Method for calibrating electronic control units

Abstract

Provided is an electric control device that controls drive current for driving an electrically powered device in accordance with an input signal and comprises: a computer for calculating a target value on the basis of the input signal and calculating a control command value for the electrically powered device in accordance with the target value; and an electronic component including at least either an energization circuit for outputting the drive current in accordance with the control command value or a current detection circuit for detecting the drive current and inputting the drive current to the computer. The computer is configured so as to correct the response characteristics of the drive current to the target value to match the response characteristics to previously obtained reference characteristics.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as ECU) for a vehicle that controls electrically powered equipment. )of This relates to a method for calibrating response characteristics. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART There is known an ECU that controls the drive of a solenoid valve by calculating a control command value using a microcomputer and outputting a drive current according to the control command value using electronic components (see Patent Document 1, etc.). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-202309 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, when replacing electronic components with higher performance ones, the response characteristics of the control device generally improve. However, there are cases where it is desired to make the response characteristics of the ECU after replacing the electronic components the same as before the replacement.

[0005] For example, if the response characteristics of an ECU that controls an automatic transmission change due to a change in electronic components, the response characteristics of the hydraulic control device of the automatic transmission will change accordingly. The change in the response characteristics of the hydraulic control device may change the timing of gear shifts, reducing coordination with the engine system. This may increase gear shift shocks and reduce driving performance. To prevent this reduction in driving performance, it becomes necessary to calibrate the engine system and related control systems. However, when reducing the cost of a vehicle system is important, it is necessary to reduce the overall calibration cost of the vehicle system. In such cases, it may be desirable to reduce the change in the response characteristics of the control device due to a change in electronic components in order to avoid the calibration work required in connection with the change in the characteristics of the control device.

[0006] In the case of the control device of Patent Document 1, in order to maintain the response characteristics of the ECU, it is necessary to adjust the PID control gain and each correction process. Such adjustments are required for each temperature range and voltage range, which requires a lot of work. If the response characteristics of the control device cannot be maintained, it will be necessary to make changes to other parts such as the engine and their control, which will require even more work.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic control device capable of suppressing changes in response characteristics before and after changing electronic components. Place The purpose is to provide a calibration method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a computer that calculates a target value based on an input signal and calculates a control command value for an electrically powered device in accordance with the target value, and an energization circuit that outputs a drive current in accordance with the control command value. and, a current detection circuit that detects the drive current and inputs the detected current to the computer; the energizing circuit and the current detecting circuit At least one of is one selected from the first electronic component and the second electronic component Electronic Components It is constructed using In electronic control devices From the first electronic component to the second electronic component In the calibration method for the electronic control device accompanying replacement of the electronic component, No. 1 Electronic components Useda step of collecting a first data set, which is data relating to the relationship between the target value and the drive current, for the electronic control device using a measurement and calculation means; No. 2 Electronic components Used a step of collecting a second data set, which is data relating to the relationship between the target value and the driving current, for the electronic control device using the measurement and calculation means; No. 1 Electronic components Used a step of identifying a response characteristic of the drive current with respect to the target value in an electronic control device as a reference characteristic; No. 2 Electronic components Used The present invention provides a method for calibrating an electronic control device, comprising the steps of: identifying the response characteristic of the drive current relative to the target value in the electronic control device as a calibrated characteristic; and deriving a mutual difference between the reference characteristic and the calibrated characteristic; and programming the computer to correct the calibrated characteristic based on the mutual difference, and adjust the drive current output from the current-carrying circuit of the electronic control device so that the calibrated characteristic matches the reference characteristic. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress changes in response characteristics before and after changing electronic components. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of an electronic control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a functional block diagram of an example of the configuration of an electronic control device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a functional block diagram of another example of the configuration of an electronic control device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of yet another example of the configuration of an electronic control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating calibration of response characteristics by correcting a target value in an electronic control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating calibration of response characteristics by correcting a detected value of a drive current in an electronic control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart showing a procedure for calibrating response characteristics associated with replacement of electronic components in an electronic control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] -Electronic control device- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as ECU) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the ECU according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] The ECU 1 shown in these figures is an on-board control device mounted on an automobile or the like, and includes a computer 2 and electronic components 3. This ECU 1 controls and outputs a drive current (control signal) G that drives an electrically powered device Y in response to an input signal. The input signal on which the ECU 1 controls the electrically powered device Y is a detection signal from at least one sensor (not shown) that detects various values, such as the amount of operation of an operating device such as the accelerator pedal or brake pedal of the automobile, the temperature of various monitored devices, and vehicle speed. The electrically powered device Y controlled by the ECU 1 is an operating device that is driven by the drive current G, such as the solenoid of a fuel injection valve. One ECU 1 generally controls multiple electrically powered devices Y, but it can also control a single electrically powered device Y.

[0014] In addition to the electrically powered device Y, a power source X and a sensor Z are connected to the ECU 1 via connectors. The power source X is, for example, a battery or an ignition switch. The sensor Z is, for example, a temperature sensor that measures the oil temperature of the transmission.

[0015] -Basic functions of a computer- The computer 2 is a microcomputer, and is configured to include a processing device 2a such as a CPU, and memories 2b such as RAM and ROM, and executes various functions by running programs stored in the memory 2b using the CPU 2a. One of the basic functions of the computer 2 is to calculate a target value A of the drive current to be output to the electrically driven device Y based on an input signal, calculate a control command value F for the electrically driven device Y according to the target value A, and output the control command value F to the electronic component 3. This basic function includes a series of functions such as target value calculation 2A, PID control 2B, temperature correction 2C, duty conversion 2D, voltage correction 2E, and PWM output 2F.

[0016] The target value calculation 2A is a function that calculates a target value A of the drive current G for the electrically driven device Y based on input signals relating to the vehicle state, such as the accelerator operation amount, the brake operation amount, and the vehicle speed.

[0017] PID control 2B is a function that corrects target value A calculated by the function of target value calculation 2A based on a detected value H (described later) of drive current G output to electric device Y. For example, target value A is successively corrected so that the difference between target value A and detected value H of drive current G input from electronic component 3 becomes a set value (for example, 0). The target value corrected by the function of PID control 2B is referred to as target value B as appropriate. The design of the method of PID control 2B can be modified as appropriate, and an appropriate algorithm can be selected and applied as appropriate.

[0018] Temperature correction 2C is a function that corrects the temperature characteristics of electric device Y, and further corrects target value B according to the measured temperature (for example, transmission oil temperature) input from sensor Z. The target value corrected by the function of temperature correction 2C is referred to as target value C as appropriate. The design of the method of temperature correction 2C can be modified as appropriate, and an appropriate algorithm can be selected and applied as appropriate.

[0019] Duty conversion 2D is a function for converting a target value C of the drive current G into a PWM command value D.

[0020] Voltage correction 2E is a function that corrects the PWM command value D (corrects the pulse width) according to the voltage of power supply X. The PWM command value corrected by the function of voltage correction 2E will be referred to as PWM command value E as appropriate. The method of voltage correction 2E can be modified as appropriate, and an appropriate algorithm can be selected and applied as appropriate.

[0021] The PWM output 2F is a function that outputs a control command value F (for example, an ON command and an OFF command of a pulse signal) to the electronic component 3 based on the PWM command value E.

[0022] -Electronic Components- 2 includes a current supply circuit 3A, a current detection circuit 3B, and a current reading circuit 3C. The current supply circuit 3A is, for example, a switching element, and outputs a drive current G (generating and outputting a pulse signal) in accordance with a control command value F from the computer 2 to drive the electrically driven device Y. The current detection circuit 3B detects the drive current G output by the current supply circuit 3A and outputs the detected value H to the computer 2. The current reading circuit 3C converts the detected value H of the drive current G detected by the current detection circuit 3B into data that can be calculated by the computer 2, and transmits the data to the computer 2 by means of SPI communication or the like.

[0023] 2 illustrates a case where the energizing circuit 3A is configured as one electronic component (e.g., an IC chip), the current detection circuit 3B and the current reading circuit 3C are each configured as one electronic component (e.g., an IC chip), and the electronic component 3 is configured from multiple electronic components. However, the electronic component 3 may be changed.

[0024] For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the energizing circuit 3A, the current detecting circuit 3B, and the current reading circuit 3C may be configured as a single electronic component (e.g., an IC chip), and may be changed to an electronic component 3' configured as a single electronic component. In Fig. 3, elements that are the same as or correspond to elements shown in Fig. 2 are given the same reference numerals as in Fig. 2, and descriptions thereof will be omitted where appropriate.

[0025] In addition, some of the functions of the electronic component 3 may be implemented in the computer 2. FIG. 4 illustrates, as an example, a configuration in which the current reading circuit 3C is replaced by the functions of the computer 2. The electronic component 3" in FIG. 4 does not include the current reading circuit 3C, but is composed of an energizing circuit 3A and a current detecting circuit 3B. In FIG. 4, elements that are the same as or correspond to elements shown in FIG. 2 are appropriately designated by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 2, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0026] Although not shown, the function of the energizing circuit 3A may be implemented in the computer 2, and the electronic component may consist of only the current detecting circuit 3B, the current reading circuit 3C, or both.

[0027] However, in this embodiment, the electronic components 3, 3′, 3″ include at least one of a current supply circuit 3A that outputs a drive current G in accordance with a control command value F, and a current detection circuit 3B that detects the drive current G and inputs it to the computer 2.

[0028] -Special features of the computer- The computer 2 is configured (programmed) to correct the response characteristic (output characteristic) of the drive current G relative to the target value A to match it with a previously acquired reference characteristic. The reference characteristic is the response characteristic of the drive current G relative to the target value A obtained by an identical or equivalent ECU using electronic components different from those currently installed. For example, if the electronic component 3 of the ECU 1 in FIG. 2 is replaced with the electronic component 3' in FIG. 3 and the ECU 1 in FIG. 2 is replaced with the ECU 1' in FIG. 3, the response characteristic of the drive current G in the ECU 1 in FIG. 2 becomes the reference characteristic. In this case, the response characteristic of the drive current G in the ECU 1' in FIG. 3 becomes the reference characteristic to be calibrated. If the electronic component 3' of the ECU 1' in FIG. 3 is replaced with the electronic component 3" in FIG. 4 and the ECU 1' in FIG. 3 is replaced with the ECU 1" in FIG. 4, the response characteristic of the ECU 1' in FIG. 3 becomes the reference characteristic, and the response characteristic of the ECU 1" in FIG. 4 becomes the reference characteristic to be calibrated.

[0029] Specifically, the computer 2 implements and executes the functions of characteristic matching 2X and 2Y shown in Figures 2 to 4. The computer 2 is configured to intentionally suppress the response characteristics of the ECU, which would increase more than necessary if the characteristics matching 2X and 2Y functions were not in operation, by using the characteristics matching 2X and 2Y functions, and intentionally match the response characteristics to the reference characteristics.

[0030] Characteristic matching 2X is a function that adjusts the drive current G output from the energization circuit 3A by correcting the target value A, thereby matching the response characteristics after replacing the electronic component to the reference characteristics before the electronic component was replaced. For example, if the electronic component 3 in FIG. 2 is replaced with the electronic component 3' in FIG. 3 and the ECU 1 is updated to ECU 1' in terms of hardware, the response output of the drive current G to the target value A may be faster using ECU 1' than using ECU 1, depending on the performance of the energization circuit 3A, etc. Therefore, using the response characteristic data acquired using ECU 1 as the reference characteristic, characteristic matching 2X corrects the target value A to match the response characteristics of ECU 1' to the reference characteristic. The correction of the target value A is performed by filtering the target value A in the characteristic matching 2X process using a filter function incorporating one or more functions, such as moving average processing, delay processing, and adding dead time.

[0031] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the calibration of the ECU's response characteristics using the characteristic matching 2X function (target value correction) of the computer 2. In the figure, line L1 (thin dashed line) represents the target value A calculated by the target value calculation 2A function in response to a certain input signal. Assume that ECU1 in FIG. 2 outputs a drive current G as indicated by line L3 (thick dashed line) in response to line L1. Then, assume that electronic component 3 is replaced with electronic component 3' and ECU1 is updated to ECU1'. Due to the change in response characteristics, ECU1' now outputs a drive current G as indicated by line L4 (two-dot chain line) for the same target value A (line L1).

[0032] In such a case, the characteristic matching 2X function is used to filter the target value A calculated by the target value calculation 2A function, for example by adjusting the parameters of a filter function. Specifically, the target value A of line L1 is corrected to line L2 (thin solid line) so that the response characteristic of ECU1', originally represented by line L4, becomes the response characteristic of line L5 (thick solid line) that matches (approximates) the response characteristic before the part replacement (line L3). Figure 5 shows an example of calibration in which, for the same input signal, the target value A rises more gradually in ECU1' than in ECU1, when the response of the drive current G is faster in ECU1' than in ECU1.

[0033] Characteristic matching 2Y is a function that corrects the detected value H of the drive current G input from the current detection circuit 3B to match the response characteristics after replacing the electronic components to the reference characteristics before the electronic components were replaced. For example, if the electronic component 3 in FIG. 2 is replaced with the electronic component 3' in FIG. 3 and the ECU 1 is updated to ECU 1' in terms of hardware, the feedback of the drive current G may be faster in ECU 1' than in ECU 1 due to factors such as the processing efficiency of the current detection circuit 3B and the current reading circuit 3C. Therefore, using the response characteristic data acquired using ECU 1 as the reference characteristic, characteristic matching 2Y corrects the detected value H to match the response characteristics of ECU 1' to the reference characteristic. The correction of the detected value H is performed by filtering the detected value H in the characteristic matching 2Y process using a filter function incorporating one or more functions, such as moving average processing, delay processing, and adding dead time.

[0034] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the calibration of the response characteristics of an ECU using the characteristic matching 2Y function (correction of the detected value H) of the computer 2. In the figure, line L1 (thin dashed line) represents the target value A calculated by the target value calculation 2A function in response to a certain input signal, as in FIG. 5. In the example of FIG. 6, it is assumed that the behavior of the drive current G output in response to the target value A, which fluctuates along line L1, is similar in ECUs 1 and 1'. For the drive current G exhibiting the same behavior, it is assumed that the detected value H of the drive current G is input to the computer 2 with the characteristic shown by line L13 (thick dashed line) in ECU 1 and the characteristic shown by line L14 (double-dashed line) in ECU 1' (before calibration).

[0035] In such a case, the characteristic matching 2Y function is used to correct the detected value H input from the electronic component, for example by adjusting the parameters of a filter function. That is, the detected value H, which actually behaves as shown by line L14 in ECU1', is corrected by the characteristic matching 2Y process, so that the apparent detected value H in ECU1' matches (approximates) the value before the component replacement (line L13), as shown by line L15 (thick solid line). Figure 6 shows an example in which, for the same drive current G, the response of the detected value H in ECU1' is faster than that of ECU1, but the characteristic of the detected value in ECU1' is calibrated to be slower than that of ECU1.

[0036] -Operation- Here, the operation of an ECU 1' configured by replacing the electronic component 3 of the ECU 1 with an electronic component 3' will be described as an example.

[0037] After startup, the ECU 1' calculates a target value A of a drive current G that drives the electric device Y according to input signals such as the accelerator operation amount through program processing executed by the computer 2, and transmits a control command value F corresponding to the target value A to the electronic component 3. The electronic component 3 converts the received control command value F into a PWM voltage and outputs the drive current G to drive the electric device Y. The drive current G that is supplied to the electric device Y is measured by the electronic component 3 and sequentially input to the computer 2. The computer 2 sequentially corrects the control command value F to be transmitted to the electronic component 3 so that the difference between the detected value H of the drive current G and the control command value F becomes a set value (for example, 0).

[0038] In this process of outputting the drive current G based on the target value A corresponding to the input signal, the computer 2 corrects the response characteristic of the drive current G relative to the target value A using at least one of the characteristic matching functions 2X and 2Y, and matches it to a pre-acquired reference characteristic. As a result, even when an ECU 1' in which the electronic component 3 has been replaced with an electronic component 3' is used, the electrically powered device Y operates in the same way as when the electronic component 3 is used.

[0039] -ECU calibration method- When replacing an electronic component in the ECU according to this embodiment with one having different characteristics, a calibration process is carried out to ensure that the response characteristics of the ECU after the replacement of the electronic component match the response characteristics (reference characteristics) before the replacement of the electronic component. When replacing a first electronic component (the electronic component before replacement) of the ECU with a second electronic component (an electronic component having response characteristics different from those of the first electronic component), the response characteristics of the ECU after the replacement of the first electronic component with the second electronic component are calibrated using the following procedure. This calibration process can be performed, for example, using a measurement and calculation means such as a computer different from the ECUs 1 and 1'. In this description, the first electronic component before replacement is referred to as electronic component 3, and the second electronic component after replacement is referred to as electronic component 3'.

[0040] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure for calibrating the response characteristics of an ECU when an electronic component is replaced.

[0041] Step S11 In order to calibrate the response characteristics of ECU1' after replacing an electronic component, it is necessary to collect relationship data between the target value A and the drive current G before and after the electronic component replacement under the same conditions for the settings of characteristic matching 2X, 2Y, temperature compensation 2C, duty conversion 2D, and voltage compensation 2E. In step S11, when collecting the relationship data, firmware calibration values ​​such as characteristic matching 2X, 2Y, temperature compensation 2C, duty conversion 2D, and voltage compensation 2E are determined. For example, before replacing the electronic component, the operation of the electric device Y and the vehicle using ECU1 is checked, and if necessary, firmware calibration values ​​such as the settings of temperature compensation 2C, duty conversion 2D, and voltage compensation 2E of ECU1 are adjusted so that the operation of the electric device Y and the vehicle is appropriate.

[0042] Then, for example, while changing the accelerator operation amount or the brake operation amount, a first data set, which is data on the relationship between the target value A and the drive current G when the electronic component 3 is used (ECU 1), is collected for a predetermined amount or more (for example, a certain period of time or more). After that, the electronic component 3 is changed (replaced) with the electronic component 3' to update the hardware, and a second data set, which is data on the relationship between the target value A and the drive current G when the electronic component 3' is used (ECU 1'), is collected in the same manner as the first data set was collected. The first data set and the second data set can be stored in the memory 2b of the computer 2, or can be saved in a computer or storage medium different from the ECUs 1 and 1'.

[0043] Of course, the settings of the temperature compensation 2C, duty conversion 2D, and voltage compensation 2E in the ECU 1' are not changed and remain the same as the settings of the temperature compensation 2C, duty conversion 2D, and voltage compensation 2E in the ECU 1 (when the first data set was collected). Furthermore, when the second data set is collected, no parameter adjustments are made to the characteristic matching 2X and 2Y, and the settings of the characteristic matching 2X and 2Y in the ECU 1' are left the same as the settings of the characteristic matching 2X and 2Y in the ECU 1. Therefore, when the first and second data sets are collected, the control command value F output from the computer 2 in the ECU 1, 1' to the electronic components 3, 3' behaves in the same way in response to the same input signal. Furthermore, the detection value H input from the electronic components 3, 3' to the computer 2 in the ECU 1, 1' is used as the basis for the calculation of the PID control 2B in the same way, regardless of whether it is the same or different.

[0044] After the first and second data sets have been collected as described above, the procedure moves to calibration work by adjusting the set values ​​for the characteristic matching 2X and 2Y processes from step S12 onwards.

[0045] Step S12 In step S12, based on the above-described first data set, the response characteristics (e.g., L3 and L13 in FIGS. 5 and 6) of the drive current G relative to the target value A when the electronic component 3 is used (ECU 1) are identified as reference characteristics. Since the first data set is collected before the electronic component is replaced, the identification process of the reference characteristics in step S12 may be performed before the electronic component is replaced in the process of step S11 (e.g., when the first data set is collected).

[0046] Step S13 In the next step S13, based on the second data set, the response characteristics (e.g., L4 and L14 in FIGS. 5 and 6) of the drive current G with respect to the target value A when the electronic component 3' is used (ECU 1') are identified as the characteristic to be calibrated. The identification process of the characteristic to be calibrated in step S13 may be performed in reverse order with the identification process of the reference characteristic (step S12), or may be performed in parallel.

[0047] Step S14 Once the reference characteristic and the calibrated characteristic (response characteristics of the ECU before and after replacement of the electronic component) have been identified, the difference between them is derived in step S14 based on the reference characteristic and the calibrated characteristic.

[0048] Step S15 Once the difference between the reference characteristic and the characteristic to be calibrated has been derived, in step S15, it is determined whether the cause of the difference includes a difference in the characteristics of the current monitors in the ECUs 1 and 1' (i.e., a difference in the behavior of the detected value H resulting from the detection or reading of the drive current G). Whether the difference in the characteristics of the current monitors is affecting the difference can be determined, for example, by comparing the results of measuring the same value of drive current G with the electronic components 3 and 3'. Alternatively, machine learning can be performed on response characteristics collected from another ECU that is the same as or equivalent to the ECUs 1 and 1' and data on calibrations performed, and then a computer can use the learned data to determine whether the difference in the characteristics of the current monitors is affecting the difference based on the reference characteristic and the characteristic to be calibrated.

[0049] Step S16 If it is determined that the characteristic difference between the current monitors is affecting the mutual difference, in step S16, the function used in the characteristic matching 2Y process is adjusted (for example, by parameter setting) to attempt calibration to offset the characteristic difference between the current monitors (to make the calibrated characteristic match or approximate the reference characteristic). The function used in the characteristic matching 2Y process can be adjusted trial-and-error while the ECU 1' is operating, or it can be adjusted according to a calibration value calculated based on the quasi-characteristic and the calibrated characteristic using learning data. In this way, the detected value H of the drive current G input from the electronic component 3' is corrected in the characteristic matching 2Y process, and the computer 2 is programmed so that the calibrated characteristic matches the reference characteristic.

[0050] Step S17 Furthermore, in step S17, the ECUs 1, 1' determine whether the cause of the difference between the reference characteristic and the characteristic to be calibrated includes a characteristic difference in the energized circuit 3A (i.e., the response characteristic in the energized circuit 3A in response to the control command value F). Whether the difference in the characteristic of the energized circuit 3A is affecting the difference in ...

[0051] Step S18 If it is determined that the characteristic difference of the energized circuit 3A is affecting the mutual difference, in step S18, the function used in the characteristic matching 2X process is adjusted (e.g., by parameter setting) to attempt calibration to offset the characteristic difference of the energized circuit 3A (to match or approximate the calibrated characteristic to the reference characteristic). The function used in the characteristic matching 2X process can be adjusted trial-and-error while the ECU 1' is operating, or it can be adjusted according to a calibration value calculated based on the quasi-characteristic and the calibrated characteristic using learning data. In this way, the target value A is corrected and the drive current G output from the energized circuit 3A is adjusted in the characteristic matching 2X process, and the computer 2 is programmed so that the calibrated characteristic matches the reference characteristic.

[0052] Step S19 Finally, in step S19, the calibration process is terminated by confirming whether the calibrated response characteristics of ECU 1' match or are close to those of ECU 1, i.e., the validity of the calibration results. Whether the response characteristics of ECU 1 and ECU 1' are close to each other can be determined by whether the difference between the response characteristics of both ECUs is within a predetermined tolerance.

[0053] 7 shows a typical example of the procedure of the calibration process, and it is possible that the difference between the response characteristics of the ECUs 1 and 1' does not fall within the tolerance even if the procedure of steps S16 and S18 is attempted. In such a case, the procedure of steps S16, S18, or both S16 and S18 is attempted again until the difference between the response characteristics of the ECUs 1 and 1' falls within the tolerance.

[0054] -effect- (1) According to the present invention, as described above, the characteristic matching 2X and / or characteristic matching 2Y functions can suppress changes in the response characteristics of the ECU that accompany replacement of electronic components. In this way, it is possible to suppress changes in the response characteristics before and after replacing electronic components, eliminating the need to calibrate the related control system in response to changes in the ECU's response characteristics. This reduces the number of steps required for calibration work for the entire vehicle system, contributing to reducing the cost of the vehicle system.

[0055] (2) Furthermore, there is no need to make changes to basic parts of the software of the computer 2, such as temperature compensation 2C, duty conversion 2D, and voltage compensation 2E, and the response characteristics of the ECU can be calibrated by adjusting only the settings of characteristic matching 2X and 2Y. This also contributes to reducing the man-hours required for calibration work.

[0056] (3) Furthermore, electronic components may include multiple circuits, and when updating electronic components, differences in the characteristics of any of the circuits may affect the response characteristics of the ECU. In the configuration illustrated in Figure 2, for example, differences in the characteristics of the current supply circuit 3A that generates and outputs the drive current G, and the current monitor (current detection circuit 3B, current reading circuit 3C, or both) that measures the drive current G and inputs it into the computer 2 may individually affect the response characteristics of the ECU.

[0057] In contrast, the ECU of this embodiment has a characteristic matching 2X function for correcting the target value A and a characteristic matching 2Y function for correcting the detected value H. This makes it possible to flexibly adjust the deviation in response characteristics caused by the difference in characteristics of the current-carrying circuit 3A and the deviation in response characteristics caused by the difference in characteristics of the current monitor, and to accurately approximate the waveform of the response characteristics of the ECU after replacing electronic components to the reference characteristics. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1,1',1"...Electronic control device, 2...Computer, 2X,2Y...Characteristic matching, 3,3',3"...Electronic component, 3A...Electrification circuit, 3B...Current detection circuit, A...Target value, F...Control command value, G...Driving current, H...Detected value of driving current, L3,L13...Line (reference characteristic), L4,L14...Line (response characteristic, characteristic to be calibrated), Y...Electric device

Claims

[Claim 1] a computer that calculates a target value based on an input signal and calculates a control command value for an electrically powered device in accordance with the target value; a current supply circuit that outputs a drive current in response to the control command value; a current detection circuit that detects the drive current and inputs the detected current to the computer; A calibration method for an electronic control device in which at least one of the energizing circuit and the current detection circuit is configured using one electronic component selected from a first electronic component and a second electronic component, the method comprising: collecting, by using a measurement and calculation means, a first data set that is relationship data between the target value and the drive current for an electronic control device that uses the first electronic component; collecting, by using the measurement and calculation means, a second data set which is relationship data between the target value and the drive current for an electronic control device using the second electronic component; identifying, as a reference characteristic, a response characteristic of the drive current with respect to the target value in an electronic control device using the first electronic component, based on the first data set; identifying, based on the second data set, a response characteristic of the drive current with respect to the target value in an electronic control device using the second electronic component, as a characteristic to be calibrated; and deriving a mutual difference between the reference characteristic and the calibrated characteristic, The computer is programmed to correct the characteristic to be calibrated based on the mutual difference, and adjust the drive current output from the energization circuit of the electronic control device so that the characteristic to be calibrated matches the reference characteristic. Methods for calibrating electronic control devices.

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