Communication system and power feeding switching device

Abstract

To individually manage activation of a plurality of control devices in a communication system.SOLUTION: A communication system 1 comprises: slave ECUs 3 and 6; and a master ECU 2. The master ECU 2 transmits, to the slave ECU 3, a relay on / off request for requesting whether or not to set a relay 44 to a first conductive state on the basis of an NM frame containing first switching information indicating whether or not to set the relay 44 to the first conductive state, and second switching information indicating whether or not to set a relay 26 to a second conductive state. The master ECU 2 sets the relay 26 to any one of the second conductive state and a second disconnection state on the basis of the NM frame.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication system including a plurality of control devices and a power supply switching device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 describes an in-vehicle network system that includes a power supply relay that individually switches the power supply of each of a plurality of electronic control devices on / off, determines the control content for switching the power supply of a specific electronic control device on / off for a specific electronic control device that corresponds to a scene identified based on the vehicle situation, and uses the power supply relay to switch the power supplied to the specific electronic control device on / off based on the determined control content. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-81021 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As a result of detailed investigation by the inventors, the following problem was found. In the in-vehicle network system described in Patent Document 1, all of the control devices (hereinafter, first slave control devices) connected to the management control device receive power from a power source via a power relay. However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, when there is a control device (hereinafter, second slave control device) further connected to the first slave control device, it is not possible to individually manage the startup of the first slave control device and the second slave control device.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to individually manage the activation of multiple control devices in a communication system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a communication system (1, 100) including a slave control device (6, 108), a first power supply switching control unit (3, 104), a second power supply switching control unit (2, 101, 102), a switching transmission unit (S20, S250, S280), and a power supply control unit (S30, S260).

[0007] The slave control device receives power from a power source (10, 117) via a first power supply switching unit (44, 195) configured to switch between a first conductive state in which the first power supply path (16, 127) is conductive and a first cut-off state in which the first power supply path is cut off.

[0008] The first power supply switching control unit is configured to receive power from a power source via a second power supply switching unit (26, 173) configured to switch between a second conductive state in which the second power supply path (14, 123) is conductive and a second cut-off state in which the second power supply path is cut off, and to control the operation of the first power supply switching unit.

[0009] The second power supply switching control unit is configured to control the operation of the second power supply switching unit. The switching transmission unit is configured to transmit first switching instruction information indicating whether or not to set the first power supply switching unit to the first conductive state to the first power supply switching control unit, based on a management frame, which is a communication frame including first switching information indicating whether or not to set the first power supply switching unit to the first conductive state and second switching information indicating whether or not to set the second power supply switching unit to the second conductive state.

[0010] The power supply control unit is configured to set the second power supply switching unit to either a second conductive state or a second cut-off state based on the management frame. In the communication system of the present disclosure configured as above, the second power supply switching control unit can set the second power supply switching unit to either the second conductive state or the second cut-off state based on the second switching information included in the management frame. Furthermore, in the communication system of the present disclosure, the first power supply switching control unit can set the first power supply switching unit to either the first conductive state or the first cut-off state based on the first switching instruction information transmitted from the switching transmission unit based on the first switching information included in the management frame. Therefore, the communication system of the present disclosure can individually control the power supply to the first power supply switching control unit connected to the second power supply switching unit and the power supply to the slave control device connected to the first power supply switching unit, and can individually manage the startup of multiple control devices.

[0011] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a power supply switching device (2, 101, 102) configured to control the operation of a second power supply switching unit (26, 173) in a communication system (1, 100) including a slave control device (6, 108) and a power supply switching control unit (3, 104).

[0012] The power supply switching device of the present disclosure includes a switching transmission unit (S20, S250, S280) and a power supply control unit (S30, S260). The power supply switching device of the present disclosure configured in this manner is a device included in the communication system of the present disclosure, and can obtain the same effects as the communication system of the present disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of an NM frame and a relay management table. [Diagram 3] 5 is a flowchart showing a master power supply management process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart showing a slave power management process according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing a master power supply management process according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing a slave power management process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between control objects and clusters. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a central ECU and an upstream power distribution unit according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a first block diagram showing a configuration of a zone ECU according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a second block diagram showing the configuration of a zone ECU according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a slave ECU according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. A communication system 1 of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle, and as shown in Fig. 1, includes a master ECU 2, slave ECUs 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, and a battery 10. ECU is an abbreviation for Electronic Control Unit.

[0015] The master ECU 2 and the slave ECU 3 are connected to each other via a communication bus 11 so as to be able to communicate data with each other. The master ECU 2 and the slave ECU 4 are connected to each other via a communication bus 12 so as to be able to communicate data with each other.

[0016] The master ECU 2 and the slave ECU 5 are connected to each other via a communication bus 13 so as to be able to communicate data with each other. The battery 10 supplies power to each part of the vehicle at a DC battery voltage (for example, 12 V). The master ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 to 9 operate by receiving power from the battery 10.

[0017] The master ECU 2 includes a control unit 21, CAN communication units 22, 23, and 24, a storage unit 25, and relays 26 and 27. CAN is an abbreviation for Controller Area Network. Note that the communication protocol of the communication system 1 is not limited to CAN.

[0018] The control unit 21 is an electronic control device mainly composed of a microcomputer including a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, etc. Various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 31 executing a program stored in a non-transitive substantial recording medium. In this example, the ROM 32 corresponds to the non-transitive substantial recording medium storing the program. Furthermore, the execution of this program executes a method corresponding to the program. Note that some or all of the functions executed by the CPU 31 may be configured as hardware using one or more ICs, etc. Also, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 21 may be one or more.

[0019] The CAN communication units 22, 23, and 24 communicate with the slave ECUs 3, 4, and 5 connected to the communication buses 11, 12, and 13, respectively, by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0020] The storage unit 25 is a storage device for storing various data, and stores a relay management table 35 and a communication management table 36, which will be described later. The relay 26 is disposed on the power supply path 14 between the battery 10 and the slave ECU 3. The relay 27 is disposed on the power supply path 15 between the battery 10 and the slave ECU 4.

[0021] The relay 26 is configured to switch between a conductive state in which the power supply path 14 is conductive and a cut-off state in which the power supply path 14 is cut off in response to a command from the control unit 21 . Relay 27 is configured to switch between a conductive state in which power supply path 15 is connected and a cut-off state in which power supply path 15 is cut off in response to a command from control unit 21. Hereinafter, the conductive state is also referred to as an on state, and the cut-off state is also referred to as an off state.

[0022] The slave ECU 3 includes a control unit 41, a CAN communication unit 42, a storage unit 43, and relays 44 and 45. The control unit 41 is an electronic control device mainly composed of a microcomputer including a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, etc. Various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 51 executing a program stored in a non-transitive substantial recording medium. In this example, the ROM 52 corresponds to the non-transitive substantial recording medium storing the program. Furthermore, the execution of this program executes a method corresponding to the program. Note that some or all of the functions executed by the CPU 51 may be configured in hardware form using one or more ICs, etc. Also, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 41 may be one or more.

[0023] The CAN communication unit 42 is connected to the CAN communication unit 22 via the communication bus 11, and communicates with the master ECU 2 based on the CAN communication protocol. The storage unit 43 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 43 stores a communication management table 36, which will be described later.

[0024] The relay 44 is disposed on the power supply path 16 between the slave ECU 3 and the slave ECU 6. The power supply path 16 is connected to the battery 10 via a power supply path 14. The relay 45 is disposed on the power supply path 17 between the slave ECU 3 and the slave ECU 7. The power supply path 17 is connected to the battery 10 via the power supply path 14.

[0025] The slave ECU 4 includes a control unit 61, a CAN communication unit 62, a storage unit 63, and relays 64 and 65. The control unit 61 is an electronic control device mainly composed of a microcomputer including a CPU 71, a ROM 72, a RAM 73, etc. Various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 71 executing a program stored in a non-transitive substantial recording medium. In this example, the ROM 72 corresponds to the non-transitive substantial recording medium storing the program. Furthermore, the execution of this program executes a method corresponding to the program. Note that some or all of the functions executed by the CPU 71 may be configured as hardware using one or more ICs, etc. Also, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 61 may be one or more.

[0026] The CAN communication unit 62 is connected to the CAN communication unit 23 via the communication bus 12, and communicates with the master ECU 2 based on the CAN communication protocol. The storage unit 63 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 63 stores a communication management table 36, which will be described later.

[0027] The relay 64 is disposed on the power supply path 18 between the slave ECU 4 and the slave ECU 8. The power supply path 18 is connected to the battery 10 via a power supply path 15. The relay 65 is disposed on the power supply path 19 between the slave ECU 4 and the slave ECU 9. The power supply path 19 is connected to the battery 10 via a power supply path 15.

[0028] The slave ECU 5 includes a control unit 81, a CAN communication unit 82, and a storage unit 83. The control unit 81 is an electronic control device mainly composed of a microcomputer including a CPU 91, a ROM 92, a RAM 93, etc. Various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 91 executing a program stored in a non-transitive substantial recording medium. In this example, the ROM 92 corresponds to the non-transitive substantial recording medium storing the program. Furthermore, the execution of this program executes a method corresponding to the program. Note that some or all of the functions executed by the CPU 91 may be configured in hardware using one or more ICs, etc. Also, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 81 may be one or more.

[0029] The CAN communication unit 82 is connected to the CAN communication unit 24 via the communication bus 13, and communicates with the master ECU 2 based on the CAN communication protocol. The storage unit 83 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 83 stores a communication management table 36, which will be described later.

[0030] A CAN frame consists of a start of frame, an arbitration field, a control field, a data field, a CRC field, an ACK field, and an end of frame. The arbitration field consists of an 11-bit or 29-bit identifier (i.e., ID) and a 1-bit RTR bit.

[0031] The 11-bit identifier used in CAN communication is called CANID. The CANID is preset based on the contents of the data included in the CAN frame, the sender of the CAN frame, the destination of the CAN frame, etc.

[0032] The data field is a payload made up of first data, second data, third data, fourth data, fifth data, sixth data, seventh data, and eighth data, each of which is 8 bits (i.e., 1 byte).

[0033] The master ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 to 9 are configured to switch between a wake-up state (i.e., an active state) and a sleep state (i.e., a dormant state). The wake-up state is a normal operating state in which functions assigned to the ECUs can be used without restrictions. The sleep state is a low-power operating state in which available functions are restricted.

[0034] In the communication system 1, an NM frame, which is a CAN frame including switching information, is used to switch the relays 26, 27, 44, 45, 64, and 65 to the on or off state. NM is an abbreviation for Network Management.

[0035] The switching information is set, for example, as shown in Fig. 2. DLC is an abbreviation for Data Length Code, and is an area that indicates the size of the data field in the CAN frame in bytes. In other words, the switching information is stored in the data field of the CAN frame. For simplicity of explanation, a case where DLC is 1 byte (i.e., 8 bits) is shown here.

[0036] Switching information for relay 26, switching information for relay 27, switching information for relay 44, switching information for relay 45, switching information for relay 64, and switching information for relay 65 are assigned to each bit of the 8-bit data.

[0037] In the NM frame shown in Figure 2, the most significant bit of the first data is assigned switching information for relay 26, the most significant bit of the first data is assigned switching information for relay 27, the most significant bit of the first data is assigned switching information for relay 44, the most significant bit of the first data is assigned switching information for relay 45, the most significant bit of the first data is assigned switching information for relay 64, and the most significant bit of the first data is assigned switching information for relay 65.

[0038] In the NM frame shown in FIG. 2, for example, since 0 is set in the most significant bit of the first data, the NM frame shown in FIG. 2 instructs to turn relay 26 to the off state.

[0039] In addition, in the NM frame shown in FIG. 2, since the second most significant bit of the first data is set to 1, the NM frame shown in FIG. 2 instructs to turn on relay 27. As shown in FIG. 2, the relay management table 35 sets, for each of a plurality of pieces of switching information included in the NM frame, a correspondence relationship between the switching information, the control target, and the installation destination.

[0040] The relay management table 35 shown in Figure 2 indicates that the switching information in the most significant bit of the first data (i.e., bit 0 in Figure 2) indicates that the relay 26 is the control object, and that the control object (i.e., the relay 26) is installed in the master ECU 2.

[0041] Similarly, the relay management table 35 indicates that the switching information in the second most significant bit of the first data (i.e., bit 1 in Figure 2) indicates that the relay 27 is the control object, and that the control object (i.e., relay 27) is installed in the master ECU 2.

[0042] The relay management table 35 also indicates that the switching information in the third most significant bit of the first data (i.e., bit 2 in Figure 2) indicates that the relay 44 is the control object, and that the control object (i.e., the relay 44) is installed in the slave ECU 3.

[0043] In addition, the relay management table 35 indicates that the switching information in the fourth most significant bit of the first data (i.e., bit 3 in Figure 2) indicates that the relay 45 is the control object, and that the control object (i.e., relay 45) is installed in the slave ECU 3.

[0044] In addition, the relay management table 35 indicates that the switching information in the fifth most significant bit of the first data (i.e., bit 4 in Figure 2) indicates that the relay 64 is the control object, and that the control object (i.e., relay 64) is installed in the slave ECU 4.

[0045] In addition, the relay management table 35 indicates that the switching information in the highest 6th bit of the first data (i.e., bit 5 in Figure 2) indicates that the relay 65 is the control object, and that the control object (i.e., relay 65) is installed in the slave ECU 4.

[0046] The communication management table 36 shown in FIG. 1 sets, for each of a plurality of services provided to the vehicle occupant using the master ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 to 9, a correspondence relationship between the service and switching information.

[0047] The communication management table 36 sets, for example, for the first service, the switching information for relay 26 to set relay 26 to the on state, the switching information for relay 27 to set relay 27 to the off state, the switching information for relay 44 to set relay 44 to the on state, the switching information for relay 45 to set relay 45 to the off state, the switching information for relay 64 to set relay 64 to the off state, and the switching information for relay 65 to set relay 65 to the off state.

[0048] The communication management table 36 sets, for example, for the second service, the switching information for relay 26 to set relay 26 to the off state, the switching information for relay 27 to set relay 27 to the on state, the switching information for relay 44 to set relay 44 to the off state, the switching information for relay 45 to set relay 45 to the off state, the switching information for relay 64 to set relay 64 to the on state, and the switching information for relay 65 to set relay 65 to the on state.

[0049] Therefore, when the master ECU 2 and the slave ECUs 3 to 5 detect that the start condition of a service is satisfied, they extract switching information corresponding to the relevant service from the communication management table 36, and generate and transmit an NM frame including the extracted switching information.

[0050] In addition, when multiple NM frames corresponding to multiple services are being transmitted, the ECU receiving the NM frames turns the relay on with OR (i.e., logical sum) of the switching information, and turns the relay off with AND (i.e., logical product) of the switching information. On the other hand, when the same ECU generates NM frames corresponding to multiple services, the NM frame may be generated and transmitted as a single NM frame corresponding to multiple services, with OR for switching information that turns the relay on and AND for switching information that turns the relay off.

[0051] Next, a description will be given of the procedure of a master power management process executed by the control unit 21 of the master ECU 2. The master power management process is a process that is repeatedly executed while the master ECU 2 is running.

[0052] When the master power management process is executed, the CPU 31 of the control unit 21 determines whether or not an NM frame has been received in S10, as shown in Fig. 3. If an NM frame has not been received, the CPU 31 ends the master power management process. Note that the master ECU 2 may generate and transmit an NM frame, and in this case, the operation is the same as when an NM frame is received.

[0053] On the other hand, when an NM frame is received, the CPU 31 transmits a relay on / off request to the slave ECUs 3 and 4 based on the switching information included in the received NM frame and the relay management table 35 in S20.

[0054] Specifically, the CPU 31 first refers to the relay management table 35 to identify the bit and the control target in which the slave ECUs 3 and 4 are installed. Furthermore, the CPU 31 identifies whether or not to turn on the relay of the control target based on the switching information of the identified bit in the received NM frame. The CPU 31 then transmits to the identified installation a relay on / off request indicating whether or not to turn on the identified control target. However, when the CPU 31 is to turn off a relay that is connected to the identified installation and is installed in the master ECU 2, the CPU 31 does not transmit a relay on / off request to the identified installation.

[0055] For example, in the relay management table 35 shown in Fig. 2, the bits in which the slave ECU 3 is installed are the third most significant bit (i.e., bit 2 in Fig. 2) and the fourth most significant bit (i.e., bit 3 in Fig. 2). The control target of the third most significant bit is relay 44, and the control target of the fourth most significant bit is relay 45. In the NM frame shown in Fig. 2, the third most significant bit is 0, and the fourth most significant bit is 1.

[0056] Therefore, the CPU 31 transmits to the slave ECU 3 a relay on / off request instructing to turn the relay 44 to the off state and a relay on / off request instructing to turn the relay 45 to the on state.

[0057] However, when the relay 26 connected to the slave ECU 3 and mounted on the master ECU 2 is to be turned off (i.e., when the most significant bit in the NM frame is 0), the CPU 31 does not send a relay on / off request to the slave ECU 3.

[0058] In S30, the CPU 31 sets the relays 26, 27 to the on or off state based on the switching information contained in the received NM frame and the relay management table 35, and ends the master power management process.

[0059] Specifically, the CPU 31 first refers to the relay management table 35 to identify the bit and the control target in which the master ECU 2 is installed. The CPU 31 then identifies whether or not to turn on the relay of the control target based on the switching information of the identified bit in the received NM frame. The CPU 31 then turns on or off the relay of the control target based on the identification result.

[0060] For example, in the relay management table 35 shown in Fig. 2, the bits in which the master ECU 2 is installed are the most significant bit (i.e., bit 0 in Fig. 2) and the second most significant bit (i.e., bit 1 in Fig. 2). The control target of the most significant bit is the relay 26, and the control target of the second most significant bit is the relay 27. In the NM frame shown in Fig. 2, the most significant bit is 0, and the second most significant bit is 1.

[0061] Therefore, the CPU 31 turns the relay 26 to the OFF state and turns the relay 27 to the ON state. Next, there will be described the procedure of a slave power management process executed by the control units 41, 61 of the slave ECUs 3, 4. The slave power management process is a process that is repeatedly executed while the slave ECUs 3, 4 are activated.

[0062] When the slave power management process is executed, the CPU 51, 71 of the control unit 41, 61 determines whether or not a relay on / off request has been received in S110 as shown in Fig. 4. If a relay on / off request has not been received, the CPU 51, 71 ends the slave power management process.

[0063] On the other hand, when a relay on / off request is received, the CPU 51, 71 turns the relay mounted in the own device on or off based on the received relay on / off request in S120, and ends the slave power management process. The relays mounted in the slave ECU 3 are the relays 44, 45. The relays mounted in the slave ECU 4 are the relays 64, 65.

[0064] The communication system 1 thus configured includes a slave ECU 6, a slave ECU 3, and a master ECU 2. The slave ECU 6 receives power from the battery 10 via a relay 44 configured to switch between a conductive state (hereinafter, a first conductive state) that connects the power supply path 16 and a cut-off state (hereinafter, a first cut-off state) that cuts off the power supply path 16.

[0065] The slave ECU 3 is configured to receive power from the battery 10 via a relay 26 configured to switch between a conductive state (hereinafter, a second conductive state) that connects the power supply path 14 and a cut-off state (hereinafter, a second cut-off state) that cuts off the power supply path 14, and to control the operation of a relay 44.

[0066] The master ECU 2 is configured to control the operation of the relay 26 . The master ECU 2 is configured to transmit a relay on / off request, requesting whether or not to set the relay 44 to the first conductive state, to the slave ECU 3 based on an NM frame, which is a CAN frame including switching information indicating whether or not to set the relay 44 to the first conductive state (hereinafter, referred to as first switching information) and switching information indicating whether or not to set the relay 26 to the second conductive state (hereinafter, referred to as second switching information).

[0067] The master ECU 2 is configured to place the relay 26 in either the second conductive state or the second cut-off state based on the NM frame. The master ECU 2 also includes a relay management table 35. The relay management table 35 has set therein mounting destination information indicating an ECU in which the relay 44 is mounted (hereinafter, referred to as first mounting destination information) and mounting destination information indicating an ECU in which the relay 26 is mounted (hereinafter, referred to as second mounting destination information).

[0068] When the master ECU 2 receives an NM frame, which is a CAN frame including switching information (hereinafter, first switching information) indicating whether or not to set the relay 44 to the first conductive state and switching information (hereinafter, second switching information) indicating whether or not to set the relay 26 to the second conductive state, the master ECU 2 is configured to transmit a relay on / off request to the slave ECU 3 to request whether or not to set the relay 44 to the first conductive state based on the first mounting location information in the relay management table 35 and the first switching information.

[0069] The master ECU 2 is configured to, upon receiving the NM frame, set the relay 26 to either the second conductive state or the second cut-off state based on the second mounting location information in the relay management table 35 and the second switching information.

[0070] In such a communication system 1, the master ECU 2 can set the relay 26 to either the second conductive state or the second cut-off state based on the second switching information included in the NM frame. Furthermore, in the communication system 1, the slave ECU 3 can set the relay 44 to either the first conductive state or the first cut-off state based on a relay on / off request transmitted from the master ECU 2 based on the first switching information included in the NM frame. Therefore, the communication system 1 can individually control the power supply to the slave ECU 3 connected to the master ECU 2 and the power supply to the slave ECU 6 connected to the slave ECU 3, and can individually manage the startup of the multiple slave ECUs 3 and 6.

[0071] Furthermore, when the second switching information included in the NM frame indicates the second cut-off state, the master ECU 2 is configured to prohibit transmission of a relay on / off request to the slave ECU 3. Such a communication system 1 can reduce the processing load of the master ECU 2 by preventing the master ECU 2 from needlessly transmitting a relay on / off request for the slave ECU 6 to the slave ECU 3 even when power is not supplied to the slave ECU 6 due to the relay 26 being in the second cut-off state.

[0072] In the embodiment described above, the power supply path 16 corresponds to the first power supply path, the relay 44 corresponds to the first power supply switching unit, the battery 10 corresponds to the power source, and the slave ECU 6 corresponds to the slave control device.

[0073] Moreover, the power supply path 14 corresponds to a second power supply path, the relay 26 corresponds to a second power supply switching unit, the slave ECU 3 corresponds to a first power supply switching control unit, and the master ECU 2 corresponds to a second power supply switching control unit and a power supply switching device.

[0074] In addition, the relay management table 35 corresponds to the switching unit management table, the NM frame corresponds to the management frame, the relay on / off request corresponds to the first switching instruction information and the first switching request, S20 corresponds to the processing as a switching transmission unit, and S30 corresponds to the processing as a power supply control unit.

[0075] [Second embodiment] A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described. The same reference numerals will be used to designate the same configurations.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 5, the communication system 1 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a relay management table 35 is stored in a memory unit 43 of the slave ECU 3 and in that a relay management table 35 is stored in a memory unit 63 of the slave ECU 4.

[0077] The communication system 1 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the procedures of the master power management process and the slave power management process. Next, a description will be given of a procedure of a master power management process according to the second embodiment. The master power management process is a process that is repeatedly executed while the master ECU 2 is running.

[0078] When the master power management process of the second embodiment is executed, the CPU 31 of the control unit 21 determines whether or not an NM frame has been received in S210, as shown in Fig. 6. If an NM frame has not been received, the CPU 31 ends the master power management process.

[0079] On the other hand, when an NM frame is received, the CPU 31, at S220, identifies the slave ECUs 3, 4 connected to the relays 26, 27 to be turned off as transmission-prohibited ECUs based on the switching information contained in the received NM frame and the relay management table 35.

[0080] Specifically, the CPU 31 first refers to the relay management table 35 to recognize that the most significant bit of the first data indicates that the relay 26 (i.e., the slave ECU 3) is to be controlled, and the second most significant bit of the first data indicates that the relay 27 (i.e., the slave ECU 4) is to be controlled. Then, when the most significant bit of the first data in the received NM frame is 0, the CPU 31 identifies the slave ECU 3 as a transmission prohibited ECU. Also, when the most significant bit of the first data in the received NM frame is 0, the CPU 31 identifies the slave ECU 4 as a transmission prohibited ECU.

[0081] At S230, the CPU 31 identifies the slave ECUs 3, 4 connected to the relays 26, 27 that are switched from the off state to the on state as the transmission standby ECUs based on the switching information contained in the NM frame received at S210, the switching information contained in the previously received NM frame, and the relay management table 35.

[0082] Specifically, the CPU 31 first refers to the relay management table 35 to recognize that the most significant bit of the first data indicates that the relay 26 (i.e., the slave ECU 3) is to be controlled, and the second most significant bit of the first data indicates that the relay 27 (i.e., the slave ECU 4) is to be controlled. Then, the CPU 31 identifies the slave ECU 3 as a transmission standby ECU when the most significant bit of the first data in the previously received NM frame is 0 and the most significant bit of the first data in the NM frame received at S210 is 1. The CPU 31 also identifies the slave ECU 4 as a transmission standby ECU when the second most significant bit of the first data in the previously received NM frame is 0 and the second most significant bit of the first data in the NM frame received at S210 is 1.

[0083] In step S240, the CPU 31 specifies, among the slave ECUs 3 and 4, an ECU that has not been specified as a transmission inhibited ECU and has not been specified as a transmission standby ECU, as a normal transmission ECU.

[0084] In step S250, the CPU 31 transmits the NM frame received in step S210 to the normal transmission ECU. At S260, the CPU 31 turns off the relay connected to the transmission inhibited ECU and turns on the relay connected to the transmission standby ECU. Specifically, the CPU 31 turns off the relay 26 when the transmission inhibited ECU is the slave ECU 3, and turns off the relay 27 when the transmission inhibited ECU is the slave ECU 4. The CPU 31 also turns on the relay 26 when the transmission standby ECU is the slave ECU 3, and turns on the relay 27 when the transmission standby ECU is the slave ECU 4.

[0085] In step S270, the CPU 31 determines whether the standby ECU has been started. Specifically, when the CPU 31 receives a start-up completion notification from the standby ECU indicating that the start-up has been completed, the CPU 31 determines that the standby ECU has been started.

[0086] If the standby ECU is not started, the CPU 31 repeats the process of S260 to wait until the standby ECU is started. When the standby ECU is started, the CPU 31 transmits the NM frame received in S210 to the standby ECU in S280 and ends the master power management process.

[0087] Next, a description will be given of a procedure of the slave power management process according to the second embodiment. The slave power management process according to the second embodiment is a process that is repeatedly executed while the slave ECUs 3 and 4 are activated.

[0088] When the slave power management process of the second embodiment is executed, the CPU 51, 71 of the control unit 41, 61 determines whether or not an NM frame has been received in S310, as shown in Fig. 7. If an NM frame has not been received, the CPU 51, 71 ends the slave power management process.

[0089] On the other hand, if an NM frame has been received, the CPU 51, 71, in S320, turns on or off the relay mounted in the own device based on the received NM frame, and ends the slave power management process.

[0090] Specifically, the CPU 51, 71 first identifies the bit and control target in which the own device is installed, by referring to the relay management table 35. The CPU 51, 71 further identifies whether or not to turn on the relay of the control target based on the switching information of the identified bit in the received NM frame. The CPU 51, 71 then turns on or off the relay of the control target based on the identification result.

[0091] For example, in the relay management table 35 shown in Fig. 2, the bits in which the slave ECU 3 is installed are the third most significant bit (i.e., bit 2 in Fig. 2) and the fourth most significant bit (i.e., bit 3 in Fig. 2). The control target of the third most significant bit is relay 44, and the control target of the fourth most significant bit is relay 45. In the NM frame shown in Fig. 2, the third most significant bit is 0, and the fourth most significant bit is 1.

[0092] Therefore, the CPU 51 of the slave ECU 3 turns the relay 44 to the OFF state and turns the relay 45 to the ON state. The communication system 1 thus configured includes a slave ECU 6, a slave ECU 3, and a master ECU 2.

[0093] When the master ECU 2 receives an NM frame, which is a CAN frame including first switching information indicating whether or not to set the relay 44 to the first conductive state and second switching information indicating whether or not to set the relay 26 to the second conductive state, the master ECU 2 is configured to transmit the NM frame to the slave ECU 3.

[0094] The master ECU 2 is configured to, upon receiving the NM frame, set the relay 26 to either the second conductive state or the second cut-off state based on the second switching information included in the NM frame.

[0095] The slave ECU 3 is configured to, upon receiving the NM frame, set the relay 44 to either the first conductive state or the first cut-off state based on the first switching information included in the NM frame.

[0096] In such a communication system 1, the master ECU 2 can set the relay 26 to either the second conductive state or the second cut-off state based on the second switching information included in the NM frame. Furthermore, in the communication system 1, the slave ECU 3 can set the relay 44 to either the first conductive state or the first cut-off state based on the first switching information included in the NM frame. Therefore, the communication system 1 can individually control the power supply to the slave ECU 3 connected to the master ECU 2 and the power supply to the slave ECU 6 connected to the slave ECU 3, and can individually manage the startup of the multiple slave ECUs 3 and 6.

[0097] Furthermore, the master ECU 2 is configured to prohibit transmission of the NM frame when the second switching information included in the NM frame indicates the second cut-off state. Such a communication system 1 can reduce the occurrence of a situation in which the master ECU 2 wastefully transmits an NM frame to the slave ECU 3 even when power is not supplied to the slave ECU 6 due to the relay 26 being in the second cut-off state, and can reduce the processing load of the master ECU 2.

[0098] Furthermore, when the relay 26 is in the second interrupted state and the second switching information included in the NM frame indicates the second conductive state, the master ECU 2 is configured to transmit the NM frame after the relay 26 enters the second conductive state and the slave ECU 3 is started. Such a communication system 1 can suppress the occurrence of a situation in which the master ECU 2 wastefully transmits an NM frame to the slave ECU 3 even when the slave ECU 3 is not started, and can reduce the processing load of the master ECU 2.

[0099] In the embodiment described above, steps S250 and S280 correspond to the processing performed by the switching transmission unit, and step S260 corresponds to the processing performed by the power supply control unit. [Third embodiment] A third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the third embodiment, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described. The same reference numerals will be used to designate the same configurations.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 8, the communication system 1 of the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a smart sensor 501, a smart actuator 502, a wireless device 503, and relays 504 and 505 are added.

[0101] The smart sensor 501 is a sensor having a communication function. The smart sensor 501 is connected to the communication bus 13. The smart actuator 502 is an actuator having a communication function. The smart actuator 502 is connected to the communication bus 13.

[0102] The wireless device 503 is a wireless communication device for performing wireless communication with an external communication device installed outside the vehicle. The wireless device 503 is, for example, a DCM. DCM is an abbreviation for Data Communication Module.

[0103] The relay 504 is disposed on the power supply path between the battery 10 and the smart sensor 501. The relay 505 is disposed on the power supply path between the battery 10 and the smart actuator 502.

[0104] Each of the relays 504 and 505 is configured to switch, in response to a command from the control unit 21, between a conductive state in which the power supply path is connected and a cut-off state in which the power supply path is cut off. Hereinafter, the master ECU 2, the slave ECUs 3 to 5, the smart sensor 501, and the smart actuator 502 are also collectively referred to as nodes.

[0105] (Prerequisite) The master ECU 2 and the slave ECU 5 are always powered by the battery 10 without using a relay, and can switch to a wake-up state or a sleep state independently. Hereinafter, the master ECU 2 and the slave ECU 5 are also referred to as NM-equipped nodes. An NM-equipped node is a node that has a function of generating an NM frame.

[0106] The slave ECUs 3 and 4, the smart sensor 501, and the smart actuator 502 are powered via relays, and cannot be switched to a wake-up state or a sleep state by themselves. That is, they enter a wake-up state when the relay is turned on, and enter a sleep state when the relay is turned off. Hereinafter, the slave ECUs 3 and 5, the smart sensor 501, and the smart actuator 502 are also referred to as non-NM nodes. A non-NM node is a node that does not have the function of generating and interpreting an NM frame.

[0107] The non-NM node includes at least one of an actuator and a sensor in addition to an ECU having a control function. The power supply paths of the non-NM nodes are connected to the relays 26, 27, 504, and 505 of the master ECU 2, respectively.

[0108] A non-NM node and a relay may be connected on a one-to-one basis, or multiple non-NM nodes belonging to the same cluster (i.e., a group that starts up simultaneously) may be connected under one relay.

[0109] The master ECU 2 and the NM-equipped node have a CAN communication unit and are capable of transmitting and receiving NM frames. An NM-equipped node determines whether it is in a wake-up state or a sleep state based on the NM frames it sends and receives via the communication bus.

[0110] The master ECU 2 turns on or off the relays 26, 27, 504, and 505 to which the non-NM nodes are connected, based on the NM frame transmitted and received via the communication bus.

[0111] The payload (i.e., data area) of the NM frame transmitted and received by the master ECU 2 and the NM-equipped node stores one or more bits of information indicating which cluster to start.

[0112] One or more master ECUs (ie, ECUs with built-in relays) are installed in a vehicle. As shown in Figure 9, one or more nodes belonging to each cluster are determined in advance by the system developer. Although it is possible to assign a cluster to each node, multiple nodes can be registered in one cluster. When the bit corresponding to each cluster is active (i.e., bit=1), the cluster wakes up. In the case of the master ECU, waking up means turning on the relay.

[0113] (First startup example) The first activation example is an operation example in which a fault diagnosis of the slave ECU 3 is performed in response to a request from the cloud.

[0114] First, a connection request is sent from the base station (i.e., the cloud) to the vehicle's wireless device 503. Next, if the wireless device 503 determines that the connection is valid, it notifies the master ECU 2 of the event received from the cloud.

[0115] Next, the master ECU2 determines a service called "fault diagnosis of the slave ECU3" based on the event, and generates an NM frame in which the bit of the third cluster to which only the slave ECU3 belongs is enabled in order to start the slave ECU3.

[0116] Next, the master ECU 2 transmits the generated NM frame onto the communication buses 11, 12, and 13. Since there are no NM-equipped nodes belonging to the third cluster on the communication buses 11, 12, and 13, there is no change in the devices on the communication buses.

[0117] Next, the master ECU 2 executes processing based on the NM frame in the control unit 21, assuming that it has received an NM frame in which the bit of the third cluster is enabled at the same time as the above. Next, the control unit 21 of the master ECU 2 determines a wake-up instruction to the third cluster based on the NM frame, and turns on the relay 26 since the third cluster includes the relay 26.

[0118] When the relay 26 is turned on, power is supplied to the downstream slave ECU 3 and the slave ECU 3 is started up. The master ECU 2 waits for the slave ECU 3 to start up, requests a diagnostic code from the slave ECU 3, and transmits a response from the slave ECU 3 to the base station via the wireless device 503.

[0119] (Second startup example) The second startup example is an operation example in which a fault diagnosis of the slave ECU 5 is performed in response to a request from the cloud.

[0120] First, a connection request is sent from the base station (i.e., the cloud) to the vehicle's wireless device 503. Next, if the wireless device 503 determines that the connection is valid, it notifies the master ECU 2 of the event received from the cloud.

[0121] Next, the master ECU 2 determines a service called "fault diagnosis of the slave ECU 5" based on the event, and generates an NM frame in which the bit of the fourth cluster to which only the slave ECU 5 belongs is enabled in order to start the slave ECU 5.

[0122] Next, the master ECU 2 transmits the generated NM frame onto the communication buses 11, 12, and 13. Since the slave ECU 5 is present on the communication bus 13 as a node belonging to the fourth cluster, the slave ECU 5 wakes up.

[0123] Next, the master ECU 2 executes processing based on the NM frame in the control unit 21, assuming that it has received an NM frame in which the bit of the fourth cluster is enabled at the same time as the above. Next, even if the control unit 21 of the master ECU 2 determines to issue a wake-up instruction to the fourth cluster, the fourth cluster does not include the corresponding relay, so the control unit 21 ignores the instruction.

[0124] When the slave ECU 5 is started, the master ECU 2 requests a diagnostic code from the slave ECU 5 via the communication bus 13, and transmits a response from the slave ECU 5 to the base station via the wireless device 503.

[0125] (Third startup example) The third activation example is an operation example in which a user activates a remote air conditioning device using a smartphone. First, the user issues a command to turn on the vehicle air conditioner via the smartphone.

[0126] When the wireless device 503 receives the instruction signal from the smartphone and determines that the instruction signal is valid, it transmits the event received from the cloud (i.e., the instruction signal) to the master ECU 2.

[0127] The master ECU2 determines the "air conditioning service" based on the event, and generates an NM frame in which the second cluster is activated as the air conditioning cluster. The master ECU 2 periodically transmits the generated NM frame to the communication buses 11, 12, and 13 until an instruction to stop the air conditioner is received. If it is desired to continue the active state, it is necessary to continue transmitting the NM frame periodically. At the same time, the control unit 21 of the master ECU 2 executes processing based on the NM frame.

[0128] When an NM frame that activates the second cluster occurs on the communication bus 13, the slave ECU 5 (that is, the air conditioner ECU) that belongs to the second cluster receives the NM frame and wakes up in accordance with the received NM frame.

[0129] When the control unit 21 of the master ECU 2 detects that the second cluster is active, it turns on the relays 504 and 505 that belong to the second cluster. When relay 504 and relay 505 are in the ON state, power is supplied to smart sensor 501 (ie, temperature sensor) and smart actuator 502 (ie, compressor).

[0130] As a result of the above, power supply to the air conditioner ECU, smart sensor 501, and smart actuator 502 begins, making it possible to turn on the in-vehicle air conditioner. When the user issues an instruction to turn off the in-vehicle air conditioner via the smartphone, the master ECU 2 stops the periodic transmission of the NM frame.

[0131] When the NM frame is interrupted, the slave ECU 5 transitions to a sleep state, and the master ECU 2 turns off the relays 504 and 505. This stops the in-vehicle air conditioner.

[0132] (4th startup example) The fourth activation example is an operation example in which the slave ECU 5 activates the vehicle air conditioner. Since the slave ECU 5 is always supplied with power even when the vehicle is stopped, it is possible for the slave ECU 5 to wake up when it detects an input of a signal indicating that the start switch connected to the slave ECU 5 has been turned on, even when the slave ECU 5 is in sleep mode.

[0133] When the woken up slave ECU 5 confirms an input to start the in-vehicle air conditioner, it generates an NM frame with the bit corresponding to the second cluster turned on. The slave ECU 5 transmits the generated NM frame via the CAN communication unit 82. When the master ECU 2 receives this NM frame, the master ECU 2 turns on the relays 504 and 505 that belong to the second cluster.

[0134] When the start switch of the in-vehicle air conditioner is turned off, the slave ECU 5 stops transmitting the NM frame and enters a sleep state after a while. When the NM frame is discontinued, the master ECU 2 turns off the relays 504 and 505 after a while and ends the control.

[0135] If the master ECU 2 determines that control needs to continue even after the transmission of the NM frame has stopped, the master ECU 2 transmits an NM frame with the bit corresponding to the second cluster turned on. This allows the slave ECU 5, the smart sensor 501, and the smart actuator 502 to remain active until the transmission of the NM frame generated by the master ECU 2 stops.

[0136] (Power shutdown process extension) NM-equipped nodes are supplied with power without going through a relay, and can execute shutdown processing to transition to a low power consumption state. However, non-NM-equipped nodes cannot execute shutdown processing if the power supply is suddenly cut off by turning off the relay. Examples of shutdown processing include saving logs during operation, saving diagnostics, saving learning results, and setting input / output devices to their initial positions for the next startup.

[0137] The communication system 1 of the third embodiment can take the following first, second, third and fourth measures in order to secure time for the termination process. (First Measure) The master ECU 2 controlling the relays 26, 27, 504, and 505 notifies subordinate nodes (i.e., the slave ECUs 3, 4, and 5, the smart sensor 501, and the smart actuator 502) of a relay-off notice message via the CAN communication units 22, 23, and 24 before turning off the relays. The master ECU 2 also stops transmission of CAN communications other than emergency communications. The notice message may have a predetermined CAN ID and data pattern.

[0138] The master ECU 2 manages the time required for the termination process of the subordinate nodes (i.e., the slave ECUs 3, 4, and 5, the smart sensor 501, and the smart actuator 502). After sending the above-mentioned notice message, the master ECU 2 measures the elapsed time, and when the above-mentioned necessary time for the termination process is exceeded, it turns off the relays 26, 27, 504, and 505. When the non-NM-equipped node receives the relay-off notice message, it stops communication, executes the termination process, and waits for the power supply to be cut off.

[0139] (Second Measure) Before turning off the relay, the master ECU 2 notifies subordinate nodes (i.e., the slave ECUs 3, 4, and 5, the smart sensor 501, and the smart actuator 502) of a relay-off advance notice message via the CAN communication units 22, 23, and 24. The master ECU 2 also stops transmission of CAN communications other than emergency communications. The advance notice message may have a predetermined CAN ID and data pattern.

[0140] The master ECU 2 manages the time required for the termination process of each of the subordinate nodes (i.e., the slave ECUs 3, 4, and 5, the smart sensor 501, and the smart actuator 502). After sending the above-mentioned notice message, the master ECU 2 measures the elapsed time, and if the above-mentioned required termination process time is exceeded, it sequentially turns off the relays corresponding to the nodes. When a non-NM-equipped node receives the relay-off notice message, it stops communication, executes termination process, and waits for the power supply to be cut off.

[0141] (Third Measure) The master ECU 2 and the NM-equipped node transmit and receive NM frames to each other, thereby enabling them to synchronize their sleep timing.

[0142] When the sleep condition is satisfied due to the end of the service provided, the master ECU 2 stops communication including NM frames. The master ECU 2 then turns off the relay when the total time (e.g., 5 seconds) of the time it takes for the non-NM node to determine the interruption of NM frames (e.g., 3 seconds) and the time required for the non-NM node to complete the termination process (e.g., 2 seconds) has elapsed. The non-NM node monitors NM frames on the communication buses 11, 12, and 13, and when it detects the interruption of NM frames for a certain period of time (e.g., 3 seconds), it stops transmission from its own node onto the communication buses 11, 12, and 13, executes termination processing, and waits for the power supply to be cut off.

[0143] In addition, if a non-NM node is not likely to be able to complete the termination process within a predetermined required time, it can send a predetermined command to the master ECU 2 to request an extension of the time until the relay is turned off.

[0144] (Fourth Measure) The master ECU 2 and the NM-equipped node transmit and receive NM frames to each other, thereby enabling them to synchronize their sleep timing.

[0145] When the sleep condition of a specific cluster is satisfied with the end of a service provided, the master ECU2 sets the bit corresponding to the cluster in the NM frame to 0. Then, when a certain time (e.g., 3 seconds) has elapsed since all the bits became 0, the master ECU2 stops communication including the NM frame. After that, when the time required for the termination process of the non-NM node (e.g., 2 seconds) has elapsed, the master ECU2 sets the relay to the off state. The non-NM node here has a function to receive and interpret the NM frame. The non-NM node constantly monitors the NM frame transmitted by the master ECU2, and starts the termination process when all the bits of the cluster including the upstream relay that supplies power to the node are 0. This allows the non-NM node to complete the termination process before the relay that supplies power to the node is turned off. The NM-equipped node goes to sleep according to the NM frame transmitted to and from the master ECU2.

[0146] If the non-NM node is unlikely to be able to complete the termination process within a predetermined required time, it can send a predetermined command to the master ECU 2 to request an extension of the time before turning off the relay. In this case, the master ECU 2 waits for the relay to be turned off while receiving the extension request from the non-NM node.

[0147] [Fourth embodiment] A third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the third embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described.

[0148] 10, a communication system 100 of the third embodiment includes a central ECU 101, upstream power distribution units 102 and 103, zone ECUs 104, 105, 106, and 107, slave ECUs 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, and 116, a battery 117, and a slave ECU 118. In the following, the central ECU 101, the zone ECUs 104 to 107, and the slave ECUs 108 to 116 and 118 are also collectively referred to as nodes.

[0149] The battery 117 supplies power to each part of the vehicle at a DC battery voltage (for example, 12 V). The central ECU 101, the upstream power distribution units 102 and 103, the zone ECUs 104 to 107, and the slave ECUs 108 to 116 and 118 operate by receiving power supplied from the battery 117.

[0150] The upstream power supply distribution unit 102 receives power supply from the battery 117 via a power supply path 121 between the battery 117 and the upstream power supply distribution unit 102 . The upstream power supply distribution unit 103 receives power supply from the battery 117 via a power supply path 122 between the battery 117 and the upstream power supply distribution unit 103 .

[0151] The zone ECUs 104 and 105 receive power from a battery 117 via power supply paths 123 and 124 between the upstream power distribution unit 102 and the zone ECUs 104 and 105, respectively.

[0152] The zone ECUs 106 and 107 receive power from a battery 117 via power supply paths 125 and 126 between the upstream power distribution unit 103 and the zone ECUs 106 and 107, respectively.

[0153] The slave ECUs 108 and 109 receive power from the battery 117 via power supply paths 127 and 128 between the zone ECU 104 and the slave ECUs 108 and 109, respectively.

[0154] The slave ECUs 110 and 111 are supplied with power from a battery 117 via power supply paths 129 and 130 between the zone ECU 105 and the slave ECUs 110 and 111, respectively.

[0155] The slave ECUs 112, 113, and 114 receive power from a battery 117 via power supply paths 131, 132, and 133 between the zone ECU 106 and the slave ECUs 112, 113, and 114, respectively.

[0156] The slave ECUs 115 and 116 are supplied with power from a battery 117 via power supply paths 134 and 135 between the zone ECU 107 and the slave ECUs 115 and 116, respectively.

[0157] The slave ECU 118 receives power from the battery 117 via a power supply path 136 . The central ECU 101 and the upstream power distribution unit 102 are connected to each other via a communication line 141 so as to be able to communicate data with each other.

[0158] The central ECU 101 and the upstream power distribution unit 103 are connected to each other via a communication line 142 so as to be able to communicate data with each other. The central ECU 101 and the zone ECUs 104, 105, 106, and 107 are connected to each other via communication lines 143, 144, 145, and 146, respectively, so as to be able to communicate data with each other.

[0159] The zone ECU 104 and the slave ECUs 108, 109, and 118 are connected to each other via a communication bus 147 so as to be able to communicate data with each other. The zone ECU 105 and the slave ECUs 110 and 111 are connected to each other via a communication bus 148 so as to be able to communicate data with each other.

[0160] The zone ECU 106 and the slave ECUs 112, 113, and 114 are connected to each other via a communication bus 149 so as to be able to communicate data with each other. The zone ECU 107 and the slave ECUs 115 and 116 are connected to each other via a communication bus 150 so as to be able to communicate data with each other.

[0161] As shown in FIG. 11, the central ECU 101 includes a control unit 151, communication units 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, and 157, and a storage unit 158. The control unit 151 is an electronic control device mainly composed of a microcomputer including a CPU 161, a ROM 162, a RAM 163, etc. Various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 161 executing a program stored in a non-transitive substantial recording medium. In this example, the ROM 162 corresponds to the non-transitive substantial recording medium storing the program. Furthermore, the execution of this program executes a method corresponding to the program. Note that some or all of the functions executed by the CPU 161 may be configured in hardware using one or more ICs, etc. Also, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 151 may be one or more.

[0162] The communication unit 152 communicates with the upstream power distribution unit 102 connected to the communication line 141 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol. Ethernet is a registered trademark.

[0163] The communication unit 153 communicates with the upstream power distribution unit 103 connected to the communication line 142 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol. The communication unit 154 communicates with the zone ECU 104 connected to the communication line 143 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0164] The communication unit 155 communicates with the zone ECU 105 connected to the communication line 144 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol. The communication unit 156 communicates with the zone ECU 106 connected to the communication line 145 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0165] The communication unit 157 communicates with the zone ECU 107 connected to the communication line 145 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol. The storage unit 158 ​​is a storage device for storing various data, and stores a fuse management table 165 and a communication management table 167, which will be described later.

[0166] The upstream power distribution unit 102 includes a control circuit 171 , a communication unit 172 , and electronic fuses 173 and 174 . The control circuit 171 performs control to switch the electronic fuses 173 and 174 between an on state and an off state based on an instruction obtained from the central ECU 101 via a communication unit 172 .

[0167] The communication unit 172 communicates with the central ECU 101 connected to the communication line 141 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0168] The electronic fuse 173 is disposed between the power supply path 121 and the power supply path 123. The electronic fuse 174 is disposed between the power supply path 121 and the power supply path . The upstream power distribution unit 103 includes a control circuit 181 , a communication unit 182 , and electronic fuses 183 and 184 .

[0169] The control circuit 181 performs control to switch the electronic fuses 183 and 184 between the on state and the off state based on an instruction obtained from the central ECU 101 via the communication unit 182 .

[0170] The communication unit 182 communicates with the central ECU 101 connected to the communication line 142 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0171] The electronic fuse 183 is disposed between the power supply path 122 and the power supply path 125. The electronic fuse 184 is disposed between the power supply path 122 and the power supply path 126. As shown in FIG. 12, the zone ECU 104 includes a control unit 191, a communication unit 192, a CAN communication unit 193, a storage unit 194, and electronic fuses 195 and 196.

[0172] The control unit 191 is an electronic control device mainly composed of a microcomputer including a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, etc. Various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 201 executing a program stored in a non-transient real recording medium. In this example, the ROM 202 corresponds to the non-transient real recording medium storing the program. Furthermore, the execution of this program executes a method corresponding to the program. Note that some or all of the functions executed by the CPU 201 may be configured in hardware form using one or more ICs, etc. Also, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 191 may be one or more.

[0173] The communication unit 192 communicates with the central ECU 101 connected to the communication line 143 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0174] The CAN communication unit 193 communicates with the slave ECUs 108 and 109 connected to the communication bus 147 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0175] The storage unit 194 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 194 stores a communication management table 207, which will be described later. The electronic fuse 195 is disposed between the power supply path 123 and the power supply path 127. The electronic fuse 196 is disposed between the power supply path 123 and the power supply path 128.

[0176] The zone ECU 105 includes a control unit 211, a communication unit 212, a CAN communication unit 213, a storage unit 214, and electronic fuses 215 and 216. The control unit 211 is an electronic control device mainly composed of a microcomputer including a CPU 221, a ROM 222, a RAM 223, etc. Various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 221 executing a program stored in a non-transitive substantial recording medium. In this example, the ROM 222 corresponds to the non-transitive substantial recording medium storing the program. Furthermore, the execution of this program executes a method corresponding to the program. Note that some or all of the functions executed by the CPU 221 may be configured in hardware form using one or more ICs, etc. Also, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 211 may be one or more.

[0177] The communication unit 212 communicates with the central ECU 101 connected to the communication line 144 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0178] The CAN communication unit 213 communicates with the slave ECUs 110 and 111 connected to the communication bus 148 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0179] The storage unit 214 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 214 stores a communication management table 227, which will be described later. The electronic fuse 215 is disposed between the power supply path 124 and the power supply path 129. The electronic fuse 216 is disposed between the power supply path 124 and the power supply path 130.

[0180] As shown in FIG. 13, the zone ECU 106 includes a control unit 231, a communication unit 232, a CAN communication unit 233, a storage unit 234, and electronic fuses 235, 236, and 237. The control unit 231 is an electronic control device mainly composed of a microcomputer including a CPU 241, a ROM 242, a RAM 243, etc. Various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 241 executing a program stored in a non-transitive substantial recording medium. In this example, the ROM 242 corresponds to the non-transitive substantial recording medium storing the program. Furthermore, the execution of this program executes a method corresponding to the program. Note that some or all of the functions executed by the CPU 241 may be configured in hardware form using one or more ICs, etc. Also, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 231 may be one or more.

[0181] The communication unit 232 communicates with the central ECU 101 connected to the communication line 145 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0182] The CAN communication unit 233 communicates with the slave ECUs 112, 113, and 114 connected to the communication bus 149 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0183] The storage unit 234 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 194 stores a communication management table 247, which will be described later. The electronic fuse 235 is disposed between the power supply path 125 and the power supply path 131. The electronic fuse 236 is disposed between the power supply path 125 and the power supply path 132. The electronic fuse 237 is disposed between the power supply path 125 and the power supply path 133.

[0184] The zone ECU 107 includes a control unit 251, a communication unit 252, a CAN communication unit 253, a storage unit 254, and electronic fuses 255 and 256. The control unit 251 is an electronic control device mainly composed of a microcomputer including a CPU 261, a ROM 262, a RAM 263, etc. Various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 261 executing a program stored in a non-transitive substantial recording medium. In this example, the ROM 262 corresponds to the non-transitive substantial recording medium storing the program. Furthermore, the execution of this program executes a method corresponding to the program. Note that some or all of the functions executed by the CPU 261 may be configured in hardware form using one or more ICs, etc. Also, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 251 may be one or more.

[0185] The communication unit 252 communicates with the central ECU 101 connected to the communication line 146 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol.

[0186] The CAN communication unit 253 communicates with the slave ECUs 115 and 116 connected to the communication bus 150 by transmitting and receiving communication frames based on the CAN communication protocol.

[0187] The storage unit 254 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 254 stores a communication management table 267, which will be described later. The electronic fuse 255 is disposed between the power supply path 126 and the power supply path 134. The electronic fuse 256 is disposed between the power supply path 126 and the power supply path 135.

[0188] As shown in FIG. 14, the slave ECUs 108, 109, and 118 each include a control unit 271, a CAN communication unit 272, and a storage unit 273. The control unit 271 is an electronic control device mainly composed of a microcomputer including a CPU 281, a ROM 282, a RAM 283, etc. Various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 281 executing a program stored in a non-transitive substantial recording medium. In this example, the ROM 282 corresponds to the non-transitive substantial recording medium storing the program. Furthermore, the execution of this program executes a method corresponding to the program. Note that some or all of the functions executed by the CPU 281 may be configured in hardware using one or more ICs, etc. Also, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 271 may be one or more.

[0189] The CAN communication unit 272 communicates with the zone ECUs 104 connected to the communication bus 147 based on the CAN communication protocol. The storage unit 273 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 273 stores a communication management table 287, which will be described later.

[0190] The slave ECUs 110 and 111 each include a control unit 291 , a CAN communication unit 292 , and a storage unit 293 . The control unit 291 is an electronic control device mainly composed of a microcomputer including a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, etc. Various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 301 executing a program stored in a non-transient real recording medium. In this example, the ROM 302 corresponds to the non-transient real recording medium storing the program. Furthermore, the execution of this program executes a method corresponding to the program. Note that some or all of the functions executed by the CPU 301 may be configured in hardware using one or more ICs, etc. Also, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 291 may be one or more.

[0191] The CAN communication unit 292 communicates with the zone ECU 105 connected to the communication bus 148 based on the CAN communication protocol. The storage unit 293 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 293 stores a communication management table 307, which will be described later.

[0192] The slave ECUs 112 , 113 , and 114 each include a control unit 311 , a CAN communication unit 312 , and a storage unit 313 . The control unit 311 is an electronic control device mainly composed of a microcomputer including a CPU 321, a ROM 322, a RAM 323, etc. Various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 321 executing a program stored in a non-transient real recording medium. In this example, the ROM 322 corresponds to the non-transient real recording medium storing the program. Furthermore, the execution of this program executes a method corresponding to the program. Note that some or all of the functions executed by the CPU 321 may be configured as hardware using one or more ICs, etc. Also, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 311 may be one or more.

[0193] The CAN communication unit 312 communicates with the zone ECU 106 connected to the communication bus 149 based on the CAN communication protocol. The storage unit 313 is a storage device for storing various data, and stores a communication management table 327, which will be described later.

[0194] The slave ECUs 115 and 116 each include a control unit 331 , a CAN communication unit 332 , and a storage unit 333 . The control unit 331 is an electronic control device mainly composed of a microcomputer including a CPU 341, a ROM 342, a RAM 343, etc. Various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 341 executing a program stored in a non-transitive substantial recording medium. In this example, the ROM 342 corresponds to the non-transitive substantial recording medium storing the program. Furthermore, the execution of this program executes a method corresponding to the program. Note that some or all of the functions executed by the CPU 341 may be configured in hardware form using one or more ICs, etc. Also, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 331 may be one or more.

[0195] The CAN communication unit 332 communicates with the zone ECU 107 connected to the communication bus 150 based on the CAN communication protocol. The storage unit 333 is a storage device for storing various data. The storage unit 333 stores a communication management table 347, which will be described later.

[0196] The fuse management table 165 sets, for each of a plurality of pieces of switching information included in the NM frame, a correspondence between the switching information, the control target, and the installation destination. The communication management tables 167, 207, 227, 247, 267, 287, 307, 327, and 347 set the correspondence between services, switching information, and activation information for each of a plurality of services provided to vehicle occupants using the central ECU 101, the zone ECUs 104 to 107, and the slave ECUs 108 to 116 and 118.

[0197] The switching information is information indicating whether to turn on the electronic fuses 173, 174, 183, 184, 195, 196, 215, 216, 235, 236, 237, 255, and 256. The startup information is information indicating whether to turn the slave ECU 118 into a wake-up state.

[0198] The communication management tables 167, 207, 227, 247, 267, 287, 307, 327, and 347 do not need to store switching information and start information for services for which the device itself cannot detect the satisfaction of the start conditions for the service.

[0199] Therefore, when the central ECU 101, zone ECUs 104 to 107 and slave ECUs 108 to 116, 118 detect that the start conditions for a service have been met, they extract switching information and startup information corresponding to the service in question from the communication management tables 167, 207, 227, 247, 267, 287, 307, 327, 347, and generate and transmit an NM frame including the extracted switching information and startup information.

[0200] When the CPU 161 of the control unit 151 of the central ECU 101 receives an NM frame (S10), it transmits an electronic fuse on / off request to the zone ECUs 104 to 107 (S20) based on the switching information contained in the received NM frame and the fuse management table 165, and also transmits an electronic fuse on / off request to the upstream power distribution units 102, 103 (S30).

[0201] Specifically, the CPU 161 first identifies the bit and the control target in which the zone ECUs 104-107 are installed, with reference to the fuse management table 165. Furthermore, the CPU 161 identifies whether or not to turn on the electronic fuse of the control target based on the switching information of the identified bit in the received NM frame. Then, the CPU 161 transmits an electronic fuse on / off request indicating whether or not to turn on the identified control target to the identified installation destination (i.e., the zone ECUs 104-107).

[0202] Furthermore, the CPU 161 refers to the fuse management table 165 to identify the bit and the control target for which the upstream power distribution units 102 and 103 are installed. Furthermore, the CPU 161 identifies whether or not to turn on the electronic fuse of the control target based on the switching information of the identified bit in the received NM frame. Then, the CPU 161 transmits an electronic fuse on / off request indicating whether or not to turn on the identified control target to the identified installation destination (i.e., the upstream power distribution units 102 and 103).

[0203] The upstream power distribution units 102 and 103 and the zone ECUs 104 to 107 turn the electronic fuses under their control on or off based on the received electronic fuse on / off request.

[0204] The communication system 100 configured in this manner includes a slave ECU 108, a zone ECU 104, a central ECU 101, and an upstream power distribution unit 102. The slave ECU 108 receives power from the battery 117 via an electronic fuse 195 configured to switch between a conductive state (hereinafter, a first conductive state) that connects the power supply path 127 and a cut-off state (hereinafter, a first cut-off state) that cuts off the power supply path 127.

[0205] The zone ECU 104 is configured to receive power from the battery 117 via an electronic fuse 173 configured to switch between a conductive state (hereinafter, a second conductive state) that conducts the power supply path 123 and a cut-off state (hereinafter, a second cut-off state) that cuts off the power supply path 123, and to control the operation of the electronic fuse 195.

[0206] The central ECU 101 and the upstream power distribution unit 102 are configured to control the operation of the electronic fuse 173 . The central ECU 101 is configured to transmit an electronic fuse on / off request requesting whether or not to set the electronic fuse 195 to the first conductive state to the zone ECU 104 based on an NM frame including switching information indicating whether or not to set the electronic fuse 195 to the first conductive state (hereinafter, first switching information) and switching information indicating whether or not to set the electronic fuse 173 to the second conductive state (hereinafter, second switching information). Having received the electronic fuse on / off request, the zone ECU 104 sets the electronic fuse 195 to the first conductive state or the first cut-off state in accordance with the request.

[0207] The central ECU 101 and the upstream power distribution unit 102 are configured to set the electronic fuse 173 to either the second conductive state or the second cut-off state based on the NM frame. In such a communication system 100, the central ECU 101 and the upstream power distribution unit 102 can set the electronic fuse 173 to either the second conductive state or the second cut-off state based on the second switching information included in the NM frame. Specifically, the central ECU 101 transmits an electronic fuse on / off request to the upstream power distribution unit 102, and the upstream power distribution unit 102 sets the electronic fuse 173 to either the second conductive state or the second cut-off state based on the electronic fuse on / off request.

[0208] Furthermore, in the communication system 100, the zone ECU 104 receives an electronic fuse on / off request transmitted from the central ECU 101 based on the first switching information included in the NM frame. Based on this electronic fuse on / off request, the electronic fuse 195 can be set to either a first conductive state or a first cut-off state. Therefore, the communication system 100 can individually control the power supply to the zone ECU 104 connected to the central ECU 101 and the power supply to the slave ECU 108 connected to the zone ECU 104, and can individually manage the startup of the multiple zone ECUs 104 and slave ECUs 108.

[0209] In the embodiment described above, the power supply path 127 corresponds to the first power supply path, the electronic fuse 195 corresponds to the first power supply switching unit, the battery 117 corresponds to the power source, and the slave ECU 108 corresponds to the slave control device.

[0210] In addition, the power supply path 123 corresponds to the second power supply path, the electronic fuse 173 corresponds to the second power supply switching unit, the zone ECU 104 corresponds to the first power supply switching control unit, and the central ECU 101 and the upstream power distribution unit 102 correspond to the second power supply switching control unit and the power supply switching device.

[0211] Moreover, the fuse management table 165 corresponds to a switching unit management table, and the electronic fuse on / off request corresponds to the first switching instruction information and the first switching request. [Fifth embodiment] A fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. In the fifth embodiment, differences from the fourth embodiment will be described.

[0212] The communication system 100 of the fifth embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that the fuse management table 165 is stored not only in the central ECU 101 but also in the zone ECUs 104 to 107. The central ECU 101 of the fifth embodiment executes the same process as the master power management process of the second embodiment.

[0213] That is, when the CPU 161 of the control unit 151 of the central ECU 101 receives an NM frame (S210), it identifies the zone ECUs 104, 105, 106, and 107 connected to the electronic fuses 173, 174, 183, and 184 to be turned off as transmission-prohibited ECUs based on the switching information contained in the received NM frame and the fuse management table 165 (S220).

[0214] Based on the switching information contained in the received NM frame, the switching information contained in the previously received NM frame, and the fuse management table 165, the CPU 161 identifies the zone ECUs 104, 105, 106, and 107 connected to the electronic fuses 173, 174, 183, and 184 that are switched from the OFF state to the ON state as transmission standby ECUs (S230).

[0215] Furthermore, the CPU 161 specifies, among the zone ECUs 104 to 107, any ECU that has not been specified as a transmission prohibited ECU and has not been specified as a transmission standby ECU, as a normal transmission ECU (S240).

[0216] Then, the CPU 161 transmits the received NM frame to the normal transmission ECU (S250). In addition, the CPU 161 transmits to the upstream power distribution units 102, 103 an electronic fuse on / off request for turning off the electronic fuse connected to the transmission-prohibited ECU, and an electronic fuse on / off request for turning on the electronic fuse connected to the transmission-standby ECU (S260).

[0217] Then, when the standby ECU is started (S270), the CPU 161 transmits the received NM frame to the standby ECU (S280). Although one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment and can be implemented in various modified forms.

[0218] The control unit 21, 41, 61 and the method described in the present disclosure may be realized by a dedicated computer provided by configuring a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or more functions embodied in a computer program. Alternatively, the control unit 21, 41, 61 and the method described in the present disclosure may be realized by a dedicated computer provided by configuring a processor with one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the control unit 21, 41, 61 and the method described in the present disclosure may be realized by one or more dedicated computers configured by a combination of a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or more functions and a processor configured with one or more hardware logic circuits. In addition, the computer program may be stored in a computer-readable non-transient tangible recording medium as instructions executed by a computer. The method for realizing the functions of each unit included in the control unit 21, 41, 61 does not necessarily need to include software, and all of the functions may be realized using one or more hardware.

[0219] In the above embodiments, multiple functions of one component may be realized by multiple components, or one function of one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions of multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Also, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments.

[0220] In addition to the above-mentioned ECUs 2-4, 101, 104-116, the present disclosure can also be realized in various forms, such as a system having the ECUs 2-4, 101, 104-116 as components, a program for causing a computer to function as the ECUs 2-4, 101, 104-116, a non-transient physical recording medium such as a semiconductor memory on which this program is recorded, and a communication management method. [Technical idea disclosed in this specification] [Item 1] a slave control device (6, 108) receiving power from a power source (10, 117) via a first power supply switching unit (44, 195) configured to switch between a first conductive state that conducts a first power supply path (16, 127) and a first cut-off state that cuts off the first power supply path; a first power supply switching control unit (3, 104) configured to receive power from the power source via a second power supply switching unit (26, 173) configured to switch between a second conductive state in which a second power supply path (14, 123) is conductive and a second cut-off state in which the second power supply path is cut off, and to control an operation of the first power supply switching unit; A second power supply switching control unit (2, 101, 102) configured to control the operation of the second power supply switching unit; a switching transmission unit (S20, S250, S280) configured to transmit, to the first power supply switching control unit, first switching instruction information indicating whether or not to set the first power supply switching unit to the first conductive state, based on a management frame which is a communication frame including first switching information indicating whether or not to set the first power supply switching unit to the first conductive state and second switching information indicating whether or not to set the second power supply switching unit to the second conductive state; a power supply control unit (S30, S260) configured to set the second power supply switching unit to either the second conductive state or the second cut-off state based on the management frame; A communication system (1, 100) comprising:

[0221] [Item 2] Item 1 is a communication system according to the present invention, a switching unit management table (35, 165) in which first mounting destination information indicating a control device in which the first power supply switching unit is mounted and second mounting destination information indicating a control device in which the second power supply switching unit is mounted are set; the switching transmission unit (S20) is configured, upon receiving the management frame, to transmit a first switching request, requesting whether or not to set the first power supply switching unit to the first conductive state, as the first switching instruction information to the first power supply switching control unit, based on the first mounting destination information in the switching unit management table and the first switching information.

[0222] [Item 3] Item 2. A communication system according to the present invention, the first power supply path is connected to the power source via the second power supply path; The switching transmission unit is configured to prohibit transmission of the first switching request when the second switching information included in the management frame indicates the second cut-off state.

[0223] [Item 4] Item 1 is a communication system according to the present invention, the switching transmission unit (S250, S280) is configured to transmit, upon receiving the management frame, the management frame as the first switching instruction information to the first power supply switching control unit; the first power supply switching control unit is configured to, upon receiving the management frame, set the first power supply switching unit to either the first conductive state or the first cut-off state based on the first switching information included in the management frame.

[0224] [Item 5] Item 5. A communication system according to item 4, the first power supply path is connected to the power source via the second power supply path; The switching transmission unit is configured to prohibit transmission of the management frame when the second switching information included in the management frame indicates the second cut-off state.

[0225] [Item 6] The communication system according to item 4 or 5, the switching transmission unit is configured to transmit the management frame after the second power supply switching unit enters the second conductive state and the first power supply switching control unit is started up, when the second power supply switching unit is in the second blocked state and the second switching information included in the management frame indicates the second conductive state.

[0226] [Item 7] A communication system according to any one of items 1 to 6, The communication system (101) includes: The slave control device (108); A zone control device (104) connected to the slave control device so as to be capable of data communication with the slave control device and having the first power supply switching unit; an upstream power supply distribution unit (102) including the second power supply switching unit; a central control device (101) connected in a data communicative manner between the zone control devices and the upstream power distribution unit; The central control device and the upstream power distribution unit are a communication system having the second power supply switching control unit, the switching transmission unit, and the power supply control unit.

[0227] [Item 8] a slave control device (6, 108) receiving power from a power source (10, 117) via a first power supply switching unit (44, 195) configured to switch between a first conductive state that conducts a first power supply path (16, 127) and a first cut-off state that cuts off the first power supply path; a power supply switching control unit (3, 104) configured to receive power from the power source via a second power supply switching unit (26, 173) configured to switch between a second conductive state for conducting a second power supply path (14, 123) and a second cut-off state for cutting off the second power supply path, and to control an operation of the first power supply switching unit; In a communication system (1, 100) comprising: a power supply switching device (2, 101, 102) configured to control an operation of the second power supply switching unit, a switching transmission unit (S20, S250, S280) configured to transmit, to the power supply switching control unit, first switching instruction information indicating whether or not to set the first power supply switching unit to the first conductive state, based on a management frame which is a communication frame including first switching information indicating whether or not to set the first power supply switching unit to the first conductive state and second switching information indicating whether or not to set the second power supply switching unit to the second conductive state; a power supply control unit (S30, S260) configured to set the second power supply switching unit to either the second conductive state or the second cut-off state based on the management frame; A power supply switching device comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0228] 1... communication system, 2... master ECU, 3, 6... slave ECU, 10... battery, 14, 16... power supply path, 26, 44... relay, 100... communication system, 101... central ECU, 102... upstream power distribution section, 104... zone ECU, 108... slave ECU, 117... battery, 123, 127... power supply path, 173, 195... electronic fuse

Claims

1. a slave control device (6, 108) that receives power from a power source (10, 117) via a first power supply switching unit (44, 195) that is configured to switch between a first conductive state that conducts a first power supply path (16, 127) and a first cut-off state that cuts off the first power supply path; a first power supply switching control unit (3, 104) configured to receive power from the power source via a second power supply switching unit (26, 173) configured to switch between a second conductive state in which a second power supply path (14, 123) is conductive and a second cut-off state in which the second power supply path is cut off, and to control an operation of the first power supply switching unit; A second power supply switching control unit (2, 101, 102) configured to control the operation of the second power supply switching unit; a switching transmission unit (S20, S250, S280) configured to transmit, to the first power supply switching control unit, first switching instruction information indicating whether or not to set the first power supply switching unit to the first conductive state, based on a management frame that is a communication frame including first switching information indicating whether or not to set the first power supply switching unit to the first conductive state and second switching information indicating whether or not to set the second power supply switching unit to the second conductive state; a power supply control unit (S30, S260) configured to set the second power supply switching unit to either the second conductive state or the second cut-off state based on the management frame; A communication system (1, 100) comprising:

2. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, a switching unit management table (35, 165) in which first installation destination information indicating a control device in which the first power supply switching unit is mounted and second installation destination information indicating a control device in which the second power supply switching unit is mounted are set; the switching transmission unit (S20) is configured, upon receiving the management frame, to transmit, as the first switching instruction information to the first power supply switching control unit, a first switching request requesting whether or not to set the first power supply switching unit to the first conductive state, based on the first mounting destination information in the switching unit management table and the first switching information.

3. 3. The communication system according to claim 2, the first power supply path is connected to the power source via the second power supply path; A communication system, wherein the switching transmission unit is configured to prohibit transmission of the first switching request when the second switching information included in the management frame indicates the second cut-off state.

4. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, the switching transmission unit (S250, S280) is configured to transmit, upon receiving the management frame, the management frame as the first switching instruction information to the first power supply switching control unit; the first power supply switching control unit is configured to, upon receiving the management frame, set the first power supply switching unit to either the first conductive state or the first cut-off state based on the first switching information included in the management frame.

5. 5. The communication system according to claim 4, the first power supply path is connected to the power source via the second power supply path; A communication system, wherein the switching transmission unit is configured to prohibit transmission of the management frame when the second switching information included in the management frame indicates the second cut-off state.

6. A communication system according to claim 4 or claim 5, the switching transmission unit is configured to transmit the management frame after the second power supply switching unit enters the second conductive state and the first power supply switching control unit is started up, when the second power supply switching unit is in the second blocked state and the second switching information included in the management frame indicates the second conductive state.

7. A communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The communication system (100) comprises: The slave control device (108); A zone control device (104) connected to the slave control device so as to be capable of data communication with the first power supply switching unit; An upstream power supply distribution unit (102) including the second power supply switching unit; a central control device (101) connected in data communication with the zone control devices and the upstream power distribution unit; The central control device and the upstream power distribution unit are a communication system having the second power supply switching control unit, the switching transmission unit, and the power supply control unit.

8. a slave control device (6, 108) that receives power from a power source (10, 117) via a first power supply switching unit (44, 195) that is configured to switch between a first conductive state that conducts a first power supply path (16, 127) and a first cut-off state that cuts off the first power supply path; a power supply switching control unit (3, 104) configured to receive power from the power source via a second power supply switching unit (26, 173) configured to switch between a second conductive state for conducting a second power supply path (14, 123) and a second cut-off state for cutting off the second power supply path, and to control the operation of the first power supply switching unit; In a communication system (1, 100) comprising: a power supply switching device (2, 101, 102) configured to control an operation of the second power supply switching unit, a switching transmission unit (S20, S250, S280) configured to transmit, to the power supply switching control unit, first switching instruction information indicating whether or not to set the first power supply switching unit to the first conductive state, based on a management frame which is a communication frame including first switching information indicating whether or not to set the first power supply switching unit to the first conductive state and second switching information indicating whether or not to set the second power supply switching unit to the second conductive state; a power supply control unit (S30, S260) configured to set the second power supply switching unit to either the second conductive state or the second cut-off state based on the management frame; A power supply switching device comprising:

Images