On-vehicle device

Abstract

To provide an on-vehicle device that can accommodate switching devices of different types.SOLUTION: An on-vehicle device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a conductive pattern on which a switching device provided on an electric wire from a power supply device mounted on a vehicle is mounted; and a control unit that controls an output of electric power to a downstream side in a flow direction of a current from the power supply device of the switching device by applying a voltage to the switching device via the conductive pattern. The conductive pattern is formed so as to correspond to switching devices of different types. The control unit varies control to be executed on the switching device depending on the type of the switching device mounted on the conductive pattern.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This technology relates to an in-vehicle device.

Background Art

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

[0003] The semiconductor switch has a control terminal. For example, when the semiconductor switch is a FET (Field Effect Transistor), the control terminal is the gate. The resistance value between both ends of the semiconductor switch changes according to the voltage of the control terminal. By adjusting the voltage of the control terminal, the resistance value between both ends of the semiconductor switch is adjusted to a sufficiently small value, and the semiconductor switch is switched on. By adjusting the voltage of the control terminal, the resistance value between both ends of the semiconductor switch is adjusted to a sufficiently large value, and the semiconductor switch is switched off.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the power supply control device of Document 1, consideration has not been given to the point of corresponding to different types of opening and closing devices.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an in-vehicle device capable of corresponding to different types of opening and closing devices.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] An in-vehicle device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a conductive pattern on which a switching device provided on a power line from a power supply device mounted on a vehicle is placed, and a control unit that controls the output of power to the downstream side in the current flow direction from the power supply device of each switching device by applying a voltage to the switching device via the conductive pattern. The conductive pattern is formed corresponding to different types of the switching devices, and the control unit varies the control to be executed on the switching device according to the type of the switching device placed on the conductive pattern.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] In the in-vehicle device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to place a plurality of types of switching devices on a common conductive pattern.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] [Description of Embodiment of the Present Invention] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. Further, at least a part of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

[0011] (1) An in-vehicle device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a conductive pattern on which a switching device provided on a power line from a power supply device mounted on a vehicle is placed, and a control unit that controls the output of power to the downstream side in the current flow direction from the power supply device of each switching device by applying a voltage to the switching device via the conductive pattern. The conductive pattern is formed corresponding to different types of the switching devices, and the control unit varies the control to be executed on the switching device according to the type of the switching device placed on the conductive pattern.

[0012] In this aspect, the switching device is, for example, an IPD (Intelligent Power Device). The switching device is placed on a conductive pattern provided on a substrate included in the in-vehicle device. The conductive pattern is composed of a plurality of lands, and the switching device is placed on the conductive pattern on the substrate by connecting a plurality of pin terminals included in the switching device to each land. The switching device outputs the power supplied from the power supply device via the power line to the downstream load. The switching device is connected to the control unit via a control line, and the control unit controls the output of power to the load on the downstream side of the switching device by applying a voltage to the switching device. The type of the switching device placed on the conductive pattern is changed according to the load connected to the downstream side. For example, when the load is a load that does not need to be controlled by PWM (Pulse Width Modulation), the conductive pattern is provided with an inexpensive switching device that does not have a temperature calculation function (temperature estimation function, current interruption function) for calculating the temperature of the power line and interrupting the current flowing through the power line when the calculated temperature exceeds a threshold value (cut-off threshold value). When the load is a load that needs to be controlled by PWM, the conductive pattern is provided with a switching device that has a temperature calculation function for outputting power corresponding to the PWM signal from the control unit to the downstream load and interrupting the current when an overcurrent flows. When a switching device without a temperature calculation function is placed on the conductive pattern, the control unit acquires the current value of the power output from the switching device to the downstream side, and based on the acquired current value (an integrated value based on at least one of the current value, the electrical resistance value of the power line, and the time constant of the power line), executes control (cut-off control) to cut off (stop) the output of power to the downstream side of the switching device. Note that the control unit may calculate (estimate) the temperature of the power line based on the acquired current value and execute the cut-off control based on the calculated temperature. When a switching device with a temperature calculation function is placed on the conductive pattern, the control unit does not execute the cut-off control. By varying the control executed by the control unit according to the switching device placed on the conductive pattern, it is possible to place a plurality of types of switching devices on a common conductive pattern. Thereby, it is expected to achieve commonality of components and reduce the product cost.In addition, when a load that needs to be controlled by PWM is connected, since it is possible to mount an opening / closing device having a temperature calculation function on the conductive pattern, the control unit does not need to execute cutoff control, and it is possible to reduce the processing load of the control unit.

[0013] (2) In the in-vehicle device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, when different types of the opening / closing devices are mounted, the conductive pattern includes a common part that is commonly used, and a non-common part that is used only when any one of the different types of the opening / closing devices is mounted.

[0014] In this aspect, the opening / closing device includes a plurality of terminals (pin terminals, PINs). For example, since the number of terminals of an opening / closing device having a temperature calculation function (cutoff opening / closing device) and an opening / closing device not having a temperature calculation function (non-cutoff opening / closing device) is the same, it is possible to mount either the cutoff opening / closing device or the non-cutoff opening / closing device on a common conductive pattern. The terminals of the cutoff opening / closing device and the non-cutoff opening / closing device correspond to each other except for some terminals, and they are terminals having a common function. Note that the some terminals (non-common terminals) of the cutoff opening / closing device include, for example, a terminal for outputting the state of the self-opening / closing device to the control unit, a terminal for receiving an input of cutoff characteristics related to the temperature calculation function, or a terminal for receiving an input of a cutoff threshold related to the temperature calculation function. In addition, non-common terminals are connected to the non-common part, and when the non-common terminals of the cutoff opening / closing device are connected, for example, a resistance component is provided in the non-common part. By changing the resistance component provided in the non-common part, the cutoff characteristics or the cutoff threshold input to the cutoff opening / closing device are changed. The some terminals (non-common terminals) of the non-cutoff opening / closing device are, for example, NC (Non Connection) terminals, and when the non-common terminals of the non-cutoff opening / closing device are connected to the non-common part, no resistance component is provided in the non-common part. That is, the non-common terminals of the non-cutoff opening / closing device may be provided as dummy terminals where no signal input / output is performed. By providing the common part and the non-common part in the conductive pattern and enabling mounting of both the cutoff opening / closing device and the non-cutoff opening / closing device, it is possible to make the conductive pattern used according to the load common.

[0015] (3) The in-vehicle device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is such that the types of the opening / closing devices are classified according to the presence or absence of a temperature calculation function. When the opening / closing device placed on the conductive pattern does not have a temperature calculation function, the control unit acquires the current value of the power output by the opening / closing device, and based on at least one of the acquired current value, the electrical resistance value of the power line, and the time constant of the power line, executes cutoff control to cut off the power output to the downstream side of the opening / closing device. When the opening / closing device has a temperature calculation function, the control unit executes opening / closing control for controlling the power output to the load connected to the opening / closing device without executing cutoff control based on the current value flowing through the opening / closing device.

[0016] In this aspect, for an opening / closing device (IPD) having a temperature calculation function, based on at least one of the current value of the power output from the opening / closing device to the downstream side corresponding to the PWM signal output by the control unit, the electrical resistance value of the power line, and the time constant of the power line, for example, when the integrated value of the current value of the output power within a predetermined time exceeds a threshold value, the power output to the downstream side is cut off. Note that the opening / closing device (IPD) having a temperature calculation function may cut off the power output to the downstream side based on the duty ratio of the PWM signal output by the control unit. On the other hand, an inexpensive opening / closing device (IPD) does not have a temperature calculation function. When an inexpensive opening / closing device without a temperature calculation function is placed on the conductive pattern, based on the current value acquired by the control unit from the opening / closing device, an overcurrent flowing through the power line is detected, and the power output to the downstream side of the opening / closing device is cut off. Thereby, even when the opening / closing device placed on the conductive pattern does not have a temperature calculation function, when an overcurrent flows through the power line, the power output from the opening / closing device to the downstream side can be cut off to protect the load. Also, when an opening / closing device having a temperature calculation function is placed on the conductive pattern, the control unit does not execute cutoff control, and it is possible to reduce the processing load of the control unit. Note that the control unit may calculate (estimate) the temperature of the power line and execute cutoff control based on the calculated temperature.

[0017] (4) The in-vehicle device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the opening / closing device includes a plurality of terminals, and the control unit acquires a signal output from a specific terminal among the plurality of terminals of the opening / closing device, and determines whether the opening / closing device has a temperature calculation function based on the acquired signal.

[0018] In this aspect, an opening / closing device having a temperature calculation function is switched to an idle mode in which the consumption current of the self-opening / closing device is also reduced when, for example, the current value of the output power is small. The opening / closing device having a temperature calculation function outputs a signal indicating whether the self-opening / closing device is in the idle mode to the control unit from a specific terminal among the plurality of terminals provided in the opening / closing device. On the other hand, for an opening / closing device that does not have a temperature calculation function, the terminal corresponding to the specific terminal (the terminal connected to the same land as the specific terminal of the opening / closing device having a temperature calculation function in the conductive pattern) is an NC (Non Connection) terminal, and no signal is output from this terminal to the control unit. When the control unit acquires a signal from a specific terminal of the opening / closing device, it determines that the opening / closing device placed on the conductive pattern has a temperature calculation function, and when it does not acquire a signal, it determines that the opening / closing device placed on the conductive pattern does not have a temperature calculation function. Thereby, the control unit can execute control corresponding to the opening / closing device placed on the conductive pattern.

[0019] (5) The in-vehicle device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the control unit transmits a signal requesting information on the type of the opening / closing device placed on the conductive pattern to the opening / closing device, acquires a response signal in response to the transmitted signal from the opening / closing device, and determines whether the opening / closing device has a temperature calculation function based on the response signal.

[0020] In this aspect, the control unit and the opening / closing device can communicate with each other through serial communication such as SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) communication. The control unit transmits a signal requesting information on the type of the opening / closing device to the opening / closing device placed on the conductive pattern. The opening / closing device that has received the signal requesting information on the type of the opening / closing device from the control unit transmits information indicating the type of the self-opening / closing device to the control unit as a response signal. The control unit determines whether the opening / closing device placed on the conductive pattern has a cutoff function based on the response signal. Thereby, the control unit can execute control corresponding to the opening / closing device placed on the conductive pattern.

[0021] (6) In the in-vehicle device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, when the load connected to the opening / closing device in the conductive pattern is a load corresponding to PWM control, the opening / closing device having a temperature calculation function is placed, and when the load connected to the opening / closing device is a load not corresponding to PWM control, the opening / closing device not having a temperature calculation function is placed.

[0022] In this aspect, the load (in-vehicle load) is connected to the opening / closing device placed on the conductive pattern 33. That is, when the load connected to the opening / closing device is a load that needs to be controlled by PWM (corresponding to PWM control), such as an illumination lamp whose brightness changes, the opening / closing device having a temperature calculation function is placed on the conductive pattern. When the load connected to the opening / closing device is a load that does not need to be controlled by PWM (not corresponding to PWM control), such as a headlight or an interior lamp whose brightness does not change, an inexpensive opening / closing device not having a temperature calculation function is placed on the conductive pattern. By changing the type of the opening / closing device placed on the conductive pattern according to the necessity of PWM control of the load connected to the opening / closing device, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the in-vehicle device. Further, when a load that needs to be controlled by PWM is connected, since it is possible to place an opening / closing device having a temperature calculation function on the conductive pattern, the control unit does not need to execute cutoff control, and it is possible to reduce the processing load of the control unit.

[0023] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] A specific example of a power supply control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, and is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0024] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a connection example between a microcomputer 31 and a cutoff IPD 32a in an in-vehicle device 3. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a connection example between a microcomputer 31 and a non-cutoff IPD 32b in the in-vehicle device 3. The in-vehicle device 3 is, for example, an individual ECU (Electronic Control Unit) mounted on a vehicle M. The in-vehicle device 3 may be a left zone ECU mounted in the left zone of the vehicle M or a right zone ECU mounted in the right zone. The in-vehicle device 3 is connected to the positive electrode of the power supply device 1 and one end of the load 4. The negative electrode of the power supply device 1 and the other end of the load 4 are grounded. In the following description, among the current paths from the power supply device 1 to the load 4, the power supply device 1 side is regarded as the upstream of the current, and the load 4 side is regarded as the downstream of the current. In FIGS. 1, 2, and FIG. 5 described later, the power line is indicated by a thick solid line, and the control line is indicated by a thin solid line.

[0025] The in-vehicle device 3 includes a microcomputer (microcontroller) 31, an IPD (Intelligent Power Device) 32, and a conductive pattern 33 on which the IPD 32 is mounted. The IPD 32 corresponds to an opening / closing device. Note that FIG. 1 shows an example in which a cutoff IPD 32a having a temperature calculation function is mounted on the conductive pattern 33. The IPD 32 receives power supplied from the power supply device 1 and controls the power output to the load 4 based on the voltage application state from the microcontroller 31. Specifically, the IPD 32 includes, for example, an N-channel type FET (Field Effect Transistor). The drain of the FET is connected to the power supply device 1, and the source is connected to the load 4. The gate of the FET is connected to the microcontroller 31, and the voltage applied to the IPD 32 is applied to the gate of the FET. Thereby, when a high-level voltage is applied to the IPD 32, the IPD 32 outputs power to the downstream load 4. Also, when a low-level voltage is applied to the IPD 32, the IPD 32 does not output power to the downstream load 4. Note that the opening / closing device (IPD 32) may be configured by a P-channel type FET, a mechanical relay, or the like.

[0026] The microcontroller 31 has a control unit 311, a storage unit 312, and an input / output I / F 313. These are connected to an internal bus 315. Further, the microcontroller 31 may include an in-vehicle communication unit (not shown) using CAN or the like and be communicably connected to an in-vehicle ECU or the like via an in-vehicle network.

[0027] The control unit 311 has a processing element that executes processing, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and functions as a processing unit. By reading and executing the computer program (program) P stored in the storage unit 312, the processing element of the control unit 311 controls the output of power to the downstream side of each IPD32, determines whether the mounted IPD32 has a temperature calculation function, or stops the output of power to the downstream side of the IPD32 when an overcurrent flows through each IPD32. Note that the processing executed by the control unit 311 may be executed by an external device connected to the in-vehicle device 3 wirelessly or by wire.

[0028] The storage unit 312 is a non-volatile memory. The computer program P is stored in the storage unit 312. The computer program P may be provided to the microcomputer 31 using a non-temporary storage medium A in which the computer program P is recordable in a readable manner. The storage medium A is, for example, a portable memory. When the storage medium A is a portable memory, the processing element of the control unit 311 may read the computer program P from the storage medium A using a reading device (not shown). The read computer program P is stored in the storage unit 312. Further, the computer program P may be provided to the microcomputer 31 by the in-vehicle communication unit (not shown) of the microcomputer 31 communicating with an external device. In addition, the storage unit 312 stores the determination results, thresholds, etc. to be described later. Note that the threshold value stored in the storage unit 312 may be changed by reprogramming according to, for example, the load 4 connected to the in-vehicle device 3 or the type of the IPD32 provided in the in-vehicle device 3. Further, the threshold value stored in the storage unit 312 may be updated by communication with an external device.

[0029] The input / output I / F 313 includes a plurality of pin terminals (PIN(a), PIN(b), PIN(c), ···). Each pin terminal of the microcomputer 31 is connected to each pin terminal of the IPD32 via a control line and a conductive pattern 33.

[0030] IPD32 includes a power receiving terminal 321 and a power output terminal 322. A power line connecting the power supply device 1 and the IPD32 of the in-vehicle device 3 is connected to the power receiving terminal 321, and the power receiving terminal 321 receives the power supplied from the upstream side. A power line connecting the IPD32 and the load 4 is connected to the power output terminal 322, and the power received by the power receiving terminal 321 is output to the downstream load 4.

[0031] IPD32 includes a plurality of pin terminals (PIN(1), PIN(2), PIN(3), ···). The conductive pattern 33 includes a plurality of lands L (L1, L2, L3, ···). PIN(1) of IPD32 is grounded via land L1.

[0032] PIN(2) of IPD32 is connected to PIN(a) of the microcomputer 31 via land L2. A resistor component R1 for preventing overvoltage or overcurrent is provided on land L2. The control unit 311 of the microcomputer 31 applies a voltage for controlling the power output of IPD32 from PIN(a) to PIN(2) of IPD32. When a high-level voltage is applied to PIN(2), IPD32 outputs power to the downstream side. When a low-level voltage is applied to PIN(2), IPD32 does not output power to the downstream side.

[0033] PIN (3) of IPD32 is connected to PIN (b) of the microcontroller 31 via the land L3. A resistive component R2 for preventing overvoltage or overcurrent is provided on the land L3. The control unit 311 of the microcontroller 31 applies a voltage for switching the presence or absence of the output of the microcontroller 31 corresponding to the current value of the power output by IPD32 to the downstream side to PIN (3) of IPD32 from PIN (b). PIN (4) of IPD32 is connected to PIN (c) of the microcontroller via the land L4. When a high-level voltage is applied to PIN (3) of IPD32, IPD32 outputs the current value corresponding to the power output to the downstream side from PIN (4) to PIN (c) of the microcontroller 31. A pull-down resistive component Rd is provided on the land L4, and the current value output by IPD32 from PIN (4) to the microcontroller 31 is converted into a voltage value corresponding (proportional) to the current value and input to PIN (c) of the microcontroller 31. That is, the control unit 311 transmits a signal for instructing the output of the current value to PIN (3) of IPD32. IPD32 that has received the signal for instructing the output of the current value outputs the current value corresponding to the power output by IPD32 to the downstream side from PIN (4).

[0034] PIN (5) of IPD32 is grounded via the land L5. As shown in FIG. 1, when the cut-off IPD32a is mounted on the conductive pattern 33, a resistive component R3 is provided on the land L5. The cut-off IPD32a has a temperature calculation function that stops the power output to the load 4 connected to the downstream side when an overcurrent flows through the cut-off IPD32a. A voltage for determining the cut-off characteristics (time to cut-off with respect to the current value of the overcurrent) related to the temperature calculation function is applied to PIN (5) of the cut-off IPD32a. The voltage value applied to PIN (5) is based on the resistance value of the resistive component R3 provided on PIN (5). That is, the cut-off characteristics of the cut-off IPD32a are determined based on the resistance value of the resistive component R3 provided on PIN (5).

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, when the non-blocking IPD 32b is placed on the conductive pattern 33, R3 is not provided on the land L5, and the PIN(5) of the non-blocking IPD 32b is not electrically connected to any location. That is, the PIN(5) of the non-blocking IPD 32b is an NC (Non Connection) terminal, and is only structurally connected to the land L5. Input / output to the non-blocking IPD 32b via the land L5 is not performed, and the land L5 is not used.

[0036] The PIN(6) of the IPD 32 is connected to the PIN(d) of the microcontroller 31 via the land L6. As shown in FIG. 1, when the blocking IPD 32a is placed on the conductive pattern 33, a pull-up resistor Ru is provided on the land L6, and the pull-up resistor Ru is connected to the Vcc power supply. The blocking IPD 32a transmits a signal indicating the state (mode) of the blocking IPD 32a to the PIN(d) of the microcontroller 31 using the voltage applied from the Vcc power supply. The state of the blocking IPD 32a includes a normal mode in which the current value of the power output by the blocking IPD 32a is high and the current consumption value of the blocking IPD 32a is also high, and a low power consumption mode (idle mode) in which the current value of the power output by the blocking IPD 32a is lower than that in the normal mode and the current consumption value of the blocking IPD 32a is also low. When the blocking IPD 32a is in the normal mode, the blocking IPD 32a transmits a signal indicating that the blocking IPD 32a is not in the idle mode by applying a low-level voltage to the PIN(d) of the microcontroller 31. When the blocking IPD 32a is in the idle mode, the blocking IPD 32a transmits a signal indicating that the blocking IPD 32a is in the idle mode by applying a high-level voltage to the PIN(d) of the microcontroller 31.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, when the non - cut - off IPD32b is placed on the conductive pattern 33, Ru is not provided on the land L6, and no voltage is applied to the PIN(d). That is, the PIN(d) of the microcomputer 31 does not receive a signal from the IPD32, and the land L6 is not used. The control unit 311 of the microcomputer 31 can determine whether the IPD32 placed on the conductive pattern 33 is the cut - off IPD32a or the non - cut - off IPD32b based on the voltage applied to the PIN(d) (the signal acquired by the PIN(d)).

[0038] The PIN(7) of the IPD32 is grounded via the land L7. As shown in FIG. 1, when the cut - off IPD32a is placed on the conductive pattern 33, the resistive component R4 is provided on the land L7. The cut - off IPD32a has a temperature calculation function that stops the power output to the load 4 connected to the downstream side when an over - current flows through the cut - off IPD32a. A voltage for determining the cut - off threshold temperature related to the temperature calculation function is applied to the PIN(7) of the cut - off IPD32a. Note that the voltage value applied to the PIN(7) is based on the resistance value of the resistive component R4 provided on the PIN(7). That is, the cut - off threshold of the cut - off IPD32a is determined based on the resistance value of the resistive component R4 provided on the PIN(7). Note that the cut - off threshold may be the threshold of the integrated current value of the over - current that cuts off the current.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, when the non - cut - off IPD32b is placed on the conductive pattern 33, R4 is not provided on the land L7, and the PIN(7) of the non - cut - off IPD32b is not electrically connected to any place. That is, the PIN(7) of the non - cut - off IPD32b is an NC (Non - Connection) terminal, and is only structurally connected to the land L7, and no input / output to the non - cut - off IPD32b via the land L7 is performed, and the land L7 is not used.

[0040] As described above, lands L1, L2, L3, and L4 are used regardless of whether the blocking IPD 32a or the non-blocking IPD 32b is placed on the conductive pattern 33. Lands L1, L2, L3, and L4 constitute the common portion 33a of the conductive pattern 33. Lands L5, L6, and L7 are used when the blocking IPD 32a is placed on the conductive pattern 33, and are not used when the non-blocking IPD 32b is placed on the conductive pattern 33. Lands L5, L6, and L7 constitute the non-common portion 33b of the conductive pattern 33.

[0041] The load 4a shown in FIG. 1 is a load that needs to be controlled by PWM, such as an illumination lamp whose brightness changes. When the load 4 mounted on the vehicle M and connected to the IPD 32 of the in-vehicle device 3 is a load 4a that needs to be controlled by PWM, the blocking IPD 32a is placed on the conductive pattern 33 as shown in FIG. 1. As described above, the blocking IPD 32a has a temperature calculation function. When the blocking IPD 32a is placed on the conductive pattern 33, the control unit 311 of the microcomputer 31 applies a voltage to the blocking IPD 32a from PIN(a) by a PWM signal and controls the output of power to the downstream side of the blocking IPD 32a. When an overcurrent flows through the blocking IPD 32a, the blocking IPD 32a stops the output of power, so the control unit 311 of the microcomputer 31 does not execute control to determine whether an overcurrent is flowing through the blocking IPD 32a based on the current value corresponding to the power output by the blocking IPD 32a to the downstream side.

[0042] The load 4b shown in FIG. 2 is a load that does not require PWM control, such as a headlight or an interior light whose brightness does not change. When the load 4 mounted on the vehicle M and connected to the IPD32 of the in-vehicle device 3 is a load 4b that does not need to be controlled by PWM, as shown in FIG. 2, a non-shutdown IPD32b is placed on the conductive pattern 33. As described above, the non-shutdown IPD32b does not have a temperature calculation function. When the non-shutdown IPD32b is placed on the conductive pattern 33, the control unit 311 of the microcomputer 31 controls the voltage applied from PIN(a) to the non-shutdown IPD32b and controls the output of power to the downstream side of the non-shutdown IPD32b. Further, the control unit 311 of the microcomputer 31 executes control to determine whether an overcurrent is flowing through the non-shutdown IPD32b based on at least one of the current value corresponding to the power output by the non-shutdown IPD32b to the downstream side, the electrical resistance value of the power line, and the time constant of the power line. When the control unit 311 determines that an overcurrent is flowing through the non-shutdown IPD32b, it stops the output of power to the downstream side of the non-shutdown IPD32b by applying a low-level voltage from PIN(a) to PIN(2) of the non-shutdown IPD32b.

[0043] As described above, the shutdown IPD32a functions as a semiconductor fuse that detects an overcurrent alone and stops the output of power. In contrast, the non-shutdown IPD32b stops the output of power under the control of the microcomputer 31 when the microcomputer 31 detects an overcurrent. That is, the non-shutdown IPD32b and the microcomputer 31 function as a semiconductor fuse integrally.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the mounted IPD determination process. The control unit 311 of the microcomputer 31 determines whether a signal indicating the state of the IPD 32 is output from PIN(6) of the IPD 32 (S1). When a signal indicating the state of the IPD 32 is output from PIN(6) of the IPD 32 (S1: YES), the control unit 311 determines that the cutoff IPD 32a is mounted on the conductive pattern 33 (S2). When a signal indicating the state of the IPD 32 is not output from PIN(6) of the IPD 32 (S1: NO), the control unit 311 determines that the non-cutoff IPD 32b is mounted on the conductive pattern 33 (S3). The control unit 311 stores the determination result in S2 or S3 in the storage unit 312 (S4) and ends the process. In S4, the control unit 311 stores the determination result in the storage unit 312 by storing a numerical flag corresponding to the type of the IPD 32 determined to be mounted, for example, in the storage unit 312. The control unit 311 executes the mounted IPD determination process shown in FIG. 3 at the manufacturing stage of the vehicle M. Note that the control unit 311 may execute the mounted IPD determination process during maintenance, stop, or charging of the vehicle M.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the control selection process. The control unit 311 of the microcomputer 31 reads out the determination result stored in the storage unit 312 (S11). Based on the control unit 311 and the read determination result, it is determined whether the cutoff IPD 32a is mounted on the conductive pattern 33 (whether the non-cutoff IPD 32b is mounted) (S12). When the cutoff IPD 32a is mounted (S12: YES), the control unit 311 starts outputting a PWM signal to the IPD 32 from PIN(a) (S13) and ends the process. That is, the control unit 311 executes control corresponding to the load 4 (load 4a) that requires PWM control in S13.

[0046] When the blocking IPD 32a is not placed (the non-blocking IPD 32b is placed) (S12: NO), the control unit 311 transmits a signal instructing the output of a current value corresponding to the power output by the IPD 32 to the PIN (3) of the IPD 32 from the PIN (b) (S14). The IPD 32 (non-blocking IPD 32b) that has received the signal instructing the output of the current value outputs a current value corresponding to the power output to the downstream side (proportional to the current value of the power) to the microcomputer 31. The control unit 311 acquires the current value output by the IPD 32 (S15). The control unit 311 determines whether an overcurrent is flowing through the IPD 32 based on the acquired current value, and starts blocking control to stop the output of power to the downstream side of the IPD 32 when an overcurrent is flowing (S16). Further, the control unit 311 starts applying a voltage for controlling the output of power to the downstream side of the IPD 32 (S17) and ends the process. That is, the control unit 311 executes control corresponding to the load 4 (load 4b) for which PWM control is not required in S14 to S17. Note that the control unit 311 may execute the blocking control of the IPD 32b and the application of voltage to the IPD 32b in parallel.

[0047] The control unit 311 of the microcomputer 31 executes, for example, the control selection process shown in FIG. 4 when the vehicle M is started. Note that the control unit 311 may execute the same process as the mounted IPD determination process shown in FIG. 3 when the vehicle M is started. At this time, when the determination result at the start of the vehicle M is different from the determination result stored in the storage unit 312, the control unit 311 may issue an alarm to the outside via, for example, the in-vehicle communication unit. Further, when the determination result at the start of the vehicle M is different from the determination result stored in the storage unit 312, the vehicle M may be stopped, the control by the in-vehicle device 3 with a different determination result may be stopped, and the vehicle M may be started in a state where the operation of some functions is stopped or limited.

[0048] (Embodiment 2) The microcomputer 31 and the IPD 32 of the in-vehicle device 3 according to Embodiment 2 communicate with each other through serial communication such as SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) communication. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the connection between the microcomputer 31 and the IPD 32 in the in-vehicle device 3 according to Embodiment 2. In FIG. 5, an example is shown in which the cutoff IPD 32a is placed on the conductive pattern 33. The microcomputer 31 and the IPD 32 according to Embodiment 2 are connected by a communication line. In FIG. 5, the communication line is indicated by a broken line. The microcomputer 31 transmits a signal requesting information on the type of the IPD 32 (whether it has a cutoff function) to the IPD 32 through the communication line. The IPD 32 that has received the signal through the communication line transmits information indicating the type of its own IPD 32 to the microcomputer 31 as a response signal through the communication line. The microcomputer 31 can determine whether the IPD 32 placed on the conductive pattern 33 is the cutoff IPD 32a or the non-cutoff IPD 32b based on the response signal from the IPD 32. Note that the microcomputer 31 may execute the control of the IPD 32 through SPI communication using the communication line. Also, the microcomputer 31 and the IPD 32 may communicate through parallel communication.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the mounted IPD determination process according to Embodiment 2. The control unit 311 of the microcomputer 31 transmits a signal (request signal) requesting information on the type of the IPD 32 to the IPD 32 (S21). The IPD 32 that has received the request signal transmits information indicating the type of its own IPD 32 as a response signal. The control unit 311 receives the response signal (S22). The control unit 311 determines the type of the IPD 32 (cutoff IPD 32a or non-cutoff IPD 32b) placed on the conductive pattern 33 based on the received response signal (S23). The control unit 311 stores the determined type of the IPD 32 in the storage unit 312 (S24) and ends the process.

[0050] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The technical features described in each embodiment can be combined with each other, and the scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the scope of the claims and the scope equivalent to the claims. Also, the independent claims and dependent claims described in the claims can be combined with each other in all possible combinations regardless of the citation form. Further, the claims use a form (multi-claim form) of describing a claim that cites two or more other claims, but it is not limited to this. It may be described using a form of describing a multi-claim (multi-multi-claim) that cites at least one multi-claim.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0051] 1 Power supply device 3 Vehicle-mounted device 31 Microcomputer (MCU) 311 Control unit 312 Storage unit 313 Input / output I / F 32 IPD 32a Cut-off IPD 32b Non-cut-off IPD 33 Conductive pattern 33a Common part 33b Non-common part 4 Load A Storage medium M Vehicle P Computer program (program)

Claims

1. A conductive pattern on which a switching device provided in a power line from a power supply device mounted on a vehicle is placed; A control unit that controls the output of power to the downstream side in the current flow direction from the power supply device of each switching device by applying a voltage to the switching device via the conductive pattern; Comprising; The conductive pattern is formed corresponding to different types of the switching devices; The control unit varies the control to be executed on the switching device according to the type of the switching device placed on the conductive pattern; An in-vehicle device.

2. The conductive pattern is; A common part that is commonly used when different types of the switching devices are placed, and A non-common part that is used only when any one of the different types of the switching devices is placed; The in-vehicle device according to claim 1, comprising.

3. The types of the switching devices are classified according to the presence or absence of a temperature calculation function, and The control unit is; When the switching device placed on the conductive pattern does not have a temperature calculation function, Acquires the current value of the power output by the switching device, Executes cutoff control to cutoff the output of power to the downstream side of the switching device based on at least one of the acquired current value, the electrical resistance value of the power line, and the time constant of the power line; When the switching device has a temperature calculation function, Executes opening / closing control for controlling the output of power to a load connected to the switching device without executing cutoff control based on the current value flowing through the switching device; The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The switching device includes a plurality of terminals, and The control unit is; Acquires a signal output from a specific terminal among the plurality of terminals of the switching device, and Determines whether the switching device has a temperature calculation function based on the acquired signal; The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The control unit is; Transmits a signal requesting information on the type of the switching device placed on the conductive pattern to the switching device, Acquires a response signal in response to the transmitted signal from the switching device, and Determines whether the switching device has a temperature calculation function based on the response signal; The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. On the conductive pattern, When the load connected to the switching device is a load corresponding to PWM control, a switching device having a temperature calculation function is placed; When the load connected to the opening / closing device is a load that does not support PWM control, the opening / closing device without a temperature calculation function is mounted The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 or 2.

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