Onboard device

Abstract

To provide an onboard device, etc., that efficiently responds according to the connected onboard load.SOLUTION: An onboard device to which an onboard load is connected, the onboard device includes: two upstream-side opening / closing switches in which an input terminal is connected to a power supply device that supplies power to the onboard load; two downstream-side opening / closing switches in which an output end is grounded to a ground; and a multi-input / output unit including four switch-side terminals to which the upstream-side opening / closing switches or the downstream-side opening / closing switches are connected, and a plurality of load-side terminals to which the onboard load is connected. Each of the output terminals of the two upstream-side opening / closing switches and each of the input terminals of the two downstream-side opening / closing switches are connected to the respective switch-side terminals of the multi-input / output unit, and the multi-input / output unit is able to set, in accordance with the onboard load connected to the load-side terminal, a connection state of internal wiring in which each of the switch-side terminals and the load-side terminal to which the onboard load is connected are connected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present technology relates to an in-vehicle device. [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, in the power supply control device described in Patent Document 1, no consideration is given to efficiently responding to the connected in-vehicle load.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide an in-vehicle device etc. that efficiently responds according to the 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 two upstream opening / closing switches having input terminals connected to a power supply device that supplies power to the in-vehicle load, two downstream opening / closing switches having output terminals grounded to ground, four switch side terminals to which the upstream opening / closing switches or the downstream opening / closing switches are connected, and a plurality of load side terminals to which the in-vehicle load is connected, and each of the switch side terminals of the multi-input / output unit is connected to an output terminal of each of the two upstream opening / closing switches and an input terminal of each of the two downstream opening / closing switches, and the multi-input / output unit is configured to be capable of setting a connection state of internal wiring connecting each of the switch side terminals and the load side terminal to which the in-vehicle load is connected, depending on the in-vehicle load connected to the load side terminal. 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 efficiently responds according to 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 (forward / reverse rotation load). FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection mode between an in-vehicle device and an in-vehicle load (normal load). FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection mode between an in-vehicle device and an in-vehicle load (fail-safe, etc.); [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection mode between an in-vehicle device and an in-vehicle load (both ends connected). [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an internal wiring state of the multi-input / output unit. [Figure 8]10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection between an in-vehicle device according to a second embodiment and an in-vehicle load (an integrated mechanical and electrical load). FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a control unit of an in-vehicle device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating load information (load information table) of connected in-vehicle loads; FIG. 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 multi-input / output unit including two upstream open-close switches having input terminals connected to a power supply device that supplies power to the in-vehicle load, two downstream open-close switches having output terminals grounded to ground, four switch side terminals to which the upstream open-close switches or the downstream open-close switches are connected, and a plurality of load side terminals to which the in-vehicle load is connected, wherein each of the switch side terminals of the multi-input / output unit is connected to an output terminal of each of the two upstream open-close switches and an input terminal of each of the two downstream open-close switches, and the multi-input / output unit is configured to be capable of setting a connection state of internal wiring connecting each of the switch side terminals and the load side terminal to which the in-vehicle load is connected in accordance with the in-vehicle load connected to the load side terminal.

[0011] In this embodiment, the vehicle-mounted device includes two upstream switches, two downstream switches, and a multi-input / output unit (multi-I / O) to which these switches are connected. The vehicle-mounted device is connected to at least one of the two upstream switches and the two downstream switches via the multi-input / output unit (multi-I / O). In this way, the two upstream switches and the two downstream switches are each connected to the multi-input / output unit, and are connected to the vehicle load via the multi-input / output unit configured to be able to change the internal wiring according to the vehicle load, so that it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an unused switch to which no vehicle load is connected. By setting (changing) the internal wiring of the multi-input / output unit according to the classification of the connected vehicle load, it is possible to perform drive control for the vehicle load even if any classification of the vehicle load is connected among multiple classifications assumed in advance, and it is possible to provide a vehicle-mounted device with high availability and flexibility. That is, the number and connection mode of the open / close switches connected to the switch-side terminals of the multi-input / output unit can be commonized (fixed). By setting (changing) the connection state (wiring state) of the internal wiring of the multi-input / output unit according to the classification of the on-board load connected to the load-side terminal of the multi-input / output unit, it is possible to flexibly respond to the on-board load. Therefore, the on-board device can be universally mounted (applied) to different vehicle models, and by promoting the standardization of parts, it is possible to reduce product costs.

[0012] (2) In an in-vehicle device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the in-vehicle load connected to the load side terminal of the multi-input / output unit is a forward / reverse load including a forward / reverse motor, the load side terminal to which one end of the forward / reverse load is connected is connected by the internal wiring to the switch side terminal to which an output terminal of one of the upstream open / close switches is connected and the switch side terminal to which an input terminal of one of the downstream open / close switches is connected, and the load side terminal to which the other end of the forward / reverse load is connected is connected by the internal wiring to the switch side terminal to which an output terminal of the other upstream open / close switch is connected and the switch side terminal to which an input terminal of the other downstream open / close switch is connected, and a full bridge circuit is formed by the one upstream open / close switch, the one downstream open / close switch, the other upstream open / close switch, and the other downstream open / close switch. The connection state of the internal wiring of the multi-input / output unit is set so that the following is configured:

[0013] In this embodiment, the on-vehicle load (on-vehicle load connected to an on-vehicle device) connected to the load terminal of the multi-input / output unit is a forward / reverse load including a forward / reverse motor, and is driven in forward rotation or reverse rotation depending on the direction (polarity) of the input current (flowing to the forward / reverse load). When such a forward / reverse load is connected, a first half-bridge circuit is formed by one upstream switch and one downstream switch, and a second half-bridge circuit is formed by the other upstream switch and the other downstream switch, and the connection state of the internal wiring of the multi-input / output unit is set so that a full bridge circuit is formed by these first half-bridge circuit and second half-bridge circuit. By connecting the internal wiring of the multi-input / output unit (multi-I / O) in this way, a full bridge circuit in which currents of different polarities flow can be formed for the forward / reverse load including the forward / reverse motor, and forward and reverse drive control can be performed for the forward / reverse load.

[0014] (3) In an in-vehicle device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the in-vehicle load connected to the load side terminal of the multi-input / output unit is a forward load through which current flows in only one direction, and the forward load includes at least one of a power supply side load, an input end of which is connected to the power supply device, and a ground side load, an output end of which is grounded to the ground, and when the forward load is the power supply side load, the load side terminal to which the output end of the power supply side load is connected is connected by the internal wiring to the switch side terminal to which the input end of the downstream open / close switch is connected, and when the forward load is the ground side load, the load side terminal to which the input end of the ground side load is connected is connected by the internal wiring to the switch side terminal to which the output end of the upstream open / close switch is connected.

[0015] In this embodiment, the vehicle load connected to the load side terminal of the multi-input / output unit is a forward load through which current flows in only one direction, and the forward load is at least one of a power supply side load connected to a power supply device and a ground side load grounded to ground. A downstream side switch connected in series to a power supply side load connected to a power supply device via an internal connection corresponds to a low side switch. An upstream side switch connected in series to a ground side load grounded (connected) to ground via an internal connection corresponds to a high side switch. In this way, the forward load includes a vehicle load connected to a low side switch and a vehicle load connected to a high side switch according to the load characteristics or product specifications, but regardless of the connection mode of the vehicle load, it can be flexibly handled by setting the connection state of the internal connection.

[0016] (4) In an in-vehicle device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the in-vehicle load connected to the load side terminal of the multi-input / output unit is a forward load through which current flows in only one direction, and the forward load includes at least one of a power supply side load, an input end of which is connected to the power supply device, and a ground side load, an output end of which is grounded to the ground. When the forward load is the power supply side load, the load side terminal to which the output end of the power supply side load is connected is connected by the internal wiring to each of the switch side terminals to which the input ends of the two downstream opening / closing switches are connected, and when the forward load is the ground side load, the load side terminal to which the input end of the ground side load is connected is connected by the internal wiring to each of the switch side terminals to which the output ends of the two upstream opening / closing switches are connected.

[0017] In this embodiment, the vehicle load connected to the load side terminal of the multi-input / output unit is a forward load through which a current flows in only one direction, and the forward load is at least one of a power supply side load connected to the power supply device and a ground side load grounded to the ground. A parallel circuit in which two upstream switches are connected in parallel is connected in series. A parallel circuit in which two upstream switches are connected in parallel is connected in series to a ground-side load that is grounded (connected) to the ground via internal wiring. In this way, for any normal load (power supply side load or ground side load), the open / close switch (upstream side open / close switch or downstream side open / close switch) that is opened / closed when driving and controlling the normal load is duplicated by being connected in parallel. Therefore, by setting (changing) the connection state of the internal wiring of the multi-input / output unit, the open / close switch (upstream side open / close switch or downstream side open / close switch) connected to the vehicle-mounted load (normal load) can be duplicated according to the load characteristics of the vehicle-mounted load (normal load).

[0018] (5) An in-vehicle device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control unit that performs drive control of the in-vehicle load, and when a load current flowing through the in-vehicle load is less than a predetermined value, the control unit performs fail-safe control by complementarily controlling the opening and closing of two opening and closing switches on the same side of the two downstream opening and closing switches or the two upstream opening and closing switches, and when a load current flowing through the in-vehicle load is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control unit shunts the load current by simultaneously controlling the opening and closing of two opening and closing switches on the same side of the two downstream opening and closing switches or the two upstream opening and closing switches.

[0019] In this aspect, the in-vehicle device includes a control unit (microcomputer) that controls the drive of the in-vehicle load, and the control unit (microcomputer) controls the open / close (on / off control) of an open / close switch (upstream open / close switch or downstream open / close switch) connected in series to the in-vehicle load when controlling the drive of the in-vehicle load. When two open / close switches (upstream open / close switch or downstream open / close switch) connected in parallel to a normal load (power supply side load or ground side load) are connected in series, the control unit (microcomputer) controls the open / close of each of the two parallel connected open / close switches according to the load characteristics of the normal load. When the load current flowing through the normal load is less than a predetermined value (small current load) in the load characteristics of the normal load, the control unit (microcomputer) performs fail-safe control by performing complementary open / close control to close (on) only one of the two parallel connected open / close switches when driving (on) the normal load. That is, when the forward load is a small current load, the control unit (microcomputer) may perform fail-safe control by using the other open / close switch when an abnormality occurs in one of the two open / close switches connected in parallel. With regard to the detection of an abnormality in the open / close switch, for example, the control unit (microcomputer) may detect an abnormality such as stuck on (half on, etc.) or stuck off based on the voltage value across the open / close switch and the control signal (on signal or off signal) output to the open / close switch. Alternatively, even if both of the two open / close switches connected in parallel are normal, the control unit (microcomputer) may close (on) the two open / close switches alternately when driving the forward load, thereby leveling out the number of contacts in the two open / close switches and extending their service life. In the load characteristics of a forward load, when the load current flowing through the forward load is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (high current load), the control unit (microcomputer) simultaneously closes (turns on) both of the two parallel-connected open / close switches when driving (turning on) the forward load, and simultaneously opens (turns off) both of the parallel-connected open / close switches when stopping (turning off) the forward load.As a result, even if the forward load is a large current load, the load current that flows when the forward load is driven (on) is divided between the two open / close switches that are closed (on) at the same time, and therefore a relatively large load current can be divided by the two open / close switches connected in parallel. In this way, by setting (changing) the connection state of the internal wiring of the multi-input / output unit according to the magnitude of the load current (rated current) included in the load characteristics of the vehicle load (forward load), it is possible to flexibly respond to the vehicle load.

[0020] (6) In an in-vehicle device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the in-vehicle load is an electromechanical integrated load, and the multi-input / output unit and the electromechanical integrated load are connected according to load specifications of the electromechanical integrated load.

[0021] In this embodiment, the in-vehicle device is an electromechanical load, and may be configured with a module in which an inverter, a reducer (gear), and a motor are set (integrated), and may include a control module such as a microcomputer that controls the inverter. That is, the electromechanical load may be connected to an in-vehicle network like the in-vehicle device and function as an in-vehicle ECU. When the electromechanical load is connected to the in-vehicle device, the control unit (microcomputer) of the in-vehicle device may communicate with the electromechanical load and acquire the load specifications of the electromechanical load. The control unit (microcomputer) of the in-vehicle device may determine (set) a connection mode (connection mode of internal wiring) to the electromechanical load based on the load specifications acquired from the electromechanical load and the terminal number of the load side terminal to which the electromechanical load is connected, and may perform drive control of the electromechanical load. Even when the electromechanical integrated load is connected to an on-board device in this manner, a flexible response can be achieved by connecting the multi-input / output unit to the electromechanical integrated load and setting the connection mode of the internal wiring according to the load specifications of the electromechanical integrated load.

[0022] (7) In an in-vehicle device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the switch side terminals include a first switch side terminal, a second switch side terminal, a third switch side terminal, and a fourth switch side terminal, the load side terminals include a first load side terminal, a second load side terminal, a third load side terminal, and a fourth load side terminal, the internal connections include a first connection connecting the first switch side terminal and the first load side terminal, a second connection connecting the second switch side terminal and the second load side terminal, a third connection connecting the third switch side terminal and the third load side terminal, and a fourth connection connecting the fourth switch side terminal and the fourth load side terminal, and a connection state of the internal connections is changed by connecting at least any two of the first connection, the second connection, the third connection, and the fourth connection.

[0023] In this embodiment, the switch side terminals of the multi-input / output unit (multi-I / O) include a first switch side terminal, a second switch side terminal, a third switch side terminal, and a fourth switch side terminal, and are configured by these four switch side terminals. The load side terminals of the multi-input / output unit (multi-I / O) include a first load side terminal, a second load side terminal, a third load side terminal, and a fourth load side terminal, and are configured by these four load side terminals. Each of the corresponding switch side terminals and each of the load side terminals are connected (wired) by each of the internal connections. The internal connections include a first connection connecting the first switch side terminal and the first load side terminal, a second connection connecting the second switch side terminal and the second load side terminal, a third connection connecting the third switch side terminal and the third load side terminal, and a fourth connection connecting the fourth switch side terminal and the fourth load side terminal. The internal connections are changed by connecting at least two of the first, second, third, and fourth connections using inter-connection connection conductors such as jumper wires or jumper pins. By using the inter-connection connection conductors in this way, the connection state of the internal connections can be set (changed) relatively easily. Alternatively, each of the inter-connection connection conductors may be arranged in advance so as to comprehensively connect each of the switch side terminals and each of the load side terminals, and a relay (inter-connection connection relay) such as a semiconductor relay or a mechanical relay may be arranged in each of the inter-connection connection conductors. In this case, the control unit (microcomputer) may open or close the inter-connection connection relay to connect or disconnect the internal connections to each other, thereby setting (changing) the connection state of the internal connections.

[0024] (8) An in-vehicle device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control unit that controls the driving of the in-vehicle load, and the control unit acquires load information regarding the in-vehicle load connected to the load side terminal, and changes the connection state of the internal connections by performing processing to connect at least two of the first connection, the second connection, the third connection, and the fourth connection based on the acquired load information.

[0025] In this embodiment, the control unit (microcomputer) of the in-vehicle device acquires load information on the in-vehicle load connected to the load side terminal of the multi-input / output unit (multi-I / O). The control unit (microcomputer) may acquire the load information on the in-vehicle load from an input device such as a diagnostic device connected to an input / output I / F of the microcomputer. Alternatively, the control unit (microcomputer) may acquire the load information on the in-vehicle load by communicating with an RF tag (radio frequency identification) of the in-vehicle load connected to the load side terminal of the multi-input / output unit (multi-I / O). The control unit (microcomputer) changes the connection state of the internal connections by performing a process for connecting at least two of the first connection, the second connection, the third connection, and the fourth connection based on the acquired load information, thereby enabling flexible response to the in-vehicle load connected to the multi-input / output unit (multi-I / O).

[0026] [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.

[0027] (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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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 (load type: forward rotation load 42 / ground side load), a low-side switch connection mode (load type: forward rotation load 42 / power supply side load), or a full bridge 92 connection mode (load type: forward / reverse rotation load 41). The forward rotation load 42 is an on-vehicle load 4 through which a current flows in only one direction. The forward / reverse rotation load 41 is an on-vehicle load 4 that includes a forward / reverse rotation motor and is driven in forward rotation or reverse rotation depending on the direction (polarity) of the input current (flowing through the forward / reverse rotation load 41). As will be described in more detail below, the vehicle load 4 has one or more (two in the figure) multi-input / output units 6 (multi-I / O), and each of the multi-input / output units 6 is connected to four opening / closing switches (a first upstream opening / closing switch 71, a second upstream opening / closing switch 72, a first downstream opening / closing switch 81, and a second downstream opening / closing switch 82).

[0031] By setting (changing) the connection mode (connection state) of the internal wiring 62 (first wiring 621, second wiring 622, third wiring 623, and fourth wiring 624) of the multi-input / output unit 6 according to the classification (product specification or model, etc.) of the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O), the in-vehicle load 4 can be universally connected (supported) regardless of the load type of the in-vehicle load 4, and the in-vehicle device 1 can function as a load type selection multi-IO device. The in-vehicle device 1 may acquire load information (connection mode) of the connected in-vehicle load 4, and determine and set (change) the connection mode of the in-vehicle load 4 based on the acquired load information. The in-vehicle device 1 functions as a power supply control device that controls the start or stop of the in-vehicle load 4 by controlling the drive of the in-vehicle load 4 according to the determined connection mode.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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 one or more (two in the figure) multi-input / output units 6 (multi-I / O). In the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O), two upstream side open / close switches (first upstream side open / close switch 71, second upstream side open / close switch 72) and two downstream side open / close switches (first downstream side open / close switch 81, second downstream side open / close switch 82) are connected to switch side terminals (first switch side terminal 601, second switch side terminal 602, third switch side terminal 603, fourth switch side terminal 604) of the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O), respectively. The first upstream open / close switch 71, the second upstream open / close switch 72, the first downstream open / close switch 81, and the second downstream open / close switch 82 are connected to the input / output I / F 14 (microcomputer 10) by a signal line 140.

[0034] 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 previously 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 perform opening and closing control of a first upstream opening / closing switch 71, a second upstream opening / closing switch 72, a first downstream opening / closing switch 81, and a second downstream opening / closing switch 82 connected to the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O).

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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. In the in-vehicle device 1, a plurality of communication units 13 may be provided.

[0037] 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 each of the gate terminals of the first upstream side open / close switch 71, the second upstream side open / close switch 72, the first downstream side open / close switch 81, and the second downstream side open / close switch 82. The signal line 140 is, for example, a serial cable, a wire harness, or a conductive cable (direct wire) that transmits only one signal.

[0038] Two upstream side open / close switches (first upstream side open / close switch 71, second upstream side open / close switch 72) and two downstream side open / close switches (first downstream side open / close switch 81, second downstream side open / close switch 82) are connected to each of the multi-input / output units 6 (multi-I / O). The first upstream side open / close switch 71, the second upstream side open / close switch 72, the first downstream side open / close switch 81, and the second downstream side open / close switch 82 are configured with semiconductor switches such as NchFETs (Field effect transistors). Alternatively, these open / close switches may be configured with IPDs (Intelligent Power Devices) including NchFETs. Alternatively, these open / close switches may be configured with PchFETs.

[0039] The input terminals of the two upstream side open / close switches (the first upstream side open / close switch 71 and the second upstream side open / close switch 72) are connected to the power supply device 5 via the power line 51. These two upstream side open / close switches (the first upstream side open / close switch 71 and the second upstream side open / close switch 72) function as high-side switches. The output terminals of the two upstream side open / close switches (the first upstream side open / close switch 71 and the second upstream side open / close switch 72) are connected to the switch side terminals (the first upstream side open / close switch 71 is the first switch side terminal 601, and the second upstream side open / close switch 72 is the second switch side terminal 602) of the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) by a conductor such as an internal bus or a land. The control terminals of the two upstream side open / close switches (the first upstream side open / close switch 71 and the second upstream side open / close switch 72) are connected to the input / output I / F 14 (the microcomputer 10) via a signal line 140.

[0040] The input terminals of the two downstream side open / close switches (the first downstream side open / close switch 81 and the second downstream side open / close switch 82) are connected to the switch side terminals (the first downstream side open / close switch 81 is connected to the third switch side terminal 603, and the second downstream side open / close switch 82 is connected to the fourth switch side terminal 604) of the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) by a conductor such as an internal bus or a land. These two downstream side open / close switches (the first downstream side open / close switch 81 and the second downstream side open / close switch 82) function as low-side switches. The output terminals of the two downstream side open / close switches (the first downstream side open / close switch 81 and the second downstream side open / close switch 82) are connected (grounded) to a common ground (GND) constituted by, for example, the body of the vehicle C, via a power line 51. The control terminals of the two downstream side open / close switches (the first downstream side open / close switch 81 and the second downstream side open / close switch 82) are connected to the input / output I / F 14 (the microcomputer 10) via a signal line 140.

[0041] The multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) includes four switch side terminals (a first switch side terminal 601, a second switch side terminal 602, a third switch side terminal 603, and a fourth switch side terminal 604) and four load side terminals (a first load side terminal 611, a second load side terminal 612, a third load side terminal 613, and a fourth load side terminal 614). The multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) further includes four internal connections 62 (a first connection 621, a second connection 622, a third connection 623, and a fourth connection 624) that connect the four switch side terminals to the four load side terminals, respectively.

[0042] The first switch side terminal 601 and the first load side terminal 611 are connected by a first connection 621. The second switch side terminal 602 and the second load side terminal 612 are connected by a second connection 622. The third switch side terminal 603 and the third load side terminal 613 are connected by a third connection 623. The fourth switch side terminal 604 and the fourth load side terminal 614 are connected by a fourth connection 624.

[0043] To each of the switch side terminals, one of the open / close switches is connected. To one of the load side terminals, the vehicle-mounted load 4 is connected. Therefore, the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) is disposed between the first upstream open / close switch 71, the second upstream open / close switch 72, the first downstream open / close switch 81, and the second downstream open / close switch 82 and the vehicle-mounted load 4 connected to the vehicle-mounted device 1.

[0044] Any two of the four internal connections 62 (first connection 621, second connection 622, third connection 623, and fourth connection 624) are connected by an inter-connection connecting conductor 63 according to the classification (product specifications or model, etc.) of the vehicle-mounted load 4 connected to the vehicle-mounted device 1. By being connected by the inter-connection connecting conductor 63, the connection mode (connection state, wiring state) of the internal connections 62 is set (changed). The inter-connection connecting conductor 63 is configured by, for example, a jumper wire or a jumper pin, and is arranged to connect (bridge) the corresponding two internal connections 62 according to the classification (product specifications or model, etc.) of the vehicle-mounted load 4 to be connected and the terminal number of the load-side terminal to which the vehicle-mounted load 4 is connected. Alternatively, the inter-wire connection conductors 63 may be arranged comprehensively to connect all of the internal connections 62 (the first connection 621, the second connection 622, the third connection 623 and the fourth connection 624) to each other, and the relays (inter-wire connection relays) arranged in each of these inter-wire connection conductors 63 may be closed (on) to connect the corresponding two internal connections 62 so that electricity can flow between them.

[0045] As an example in this embodiment, two normal loads 42 are connected to the upper multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O). As shown in the figure, one end of the upper normal load 42 (power supply side load) is connected to the power supply device 5, and the other end is connected to the third load side terminal 613, and is connected to two downstream side open / close switches (the first downstream side open / close switch 81 and the second downstream side open / close switch 82) functioning as low-side switches via the third load side terminal 613. In this case, the third connection 623 and the fourth connection 624 to which the first downstream side open / close switch 81 and the second downstream side open / close switch 82 are connected are connected by the inter-connection connection conductor 63. As shown in the figure, one end of the lower normal load 42 (ground side load) is connected to the second load side terminal 612, and the other end is grounded (connected) to the ground. The lower normal load 42 (ground side load) is connected to two upstream side switches (a first upstream side switch 71 and a second upstream side switch 72) functioning as high-side switches via a second load side terminal 612. A first connection 621 and a second connection 622 to which the first upstream side switch 71 and the second upstream side switch 72 are connected are connected by an inter-connection connecting conductor 63.

[0046] As an example in this embodiment, one forward / reverse rotation load 41 is connected to the lower multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O). One end of the forward / reverse rotation load 41 is connected to the first load side terminal 611, and the other end of the forward / reverse rotation load 41 is connected to the fourth load side terminal 614. In this case, the first connection 621 to which the first upstream side opening / closing switch 71 and the first downstream side opening / closing switch 81 are connected and the third connection 623 are connected by the inter-connection conductor 63. The second connection 622 to which the second upstream side opening / closing switch 72 and the second downstream side opening / closing switch 82 are connected and the fourth connection 624 are connected by the inter-connection conductor 63. By arranging the inter-connection conductor 63 in this manner, a full bridge 92 circuit is configured by the first upstream side opening / closing switch, the second upstream side opening / closing switch 72, the first downstream side opening / closing switch 81, and the second downstream side opening / closing switch 82, and currents of opposite polarities can be passed through the forward / reverse rotation load 41 including the forward / reverse motor.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection between the vehicle-mounted device 1 and the vehicle-mounted load 4 (forward / reverse rotation load 41). The connection between each of the switch-side terminals (first switch-side terminal 601, second switch-side terminal 602, third switch-side terminal 603, and fourth switch-side terminal 604) and each of the open / close switches (first upstream open / close switch 71, second upstream open / close switch 72, first downstream open / close switch 81, and second downstream open / close switch 82) is as described above. In the illustration of this embodiment, the vehicle-mounted load 4 connected to the vehicle-mounted device 1 is the forward / reverse rotation load 41. One end of the forward / reverse rotation load 41 is connected to the first load-side terminal 611. The other end of the forward / reverse rotation load 41 is connected to the fourth load-side terminal 614. The first connection 621 and the third connection 623 are connected by the inter-connection connecting conductor 63. The second connection 622 and the fourth connection 624 are connected by the inter-connection connecting conductor 63. As a result, a full bridge 92 circuit is formed by the first upstream side open / close switch 71, the second upstream side open / close switch 72, the first downstream side open / close switch 81, and the second downstream side open / close switch .

[0048] The control unit 11 (microcomputer 10) closes (on) the first upstream opening / closing switch 71, opens (off) the second upstream opening / closing switch 72, opens (off) the first downstream opening / closing switch 81, and closes (on) the second downstream opening / closing switch 82, thereby allowing a current to flow in the forward rotation to the forward / reverse rotation load 41 and driving it in the forward rotation. The control unit 11 (microcomputer 10) opens (off) the first upstream opening / closing switch 71, closes (on) the second upstream opening / closing switch 72, closes (on) the first downstream opening / closing switch 81, and opens (off) the second downstream opening / closing switch 82, thereby allowing a current to flow in the reverse rotation to the forward / reverse rotation load 41 and driving it in the reverse rotation. In this way, by connecting two corresponding internal connections 62 in the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) with the connection-to-connection connecting conductor 63, the forward / reverse rotation load 41 can be driven and controlled.

[0049] 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection between the in-vehicle device 1 and an in-vehicle load 4 (normal load 42). In the illustration of this embodiment, the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the in-vehicle device 1 is a normal load 42. Four normal loads 42 are connected to the in-vehicle device 1, that is, the same number of normal loads 42 as the number of load-side terminals can be connected. The four normal loads 42 include two power supply side loads and two ground side loads.

[0050] One end of the power supply load is connected to the power supply device 5. The other end of the left power supply load is connected to a third load terminal 613. The other end of the right power supply load is connected to a fourth load terminal 614.

[0051] One end of the left ground load is connected to the second load terminal 612. One end of the right ground load is connected to the first load terminal 611. The other end of the ground load is connected to ground.

[0052] In this manner, when four normal loads 42 (two power supply side loads and two ground side loads) are connected to the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O), no inter-connection connection conductor 63 is provided to connect any two of the internal connections 62. That is, each of the internal connections 62 (the first connection 621, the second connection 622, the third connection 623, and the fourth connection 624) is not connected to the other internal connections 62.

[0053] The control unit 11 (microcomputer 10) drives and controls the four normal loads 42 connected to the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O), by controlling the opening and closing of the open / close switches to which the normal loads 42 are connected. The control unit 11 (microcomputer 10) drives and controls the right ground side load (normal load 42) by controlling the opening and closing of the first upstream open / close switch 71. The control unit 11 (microcomputer 10) drives and controls the left ground side load (normal load 42) by controlling the opening and closing of the second upstream open / close switch 72. The control unit 11 (microcomputer 10) The left power supply load (normal load 42) is driven and controlled by controlling the opening and closing of the first downstream opening and closing switch 81. The control unit 11 (microcomputer 10) drives and controls the right power supply load (normal load 42) by controlling the opening and closing of the second downstream opening and closing switch 82. In this way, by not connecting the internal wiring 62 in the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) to each other, it is possible to drive and control four normal loads 42 (two power supply loads, two ground loads).

[0054] 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection between an in-vehicle device 1 and an in-vehicle load 4 (fail-safe, etc.). In the illustration of this embodiment, the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the in-vehicle device 1 is a normal load 42. Two normal loads 42 are connected to the in-vehicle device 1, and the two normal loads 42 include one power supply side load and one ground side load.

[0055] One end of the power supply load is connected to the power supply device 5. The other end of the power supply load is connected to the third load terminal 613. The third connection 623 and the fourth connection 624 are connected by the inter-connection connecting conductor 63. Therefore, the other end of the power supply load is connected to the input terminals of the first downstream side open / close switch 81 and the second downstream side open / close switch 82, and a parallel circuit is formed (dualized) by the first downstream side open / close switch 81 and the second downstream side open / close switch 82.

[0056] One end of the ground load is connected to the second load terminal 612. The other end of the ground load is connected to the ground. The first connection 621 and the second connection 622 are connected by the inter-connection connecting conductor 63. Therefore, one end of the ground load is connected to the input terminals of the first upstream opening / closing switch 71 and the second upstream opening / closing switch 72, and a parallel circuit is formed (dualized) by the first upstream opening / closing switch 71 and the second upstream opening / closing switch 72.

[0057] The forward load 42, which is a power supply side load or a ground side load, includes a small current load in which the load current flowing through the forward load 42 is less than a predetermined value, and a large current load in which the load current is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. When the forward load 42 (power supply side load or ground side load) is a small current load, the control unit 11 (microcomputer 10) opens (ON) only one of the two open / close switches connected to the small current load and opens (OFF) the other, thereby complementarily controlling the two open / close switches connected in parallel. Furthermore, the control unit 11 (microcomputer 10) may determine whether the open / close switch has failed based on, for example, the voltage value across the open / close switch, and when one of the open / close switches has failed, perform fail-safe control using the other open / close switch constituting the parallel circuit.

[0058] When the forward load 42 (power supply side load or ground side load) is a high current load, the control unit 11 (microcomputer 10) simultaneously opens (off) or closes (on) both of the two switches connected to the high current load when driving and controlling the high current load. As a result, even when the forward load 42 is a high current load and the load current is relatively large (above a predetermined value), the current flowing through each of the two switches constituting the parallel circuit can be divided and the current value can be set to half the load current value.

[0059] When the power supply side load is a small current load, the control unit 11 (microcomputer 10) performs complementary control using the first downstream side open / close switch 81 and the second downstream side open / close switch 82 that constitute a parallel circuit, thereby driving and controlling the power supply side load in a fail-safe configuration. When the power supply side load is a large current load, the control unit 11 (microcomputer 10) divides the load current flowing to the first downstream side open / close switch 81 and the second downstream side open / close switch 82 by simultaneously controlling the opening and closing of the first downstream side open / close switch 81 and the second downstream side open / close switch 82 that constitute a parallel circuit.

[0060] When the ground side load is a small current load, the control unit 11 (microcomputer 10) The ground load is driven and controlled in a fail-safe configuration by performing complementary control using the first upstream switch 71 and the second upstream switch 72 that constitute a parallel circuit. When the ground load is a large current load, the control unit 11 (microcomputer 10) simultaneously controls the opening and closing of the first upstream switch 71 and the second upstream switch 72 that constitute a parallel circuit, thereby dividing the load current flowing to the first upstream switch 71 and the second upstream switch 72.

[0061] 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection between the in-vehicle device 1 and the in-vehicle load 4 (dual-end connection). In the illustration of this embodiment, the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the in-vehicle device 1 is a normal load 42, which is a dual-end connection load having one end and the other end both connected to the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O). One end of the dual-end connection load is connected to a first load side terminal 611. The other end of the dual-end connection load is connected to a fourth load side terminal 614. The first connection 621 and the second connection 622 are connected by an inter-connection connecting conductor 63. The third connection 623 and the fourth connection 624 are connected by an inter-connection connecting conductor 63.

[0062] One end of the load connected at both ends is connected to the input ends of the first upstream side open / close switch 71 and the second upstream side open / close switch 72, and a parallel circuit is formed (dualized) by the first upstream side open / close switch 71 and the second upstream side open / close switch 72. When the load connected at both ends is a small current load, the control unit 11 (microcomputer 10) performs fail-safe control by complementarily using the first upstream side open / close switch 71 and the second upstream side open / close switch 72 that constitute the parallel circuit. When the load connected at both ends is a large current load, the control unit 11 (microcomputer 10) simultaneously controls the opening and closing of the first upstream side open / close switch 71 and the second upstream side open / close switch 72 that constitute the parallel circuit, to shunt the load current.

[0063] The other end of the load connected at both ends is connected to the input ends of the first downstream side open / close switch 81 and the second downstream side open / close switch 82, and a parallel circuit is formed (dualized) by the first downstream side open / close switch 81 and the second downstream side open / close switch 82. When the load connected at both ends is a small current load, the control unit 11 (microcomputer 10) performs fail-safe control by complementarily using the first downstream side open / close switch 81 and the second downstream side open / close switch 82 that constitute the parallel circuit. When the load connected at both ends is a large current load, the control unit 11 (microcomputer 10) simultaneously controls the opening and closing of the first downstream side open / close switch 81 and the second downstream side open / close switch 82 that constitute the parallel circuit, to shunt the load current.

[0064] 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the connection state of the internal connections 62 of the multi-input / output unit 6. The multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) has four internal connections 62, and the internal connections 62 include a first connection 621, a second connection 622, a third connection 623, and a fourth connection 624. The first connection 621 connects the first switch side terminal 601 and the first load side terminal 611. The second connection 622 connects the second switch side terminal 602 and the second load side terminal 612. The third connection 623 connects the third switch side terminal 603 and the third load side terminal 613. The fourth connection 624 connects the fourth switch side terminal 604 and the fourth load side terminal 614. Of these internal connections 62, any two of the internal connections 62 are connected by an inter-connection connecting conductor 63 according to the classification of the in-vehicle load 4 to be connected.

[0065] When the on-vehicle load 4 to be connected is a forward / reverse rotation load 41, the first connection 621 and the third connection 623 are connected by the inter-connection connecting conductor 63, and further the second connection 622 and the fourth connection 624 are connected by the inter-connection connecting conductor 63. This constitutes a connection mode (pattern A) that forms a bull-bridge circuit connection.

[0066] When the on-vehicle load 4 to be connected is a forward / reverse rotation load 41 formed by an electromechanical integrated load 43 described later, the first connection 621 and the fourth connection 624 are connected by an inter-connection connecting conductor 63, and the second connection 622 and the third connection 623 are further connected by an inter-connection connecting conductor 63. This constitutes a connection mode (pattern B) that forms a half-bridge 91 circuit connection.

[0067] When the on-vehicle load 4 to be connected is a forward / reverse rotation load 41 and a fail-safe type connection or a large current carrying type connection is made according to the load current of the forward / reverse rotation load 41, the first connection 621 and the second connection 622 are connected by an inter-wire connection conductor 63, and further the third connection 623 and the fourth connection 624 are connected by an inter-wire connection conductor 63. This constitutes a connection mode (pattern C) that provides a fail-safe type connection or a large current carrying type connection.

[0068] When the vehicle-mounted load 4 to be connected is a forward / reverse load 41, for example, and the forward / reverse load 41 is connected to all of the four load-side terminals, none of the internal connections 62 may be connected to each other, and the inter-connection connecting conductor 63 may not be arranged. This results in a connection mode (pattern D) in which the internal connections 62 are not connected to each other (1:1 connection). The multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) is configured to be switched to one of the connection patterns (any of patterns A to D) depending on the connection mode (connection pattern) determined according to the classification of the vehicle-mounted load 4 connected to the vehicle-mounted device 1.

[0069] (Embodiment 2) 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection between the in-vehicle device 1 and an in-vehicle load 4 (mechanically and electrically integrated load 43) according to the second embodiment. In the illustration of this embodiment, the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the in-vehicle device 1 is the in-vehicle load 43. The in-vehicle load 43 includes a forward / reverse rotation motor like the forward / reverse rotation load 41, and is configured by a module or the like in which an inverter, a reducer (gear), and a motor are set (integrated). The in-vehicle load 43 may further include a control module such as a microcomputer 10 that controls the inverter, etc., and may be connected to the in-vehicle network 3 and function as the in-vehicle ECU 2.

[0070] In the illustrated embodiment, one end of the upper mechanically and electrically integrated load 43 is connected to the first load side terminal 611. The first connection 621 and the fourth connection 624 are connected by the inter-connection connecting conductor 63. As a result, a half bridge 91 is formed by the first upstream side open / close switch 71 and the second downstream side open / close switch 82. The control unit 11 (microcomputer 10) performs drive control of the upper mechanically and electrically integrated load 43 by controlling the opening and closing of the first upstream side open / close switch 71 and the second downstream side open / close switch 82 that form the half bridge 91.

[0071] In the illustrated embodiment, one end of the lower mechanically and electrically integrated load 43 is connected to the third load side terminal 613. The second connection 622 and the third connection 623 are connected by the connection conductor 63. As a result, a half bridge 91 is formed by the second upstream side open / close switch 72 and the first downstream side open / close switch 81. The control unit 11 (microcomputer 10) performs drive control of the lower mechanically and electrically integrated load 43 by controlling the opening and closing of the second upstream side open / close switch 72 and the first downstream side open / close switch 81 constituting the half bridge 91. In the present embodiment, the mechanically and electrically integrated load 43 includes a forward / reverse motor like the forward / reverse load 41, but is not limited thereto. The mechanically and electrically integrated load 43 may be one in which a current flows in only one direction like the forward load 42, and may be connected in the same manner as the forward load 42 in the first embodiment.

[0072] (Embodiment 3) 9 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 according to the embodiment 3. When the in-vehicle load 4 is connected to the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) of 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.

[0073] The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 acquires load information on the connected in-vehicle load 4 (S101). For example, in the production stage (production process) of the vehicle C, Information such as product specifications of the on-vehicle load 4 to be connected is written to the storage unit 12 of the on-vehicle device 1, and the control unit 11 acquires the load information of the on-vehicle load 4 to be connected to the on-vehicle device 1 by referring to the storage unit 12. Alternatively, when the on-vehicle load 4 is added after the production and shipment of the vehicle C, the control unit 11 may acquire information such as product specifications of the on-vehicle load 4 to be connected to the on-vehicle device 1 as the load information from, for example, a diagnostic device communicably connected to the on-vehicle device 1. Alternatively, the control unit 11 of the on-vehicle device 1 may acquire the load information by communicating with an RF tag (radio frequency identification) provided in the on-vehicle load 4 connected to the load side terminal of the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) and referring to the load information stored in the RF tag. Alternatively, when the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the load side terminal of the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) is an integrated mechanical and electrical load 43, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 may acquire load information of the integrated mechanical and electrical load 43 by communicating with the integrated mechanical and electrical load 43 via the in-vehicle network 3.

[0074] When acquiring load information on the vehicle-mounted load 4 connected to the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O), the control unit 11 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 may also acquire the terminal number of the load side terminal to which the vehicle-mounted load 4 is connected. When acquiring the terminal number of the load side terminal to which the vehicle-mounted load 4 is connected, the control unit 11 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 may input the terminal number by an input device such as a diagnostic device or a keyboard, or the control unit 11 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 may detect the connected load side terminal (identify the terminal number) by detecting the potential of each of the load side terminals (first load side terminal 611, second load side terminal 612, third load side terminal 613, fourth load side terminal 614) of the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O).

[0075] The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 determines the connection mode of the internal wiring 62 according to the acquired load information (S102). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 may determine (acquire) the connection mode of the internal wiring 62 based on the acquired load information, etc. (including the terminal number of the connected load side terminal), for example, by referring to a load information table stored in the storage unit 12.

[0076] 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating load information (load information table) of the connected in-vehicle load 4. Information on the connection mode of the internal connection 62 determined based on the load information of the connected in-vehicle load 4 is stored in the storage unit 12 of the in-vehicle device 1 in, for example, a table format (load information table). The load information table includes, as management items (fields), for example, the load type, the load side terminal to which the in-vehicle load 4 is connected, the inter-connection connection conductor 63 (the connected internal connection 62), and the open / close switch to be controlled.

[0077] The management item of the load type stores the classification of the vehicle-mounted load 4 connected to the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O). The management item of the load side terminal to which the vehicle-mounted load 4 is connected stores terminal numbers and the like that uniquely indicate each of the load side terminals of the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O). The management item of the inter-wire connection conductor 63 (connected internal wires 62) stores a combination of the internal wires 62 to be connected according to the classification of the vehicle-mounted load 4 stored in the same record. The combination of the internal wires 62 indicates the placement location of the inter-wire connection conductor 63 for connecting two internal wires 62. The management item of the open / close switch to be controlled stores switch numbers and the like that uniquely indicate the open / close switch used to drive and control the vehicle-mounted load 4 of the classification according to the classification of the vehicle-mounted load 4 stored in the same record and the load side terminal to which the vehicle-mounted load 4 is connected.

[0078] When the load type is a forward / reverse load 41, and the load side terminals to which the in-vehicle load 4 is connected are the first load side terminal 611 and the fourth load side terminal 614, the inter-wire connection conductor 63 (connected internal wire 62) is the inter-wire connection conductor 63 that connects the first wire 621 and the third wire 623, and the inter-wire connection conductor 63 that connects the second wire 622 and the fourth wire 624. The opening / closing switches are a first upstream opening / closing switch 71, a second upstream opening / closing switch 72, a first downstream opening / closing switch 81, and a second downstream opening / closing switch 82, which form a full bridge 92.

[0079] When the load type is a power supply load (forward load 42) and the load terminal to which the in-vehicle load 4 is connected is the third load terminal 613, the inter-wire connection conductor 63 (connected internal connection 62) is absent (no connection). The open / close switch to be controlled is the first downstream open / close switch 81.

[0080] When the load type is a power supply load (forward load 42) and the load terminal to which the in-vehicle load 4 is connected is the fourth load terminal 614, the inter-wire connection conductor 63 (connected internal connection 62) is absent (no connection). The open / close switch to be controlled is the second downstream open / close switch 82.

[0081] When the load type is a ground load (normal load 42) and the load side terminal to which the in-vehicle load 4 is connected is the first load side terminal 611, the inter-wire connection conductor 63 (connected internal connection 62) is absent (not connected). The open / close switch to be controlled is the first upstream open / close switch 71.

[0082] When the load type is a ground load (forward load 42) and the load terminal to which the in-vehicle load 4 is connected is the second load terminal 612, the inter-wire connection conductor 63 (connected internal connection 62) is absent (not connected). The open / close switch to be controlled is the second upstream open / close switch 72.

[0083] When the load type is a power supply side load (small current forward load 42) and the load side terminal to which the in-vehicle load 4 is connected is the third load side terminal 613, the inter-wire connecting conductor 63 (connected internal wire 62) is the inter-wire connecting conductor 63 connecting the third wire 623 and the fourth wire 624. The open / close switch to be controlled is either the first downstream side open / close switch 81 or the second downstream side open / close switch 82.

[0084] When the load type is a ground load (small current forward load 42) and the load side terminal to which the in-vehicle load 4 is connected is the second load side terminal 612, the inter-wire connection conductor 63 (connected internal connection 62) is the inter-wire connection conductor 63 that connects the first connection 621 and the second connection 622. The open / close switch to be controlled is either the first upstream open / close switch 71 or the second upstream open / close switch 72.

[0085] When the load type is a power supply side load (large current forward load 42) and the load side terminal to which the in-vehicle load 4 is connected is the third load side terminal 613, the inter-wire connecting conductor 63 (connected internal wire 62) is the inter-wire connecting conductor 63 connecting the third wire 623 and the fourth wire 624. The open / close switches to be controlled are both the first downstream side open / close switch 81 and the second downstream side open / close switch 82.

[0086] When the load type is a ground load (large current forward load 42) and the load side terminal to which the in-vehicle load 4 is connected is the second load side terminal 612, the inter-wire connection conductor 63 (connected internal connection 62) is the inter-wire connection conductor 63 connecting the first connection 621 and the second connection 622. The open / close switches to be controlled are both the first upstream open / close switch 71 and the second upstream open / close switch 72.

[0087] When the load type is a double-ended load (a large current normal load 42) and the load side terminals to which the in-vehicle load 4 is connected are the first load side terminal 611 and the fourth load side terminal 614, The conductor 63 (connected internal connection 62) is an inter-connection connection conductor 63 connecting the first connection 621 and the second connection 622, and an inter-connection connection conductor 63 connecting the third connection 623 and the fourth connection 624. The open / close switches to be controlled are both the first upstream open / close switch 71 and the second upstream open / close switch 72, and both the first downstream open / close switch 81 and the second downstream open / close switch 82.

[0088] When the load type is a double-ended load (small current forward load 42) and the load side terminals to which the in-vehicle load 4 is connected are the first load side terminal 611 and the fourth load side terminal 614, the inter-wire connection conductor 63 (connected internal wires 62) is the inter-wire connection conductor 63 connecting the first wire 621 and the second wire 622, and the inter-wire connection conductor 63 connecting the third wire 623 and the fourth wire 624. The open / close switches to be controlled are either the first upstream open / close switch 71 or the second upstream open / close switch 72, and either the first downstream open / close switch 81 or the second downstream open / close switch 82.

[0089] When the load type is an electromechanical integrated load 43 (forward / reverse rotation load 41) and the load side terminal to which the in-vehicle load 4 is connected is the first load side terminal 611, the inter-wire connecting conductor 63 (connected internal wire 62) is the inter-wire connecting conductor 63 that connects the first wire 621 and the fourth wire 624. The open / close switches to be controlled are the first upstream open / close switch 71 and the second downstream open / close switch 82, which together form a half bridge 91.

[0090] When the load type is an electromechanical integrated load 43 (forward / reverse rotation load 41) and the load side terminal to which the in-vehicle load 4 is connected is the third load side terminal 613, the inter-wire connecting conductor 63 (connected internal wire 62) is the inter-wire connecting conductor 63 that connects the second wire 622 and the third wire 623. The open / close switches to be controlled are the second upstream open / close switch 72 and the first downstream open / close switch 81, which together form a half bridge 91.

[0091] The above items regarding each of the connection modes are merely examples, and are not limited thereto. In the load information table, appropriate connection modes are defined according to the combination of each of the various classifications of the in-vehicle loads 4 and each of the load side terminals to be connected. When the in-vehicle device 1 has two or more multi-input / output units 6 (multi-I / O), a plurality of load information tables corresponding to each of the multiple multi-input / output units 6 may be stored in the storage unit 12.

[0092] The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 changes the connection state of the internal connections 62 to the confirmed connection mode (S103). The inter-connection connection conductors 63 connecting the internal connections 62 (the first connection 621, the second connection 622, the third connection 623, and the fourth connection 624) are comprehensively arranged to connect all the internal connections 62 (the first connection 621, the second connection 622, the third connection 623, and the fourth connection 624) to each other. Each of the inter-connection connection conductors 63 connecting the internal connections 62 may be provided with a relay (inter-connection connection relay), such as a semiconductor relay or a mechanical relay. The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 changes the connection state of the internal connections 62 by closing (on) the inter-connection connection relay arranged between the two internal connections 62 to be connected and opening (off) the inter-connection connection relay arranged between the two internal connections 62 to be disconnected, in accordance with the connection mode determined by referring to the load information table.

[0093] The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 starts drive control of the in-vehicle load 4 (S104). In response to a message received from another in-vehicle ECU 2 or a signal from various operation switches connected to the in-vehicle device 1, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 performs drive control for the connected in-vehicle load 4 by, for example, referring to a load information table. That is, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 determines a control target corresponding to the connected in-vehicle load 4 by referring to the load information table. The target opening / closing switch (one or more of the first upstream opening / closing switch 71, the second upstream opening / closing switch 72, the first downstream opening / closing switch 81, and the second downstream opening / closing switch 82) is identified, and the opening / closing (on / off) of the opening / closing switch is controlled.

[0094] 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.

[0095] 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]

[0096] 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 Forward / reverse load 42 Forward rotation load 43 Mechanical and electrical integrated load 5 Power supply 51 Power Lines 6 Multi-input / output unit (Multi-I / O) 601 First switch side terminal 602 Second switch side terminal 603 3rd switch side terminal 604 4th switch side terminal 611 1st load side terminal 612 2nd load side terminal 613 3rd load side terminal 614 4th load side terminal 62 Internal wiring 621 First Connection 622 Second Wire Connection 623 3rd Connection 624 4th Connection 63 Interconnection conductor 71 First upstream switch 72 Second upstream opening / closing switch 81 First downstream opening / closing switch 82 Second downstream opening / closing switch 91 Half Bridge 92 Full Bridge

Claims

1. An on-vehicle device to which an on-vehicle load is connected, Two upstream open / close switches having input terminals connected to a power supply device that supplies power to the vehicle load; Two downstream open / close switches whose output ends are grounded to ground; a multi-input / output unit including four switch side terminals to which the upstream side open / close switches or the downstream side open / close switches are connected, and a plurality of load side terminals to which the vehicle loads are connected, The switch side terminals of the multi-input / output unit are connected to output terminals of the two upstream side open / close switches and input terminals of the two downstream side open / close switches, The multi-input / output unit is configured to be able to set a connection state of an internal connection that connects each of the switch-side terminals and the load-side terminal to which the vehicle-mounted load is connected, in accordance with the vehicle-mounted load connected to the load-side terminal. In-vehicle device.

2. the on-vehicle load connected to the load-side terminal of the multi-input / output unit is a forward / reverse-rotation load including a forward / reverse-rotation motor, the load side terminal to which one end of the forward / reverse rotation load is connected is connected, by the internal wiring, to the switch side terminal to which an output end of one of the upstream side open / close switches is connected and to the switch side terminal to which an input end of one of the downstream side open / close switches is connected; the load side terminal to which the other end of the forward / reverse load is connected is connected, by the internal wiring, to the switch side terminal to which the output end of the other upstream side open / close switch is connected and to the switch side terminal to which the input end of the other downstream side open / close switch is connected; A connection state of the internal wiring of the multi-input / output unit is set so that a full bridge circuit is formed by one of the upstream side open / close switches, one of the downstream side open / close switches, the other upstream side open / close switch, and the other downstream side open / close switch. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 .

3. the in-vehicle load connected to the load-side terminal of the multi-input / output unit is a forward load through which a current flows in only one direction, the normal load includes at least one of a power supply side load, an input end of which is connected to the power supply device, and a ground side load, an output end of which is grounded to the ground, When the forward load is the power supply load, the load side terminal to which the output end of the power supply load is connected is connected by the internal wiring to the switch side terminal to which the input end of the downstream open / close switch is connected, When the forward load is the ground load, the load side terminal to which the input end of the ground load is connected is connected by the internal wiring to the switch side terminal to which the output end of the upstream open / close switch is connected. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 .

4. the in-vehicle load connected to the load-side terminal of the multi-input / output unit is a forward load through which a current flows in only one direction, the normal load includes at least one of a power supply side load, an input end of which is connected to the power supply device, and a ground side load, an output end of which is grounded to the ground, When the forward load is the power supply load, the load side terminal to which the output end of the power supply load is connected is connected by the internal wiring to each of the switch side terminals to which the input ends of the two downstream side open / close switches are connected, When the forward load is the ground-side load, the input terminal of the ground-side load is connected The load side terminals are connected to the switch side terminals to which the output terminals of the two upstream side open / close switches are connected by the internal wiring. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 .

5. A control unit that controls the driving of the on-vehicle load, The control unit is when a load current flowing through the on-board load is less than a predetermined value, a fail-safe control is performed by complementarily controlling opening and closing of two opening / closing switches on the same side of the two downstream side opening / closing switches or the two upstream side opening / closing switches; When the load current flowing through the on-board load is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the load current is diverted by simultaneously controlling the opening and closing of two on-off switches on the same side of the two downstream side on-off switches or the two upstream side on-off switches. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 4.

6. The on-vehicle load is an electromechanical integrated load, The multi-input / output unit and the electromechanical integrated load are connected in accordance with the load specifications of the electromechanical integrated load. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 .

7. the switch side terminals include a first switch side terminal, a second switch side terminal, a third switch side terminal, and a fourth switch side terminal; the load side terminals include a first load side terminal, a second load side terminal, a third load side terminal, and a fourth load side terminal, the internal connections include a first connection connecting the first switch side terminal and the first load side terminal, a second connection connecting the second switch side terminal and the second load side terminal, a third connection connecting the third switch side terminal and the third load side terminal, and a fourth connection connecting the fourth switch side terminal and the fourth load side terminal, The change in the connection state of the internal connections is performed by connecting at least two of the first connection, the second connection, the third connection, and the fourth connection. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 .

8. A control unit that controls the driving of the on-vehicle load, The control unit is Obtaining load information regarding the on-vehicle load connected to the load side terminal; A process for connecting at least two of the first connection, the second connection, the third connection, and the fourth connection is performed based on the acquired load information, thereby changing the connection state of the internal connections. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 7.

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