Vehicle-mounted devices

Abstract

This provides an in-vehicle device that enables dynamic control of dark current cut-off according to how the vehicle is used by the user. [Solution] An in-vehicle device for controlling an electronic control unit that constitutes an in-vehicle network equipped with a partial networking function, comprising: a first storage unit that stores first information indicating whether or not it is possible to cut dark current for all electronic control units in the partial network cluster to which the electronic control unit to be controlled belongs; a second storage unit that stores second information regarding power saving set by the vehicle user; and a control unit that performs processing to cut the dark current of the electronic control unit to be controlled based on the vehicle status, the first information, and the second information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an in-vehicle device that controls an electronic control unit constituting an in-vehicle network having a partial networking function.

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, when it is desired to suppress the power consumption of a system while monitoring the state of a vehicle and the usage status of services, etc., a control device that cuts the consumption current (dark current) by turning off a relay that connects a specific electronic control unit (ECU: Electronic Control Unit) to a power wiring is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the control device described in Patent Document 1 above, although it is possible to cut the dark current according to the state of the vehicle, there is a problem that it is difficult to dynamically control and manage the cutting of the dark current according to the usage of the vehicle user.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an in-vehicle device that enables dynamic control of cutting the dark current according to the usage of the vehicle user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the disclosed technology is an in-vehicle device for controlling an electronic control unit constituting an in-vehicle network with partial networking functionality, comprising: a first storage unit that stores first information indicating whether or not dark current can be cut for all electronic control units in the partial network cluster to which the electronic control unit to be controlled belongs; a second storage unit that stores second information regarding power saving set by the vehicle user; and a control unit that performs processing to cut the dark current of the electronic control unit to be controlled based on the vehicle status, the first information, and the second information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the in-vehicle device of the present disclosure, in addition to the vehicle status and first information, the dark current cut process of the controlled electronic control unit is performed based on power saving information set by the vehicle user, so that the dark current cut control can be dynamically controlled to match the user's usage. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of an in-vehicle device and power supply system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Flowchart of the power-saving relay control process performed by the in-vehicle device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The in-vehicle device disclosed herein dynamically performs a trade-off between hot start (prioritizing startup time) and cold start (prioritizing power saving) by combining a partial network and an IC relay. This enables trade-offs tailored to the vehicle user's (driver's) lifestyle patterns and preferences, as well as the battery charge status. Hereinafter, one embodiment of this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010] <Embodiment> [composition] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a power supply system 100 that supplies power to a plurality of electronic control units (ECUs) 121 to 126 constituting an in-vehicle device 150 and an in-vehicle network according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the power supply system 100 of Figure 1, the plurality of electronic control units 121 to 126 are connected to a power supply source 110 by power wiring 140 via a plurality of relays 131 to 136.

[0011] The power supply source 110, multiple electronic control units 121-126, multiple relays 131-136, power wiring 140, and in-vehicle device 150 illustrated in Figure 1 are installed in vehicles such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

[0012] The power supply source 110 is configured to supply power to multiple electronic control units 121 to 126 via multiple relays 131 to 136. Examples of the power supply source 110 include a battery such as a lithium-ion battery or a lead-acid battery, and a DC-DC converter that converts battery power or power from a generator (such as an alternator) to a predetermined voltage. The power supply source 110 and the multiple relays 131 to 136 are connected by power wiring 140 such as a wire harness.

[0013] Multiple electronic control units 121 to 126 receive power for driving from a power supply source 110 and are configured to perform predetermined controls and operations in the vehicle. The electronic control units 121 to 126 in this embodiment constitute an in-vehicle network (such as CAN) equipped with a partial networking function (PN function) that can reduce the power consumption of the entire system. In this in-vehicle network, the electronic control units 121 to 126 form a cluster called a Partial Network Cluster (PNC) by groups of electronic control units that cooperate to provide functions and services. In the example in Figure 1, one partial network cluster (first PNC) is formed by electronic control units 121, 122, 123, and 124, and one partial network cluster (second PNC) is formed by electronic control units 124 and 126. While there may be electronic control units that belong to multiple partial network clusters, such as electronic control unit 124, there may also be electronic control units that do not belong to any partial network cluster, such as electronic control unit 125.

[0014] Multiple relays 131-136 are inserted between multiple electronic control units 121-126 and the power wiring 140, respectively, and are configured to switch the electrical connection state (continuity / disconnection) between the power supply source 110 and the multiple electronic control units 121-126. Semiconductor relays (IC relays) are used for these multiple relays 131-136. The connection state of the multiple relays 131-136 is controlled by the on-board device 150.

[0015] Note that the number of electronic control units 121-126 and relays 131-136 connected to the power supply source 110 shown in Figure 1 is an example and not limited to any specific configuration. Furthermore, relays may be provided to some electronic control units, rather than all. Also, the number of electronic control units connected to (or subordinate to) a relay is not limited to one; two or more electronic control units may be connected to (or subordinate to) a single relay.

[0016] The in-vehicle device 150 has a function (relay OFF determination function) to control the connection status of multiple relays 131 to 136 in order to reduce power consumption in the entire system. This in-vehicle device 150 can grasp the status of the partial network cluster (bus connection + PN function and belonging to related PNCs). In addition, the in-vehicle device 150 has identification information for controlling relays 131 to 136. The in-vehicle device 150 in this embodiment includes an acquisition unit 151, a storage unit 152, and a control unit 153.

[0017] This in-vehicle device 150 is typically configured as an ECU (e.g., a relay control ECU) that includes a processor such as a microcontroller, memory, and input / output interfaces. This in-vehicle device 150 realizes some or all of the functions of the acquisition unit 151, the storage unit 152, and the control unit 153 by having the processor read and execute a program stored in memory.

[0018] The acquisition unit 151 can acquire the status of the vehicle. The status of the vehicle acquired by the acquisition unit 151 includes information indicating whether or not the vehicle is parked, and information indicating whether each of the electronic control units 121 to 126 is in a wake-up state with all functions activated, or in a sleep state with some or all functions disabled.

[0019] The memory unit 152 stores first information (PNC information) for each partial network cluster (PNC). This first information includes the name of the PNC, information about the electronic control units belonging to the PNC, and information about the system's power saving priority settings during Power ON (driving) and parking. Furthermore, the information about the electronic control units belonging to the PNC (ECU information) includes, for each electronic control unit, the name of the unit, information indicating whether or not dark current can be cut, and information about the relays to which it is connected.

[0020] In addition, the memory unit 152 stores and manages second information (power saving needs) related to power saving set by the user of the vehicle. This second information includes information on the time period during which the user normally uses the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as the "user usage time period") and information on whether to permit the power saving operation of the system during the time period other than the user usage time period (hereinafter referred to as the "user non-usage time period").

[0021] Based on the state of the vehicle acquired by the acquisition unit 151 and the first information and second information stored in the memory unit 152, the control unit 153 performs a process of cutting off the leakage current of the electronic control unit to be controlled. This process of cutting off the leakage current is implemented by controlling the relay connected to the electronic control unit to be controlled to a cut-off state.

[0022] [Control] Next, referring further to FIG. 2, the control performed by the in-vehicle device 150 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the processing procedure of power saving relay control executed by the control unit 153 of the in-vehicle device 150. The power saving relay control illustrated in FIG. 2 is executed with the electronic control unit in the wake-up state as the control target.

[0023] Hereinafter, the power saving relay control will be described by taking as an example the case where the electronic control unit to be controlled (control target ECU) is the electronic control unit 121.

[0024] (Step S201) Based on the state of the vehicle acquired by the acquisition unit 151, the control unit 153 determines whether all other electronic control units 122, 123, and 124 that form the first PNC, which is the partial network cluster to which the electronic control unit 121 to be controlled belongs, are in the sleep state.

[0025] If the control unit 153 determines that all of the other electronic control units 122, 123, and 124 of the first PNC are in a sleep state (step S201, yes), the process proceeds to step S202. On the other hand, if the control unit 153 determines that all of the other electronic control units 122, 123, and 124 of the first PNC are not in a sleep state (step S201, no), the monitoring of the status of the other electronic control units 122, 123, and 124 continues.

[0026] (Step S202) The control unit 153 transitions the electronic control unit 121 to be controlled from the wake-up state to the sleep state. Once the electronic control unit 121 to be controlled enters the sleep state, the process proceeds to step S203.

[0027] (Step S203) Based on the first information stored in the memory unit 152, the control unit 153 determines whether or not it is possible to cut the dark current for all electronic control units 121, 122, 123, and 124 that form the first PNC to which the electronic control unit 121 to be controlled belongs. This dark current is the current that is consumed even when the electronic control unit is in a sleep state.

[0028] If the control unit 153 determines that it is possible to cut the dark current in all of the electronic control units 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the first PNC (step S203, yes), the process proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, if the control unit 153 determines that it is not possible to cut the dark current in all of the electronic control units 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the first PNC (step S203, no), the process proceeds to step S201.

[0029] (Step S204) Based on the first information stored in the memory unit 152, the control unit 153 determines whether power saving priority is set for power-on or parking for all electronic control units 121, 122, 123, and 124 that form the first PNC to which the electronic control unit 121 to be controlled belongs.

[0030] If the control unit 153 determines that power saving priority is set for all of the electronic control units 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the first PNC (step S204, yes), the process proceeds to step S206. On the other hand, if the control unit 153 determines that power saving priority is not set for all of the electronic control units 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the first PNC (step S204, no), the process proceeds to step S205.

[0031] (Step S205) The control unit 153 determines whether the current system status satisfies predetermined power cut conditions based on the vehicle status acquired by the acquisition unit 151 and the second information (user's power saving needs) stored in the storage unit 152. These predetermined power cut conditions are that all of the following are true: the vehicle is parked, the current time is outside of the user's non-use period, and the user has permitted the system to operate in a power-saving mode during this non-use period.

[0032] If the control unit 153 determines that the current system status satisfies the power cut-off condition (step S205, yes), the process proceeds to step S206. On the other hand, if the control unit 153 determines that the current system status does not satisfy the power cut-off condition (step S205, no), the process proceeds to step S201.

[0033] (Step S206) The control unit 153 controls the relay 131 connected to the electronic control unit 121 to be controlled, setting it to the OFF state. This stops the power supply from the power source 110 to the electronic control unit 121, thereby saving power. When the control unit 153 controls the relay 131 connected to the electronic control unit 121 to the OFF state, this power-saving relay control ends.

[0034] [Specific example] This explanation uses the configuration of an in-vehicle network as an example, where the electronic control units belonging to the Partial Network Cluster (PNC) of an autonomous driving system are the autonomous driving ECU and the camera ECU, and the electronic control units belonging to the Partial Network Cluster (PNC) of the XX system are the camera ECU and the XX ECU.

[0035] Furthermore, the first and second pieces of information stored in the memory unit 152 are assumed to be as follows. • First information (PNC information): Dark current reduction → Possible for all electronic control units Autonomous driving system → Prioritizes power saving even while driving ○○ system → Prioritizes startup even when parked • Second information (user settings): User usage time → Daytime (6:00 AM to 10:00 PM) Setting for periods of non-use by the user → Prioritize power saving

[0036] In this state, if the time is around 10:00, the vehicle is in operation, and neither the autonomous driving system nor the XX system is in use (OFF), the states of the camera ECU and the autonomous driving ECU will be as follows:

[0037] • Camera ECU: Sleep state All ECUs in the PNC are in sleep mode → TRUE Camera ECU can cut dark current → TRUE All ECUs in the PNC are set to prioritize power saving → FALSE Power cut-off conditions met → FALSE

[0038] • Automated driving ECU: Power OFF state due to relay disconnection. All ECUs in the PNC are in sleep mode → TRUE Autonomous driving ECU can cut down dark current → TRUE All ECUs in the PNC are set to prioritize power saving → TRUE

[0039] On the other hand, if it is around 2 a.m., the vehicle is parked, and neither the autonomous driving system nor the XX system is in use (OFF), the state of the camera ECU will be as follows.

[0040] • Camera ECU: Power OFF state due to relay interruption All ECUs in the PNC are in sleep mode → TRUE Camera ECU can cut dark current → TRUE All ECUs in the PNC are set to prioritize power saving → FALSE Power cut-off conditions met → TRUE

[0041] <Effects and Actions> As described above, according to the in-vehicle device 150 of one embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic control units 121 to 126 constituting the in-vehicle network with partial networking functionality perform dark current cutting processing based on the vehicle status and first information indicating whether each electronic control unit 121 to 126 can cut dark current, as well as second information (user needs) set by the user regarding power saving. This enables dynamic control and management of dark current cutting in accordance with how the vehicle is used by the user.

[0042] Although one embodiment of the disclosed technology has been described above, the disclosure can be understood not only as an in-vehicle device, but also as a method executed by an in-vehicle device equipped with a processor and memory, a program for executing that method, a computer-readable non-temporary storage medium storing that program, and a vehicle equipped with the in-vehicle device. [Industrial applicability]

[0043] The in-vehicle device of this disclosure can be used when dynamic dark current control using a partial network and IC relays is desired. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 100 Power Systems 110 Power supply source 121-126 Electronic Control Unit (ECU) 131-136 Relay 140 Power wiring 150 In-vehicle equipment (relay control ECU) 151 Acquisition Department 152 Storage section 153 Control Unit

Claims

1. An in-vehicle device that controls an electronic control unit that constitutes an in-vehicle network equipped with partial networking functionality, A first storage unit stores first information indicating whether or not dark current can be cut for all electronic control units in the partial network cluster to which the electronic control unit to be controlled belongs, A second storage unit that stores second information regarding power saving set by the vehicle user, An in-vehicle device comprising: a control unit that performs a process to cut the dark current of the electronic control unit to be controlled based on the state of the vehicle, the first information, and the second information.

2. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1, wherein the process for cutting the dark current is the process of turning off a relay that supplies power to the electronic control unit of the controlled object.

3. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second information includes information indicating whether power saving is possible during the time when the user is not using the vehicle.

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