Vehicle control system

Abstract

This vehicle control system provides a system that suppresses the output of an alarm when the power supply from the auxiliary power unit is cut off. [Solution] The vehicle control system 1, which can be powered by the auxiliary power supply unit 12, includes an alarm unit 28 that outputs an alarm when it is detected that the auxiliary power supply unit 12 is abnormal, an acquisition unit 22 that acquires a cutoff request signal to cut off power supply from the auxiliary power supply unit 12, an arbitration processing unit 26 that performs arbitration processing to cut off power to the auxiliary power supply unit 12 when it acquires the cutoff request signal, and a control unit 24 that sends information to the auxiliary power supply unit 12 indicating whether or not the power can be cut off according to the arbitration processing result. The control unit 24 stops the output of an alarm by the alarm unit 28 between acquiring the cutoff request signal and sending information to the auxiliary power supply unit 12 indicating whether or not the power can be cut off.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle control system mounted on a vehicle and powered by an accessory power supply unit.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle anti-theft device that prohibits the vehicle from running by disabling the operation of the internal combustion engine when an improper operation on the vehicle, such as disconnection of the electrical system, is detected.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that when the user intentionally cuts off the power supply, the cut-off operation may be detected as an improper operation.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control system that suppresses the output of an alarm when cutting off the power supply from the accessory power supply unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, an aspect of the present invention is a vehicle control system powered by an in-vehicle accessory power supply unit, including an alarm unit that outputs an alarm when it is detected that the accessory power supply unit is abnormal, an acquisition unit that acquires a cut-off request signal for cutting off the power supply from the accessory power supply unit, a mediation processing unit that executes a mediation process for executing the cut-off of the accessory power supply unit when the cut-off request signal is acquired, and a control unit that sends information indicating whether the cut-off is possible according to the mediation processing result to the accessory power supply unit. The control unit stops the output of the alarm by the alarm unit while sending the information indicating whether the cut-off is possible to the accessory power supply unit after acquiring the cut-off request signal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle control system that suppresses the output of an alarm when the power supply from the auxiliary power unit is cut off. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This diagram shows the functional configuration of the vehicle control system in the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart of the shutoff process performed in the vehicle control system of the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Figure 1 shows the functional configuration of the vehicle control system 1 of the embodiment. Each function of the vehicle control system 1 can be configured in hardware terms with circuit blocks, memory, and other LSIs, and in software terms with system software and application programs loaded into memory. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that each function of the vehicle control system 1 can be implemented in various ways by hardware alone, software alone, or a combination thereof, and is not limited to any one of these.

[0010] The vehicle control system 1 comprises a vehicle control device 10, an auxiliary power supply unit 12, an on-board sensor 14, a display unit 16, and a cutoff switch 18. The vehicle control system 1 is powered by the auxiliary power supply unit 12 and is controlled so that no alarm is output when the user intentionally cuts off the auxiliary power supply unit 12. The vehicle equipped with the vehicle control system 1 may have an autonomous driving control function that allows it to drive autonomously.

[0011] The in-vehicle sensor 14 includes sensors for detecting user operation, sensors for detecting the vehicle's driving status, and sensors for detecting the operation of in-vehicle functions. For example, the sensor for detecting user operation is provided in the locking mechanism that locks the vehicle's doors. When the user turns on the locking mechanism, the alarm function is switched from the on state to the off state. In this way, the alarm function switches its state in conjunction with the user's operation of the in-vehicle device.

[0012] The display unit 16 is an in-vehicle display or warning light that displays information to the user. In particular, the display unit 16 displays information that notifies the user that the shutdown of the auxiliary power supply unit 12 has been stopped.

[0013] The disconnect switch 18 is, for example, a mechanical switch that can be operated by the user. Upon user operation, the disconnect switch 18 transmits an ON or OFF signal to the auxiliary power supply unit 12. Upon ON operation, the disconnect switch 18 transmits an ON signal to the auxiliary power supply unit 12 to instruct it to disconnect, and upon OFF operation, transmits an OFF signal to the auxiliary power supply unit 12 to instruct it to end the disconnection. The disconnect switch 18 may only be capable of ON operation and may transmit only ON signals.

[0014] The auxiliary power supply unit 12 is provided separately from the main power supply for driving. The auxiliary power supply unit 12 may be composed of, for example, a lithium-ion battery. The auxiliary power supply unit 12 has a communication unit 30, an acquisition unit 32, and a cutoff unit 34.

[0015] The communication unit 30 can communicate with the vehicle control device 10 and the display unit 16. The communication unit 30 is connected to the in-vehicle communication system and periodically receives alarm setting information. The communication unit 30 also transmits a shutoff request signal to the vehicle control device 10 to request shutoff and receives information from the vehicle control device 10 indicating whether or not shutoff is permitted.

[0016] The acquisition unit 32 acquires an ON signal or an OFF signal from the cutoff switch 18. When the acquisition unit 32 acquires an ON signal from the cutoff switch 18, the communication unit 30 transmits a cutoff request signal to the vehicle control device 10. The cutoff unit 34 receives an ON signal from the cutoff switch 18 and executes a process to cut off the power supply. In the cutoff process, the cutoff unit 34 decides whether to execute or cancel the cutoff according to the alarm setting information. The cutoff unit 34 receives an OFF signal from the cutoff switch 18 and starts supplying power.

[0017] The shut-off unit 34 instructs the display unit 16 to display information indicating the shutdown has been canceled if the shutdown is canceled. The communication unit 30 transmits instruction information to the display unit 16 to display the shutdown cancellation. The shut-off unit 34 displays, for example, "Shut-off canceled. Alarm is on." on the display unit 16. This allows the user to recognize that although they instructed the shutdown using the shutdown switch 18, the shutdown was canceled. The user can then disable the alarm function and shut off the door by performing an operation such as unlocking the door lock mechanism.

[0018] The vehicle control device 10 includes a communication unit 20, an acquisition unit 22, a control unit 24, an arbitration processing unit 26, and an alarm unit 28. The alarm unit 28 outputs an alarm when it detects that the auxiliary power supply unit 12 is abnormal. In particular, the alarm unit 28 outputs an alarm when it detects that the power supply to the auxiliary power supply unit 12 has been cut off, as this indicates an abnormality. The alarm unit 28 may be at least one of a speaker, a buzzer, a light, and an in-vehicle display. The light may be a headlight or a taillight.

[0019] The alarm unit 28 can be switched between an ON state, which enables alarm output, and an OFF state, which disables alarm output, according to user settings. The user can set the alarm ON / OFF state by performing a predetermined operation. The alarm unit 28 does not output an alarm even if the auxiliary power supply unit 12 is cut off when it is OFF, but it outputs an alarm if the auxiliary power supply unit 12 is cut off when it is ON. The alarm unit 28 periodically transmits alarm setting information from the communication unit 20 indicating whether it is ON or OFF.

[0020] The communication unit 20 can communicate with the auxiliary power supply unit 12 and the vehicle-mounted sensor 14 via vehicle-mounted communication. The acquisition unit 22 acquires the detection result from the vehicle-mounted sensor 14 and the cut-off request signal from the auxiliary power supply unit 12 via the communication unit 20.

[0021] When the cut-off request signal is acquired, the mediation processing unit 26 executes mediation processing for executing the cut-off of the auxiliary power supply unit 12. As the mediation processing, the mediation processing unit 26 executes processing for ending the systems of each vehicle-mounted function that receives power supply from the auxiliary power supply unit 12. When the system of a vehicle-mounted function is executing a service, the mediation processing unit 26 determines that the cut-off is impossible and transmits information indicating the impossibility of cut-off to the control unit 24. If the systems of each vehicle-mounted function can be ended, the mediation processing unit 26 determines that the cut-off is possible and transmits information indicating the possibility of cut-off to the control unit 24. The mediation processing unit 26 receives information indicating whether each vehicle-mounted function powered by the auxiliary power supply unit 12 is in execution, and if any vehicle-mounted function is in execution, determines that the cut-off is impossible. The mediation processing unit 26 may transmit information indicating the possibility of cut-off to the control unit 24 after the processing for ending the systems of each vehicle-mounted function is completed. The control unit 24 receives the result of the mediation processing from the mediation processing unit 26 and transmits information indicating whether cut-off is possible according to the mediation processing result to the auxiliary power supply unit 12 via the communication unit 20.

[0022] Since the mediation processing takes time, there is a possibility that the alarm setting is switched to the on state during the mediation processing by the user operating the vehicle-mounted device. Therefore, while acquiring the cut-off request signal and before sending the information indicating whether cut-off is possible to the auxiliary power supply unit 12, the control unit 24 stops the output of the alarm by the alarm unit 28. The control unit 24 stops the output of the alarm by the alarm unit 28 by instructing the alarm unit 28 to be fixed in the off state. Thereby, until the result of the mediation processing is obtained, the alarm by the alarm unit 28 is no longer output. The control unit 24 transmits an off-fix flag to the alarm unit 28 to fix the alarm unit 28 in the off state.

[0023] When the arbitration processing result by the arbitration processing unit 26 indicates that interruption is not possible, the control unit 24 releases the output stop of the warning unit 28 and transmits information indicating that interruption is not possible to the auxiliary power supply unit 12. The control unit 24 releases the output stop of the warning unit 28 by instructing the warning unit 28 to release the fixed off state. When the arbitration processing result by the arbitration processing unit 26 indicates that interruption is possible, the control unit 24 transmits information indicating that interruption is possible to the auxiliary power supply unit 12 to the auxiliary power supply unit 12. Thus, the control unit 24 transmits the result of the arbitration processing by the arbitration processing unit 26 to the auxiliary power supply unit 12.

[0024] When the cutoff unit 34 of the auxiliary power supply unit 12 is instructed to cut off from the cutoff switch 18, it checks the setting state of the warning unit 28. If the warning unit 28 is in the on state, the cutoff unit 34 stops the cutoff contrary to the instruction of the cutoff switch 18. Thereby, by cutting off the auxiliary power supply unit 12, it is possible to prevent the warning unit 28 from outputting a warning. When the cutoff unit 34 stops the cutoff after being instructed to cut off from the cutoff switch 18, it instructs the display unit 16 to display information indicating the cutoff stop.

[0025] The cutoff unit 34 completes or stops the cutoff after receiving information indicating whether cutoff is possible from the vehicle control device 10. When the result of the arbitration processing indicates that interruption is not possible, the cutoff unit 34 cancels the cutoff request signal and ends the cutoff process of the auxiliary power supply unit 12.

[0026] When the result of the arbitration processing indicates that interruption is possible, the cutoff unit 34 completes the cutoff. Since the output of the warning by the warning unit 28 is stopped until the power supply from the auxiliary power supply unit 12 is cut off, no warning is output. After the cutoff, since the vehicle control device 10 is not powered, no warning is output. When the auxiliary power supply unit 12 starts power supply again and the vehicle control device 10 is restarted, the output stop of the warning unit 28 by the control unit 24 is reset, and the warning unit 28 is in a state where the output is not stopped.

[0027] Figure 2 is a flowchart of the shutdown process performed in the vehicle control system 1 of the embodiment. The user turns on the shutdown switch 18, and the shutdown switch 18 sends an ON signal to the auxiliary power supply unit 12 indicating shutdown (S10).

[0028] The interruption unit 34 of the auxiliary power supply unit 12 receives alarm setting information periodically sent from the alarm unit 28 and checks the latest setting status of the alarm unit 28 (S12). The interruption unit 34 determines whether the alarm output is set to off (S14). If the alarm unit 28 is set to on (N in S14), the interruption unit 34 cancels the interruption (S28) and displays information on the display unit 16 indicating that the interruption has been canceled (S30).

[0029] If the alarm unit 28 is set to OFF (Y in S14), the auxiliary power unit 12 sends a shut-off flag to the vehicle control device 10 as a signal requesting shut-off (S16).

[0030] The acquisition unit 22 of the vehicle control device 10 acquires a cutoff request signal from the auxiliary power supply unit 12, and the control unit 24 fixes the alarm unit 28 in the off state and stops the alarm output (S18). The arbitration processing unit 26 receives the cutoff request signal and performs arbitration processing (S20), sends the result of the arbitration processing to the control unit 24, and the control unit 24 transmits the result of the arbitration processing to the auxiliary power supply unit 12 (S22).

[0031] If the mediation process results in a shutdown (Y in S24), the shutdown unit 34 of the auxiliary power supply unit 12 shuts off the power supply from the auxiliary power supply unit 12 and terminates this process (S26). If the mediation process results in a shutdown not being possible (N in S24), the shutdown unit 34 removes the shutdown flag, which is a shutdown request signal (S32), and the control unit 24 of the vehicle control device 10 releases the lock on the alarm and makes it possible to output the alarm (S34).

[0032] The present disclosure has been explained above based on the examples described. The present disclosure is not limited to the examples described above, and various modifications such as design changes can be made based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0033] 1 Vehicle control system, 10 Vehicle control device, 12 Auxiliary power supply unit, 14 On-board sensor, 16 Display unit, 18 Shutoff switch, 20 Communication unit, 22 Acquisition unit, 24 Control unit, 26 Arbitration processing unit, 28 Alarm unit, 30 Communication unit, 32 Acquisition unit, 34 Shutoff unit.

Claims

1. A vehicle control system that can be powered by an on-board auxiliary power supply unit, An alarm unit that outputs an alarm when it detects that the auxiliary power supply unit is abnormal, An acquisition unit that acquires a cutoff request signal to cut off power supply from the auxiliary power supply unit, Upon receiving the aforementioned shutdown request signal, the arbitration processing unit performs arbitration processing to execute shutdown of the auxiliary power supply unit, The system includes a control unit that sends information to the auxiliary power supply unit indicating whether or not to shut off according to the mediation process result, A vehicle control system characterized in that the control unit stops the output of an alarm by the alarm unit between the time it receives the cutoff request signal and the time it sends information indicating whether or not the cutoff is possible to the auxiliary power supply unit.

2. It is user-operable and includes a cutoff switch that instructs the auxiliary power supply unit to shut off, The vehicle control system according to claim 1, characterized in that a signal indicating whether the cutoff switch is on or off is transmitted to the auxiliary power supply unit.

3. The vehicle control system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, if the mediation processing result indicates that blocking is not possible, the control unit releases the output stop of the alarm unit.

4. The alarm unit can be switched between an ON state in which an alarm can be output and an OFF state in which an alarm cannot be output. The vehicle control system according to claim 2, characterized in that when the auxiliary power supply unit is instructed to shut off by the shut-off switch, the shut-off is canceled if the alarm unit is in the ON state.

5. The vehicle control system according to claim 4, characterized in that the auxiliary power supply unit, when it cancels the shutdown after being instructed to do so by the shutdown switch, instructs the on-board display unit to display information indicating the cancellation of the shutdown.

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