Vehicle power control device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle power supply control device that allows a vehicle to continue travelling safely even if a user erroneously performs operation of stopping power supply when an abnormality occurs in the control device while the vehicle is travelling.SOLUTION: A vehicle power supply control device 100 includes: a vehicle speed information input unit 10 to which vehicle speed information is inputted; a power supply information input unit 20 to which power supply start / stop information is inputted; a control unit 30 that outputs command information relating to power supply on the basis of the vehicle speed information and the start / stop information; an output command unit 40 that outputs an ON signal or an OFF signal to a power supply relay; and a latch unit 50 that continuously outputs ON command information to the output command unit when the ON signal is inputted. The latch unit stops continuous output of the ON command information if the vehicle speed information inputted to the vehicle speed information input unit and the start / stop information inputted to the power supply information input unit are inputted and the start / stop information is inputted when the vehicle speed is zero in the vehicle speed information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle power supply control device that controls the supply of the ignition power supply of a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a technique for continuing the supply of the ignition power supply in response to an incorrect operation on the ignition key or ignition switch of a running vehicle, that is, an incorrect supply stop operation of the ignition power supply. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an engine start / stop control device that avoids an unintended engine stop by a driver during vehicle travel, while enabling an emergency stop of the engine even during vehicle travel in the event of a vehicle abnormality. This control device controls such that even if an abnormality occurs in the microprocessor executed based on software logic and an open command is output to the ignition relay, the relay does not open if the vehicle is running.

[0003] Also, there has been known a technique for continuing the supply of power even when the above incorrect operation is performed when an abnormality occurs in the information necessary for control or in the control device itself. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a vehicle control device that can improve the convenience of a user during vehicle stop while preventing the drive source from stopping due to an incorrect operation of a push switch during vehicle travel even when an abnormality occurs in a travel determination signal such as vehicle speed information. This vehicle control device permits the start / stop of the drive source by a normal pressing operation of the ignition switch during vehicle stop, prohibits the stop control of the drive source by a normal pressing operation of the ignition switch during vehicle travel, and permits the stop control of the drive source by a special pressing operation of the ignition switch.

[0004] Further, Patent Document 3 discloses an engine control device that can maintain the driving state without stopping the engine even when a failure occurs in a microcomputer or the like of the control device. This control device controls the stop or drive of the engine by two signals from a determination means composed of two input determination means and an input signal from a travel detection means, so that the engine can be maintained in a driving state even when any of the input determination means and the travel detection means fails.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] When an abnormality occurs in the control device while the vehicle is running, it is very important to safely continue the running of the vehicle even if the user accidentally performs an operation to stop the supply of the ignition power (operate the push start stop switch).

[0007] The present invention has been devised in view of such circumstances, and provides a vehicle power control device that surely continues the power supply to the vehicle in order to safely continue the running of the vehicle even if the user accidentally performs an operation to stop the supply of the ignition power when an abnormality occurs in the control device while the vehicle is running.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] A vehicle power control device that controls the supply of the ignition power source of a vehicle, comprising: a vehicle speed information input unit to which vehicle speed information is input; a power supply information input unit to which power supply start / stop information is input; a control unit that outputs command information regarding the supply of the ignition power source based on the vehicle speed information input to the vehicle speed information input unit and the supply / stop information input to the power supply information input unit; an output command unit that receives the command information output by the control unit and outputs an on signal or an off signal to the power supply relay of the ignition power source; and a latch unit that continuously outputs on command information to the output command unit when the on signal output by the output command unit is input. The latch unit stops continuously outputting the on command information when the vehicle speed information input to the vehicle speed information input unit and the supply / stop information input to the power supply information input unit are input and the supply / stop information is input when the vehicle speed is zero in the vehicle speed information. A vehicle power control device is provided. According to this, once the latch unit receives an on signal, it continuously outputs on command information, and based on the information that the vehicle speed input without passing through the control unit is zero and the supply / stop information, by stopping the output of the on command information, even if the user accidentally performs an operation to stop the supply of the ignition power source when an abnormality occurs in the control device during vehicle travel, the power supply to the vehicle is surely continued to safely continue the travel of the vehicle, and a vehicle power control device that stops the supply of the ignition power source when safety is ensured can be provided.

Effect of the Invention

[0010] As described above, according to the present invention, even if the user accidentally performs an operation to stop the supply of the ignition power source when an abnormality occurs in the control device during vehicle travel, a vehicle power control device that surely continues the power supply to the vehicle to safely continue the travel of the vehicle can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the vehicle power control device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] <First Embodiment> With reference to FIGS. 1 to 2, the vehicle power control device 100 in this embodiment will be described. The vehicle power control device 100 controls the supply of the ignition power by outputting a command to the power supply relay 70 of the ignition power of the vehicle. The vehicle power control device 100 includes a vehicle speed information input unit 10, a power supply information input unit 20, a control unit 30 that outputs command information regarding the supply of the ignition power based on these input information, an output command unit 40 that outputs an on / off signal to the power supply relay 70 based on the command information, a latch unit 50 that continuously outputs an on command information to the output command unit 40 by the input of an on signal, and a control monitoring unit 60 that constantly monitors the control unit 30.

[0014] The vehicle speed information input unit 10 receives the traveling speed from an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) or the like that acquires speed information of the vehicle with respect to the ground from the rotation direction and rotation speed of the axle, and the current vehicle speed information is input. The power supply information input unit 20 receives operation information from an ECU or the like that detects the operation of the ignition switch, a so-called push start stop switch, and information indicating that the push start stop switch has been operated is input as start / stop information of the power supply.

[0015] Based on the vehicle speed information input to the vehicle speed information input unit 10 and the supply / stop information input to the power supply information input unit 20, the control unit 30 outputs command information regarding the supply of the ignition power. The control unit 30 acquires information on whether the vehicle is stopped or running as the vehicle speed information. Also, the control unit 30 acquires, at the same time, information on the start of the power supply of the ignition power / information on the stop of the power supply, and information on the operation of the push start stop switch.

[0016] When the vehicle is stopped, the control unit 30 detects, as information on the start of the power supply, the operation information of the push start stop switch transmitted in a state where the power supply is stopped, and outputs on command information indicating the start of the power supply to the output command unit 40. Also, when the vehicle is stopped, the control unit 30 detects, as information on the stop of the power supply, the operation information of the push start stop switch transmitted in a state where the power is being supplied, and outputs off command information indicating the stop of the power supply to the output command unit 40. However, when the vehicle is running, the control unit 30 does not detect, as information on the stop of the power supply, the operation information of the push start stop switch transmitted even when the power is being supplied, and does not output off command information indicating the stop of the power supply to the output command unit 40. Thereby, even if the push start stop switch is erroneously operated during running, the power supply can be continued.

[0017] The control unit 30 is composed of a so-called microprocessor (MCU). The control unit 30 periodically transmits a predetermined signal (watchdog timer (WDT)) to the control monitoring unit 60. If the control monitoring unit 60 does not receive the signal within a certain period or conversely receives a plurality of signals, the control unit 30 is given a reset signal (Reset) from the control monitoring unit 60 as if an abnormality such as a stop or a runaway has occurred. The control unit 30 to which the reset signal is input is forcibly restarted to resume operation.

[0018] The output command unit 40 receives the command information output by the control unit 30, and outputs an on signal or an off signal to the power supply relay 70 of the ignition power supply based on the command information. When the output command unit 40 receives on command information indicating the start of power supply from the control unit 30, it outputs an on signal to the power supply relay 70. When it receives off command information indicating the stop of power supply, it outputs an off signal to the power supply relay 70. In the case of this embodiment, the output command unit 40 receives command information from the control unit 30 via communication. The method and protocol of communication are not particularly limited. The transmission of command information between the output command unit 40 and the control unit 30 is not limited to communication via a signal line and may be performed directly.

[0019] The latch unit 50 directly inputs the vehicle speed information input to the vehicle speed information input unit 10 and the supply / stop information input to the power supply information input unit 20 without passing through the control unit 30. The latch unit 50 also receives the command information output by the output command unit 40. When the command information output by the output command unit 40 is an on signal that turns on the power supply relay 70, the latch unit 50 latches (holds) the on signal and is configured to continuously output on command information to the output command unit 40. The latch unit 50 is composed of, for example, a latch circuit that can hold 1-bit (two states of on and off) information.

[0020] Based on the input vehicle speed information and the supply / stop information of the power supply, the latch unit 50 stops continuously outputting on command information when the supply / stop information is input when the vehicle speed is zero in the vehicle speed information. In this way, once the latch unit 50 receives an on signal, it continuously outputs on command information to the output command unit 40, so that the output command unit 40 continuously outputs an on signal to the power supply relay 70. Also, the latch unit 50 stops outputting on command information when both the information that the vehicle speed input without passing through the control unit 30 is zero and the supply / stop information indicating that the push start stop switch has been operated are available.

[0021] According to this, even if the user accidentally performs an operation to stop the supply of the ignition power when an abnormality occurs in the control unit 30 during vehicle travel, the power supply to the vehicle is surely continued to safely continue the travel of the vehicle, and a vehicle power control device 100 that stops the supply of the ignition power when safety is ensured can be provided. Note that depending on the cause of the abnormality, the control unit 30 may take time to restart even when a reset signal is applied, and may not return at all. However, even when such an abnormality occurs in the control unit 30, once the latch unit 50 receives an on signal, it continuously outputs on command information to the output command unit 40, and directly acquires vehicle speed information and supply / stop information. Therefore, the vehicle power control device 100 of the present invention can safely continue the travel of the vehicle and can normally turn off the power of the vehicle when it stops.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 2, the processing flow of the vehicle power control device 100 will be described. Note that S in the flowchart means step. The vehicle is stopped with the power off. In such a state, the vehicle power control device 100 detects in S100 whether an operation of the push start stop switch is performed. When the push start stop switch is operated, information to that effect is input to the power supply information input unit 20, and the control unit 30 outputs on command information to the output command unit 40 in S102. The output command unit 40 outputs an on signal to the power supply relay 70, and the vehicle becomes an on state. When the output command unit 40 outputs an on signal, the latch unit 50 latches the on signal in S104 and continuously outputs on command information to the output command unit 40.

[0023] In S106, the control unit 30 detects whether the vehicle is in motion based on the vehicle speed information from the vehicle speed information input unit 10. If the vehicle is in motion, in S110, the latch unit 50 continues to latch the on signal. If the vehicle is stopped, in S108, the control unit 30 detects whether the push start / stop switch has been operated from the power supply information input unit 20. If it has not been operated, in S110, the latch unit 50 continues to latch the on signal. If it has been operated, that is, if the push start / stop switch has been operated while the vehicle is stopped, in S112, the latch unit 50 ends the latching of the on signal and outputs an off signal.

[0024] After that, in S114, the control unit 30 checks whether it has detected that the push start / stop switch has been operated from the power supply information input unit 20. If it has not detected that it has been operated, it repeats S106 to S112. Thus, when the control unit 30 does not detect and control the power off, the latch unit 50 latches the on signal again in S110. When the control unit 30 detects that it has been operated, it outputs off command information to the output command unit 40. Thereby, the output command unit 40 outputs an off signal to the power supply relay 70, and the vehicle's power supply is turned off.

[0025] <Second Embodiment> Referring to FIGS. 3 to 4, the vehicle power control device 100A in this embodiment will be described. To avoid duplicate descriptions, the same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the descriptions thereof are omitted. The vehicle power control device 100A includes a vehicle speed information input unit 10, a power supply information input unit 20, a control unit 30A (first control unit) that outputs command information regarding the supply of ignition power based on these input information, a control unit 30B (second control unit) that outputs the command information in a manner different from that of the control unit 30A, an output command unit 40A (first output command unit) that outputs an on / off signal to the power supply relay 70 based on the command information output by the control unit 30A, an output command unit 40B (second output command unit) that outputs an on / off signal to the power supply relay 70 based on the command information output by the control unit 30B, a latch unit 50A (first latch unit) that continuously outputs on command information to the output command unit 40A upon input of the on signal output by the output command unit 40A, a latch unit 50B (second latch unit) that continuously outputs on command information to the output command unit 40B upon input of the on signal output by the output command unit 40B, and a control monitoring unit 60 that constantly monitors the control unit 30A and the control unit 30B.

[0026] In the case of this embodiment, the control unit 30A and the control unit 30B are each composed of one microprocessor, but are not limited thereto, and each may be composed of one microprocessor. Similar to the above embodiment, the control unit 30A transmits command information to the output command unit 40A by communication. The control unit 30B is directly connected to the output command unit 40B by a signal line instead of by communication, and transmits command information to the output command unit 40B in a manner different from that of the control unit 30A. Thereby, the connection between the control unit 30A and the output command unit 40A and the connection between the control unit 30B and the output command unit 40B are duplicated.

[0027] The control unit 30A and the control unit 30B output command information regarding the supply of ignition power based on the vehicle speed information input to the vehicle speed information input unit 10 and the supply / stop information input to the power supply information input unit 20.

[0028] When the vehicle is stopped, the control unit 30A detects the operation information of the push start / stop switch in a state where the power supply is stopped as information to start the power supply, and outputs on command information indicating the start of the power supply to the output command unit 40A. When the vehicle is stopped, the control unit 30B detects the operation information of the push start / stop switch in a state where the power supply is stopped as information to start the power supply, and outputs on command information indicating the start of the power supply to the output command unit 40B.

[0029] Also, when the vehicle is stopped, the control unit 30A detects the operation information of the push start / stop switch in a state where the power is being supplied as information to stop the power supply, and outputs off command information indicating the stop of the power supply to the output command unit 40A. When the vehicle is stopped, the control unit 30B detects the operation information of the push start / stop switch in a state where the power is being supplied as information to stop the power supply, and outputs off command information indicating the stop of the power supply to the output command unit 40B.

[0030] However, when the vehicle is running, the control unit 30A does not detect the operation information of the push start / stop switch in a state where the power is being supplied as information to stop the power supply, and does not output off command information indicating the stop of the power supply to the output command unit 40A. Also, when the vehicle is running, the control unit 30B does not detect the operation information of the push start / stop switch in a state where the power is being supplied as information to stop the power supply, and does not output off command information indicating the stop of the power supply to the output command unit 40B. This makes it possible to continue supplying power even if the push start / stop switch is accidentally operated while the vehicle is running.

[0031] The output command unit 40A receives the command information output by the control unit 30A, and outputs an on signal or an off signal to the power supply relay 70 of the ignition power supply based on the command information. When the output command unit 40A receives on command information indicating the start of power supply from the control unit 30A, it outputs an on signal to the power supply relay 70. When it receives off command information indicating the stop of power supply, it outputs an off signal to the power supply relay 70. The output command unit 40B receives the command information output by the control unit 30B, and outputs an on signal or an off signal to the power supply relay 70 of the ignition power supply based on the command information. When the output command unit 40B receives on command information indicating the start of power supply from the control unit 30B, it outputs an on signal to the power supply relay 70. When it receives off command information indicating the stop of power supply, it outputs an off signal to the power supply relay 70.

[0032] The latch unit 50A and the latch unit 50B directly receive the vehicle speed information input to the vehicle speed information input unit 10 and the supply / stop information input to the power supply information input unit 20 without passing through the control unit 30A / control unit 30B. Further, the latch unit 50A receives the command information output by the output command unit 40A. The latch unit 50B receives the command information output by the output command unit 40B. When the command information output by the output command unit 40A is an on signal that turns on the power supply relay 70, the latch unit 50A latches the on signal and is configured to continuously output on command information to the output command unit 40A. When the command information output by the output command unit 40B is an on signal that turns on the power supply relay 70, the latch unit 50B latches the on signal and is configured to continuously output on command information to the output command unit 40B.

[0033] The latch unit 50A and the latch unit 50B stop continuously outputting on command information when the input vehicle speed information is zero and the supply / stop information of the power supply is input. In this way, once the latch unit 50A / latch unit 50B receives an on signal, it continuously outputs the on command information to the output command unit 40A / output command unit 40B, so that the output command unit 40A / output command unit 40B continuously outputs an on signal to the power supply relay 70. Also, the latch unit 50A / latch unit 50B stops outputting the on command information when both the information that the vehicle speed input without passing through the control unit 30A / control unit 30B is zero and the supply / stop information indicating that the push start stop switch has been operated are available.

[0034] In this way, the system of the control unit 30A, the output command unit 40A, and the latch unit 50A and the system of the control unit 30B, the output command unit 40B, and the latch unit 50B are completely separated and duplicated. When an abnormality has not occurred in one system (for example, the control unit 30A) but an abnormality has occurred in the other system (for example, the control unit 30B), in the other system, the output command unit 40B continuously outputs an on signal to the power supply relay 70, so that the power supply to the vehicle can be surely continued to safely continue the running of the vehicle. Also, even when an abnormality has occurred only in one system, when both the information that the vehicle speed is zero and the supply / stop information indicating that the push start stop switch has been operated are available, safety can be ensured, so the supply of the ignition power can be stopped by stopping the output of the on command information in both systems.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 4, the operations of each part when the control unit 30 is normal and when an abnormality occurs will be described. In this figure, the case where the control unit 30A / control unit 30B is one control unit 30 will be described. In the case of normal operation, when the push start stop switch is operated while the vehicle power is off (the power supply relay 70 is off) and the vehicle is stopped, information indicating that the push start stop switch has been operated, that is, information indicating that the ignition power is to be turned on, is transmitted to the control unit 30 via the power supply information input unit 20. Then, since the control unit 30 is driven in a predetermined clock cycle, it outputs an on command signal with a slight delay.

[0036] When the control unit 30 outputs an on command signal, the on command signal is transmitted to the output command unit 40A and the output command unit 40B via communication and signal lines. Then, the output command unit 40A outputs an on signal, which is transmitted to the latch unit 50A and the power supply relay 70 without delay. The latch unit 50A latches the on signal, and the power supply relay 70 is turned on. Similarly, the output command unit 40B outputs an on signal, which is transmitted to the latch unit 50B and the power supply relay 70 without delay. The latch unit 50B latches the on signal, and the power supply relay 70 is turned on.

[0037] After the vehicle has traveled and then stops again, when the push start stop switch is operated at that time, information indicating that the push start stop switch has been operated, that is, information indicating that the ignition power is to be turned off this time, is transmitted to the control unit 30 via the power supply information input unit 20. Then, the control unit 30 similarly outputs an off command signal with a slight delay, and the on command signal is transmitted to the output command unit 40A and the output command unit 40B. The output command unit 40A and the output command unit 40B output an off signal, which is transmitted to the power supply relay 70, and the power supply relay 70 is turned off. Since the latch unit 50A and the latch unit 50B receive information indicating that the push start stop switch has been operated via the signal line without passing through the control unit 30, they stop outputting the on command signal without delay.

[0038] The case where an abnormality occurs in the control unit 30 will be described. When the push start / stop switch is operated while the vehicle power is off and the vehicle is stopped, the control unit 30 outputs on command information with a slight delay as well. Accordingly, the output command unit 40A / the output command unit 40B outputs an on signal, and the latch unit 50A / the latch unit 50B latches the on signal and the power supply relay 70 operates normally until it is turned on. In this example, it is assumed that an abnormality occurs in the control unit 30 during traveling and the control unit 30 cannot output a signal to turn on the power. Even in such a case, the latch unit 50A and the latch unit 50B continue to output on command information to the output command unit 40A and the output command unit 40B respectively, so an on signal is output from the output command unit 40A and the output command unit 40B, and the power supply relay 70 continues to be in the on state.

[0039] Furthermore, when the push start / stop switch is operated in such a state, the latch unit 50A and the latch unit 50B directly receive information to that effect from the power supply information input unit 20 without passing through the control unit 30 in which the abnormality has occurred. Even in this case, the latch unit 50A and the latch unit 50B directly receive vehicle speed information from the vehicle speed information input unit 10 without passing through the control unit 30 in which the abnormality has occurred, and can detect that the vehicle is traveling from that information. Therefore, the latch unit 50A and the latch unit 50B continue to output on command information to the output command unit 40A and the output command unit 40B respectively, so the power supply relay 70 continues to be in the on state.

[0040] Thereafter, the vehicle comes to a stop, and when the push start / stop switch is operated at that time, information to turn off the ignition power from the power supply information input unit 20 and information that the vehicle speed is zero from the vehicle speed information input unit 10 are transmitted to the latch unit 50A and the latch unit 50B. Then, since these information are transmitted to the latch unit 50A and the latch unit 50B via the signal line without passing through the control unit 30, the output command unit 40A / the output command unit 40B and the power supply relay 70 turn off without delay.

[0041] According to this, even if the user accidentally performs an operation to stop the supply of the ignition power when an abnormality occurs in the control unit 30 during vehicle travel, the power supply to the vehicle is surely continued to safely continue the vehicle travel, and the redundant vehicle power control device 100A that stops the supply of the ignition power when safety is ensured can be provided.

[0042] Note that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, and can be implemented with configurations that do not deviate from the content described in each item of the claims. That is, the present invention is mainly illustrated and described with respect to specific embodiments, but various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art in terms of quantity and other detailed configurations to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the technical idea and purpose of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0043] 100 Vehicle power control device 10 Vehicle speed information input unit 20 Power supply information input unit 30 Control unit 40 Output command unit 50 Latch unit 60 Control monitoring unit 70 Power supply relay

Claims

【Claim 1】 A vehicle power control device for controlling the supply of the ignition power source of a vehicle, comprising: A vehicle speed information input unit to which vehicle speed information is input; A power supply information input unit to which start / stop information of power supply is input; A control unit that outputs command information regarding the supply of the ignition power source based on the vehicle speed information input to the vehicle speed information input unit and the supply / stop information input to the power supply information input unit; An output command unit that receives the command information output by the control unit and outputs an on signal or an off signal to the power supply relay of the ignition power source; A latch unit that, when an on signal output by the output command unit is input, continuously outputs on command information to the output command unit; and the latch unit stops continuously outputting on command information when the vehicle speed information input to the vehicle speed information input unit and the supply / stop information input to the power supply information input unit are input and the supply / stop information is input when the vehicle speed is zero in the vehicle speed information. Vehicle power control device.

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