Program update device, program update method, and program update program

Abstract

A program update device (18) comprises: an acquisition unit (50) that, when the external environment of a mobile body (14) has changed to a state in which a power conversion device program (24A) for controlling a power conversion device (22) of the mobile body is to be changed, acquires a power conversion device program corresponding to the changed state; and an execution unit (52) that executes installation or activation of the acquired power conversion device program.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a program update device, a program update method, and a program update program.

[0002] This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from patent application serial number 2023-099657, filed June 16, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2022-22833 discloses a program update device for controlling a vehicle, the program update device including: a storage device that stores multiple types of vehicle control software used for multiple types of control of the vehicle; a vehicle control execution unit that controls the vehicle using the vehicle control software; a rewrite processing unit that performs a rewrite process for the vehicle control software to be rewritten among the multiple types of vehicle control software when there is a request to rewrite the vehicle control software; and a state determination unit that determines whether the control processing of the vehicle using the vehicle control software to be rewritten will be executed in conjunction with the rewrite process, and the vehicle control execution unit, when it determines that the control processing will be executed in conjunction with the rewrite process, changes the control state of the vehicle prior to the rewrite process so that the control processing will not be executed in conjunction with the rewrite process. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is preferable to change the control of a power conversion device mounted on a moving object in response to changes in the external environment. However, in order to change the control in response to changes in the external environment, it is necessary to prepare and store in advance a plurality of programs, parameters, etc., depending on the external environment, making it difficult to appropriately control the power conversion device in response to changes in the external environment.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a program update device, a program update method, and a program update program that are capable of appropriately controlling a power conversion device in response to changes in the external environment of a mobile body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A program update device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit that acquires, when the external environment of a mobile body changes to a state in which a program for a power conversion device that controls a power conversion device of the mobile body needs to be changed, the program for the power conversion device that corresponds to the changed state, and an execution unit that installs or activates the acquired program for the power conversion device.

[0007] A program update method according to a second aspect includes a process in which at least one processor, when the external environment of a mobile body changes to a state in which a program for a power conversion device that controls a power conversion device of the mobile body needs to be changed, acquires the program for the power conversion device that corresponds to the changed state, and installs or activates the acquired program for the power conversion device.

[0008] The program update program of the third aspect causes at least one processor to perform processing including, when the external environment of a mobile body changes to a state in which a program for a power conversion device that controls a power conversion device of the mobile body needs to be changed, acquiring the program for the power conversion device that corresponds to the changed state, and performing installation or activation of the acquired program for the power conversion device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an effect that the power conversion device can be appropriately controlled in response to changes in the external environment of the moving body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a vehicle control system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the hardware configuration of a communication ECU. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a communication ECU. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart of a program update process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the technology of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0012] 1, a vehicle control system 10 of this embodiment includes a server 12 and a vehicle 14. The server 12 and the vehicle 14 are connected via a network 16.

[0013] The vehicle 14 includes a communication ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 18, an inverter ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 20, an inverter 22, a memory unit 24, a drive battery 26, a charge control unit 28, a rapid charge port 30, a normal charge port 32, a motor 34, and a GPS receiver 35. The vehicle 14 is an example of a mobile body according to the present disclosure. The inverter 22 is an example of a power conversion device according to the present disclosure.

[0014] The inverter 22 includes a switching circuit 36 ​​and an inverter power supply 38. The switching circuit 36 ​​includes a plurality of switching elements (not shown). The switching elements may be, for example, insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), but are not limited to these. The on / off of each switching element is controlled by instructions from the inverter ECU 20.

[0015] The inverter power supply 38 is turned on and off under the control of the communication ECU 18, and supplies power for driving the gates of the switching elements of the switching circuit 36.

[0016] The switching circuit 36 ​​is supplied with power from the drive battery 26 to drive the motor 34, and the switching circuit 36 ​​is controlled to switch so that a drive voltage for driving the motor 34 is output to the motor 34.

[0017] The storage unit 24 is configured by, for example, a nonvolatile memory, and stores an inverter program 24A executed by the inverter ECU 20. The inverter program 24A is an example of a power conversion device program.

[0018] The communication ECU 18 downloads the inverter program 24A to be executed by the inverter ECU 20 from the server 12 via the network 16, and installs or activates the downloaded inverter program 24A. Here, installing the inverter program 24A refers to storing the inverter program 24A in the storage unit 24 and making it executable. Activating the inverter program 24A refers to enabling a function realized by executing the inverter program 24A. Hereinafter, installing or activating the inverter program 24A may be referred to as updating the inverter program 24A.

[0019] The inverter ECU 20 controls the switching circuit 36 ​​of the inverter 22 by executing an installed or activated inverter program 24A.

[0020] The drive battery 26 is a power source that supplies a DC voltage for driving the motor 34, and charging is controlled by a charging control unit .

[0021] The charging control unit 28 charges the drive battery 26 based on power supplied from an external power source (not shown) to the quick charge port 30 or the normal charge port 32. Specifically, the charging control unit 28 converts an AC voltage such as AC 200 V supplied to the normal charge port 32 into DC to charge the drive battery 26. The charging control unit 28 also charges the drive battery 26 with the high voltage DC supplied to the quick charge port 30.

[0022] A GPS receiver 35 is connected to the communication ECU 18. The GPS receiver 35 receives GPS signals from GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites. The communication ECU 18 calculates the position of the vehicle 14 based on the GPS signals received by the GPS receiver 35.

[0023] 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the communication ECU 18. As shown in FIG.

[0024] The controller 40 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 40A, a read-only memory (ROM) 40B, a random access memory (RAM) 40C, and an input / output interface (I / O) 40D. The CPU 40A, ROM 40B, RAM 40C, and I / O 40D are connected to each other via a bus 40E. The bus 40E includes a control bus, an address bus, and a data bus. A communication unit 41 and a storage unit 42 are connected to the I / O 40D.

[0025] The communication unit 41 is an interface for performing data communication with the server 12, the inverter ECU 20, and the like.

[0026] The storage unit 42 is configured with, for example, a nonvolatile memory. As shown in Fig. 2, the storage unit 42 stores a program update program 42A and the like.

[0027] The CPU 40A is an example of a processor. The term "processor" used here refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes a general-purpose processor (e.g., a CPU) and a dedicated processor (e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device, etc.).

[0028] The program update program 42A may be stored in a non-volatile non-transitory recording medium or distributed via a network and installed in the communication ECU 18 as needed.

[0029] Examples of non-volatile non-transitory recording media include CD-ROMs (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), magneto-optical disks, HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), DVD-ROMs (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), flash memory, and memory cards.

[0030] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the CPU 40A of the communication ECU 18. As shown in Fig. 3, the CPU 40A functionally includes an acquisition unit 50 and an execution unit 52. The CPU 40A functions as each of the functional units by reading and executing a program update program 42A stored in the storage unit 42.

[0031] When the external environment of the vehicle 14 changes to a state in which the inverter program 24A that controls the inverter 22 of the vehicle 14 needs to be changed, the acquisition unit 50 acquires the inverter program 24A corresponding to the changed state from the server 12, for example, via the network 16.

[0032] The execution unit 52 executes installation or activation of the inverter program 24A acquired by the acquisition unit 50. This is because, when the external environment changes, the inverter 22 should be controlled by the inverter program 24A that is suitable for the external environment.

[0033] For example, when the travel area of ​​the vehicle 14 changes to a travel area in which the inverter program 24A should be changed, the acquisition unit 50 may acquire the inverter program 24A corresponding to the changed travel area.

[0034] In this case, when the traveling area of ​​the vehicle 14 crosses a regional boundary, the acquisition unit 50 may acquire the inverter program 24A corresponding to the area beyond the regional boundary. Examples of regions include, but are not limited to, countries, continents, states, prefectures, and cities, towns, and villages. When such a regional boundary is crossed, the acquisition unit 50 may acquire the inverter program 24A corresponding to the area.

[0035] Furthermore, when crossing a border, the acquisition unit 50 may acquire the inverter program 24A that complies with the electromagnetic wave regulations of the country across the border. For example, there are countries with strict electromagnetic wave regulations, such as in Europe. Therefore, when the region in which the vehicle 14 is traveling crosses a border, the acquisition unit 50 may acquire the inverter program 24A that complies with the electromagnetic wave regulations of the country across the border, i.e., the inverter program 24A that controls the inverter 22 at a drive frequency that suppresses the generation of electromagnetic waves.

[0036] The acquisition unit 50 may also acquire the inverter program 24A corresponding to the changed characteristics of the travel area. Here, the characteristics of the travel area are characteristics that should be taken into consideration in controlling the inverter 22 when the vehicle 14 travels.

[0037] For example, if the driving area is a residential area or the like, where the vehicle 14 tends to stop and start frequently, an inverter program 24A may be acquired that enables the vehicle 14 to stop and start smoothly.

[0038] Furthermore, if the driving area is an area characterized by heavy crowds, such as a city or a busy shopping district, an inverter program 24A may be acquired that sets the drive frequency of the inverter 22 to a frequency in the audible range so that people can become aware of the presence of the vehicle 14.

[0039] In addition, if the driving area is characterized by a relatively high number of traffic accidents, an inverter program 24A may be acquired that controls the inverter 22 so that the driving torque of the motor 34 is kept lower than in areas where traffic accidents are relatively few.

[0040] Furthermore, when the acquisition unit 50 can acquire a GPS signal of the vehicle 14 from the GPS receiver 35 mounted on the vehicle 14, it may determine, based on the acquired GPS signal, whether the driving area of ​​the vehicle 14 has changed to a driving area in which the inverter program 24A should be changed. When the acquisition unit 50 cannot acquire a GPS signal, it may determine whether the driving area of ​​the vehicle 14 has changed using a communication address for communicating with an external device via the network 16. For example, the GPS receiver 35 may be unable to acquire a GPS signal due to a malfunction or other reason. Therefore, when the GPS signal cannot be acquired, the driving area of ​​the vehicle 14 may be identified using a communication address such as an IP address. Note that the communication address is not limited to an IP address as long as it can identify the driving area.

[0041] The acquisition unit 50 may also acquire weather information for the area in which the vehicle 14 is traveling, and when the acquired weather information changes, acquire the inverter program 24A corresponding to the changed weather information. Here, the weather information includes, for example, at least one of temperature information related to temperature and weather information related to weather.

[0042] For example, the acquisition unit 50 may acquire temperature information as weather information, and when the acquired temperature information changes, acquire the inverter program 24A corresponding to the changed temperature information. Here, the temperature information includes at least one of information about the season of the area in which the vehicle 14 is traveling, information about the average temperature, and information about temperature such as the temperature measured by a temperature sensor (not shown). Of the temperature information, the information about the season and information about the average temperature can be acquired by, for example, identifying the area in which the vehicle 14 is traveling based on a GPS signal received by the GPS receiver 35, and requesting temperature information for the identified area from the server 12 via the network 16.

[0043] For example, if the vehicle 14 is traveling in an area with a high average temperature, the inverter program 24A may be acquired with a lower drive frequency for the inverter 22 than in an area with a low average temperature, so that the temperature of the inverter 22 does not become too high.

[0044] The acquisition unit 50 may also acquire weather information as weather information, and when the acquired weather information changes, acquire the inverter program 24A corresponding to the changed weather information.

[0045] Weather information can be obtained, for example, by identifying the area in which the vehicle 14 is traveling based on the GPS signals received by the GPS receiver 35, and requesting weather information for the identified area from the server 12 via the network 16.

[0046] For example, in an area where the vehicle 14 is traveling in rainy or snowy weather, which is prone to slippage, the inverter program 24A having a torque profile that allows stable travel without slippage may be acquired.

[0047] Next, a flowchart of the program update process executed by the CPU 40A of the communication ECU 18 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The process of Fig. 4 is repeatedly executed.

[0048] In step S100, the CPU 40A determines whether or not a GPS signal has been received from the GPS receiver 35. If a GPS signal has been received, i.e., if the current position of the vehicle 14 can be acquired based on the GPS signal, the process proceeds to step S101. On the other hand, if a GPS signal has not been received, i.e., if the current position of the vehicle 14 cannot be acquired based on the GPS signal, the process proceeds to step S102.

[0049] In step S101, the CPU 40A calculates the current position of the vehicle 14 based on the GPS signal acquired from the GPS receiver 35.

[0050] In step S102, the CPU 40A acquires the current location of the vehicle 14 from the IP address used when communicating with an external device such as the server 12 via the network 16.

[0051] In step S103, the CPU 40A determines whether the traveling area of ​​the vehicle 14 has changed to one in which the inverter program 24A should be changed, based on the current position of the vehicle 14 acquired in step S101 or step S102. That is, as described above, it determines, for example, whether the vehicle 14 has crossed a border or whether the characteristics of the traveling area have changed. If the traveling area of ​​the vehicle 14 has not changed to one in which the inverter program 24A should be changed, the process proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, if the traveling area of ​​the vehicle 14 has changed to one in which the inverter program 24A should be changed, the process proceeds to step S105.

[0052] In step S104, the CPU 40A installs or activates the inverter program 24A. Specifically, when installing the inverter program 24A, the CPU 40A obtains the inverter program 24A to be installed, i.e., the inverter program 24A corresponding to the region in which the vehicle 14 travels, from the server 12 and installs it in the storage unit 24. When the inverter program 24A corresponding to the region in which the vehicle 14 travels has already been installed and activation of the inverter program 24A is to be performed, the CPU 40A activates the inverter program 24A. As a result, the communication ECU 18 of the vehicle 14 installs or activates the inverter program 24A.

[0053] In step S105, the CPU 40A acquires weather information for the area in which the vehicle 14 is traveling. For example, the CPU 40A requests the server 12 to acquire weather information for the current location of the vehicle 14 acquired in step S101 or step S102.

[0054] In step S106, the CPU 40A determines whether the weather information for the region in which the vehicle 14 is traveling, acquired in step S105, has changed to weather information that requires the inverter program 24A to be changed. That is, as described above, it determines, for example, whether the temperature information and the weather information have changed. If the weather information for the region in which the vehicle 14 is traveling has changed to weather information that requires the inverter program 24A to be changed, the process proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, if the weather information for the region in which the vehicle 14 is traveling has changed to weather information that requires the inverter program 24A to be changed, the routine ends.

[0055] In step S107, similarly to step S104, the CPU 40A installs or activates the inverter program 24A. Specifically, when installing the inverter program 24A, the CPU 40A obtains the inverter program 24A to be installed, i.e., the inverter program 24A corresponding to the weather information of the region in which the vehicle 14 travels, from the server 12 and installs it in the storage unit 24. When the inverter program 24A corresponding to the weather information of the region in which the vehicle 14 travels has already been installed and activation of the inverter program 24A is to be performed, the CPU 40A activates the inverter program 24A. As a result, the communication ECU 18 of the vehicle 14 installs or activates the inverter program 24A.

[0056] In this manner, in this embodiment, when the external environment of the vehicle 14 changes to a state that requires changing the inverter program 24A that controls the inverter 22 of the vehicle 14, the inverter program 24A corresponding to the changed state is acquired and installed or activated. This allows the inverter 22 to be controlled appropriately in response to the change in the external environment of the vehicle 14.

[0057] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

[0058] In addition, in the above embodiment, the case where the communication ECU 18 executes the process shown in Fig. 4 has been described, but the server 12 may execute the process shown in Fig. 4. In this case, the server 12 serves as the program update device of the present disclosure.

[0059] In addition, the configuration of the vehicle control system 10 described in the above embodiment (see Figure 1) is one example, and it goes without saying that unnecessary parts may be deleted or new parts may be added within the scope of the gist of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0060] Furthermore, the processing flow of the program update program 42A described in the above embodiment (see FIG. 4) is also an example, and it goes without saying that unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the processing order may be changed within the scope of the gist of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the mobile body is described as a vehicle 14, but this is not limiting. The mobile body may be, for example, air mobility such as an airplane, or a ship. In this case, the term "traveling" in this embodiment may be read as "moving."

[0062] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the power conversion device is described as inverter 22 for driving vehicle 14, but this is not limiting. For example, the power conversion device may be an inverter for an air conditioner, an inverter for electric power steering, or a DC-DC converter. Furthermore, the DC-DC converter may be a step-down DC-DC converter, a step-up DC-DC converter, a step-up / step-down DC-DC converter, or a charging DC-DC converter.

[0063] The controller and methods described herein may be implemented by a special-purpose computer having a processor programmed to perform one or more functions embodied in a computer program. Alternatively, the apparatus and methods described herein may be implemented by a special-purpose computer having a processor configured with dedicated hardware logic circuitry. Alternatively, the apparatus and methods described herein may be implemented by one or more special-purpose computers configured by a combination of a processor executing a computer program and one or more hardware logic circuits. Furthermore, the computer program may be stored as instructions executed by a computer on a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium.

[0064] The following notes are provided regarding the technology of the present disclosure.

[0065] <Additional Notes> (Appendix 1) an acquisition unit (50) that acquires, when an external environment of a mobile body (14) changes to a state in which a power conversion device program (24A) that controls a power conversion device (22) of the mobile body needs to be changed, a power conversion device program corresponding to the changed state; an execution unit (52) that executes installation or activation of the acquired program for the power conversion device; A program update device (18) comprising: (Appendix 2) When a travel area of ​​the mobile object changes to a travel area in which the power converter program should be changed, the acquisition unit acquires the power converter program corresponding to the changed travel area. 2. The program update device of claim 1. (Appendix 3) When the moving area of ​​the moving object crosses a boundary of a region, the acquiring unit acquires the power electronics program corresponding to the region beyond the boundary of the region. 3. The program update device according to claim 2. (Appendix 4) the boundary of the region is a national border; When the border is crossed, the acquisition unit acquires the program for the power conversion device that complies with electromagnetic wave regulations of the country across the border. 4. The program update device according to claim 3. (Appendix 5) The acquisition unit acquires the program for the power conversion device corresponding to the characteristics of the changed moving area. 3. The program update device according to claim 2. (Appendix 6) When the acquisition unit can acquire a GPS signal from a GPS receiver (35) mounted on the mobile body, the acquisition unit determines, based on the acquired GPS signal, whether the area of ​​movement of the mobile body has changed to an area of ​​movement in which the program for the power conversion device should be changed; when the acquisition unit cannot acquire the GPS signal, the acquisition unit determines, using a communication address for communicating with an external device, whether the area of ​​movement of the mobile body has changed. 6. A program update device according to any one of appendixes 2 to 5. (Appendix 7) The acquisition unit acquires weather information of a region where the mobile object is moving, and when the acquired weather information changes, acquires the power conversion device program corresponding to the changed weather information. 7. A program update device according to any one of appendices 1 to 6. (Appendix 8) The acquisition unit acquires temperature information as the weather information, and when the acquired temperature information changes, acquires the power conversion device program corresponding to the changed temperature information. 8. The program update device according to claim 7. (Appendix 9) The acquisition unit acquires weather information as the weather information, and when the acquired weather information changes, acquires the power conversion device program corresponding to the changed weather information. 8. The program update device according to claim 7. (Appendix 10) The acquisition unit acquires the program for the power conversion device in which the drive frequency of the power conversion device is changed in response to the changed state. 10. A program update device according to any one of appendices 1 to 9. (Appendix 11) At least one processor (40A) When an external environment of the mobile body changes to a state in which a power conversion device program for controlling a power conversion device of the mobile body needs to be changed, the power conversion device program corresponding to the changed state is acquired; Execute installation or activation of the acquired program for the power conversion device. A program update method that performs a process including: (Appendix 12) At least one processor has When an external environment of the mobile body changes to a state in which a power conversion device program for controlling a power conversion device of the mobile body needs to be changed, the power conversion device program corresponding to the changed state is acquired; Execute installation or activation of the acquired program for the power conversion device. A program update program (42A) that executes a process including the above.

Claims

1. an acquisition unit (50) that acquires, when an external environment of a moving body (14) changes to a state in which a power conversion device program (24A) for controlling a power conversion device (22) of the moving body needs to be changed, a program for the power conversion device corresponding to the changed state; an execution unit (52) that executes installation or activation of the acquired program for the power conversion device; A program update device (18) comprising:

2. When a travel area of ​​the mobile object changes to a travel area in which the power converter program should be changed, the acquisition unit acquires the power converter program corresponding to the changed travel area.

2. The program update device according to claim 1.

3. When the moving area of ​​the moving object crosses a boundary of a region, the acquiring unit acquires the power electronics program corresponding to the region beyond the boundary of the region.

3. The program update device according to claim 2.

4. the boundary of the region is a national border; When the border is crossed, the acquisition unit acquires the program for the power conversion device that complies with electromagnetic wave regulations of the country across the border.

4. The program updating device according to claim 3.

5. The acquisition unit acquires the program for the power conversion device corresponding to the characteristics of the changed moving area.

3. The program update device according to claim 2.

6. When the acquisition unit can acquire a GPS signal from a GPS receiver (35) mounted on the mobile body, it determines whether the area in which the mobile body is moving has changed to an area in which the program for the power conversion device should be changed, based on the acquired GPS signal; when the acquisition unit cannot acquire the GPS signal, it determines whether the area in which the mobile body is moving has changed, using a communication address for communicating with an external device.

3. The program update device according to claim 2.

7. The acquisition unit acquires weather information of a region where the mobile object is moving, and when the acquired weather information changes, acquires the power conversion device program corresponding to the changed weather information.

2. The program update device according to claim 1.

8. The acquisition unit acquires temperature information as the weather information, and when the acquired temperature information changes, acquires the power conversion device program corresponding to the changed temperature information.

8. The program updating device according to claim 7.

9. The acquisition unit acquires weather information as the weather information, and when the acquired weather information changes, acquires the power conversion device program corresponding to the changed weather information.

8. The program updating device according to claim 7.

10. The acquisition unit acquires the program for the power conversion device in which the drive frequency of the power conversion device is changed in response to the changed state.

2. The program update device according to claim 1.

11. At least one processor (40A) When an external environment of a mobile body changes to a state in which a power conversion device program for controlling a power conversion device of the mobile body needs to be changed, the power conversion device program corresponding to the changed state is acquired; Execute installation or activation of the acquired program for the power conversion device. A program update method that performs a process including:

12. At least one processor When an external environment of a mobile body changes to a state in which a power conversion device program for controlling a power conversion device of the mobile body needs to be changed, the power conversion device program corresponding to the changed state is acquired; Execute installation or activation of the acquired program for the power conversion device. A program update program (42A) for executing a process including the above.

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