Vehicle control device

Abstract

To quickly change transmission rules even without bringing a vehicle into a repair shop.SOLUTION: A controller of a vehicle is capable of wireless communication with a communication server located outside a vehicle via an external communication network. The controller of a vehicle stores a plurality of kinds of transmission rules R. The transmission rules R define a kind of a parameter P to be transmitted and frequency F by which the parameter P is transmitted. In step S12, the controller of the vehicle receives a specification command C which specifies one of the plurality of kinds of transmission rules R from the communication server. In step S13, the controller of the vehicle switches the transmission rule R to be selected based on the specified command received from the communication server. In step S14, the controller of the vehicle transmits, to the communication server, the parameter P defined in the aforementioned transmission rule R by the frequency F defined in the selected transmission rule R.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle control device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a diagnostic system. The diagnostic system includes a vehicle control device and a communication server capable of communicating with the vehicle control device. The vehicle control device acquires various parameters indicating the state of the vehicle while the vehicle is traveling, and stores the parameters. The vehicle control device transmits predetermined types of parameters to the communication server at a predetermined frequency. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-302675 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a vehicle control device such as that described in Patent Document 1, there are cases where it is desired to change the type of parameters to be transmitted to the communication server or the frequency of transmission to the communication server. However, in order to change the type of parameters to be transmitted from the vehicle control device or the frequency of transmission, it is necessary to rewrite the software of the control device mounted on each vehicle. Therefore, in order to change the type of parameters to be transmitted from the control device or the frequency of transmission, it is necessary to take the vehicle to a repair shop, etc., which lacks immediacy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a control device for a vehicle capable of wireless communication with a communication server outside the vehicle via an external communication network, the control device comprising: a vehicle communication unit capable of wireless communication with the communication server; a data storage unit that stores multiple types of parameters indicating a state of the vehicle; a selection information storage unit that stores multiple types of transmission rules that define the types of parameters to be transmitted from the vehicle communication unit from the multiple types of parameters and the frequency at which the parameters are transmitted; and a vehicle control unit that selects at least one from the multiple types of transmission rules and transmits the parameters of the type defined in the selected transmission rule from the vehicle communication unit at the frequency defined in the selected transmission rule, wherein the vehicle communication unit is capable of receiving a designation command that designates one of the multiple types of transmission rules from the communication server, and the vehicle control unit is a control device that switches the selected transmission rule based on the designation command received from the communication server.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the control device of the vehicle switches the selected transmission rule by receiving the designation command via wireless communication, so that the transmission rule can be changed instantly without the need to take the vehicle to a repair shop or the like. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of the diagnostic system. [Diagram 2] 4 is a flowchart showing a process in the diagnostic system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] <About an embodiment> Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle control device will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, the vehicle control device is configured as a part of a diagnostic system.

[0009] (About the whole system) As shown in FIG. 1, the diagnostic system 10 includes a vehicle 20 and an external communication server 60 capable of wirelessly communicating with the vehicle 20 via an external communication network 40. The external communication network 40 is a communication network that is connected to the vehicle 20 via a wireless network.

[0010] The vehicle 20 includes a control device 21. The control device 21 may be configured as a circuit including one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program (software). The control device 21 may be configured as a circuit including one or more dedicated hardware circuits, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), that execute at least a part of the various processes, or a combination thereof. The processor includes a CPU and memory, such as a RAM and a ROM. The memory stores program code or instructions that are configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. The memory, i.e., computer-readable medium, includes any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0011] The control device 21 includes a vehicle communication unit 22, a gateway unit 23, a vehicle control unit 24, a data storage unit 25, and a selection information storage unit 26. The vehicle communication unit 22 is capable of communicating with the communication server 60 via the external communication network 40. Therefore, the vehicle communication unit 22 can receive signals transmitted from the communication server 60 and transmit signals to the communication server 60.

[0012] The gateway unit 23 is connected to the vehicle communication unit 22 via a communication bus B1. The gateway unit 23 is also connected to the vehicle control unit 24 via a communication bus B2. The communication protocol of the communication bus B1 is different from the communication protocol of the communication bus B2. The gateway unit 23 is for relaying communication messages between the communication bus B1 and the communication bus B2, which have different communication protocols.

[0013] The vehicle control unit 24 controls various devices mounted on the vehicle 20. For example, the vehicle control unit 24 controls an internal combustion engine mounted on the vehicle 20. Specifically, the vehicle control unit 24 controls the ignition timing, fuel injection amount, and the like of the internal combustion engine. That is, in this embodiment, the vehicle control unit 24 is a control unit of the internal combustion engine.

[0014] Furthermore, the vehicle control unit 24 acquires a plurality of types of parameters P indicating the state of the vehicle 20 in order to control various devices mounted on the vehicle 20. In this embodiment, the vehicle control unit 24 acquires 12 types of parameters P1 to P12 based on the values ​​of various sensors. Note that when distinguishing between the plurality of types of parameters P, they are referred to as parameters P1 to P12.

[0015] For example, parameter P1 is the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine. Parameter P2 is the load factor of the internal combustion engine. Parameter P3 is the retard amount indicating the ignition timing. Parameter P4 is the advance amount indicating the valve timing indicating the state of the variable valve timing mechanism. The variable valve timing mechanism is a mechanism for changing the opening and closing timing of the intake valve and exhaust valve of the internal combustion engine. Parameter P5 is the amount of exhaust gas circulated from the exhaust passage to the intake passage. Parameter P6 is the amount of particulate matter accumulated in the catalytic device. The catalytic device is provided midway through the exhaust passage to purify the exhaust gas.

[0016] Parameter P7 is the vehicle speed of the vehicle 20. Parameter P8 is a brake operation amount indicating the amount of depression of the brake pedal. Parameter P9 is an accelerator operation amount indicating the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal. Parameter P10 is an excess air ratio indicating the ratio of the actual mass of air in the mixture to the mass of air containing enough oxygen for the fuel in the mixture in the internal combustion engine to be completely burned without excess or deficiency. Parameter P11 is an air-fuel ratio indicating the ratio of the amount of air and the amount of fuel supplied into the cylinder of the internal combustion engine. Parameter P12 is a fuel increase amount indicating the increase from the basic fuel injection amount in the amount of fuel injected into the cylinder of the internal combustion engine at one time.

[0017] The data storage unit 25 is capable of communicating with the vehicle control unit 24. The data storage unit 25 stores a plurality of types of parameters P1 to P12 acquired by the vehicle control unit 24 in chronological order. When storing new parameters P1 to P12, the data storage unit 25 deletes the oldest parameters P1 to P12 of the same type. Therefore, the parameters P1 to P12 acquired by the vehicle control unit 24 at a predetermined cycle are stored in the data storage unit 25 as chronological data for a certain period.

[0018] The selection information storage unit 26 is capable of communicating with the vehicle control unit 24. The selection information storage unit 26 prestores four types of transmission rules R. The transmission rule R defines the type of parameter P to be transmitted from the vehicle communication unit 22 from among a plurality of types of parameters P1 to P12, and the frequency F at which the parameter P is transmitted. When distinguishing between the four types of transmission rules R, they are referred to as transmission rules R1 to R4. Furthermore, the frequencies F defined in the transmission rules R1 to R4 are referred to as frequencies F1 to F4, respectively.

[0019] For example, the transmission rule R1 specifies that the types of parameters P to be transmitted from the vehicle communication unit 22 are parameter P1, parameter P2, and parameter P3. The transmission rule R1 also specifies that the frequency F1 of transmission from the vehicle communication unit 22 is every 100 km.

[0020] The transmission rule R2 specifies that the types of parameters P to be transmitted from the vehicle communication unit 22 are parameter P4, parameter P5, and parameter P6. The transmission rule R2 also specifies that the frequency F2 of transmission from the vehicle communication unit 22 is every 100 km.

[0021] The transmission rule R3 specifies that the types of parameters P to be transmitted from the vehicle communication unit 22 are parameter P7, parameter P8, and parameter P9. The transmission rule R3 also specifies that the frequency F3 of transmission from the vehicle communication unit 22 is every 100 km.

[0022] The transmission rule R4 specifies that the types of parameters P to be transmitted from the vehicle communication unit 22 are parameter P10, parameter P11, and parameter P12. The transmission rule R4 also specifies that the frequency F4 of transmission from the vehicle communication unit 22 is every 100 km.

[0023] Then, the vehicle control unit 24 selects at least one from the multiple types of transmission rules R, and transmits parameters P of the type defined in the selected transmission rule R from the vehicle communication unit 22 to the communication server 60 at the frequency F defined in the selected transmission rule R.

[0024] The communication server 60 includes a server communication unit 61, a server control unit 62, and a diagnosis unit 63. The server communication unit 61, the server control unit 62, and the diagnosis unit 63 are capable of communicating with each other via an internal bus 64.

[0025] The server communication unit 61 is capable of wireless communication with the vehicle communication unit 22 of the vehicle 20 via the external communication network 40. Therefore, the server communication unit 61 can receive signals transmitted from the vehicle communication unit 22 of the vehicle 20 and transmit signals to the vehicle communication unit 22 of the vehicle 20.

[0026] When the server control unit 62 creates the designation command C, it transmits the created designation command C from the server communication unit 61 to the vehicle communication unit 22. The designation command C is a command that designates one of the multiple types of transmission rules R stored in the selection information storage unit 26 of the vehicle 20. The vehicle communication unit 22 is capable of receiving the designation command C.

[0027] The diagnosing unit 63 performs a diagnosing process for diagnosing the vehicle 20 based on the parameter P indicating the state of the vehicle 20 received by the server communication unit 61. For example, the diagnosing process is a process for diagnosing whether or not the vehicle 20 has a malfunction.

[0028] (Operation of the embodiment) The flow of processing in the diagnostic system 10 will be described below. Based on a pre-selected transmission rule R, the control device 21 of the vehicle 20 transmits parameters P of a type defined in the transmission rule R from the vehicle communication unit 22 to the communication server 60 at a frequency F defined in the transmission rule R.

[0029] For example, it is assumed that the control device 21 is prescribed to select transmission rules R1 and R2 at the time the vehicle 20 is shipped. In this case, the control device 21 transmits parameters P1, P2, and P3 to the communication server 60 every 100 km of travel, which is frequency F1, based on the transmission rule R1. The control device 21 also transmits parameters P4, P5, and P6 to the communication server 60 every 100 km of travel, which is frequency F2, based on the transmission rule R2.

[0030] Now, suppose that the diagnostic contents to be diagnosed by the diagnostic unit 63 of the communication server 60 are switched, or the diagnostic program stored in the diagnostic unit 63 is updated. Then, suppose that parameters P7 to P12 are required for the diagnosis after the switching or update. In this situation, the diagnosis is impossible with the parameters P1 to P6 transmitted by the vehicle 20 according to the transmission rules R1 and R2. In this way, when the diagnosis is impossible with the parameters P transmitted by the vehicle 20, the server control unit 62 of the communication server 60 creates a designation command C that designates one of the multiple transmission rules R. In the case of the above example, the server control unit 62 creates a designation command C to select the transmission rules R3 and R4. When the server control unit 62 creates the designation command C, the following diagnosis control is executed.

[0031] 2, when the diagnostic control is started, the server control unit 62 of the communication server 60 executes step S11. In step S11, the server control unit 62 transmits a designation command C from the server communication unit 61 to the vehicle 20. After transmitting the designation command C, the communication server 60 waits to receive data transmitted from the vehicle 20.

[0032] On the other hand, when the vehicle communication unit 22 of the vehicle 20 receives the designation command C from the communication server 60, the vehicle control unit 24 of the vehicle 20 starts the process of step S12. In step S12, the vehicle control unit 24 performs a reception process of the designation command C. Specifically, the vehicle communication unit 22 transmits the received designation command C to the gateway unit 23 using the communication bus B1. Next, the gateway unit 23 transmits the received designation command C to the vehicle control unit 24 using the communication bus B2. Thereafter, the vehicle control unit 24 advances the process to step S13.

[0033] In step S13, the vehicle control unit 24 switches the selected transmission rule R in accordance with the received designation command C. In the above example, the vehicle control unit 24 had selected transmission rules R1 and R2 before the processing of step S13, but switches to selecting transmission rules R3 and R4 as a result of the processing of step S13. In addition, the vehicle control unit 24 sets the transmission rules R1 and R2 to an unselected state. That is, the vehicle control unit 24 switches the selected transmission rule R from transmission rules R1 and R2 to transmission rules R3 and R3 based on the designation command C received from the communication server 60. Thereafter, the vehicle control unit 24 proceeds to the processing of step S14.

[0034] In step S14, the vehicle control unit 24 transmits the parameter P of the type defined in the transmission rule R specified by the specification command C to the communication server 60 at the frequency F defined in the transmission rule R. In the case of the above example, the vehicle control unit 24 transmits the parameters P7, P8, and P9 from the data storage unit 25 to the vehicle communication unit 22 via the gateway unit 23 to the communication server 60 at the frequency F3 defined in the selected transmission rule R3. Similarly, the vehicle control unit 24 transmits the parameters P10, P11, and P12 from the data storage unit 25 to the vehicle communication unit 22 via the gateway unit 23 to the communication server 60 at the frequency F4 defined in the selected transmission rule R4. Thereafter, the vehicle control unit 24 makes the vehicle control unit 24 capable of receiving a signal from the communication server 60, and ends the current series of processes.

[0035] On the other hand, when the communication server 60 receives the parameters P based on the transmission rules R3 and R4 selected in accordance with the designation command C from the vehicle 20, the communication server 60 starts the process of step S15. In step S15, the diagnosis unit 63 of the communication server 60 performs a diagnosis process for the vehicle 20. In the above example, the parameters P7 to P12 are required for diagnosis by the diagnosis unit 63. These parameters P are transmitted from the vehicle 20 through a series of processes. That is, through the series of processes, the parameters P transmitted from the vehicle 20 are switched to the parameters P required for diagnosis. Thereafter, the communication server 60 ends the current series of processes.

[0036] Thereafter, the control device 21 of the vehicle 20 repeats transmission of the parameter P at the frequency F defined in the transmission rules R3 and R4. Then, every time the communication server 60 receives the parameter P from the control device 21, the communication server 60 performs the diagnosis process in the same manner as in step S15.

[0037] (Effects of the embodiment) (1) In the above embodiment, the vehicle 20 receives the designation command C via wireless communication to switch the selected transmission rule R. Therefore, when changing the parameter P transmitted by the vehicle 20, it is not necessary to wait for the vehicle 20 at a repair shop or the like. Therefore, when the designation command C is created by the communication server 60, the transmission rule R can be changed instantly.

[0038] (2) In the above embodiment, the designation command C only needs to include information that designates one of the multiple transmission rules R. Therefore, the communication load can be reduced compared to when the transmission rule R itself or the software of the vehicle control unit 24 is transmitted from the communication server 60.

[0039] (3) In some regions, updating the software of the control device 21 is prohibited or restricted after the manufacture and sale of the vehicle 20. In the above embodiment, a plurality of transmission rules R are stored in advance in the selection information storage unit 26 of the control device 21. Then, the type of the parameter P to be transmitted is switched by switching between selection and non-selection of the transmission rule R. In other words, there is no need to update the software of the control device 21 in conjunction with switching the type of the parameter P to be transmitted. Therefore, the technology of the above embodiment is applicable even in cases where software updates are prohibited or restricted as described above.

[0040] (4) In the above embodiment, the parameter P indicating the state of the vehicle 20 and the reception frequency F received by the communication server 60 can be instantly switched by transmitting the designation command C from the communication server 60 to the control device 21 of the vehicle 20. Therefore, the diagnosis unit 63 of the communication server 60 can flexibly perform diagnosis processing with the parameter P and the frequency F changed. Therefore, in the diagnosis system 10, it becomes possible to flexibly change the diagnosis content of the diagnosis unit 63.

[0041] <Other embodiments> The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the frequency F defined in each transmission rule R is the same, but these frequencies F may be different from each other. If the frequency F defined in the transmission rule R selected in accordance with the designation command C is different from the frequency F defined in the transmission rule R selected before receiving the designation command C, the frequency F that the control device 21 of the vehicle 20 transmits to the communication server 60 can be changed. Note that even if the parameter P defined in each transmission rule R is the same, if the frequencies F are different, the transmission rules R are different types of transmission rules.

[0043] In the above embodiment, a plurality of parameters P are defined for the transmission rule R stored in the selection information storage unit 26, but it is sufficient that at least one parameter P is defined for one transmission rule R. For example, a transmission rule R is provided for each parameter P to be transmitted. In this case, the parameter P to be transmitted from the control device 21 to the communication server 60 can be selected with a higher degree of freedom.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the frequency F defined in the transmission rule R may be changed as appropriate in accordance with the parameter P defined in the transmission rule R. For example, the frequency F defined in the transmission rule R may be specified as once every X km, and a number corresponding to X may be defined in the specification command C. Furthermore, the frequency F is not limited to every mileage, and may be defined, for example, every time the internal combustion engine is started or based on the time of day.

[0045] In the above embodiment, the type of parameter P stored in the data storage unit 25 is not limited to the example of the above embodiment, so long as it is a value indicating the state of the vehicle 20. For example, the type of parameter P may be the temperature outside the vehicle 20. Furthermore, if the vehicle 20 is equipped with a battery, the type of parameter P may be the remaining battery charge, etc.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the parameter P stored in the data storage unit 25 may be acquired by the vehicle control unit 24 by referring to the values ​​of the various sensors, or may be acquired by the vehicle control unit 24 by estimating it based on the values ​​of the various sensors.

[0047] The configuration of the control device 21 is not limited to the example of the above embodiment. For example, the gateway unit 23 may be omitted. The control device 21 may include at least the vehicle communication unit 22, the vehicle control unit 24, the data storage unit 25, and the selection information storage unit 26. For example, the vehicle control unit 24, the data storage unit 25, and the selection information storage unit 26 may be configured as one ECU, and another ECU may be connected to the gateway unit 23 via a communication bus different from the communication bus B2. In this case, if the vehicle 20 is a hybrid vehicle, the other ECU may be an ECU related to a motor generator.

[0048] The diagnostic unit 63 of the communication server 60 does not have to perform diagnostic processing for the presence or absence of a malfunction in the vehicle 20. For example, diagnostic processing for the degree of deterioration of the vehicle 20 may be performed. Also, for example, instead of the diagnostic processing, the communication server 60 may perform an analysis processing of the vehicle 20 using the parameter P transmitted by the vehicle 20. Furthermore, the communication server 60 does not necessarily have to perform subsequent processing using the parameter P, and may only collect the parameter P.

[0049] There is no restriction on the timing for creating the designation command C in the communication server 60. For example, when only the frequency F is changed in the designation command C, the designation command C is created without switching the diagnostic content or updating the diagnostic program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 10. Diagnostic system 20…Vehicle 21...Control device 22…Vehicle communication unit 23…Gateway section 24…Vehicle control unit 25...Data storage section 26...Selection information storage unit 40…External communication network 60…Communication server 61…Server communication section 62...Server control unit 63…Diagnostics Department

Claims

[Claim 1] A vehicle control device capable of wirelessly communicating with a communication server outside the vehicle via an external communication network, a vehicle communication unit capable of wirelessly communicating with the communication server; a data storage unit that stores a plurality of types of parameters that indicate a state of the vehicle; a selection information storage unit that stores a plurality of types of transmission rules that define the types of the parameters to be transmitted from the vehicle communication unit among the plurality of types of the parameters and the frequency of transmitting the parameters; a vehicle control unit that selects at least one of a plurality of types of the transmission rules, and transmits the parameter of a type defined in the selected transmission rule from the vehicle communication unit at a frequency defined in the selected transmission rule, The transmission rule prescribes two or more types of parameters as types of the parameters to be transmitted from the vehicle communication unit, the plurality of types of transmission rules stored in the selection information storage unit all have different types of parameters defined therein; the vehicle communication unit is capable of receiving, from the communication server, a designation command for designating one of a plurality of types of the transmission rules; The vehicle control unit switches the selected transmission rule based on the designation command received from the communication server. Control device.

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