Motor control device

Abstract

To enhance accuracy of detecting abnormalities that occur in fuel pump motors.SOLUTION: A fuel pump control device 8 determines whether motor rotation control for rotating a pump motor 22 has failed. The fuel pump control device 8 calculates the number of control failures. Further, the fuel pump control device 8 determines, on the basis of the number of control failures, whether an abnormality has occurred in the pump motor 22. The number of control failures is a parameter having a positive correlation with a frequency of failures in motor rotation control.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a motor control device that controls a motor. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 describes a motor control device that determines signs of abnormality by comparing the motor current value, motor voltage value, motor rotation speed, etc. when the motor that functions as the drive source of the fuel pump is operating with predetermined determination thresholds. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-19398 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Possible causes of the abnormality, in which the torque applied to the fuel pump motor increases, are an increase in fuel pressure, foreign matter getting caught in the fuel pump impeller, and deformation of the fuel pump impeller causing interference between the impeller and the fuel pump casing.

[0005] As a result of detailed investigation by the inventors, it was found that the technology described in Patent Document 1 has the problem that when an abnormality occurs in which the torque applied to the fuel pump motor increases, the cause cannot be identified, resulting in a decrease in the accuracy of abnormality detection.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to improve the accuracy of detecting abnormalities occurring in a fuel pump motor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a motor control device (8) that includes a rotation control determination unit (S40), a parameter calculation unit (S50, S55), and an abnormality determination unit (S60, S65, S100), and controls a motor (22).

[0008] The rotation control determination unit is configured to determine whether or not motor rotation control for rotating the motor has failed. The parameter calculation unit is configured to calculate a control failure frequency parameter that is correlated with the frequency of failure in motor rotation control based on the determination result by the rotation control determination unit.

[0009] The abnormality determination unit is configured to determine whether an abnormality has occurred in the motor based on the control failure frequency parameter. The motor control device of the present disclosure configured as described above can determine, when the frequency of motor rotation control failures increases, that an abnormality has occurred, such as a foreign object getting caught in the fuel pump impeller or an abnormality where the fuel pump impeller interferes with the fuel pump casing. Therefore, when an abnormality occurs in which the torque applied to the fuel pump motor increases, the motor control device of the present disclosure can identify the cause, thereby improving the accuracy of detecting abnormalities occurring in the fuel pump motor.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a motor control device (8) that includes an instructed motor starting unit (S210, S220) and an instructed abnormality determination unit (S230), and controls a motor (22). The command-time motor start unit is configured to, upon receiving an abnormality confirmation command from the external device (7), execute a confirmation motor start that starts the motor under a preset confirmation start condition that makes it easier for the motor start to fail.

[0011] The command-time abnormality determination section is configured to determine whether an abnormality has occurred in the motor based on the execution result of the verification motor start by the command-time motor start section. The motor control device of the present disclosure configured in this manner can determine that an abnormality has occurred, such as a foreign object getting caught in the fuel pump impeller or an abnormality where the fuel pump impeller and the fuel pump casing are interfering with each other, when the motor fails to start after being started under the confirmatory start conditions. Therefore, when an abnormality occurs in which the torque applied to the fuel pump motor increases, the motor control device of the present disclosure can identify the cause, thereby improving the accuracy of detecting abnormalities occurring in the fuel pump motor. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fuel supply system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fuel pump and a fuel pump control device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a fuel pump. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing a motor control process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a motor control process according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a torque abnormality detection process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The fuel supply system 1 of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle, and as shown in FIG. 1, includes a fuel tank 2, a fuel pump 3, a suction filter 4, a fuel pipe 5, a pressure sensor 6, an engine control device 7, and a fuel pump control device 8.

[0014] The fuel tank 2 stores fuel to be supplied to the vehicle's engine EG. The engine EG includes a plurality of injectors, each corresponding to a respective cylinder. The injectors inject fuel into the corresponding cylinder.

[0015] The fuel pump 3 is installed inside the fuel tank 2 and pumps up the fuel stored in the fuel tank 2. The suction filter 4 is installed inside the fuel tank 2 near the suction hole 45 of the fuel pump 3 and removes foreign matter from the fuel that is drawn in by the fuel pump 3 by collecting foreign matter in the fuel.

[0016] The fuel pipe 5 is a pipe for supplying the fuel discharged from the fuel pump 3 to the engine EG. The pressure sensor 6 detects the pressure of the fuel flowing inside the fuel pipe 5 and outputs a pressure detection signal indicative of the detection result.

[0017] The engine control device 7 drives a plurality of injectors to control fuel injection into the engine EG. The engine control device 7 controls the fuel pump 3 via the fuel pump control device 8 so that the fuel pressure indicated by the pressure detection signal obtained from the pressure sensor 6 matches the target fuel pressure.

[0018] The fuel pump control device 8 controls the fuel pump 3 based on a command from the engine control device 7. 2, the fuel pump 3 includes a pump motor 22. In this embodiment, the pump motor 22 is a three-phase brushless motor.

[0019] The fuel pump control device 8 includes an inverter circuit 11, a drive unit 12, and a control unit 13. The inverter circuit 11 receives power from a battery (not shown) and applies a battery voltage VB between the terminals TU, TV, and TW of each phase U, V, and W of the pump motor 22 (i.e., between UV, between VW, and between WU), thereby energizing the stator coil and rotating the pump motor 22.

[0020] The stator coils of the pump motor 22 for each phase U, V, and W are Y-connected. The three terminals TU, TV, and TW on the opposite side of this connection are connected to an inverter circuit 11. The inverter circuit 11 includes a three-phase full-bridge circuit formed by six switching elements Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, and Q6.

[0021] Switching elements Q1, Q2, and Q3 function as so-called high-side switches and are arranged between the positive electrode of the battery and terminals TU, TV, and TW of the U, V, and W phases of pump motor 22. Switching elements Q4, Q5, and Q6 function as so-called low-side switches and are arranged between the negative electrode of the battery and terminals TU, TV, and TW of the U, V, and W phases of pump motor 22.

[0022] Therefore, in the inverter circuit 11, by turning on one high-side switch and one low-side switch of different phases, the battery voltage VB is applied between any of the terminals TU, TV, and TW of the pump motor 22.

[0023] By switching the switching element to be turned on, the terminal to which the battery voltage VB is applied and the direction in which the battery voltage VB is applied can be switched, and by controlling the on time of the switching element, the current flowing to the pump motor 22 can be controlled.

[0024] The drive unit 12 turns on or off the switching elements Q1 to Q6 in the inverter circuit 11 in accordance with the control signal output from the control unit 13, thereby passing current through the stator coils of each phase U, V, and W of the pump motor 22 and rotating the pump motor 22.

[0025] The control unit 13 is an electronic control device mainly composed of a microcomputer including a CPU 13a, a ROM 13b, a RAM 13c, etc. Various functions of the microcomputer are realized by the CPU 13a executing a program stored in a non-transitory tangible recording medium. In this example, the ROM 13b corresponds to the non-transitory tangible recording medium storing the program. Furthermore, the execution of this program executes a method corresponding to the program. Note that some or all of the functions executed by the CPU 13a may be configured as hardware using one or more ICs, etc. Furthermore, the number of microcomputers constituting the control unit 13 may be one or more.

[0026] The control unit 13 controls the current flowing through the stator coils of the phases U, V, and W so that the target rotation speed instructed by the engine control device 7 matches the rotation speed of the pump motor 22 (hereinafter referred to as the motor rotation speed). The target rotation speed is set so that the pressure of the fuel flowing in the fuel pipe 5 reaches a predetermined pressure.

[0027] The fuel pump control device 8 further includes a voltage detection unit 14 and a current detection unit 15. The voltage detection unit 14 detects voltages Vu, Vv, and Vw at terminals TU, TV, and TW of the respective phases U, V, and W of the pump motor 22. The current detection unit 15 detects currents Iu, Iv, and Iw flowing through the stator coils of the respective phases U, V, and W.

[0028] The detection signal of the voltage detection unit 14 and the detection signal of the current detection unit 15 are input to the control unit 13 and are used to control the pump motor 22 and to detect abnormalities. The control unit 13 turns on one high-side switch and one low-side switch, which are in different phases, to rotate the pump motor 22. In this embodiment, the control unit 13 rotates the pump motor 22 by performing pulse width modulation control (hereinafter referred to as PWM control). Specifically, for example, of two switching elements to be turned on, the control unit 13 maintains one switching element in the on state and periodically switches the other switching element between the on state and the off state in accordance with a duty.

[0029] To rotate the pump motor 22, the control unit 13 switches the switching elements to be turned on in synchronization with the rotational position of the pump motor 22. To control the drive unit 12 in synchronization with the rotational position of the pump motor 22, the control unit 13 detects the rotational position of the motor 20. Specifically, the control unit 13 detects the rotational position of the motor 20 based on the voltages Vu, Vv, and Vw acquired from the voltage detection unit 14. The control unit 13 generates a drive command based on the detected rotational position and outputs it to the drive unit 12. This allows the control unit 13 to control the motor 20 in synchronization with the rotational position of the motor 20.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the fuel pump 3 includes a pump housing 21, a pump motor 22, an impeller 23, a pump case 24, and a motor cover 25. The pump housing 21 is a cylindrical metal member.

[0031] The pump motor 22 includes a rotor 31 , a plurality of stators 32 , and a shaft 33 . The rotor 31 includes a cylindrical core and a plurality of magnetic pole pairs. Permanent magnets are used for the magnetic pole pairs. The magnetic pole pairs are arranged so that north and south poles alternate and are evenly spaced around the outer periphery of the core.

[0032] The stators 32 are arranged at equal angular intervals around the rotor 31, and have windings 35 wound thereon. The stators 32 have windings 35 of any one of U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase wound thereon. The shaft 33 is a metal member formed in a thin and long cylindrical shape and is fixed to the rotor 31 so that its axis coincides with the axis of the rotor 31.

[0033] The pump motor 22 is installed in the pump housing 21 so that the axis of the shaft 33 and the cylindrical axis of the pump housing 21 coincide with each other. The impeller 23 is a disc-shaped member made of resin. A plurality of vane grooves 37 are formed in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral edge of the impeller 23. The impeller 23 is fixed to the shaft 33 so that its axis coincides with the axis of the shaft 33, and is further disposed inside the pump housing 21 at a first end side along the axial direction of the pump housing 21, which is formed into a cylindrical shape.

[0034] The pump case 24 includes a first casing 41 and a second casing 42 . The first casing 41 is disposed on the first end side of the pump housing 21 so as to close the opening of the pump housing 21.

[0035] The second casing 42 is disposed inside the pump housing 21 and in contact with the first casing 41 . A recess 44 is formed in the second casing 42 on the side facing the first casing 41. The impeller 23 is housed in the recess 44 so as to be rotatable.

[0036] The first casing 41 has a suction hole 45 that penetrates the first casing 41 along the cylindrical axial direction of the pump housing 21. An opening of the suction hole 45 on the side facing the second casing 42 is formed to face some of the plurality of vane grooves 37 of the impeller 23.

[0037] The second casing 42 has a discharge hole 46 that penetrates the second casing 42 along the cylindrical axial direction of the pump housing 21. An opening of the discharge hole 46 on the side facing the first casing 41 is formed to face some of the plurality of vane grooves 37 of the impeller 23. In addition, the discharge hole 46 is positioned so as not to face the suction hole 45 along the cylindrical axial direction of the pump housing 21.

[0038] A first flow groove 47 for circulating fuel is formed in the surface of the first casing 41 facing the second casing 42. The first flow groove 47 is formed in an annular shape so as to face some of the plurality of blade grooves 37 of the impeller 23. A first end of the annular first flow groove 47 faces the suction hole 45, and a second end of the first flow groove 47 faces the discharge hole 46.

[0039] A second circulation groove 48 for circulating fuel is formed in the recess 44 of the second casing 42 on the surface facing the first casing 41. The second circulation groove 48 is formed in an annular shape so as to face some of the plurality of blade grooves 37 of the impeller 23. A first end of the annular second circulation groove 48 faces the suction hole 45, and a second end of the second circulation groove 48 faces the discharge hole 46.

[0040] When the impeller 23 rotates and pumps fuel through the suction hole 45, the fuel flows through the fuel flow path formed by the first and second flow grooves 47, 48 and the plurality of blade grooves 37. When the fuel reaches the second ends of the first and second flow grooves 47, 48, the fuel is discharged from the discharge hole 46.

[0041] The motor cover 25 is a member for fixing the pump motor 22 inside the pump housing 21. The motor cover 25 is installed on the second end side of the cylindrical pump housing 21 along the cylindrical axial direction so as to close the opening of the pump housing 21.

[0042] The motor cover 25 has a discharge hole 51 that penetrates the motor cover 25 along the cylindrical axial direction of the pump housing 21. The fuel discharged from the discharge hole 46 of the pump case 24 passes through a fuel passage 53 formed between the rotor 31 and the plurality of stators 32 of the pump motor 22 and is guided to the discharge hole 51 of the motor cover 25. The fuel guided to the discharge hole 51 is then discharged from the discharge hole 51 to the outside of the fuel pump 3.

[0043] Next, we will explain the procedure of the motor control process executed by the CPU 13a of the control unit 13. The motor control process is a process that is repeatedly executed during operation of the control unit 13. The motor control process ends when a command to stop driving the pump motor 22 is received from the engine control device 7.

[0044] 4, when the motor control process is executed, the CPU 13a first determines in S10 whether or not a command to start driving the pump motor 22 has been received from the engine control device 7. If a command to start driving has not been received, the CPU 13a ends the motor control process.

[0045] On the other hand, when a command to start driving is received, the CPU 13a executes rotor positioning control in S20. Specifically, the CPU 13a energizes a stator coil of a specific phase (for example, between U and V) that is preset for initial driving of the pump motor 22 via the inverter circuit 11, thereby positioning the rotational position of the rotor 31 at a predetermined reference angle.

[0046] Next, in S30, the CPU 13a performs feedback control so that the motor rotation speed matches the target rotation speed. In this embodiment, the CPU 13a performs PI control as the feedback control. Specifically, the CPU 13a calculates a duty for PWM control based on a feedback control amount obtained by adding a value obtained by multiplying a deviation between the motor rotation speed and the target rotation speed by a proportional gain and a value obtained by multiplying an integral value of the deviation by an integral gain. The CPU 13a then selects two switching elements to be turned on in synchronization with the rotation position of the pump motor 22, maintains one of the selected switching elements in an on state, and periodically switches the other switching element between an on state and an off state in accordance with the duty.

[0047] Then, in S40, the CPU 13a determines whether the motor control is normal. Specifically, the CPU 13a determines that the motor control is normal when the rotational position of the motor 20 is a position corresponding to the current current conduction pattern. On the other hand, the CPU 13a determines that the motor control is abnormal when the rotational position of the motor 20 is not a position corresponding to the current current conduction pattern.

[0048] The control unit 13 controls the motor 20 by sequentially switching among the first current supply pattern, the second current supply pattern, the third current supply pattern, the fourth current supply pattern, the fifth current supply pattern, and the sixth current supply pattern in order of timing.

[0049] For example, the first conduction pattern is a conduction pattern that turns on the U-phase high-side switch and the V-phase low-side switch. The second conduction pattern is a conduction pattern that turns on the V-phase high-side switch and the W-phase low-side switch. The third conduction pattern is a conduction pattern that turns on the V-phase high-side switch and the U-phase low-side switch. The fourth conduction pattern is a conduction pattern that turns on the U-phase high-side switch and the W-phase low-side switch. The fifth conduction pattern is a conduction pattern that turns on the W-phase high-side switch and the U-phase low-side switch. The sixth conduction pattern is a conduction pattern that turns on the W-phase high-side switch and the V-phase low-side switch.

[0050] If it is determined in S40 that the motor control is normal, the CPU 13a proceeds to S30. On the other hand, if it is determined in S40 that the motor control is not normal, the CPU 13a increments the control failure count COUNT_F (i.e., adds 1) in S50.

[0051] Then, in S60, the CPU 13a determines whether the number of control failures COUNT_F is greater than a preset abnormality determination value J1 (for example, 10 times). Here, if the number of control failures COUNT_F is equal to or less than the abnormality determination value J1, the CPU 13a proceeds to S20. On the other hand, if the number of control failures COUNT_F is greater than the abnormality determination value J1, the CPU 13a executes an abnormality check of the fuel pump control device 8 in S70. For example, the CPU 13a checks whether a short circuit or a break has occurred in the wiring between the fuel pump control device 8 and the pump motor 22, or whether a short circuit or a break has occurred in the wiring inside the fuel pump control device 8.

[0052] Then, in S80, the CPU 13a determines, based on the check result in S70, whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the fuel pump control device 8. If an abnormality has occurred in the fuel pump control device 8, the CPU 13a ends the motor control process.

[0053] On the other hand, if no abnormality has occurred in the fuel pump control device 8, the CPU 13a executes a torque abnormality check in S90. Specifically, the CPU 13a first sets the target rotation speed to a first check target rotation speed that is preset for a torque abnormality check, and sets the start-up duty to the first check start-up duty that is preset for a torque abnormality check, and starts the pump motor 22. The first check target rotation speed is set to be higher than the target rotation speed when starting the pump motor 22 under normal conditions. The first check start-up duty is set to be smaller than the start-up duty when starting the pump motor 22 under normal conditions.

[0054] The first check target rotation speed and the first check start duty are conditions for making it easier for the start of the pump motor 22 to fail. If the torque when the impeller 23 is stationary is large, it is necessary to increase the force that operates the impeller 23. However, if the force that operates the impeller 23 is increased, the acceleration of the impeller 23 when it starts to move will be greater than normal, and the difference between the acceleration assumed when the fuel pump control device 8 was designed and the acceleration when the pump motor 22 rotates will become too large. As a result, the zero crossing of the induced voltage of the pump motor 22 will be obscured by a mask that prevents erroneous detection, causing the pump motor 22 to lose synchronization. For this reason, if the first check target rotation speed is high, it is more likely that the start of the pump motor 22 will fail.

[0055] Furthermore, if the torque when the impeller 23 is stationary is large, the impeller 23 cannot be set to a specified position at the time of starting the pump motor 22, and therefore the pump motor 22 cannot be started properly. For this reason, if the starting duty is small, the starting of the pump motor 22 can easily fail.

[0056] After performing the process of starting the pump motor 22 at the first check target rotation speed and the first check start duty, the CPU 13a determines whether or not the start of the pump motor 22 has been successful.

[0057] Next, the CPU 13a sets the target rotation speed to a second check target rotation speed that is preset for a torque abnormality check, sets the start-up duty to the second check start-up duty that is preset for a torque abnormality check, and starts the pump motor 22. The second check target rotation speed is set to be lower than the target rotation speed when starting the pump motor 22 under normal conditions. The second check start-up duty is set to be higher than the start-up duty when starting the pump motor 22 under normal conditions. The second check target rotation speed and the second check start-up duty are conditions that make it easier to successfully start the pump motor 22.

[0058] Then, after performing the process of starting the pump motor 22 at the second check target rotation speed and the second check start duty, the CPU 13a determines whether or not the start of the pump motor 22 has been successful.

[0059] When the torque abnormality check is completed, the CPU 13a determines in S100 whether or not a torque abnormality has occurred based on the check result in S90. Specifically, the CPU 13a determines that a torque abnormality has occurred if starting of the pump motor 22 fails at the first check target rotation speed and the first check start-up duty, and if starting of the pump motor 22 succeeds at the second check target rotation speed and the second check start-up duty.

[0060] Here, if a torque abnormality has not occurred, the CPU 13a proceeds to S20. On the other hand, if a torque abnormality has occurred, the CPU 13a transmits a torque abnormality notification indicating that a torque abnormality has occurred to the engine control device 7 in S110. The engine control device 7 that has received the torque abnormality notification transmits the torque abnormality notification to a meter control device that controls a meter panel that displays the vehicle state and the like to the driver. The meter control device that has received the torque abnormality notification displays on the meter panel that a torque abnormality has occurred. This allows the driver of the vehicle to recognize that a torque abnormality has occurred in the fuel pump 3.

[0061] Furthermore, the CPU 13a executes an abnormality process in S120, and proceeds to S20. Specifically, the CPU 13a waits with the pump motor 22 stopped from driving until a preset waiting time (e.g., 60 seconds) has elapsed in order to reduce the temperature of the pump motor 22, and proceeds to S20 after the waiting time has elapsed.

[0062] The fuel pump control device 8 configured as described above determines whether or not motor rotation control for rotating the pump motor 22 has failed. The fuel pump control device 8 then calculates the number of control failures COUNT_F. The fuel pump control device 8 further determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the pump motor 22 based on the number of control failures COUNT_F. This abnormality is an increase in torque applied to the impeller 23, which is fixed to the pump motor 22 and rotates when driven by the pump motor 22. The number of control failures COUNT_F is a parameter that has a positive correlation with the frequency of motor rotation control failures. "Positive correlation with frequency" does not only mean that the parameter increases stepwise as the frequency increases, but also means that the parameter increases continuously as the frequency increases.

[0063] When the frequency of motor rotation control failures increases, the fuel pump control device 8 can determine that an abnormality has occurred, such as foreign matter getting caught in the impeller 23 of the fuel pump 3, or an abnormality has occurred, such as interference between the impeller 23 of the fuel pump 3 and the first and second casings 41 and 42 of the fuel pump. Therefore, when an abnormality occurs in which the torque applied to the pump motor 22 of the fuel pump 3 increases, the fuel pump control device 8 can identify the cause, thereby improving the accuracy of detecting abnormalities occurring in the pump motor 22 of the fuel pump 3.

[0064] The fuel pump control device 8 also determines whether a preset confirmation start condition, indicating a high frequency of motor rotation control failures, is satisfied based on the number of control failures COUNT_F. If the confirmation start condition is satisfied, the fuel pump control device 8 executes a confirmation motor start process, which starts the pump motor 22 under a preset confirmation start condition that makes starting of the pump motor 22 more likely to fail. In this embodiment, the confirmation start condition is that the number of control failures COUNT_F is greater than a preset abnormality determination value J1. The confirmation start condition is that the target rotation speed is set to a first check target rotation speed and the start duty is set to a first check start duty. The fuel pump control device 8 then determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the pump motor 22 based on the execution result of the confirmation motor start process. This fuel pump control device 8 can more accurately detect abnormalities such as foreign matter getting caught in the impeller 23 of the fuel pump 3 or interference between the impeller 23 of the fuel pump 3 and the first and second casings 41 and 42 of the fuel pump. Therefore, the fuel pump control device 8 can further improve the accuracy of detecting an abnormality occurring in the pump motor 22 of the fuel pump 3.

[0065] Furthermore, when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the pump motor 22, the fuel pump control device 8 notifies the engine control device 7 of the occurrence of an abnormality in the pump motor 22 by transmitting a torque abnormality notification to the engine control device 7. In this way, when an abnormality has occurred in the pump motor 22, the fuel pump control device 8 can cause the engine control device 7 to execute processing to deal with the abnormality, or can make the driver of the vehicle aware of the occurrence of the abnormality.

[0066] In the embodiment described above, the fuel pump control device 8 corresponds to a motor control device, and the pump motor 22 corresponds to a motor. Furthermore, S40 corresponds to processing as a rotation control determination unit, S50 corresponds to processing as a parameter calculation unit, the control failure count COUNT_F corresponds to the control failure frequency parameter, and S60 and S100 correspond to processing as an abnormality determination unit.

[0067] Moreover, S90 corresponds to the processing of the motor starting section, and S110 corresponds to the processing of the abnormality notifying section. [Second embodiment] A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, only the parts that are different from the first embodiment will be described. The same reference numerals will be used to designate common components.

[0068] The fuel supply system 1 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the motor control process is changed. The motor control process of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the processes of S60 and S110 are omitted and the processes of S15, S55, S65, and S115 are added.

[0069] That is, as shown in FIG. 5, when a command to start driving is received in S10, the CPU 13a increments the start count COUNT_S in S15, and proceeds to S20.

[0070] After the process of S50 is completed, the CPU 13a calculates the control failure probability PROB_F in S55 by dividing the control failure count COUNT_F by the start count COUNT_S.

[0071] Then, in S65, the CPU 13a determines whether the control failure probability PROB_F is greater than a preset abnormality determination value J2. If the control failure probability PROB_F is equal to or less than the abnormality determination value J2, the CPU 13a proceeds to S15. On the other hand, if the control failure probability PROB_F is greater than the abnormality determination value J2, the CPU 13a proceeds to S70.

[0072] Furthermore, if it is determined in S100 that a torque abnormality has occurred, the CPU 13a transmits control failure probability information indicating the value of the control failure probability PROB_F to the engine control device 7 in S115, and proceeds to S120.

[0073] The fuel pump control device 8 configured as described above determines whether or not motor rotation control for rotating the pump motor 22 has failed. The fuel pump control device 8 then calculates a control failure probability PROB_F. Furthermore, the fuel pump control device 8 determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the pump motor 22 based on the control failure probability PROB_F. The control failure probability PROB_F is a parameter that has a positive correlation with the frequency of motor rotation control failure.

[0074] When the value of the control failure probability PROB_F increases, the fuel pump control device 8 can determine that an abnormality has occurred, such as a foreign object getting caught in the impeller 23 of the fuel pump 3, or an abnormality has occurred, such as interference between the impeller 23 of the fuel pump 3 and the first and second casings 41 and 42 of the fuel pump. Therefore, when an abnormality has occurred in which the torque applied to the pump motor 22 of the fuel pump 3 increases, the fuel pump control device 8 can identify the cause of the abnormality, thereby improving the accuracy of detecting an abnormality occurring in the pump motor 22 of the fuel pump 3.

[0075] Furthermore, the fuel pump control device 8 notifies the engine control device 7 of the control failure probability by transmitting control failure probability information indicating the value of the control failure probability PROB_F to the engine control device 7. As a result, when an abnormality occurs in the pump motor 22, the fuel pump control device 8 can cause the engine control device 7 to execute processing to deal with the abnormality, or can make the driver of the vehicle aware that an abnormality has occurred.

[0076] In the embodiment described above, S15, S50, and S55 correspond to processing as a parameter calculation unit and a failure probability calculation unit, the control failure probability PROB_F corresponds to the control failure frequency parameter, S65 and S100 correspond to processing as an abnormality determination unit, and S115 corresponds to processing as a failure probability notification unit.

[0077] [Third embodiment] A third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the third embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. The same reference numerals will be used to designate common components.

[0078] The fuel supply system 1 of the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the control unit 13 of the fuel pump control device 8 executes torque abnormality detection processing. Next, a description will be given of the procedure of the torque abnormality detection process executed by the CPU 13a of the control unit 13. The motor control process is a process that is repeatedly executed while the control unit 13 is in operation.

[0079] 6, when the torque abnormality detection process is executed, the CPU 13a first determines in S210 whether or not an abnormality detection command instructing the start of torque abnormality detection has been received from the engine control device 7. Note that the engine control device 7 transmits the abnormality detection command to the fuel pump control device 8 when at least one of the first start determination condition, the second start determination condition, and the third start determination condition is satisfied.

[0080] The first start determination condition is that the temperature of the fuel tank 2 is equal to or higher than a preset first start determination temperature, and that the engine EG has just been stopped. The second start determination condition is that the temperature of the fuel pump 3 is equal to or higher than a preset second start determination temperature, and that the engine EG has just been stopped.

[0081] The third start determination condition is that the temperature of the fuel in the fuel tank 2 or the fuel pipe 5 is equal to or higher than a preset third start determination temperature, and that the engine EG has just been stopped. If the abnormality detection command has not been received, the CPU 13a ends the torque abnormality detection process.

[0082] On the other hand, if an abnormality detection command is received, the CPU 13a executes a torque abnormality check in S220 in the same manner as in S90. Then, in S230, the CPU 13a determines whether or not a torque abnormality has occurred, similarly to S100. If a torque abnormality has not occurred, the CPU 13a ends the torque abnormality detection process. On the other hand, if a torque abnormality has occurred, in S240, the CPU 13a transmits a torque abnormality notification to the engine control device 7, similarly to S110, and ends the torque abnormality detection process.

[0083] When the fuel pump control device 8 configured in this manner receives an abnormality detection command from the engine control device 7, it executes a confirmation motor start, which starts the pump motor 22 under preset confirmation start conditions that make it easier for the motor to start to fail. Then, the fuel pump control device 8 determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the pump motor 22 based on the execution result of the confirmation motor start.

[0084] When the pump motor 22 fails to start after being started under the confirmation start conditions, the fuel pump control device 8 can determine that an abnormality has occurred, such as a foreign object getting caught in the impeller 23 of the fuel pump 3, or an abnormality has occurred, such as interference between the impeller 23 of the fuel pump 3 and the first and second casings 41, 42 of the fuel pump 3. Therefore, when an abnormality occurs in which the torque applied to the pump motor 22 of the fuel pump 3 increases, the fuel pump control device 8 can identify the cause, thereby improving the accuracy of detecting abnormalities occurring in the pump motor 22 of the fuel pump 3.

[0085] In the embodiment described above, the engine control device 7 corresponds to the external device, S210 and S220 correspond to the processing of the commanded motor starter, and S230 corresponds to the processing of the commanded abnormality determiner.

[0086] Furthermore, the engine EG corresponds to an internal combustion engine, and the first start determination temperature, the second start determination temperature, and the third start determination temperature correspond to start determination temperatures. Although one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment and can be implemented in various modifications.

[0087] [Variation 1] For example, in the above embodiment, a torque abnormality check is performed when the number of control failures COUNT_F is greater than the abnormality determination value J1, and based on the result of the torque abnormality check, it is determined whether an abnormality has occurred in the pump motor 22. However, it may also be determined that an abnormality has occurred in the pump motor 22 when the number of control failures COUNT_F is greater than the abnormality determination value J1.

[0088] [Variation 2] In the above embodiment, the process of starting the pump motor 22 at the first check target rotation speed and the first check start duty is performed, and then the process of starting the pump motor 22 at the second check target rotation speed and the second check start duty is executed. However, the determination may be made without executing the process of starting the pump motor 22 at the second check target rotation speed and the second check start duty. In other words, the CPU 13a may determine that a torque abnormality has occurred if the process of starting the pump motor 22 at the first check target rotation speed and the first check start duty fails to start.

[0089] [Variation 3] In the above embodiment, the number of control failures COUNT_F or the control failure probability PROB_F, which have a positive correlation with the frequency of motor rotation control failures, is calculated, and whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the pump motor 22 is determined based on the number of control failures COUNT_F or the control failure probability PROB_F. However, it is also possible to calculate the number of control successes or the control success probability, which have a negative correlation with the frequency of motor rotation control failures, and determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the pump motor 22 based on the number of control successes or the control success probability.

[0090] [Variation 4] In the above embodiment, an abnormality detection command is sent to the fuel pump control device 8 when at least one of the temperature of the fuel tank 2, the temperature of the fuel pump 3, and the temperature of the fuel becomes equal to or higher than a preset start judgment temperature. However, if the temperature inside the vehicle cabin or the outside air temperature has a correlation with at least one of the temperature of the fuel tank 2, the temperature of the fuel pump 3, and the temperature of the fuel, an abnormality detection command may be sent to the fuel pump control device 8 when the temperature inside the vehicle cabin or the outside air temperature becomes equal to or higher than a preset start judgment temperature.

[0091] The control unit 13 and the method described herein may be implemented by a special-purpose computer configured by configuring a processor and memory programmed to perform one or more functions embodied in a computer program. Alternatively, the control unit 13 and the method described herein may be implemented by a special-purpose computer configured by configuring a processor with one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the control unit 13 and the method described herein may be implemented by one or more special-purpose computers configured by combining a processor and memory programmed to perform one or more functions with a processor configured with one or more hardware logic circuits. Furthermore, the computer program may be stored as instructions executed by a computer on a computer-readable non-transitory tangible storage medium. The method for implementing the functions of each unit included in the control unit 13 does not necessarily need to include software; all of the functions may be implemented using one or more hardware devices.

[0092] In the above embodiments, multiple functions of one component may be realized by multiple components, or one function of one component may be realized by multiple components. Furthermore, multiple functions of multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Furthermore, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Furthermore, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments.

[0093] In addition to the above-described fuel pump control device 8, the present disclosure can also be realized in various forms, such as a system including the fuel pump control device 8 as a component, a program for causing a computer to function as the fuel pump control device 8, a non-transient physical recording medium such as a semiconductor memory on which this program is recorded, and an abnormality detection method. [Technical idea disclosed in this specification] [Item 1] A motor control device (8) that controls a motor (22), a rotation control determination unit (S40) configured to determine whether or not the motor rotation control for rotating the motor has failed; a parameter calculation unit (S50, S55) configured to calculate a control failure frequency parameter having a correlation with a frequency of failure in the motor rotation control based on a determination result by the rotation control determination unit; an abnormality determination unit (S60, S65, S100) configured to determine whether an abnormality has occurred in the motor based on the control failure frequency parameter; A motor control device comprising:

[0094] [Item 2] The motor control device according to item 1, The motor control device, wherein the abnormality is an increase in torque applied to a rotating member (23) that is fixed to the motor and rotates when driven by the motor.

[0095] [Item 3] The motor control device according to item 1 or 2, The abnormality determination unit a motor start unit (S90) configured to determine whether a preset confirmation start condition indicating a high frequency of failures in the motor rotation control is established based on the control failure frequency parameter, and to execute a confirmation motor start to start the motor under a confirmation start condition that is preset so as to make the start of the motor more likely to fail, if the confirmation start condition is established; The motor control device, wherein the abnormality determination unit determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the motor based on a result of the execution of the confirmation motor start by the motor start unit.

[0096] [Item 4] The motor control device according to any one of items 1 to 3, A motor control device comprising an abnormality notification unit (S110) configured to notify the user that an abnormality has occurred in the motor when the abnormality determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred in the motor.

[0097] [Item 5] The motor control device according to any one of items 1 to 4, a failure probability calculation unit (S15, S50, S55) configured to calculate a control failure probability, which is the probability that the motor rotation control fails; a failure probability notifying unit (S115) configured to notify the control failure probability; A motor control device comprising:

[0098] [Item 6] A motor control device (8) that controls a motor (22), a command-based motor start unit (S210, S220) configured to execute a confirmation motor start, which starts the motor under a preset confirmation start condition so that starting of the motor is likely to fail, when receiving an abnormality confirmation command from an external device (7); an on-command abnormality determination unit (S230) configured to determine whether an abnormality has occurred in the motor based on the execution result of the confirmation motor start by the on-command motor start unit; A motor control device comprising:

[0099] [Item 7] Item 6. The motor control device according to item 6, The motor control device is mounted on a vehicle, the motor control device is configured to control the motor of a fuel pump (3) configured to pump fuel from a fuel tank (2) that stores fuel to be supplied to an internal combustion engine (EG) mounted on the vehicle and supply the fuel to the internal combustion engine via a fuel pipe (5); When at least one of the temperature of the fuel tank, the temperature of the fuel pump, the temperature of the fuel, a temperature correlated with the temperature of the fuel tank, a temperature correlated with the temperature of the fuel pump, and a temperature correlated with the temperature of the fuel becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined start judgment temperature, the external device transmits the abnormality confirmation command to the motor control device immediately after operation of the internal combustion engine stops. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 7... engine control device, 8... fuel pump control device, 13... control unit, 22... pump motor

Claims

1. A motor control device (8) for controlling a motor (22), a rotation control determination unit (S40) configured to determine whether or not motor rotation control for rotating the motor has failed; a parameter calculation unit (S50, S55) configured to calculate a control failure frequency parameter having a correlation with a frequency of failure in the motor rotation control based on a determination result by the rotation control determination unit; an abnormality determination unit (S60, S65, S100) configured to determine whether an abnormality has occurred in the motor based on the control failure frequency parameter; Equipped with The abnormality determination unit a motor start unit (S90) configured to determine whether a preset confirmation start condition indicating a high frequency of failures in the motor rotation control is satisfied based on the control failure frequency parameter, and to execute a confirmation motor start to start the motor under a confirmation start condition that is preset so as to make the start of the motor more likely to fail, if the confirmation start condition is satisfied; The motor control device, wherein the abnormality determination unit determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the motor based on a result of the execution of the confirmation motor start by the motor start unit.

2. A motor control device according to claim 1, A motor control device comprising an abnormality notification unit (S110) configured to notify that an abnormality has occurred in the motor when the abnormality determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred in the motor.

3. 3. The motor control device according to claim 1, a failure probability calculation unit (S15, S50, S55) configured to calculate a control failure probability, which is the probability that the motor rotation control fails; a failure probability notifying unit (S115) configured to notify the control failure probability; A motor control device comprising:

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