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is an in-vehicle device to which an in-vehicle load is connected, and includes a half bridge having an upstream semiconductor switch and a downstream semiconductor switch, and a control unit that controls the drive of the in-vehicle load, wherein the control unit acquires load information regarding the in-vehicle load, one end of which is connected between the upstream semiconductor switch and the downstream semiconductor switch which are connected in series, and performs opening and closing control of the upstream semiconductor switch and the downstream semiconductor switch in accordance with the acquired load information, thereby controlling the drive of the in-vehicle load. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an in-vehicle device or the like that drives and controls an in-vehicle load by opening and closing an upstream semiconductor switch and a downstream semiconductor switch according to load information of a connected in-vehicle load. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an in-vehicle system including an in-vehicle device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of an in-vehicle device; [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection mode between an in-vehicle device and an in-vehicle load; FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a switch control table. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a control unit of an in-vehicle device. [Figure 6] 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection between an on-vehicle device and an on-vehicle load according to a second embodiment (abutment structure of a downstream semiconductor switch). FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection between an in-vehicle device and an in-vehicle load according to a third embodiment (a Pch semiconductor switch on the upstream side). FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection between an on-vehicle device and an on-vehicle load according to embodiment 4 (discrimination terminal). FIG. [Figure 9]4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a control unit of an in-vehicle device. [Figure 10] 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection between an in-vehicle device and an in-vehicle load according to a fifth embodiment (automatic discrimination by a discrimination circuit). FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection mode (full bridge) between an in-vehicle device and an in-vehicle load; [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a combination table. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a discrimination table; [Figure 14] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a control unit of an in-vehicle device. [Figure 15] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process (determination of half-bridge compatibility) of a control unit of an in-vehicle device. [Figure 16] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process (determination of full-bridge compatibility) of a control unit of an in-vehicle device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Description of the embodiment of the present invention] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. In addition, at least some of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

[0010] (1) An in-vehicle device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is an in-vehicle device to which an in-vehicle load is connected, and includes a half bridge having an upstream semiconductor switch and a downstream semiconductor switch, and a control unit that drives and controls the in-vehicle load, wherein the control unit acquires load information regarding the in-vehicle load, one end of which is connected between the upstream semiconductor switch and the downstream semiconductor switch that are connected in series, and performs opening and closing control of the upstream semiconductor switch and the downstream semiconductor switch in accordance with the acquired load information, thereby performing driving control of the in-vehicle load.

[0011] In this aspect, the vehicle-mounted device includes one or more half bridges. The half bridge includes an upstream semiconductor switch and a downstream semiconductor switch connected in series. A power supply device is connected to the upstream semiconductor switch, and a ground is connected to the downstream semiconductor switch. An output terminal provided in the vehicle-mounted device is connected between the upstream semiconductor switch and the downstream semiconductor switch constituting the half bridge, and an on-vehicle load is connected to the output terminal via a power line. The control unit may be directly connected to the upstream semiconductor switch and the downstream semiconductor switch by a signal line, or indirectly connected to the control unit via a drive circuit such as a bootstrap circuit. The control unit is connected to the output terminal and acquires load information of the on-vehicle load. For example, in the production stage (production process) of the vehicle, information such as product specifications of the on-vehicle load to be connected may be written to a storage unit of the vehicle-mounted device, and the control unit may acquire load information of the on-vehicle load to be connected to the on-vehicle device by referring to the storage unit. Alternatively, when an on-board load is added after the vehicle is produced and shipped, the control unit may acquire, as the load information, information such as product specifications of the on-board load connected to the on-board device from a diagnostic device or the like communicably connected to the on-board device. It is assumed that the on-board load connected to the output terminal of the half bridge has any one of a high-side switch connection mode, a low-side switch connection mode, and a full-bridge connection mode connected to two half bridges. In response to this, the control unit can determine (specify) the connection mode of the on-board load connected to the output terminal according to the acquired load information. The control unit performs drive control of the on-board device by controlling the opening and closing of the upstream semiconductor switch and the downstream semiconductor switch constituting the half bridge according to the connection mode of the determined (specified) on-board load, thereby ensuring versatility of the connection mode of the on-board device. This makes it possible to provide an on-board device that can be universally connected to each of the on-board loads having various connection modes, that is, by using the on-board device according to this mode, it is possible to standardize parts. Therefore, it is possible to provide an on-board device that can flexibly respond to an increase in on-board load during and after the production of the vehicle.

[0012] (2) In an in-vehicle device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the load information on the in-vehicle load includes connection mode information on a mode when the in-vehicle load is connected to the half bridge, and the connection mode information indicates a high-side switch connection mode, a low-side switch connection mode, a half-bridge connection mode, or a full-bridge connection mode connected to two of the half bridges, and the control unit drives and controls the in-vehicle load by fixing the downstream semiconductor switch to an open state and opening and closing the upstream semiconductor switch when the connection mode information indicates a high-side switch connection mode, drives and controls the in-vehicle load by fixing the upstream semiconductor switch to an open state and opening and closing the downstream semiconductor switch when the connection mode information indicates a low-side switch connection mode, and drives and controls the in-vehicle load by opening and closing the upstream semiconductor switch and the downstream semiconductor switch when the connection mode information indicates a half-bridge connection mode, When the connection mode information indicates a full-bridge connection mode, the vehicle-mounted load is driven and controlled by opening and closing the upstream semiconductor switches and the downstream semiconductor switches of the two half bridges to which the vehicle-mounted load is connected.

[0013] In this embodiment, the load information on the vehicle load includes connection mode information on the mode when the vehicle load is connected to a half bridge. The connection mode information indicates, for example, any of a high-side switch connection mode, a low-side switch connection mode, a half-bridge connection mode, and a full-bridge connection mode in which the load is connected to two half bridges. When the vehicle load is in the high-side switch connection mode, one end of the vehicle load is connected to the output terminal of the half bridge, and the other end of the vehicle load is connected to ground (pull-down connection). When the vehicle load is in the low-side switch connection mode, one end of the vehicle load is connected to the output terminal of the half bridge, and the other end of the vehicle load is connected to a power supply device (pull-up connection). When the vehicle load is in the half-bridge connection mode, one end of the vehicle load is connected to the output terminal of the half bridge. When the vehicle load in the half-bridge connection mode is on, the upstream semiconductor switch constituting the half bridge is turned on (closed), and the downstream semiconductor switch is turned off (open). When the on-board load in the half-bridge connection mode is off, the upstream semiconductor switch constituting the half bridge is off (open) and the downstream semiconductor switch is on (closed). When the on-board load is in the full-bridge connection mode, one end and the other end of the on-board load are connected to the output terminals of the two half bridges constituting the full bridge. Depending on whether the on-board load is in the high-side switch connection mode or the low-side switch connection mode, the control unit fixes either the upstream semiconductor switch or the downstream semiconductor switch to open (fixes off) and opens and closes the other semiconductor switch, thereby driving and controlling the on-board load. When the on-board load is in the full-bridge connection mode, the control unit changes the direction of the current flowing through the on-board load (reverses the polarity) by opening and closing the upstream semiconductor switch and the downstream semiconductor switch of the two half bridges constituting the full bridge, thereby driving and controlling the on-board load. The memory unit of the in-vehicle device stores, for example, in a table format (switch control table), the control modes of the upstream semiconductor switches and the downstream semiconductor switches according to the connection modes of the in-vehicle loads, and the control unit may control the opening and closing of the upstream semiconductor switches and the downstream semiconductor switches according to the switch control table.By predetermining the control modes (switch control table) of the upstream semiconductor switches and the downstream semiconductor switches according to the connection modes of the vehicle loads connected in this manner, it is possible to provide an in-vehicle device that can universally control each of the vehicle loads having various connection modes.

[0014] (3) In one embodiment of the in-vehicle device of the present disclosure, the load information regarding the in-vehicle load includes load current information, and the control unit sets a breaking characteristic to cause either the upstream semiconductor switch or the downstream semiconductor switch to function as a semiconductor fuse in accordance with the load current information.

[0015] In this aspect, the load information regarding the on-vehicle load includes load current information for protecting the on-vehicle load from an overcurrent. The control unit may acquire, as the load current information, information such as product specifications of the on-vehicle load written in the storage unit at the production stage (production process) of the vehicle. Alternatively, when an on-vehicle load is added after the production and shipment of the vehicle, the control unit may acquire load current information for protecting the on-vehicle load from an overcurrent from a diagnostic device or the like used by an authorized dealer. The control unit causes either the upstream semiconductor switch or the downstream semiconductor switch to function as a semiconductor fuse according to the connection mode information of the on-vehicle load. When the connection mode of the on-vehicle load is a high-side switch connection mode, the control unit causes the upstream semiconductor switch to function as a semiconductor fuse. When the connection mode of the on-vehicle load is a low-side switch connection mode, the control unit causes the downstream semiconductor switch to function as a semiconductor fuse. When the connection mode of the on-vehicle load is a full-bridge connection mode, the control unit causes the energized upstream semiconductor switch to function as a semiconductor fuse according to the polarity of the current flowing through the on-vehicle load. Furthermore, the control unit sets the interruption characteristics when functioning as a semiconductor fuse according to the load current information of the on-board load. By using the interruption characteristics set according to the load current information of the connected on-board load, the control unit can open (turn off) the upstream semiconductor switch or the downstream semiconductor switch functioning as a semiconductor fuse according to the current value (overcurrent value) flowing through the half bridge to which the on-board load is connected and the elapsed time during which the overcurrent has flowed, thereby interrupting the overcurrent. This makes it possible to provide an on-board device that can be universally connected to each of the on-board loads having various connection modes and can flexibly exercise a protective function for the on-board load.

[0016] (4) In the in-vehicle device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit rewrites parameters stored in a storage area accessible to the control unit in order to set the cut-off characteristic.

[0017] In this aspect, when setting the cutoff characteristics for making either the upstream semiconductor switch or the downstream semiconductor switch function as a semiconductor fuse, the control unit rewrites (changes) semiconductor fuse parameters (wire resistance, thermal time constant) stored in a storage unit (memory in a microcomputer, etc.) included in the in-vehicle device. By rewriting the parameters in the microcomputer in this manner, the cutoff characteristics of the semiconductor fuse can be efficiently changed (set).

[0018] (5) In an in-vehicle device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit sets a cut-off characteristic that cuts off the load in accordance with the load current flowing through the in-vehicle load when the connection mode information of the in-vehicle load is a high-side switch connection mode or a low-side switch connection mode, and when the connection mode information of the in-vehicle load is a full-bridge connection mode, sets a cut-off characteristic that takes into consideration control to cut off the load when a lock current of a motor included in the in-vehicle load is detected, in addition to cutting off the load in accordance with the load current flowing through the in-vehicle load.

[0019] In this embodiment, when the connection mode information of the on-board load is a high-side switch connection mode or a low-side switch connection mode, the control unit sets the interruption characteristics to interrupt in accordance with the load current flowing through the on-board load. Furthermore, when the connection mode information of the on-board load is a full-bridge connection mode, the control unit sets the interruption characteristics taking into consideration control to interrupt when a lock current of a motor included in the on-board load is detected, in addition to interruption in accordance with the load current flowing through the on-board load. Information regarding the load current and the lock current is included in the load information of the on-board load acquired by the control unit. In this way, by executing a change method in which the change range of the semiconductor fuse and the standard items for change (load current only, or load current and lock current) according to the type (connection mode) of the on-board load are defined, the interruption characteristics of the semiconductor fuse can be set efficiently.

[0020] (6) An in-vehicle device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a discrimination terminal connected to the in-vehicle load, and the control unit derives load information regarding the in-vehicle load based on an output value output via the discrimination terminal.

[0021] In this aspect, the in-vehicle device includes a discrimination terminal connected to the in-vehicle load. The discrimination terminal may be provided corresponding to each half bridge. That is, the discrimination terminal and the output terminal of the half bridge may be arranged as a pair. The in-vehicle device and the in-vehicle load are electrically connected by the output terminal of the half bridge and the discrimination terminal. The in-vehicle device acquires an output value output from the in-vehicle load connected via the discrimination terminal. The in-vehicle load is provided with an electric element (discrimination resistor) such as a resistor that is conductive to the discrimination terminal, and the control unit may acquire, as an output value, a value of a current (current value) that flows from the discrimination terminal to a resistor of the in-vehicle load by a voltage applied via the discrimination terminal. Alternatively, the control unit may acquire, as an output value, a voltage value according to a voltage division ratio between the in-vehicle load side discrimination terminal of the in-vehicle load and the in-vehicle device side discrimination terminal provided in the in-vehicle device. The load information of the on-board load, i.e., the connection mode information and the load current information, is defined in advance according to the resistance value of the discrimination resistor (on-board load side discrimination terminal) of the on-board load, and the definition (the correspondence between the resistance value and the load information) is stored in advance in the storage unit of the on-board device. The on-board device calculates the resistance value of the discrimination resistor provided in the on-board load based on the voltage value applied through the discrimination terminal and the current value or the voltage value flowing from the discrimination terminal to the discrimination terminal, refers to the correspondence between the resistance value and the load information stored in the storage unit, and acquires the load information by identifying the load information corresponding to the calculated resistance value. Alternatively, the on-board device may acquire the load information including the connection mode information and the load current information from the on-board load by performing, for example, SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) communication with the on-board load via the discrimination terminal. In this way, the on-board device derives the load information regarding the on-board load based on the output value output through the discrimination terminal, and can efficiently acquire the load information indicating the type or the specification of the on-board load for each of the on-board loads having various connection modes.

[0022] (7) In an in-vehicle device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a discrimination circuit used to discriminate a connection state of the in-vehicle load is connected to an output terminal connecting the half bridge and the in-vehicle load, the discrimination circuit including a pull-up switch, and the control unit discriminates the connection state of the in-vehicle load based on a voltage value detected by the discrimination circuit when the pull-up switch is opened or closed.

[0023] In this embodiment, the on-board device is provided with a discrimination circuit used to discriminate the connection state of the on-board load. The discrimination circuit is connected to a discrimination power supply (Vcc) such as a low dropout regulator (LOD) provided in a microcomputer constituting a control unit, and includes a pull-up switch such as a relay connected to the discrimination power supply (Vcc). The discrimination circuit further includes a first resistor (R1), a second resistor (R2), and a third resistor (R3). The first resistor and the second resistor are connected in series to the downstream side of the pull-up switch in the order of the first resistor (R1) and the second resistor (R2), with the pull-up switch being the most upstream in the direction of current flow from the discrimination power supply (Vcc), and the second resistor (R2) is connected to ground. The third resistor (R3) is arranged on an electric wire connecting a branch point located between the first resistor (R1) and the second resistor (R2) and an output terminal. When the pull-up switch is opened or closed, the control unit acquires a voltage value (Vad) between the first resistor (R1) and the second resistor (R2) (branch point), and determines the connection mode of the on-board load connected to the output terminal based on the acquired voltage value. That is, the control unit can determine the connection mode of the on-board load by using a voltage value output based on a voltage division ratio determined according to the resistance value (resistance component) of the on-board load and the multiple resistors included in the determination circuit. By including such a determination circuit, the control unit can self-containedly derive (acquire) load information (connection mode information) of the on-board load connected to the output terminal of the half bridge without acquiring it from an external device or the like.

[0024] (8) An in-vehicle device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of half bridges, and any two of the plurality of half bridges are predetermined as a combination when used as a full bridge, and the in-vehicle load whose connection mode information is a full bridge connection mode is connected to the two half bridges predetermined as the full bridge.

[0025] In this embodiment, the in-vehicle device includes two or more half bridges. Among the half bridges, any two half bridges are predefined as a combination when used as a full bridge. A device number (unit No.) that uniquely identifies each half bridge is defined for each half bridge included in the in-vehicle device. Furthermore, the storage unit of the in-vehicle device stores, for example, a table format (combination table) of combinations of two half bridges when used as a full bridge. Since the combinations of two half bridges when used as a full bridge are predefined in this manner, the control unit can efficiently determine whether or not the connection mode of the in-vehicle loads connected to each of the half bridges is a full bridge connection mode.

[0026] (9) In an in-vehicle device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit determines the connection state of the in-vehicle load for each of the two half bridges predetermined as the full bridge, and when determining whether the in-vehicle load is in a full bridge connection state, closes the downstream semiconductor switch of one of the two half bridges predetermined as the full bridge, and determines the connection state of the in-vehicle load based on the voltage value detected by the discrimination circuit.

[0027] In this embodiment, the control unit determines the connection state of the vehicle load for each of two half bridges predetermined as a full bridge, and therefore the determination can be made efficiently. When determining whether the vehicle load is in a full bridge connection state, the control unit closes (turns on) a downstream semiconductor switch of one of the two half bridges predetermined as a full bridge. With the downstream semiconductor switch of one of the half bridges closed (turned on), the control unit opens and closes a pull-up switch of the determination circuit, and acquires a voltage value detected by the determination circuit. The control unit determines the connection state of the vehicle load based on the acquired voltage value, and can thereby determine whether the vehicle load is in a full bridge connection state, or whether the half bridge with the downstream semiconductor switch closed (turned on) is not connected to the vehicle load (load unconnected).

[0028] (10) In an in-vehicle device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit determines whether the in-vehicle loads connected to each of the half bridges are in a high-side switch connection mode or a low-side switch connection mode, and if it determines that the in-vehicle loads are not in a high-side switch connection mode or a low-side switch connection mode, it determines whether the in-vehicle loads are in a full-bridge connection mode.

[0029] In this embodiment, the control unit determines whether or not an on-board load in a high-side switch connection mode or a low-side switch connection mode is connected to each of all half bridges. The control unit determines that a half bridge to which neither an on-board load in a high-side switch connection mode nor a low-side switch connection mode is connected is connected to an on-board load in a full-bridge connection mode, or an output terminal of the half bridge is not connected to an on-board load (load unconnected). When making this determination, the control unit may refer to a determination table stored in the storage unit. The control unit further determines, for each of the half bridges determined to be connected to an on-board load in a full-bridge connection mode or unconnected to a load, whether an on-board load in a full-bridge connection mode is connected to the two half bridges or unconnected to a load, depending on a combination (two half bridges predetermined as a combination) when used as a full bridge. In this way, by sequentially determining the presence or absence of a connection of an on-board load and the connection mode for each output terminal of each half bridge, the load type (connection mode, etc.) of the on-board load to be connected can be efficiently and automatically determined.

[0030] (11) An information processing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes acquiring load information about an on-board load, one end of which is connected between an upstream semiconductor switch and a downstream semiconductor switch that are connected in series to a computer having a half bridge having an upstream semiconductor switch and a downstream semiconductor switch, and performing opening and closing control of the upstream semiconductor switch and the downstream semiconductor switch in accordance with the acquired load information, thereby controlling the drive of the on-board load.

[0031] In this aspect, an information processing method can be provided that causes a computer to function as an on-board device that drives and controls an on-board load by opening and closing each of the upstream semiconductor switch and the downstream semiconductor switch in accordance with load information of the connected on-board load.

[0032] (12) A program according to one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer having a half bridge having an upstream semiconductor switch and a downstream semiconductor switch to which an on-board load is connected, the computer acquiring load information about the on-board load, one end of which is connected between the upstream semiconductor switch and the downstream semiconductor switch which are connected in series, and controlling the opening and closing of the upstream semiconductor switch and the downstream semiconductor switch in accordance with the acquired load information, thereby controlling the drive of the on-board load.

[0033] In this aspect, a program can be provided that causes a computer to function as an on-board device that drives and controls an on-board load by opening and closing each of the upstream semiconductor switch and the downstream semiconductor switch in accordance with load information of the connected on-board load.

[0034] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] The present disclosure will be specifically described based on the drawings showing the embodiments. An in-vehicle device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0035] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an in-vehicle system S including an in-vehicle device 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the in-vehicle device 1. The in-vehicle system S includes an in-vehicle device 1 mounted on a vehicle C, and an in-vehicle load 4 connected to the in-vehicle device 1 via a power line 51. The in-vehicle device 1 is communicably connected to a plurality of in-vehicle ECUs 2 via an in-vehicle network 3, and drives (starts power supply) or stops (cuts off power supply) the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the in-vehicle device 1 in response to messages transmitted from the in-vehicle ECUs 2 or output signals from various sensors, etc.

[0036] The vehicle C is equipped with a power supply device 5 configured with a lead battery, an alternator, a secondary battery, or the like. The power supply device 5 and the in-vehicle device 1 are connected by a power line 51. The power supply device 5 and the in-vehicle device 1 are not limited to being directly connected by the power line 51, and may be indirectly connected with an electric box (junction box) such as a relay box or a fuse box interposed between the power supply device 5 and the in-vehicle device 1.

[0037] The on-board device 1 and the multiple on-board loads 4 are connected by a power line 51, and the on-board device 1 distributes power to the multiple on-board loads 4. That is, the on-board device 1 functions as a power distribution device that distributes power supplied from the power supply device 5 via the power line 51 to the multiple on-board loads 4 arranged downstream in the current flow direction.

[0038] The on-vehicle load 4 is, for example, an actuator such as a car air conditioner, a lamp, or a drive motor. The on-vehicle load 4 has a different connection mode depending on the load type, and the connection mode includes, for example, a high-side switch connection mode, a low-side switch connection mode, or a full bridge 60 connection mode in which the load is connected to two half bridges 6. Although details will be described later, the on-vehicle device 1 includes a plurality of half bridges 6, and can handle any connection mode of the on-vehicle load 4 by connecting the on-vehicle load 4 to the output terminals 63 of the half bridges 6. The half bridges 6 of the on-vehicle load 4 function as a universal output circuit (UO) that can be connected universally regardless of the load type of the on-vehicle load 4. The on-vehicle device 1 acquires load information (connection mode) of the connected on-vehicle load 4, and determines the connection mode of the on-vehicle load 4 based on the acquired load information. The on-vehicle device 1 performs drive control of the on-vehicle load 4 according to the determined connection mode, thereby functioning as a power supply control device that controls start or stop of the on-vehicle load 4, etc.

[0039] The in-vehicle device 1 may function as a power supply control device that controls the driving or stopping of the in-vehicle load 4, and may be a device having a relay function such as a CAN gateway. Alternatively, the in-vehicle device 1 may be an integrated ECU (vehicle computer) that controls the entire vehicle C in an integrated manner and has a relay function. Alternatively, the in-vehicle device 1 may be an individual ECU that is connected under the control of the integrated ECU and disposed in each area of ​​the vehicle C. Alternatively, the in-vehicle device 1 may be configured as a body ECU that controls body actuators of the vehicle C. Alternatively, the in-vehicle device 1 may be a PLB (Power Lan Box) that functions as a power distribution device that distributes and relays power output from a power supply device 5 such as a secondary battery and supplies power to in-vehicle devices such as actuators, in addition to relaying communication.

[0040] The in-vehicle device 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, and an input / output I / F 14, which may be configured as a package by, for example, a microcomputer 10. Furthermore, the in-vehicle device 1 includes a plurality of half bridges 6, and an upstream semiconductor switch 61 and a downstream semiconductor switch 62 included in each half bridge 6 are connected to the input / output I / F 14 (microcomputer 10) by a signal line 140.

[0041] The control unit 11 is configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) and performs various control processes and calculation processes by reading and executing a control program P (program product) and data pre-stored in the storage unit 12. The control unit 11 outputs control signals such as duty through the input / output I / F 14 and a signal line 140 to control the opening and closing of the upstream semiconductor switch 61 and the downstream semiconductor switch 62 included in each half bridge 6.

[0042] The storage unit 12 is configured by a volatile memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), or a non-volatile memory element such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), or a flash memory, or a combination of these storage devices, and stores a control program P (program product) and data to be referenced during processing in advance. The control program P (program product) stored in the storage unit 12 may be a control program P (program product) read from a recording medium M readable by the in-vehicle device 1. Alternatively, the control program P (program product) may be downloaded from an external computer (not shown) connected to a communication network (not shown) and stored in the storage unit 12.

[0043] The communication unit 13 is an input / output interface using a communication protocol such as CAN, CAN-FD, or Ethernet (registered trademark), and the control unit 11 communicates with the in-vehicle ECU 2 connected to the in-vehicle network 3 via the communication unit 13. The in-vehicle device 1 may be provided with a plurality of communication units 13.

[0044] The input / output I / F 14 is, for example, a communication interface for serial communication. The input / output I / F 14 includes a plurality of terminals (signal terminals), and each of the terminals is connected to a signal line 140 extending to a gate terminal of an upstream semiconductor switch 61 and a downstream semiconductor switch 62 included in each half bridge 6. The signal line 140 is, for example, a serial cable, a wire harness, or a conductive cable (direct wire) that transmits only one signal.

[0045] Each of the multiple half bridges 6 is connected (connected in parallel) in parallel to the power supply device 5 by wiring (conductors such as lands provided on a circuit board) within the in-vehicle device 1. Each half bridge 6 includes an upstream semiconductor switch 61 and a downstream semiconductor switch 62 connected in series.

[0046] The upstream semiconductor switch 61 (upstream IPD) is configured, for example, by an IPD (Intelligent Power Device) including an NchFET (Field effect transistor). The downstream semiconductor switch 62 (downstream FET) is configured, for example, by an NchFET. Each of the individual half bridges 6 includes an output terminal 63 connected between the upstream semiconductor switch 61 and the downstream semiconductor switch 62 that configure the half bridge 6. That is, the output terminal 63 is branched off from a wiring that connects the upstream semiconductor switch 61 and the downstream semiconductor switch 62, and is connected to the branch point.

[0047] One end of the upstream semiconductor switch 61 is connected to the power supply device 5. The other end of the upstream semiconductor switch 61 is connected to one end of the downstream semiconductor switch 62. The other end of the downstream semiconductor switch 62 is connected to a common ground (GND) constituted by, for example, the body of the vehicle C.

[0048] The in-vehicle load 4 (high side load) in the low side switch connection mode has one end connected to the power supply device 5 and the other end connected to the output terminal 63 of the half bridge 6. The in-vehicle load 4 (low side load) in the high side switch connection mode has one end connected to the output terminal 63 of the half bridge 6 and the other end connected to a common ground (GND). The in-vehicle load 4 (full bridge 60 load) in the full bridge 60 connection mode has one end and the other end connected to the output terminal 63 of each of the two half bridges 6 that constitute the full bridge 60.

[0049] 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection mode between the in-vehicle device 1 and the in-vehicle load 4. The half bridge 6 (universal output circuit: UO) includes an upstream semiconductor switch 61 (upstream IPD) and a downstream semiconductor switch 62 (downstream FET), and each of these switches is connected to a microcomputer 10 including a control unit 11 and the like by a signal line 140. The upstream semiconductor switch 61 and the downstream semiconductor switch 62, which are connected in series, are both arranged with their drains facing the power supply device 5 side.

[0050] In the illustration of this embodiment, the type of the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the output terminal 63 is not limited, but when the in-vehicle load 4 is a low-side load, the downstream semiconductor switch 62 (downstream FET) is fixed off, and the upstream semiconductor switch 61 (upstream IPD) is controlled to open and close, thereby driving and controlling the in-vehicle load 4. When the in-vehicle load 4 is a high-side load, the upstream semiconductor switch 61 (upstream IPD) is fixed off, and the downstream semiconductor switch 62 (downstream FET) is controlled to open and close, thereby driving and controlling the in-vehicle load 4. The microcomputer 10 (control unit 11) may set the cut-off characteristics of the upstream semiconductor switch 61 or downstream semiconductor switch 62 to be opened and closed according to the load type (load current information) of the in-vehicle load 4, and cause the upstream semiconductor switch 61 or downstream semiconductor switch 62 to function as a semiconductor fuse.

[0051] 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a switch control table. In a storage area accessible by the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1, such as the storage unit 12 of the in-vehicle device 1, information on the opening and closing control of the upstream semiconductor switch 61 (upstream IPD) and the downstream semiconductor switch 62 (downstream FET) according to the load type (connection mode) of the in-vehicle load 4 is stored, for example, in a table format (switch control table). The switch control table includes, as management items (fields), status, timing, upstream IPD, downstream FET, upstream IPD1, upstream IPD2, downstream FET1, and downstream FET2.

[0052] The status management item stores the usage mode of the half bridge 6 (when used as a high side SW, when used as a low side SW, or when used as a full bridge 60). The timing management item stores an item indicating whether the in-vehicle load 4 is driven (ON) or stopped (OFF).

[0053] The management items of the upstream IPD store items indicating the opening and closing control of the upstream semiconductor switch 61 (upstream IPD) when used as the half bridge 6. The management items of the downstream FET store items indicating the opening and closing control of the downstream semiconductor switch 62 (downstream FET) when used as the half bridge 6.

[0054] The management items of the upstream IPD1 store items indicating the opening and closing control of the upstream semiconductor switch 61 (upstream IPD) of one half bridge 6 when two half bridges 6 are used as a full bridge 60. The management items of the upstream IPD2 store items indicating the opening and closing control of the upstream semiconductor switch 61 (upstream IPD) of the other half bridge 6 when two half bridges 6 are used as a full bridge 60. The management items of the downstream FET1 store items indicating the opening and closing control of the downstream semiconductor switch 62 (downstream FET) of one half bridge 6 when two half bridges 6 are used as a full bridge 60. The management items of the downstream FET2 store items indicating the opening and closing control of the downstream semiconductor switch 62 (downstream FET) of the other half bridge 6 when two half bridges 6 are used as a full bridge 60.

[0055] When the half bridge 6 is used as a high-side SW, i.e., when the in-vehicle load 4 is in a high-side switch connection mode (low-side load), the downstream semiconductor switch 62 (downstream FET) is fixed to OFF (open) at all times. In addition, when the in-vehicle load 4 is driven (load ON), the upstream semiconductor switch 61 (upstream IPD) is turned from OFF to ON (Off→On). When the in-vehicle load 4 is stopped (load OFF), the upstream semiconductor switch 61 (upstream IPD) is turned from ON to OFF (On→Off).

[0056] When the half bridge 6 is used as a low-side SW, i.e., when the in-vehicle load 4 is in a low-side switch connection mode (high-side load), the upstream semiconductor switch 61 (upstream IPD) is always fixed to OFF (open). In addition, when the in-vehicle load 4 is driven (load ON), the downstream semiconductor switch 62 (downstream FET) is turned from OFF to ON (Off→On). When the in-vehicle load 4 is stopped (load OFF), the downstream semiconductor switch 62 (downstream FET) is turned from ON to OFF (On→Off).

[0057] When two half bridges 6 (one half bridge 6 and the other half bridge 6) are used as a full bridge 60, i.e., when the vehicle load 4 is in a full bridge 60 connection mode (full bridge 60 load), in the initial state, the upstream semiconductor switches 61 (upstream IPD1 and upstream IPD2) of one and the other half bridges 6 are turned off, and the downstream semiconductor switches 62 (downstream FET1 and downstream FET2) of one and the other half bridges 6 are turned on.

[0058] When the vehicle-mounted load 4 connected to the full bridge 60 is driven in the forward direction (forward load ON), the upstream semiconductor switch 61 (upstream IPD1) of one of the half bridges 6 is closed (OFF → ON), the upstream semiconductor switch 61 (upstream IPD2) of the other half bridge 6 is opened (OFF), the downstream semiconductor switch 62 (downstream FET1) of one of the half bridges 6 is opened (ON → OFF), and the downstream semiconductor switch 62 (downstream FET2) of the other half bridge 6 is closed (ON).

[0059] When the vehicle load 4 connected to the full bridge 60 is stopped from rotating in the forward direction (forward load OFF), the upstream semiconductor switch 61 (upstream IPD1) of one of the half bridges 6 is opened (ON → OFF), the upstream semiconductor switch 61 (upstream IPD2) of the other half bridge 6 is opened (OFF), the downstream semiconductor switch 62 (downstream FET1) of one of the half bridges 6 is closed (OFF → ON), and the downstream semiconductor switch 62 (downstream FET2) of the other half bridge 6 is closed (ON).

[0060] When the vehicle-mounted load 4 connected to the full bridge 60 is driven in reverse (reverse load ON), the upstream semiconductor switch 61 (upstream IPD1) of one half bridge 6 is opened (OFF), the upstream semiconductor switch 61 (upstream IPD2) of the other half bridge 6 is closed (OFF → ON), the downstream semiconductor switch 62 (downstream FET1) of one half bridge 6 is closed (ON), and the downstream semiconductor switch 62 (downstream FET2) of the other half bridge 6 is opened (ON → OFF).

[0061] When the vehicle load 4 connected to the full bridge 60 is stopped from rotating in reverse (reverse load OFF), the upstream semiconductor switch 61 (upstream IPD1) of one of the half bridges 6 is opened (OFF), the upstream semiconductor switch 61 (upstream IPD2) of the other half bridge 6 is opened (ON → OFF), the downstream semiconductor switch 62 (downstream FET1) of one of the half bridges 6 is closed (ON), and the downstream semiconductor switch 62 (downstream FET2) of the other half bridge 6 is closed (OFF → ON).

[0062] 5 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1. When the in-vehicle load 4 is connected to the in-vehicle device 1, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 performs the following processing in response to an operation signal input from, for example, the input / output I / F 14 or the like.

[0063] The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 acquires load information on the connected in-vehicle load 4 (S101). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 acquires the load information of the connected in-vehicle load 4 by referring to the load information (product specifications, etc.) of the in-vehicle load 4 written in the storage unit 12, for example, during the production stage (production process) of the vehicle C. Alternatively, when the in-vehicle load 4 is added after the production and shipment of the vehicle C, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 may acquire information such as product specifications of the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the in-vehicle device 1 as the load information, for example, from a diagnostic device or the like communicably connected to the in-vehicle device 1.

[0064] The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 determines the connection mode of the in-vehicle load 4 based on the acquired load information (S102). The load information includes the connection mode of the connected in-vehicle load 4, and the acquired load information indicates whether the load type of the in-vehicle load 4 is any one of the high-side switch connection mode, the low-side switch connection mode, or the full bridge 60 connection mode connected to two half bridges 6 (connection mode). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 stores the connection mode of the in-vehicle load 4 determined based on the acquired load information in the storage unit 12 in association with the device number (unit No.) of the half bridge 6 or full bridge 60 of the output terminal 63 to which the in-vehicle load 4 is connected.

[0065] The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 sets the interruption characteristics according to the in-vehicle load 4 based on the acquired load information (S103). The load information includes interruption characteristics (overcurrent value and elapsed time until interruption) of the load current and the like for protecting the connected in-vehicle load 4 from an overcurrent. The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 sets the interruption characteristics when functioning as a semiconductor fuse by changing the semiconductor fuse parameters (wire resistance, thermal time constant) of the upstream semiconductor switch 61 or downstream semiconductor switch 62 of the half bridge 6 or full bridge 60 to which the in-vehicle load 4 is connected, according to the load current and the like included in the load information.

[0066] The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 judges whether the process has been performed for all the connected in-vehicle loads 4 (S104). The storage unit 12 stores unit numbers assigned to all the half bridges 6 according to the number of the half bridges 6 included in the in-vehicle device 1. For example, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 sequentially performs the above process for the in-vehicle loads 4 connected to the output terminals 63 of the half bridges 6 (in the case of a full bridge 60, the output terminals 63 of the two half bridges 6) for the half bridges 6 with the smallest unit numbers. The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 may determine that the process has been performed for all the in-vehicle loads 4 when the unit number of the half bridge 6 of the output terminal 63 connected to the currently processed in-vehicle load 4 is the maximum value, and may determine that the process has not been performed for all the in-vehicle loads 4 when the unit number is not the maximum value. When the process has not been performed for all the connected in-vehicle loads 4 (S104: NO), the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 performs loop processing to perform the process from S101 again.

[0067] When the process is performed for all the connected vehicle loads 4 (S104: YES), The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 starts drive control for each of the connected in-vehicle loads 4 (S105). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 controls the opening and closing of the upstream semiconductor switch 61 and the downstream semiconductor switch 62 of the half bridge 6 or the full bridge 60 by, for example, referring to a switch control table stored in the storage unit 12 in accordance with the connection mode determined for each of the connected in-vehicle loads 4, and starts drive control for each of the in-vehicle loads 4.

[0068] (Embodiment 2) 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection between an in-vehicle device 1 and an in-vehicle load 4 according to a second embodiment (a butt-joint structure of downstream semiconductor switches 62). In this embodiment, the half bridge 6 includes one upstream semiconductor switch 61 and two downstream semiconductor switches 62, and the upstream semiconductor switch 61 and the two downstream semiconductor switches 62 are connected in series. Both of the two downstream semiconductor switches 62 are configured with NchFETs. The two downstream semiconductor switches 62 are connected in series, for example, with their source terminals facing each other. A single signal line 140 extending from the microcomputer 10 is connected to each of the gate terminals of the two downstream semiconductor switches 62, and the signal line 140 branched into two is connected to each of the gate terminals of the two downstream semiconductor switches 62.

[0069] In this way, by connecting the same terminals (source terminals) of the downstream semiconductor switches 62 together to form the half bridge 6, for example, when the power supply device 5 is installed in reverse to the half bridge 6, the two downstream semiconductor switches 62 connected together can prevent a through current from flowing. Also, even if the potential of the ground to which the downstream semiconductor switch 62 of the half bridge 6 is connected rises (ground floating occurs), it is possible to prevent a current from flowing to the in-vehicle load 4 (low-side load) connected to the half bridge 6.

[0070] (Embodiment 3) 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection between an in-vehicle device 1 according to a third embodiment (Pch semiconductor switch on the upstream side) and an in-vehicle load 4. In this embodiment, a half bridge 6 includes two upstream semiconductor switches 61 and two downstream semiconductor switches 62, and these two upstream semiconductor switches 61 and two downstream semiconductor switches 62 are connected in series. The configuration of the two downstream semiconductor switches 62 is the same as that of the second embodiment.

[0071] Of the two upstream semiconductor switches 61 connected in series, the upstream semiconductor switch 61 on the upstream side is configured with a PchFET (Pch upstream semiconductor switch 611). Of the two upstream semiconductor switches 61 connected in series, the downstream upstream semiconductor switch 61 is configured with an IPD as in the first embodiment.

[0072] A single signal line 140 extending from the microcomputer 10 and two branched signal lines 140 are connected to the gate terminals of the two upstream semiconductor switches 61, respectively. A logical NOT operator is placed on the signal line 140 (branched signal line 140) connected to the Pch upstream semiconductor switch 611, and the value of the control signal output from the microcomputer 10 is inverted. As a result, the microcomputer 10 outputs the same control signal to the upstream semiconductor switch 61 (Nch) and the Pch upstream semiconductor switch 611, and the opening and closing control of these upstream semiconductor switch 61 (Nch) and Pch upstream semiconductor switch 611 is synchronized. By connecting the Pch upstream semiconductor switch 611 (PchFET) and the upstream semiconductor switch 61 (IPD) in series to form a two-unit configuration in this way, it is possible to prevent current from flowing to the in-vehicle load 4 even if the power supply device 5 is installed in reverse.

[0073] (Embodiment 4) 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection between an in-vehicle device 1 and an in-vehicle load 4 according to a fourth embodiment (discrimination terminal 7). In this embodiment, the in-vehicle device 1 includes a discrimination terminal 7, and the discrimination terminal 7 and the output terminal 63 of the half bridge 6 are arranged as a pair. The in-vehicle device 1 and the in-vehicle load 4 are electrically connected by the output terminal 63 of the half bridge 6 and the discrimination terminal 7.

[0074] The discrimination terminal 7 is connected to a discrimination power supply 71 (Vcc) such as a low dropout regulator (LOD) provided in a microcomputer 10 including a control unit 11. An electric element such as a resistor that is conductive to the discrimination terminal 7 is disposed between the discrimination power supply 71 and the discrimination terminal 7.

[0075] The vehicle-mounted load 4 is provided with an electric element (discrimination resistor 41) such as a resistor that is conductive to the discrimination terminal 7. The microcomputer 10 (controller 11) applies a voltage from the discrimination power supply 71 (Vcc) to the vehicle-mounted load 4 connected to the discrimination terminal 7, and obtains a voltage value according to a voltage division ratio by the discrimination resistor 41 provided in the vehicle-mounted load 4. Load information of the vehicle-mounted load 4, i.e., connection mode information and load current information, is defined in advance according to the resistance value of the discrimination resistor 41 of the vehicle-mounted load 4, and the definition (correspondence between the resistance value and the load information) is stored in advance in the storage unit 12 of the vehicle-mounted device 1. The vehicle-mounted device 1 derives load information on the vehicle-mounted load 4 based on an output value (voltage value) output via the discrimination terminal 7 to which the discrimination resistor 41 of the vehicle-mounted load 4 is connected. This makes it possible to efficiently obtain load information indicating the type or specification of the vehicle-mounted load 4 for each of the vehicle-mounted loads 4 that are in various connection modes.

[0076] 9 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1. The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 acquires an output value outputted through the discrimination terminal 7 to which the in-vehicle load 4 is connected (S201). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 acquires the output value outputted through the discrimination terminal 7 to which the in-vehicle load 4 is connected as load information of the in-vehicle load 4. The output value outputted through the discrimination terminal 7 is, for example, a current value flowing through the discrimination terminal 7. Alternatively, the output value outputted through the discrimination terminal 7 may be a voltage value at the discrimination terminal 7.

[0077] The vehicle-mounted load 4 includes a discrimination resistor 41 defined according to the load type of the vehicle-mounted load 4. The output value (current value or voltage value) output through the discrimination terminal 7 varies according to the discrimination resistor 41. Definition information in which the load type of the vehicle-mounted load 4 is defined in advance according to the output value (current value or voltage value) is stored in the storage unit 12. The control unit 11 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 acquires (derives) the load information of the vehicle-mounted load 4 connected to the discrimination terminal 7 by referring to the definition information stored in the storage unit 12 based on the acquired (detected) output value such as the current value or voltage value. The load information includes the connection state of the vehicle-mounted load 4 and the interruption characteristics when the protection function is exercised. Therefore, the control unit 11 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 can grasp the connection state and interruption characteristics of the vehicle-mounted load 4 based on the acquired load information.

[0078] The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 determines the connection state of the in-vehicle load 4 based on the acquired load information (S202). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 sets interruption characteristics according to the in-vehicle load 4 based on the acquired load information (S203). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 determines whether or not the determination process has been performed for all half bridges 6 (S204). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 starts drive control for each connected in-vehicle load 4 (S205). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 performs the processes from S202 to S205 similar to the processes from S102 to S105 of the first embodiment.

[0079] (Embodiment 5) Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection between the in-vehicle device 1 and the in-vehicle load 4 according to the fifth embodiment (automatic discrimination by the discrimination circuit 8). Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection between the in-vehicle device 1 and the in-vehicle load 4 (full bridge 60). The in-vehicle device 1 in this embodiment includes discrimination circuits 8 connected to the individual full bridges 60.

[0080] The determination circuit 8 is connected to a determination power supply 71 (Vcc) such as an LOD (low dropout regulator) provided in a microcomputer 10 including a control unit 11, and includes a pull-up switch SW such as a relay connected to the determination power supply 71 (Vcc), a first resistor R1, a second resistor R2, and a third resistor R3. In the direction of current flow from the determination power supply 71 (Vcc), the pull-up switch SW is located at the most upstream, and the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 are connected in series in this order. The second resistor R2 is connected to ground.

[0081] The third resistor R3 is disposed on a wiring that connects a branch point located between the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 and the output terminal 63, and the third resistor R3 and the second resistor R2 are connected in parallel between the branch point and the ground. From the branch point located between the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2, a wiring is extended to a voltage detection unit 81 included in the microcomputer 10, for example, and the microcomputer 10 (voltage detection unit 81) acquires a voltage value at the branch point. The voltage detection unit 81 is composed of a voltage sensor including, for example, a shunt resistor and an AD conversion circuit.

[0082] The microcomputer 10 (input / output I / F 14) and the pull-up switch SW are connected by a signal line 140, and the pull-up switch SW is controlled to open and close (ON / OFF) in response to a control signal output from the microcomputer 10 (controller 11). When the microcomputer 10 (controller 11) discriminates the load type (connection mode) of the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the output terminal 63 of each half bridge 6 (automatic discrimination of the load type), the microcomputer 10 (controller 11) opens or closes (ON or OFF) the pull-up switch SW, and acquires the voltage value (Vad) of the branch point located between the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 at that time. The voltage value (Vad) of the branch point is determined based on the voltage division ratio of the first resistor R1, the second resistor R2, and the third resistor R3 included in the discrimination circuit 8, and the resistance component (RL) of the in-vehicle load 4, depending on the open / closed state of the pull-up switch SW.

[0083] The pull-up switch SW included in each discrimination circuit 8 may be assigned a device number (switch number: SWx) according to the unit number (UOx) of the full bridge 60 connected to the discrimination circuit 8. In other words, the unit number (UOx) and the switch number (SWx) may be set so that the unit number (UOx) of the full bridge 60 and the switch number (SWx) of the pull-up switch SW of the discrimination circuit 8 connected to the full bridge 60 have the same value (x).

[0084] Although details will be described later, when the in-vehicle load 4 is a full-bridge 60 load, the in-vehicle load 4 is connected to the output terminals 63 of the two half-bridges 6 (UO1, UO2) that constitute the full-bridge 60. At this time, the microcomputer 10 (controller 11) opens and closes the pull-up switches SW (SW1, Sw2) of the determination circuit 8 that are connected to the two half-bridges 6 (UO1, UO2), respectively. The determination in the full-bridge 60 will be described later with reference to a flowchart.

[0085] 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a combination table. In a storage area accessible by the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1, such as the storage unit 12 of the in-vehicle device 1, device numbers (unit numbers) that uniquely indicate all half bridges 6 (universal output circuits: UO) of the in-vehicle device 1 are stored, for example, in a table format (combination table). The combination table includes unit numbers and combination numbers as management items (fields).

[0086] The unit number management item stores unit numbers that uniquely indicate all half bridges 6 included in the in-vehicle device 1. The unit numbers are indicated as UOx, for example, where x is a consecutive number assigned starting from 1. Therefore, the maximum value of x (10 in this example) indicates the number of half bridges 6 included in the in-vehicle device 1.

[0087] The management item of the combination number stores a device number (combination number) that uniquely indicates a full bridge 60 formed by two half bridges 6. In this manner, the combination of two half bridges 6 when used as a full bridge 60 is defined in advance, and in this embodiment, the full bridge 60 is formed by two consecutive half bridges 6 with unit numbers of odd numbers (x=2n-1: n is an integer equal to or greater than 1) and even numbers (x=2n).

[0088] 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the discrimination table. In a storage area accessible by the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1, such as the storage unit 12 of the in-vehicle device 1, when the load type (connection mode) of the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the output terminal 63 is automatically discriminated using the discrimination circuit 8, information on each voltage value detected by the discrimination circuit 8 is stored, for example, in a table format (discrimination table). The discrimination table includes, as management items (fields), the situation, Vad when SWx is off in discrimination corresponding to the half bridge 6, Vad when SWx is on in discrimination corresponding to the half bridge 6, and Vad when the downstream FET of UO(x+1) is on in discrimination corresponding to the full bridge 60.

[0089] The status management items store items related to the connection status indicating the load type (connection mode) of the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the output terminal 63, or a short circuit (ground fault, short to supply) between the output terminal 63 and the power supply device 5 or ground. The items related to the connection status include, for example, a high side load, a low side load, a full bridge 60 load, a no-load connection, a load ground fault, and a load short to supply.

[0090] The management item of SWx off-time Vad (determination corresponding to half bridge 6) stores the voltage value (Vad) between the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 of the determination circuit 8 when the pull-up switch SW (SWx) of the determination circuit 8 connected to the full bridge 60 (UOx) including the output terminal 63 to which the vehicle load 4 to be determined is connected is off. The management item of SWx on-time Vad (determination corresponding to half bridge 6) stores the voltage value (Vad) between the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 of the determination circuit 8 when the pull-up switch SW (SWx) of the determination circuit 8 connected to the full bridge 60 (UOx) including the output terminal 63 to which the vehicle load 4 to be determined is connected is on.

[0091] The management item of Vad when the downstream FET of UO(x+1) is on (determination corresponding to full bridge 60) stores the voltage value (Vad) between the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 of the determination circuit 8 of one half bridge 6 (UOx) when the downstream semiconductor switch 62 of the other half bridge 6 (UO(x1)) is on in each half bridge 6 (UOx, UO(x1)) of the two output terminals 63 to which the vehicle load 4 to be determined is presumed to be connected.

[0092] These conditions (load type of the in-vehicle load 4, etc.) and the voltage values ​​(Vad) corresponding to the open / closed states of the pull-up switch SW, etc. will be described in the process of the flowchart described later. The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 compares the voltage value detected by the discrimination circuit 8 (the voltage value (Vad) between the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2) with the voltage values ​​defined in the discrimination table, and determines whether the voltage values ​​are substantially the same (whether they are substantially the same value), thereby deriving the load type (connection mode) of the in-vehicle load 4.

[0093] Fig. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1. Fig. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 (determining compatibility with the half bridge 6). Fig. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 (determining compatibility with the full bridge 60). When an in-vehicle load 4 is connected to the in-vehicle device 1, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 performs the following processing in response to an operation signal input from, for example, the input / output I / F 14.

[0094] The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 executes a determination as to whether the output terminals 63 of all the half bridges 6 are compatible with the half bridges 6 (T1). When executing the determination as to whether the output terminals 63 are compatible with the half bridges 6, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 executes the following series of processes. When executing the determination as to whether the output terminals 63 are compatible with the half bridges 6, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 opens (off) both the upstream semiconductor switch 61 and the downstream semiconductor switch 62 of the half bridge 6 to be determined.

[0095] The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 increments (x=x+1) the unit number of the half bridge 6 to be judged (T101). When the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 starts a series of processes in this flowchart, the variable (x) indicating the unit number is set to 0 (initial value=0). The unit numbers of the half bridges 6 provided in the in-vehicle device 1 are defined as consecutive numbers (UOx: x=1 to 10), such as UO1 to UO10, as defined in a combination table, for example. The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 increments (increments) the initial value (0) by 1, thereby performing the following processes in sequence starting from the half bridge 6 (UO1) with the smallest unit number.

[0096] The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 determines the unit number of the half bridge 6 to be judged (judgement target=UOx) (T102). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 determines the unit number of the half bridge 6 to be judged in this process, and stores it in the storage unit 12. The pull-up switch SW (SWx) of the determination circuit 8 connected to the half bridge 6 to be judged (UOx) is in the open (off) state (SWx=OFF).

[0097] The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 checks (Vad checks) the voltage (Vad) at the branch point located between the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 (T103). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 checks (acquires) the voltage (Vad) at the branch point located between the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 provided in the determination circuit 8, for example, via the voltage detection unit 81, and stores it in the storage unit 12.

[0098] When the voltage (Vad) at the branch point is the high-side load voltage, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 determines (discriminates) that the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the output terminal 63 of the half bridge 6 to be determined is a high-side load (UOx=high-side load: low-side switch connection mode) (T104). The value of the high-side load voltage (voltage value) corresponds to a value (+B*R2 / (RL+R3+R2)) obtained by multiplying the voltage (+B) applied to the in-vehicle load 4 from the power supply device 5 by the resistance value of the second resistor R2 and dividing the result by the sum of the resistance value (RL) of the in-vehicle load 4, the resistance values ​​of the second resistor R2, and the third resistor R3. Note that +B is the output voltage of the power supply device 5 which is the driving power source for the in-vehicle load 4. R1 [Ω] is the resistance value of the first resistor R1. R2 [Ω] is the resistance value of the second resistor R2. R3 [Ω] is the resistance value of the third resistor R3. RL [Ω] is the resistance value of the vehicle load 4.

[0099] The case where the branch point voltage (Vad) is the high side load voltage is not limited to the case where the value of the branch point voltage and the value of the high side load voltage are completely the same, but may be within a range that takes into account an allowable error and the like in terms of the accuracy of the control in this embodiment. In other words, if the value of the branch point voltage falls within a range of, for example, ±10% of the value of the high side load voltage, the branch point voltage (Vad) may be determined (discriminated) to be the high side load voltage. These criteria for determining (discriminating) whether the voltage values ​​are the same are applied not only to the high side load voltage but also to other determination (discrimination) processes described later.

[0100] The values ​​(voltage values) of the high side load voltage and the like are stored in a table format (discrimination table) in the storage unit 12. The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 can acquire each of the values ​​(voltage values) used for automatic discrimination, such as the high side load voltage, by referring to the discrimination table.

[0101] If the voltage (Vad) at the branch point is the load-to-power short voltage, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 judges (discriminates) that the output terminal 63 of the half bridge 6 being judged is a power short (UOx=load-to-power short) (T105). The value (voltage value) of the load-to-power short voltage corresponds to a value (+B*R2 / (R3+R2)) obtained by multiplying the voltage (+B) applied to the in-vehicle load 4 from the power supply device 5 by the resistance value of the second resistor R2 and dividing the result by the sum of the resistance values ​​of the second resistor R2 and the third resistor R3. The resistance values ​​and the like are as described above. The division ( / ) used in the formula may be a round-down division ( / / ).

[0102] When the voltage (Vad) at the branch point is 0 [V], the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 closes (SWx=ON) the pull-up switch SW (SWx) of the discrimination circuit 8 connected to the half bridge 6 (UOx) to be judged (T106). By closing (SWx=ON) the pull-up switch SW (SWx) of the discrimination circuit 8, a current corresponding to the output voltage (Vcc) flows from the discrimination power supply 71 (Vcc) to the discrimination circuit 8.

[0103] The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 checks (checks Vad) the voltage (Vad) at the branch point located between the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 (T107). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 performs the process of T107 in the same manner as the process of T103.

[0104] When the voltage (Vad) at the branch point is the low-side load voltage, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 determines (discriminates) that the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the output terminal 63 of the half bridge 6 to be determined is a low-side load (UOx=low-side load: high-side switch connection mode) (T108). The value of the low-side load voltage (voltage value) corresponds to the value calculated by the formula (Vcc*(R2 / (R3+RL)) / (R1+(R2 / (R3+RL)))). Note that Vcc is the output voltage of the determination power supply 71. The resistance values ​​and the like are as described above. Note that the division ( / ) used in the formula may be round-down division ( / / ).

[0105] If the voltage (Vad) at the branch point is a load earth fault voltage, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 determines (discriminates) that the output terminal 63 of the half bridge 6 being determined has a ground fault (UOx = load earth fault) (T109). The value of the load earth fault voltage (voltage value) corresponds to the value calculated by the formula (Vcc * (R2 / R3) / (R1 + (R2 / R3))). The resistance values, etc. are as described above. The division ( / ) used in the formula may be round-down division ( / / ).

[0106] When the voltage (Vad) at the branch point is an undetermined voltage, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 determines (discriminates) that the in-vehicle load 4 in the high-side switch connection mode or the low-side switch connection mode is not connected to the output terminal 63 of the half bridge 6 to be determined, and that the output terminal 63 is undetermined (UOx=undetermined) (T110). The value of the undetermined voltage (voltage value) corresponds to the value calculated by the formula (Vcc*R2 / (R1+R2)). The resistance values ​​and the like are as described above. The division ( / ) used in the formula may be round-down division ( / / ).

[0107] After executing the process T104, T105, T108, T109, or T110, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 opens (SWx=OFF) the pull-up switch SW (SWx) of the discrimination circuit 8 connected to the half bridge 6 (UOx) to be judged (T111). By opening (SWx=OFF) the pull-up switch SW (SWx) of the discrimination circuit 8, the current flowing from the discrimination power supply 71 (Vcc) to the first resistor R1 and the like is cut off.

[0108] The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 judges whether or not the judgment process has been performed (x=MAX) for all the half bridges 6 (T112). The unit numbers of the half bridges 6 (universal output circuits: UO) are set (assigned) as consecutive numbers (UO1 to UO10) such as 1 to 10, and are managed in a combination table stored in the storage unit 12. Each time the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 executes the judgment process for each half bridge 6, it increments the unit number of the half bridge 6 to be judged by one (increment process), and judges whether or not the unit number (x) for which the judgment process has been executed this time is the maximum value (MAX) of the unit number.

[0109] If the unit No. (x) for which the judgment process has been executed this time is the maximum value (MAX) (x=MAX), the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 judges that the judgment process has been executed for all half bridges 6. If the unit No. (x) for which the judgment process has been executed this time is not the maximum value (MAX) (x≠MAX), the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 judges that the judgment process has not been executed for all half bridges 6. If the judgment process has not been executed for all half bridges 6 (T112: NO), the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 performs loop processing to execute the process from T101 again.

[0110] When the determination process has been executed for all the half bridges 6 (T112: YES), the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 determines whether there is any half bridge 6 (output terminal 63) whose connection mode has not been determined (T2). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 determines, using the determination circuit 8, the result of the process T1, that is, for each of the output terminals 63 of all the half bridges 6, whether the connection mode of the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the output terminal 63 is the high-side switch connection mode or the low-side switch connection mode. The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 stores the determination result in the storage unit 12 in association with the unit number of the half bridge 6 of the target output terminal 63.

[0111] If it is determined that the connection mode is neither the high-side switch connection mode nor the low-side switch connection mode, it is assumed that the target output terminal 63 is connected to the in-vehicle load 4 in the full-bridge 60 connection mode, or the in-vehicle load 4 is not connected (no load is connected). In this case, the output terminal 63 (unit number of the half bridge 6) is stored in the storage unit 12 as an output terminal whose connection mode is undetermined. The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 determines whether or not there is an output terminal 63 (unit number of the half bridge 6) whose connection mode is undetermined, by referring to the determination results for each output terminal 63 (unit number of the half bridge 6) stored in the storage unit 12.

[0112] If there is no output terminal 63 whose connection mode is undetermined (T2: NO), the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 ends the process in this flowchart. If there is no output terminal 63 whose connection mode is undetermined (unit No. of half bridge 6), the in-vehicle load 4 (in-vehicle load 4 corresponding to half bridge 6) in the high-side switch connection mode or the low-side switch connection mode is connected to the output terminal 63 of all half bridges 6 (other than the half bridge 6 determined to be short-to-ground or short-to-power). Therefore, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 ends the automatic determination process of the in-vehicle load 4 according to this flowchart, and starts drive control of the in-vehicle load 4 based on the switch control table in the same manner as in the first embodiment, according to the connection mode of the in-vehicle load 4 according to the determination result.

[0113] If there is an output terminal 63 for which the connection mode has not been determined (T2: YES), the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 executes a determination as to whether the output terminal 63 for which the connection mode has not been determined is compatible with the full-bridge 60 (T3). When executing the determination as to whether the output terminal 63 is compatible with the full-bridge 60, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 executes the following series of processes.

[0114] The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 initializes (x=0) the unit number of the half bridge 6 to be judged (T301). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 initializes the value of a variable (x) indicating the unit number to 0 (x=0).

[0115] The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 increments the unit number of the half bridge 6 to be judged (x=x+1) (T302). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 determines the unit number of the half bridge 6 to be judged (judgment target=UOx) (T303). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 performs the processes from T302 to T303 in the same manner as the processes from T101 to T102.

[0116] The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 determines whether the half bridge 6 (UOx) to be determined is undetermined (UOx=undetermined) (T304). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 determines whether the half bridge 6 (UOx) to be determined is undetermined by referring to the result of the process T1 stored in the storage unit 12. If the half bridge 6 (UOx) to be determined is not undetermined (T304: NO), the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 performs loop processing to execute the process from T302 again.

[0117] If the half bridge 6 (UOx) to be determined is undetermined (T304: YES), the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 determines whether the unit No. (UOx) of the half bridge 6 to be determined is an odd number (x=odd number) (T305).

[0118] If the unit number of the half bridge 6 to be judged is not odd (T305: NO), that is, if the unit number of the half bridge 6 to be judged is even, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 judges that the in-vehicle load 4 is not connected to the output terminal 63 of the half bridge 6 to be judged (UOx=unconnected) (T308). When two half bridges 6 are used as a full bridge 60, the storage unit 12 of the in-vehicle device 1 stores combinations (pairs) of the two half bridges 6 in, for example, a table format (combination table). At this time, the two half bridges 6 constituting the full bridge 60 are consecutively numbered, with an odd unit number (2n-1) and an even unit number (2n) (n is a natural number equal to or greater than 1). Therefore, if the unit number of the half bridge 6 being judged is an even number (such as 2 or 4), the odd-numbered unit number (such as 1 or 3) of the previously judged combination (pair) will be used as the half bridge 6, and the half bridge 6 with the even-numbered unit number (such as 2 or 4) will not be used as a full bridge 60.

[0119] If the unit number of the half bridge 6 to be judged is odd (T305: YES), the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 judges whether the half bridge 6 (UO(x+1)) of the next unit No. (x+1) of the half bridge 6 to be judged (UOx) is undetermined (UO(x+1)=undetermined) (T306). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 refers to the result of process T1 stored in the storage unit 12, and judges whether the half bridge 6 (UO(x+1)) of the next unit No. (x+1) is undetermined.

[0120] If the half bridge 6 (UO(x+1)) of the next unit No. (x+1) is not undetermined (T306: NO), the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 determines that the in-vehicle load 4 is not connected to the output terminal 63 of the half bridge 6 (UOx) to be determined (UOx = not connected) (T308). Even if the unit No. of the half bridge 6 (UOx) to be determined is odd, if the half bridge 6 (UO(x+1)) to be combined (paired) is already used as a half bridge 6 (connected to the in-vehicle load 4), the half bridge 6 (UOx) to be determined will not be used as a full bridge 60.

[0121] If the half bridge 6 (UO(x+1)) of the next unit No. (x+1) is undetermined (T306: YES), the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 closes the downstream semiconductor switch 62 of the half bridge 6 (UO(x+1)) whose unit No. is an even number (turns on the downstream FET of UO(x+1)) (T307). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 closes (turns on) the downstream semiconductor switch 62 of the half bridge 6 (UO(x+1)) whose unit No. is an even number, that is, the half bridge 6 (UO(x+1)) that is paired with the odd-numbered half bridge 6 (UOx). Thereafter, the half bridges 6 to be determined are two half bridges 6 (UOx: unit No. is odd, UO(x+1): unit No. is even) that are previously defined as a combination (pair). The unit Nos of the two half bridges 6 to be determined are consecutive, odd (x) and even (x+1). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 further closes (SWx=ON) the pull-up switch SW (SWx) of the determination circuit 8 connected to the half bridge 6 (UOx) whose unit number is an odd number.

[0122] The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 checks (Vad check) the voltage (Vad) at the branch point located between the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 included in the determination circuit 8 connected to the odd-numbered half bridge 6 (UOx) (T309). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 performs the process of T309 in the same manner as the process T103.

[0123] When the voltage (Vad) at the branch point is the no-load-connected voltage, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 determines that the in-vehicle load 4 is not connected to either of the output terminals 63 of the two half bridges 6 (full bridges 60) being determined (UOx=not connected, UO(x+1)=not connected) (T310). The value of the no-load-connected voltage (voltage value) corresponds to the value calculated by the formula (Vcc*R2 / (R1+R2)).

[0124] When the voltage (Vad) at the branch point is the full-bridge 60 load voltage, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 judges (discriminates) that the in-vehicle loads 4 connected to the output terminals 63 of the two half bridges 6 (full bridges 60) to be judged are full-bridge 60 loads (full-bridge 60 connection mode) (UOx=full bridge 60, UO(x+1)=full bridge 60) (T311). The value (voltage value) of the full-bridge 60 load voltage corresponds to the value calculated by the formula (Vcc*(R2 / R3) / (R1+R2 / R3)).

[0125] After executing the process of T310 or T311, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 increments (x=x+1) the unit number of the half bridge 6 to be determined (T312). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 performs the process of T312 in the same manner as the process of T302.

[0126] After executing the process of T312 or T308, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 judges whether or not the judgment process has been executed for all the half bridges 6 (x=MAX) (T313). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 executes the process of T313 in the same manner as the process of T112. The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 stores the result of the above-mentioned judgment process (judgment result) in the storage unit 12 in association with the discrimination result and the unit number of the half bridge 6 of the target output terminal 63. If the judgment process has not been executed for all the half bridges 6 (T313: NO), the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 executes the loop process to execute the process from T302 again.

[0127] When the determination process has been executed for all the half bridges 6 (T313: YES), the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 ends the process in this flowchart. The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 may end the process in this flowchart not only when the determination process has been executed for all the half bridges 6, but also when there is no half bridge 6 determined to be undetermined in process T1 among the half bridges 6 having a unit number larger than the half bridge 6 to be determined this time.

[0128] In the present embodiment, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 executes the determination of compatibility with the half bridge 6 for all the half bridges 6, and then executes the determination of compatibility with the full bridge 60, but this is not limited thereto. The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 may execute the half bridge 6 compatibility and the full bridge 60 compatibility for each combination (pair) of two half bridges 6 previously defined in a combination table, for example.

[0129] The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 completes the automatic discrimination of the in-vehicle load 4 by executing a series of processes according to this flowchart, and stores the result of the automatic discrimination in the storage unit 12. Based on the result of the automatic discrimination of the in-vehicle load 4, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 performs opening and closing control of the upstream semiconductor switch 61 and the downstream semiconductor switch 62 included in each of the half bridge 6 or the full bridge 60, as in the first embodiment, thereby performing drive control of the in-vehicle load 4.

[0130] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered as limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above meaning, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims.

[0131] The claims may be combined with each other regardless of the form of reference. The claims may contain multiple dependent claims depending on multiple claims. Multiple dependent claims may be contained depending on multiple dependent claims. If multiple dependent claims are not contained depending on a multiple dependent claim, this does not limit the number of dependent claims depending on a multiple dependent claim. [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] C Vehicle S In-vehicle system 1 In-vehicle device 10 Microcomputer 11 Control section 12 Storage section M Recording medium P Control program (program product) 13. Communications Department 14 Input / Output Interface 140 Signal Line 2 In-vehicle ECU 3. In-vehicle network 4 On-vehicle load 41 Discrimination resistor 5 Power supply 51 Power Line 6 Half-bridge (Universal Output Circuit: UO) 60 Full Bridge 61 Upstream semiconductor switch (upstream IPD) 611 Pch upstream semiconductor switch 62 Downstream semiconductor switch (downstream FET) 63 Output terminal 7 Identification terminal 71 Power supply for identification 8 Discrimination circuit SW Pull-up switch R1 First resistor R2 2nd resistor R3 3rd resistor 81 Voltage detection section

Claims

1. An on-vehicle device to which an on-vehicle load is connected, a half bridge having an upstream semiconductor switch and a downstream semiconductor switch; A control unit that controls the driving of the on-vehicle load, The control unit is acquiring load information regarding the on-vehicle load having one end connected between the upstream semiconductor switch and the downstream semiconductor switch that are connected in series; The upstream semiconductor switch and the downstream semiconductor switch are controlled to be opened or closed in accordance with the acquired load information, thereby controlling the driving of the vehicle-mounted load. In-vehicle device.

2. the load information regarding the on-vehicle load includes connection mode information regarding a mode when the on-vehicle load is connected to the half bridge, the connection mode information indicates a high-side switch connection mode, a low-side switch connection mode, a half-bridge connection mode, or a full-bridge connection mode in which two of the half bridges are connected; The control unit is When the connection mode information indicates a high-side switch connection mode, the downstream semiconductor switch is fixed to an open state, and the upstream semiconductor switch is opened and closed to drive and control the in-vehicle load; When the connection mode information indicates a low-side switch connection mode, the upstream semiconductor switch is fixed to an open state, and the downstream semiconductor switch is opened and closed to drive and control the in-vehicle load; When the connection mode information indicates a half-bridge connection mode, the upstream semiconductor switch and the downstream semiconductor switch are opened and closed to drive and control the on-vehicle load, When the connection mode information indicates a full-bridge connection mode, the vehicle-mounted load is driven and controlled by opening and closing the upstream semiconductor switches and the downstream semiconductor switches of the two half bridges to which the vehicle-mounted load is connected. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 .

3. The load information regarding the on-vehicle load includes load current information, The control unit sets a cutoff characteristic for causing either the upstream semiconductor switch or the downstream semiconductor switch to function as a semiconductor fuse in accordance with the load current information. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 2 .

4. The control unit rewrites parameters stored in a storage area accessible to the control unit in order to set the cutoff characteristics. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 3.

5. The control unit is When the connection mode information of the in-vehicle load is a high-side switch connection mode or a low-side switch connection mode, a cut-off characteristic is set to cut off depending on a load current flowing through the in-vehicle load. When the connection mode information of the in-vehicle load is a full-bridge connection mode, in addition to cutting off according to a load current flowing through the in-vehicle load, a cutoff characteristic is set taking into consideration a control to cut off when a lock current of a motor included in the in-vehicle load is detected. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 4.

6. a discrimination terminal connected to the on-vehicle load, The control unit derives load information regarding the in-vehicle load based on an output value output via the determination terminal. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 .

7. a determination circuit used for determining a connection state of the vehicle-mounted load is connected to an output terminal connecting the half bridge and the vehicle-mounted load; The determination circuit includes a pull-up switch. The control unit determines a connection state of the in-vehicle load based on a voltage value detected by the determination circuit when the pull-up switch is opened or closed. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 2 .

8. A plurality of said half bridges are provided, any two of the plurality of half bridges are predetermined as a combination when used as a full bridge, The on-vehicle load whose connection mode information is a full-bridge connection mode is connected to two half bridges that are predetermined as the full bridge. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 7.

9. The control unit is determining a connection state of the in-vehicle load for each of two half bridges predetermined as the full bridge; When determining whether the on-board load is in a full-bridge connection state, the downstream semiconductor switch of one of two half bridges predetermined as the full bridge is closed, and the connection state of the on-board load is determined based on a voltage value detected by the determination circuit. The in-vehicle device according to claim 8.

10. The control unit is determining whether the in-vehicle loads connected to the respective half bridges are in a high-side switch connection mode or a low-side switch connection mode; When it is determined that the on-vehicle load is not in a high-side switch connection mode or a low-side switch connection mode, it is determined whether or not the on-vehicle load is in a full-bridge connection mode. The in-vehicle device according to claim 9.

11. A computer is provided with a half bridge having an upstream semiconductor switch and a downstream semiconductor switch, the half bridge being connected to an on-vehicle load. acquiring load information regarding the on-vehicle load having one end connected between the upstream semiconductor switch and the downstream semiconductor switch that are connected in series; The upstream semiconductor switch and the downstream semiconductor switch are controlled to be opened or closed in accordance with the acquired load information, thereby controlling the driving of the vehicle-mounted load. An information processing method for executing a process.

12. A computer is provided with a half bridge having an upstream semiconductor switch and a downstream semiconductor switch, the half bridge being connected to an on-vehicle load. acquiring load information regarding the on-vehicle load having one end connected between the upstream semiconductor switch and the downstream semiconductor switch that are connected in series; The upstream semiconductor switch and the downstream semiconductor switch are controlled to be opened or closed in accordance with the acquired load information, thereby controlling the driving of the vehicle-mounted load. A program that executes a process.

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