Vehicle program rewriting system and shift device

Abstract

To provide a vehicular program rewriting system and a shift device capable of reducing a processing time for updating programs of a first control unit and a second control unit.SOLUTION: According to a shift changing device 200, when program update information 301b for updating a second control program is transmitted from a program updating unit 300, a second control unit 181 is configured to execute control to obtain program update information 312 for the second control program from communication contents between the program updating unit 300 and a first communication unit 171 obtained through a second communication line C11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle program rewriting system and a shift device, and more particularly to a vehicle program rewriting system and a shift device that include a first control unit and a second control unit. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a vehicle program rewriting system including a first control unit and a second control unit is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses an ECU (Electric Control Unit) including a main microcomputer (first control unit) and a sub-microcomputer (second control unit). The ECU includes a serial communication line. The serial communication line connects the main microcomputer and the sub-microcomputer.

[0004] In the ECU of Patent Document 1, when rewriting the programs of the main microcomputer and the sub-microcomputer, the programs of the main microcomputer and the sub-microcomputer are rewritten based on the reception of the reprogramming program for the main microcomputer and the reprogramming program for the sub-microcomputer sent from the rewriting tool.

[0005] The main microcomputer in Patent Document 1 is configured to receive a reprogramming program for the main microcomputer and a reprogramming program for the sub-microcomputer, and then transmit the received reprogramming program for the sub-microcomputer to the sub-microcomputer via a serial communication line. The sub-microcomputer is configured to rewrite its own program based on the reprogramming program for the sub-microcomputer received from the main microcomputer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-99528 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the ECU of Patent Document 1, when rewriting the program of a sub-microcomputer, the sub-microcomputer acquires the reprogram for the sub-microcomputer transmitted from the reprogramming tool via the main microcomputer. In this case, the main microcomputer must perform processes such as determining which of the reprogramming programs is the reprogram for the sub-microcomputer and confirming whether the sub-microcomputer has received the reprogram for the sub-microcomputer. Therefore, the ECU of Patent Document 1 has the disadvantage of increasing the processing time required to rewrite the program of the sub-microcomputer. As a result, the ECU of Patent Document 1 has the problem of increasing the processing time required to rewrite (update) the programs of the main microcomputer and sub-microcomputer.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle program rewriting system and a shift device that can shorten the processing time for updating the programs of the first control unit and the second control unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle program rewriting system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: a first control unit that executes a first control program for controlling a vehicle; a second control unit provided separately from the first control unit and executing a second control program for controlling the vehicle; a program update unit that transmits program update information to the first control unit when rewriting at least one of the first control program and the second control program; a first communication line connecting the first control unit; and a second communication line branching from the first communication line and connected to the second control unit. a second communication unit that communicates with the second control unit;and when program update information for updating the second control program is transmitted from the program update unit, the second control unit is configured to perform control to acquire program update information for the second control program from the content of communication between the program update unit and the first control unit acquired via the second communication line. The second communication unit is configured to control transmission of a notification of update completion to the first control unit based on the program update information, upon receiving a notification of update completion of the second control program from the second control unit. .

[0010] In the vehicle program rewriting system according to the first aspect of the present invention, as described above, the second control unit is configured to, when the program update unit transmits program update information for updating the second control program, perform control to acquire the program update information for the second control program from the content of communication between the program update unit and the first control unit, which is acquired via the second communication line. This allows the second control unit to acquire the program update information for the second control program without going through the first control unit, thereby reducing the amount of processing required to update the second control program in the second control unit by the amount of processing that does not go through the first control unit. As a result, the processing time required to update the programs in the first control unit and the second control unit can be shortened.

[0011] In the vehicle program rewriting system according to the first aspect, preferably, the system further includes a first communication unit that establishes communication between the program update unit and the first control unit, and the second communication line branches off from a portion of the first communication line between the first communication unit and the first control unit.

[0012] By configuring in this manner, in order to establish communication between the program update unit and the first control unit, the signal transmitted from the program update unit can be converted in the first communication unit into a signal that can be identified in the first control unit, so that the program update information transmitted from the program update unit and obtained via the second communication line can also be identified in the second control unit.

[0013] In the vehicle program rewriting system according to the first aspect, preferably , thThe second communication unit further includes a third communication line connecting the second communication unit and the second control unit, and a fourth communication line branching from the third communication line and connected to the first control unit, and the second communication unit is configured to, upon receiving a notification from the second control unit that the update of the second control program based on the program update information has been completed, send a notification of the update completion back to the second control unit and control the transmission of the notification of the update completion to the first control unit via the fourth communication line.

[0014] By configuring it in this manner, the second control unit can confirm via the third communication line that the second communication unit has received the notification of update completion, while the notification of update completion from the second control unit sent to the first control unit via the fourth communication line can be sent to the program update unit via the first control unit, thereby allowing the second communication unit to process efficiently.

[0015] In this case, the first control unit is preferably configured to perform control to transmit the update completion notification from the second control unit, acquired via the fourth communication line, directly to the program update unit.

[0016] With this configuration, the first control unit simply transmits the update completion notification of the second control unit to the program update unit, thereby suppressing an increase in the processing load of the first control unit.

[0017] In the vehicle program rewriting system according to the first aspect, preferably, the system further includes a motor controlled by the first control unit and the second control unit, and the first control unit is configured to control updating of the first control program based on receiving program update information for updating the first control program for controlling the motor from the program update unit, and the second control unit is configured to control updating of the second control program based on receiving program update information for updating the second control program from the program update unit via the second communication line.

[0018] With this configuration, the second control unit can obtain program update information for the second control program without going through the first control unit, thereby reducing the amount of processing required to update the second control program in the second control unit by not going through the first control unit, thereby reducing the processing time required to update the programs in the first control unit and the second control unit.

[0019] A shift device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a first control unit that executes a first control program for controlling a motor, a second control unit that is provided separately from the first control unit and that executes a second control program for controlling the motor together with the first control unit, a program update unit that transmits program update information to the first control unit when rewriting at least one of the first control program and the second control program, a first communication line connecting the first control unit, and a second communication line branching from the first communication line and connected to the second control unit. a second communication unit that communicates with the second control unit; and when program update information for updating the second control program is transmitted from the program update unit, the second control unit is configured to perform control to acquire program update information for the second control program from the content of communication between the program update unit and the first control unit acquired via the second communication line. The second communication unit is configured to control transmission of a notification of update completion to the first control unit based on the program update information, upon receiving a notification of update completion of the second control program from the second control unit. .

[0020] In the shift device according to a second aspect of the present invention, as described above, the second control unit is configured to, when the program update unit transmits program update information for updating the second control program, perform control to acquire the program update information for the second control program from the content of communication between the program update unit and the first control unit, which is acquired via the second communication line. This allows the second control unit to acquire the program update information for the second control program without going through the first control unit, thereby reducing the amount of processing required to update the second control program in the second control unit by the amount of processing that does not go through the first control unit. As a result, a shift device can be obtained that can shorten the processing time for updating the programs in the first control unit and the second control unit.

[0021] The vehicle program rewriting system according to the first aspect may also have the following configuration.

[0022] (Additional note 1) That is, the program update information includes update information for a first control program that updates the first control program and update information for a second control program that updates the second control program, and the program update unit is configured to transmit the update information for the second control program when transmitting the update information for the first control program.

[0023] By configuring in this manner, the first control program and the second control program can be updated at the same time, thereby suppressing problems caused by updating only one of the first control program and the second control program.

[0024] (Additional note 2) In the vehicle conversion device having the above-mentioned update information for the first control program and update information for the second control program, preferably, the program update unit has destination information of the first control unit for sending the program update information to the first control unit, and the program update unit is configured to send both the update information for the first control program and the update information for the second control program to the first control unit based on the destination information of the first control unit.

[0025] With this configuration, the program update unit only needs to transmit both the first control program update information and the second control program update information to the first control unit, eliminating the need to install a new communication line or the like to connect the program update unit and the second control unit, thereby reducing the number of parts required in the vehicle program rewriting system.

[0026] (Additional note 3) In the vehicle program rewriting system that transmits both the update information for the first control program and the update information for the second control program to the first control unit, the program update information preferably has first identification information for identifying the program update information for the first control unit and second identification information for identifying the program update information for the second control unit.

[0027] With this configuration, each of the first control unit and the second control unit can reliably identify its own program update information. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic overall configuration of a shift device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a first drive system and a second drive system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a program update unit connected to the shift device of the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing program update information transmitted from a program update unit connected to the shift device of the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a block diagram showing a vehicle program rewriting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing a program rewriting process executed in a first MCU and a second MCU of the vehicle program rewriting system according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0030] The configuration of the shift device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0031] Shift device 100 is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. As shown in FIG. 1, when an occupant (driver) of the vehicle performs a shift change operation via an operating unit such as a shift lever (or a shift switch), electrical shift change control is performed on a transmission mechanism. That is, the position of the shift lever is input to shift device 100 via a shift sensor provided in the operating unit. Then, based on a control signal transmitted from a dedicated first MCU (Micro Controller Unit) 161 (see FIG. 2) or second MCU 171 (see FIG. 2) provided in shift device 100 and described later, the transmission mechanism is switched to one of the P (parking), R (reverse), N (neutral), and D (drive) positions corresponding to the shift change operation by the occupant. This type of shift change control is called shift-by-wire (SBW).

[0032] The shift device 100 includes an actuator unit 1 and a shift switching mechanism 2 driven by the actuator unit 1. The shift switching mechanism 2 is mechanically connected to a manual spool valve (not shown) of a hydraulic valve body in a hydraulic control circuit (not shown) within the transmission mechanism and to a parking mechanism. The shift state (P position, R position, N position, and D position) of the transmission is mechanically switched by driving the shift switching mechanism 2.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the actuator unit 1 includes a motor 11, a driving force transmission mechanism (not shown), a first output shaft sensor 12, a second output shaft sensor 13, a first motor rotation angle sensor 14, a second motor rotation angle sensor 15, a first drive system 16, and a second drive system 17.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the first output shaft sensor 12 is configured to detect the rotation angle of the output shaft 18. For example, the first output shaft sensor 12 is configured with a Hall element. The rotation position (output angle) of the output shaft 18 is detected as a continuous output shaft angle. The second output shaft sensor 13 is configured to detect the rotation angle of the output shaft 18. For example, the second output shaft sensor 13 is configured with a Hall element. The rotation position (output angle) of the output shaft 18 is detected as a continuous output shaft angle.

[0035] The first motor rotation angle sensor 14 is configured to detect the rotation angle of the rotor (not shown) of the motor 11. For example, the first motor rotation angle sensor 14 is configured from an MR sensor (Magneto Resistive Sensor). The second motor rotation angle sensor 15 is configured to detect the rotation angle of the rotor (not shown) of the motor 11. For example, the second motor rotation angle sensor 15 is configured from an MR sensor.

[0036] The shift device 100 has a redundant drive system configured by a first drive system 16 and a second drive system 17.

[0037] The first drive system 16 is configured to control the driving of the motor 11 based on the measurement values ​​of the first output shaft sensor 12 and the first motor rotation angle sensor 14. Specifically, the first drive system 16 has a first MCU 161 (an example of a "first control unit" in the claims), a storage unit (not shown), a first driver 162, and a first inverter 163.

[0038] The first MCU 161 is configured to control a voltage that drives the motor 11. The first MCU 161 is a board component having electronic components mounted on a board. The memory unit is a storage device having memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). A first control program for controlling the motor 11 is stored in the memory unit. The first driver 162 is configured to transmit a signal that controls the first inverter 163. The first driver 162 is an electronic component. The first inverter 163 has a plurality (six) of drive FETs (Field Effect Transistors) 164 that are switched ON / OFF by a signal from the first driver 162. The first inverter 163 outputs a sinusoidal three-phase AC voltage (U phase, V phase, and W phase) by switching ON / OFF the plurality of drive FETs 164. The first inverter 163 has an upper arm 163a having a plurality (three) of drive FETs 164, and a lower arm 163b having a plurality (three) of drive FETs 164.

[0039] The second drive system 17 is configured to control the driving of the motor 11 based on the measurement values ​​of the second output shaft sensor 13 and the second motor rotation angle sensor 15. Specifically, the second drive system 17 has a second MCU 171 (an example of the "second control unit" in the claims), a storage unit (not shown), a second driver 172, and a second inverter 173.

[0040] The second MCU 171 is configured to control the voltage that drives the motor 11. The second MCU 171 is a board component with electronic components mounted on a board. The memory unit is a storage device having memories such as ROM and RAM. A second control program for controlling the motor 11 is stored in the memory unit. The second driver 172 is configured to send a signal that controls the second inverter 173. The second driver 172 is an electronic component. The second inverter 173 has multiple (six) drive FETs 174 that are switched ON / OFF by signals from the second driver 172. The second inverter 173 outputs a sinusoidal three-phase AC voltage (U phase, V phase, and W phase) by switching ON / OFF the multiple drive FETs 174. The second inverter 173 has an upper arm 173a having multiple (three) drive FETs 174 and a lower arm 173b having multiple (three) drive FETs 174.

[0041] (Vehicle program rewriting system) 3 to 5, the shift device 100 includes a vehicle program rewriting system 200 for updating each of the first control program of the first MCU 161 and the second control program of the second MCU 171. Here, each of the first control program of the first MCU 161 and the second control program of the second MCU 171 is updated when the vehicle is inspected at a dealer, a factory, or the like. When the vehicle is inspected at a dealer, a factory, or the like, an operator connects a program update unit 300 to the vehicle program rewriting system 200, thereby updating each of the first control program of the first MCU 161 and the second control program of the second MCU 171.

[0042] 3, the program update unit 300 is a device (repro tool) for updating the first control program of the first MCU 161 and the second control program of the second MCU 171. The program update unit 300 includes a storage unit 301, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 302, a transmission unit 303, and a reception unit 304.

[0043] The storage unit 301 is a storage device having memories such as ROM and RAM. The storage unit 301 stores an update execution program 301a, program update information 301b, and destination information 301c. The CPU 302 is configured to process the update execution program 301a. The transmission unit 303 is configured to transmit information (data) from the program update unit 300. The reception unit 304 is configured to receive information (data) from other devices.

[0044] As shown in Figure 4, program update information 301b includes update unit identification information 310, first control program update information 311, and second control program update information 312 (an example of "program update information for the second control program" in the claims). Update unit identification information 310 is a frame ID for identifying program update unit 300. First control program update information 311 is data for updating the first control program. Second control program update information 312 is data for updating the second control program.

[0045] The first control program update information 311 has a date and time 311a, first identification information 311b, and first update data 311c. The date and time 311a is the date and time when the program update unit 300 performed a program update. The first identification information 311b is information for identifying the first update data 311c, which is update information for the first MCU 161 itself, from the program update information 301b. The first identification information 311b is a virtual address assigned to the first MCU 161. The first update data 311c is data for updating parameters of the first control program, etc.

[0046] The second control program update information 312 has a date and time 312a, second identification information 312b, and second update data 312c. The date and time 312a is the date and time when the program update unit 300 performed a program update. The second identification information 312b is information for identifying the second update data 312c, which is update information for the second MCU 171 itself, from the program update information 301b. The second identification information 312b is a virtual address assigned to the second MCU 171. The second update data 312c is data for updating parameters of the second control program, etc.

[0047] The destination information 301c is information for transmitting the program update information 301b to the first MCU 161. The destination information 301c is information based on the ID assigned to the first MCU 161.

[0048] 5, the program update unit 300 is configured to send program update information 301b to the first MCU 161 when rewriting both the first control program and the second control program. That is, the program update unit 300 is configured to send both first control program update information 311 and second control program update information 312 to the first MCU 161 based on destination information 301c of the first MCU 161. In this way, the program update unit 300 is configured to also send second control program update information 312 when sending first control program update information 311.

[0049] Here, the vehicle program rewriting system 200 includes a motor 11 (see FIG. 2), a first MCU 161, a second MCU 171, a plurality of communication lines C1 to C12, a first communication unit 201, and a second communication unit 202. Here, the first MCU 161, the second MCU 171, the plurality of communication lines C7 to C12, the first communication unit 201, and the second communication unit 202 configure an ECU (Electric Control Unit). Note that the first MCU 161 and the second MCU 171 have been described above, so their description will be omitted.

[0050] The communication lines C1 to C6 are communication lines for configuring a global CAN (Controller Area Network). Each of the communication lines C1 to C6 is a serial communication line. The communication line C1 connects the transmitting unit 303 of the program update unit 300 to the communication line C3. The communication line C2 connects the receiving unit 304 of the program update unit 300 to the communication line C4. The communication line C3 connects the transmitting unit 303 to another device. The communication line C4 connects the receiving unit 304 to another device. The communication line C5 branches from the communication line C3 and is connected to the receiving unit of the first communication unit 201. The communication line C6 branches from the communication line C4 and is connected to the transmitting unit of the first communication unit 201. Here, the communication lines C1, C3, C5, and C8 together are an example of the "first communication line" in the claims.

[0051] In this way, the transmitting unit 303 of the program update unit 300 and the receiving unit of the first MCU 161 are connected via communication lines C1, C3, C5, and C8. The receiving unit 304 of the program update unit 300 and the transmitting unit of the first MCU 161 are connected via communication lines C2, C4, C6, and C7. The program update unit 300 and the first MCU 161 communicate with each other via the first communication unit 201 using the CAN.

[0052] The communication lines C7 to C12 are communication lines for configuring the CAN. Each of the communication lines C7 to C12 is a serial communication line. The communication line C7 connects the receiving unit of the first communication unit 201 and the transmitting unit of the first MCU 161. The communication line C8 connects the transmitting unit of the first communication unit 201 and the receiving unit of the first MCU 161. The communication line C9 connects the receiving unit of the second communication unit 202 and the transmitting unit of the second MCU 171. The communication line C10 (an example of a "third communication line" in the claims) connects the transmitting unit of the second communication unit 202 and the receiving unit of the second MCU 171. The communication line C11 (an example of a "second communication line" in the claims) branches off from the communication line C8 and is connected to the receiving unit of the second MCU 171. That is, the communication line C11 branches off from the communication lines C1, C3, C5, and C8 at the portions between the first communication unit 201 and the first MCU 161. The communication line C12 (an example of the "fourth communication line" in the claims) branches off from the communication line C10 and is connected to the receiving unit of the first MCU 161.

[0053] In this way, the first communication unit 201 and the first MCU 161 communicate with each other via communication line C7. The first communication unit 201 and the second MCU 171 communicate with each other via communication line C11. The second communication unit 202 and the second MCU 171 communicate with each other via communication line C9. The second communication unit 202 and the first MCU 161 communicate with each other via communication line C12.

[0054] The first communication unit 201 is configured to establish communication between the program update unit 300 and the first MCU 161. The first communication unit 201 is a CAN IC. The first communication unit 201 is configured to convert signals from the program update unit 300 into signals that can be identified by the first MCU 161. That is, the first communication unit 201 converts the CAN High and CAN Low signals sent from the program update unit 300 into recessive (1) and dominant (0) signals, respectively. Conversely, the first communication unit 201 converts the recessive (1) and dominant (0) signals sent from the first MCU 161 into CAN High and CAN Low signals, respectively.

[0055] The second communication unit 202 is configured to communicate with the second MCU 171. The second communication unit 202 is also configured to establish communication between another device and the second MCU 171. The second communication unit 202 is a CAN IC. The second communication unit 202 is configured to convert signals from the other device into signals that can be identified by the second MCU 171. That is, the second communication unit 202 converts CAN High and CAN Low signals sent from the other device into recessive (1) and dominant (0) signals, respectively. Conversely, the second communication unit 202 converts recessive (1) and dominant (0) signals sent from the second MCU 171 into CAN High and CAN Low signals, respectively.

[0056] <Program update control configuration> 4 and 5, in the vehicle program rewriting system 200 of this embodiment, the second MCU 171 can acquire the second control program update information 312 without going through the first MCU 161. Here, when the second MCU 171 acquires the second control program update information 312 via the first MCU 161, the first MCU 161 must perform processing to determine which of the program update information 301b is the second control program update information 312, and the first MCU 161 must perform processing to determine whether the second MCU 171 has received the second control program update information 312. This increases the processing time required for program update.

[0057] Therefore, when update information 312 (program update information) for the second control program that updates the second control program is sent from the program update unit 300, the second MCU 171 is configured to control the acquisition of update information 312 (program update information) for the second control program from the communication contents between the program update unit 300 and the first MCU 161 acquired via the communication line C11.

[0058] Specifically, the second MCU 171 is configured to perform control to constantly acquire the contents of communication between the program update unit 300 and the first MCU 161 via the communication line C11. The second MCU 171 is configured to perform control to recognize that the program update unit 300 has been connected, based on acquiring update unit identification information 310 from the contents of communication. The second MCU 171 is configured to perform control to acquire date and time 312a and second update data 312c associated with the second identification information 312b from the program update information 301b, based on acquiring second identification information 312b. The second MCU 171 is then configured to perform control to update the second control program, based on the second update data 312c.

[0059] The second MCU 171 is configured to update the second control program and then control the transmission of a notification of update completion to the program update unit 300. Here, in the vehicle program rewriting system 200, the second MCU 171 transmits the notification of update completion to the program update unit 300 by using the echo back function of the second communication unit 202.

[0060] Specifically, the second MCU 171 is configured to perform control to update the second control program and then transmit an update completion notification to the second communication unit 202 via communication line C9. The second communication unit 202 is configured to, upon receiving from the second MCU 171 a notification that the update of the second control program based on the second control program update information 312 (program update information), return the update completion notification to the second MCU 171 via communication line C10 and also perform control to transmit the update completion notification to the first MCU 161 via communication line C12.

[0061] The first MCU 161 is configured to perform control to transmit the update completion notification of the second MCU 171, which is acquired via communication line C12, directly to the program update unit 300. Specifically, the first MCU 161 is configured to perform control to transmit the update completion notification of the second MCU 171 to the first communication unit 201 via communication line C7. Based on the acquisition of the update completion notification of the second MCU 171 from the first MCU 161, the first communication unit 201 is configured to transmit the update completion notification to the program update unit 300 via communication lines C2, C4, and C6.

[0062] As a result, the program update unit 300 recognizes that the update of the second control program in the second MCU 171 has been completed.

[0063] In addition, when update information 311 for the first control program (program update information) for updating the first control program is sent from the program update unit 300, the first MCU 161 is configured to control the updating of the first control program based on the acquisition of the update information 311 for the first control program.

[0064] Specifically, the first MCU 161 is configured to perform control to recognize that the program update unit 300 has been connected, based on the acquisition of update unit identification information 310 from the program update unit 300. The first MCU 161 is configured to perform control to acquire date and time 311a and first update data 311c associated with the first identification information 311b from the program update information 301b, based on the acquisition of first identification information 311b. The first MCU 161 is then configured to perform control to update the first control program, based on the first update data 311c.

[0065] The first MCU 161 is configured to perform control to transmit a notification of update completion to the program update unit 300 after updating the first control program.

[0066] Specifically, the first MCU 161 is configured to update the first control program and then perform control to transmit a notification of update completion to the first communication unit 201 via communication line C7. Upon receiving the notification of update completion of the first MCU 161 from the first MCU 161, the first communication unit 201 is configured to transmit the notification to the program update unit 300 via communication lines C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, and C6.

[0067] As a result, the program update unit 300 recognizes that the update of the first control program in the first MCU 161 has been completed.

[0068] In this way, in the vehicle program rewriting system 200, the first control program of the first MCU 161 and the second control program of the second MCU 171 can be updated consecutively.

[0069] (Program rewrite processing) Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, a program rewriting process showing the update of the first control program in the first MCU 161 and the update of the second control program in the second MCU 171 will be described.

[0070] First, the program rewriting process on the first MCU 161 side will be described.

[0071] In step S101, the first MCU 161 determines whether or not update unit identification information 310 has been acquired from the program update unit 300. If update unit identification information 310 has been acquired, the process proceeds to step S102; if update unit identification information 310 has not been acquired, step S101 is repeated. In step S102, the first MCU 161 determines whether or not first identification information 311b has been acquired. If first identification information 311b has been acquired, the process proceeds to step S103; if first identification information 311b has not been acquired, step S102 is repeated.

[0072] In step S103, the first MCU 161 is configured to perform control to acquire first update data 311c related to the first identification information 311b from the program update information 301b based on the acquisition of the first identification information 311b. Then, in step S104, the first MCU 161 updates the first control program based on the first update data 311c. In step S105, the first MCU 161 transmits a notification of completion of the update to the program update unit 300 via the first communication unit 201.

[0073] In step S106, the first MCU 161 determines whether or not a notification of update completion has been received from the second MCU 171 via the second communication unit 202. If a notification of update completion has been received, the process proceeds to step S107, and if a notification of update completion has not been received, step S106 is repeated. In step S107, the first MCU 161 transmits a notification of update completion for the second MCU 171 directly to the program update unit 300 via the first communication unit 201. This completes the program rewriting process on the first MCU 161 side.

[0074] Next, the program rewriting process on the second MCU 171 side will be described.

[0075] In step S201, the second MCU 171 intercepts the content of communication between the program update unit 300 and the first MCU 161 to determine whether or not update unit identification information 310 has been acquired from the program update unit 300. If update unit identification information 310 has been acquired, the process proceeds to step S202; if update unit identification information 310 has not been acquired, step S201 is repeated. In step S202, the second MCU 171 determines whether or not second identification information 312b has been acquired. If second identification information 312b has been acquired, the process proceeds to step S203; if second identification information 312b has not been acquired, step S202 is repeated.

[0076] In step S203, the second MCU 171 is configured to perform control to acquire second update data 312c related to the second identification information 312b from the program update information 301b based on the acquisition of the second identification information 312b. Then, in step S204, the second MCU 171 updates the second control program based on the second update data 312c. In step S205, the second MCU 171 transmits a notification of completion of the update to the second communication unit 202. This completes the program rewriting process on the second MCU 171 side.

[0077] (Effects of this embodiment) In this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0078] In this embodiment, as described above, when the program update unit 300 transmits program update information 301b for updating the second control program, the second MCU 171 is configured to perform control to acquire second control program update information 312 (program update information for the second control program) from the contents of communication between the program update unit 300 and the first MCU 161, which is acquired via communication lines C11 and C2. This allows the second MCU 171 to acquire the second control program update information 312 without going through the first MCU 161, thereby reducing the amount of processing required to update the second control program in the second MCU 171 by the amount that does not go through the first MCU 161. As a result, the processing time required to update the programs in the first MCU 161 and the second MCU 171 can be shortened.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the vehicle program rewriting system 200 includes the first communication unit 201 that establishes communication between the program update unit 300 and the first MCU 161. The communication line C11 branches off from the communication lines C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, and C8 at portions between the first communication unit 201 and the first MCU 161. This allows the first communication unit 201 to convert a signal transmitted from the program update unit 300 into a signal that can be identified by the first MCU 161 in order to establish communication between the program update unit 300 and the first MCU 161. Therefore, the program update information 301b transmitted from the program update unit 300 and acquired via the communication line C11 can also be identified by the second MCU 171.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the vehicle program rewriting system 200 includes the second communication unit 202 that communicates with the second MCU 171, a communication line C10 that connects the second communication unit 202 and the second MCU 171, and a communication line C12 that branches off from the communication line C10 and is connected to the first MCU 161. The second communication unit 202 is configured to, upon receiving a notification from the second MCU 171 that the update of the second control program based on the program update information 301b has been completed, send back a notification of the update completion to the second MCU 171 and also perform control to transmit the notification of the update completion to the first MCU 161 via the communication line C12. This allows the second MCU 171 to confirm via communication line C10 that the second communication unit 202 has received the notification of update completion, while the notification of update completion of the second MCU 171 sent to the first MCU 161 via communication line C12 can be sent to the program update unit 300 via the first MCU 161, thereby enabling efficient processing by the second communication unit 202.

[0081] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the first MCU 161 is configured to perform control such that the update completion notification of the second MCU 171, which is acquired via the communication line C12, is transmitted as is to the program update unit 300. This allows the first MCU 161 to simply transmit the update completion notification of the second MCU 171 to the program update unit 300, thereby suppressing an increase in the processing load in the first MCU 161.

[0082] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the vehicle program rewriting system 200 includes the motor 11 controlled by the first MCU 161 and the second MCU 171. The first MCU 161 is configured to control updating of the first control program based on acquisition of program update information 301b for updating a first control program for controlling the motor 11 from the program update unit 300. The second MCU 171 is configured to control updating of the second control program based on acquisition of program update information 301b for updating a second control program for controlling the motor 11 from the program update unit 300 via the communication line C11. This allows the second MCU 171 to acquire second control program update information 312 (program update information for the second control program) for controlling the motor 11 without going through the first MCU 161, thereby reducing the amount of processing required to update the second control program of the second MCU 171 by the amount that does not go through the first MCU 161. As a result, the processing time required to update the programs for controlling the motor 11 in the first MCU 161 and the second MCU 171 can be shortened.

[0083] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as described above, in the shift device 100, when the program update unit 300 transmits program update information 301b for updating the second control program, the second MCU 171 is configured to perform control to acquire second control program update information 312 (program update information for the second control program) from the content of communication between the program update unit 300 and the first MCU 161, which is acquired via the communication line C11. This allows the second MCU 171 to acquire the second control program update information 312 without going through the first MCU 161, thereby reducing the amount of processing required to update the second control program of the second MCU 171 by the amount that does not go through the first MCU 161. As a result, it is possible to obtain a shift device 100 that can shorten the processing time for updating the programs of the first MCU 161 and the second MCU 171.

[0084] [Variations] The above-described embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than the description of the above-described embodiments, and further includes all modifications (variations) within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0085] For example, in the above embodiment, the shift device 100 executes rewriting of both the first control program and the second control program, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention may be configured to execute rewriting of either the first control program or the second control program.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the first control program and the second control program are programs for controlling the motor 11, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the first control program and the second control program may each be a program that performs a program necessary for controlling the vehicle (for example, a fault diagnosis of equipment mounted on the vehicle).

[0087] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the echo back function of the second communication unit 202 is used to send a notification of update completion from the second MCU 171 (second control unit) to the program update unit 300 via the second communication unit 202 and the first MCU 161 (first control unit), but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, a communication line may be provided that connects the first control unit and the second control unit, and a notification of update completion may be sent from the second control unit to the program update unit via the first control unit.

[0088] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which shift device 100 of the present invention is applied to a shift device for an automobile, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the shift device may be applied to a shift device for a vehicle other than an automobile, such as a train.

[0089] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, for convenience of explanation, an example was shown in which the control processing of the first MCU 161 (first control unit) and the second MCU 171 (second control unit) was explained using a flow-driven flowchart in which processing is performed sequentially according to a processing flow, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the control processing of the first control unit and the second control unit may be performed by event-driven processing in which processing is performed on an event-by-event basis. In this case, the control processing may be performed completely event-driven, or may be performed in a combination of event-driven and flow-driven. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 11 Motor 100 Shifting Device 171 First MCU (First control unit) 181 Second MCU (Second control unit) 200 Vehicle program rewriting system 201 First Communications Department 202 Second Communications Department 300 Program Update Department 301b Program Update Information 312 Update information for second control program (Program update information for second control program) C1, C3, C5, C8 communication lines (first communication line) C10 communication line (third communication line) C11 communication line (second communication line) C12 communication line (4th communication line)

Claims

1. a first control unit that executes a first control program for controlling the vehicle; a second control unit that is provided separately from the first control unit and that executes a second control program that controls the vehicle; a program update unit that transmits program update information to the first control unit when rewriting at least one of the first control program and the second control program; and a first communication line that connects the first control unit and the program update unit. a second communication line branching from the first communication line and connected to the second control unit; a second communication unit that communicates with the second control unit, the second control unit is configured to, when the program update information for updating the second control program is transmitted from the program update unit, perform control to acquire the program update information for the second control program from communication content between the program update unit and the first control unit acquired via the second communication line; a second communication unit configured to control transmission of a notification of update completion to the first control unit based on the program update information received from the second control unit;

2. a first communication unit that establishes communication between the program update unit and the first control unit; 2. The vehicle program rewriting system according to claim 1, wherein the second communication line branches off from a portion of the first communication line between the first communication unit and the first control unit.

3. A third communication line connecting the second communication unit and the second control unit; a fourth communication line branching from the third communication line and connected to the first control unit, 3. The vehicle program rewriting system according to claim 1, wherein the second communication unit is configured to, based on receiving a notification of completion of updating of the second control program based on the program update information from the second control unit, send the notification of completion of updating back to the second control unit and control the transmission of the notification of completion of updating to the first control unit via the fourth communication line.

4. 4. The vehicle program rewriting system according to claim 3, wherein the first control unit is configured to control the transmission of the update completion notification from the second control unit, which notification is received via the fourth communication line, to the program update unit as is.

5. further comprising a motor controlled by the first control unit and the second control unit; the first control unit is configured to perform control to update the first control program based on acquisition of the program update information for updating the first control program for controlling the motor from the program update unit, The vehicle program rewriting system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second control unit is configured to control updating of the second control program based on obtaining the program update information for updating the second control program from the program update unit via the second communication line.

6. a first control unit that executes a first control program that controls the motor; a second control unit that is provided separately from the first control unit and that executes a second control program to control the motor together with the first control unit; a program update unit that transmits program update information to the first control unit when rewriting at least one of the first control program and the second control program; and a first communication line that connects the first control unit and the program update unit. a second communication line branching from the first communication line and connected to the second control unit; a second communication unit that communicates with the second control unit, the second control unit is configured to, when the program update information for updating the second control program is transmitted from the program update unit, perform control to acquire the program update information for the second control program from communication content between the program update unit and the first control unit acquired via the second communication line; the second communication unit is configured to control transmission of a notification of update completion to the first control unit based on the program update information, based on receiving the notification of update completion of the second control program from the second control unit.

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