Vehicle-mounted devices

Abstract

To provide an onboard device, etc., that efficiently responds according to the connected onboard load.SOLUTION: An onboard device to which an onboard load is connected, the onboard device includes: two upstream-side opening / closing switches in which an input terminal is connected to a power supply device that supplies power to the onboard load; two downstream-side opening / closing switches in which an output end is grounded to a ground; and a multi-input / output unit including four switch-side terminals to which the upstream-side opening / closing switches or the downstream-side opening / closing switches are connected, and a plurality of load-side terminals to which the onboard load is connected. Each of the output terminals of the two upstream-side opening / closing switches and each of the input terminals of the two downstream-side opening / closing switches are connected to the respective switch-side terminals of the multi-input / output unit, and the multi-input / output unit is able to set, in accordance with the onboard load connected to the load-side terminal, a connection state of internal wiring in which each of the switch-side terminals and the load-side terminal to which the onboard load is connected are connected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This technology relates to in-vehicle devices.

Background Art

[0002] Vehicles are equipped with a power supply control device (see, for example, Patent Document 1) that controls power supply from a battery to a load. In the power supply control device described in Patent Document 1, a downstream semiconductor fuse is provided in the current path of the current flowing from the battery to the load, and the power supply from the battery to the load is controlled by switching the downstream semiconductor fuse on or off.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the power supply control device described in Patent Document 1 does not consider efficiently dealing with the connected in-vehicle loads.

[0005] This disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an in-vehicle device or the like that can efficiently respond according to the connected in-vehicle loads.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An in-vehicle device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is an in-vehicle device to which an in-vehicle load is connected, comprising a multi-input / output unit including two upstream switches whose input terminals are connected to a power supply device that supplies power to the in-vehicle load, two downstream switches whose output terminals are grounded to ground, four switch-side terminals to which the upstream switches or the downstream switches are connected, and a plurality of load-side terminals to which the in-vehicle load is connected, wherein each of the switch-side terminals of the multi-input / output unit is connected to each of the output terminals of the two upstream switches and each of the input terminals of the two downstream switches, and the multi-input / output unit is configured to be able to set the connection state of the internal wiring connecting each of the switch-side terminals and the load-side terminal to which the in-vehicle load is connected, according to the in-vehicle load connected to the load-side terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, it is possible to provide an in-vehicle device that efficiently responds to connected in-vehicle loads. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an in-vehicle system including an in-vehicle device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram illustrating the internal configuration of an in-vehicle device. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection configuration between an in-vehicle device and an in-vehicle load (forward and reverse load). [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection configuration between an on-board device and an on-board load (forward rotation load). [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection configuration between an in-vehicle device and an in-vehicle load (such as a fail-safe). [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection configuration between an in-vehicle device and an in-vehicle load (connected at both ends). [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the internal wiring configuration of the multi-input / output section. [Figure 8]This is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection configuration between the in-vehicle device and the in-vehicle load (mechatronic integrated load) according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit of the in-vehicle device according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 10] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the load information (load information table) of the connected in-vehicle load. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Invention] First, embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. Furthermore, at least some of the embodiments described below may be combined in any way.

[0010] (1) An in-vehicle device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an in-vehicle device to which an in-vehicle load is connected, comprising a multi-input / output unit including two upstream switches whose input terminals are connected to a power supply device that supplies power to the in-vehicle load, two downstream switches whose output terminals are grounded to ground, four switch-side terminals to which the upstream switches or the downstream switches are connected, and a plurality of load-side terminals to which the in-vehicle load is connected, wherein each of the switch-side terminals of the multi-input / output unit is connected to each of the output terminals of the two upstream switches and each of the input terminals of the two downstream switches, and the multi-input / output unit is configured to be able to set the connection state of the internal wiring connecting each of the switch-side terminals and the load-side terminal to which the in-vehicle load is connected, according to the in-vehicle load connected to the load-side terminal.

[0011] In this embodiment, the in-vehicle device comprises two upstream on / off switches, two downstream on / off switches, and a multi-input / output unit (multi-I / O) to which these on / off switches are connected. loadThe multi-input / output unit (multi-I / O) is connected to at least one of the two upstream and two downstream switches. Each of the two upstream and two downstream switches is connected to the multi-input / output unit, and the multi-input / output unit is configured to allow changes in internal wiring according to the vehicle load. This connection to the vehicle load prevents the occurrence of unused switches to which no vehicle load is connected. By setting (changing) the internal wiring of the multi-input / output unit according to the classification of the connected vehicle load, it becomes possible to perform drive control for any vehicle load of any of the pre-defined classifications, providing a highly available and flexible in-vehicle device. In other words, the number and connection configuration of switches connected to the switch-side terminals of the multi-input / output unit can be standardized (fixed). By setting (changing) the connection state (wiring configuration) of the multi-input / output unit's internal wiring according to the classification of the vehicle load connected to the load-side terminals of the multi-input / output unit, it is possible to flexibly respond to the vehicle load. Therefore, in-vehicle devices can be universally installed (applied) to different vehicle models, and by promoting the standardization of parts, product costs can be reduced.

[0012] (2) An in-vehicle device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the in-vehicle load connected to the load-side terminal of the multi-input / output unit is a forward-reverse load including a forward-reverse motor, and the load-side terminal to which one end of the forward-reverse load is connected is connected by internal wiring to the switch-side terminal to which the output terminal of one of the upstream on / off switches is connected, and to the switch-side terminal to which the input terminal of one of the downstream on / off switches is connected, and the load-side terminal to which the other end of the forward-reverse load is connected is connected by internal wiring to the switch-side terminal to which the output terminal of the other upstream on / off switch is connected, and to the switch-side terminal to which the input terminal of the other downstream on / off switch is connected, and a full bridge circuit is formed by one of the upstream on / off switches, one of the downstream on / off switches, the other upstream on / off switch, and the other downstream on / off switch. The connection state of the internal wiring of the multi-input / output unit is set so that the above configuration is achieved.

[0013] In this embodiment, the on-board load (on-board load connected to an on-board device) connected to the load-side terminal of the multi-input / output unit is a forward-reverse load including a forward-reverse motor, and is driven in the forward direction or in the reverse direction depending on the direction (polarity) of the input current (flowing through the forward-reverse load). When such a forward-reverse load is connected, a first half-bridge circuit is formed by one upstream switch and one downstream switch, and a second half-bridge circuit is formed by the other upstream switch and the other downstream switch. The internal wiring of the multi-input / output unit is set to such a configuration that a full-bridge circuit is formed by these first and second half-bridge circuits. By connecting the internal wiring of the multi-input / output unit (multi-I / O) in this way, a full-bridge circuit can be configured in which currents of different polarities flow through the forward-reverse load, including a forward-reverse motor, and forward and reverse drive control can be performed for the forward-reverse load.

[0014] (3) In an in-vehicle device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the in-vehicle load connected to the load-side terminal of the multi-input / output unit is a forward-rotating load to which current flows only in one direction, and the forward-rotating load includes at least one of a power supply-side load to which the input terminal of the forward-rotating load is connected to the power supply unit, and a ground-side load to which the output terminal of the forward-rotating load is grounded to the ground, and when the forward-rotating load is the power supply-side load, the load-side terminal to which the output terminal of the power supply-side load is connected is connected by the internal wiring to the switch-side terminal to which the input terminal of the downstream-side switch is connected, and when the forward-rotating load is the ground-side load, the load-side terminal to which the input terminal of the ground-side load is connected is connected by the internal wiring to the switch-side terminal to which the output terminal of the upstream-side switch is connected.

[0015] In this aspect, the in-vehicle load connected to the load-side terminal of the multi-input / output unit is a forward rotation load in which current flows only in one direction. The forward rotation load is connected to at least one of the power-side load connected to the power supply device and the ground-side load grounded to the ground. For the power-side load connected to the power supply device, the downstream opening / closing switch connected in series via the internal wiring corresponds to a low-side switch. For the ground-side load grounded (connected) to the ground, the upstream opening / closing switch connected in series via the internal wiring corresponds to a high-side switch. Thus, the forward rotation load includes the in-vehicle load connected to the low-side switch and the in-vehicle load connected to the high-side switch according to the load characteristics or product specifications. However, regardless of the connection mode of the in-vehicle load, it can be flexibly accommodated by setting the connection state of the internal wiring.

[0016] (4) In the in-vehicle device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the in-vehicle load connected to the load-side terminal of the multi-input / output unit is a forward rotation load in which current flows only in one direction. The forward rotation load includes at least one of the power-side load whose input end of the forward rotation load is connected to the power supply device and the ground-side load whose output end of the forward rotation load is grounded to the ground. When the forward rotation load is the power-side load, the load-side terminal to which the output end of the power-side load is connected is connected to each of the switch-side terminals to which the input ends of the two downstream opening / closing switches are connected by the internal wiring. When the forward rotation load is the ground-side load, the load-side terminal to which the input end of the ground-side load is connected is connected to each of the switch-side terminals to which the output ends of the two upstream opening / closing switches are connected by the internal wiring.

[0017] In this aspect, the in-vehicle load connected to the load-side terminal of the multi-input / output unit is a forward rotation load in which current flows only in one direction. The forward rotation load is connected to at least one of the power-side load connected to the power supply device and the ground-side load grounded to the ground. For the power-side load connected to the power supply device, via the internal wiring, two downstream opening / closing swit Parallel circuits in which switches are connected in parallel are connected in series. For a ground-side load grounded (connected) to the ground, a parallel circuit in which two upstream opening / closing switches are connected in parallel is connected in series. Thus, for any forward rotation load (power source-side load or ground-side load), the opening / closing switch (upstream opening / closing switch or downstream opening / closing switch) that is opened and closed when driving and controlling the forward rotation load is duplicated by being connected in parallel. Therefore, by setting (changing) the connection state of the internal wiring of the multi-input / output unit, the opening / closing switch (upstream opening / closing switch or downstream opening / closing switch) connected to the in-vehicle load (forward rotation load) can be duplicated according to the load characteristics of the in-vehicle load (forward rotation load).

[0018] (5) The in-vehicle device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a control unit that performs drive control of the in-vehicle load. When the load current flowing through the in-vehicle load is less than a predetermined value, the control unit performs fail-safe control by complementarily opening and closing two opening / closing switches on the same side in the two downstream opening / closing switches or the two upstream opening / closing switches. When the load current flowing through the in-vehicle load is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the control unit shunts the load current by simultaneously opening and closing two opening / closing switches on the same side in the two downstream opening / closing switches or the two upstream opening / closing switches.

[0019] In this embodiment, the in-vehicle device includes a control unit (microcontroller) that controls the drive of the in-vehicle load. When controlling the drive of the in-vehicle load, the control unit (microcontroller) controls the opening and closing (on / off control) of an on / off switch (upstream on / off switch or downstream on / off switch) connected in series with the in-vehicle load. When two on / off switches (upstream on / off switch or downstream on / off switch) are connected in parallel to a forward-rotating load (power supply load or ground load), the control unit (microcontroller) controls the opening and closing of each of these two parallel-connected on / off switches according to the load characteristics of the forward-rotating load. In the load characteristics of the forward-rotating load, if the load current flowing through the forward-rotating load is less than a predetermined value (low-current load), the control unit (microcontroller) performs fail-safe control by performing complementary on / off control, closing (turning on) only one of the two parallel-connected on / off switches when driving (turning on) the forward-rotating load. In other words, when the forward-rotating load is a low-current load, the control unit (microcontroller) may perform fail-safe control by using the other switch if an abnormality occurs in one of the two switches connected in parallel. Regarding abnormality detection of the switches, for example, abnormalities such as being stuck on (half-on, etc.) or stuck off may be detected based on the voltage value across the switches and the control signal (on signal or off signal) output to the switches. Alternatively, even when both of the two switches connected in parallel are functioning normally, the control unit (microcontroller) may equalize the number of contacts in the two switches by closing (turning on) them alternately when driving the forward-rotating load, thereby extending the service life. In the load characteristics of a forward-rotating load, if the load current flowing through the forward-rotating load is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (high-current load), the control unit (microcontroller) simultaneously closes (turns on) both of the two parallel-connected on / off switches when driving (turns on) the forward-rotating load, and simultaneously opens (turns off) both of the two parallel-connected on / off switches when stopping (turns off) the forward-rotating load.As a result, even if the forward-rotating load is a high-current load, the load current that flows when the forward-rotating load is driven (turned on) will be divided and flow through two switches that are simultaneously closed (turned on). Therefore, a relatively large load current can be divided by two switches connected in parallel. In this way, by setting (changing) the connection state of the internal wiring of the multi-input / output section according to the magnitude of the load current (rated current) included in the load characteristics of the vehicle-mounted load (forward-rotating load), it is possible to flexibly respond to the vehicle-mounted load.

[0020] (6) In an in-vehicle device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the in-vehicle load is a mechatronic integrated load, and the multi-input / output unit and the mechatronic integrated load are connected according to the load specifications of the mechatronic integrated load.

[0021] In this embodiment, load This is a mechatronic integrated load, such as an inverter and a gearbox. The integrated electromechanical load may consist of a module in which a gear and motor are integrated, and may also include a control module such as a microcontroller that controls the inverters, etc. In other words, the electromechanical load may be connected to an in-vehicle network in the same way as an in-vehicle device and function as an in-vehicle ECU. When an electromechanical load is connected to an in-vehicle device, the control unit (microcontroller) of the in-vehicle device may communicate with the electromechanical load and obtain the load specifications of the electromechanical load. The control unit (microcontroller) of the in-vehicle device may determine (set) the connection configuration (internal wiring configuration) for the electromechanical load based on the load specifications obtained from the electromechanical load and the terminal number of the load-side terminal to which the electromechanical load is connected, and perform drive control of the electromechanical load. In this way, even when an electromechanical load is connected to an in-vehicle device, it is possible to flexibly respond by connecting the multi-input / output unit and the electromechanical load according to the load specifications of the electromechanical load and setting the internal wiring configuration.

[0022] (7) An in-vehicle device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the switch-side terminals include a first switch-side terminal, a second switch-side terminal, a third switch-side terminal, and a fourth switch-side terminal, the load-side terminals include a first load-side terminal, a second load-side terminal, a third load-side terminal, and a fourth load-side terminal, the internal wiring includes a first wiring between the first switch-side terminal and the first load-side terminal, a second wiring between the second switch-side terminal and the second load-side terminal, a third wiring between the third switch-side terminal and the third load-side terminal, and a fourth wiring between the fourth switch-side terminal and the fourth load-side terminal, the connection state of the internal wiring is changed by connecting at least two of the first, second, third, and fourth wirings.

[0023] In this embodiment, the switch-side terminals of the multi-input / output unit (multi-I / O) include a first switch-side terminal, a second switch-side terminal, a third switch-side terminal, and a fourth switch-side terminal, and are composed of these four switch-side terminals. The load-side terminals of the multi-input / output unit (multi-I / O) include a first load-side terminal, a second load-side terminal, a third load-side terminal, and a fourth load-side terminal, and are composed of these four load-side terminals. Each corresponding switch-side terminal and each corresponding load-side terminal are connected (wired) by internal wiring. These internal wirings include a first wiring between the first switch-side terminal and the first load-side terminal, a second wiring between the second switch-side terminal and the second load-side terminal, a third wiring between the third switch-side terminal and the third load-side terminal, and a fourth wiring between the fourth switch-side terminal and the fourth load-side terminal. The internal wiring can be changed by connecting at least two of the first, second, third, and fourth connections using interconnection conductors such as jumper wires or jumper pins. By using interconnection conductors in this way, the connection state of the internal wiring can be set (changed) relatively easily. Alternatively, each interconnection conductor may be pre-arranged to comprehensively connect each switch-side terminal and each load-side terminal, and each interconnection conductor may be equipped with a relay (interconnection relay) such as a semiconductor relay or a mechanical relay. In this case, the control unit (microcontroller) may set (change) the connection state of the internal wiring by opening or closing the interconnection relay to connect or disconnect the internal wirings.

[0024] (8) An in-vehicle device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a control unit for driving the in-vehicle load, the control unit acquires load information relating to the in-vehicle load connected to the load-side terminal, and changes the connection state of the internal connections by performing a process to connect at least two of the first, second, third, and fourth connections based on the acquired load information.

[0025] In this embodiment, the control unit (microcontroller) of the in-vehicle device acquires load information relating to the in-vehicle load connected to the load-side terminal of the multi-input / output unit (multi-I / O). The control unit (microcontroller) may acquire the load information relating to the in-vehicle load from an input device such as a diagnostic device connected to the input / output interface of the microcontroller, for example. Alternatively, the control unit (microcontroller) may communicate with an RF tag (radio frequency identification) on the in-vehicle load connected to the load-side terminal of the multi-input / output unit (multi-I / O) and acquire the load information relating to the in-vehicle load. Based on the acquired load information, the control unit (microcontroller) can flexibly respond to the in-vehicle load connected to the multi-input / output unit (multi-I / O) by changing the connection state of the internal connections by performing processing to connect at least two of the first, second, third, and fourth connections.

[0026] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] This disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating its embodiments. An in-vehicle device 1 according to an embodiment of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to these examples and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims, as indicated by the claims.

[0027] (Embodiment 1) The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an in-vehicle system S including an in-vehicle device 1 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the in-vehicle device 1. The in-vehicle system S consists of an in-vehicle device 1 mounted on a vehicle C and an in-vehicle load 4 connected to the in-vehicle device 1 via a power line 51. The in-vehicle device 1 is communicatively connected to a plurality of in-vehicle ECUs 2 via an in-vehicle network 3, and drives (starts power supply) or stops (cuts off power supply) the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the in-vehicle device 1 in response to messages transmitted from these in-vehicle ECUs 2 or output signals from various sensors, etc.

[0028] Vehicle C is equipped with a power supply unit 5 consisting of a lead-acid battery, alternator, or secondary battery. The power supply unit 5 and the on-board device 1 are connected by a power line 51. The power supply unit 5 and the on-board device 1 are not limited to being directly connected by the power line 51; they may also be indirectly connected through an electrical box (junction box) such as a relay box or fuse box between the power supply unit 5 and the on-board device 1.

[0029] The on-board device 1 and the multiple on-board loads 4 are connected by a power line 51, and the on-board device 1 distributes power to these multiple on-board loads 4. In other words, the on-board device 1 functions as a power distribution device that distributes power supplied from the power supply device 5 via the power line 51 to the multiple on-board loads 4 located downstream in the direction of current flow.

[0030] The vehicle load 4 is, for example, an actuator such as a car air conditioner, lamp, or drive motor. The connection configuration of the vehicle load 4 differs depending on the type of load, and these connection configurations include, for example, a high-side switch connection configuration (load type: forward-rotating load 42 / ground-side load), a low-side switch connection configuration (load type: forward-rotating load 42 / power supply-side load), or a full-bridge 92 connection configuration (load type: forward-reverse-reverse load 41). The forward-rotating load 42 is a vehicle load 4 through which current flows in only one direction. The forward-reverse-reverse load 41 includes a forward-reverse motor and is a vehicle load 4 that drives in the forward direction or in the reverse direction depending on the direction (polarity) of the input current (flowing into the forward-reverse-reverse load 41). Details will be described later, but the vehicle device 1 It is equipped with one or more (two in the illustration) multi-input / output units 6 (multi-I / O), and each of the multi-input / output units 6 is connected to four on / off switches (first upstream on / off switch 71, second upstream on / off switch 72, first downstream on / off switch 81, and second downstream on / off switch 82).

[0031] By setting (changing) the connection configuration (connection state) of the internal wiring 62 (first connection 621, second connection 622, third connection 623, and fourth connection 624) of the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) according to the classification (product specifications or model, etc.) of the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O), the in-vehicle device 1 can be connected (supported) universally regardless of the load type of the in-vehicle load 4, and can function as a load type-selecting multi-I / O device. The in-vehicle device 1 may acquire load information (connection configuration) of the connected in-vehicle load 4, and determine and set (change) the connection configuration of the in-vehicle load 4 based on the acquired load information. The in-vehicle device 1 functions as a power control device that controls the starting or stopping of the in-vehicle load 4, etc., by controlling the drive of the in-vehicle load 4 according to the determined connection configuration.

[0032] The on-board device 1 functions as a power control device that controls the driving or stopping of the on-board load 4, and may be a device with relay functions such as a CAN gateway. Alternatively, the on-board device 1 may be an integrated ECU (vehicle computer) that comprehensively controls the entire vehicle C and has relay functions. Alternatively, the on-board device 1 may be individual ECUs connected under the integrated ECU and located in each area of ​​the vehicle C. Alternatively, the on-board device 1 may be configured as a body ECU that controls the body system actuators of the vehicle C. Alternatively, the on-board device 1 may be a PLB (Power LAN Box) that, in addition to relaying communications, also functions as a power distribution device that distributes and relays power output from a power supply device 5 such as a secondary battery and supplies power to on-board devices such as actuators.

[0033] The in-vehicle device 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, and an input / output interface 14, which may be packaged together by, for example, a microcontroller 10. Furthermore, the in-vehicle device 1 includes one or more (two in the illustration) multi-input / output units 6 (multi-I / O). Each multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) has two upstream on / off switches (first upstream on / off switch 71, second upstream on / off switch 72) and two downstream on / off switches (first downstream on / off switch 81, second downstream on / off switch 82), which are connected to the switch-side terminals (first switch-side terminal 601, second switch-side terminal 602, third switch-side terminal 603, fourth switch-side terminal 604) of the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O). These first upstream switch 71, second upstream switch 72, first downstream switch 81, and second downstream switch 82 are connected to the input / output interface 14 (microcontroller 10) via signal line 140.

[0034] The control unit 11 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and performs various control and calculation processes by reading and executing a control program P (program product) and data pre-stored in the memory unit 12. The control unit 11 controls the opening and closing of the first upstream switch 71, the second upstream switch 72, the first downstream switch 81, and the second downstream switch 82 connected to the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) by outputting control signals such as duty cycles via the input / output interface 14 and signal line 140.

[0035] The storage unit 12 is composed of volatile memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory), non-volatile memory elements such as ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), or flash memory, or a combination of these storage devices, and stores in advance the control program P (program product) and data referenced during processing. The control program P (program product) stored in the storage unit 12 may be a control program P (program product) read from a recording medium M that the in-vehicle device 1 can read. Alternatively, the control program P (program product) may be downloaded from an external computer (not shown) connected to a communication network (not shown) and stored in the storage unit 12.

[0036] The communication unit 13 is an input / output interface using a communication protocol such as CAN, CAN-FD, or Ethernet (Ethernet / registered trademark), and the control unit 11 communicates with the in-vehicle ECU 2 connected to the in-vehicle network 3 via the communication unit 13. In the in-vehicle device 1, there may be multiple communication units 13.

[0037] The input / output interface 14 is a communication interface for serial communication, for example. The input / output interface 14 includes multiple terminals (signal terminals), and each terminal is connected to a signal line 140 that extends to the gate terminals of the first upstream switch 71, the second upstream switch 72, the first downstream switch 81, and the second downstream switch 82, respectively. The signal line 140 is made up of, for example, a serial cable, a wire harness, or a conductive cable (direct wire) that transmits only one signal.

[0038] Each of the multi-input / output units 6 (multi-I / O) is connected to two upstream switching switches (first upstream switching switch 71, second upstream switching switch 72) and two downstream switching switches (first downstream switching switch 81, second downstream switching switch 82). These first upstream switching switch 71, second upstream switching switch 72, first downstream switching switch 81, and second downstream switching switch 82 are composed of semiconductor switches such as NchFETs (Field effect transistors). Alternatively, these switching switches may be composed of IPDs (Intelligent Power Devices) including NchFETs. Alternatively, these switching switches may be composed of PchFETs.

[0039] The input terminals of the two upstream switches (first upstream switch 71, second upstream switch 72) are connected to the power supply unit 5 via the power line 51. These two upstream switches (first upstream switch 71, second upstream switch 72) function as high-side switches. The output terminals of the two upstream switches (first upstream switch 71, second upstream switch 72) are connected to the switch-side terminals of the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) (first upstream switch 71 to first switch-side terminal 601, second upstream switch 72 to second switch-side terminal 602) via an internal bus or conductor such as a land. The control terminals of the two upstream switches (first upstream switch 71, second upstream switch 72) are connected to the input / output interface 14 (microcontroller 10) via the signal line 140.

[0040] The input terminals of the two downstream switches (first downstream switch 81, second downstream switch 82) are connected to the switch-side terminals of the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) via an internal bus or conductor such as a land (the first downstream switch 81 is connected to the third switch-side terminal 603, and the second downstream switch 82 is connected to the fourth switch-side terminal 604). These two downstream switches (first downstream switch 81, second downstream switch 82) function as low-side switches. The output terminals of the two downstream switches (first downstream switch 81, second downstream switch 82) are connected (grounded) via a power line 51 to a common ground (GND), such as the body of vehicle C. The control terminals of the two downstream switches (first downstream switch 81, second downstream switch 82) are connected to an input / output interface 14 (microcontroller 10) via a signal line 140.

[0041] The multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) includes four switch-side terminals (first switch-side terminal 601, second switch-side terminal 602, third switch-side terminal 603, and fourth switch-side terminal 604) and four load-side terminals (first load-side terminal 611, second load-side terminal 612, third load-side terminal 613, and fourth load-side terminal 614). The multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) further includes four internal connections 62 (first connection 621, second connection 622, third connection 623, and fourth connection 624) that connect each of the four switch-side terminals to each of the four load-side terminals.

[0042] The first switch-side terminal 601 and the first load-side terminal 611 are connected by the first connection 621. The second switch-side terminal 602 and the second load-side terminal 612 are connected by the second connection 622. The third switch-side terminal 603 and the third load-side terminal 613 are connected by the third connection 623. The fourth switch-side terminal 604 and the fourth load-side terminal 614 are connected by the fourth connection 624.

[0043] Each switch-side terminal is connected to one of the on / off switches. Each load-side terminal is connected to the vehicle load 4. Therefore, the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) is positioned between the first upstream on / off switch 71, the second upstream on / off switch 72, the first downstream on / off switch 81, and the second downstream on / off switch 82, and the vehicle load 4 connected to the vehicle device 1.

[0044] In the four internal connections 62 (first connection 621, second connection 622, third connection 623, and fourth connection 624), any two of the internal connections 62 are connected by an interconnection conductor 63, depending on the classification (product specifications or model, etc.) of the on-board load 4 connected to the on-board device 1. By connecting with the interconnection conductor 63, the connection configuration (connection state, wiring state) of the internal connections 62 is set (changed). The interconnection conductor 63 is composed of, for example, jumper wires or jumper pins, and is arranged to connect (bridge) two corresponding internal connections 62, depending on the classification (product specifications or model, etc.) of the on-board load 4 to be connected, and the terminal number of the load-side terminal to which the on-board load 4 is connected. Alternatively, the interconnection conductors 63 may be arranged comprehensively to connect all internal connections 62 (first connection 621, second connection 622, third connection 623, and fourth connection 624) to each other, and by closing (turning on) the relays (interconnection relays) placed on each of these interconnection conductors 63, the corresponding two internal connections 62 may be connected in an energetically energized manner.

[0045] As an example in this embodiment, two forward-rotating loads 42 are connected to the upper multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O). As shown in the figure, one end of the upper forward-rotating load 42 (power supply side load) is connected to the power supply unit 5, and the other end is connected to the third load side terminal 613, which in turn connects to two downstream switching switches (first downstream switching switch 81, second downstream switching switch 82) that function as low-side switches. In this case, the third connection 623 and the fourth connection 624 to which the first downstream switching switch 81 and the second downstream switching switch 82 are connected are connected by an interconnecting conductor 63. As shown in the figure, one end of the lower forward-rotating load 42 (ground side load) is connected to the second load side terminal 612, and the other end is grounded (connected) to ground. The downward forward-rotating load 42 (ground-side load) is connected via the second load-side terminal 612 to two upstream-side switching switches (first upstream-side switching switch 71, second upstream-side switching switch 72) that function as high-side switches. The first connection 621 and the second connection 622, to which the first upstream-side switching switch 71 and the second upstream-side switching switch 72 are connected, are connected by an inter-connection conductor 63.

[0046] As an example in this embodiment, one forward / reverse load 41 is connected to the lower multi-input / output section 6 (multi-I / O). One end of the forward / reverse load 41 is connected to the first load-side terminal 611, and the other end of the forward / reverse load 41 is connected to the fourth load-side terminal 614. In this case, the first connection 621 and the third connection 623, to which the first upstream switch 71 and the first downstream switch 81 are connected, are connected by an inter-connection conductor 63. The second connection 622 and the fourth connection 624, to which the second upstream switch 72 and the second downstream switch 82 are connected, are connected by an inter-connection conductor 63. With the inter-connection conductor 63 arranged in this way, a full-bridge 92 circuit is formed by the first upstream switch, the second upstream switch 72, the first downstream switch 81, and the second downstream switch 82, allowing currents of different polarities to flow through the forward / reverse load 41, including the forward / reverse motor.

[0047] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection configuration between the in-vehicle device 1 and the in-vehicle load 4 (forward / reverse load 41). The connections between each of the switch-side terminals (first switch-side terminal 601, second switch-side terminal 602, third switch-side terminal 603, fourth switch-side terminal 604) and each of the switching switches (first upstream switching switch 71, second upstream switching switch 72, first downstream switching switch 81, second downstream switching switch 82) are as described above. In the illustration of this embodiment, the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the in-vehicle device 1 is the forward / reverse load 41. One end of the forward / reverse load 41 is connected to the first load-side terminal 611. The other end of the forward / reverse load 41 is connected to the fourth load-side terminal 614. The first connection 621 and the third connection 623 are connected by an interconnection conductor 63. The second connection 622 and the fourth connection 624 are connected by an interconnection conductor 63. This constitutes a full bridge 92 circuit consisting of the first upstream switch 71, the second upstream switch 72, the first downstream switch 81, and the second downstream switch 82.

[0048] The control unit 11 (microcontroller 10) drives the forward and reverse-rotating load 41 by closing (turning on) the first upstream switch 71, opening (turning off) the second upstream switch 72, opening (turning off) the first downstream switch 81, and closing (turning on) the second downstream switch 82, thereby supplying current for forward rotation. The control unit 11 (microcontroller 10) drives the forward and reverse-rotating load 41 by opening (turning off) the first upstream switch 71, closing (turning on) the second upstream switch 72, closing (turning on) the first downstream switch 81, and opening (turning off) the second downstream switch 82, thereby supplying current for reverse rotation. In this way, the forward and reverse-rotating load 41 can be driven and controlled by connecting the two corresponding internal connections 62 in the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) with the inter-connection conductor 63.

[0049] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection configuration between the on-board device 1 and the on-board load 4 (forward-rotating load 42). In this embodiment, the on-board load 4 connected to the on-board device 1 is a forward-rotating load 42. Four forward-rotating loads 42 are connected to the on-board device 1; that is, the same number of forward-rotating loads 42 as the number of load-side terminals can be connected. The four forward-rotating loads 42 include two power supply-side loads and two ground-side loads.

[0050] One end of the power supply load is connected to the power supply unit 5. The other end of the power supply load on the left is connected to the third load terminal 613. The other end of the power supply load on the right is connected to the fourth load terminal 614.

[0051] One end of the left-hand ground-side load is connected to the second load-side terminal 612. One end of the right-hand ground-side load is connected to the first load-side terminal 611. The other end of the ground-side load is grounded to the earth.

[0052] When four forward-rotating loads 42 (two power supply loads and two ground loads) are connected to the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O), no inter-connection conductors 63 are provided to connect any two internal connections 62 together. In other words, each individual internal connection 62 (first connection 621, second connection 622, third connection 623, fourth connection 624) is not connected to any other internal connection 62.

[0053] The control unit 11 (microcontroller 10) controls the operation of the four forward-rotating loads 42 connected to the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) by controlling the opening and closing of the on / off switches to which the forward-rotating loads 42 are connected. The control unit 11 (microcontroller 10) controls the operation of the right-side ground-side load (forward-rotating load 42) by controlling the opening and closing of the first upstream on / off switch 71. The control unit 11 (microcontroller 10) controls the operation of the left-side ground-side load (forward-rotating load 42) by controlling the opening and closing of the second upstream on / off switch 72. The control unit 11 (microcontroller 10) controls the operation of the four forward-rotating loads 42 connected to the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) by controlling the opening and closing of the on / off switches to which the forward-rotating loads 42 are connected. The first downstream switch 81 is controlled to open and close, thereby driving the power supply load (forward rotation load 42) on the left. The control unit 11 (microcontroller 10) controls the power supply load (forward rotation load 42) on the right by controlling the second downstream switch 82 to open and close. In this way, by not connecting the internal connections 62 in the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O), it is possible to drive and control four forward rotation loads 42 (two power supply loads and two ground loads).

[0054] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection configuration between the in-vehicle device 1 and the in-vehicle load 4 (fail-safe, etc.). In this embodiment, the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the in-vehicle device 1 is a forward-rotating load 42. Two forward-rotating loads 42 are connected to the in-vehicle device 1, and these two forward-rotating loads 42 include one power supply-side load and one ground-side load.

[0055] One end of the power supply-side load is connected to the power supply unit 5. The other end of the power supply-side load is connected to the third load-side terminal 613. The third connection 623 and the fourth connection 624 are connected by an interconnection conductor 63. Therefore, the other end of the power supply-side load is connected to the input terminals of the first downstream switch 81 and the second downstream switch 82, and a parallel circuit is formed (redundant) by the first downstream switch 81 and the second downstream switch 82.

[0056] One end of the ground-side load is connected to the second load-side terminal 612. The other end of the ground-side load is grounded. The first connection 621 and the second connection 622 are connected by an interconnection conductor 63. Thus, one end of the ground-side load is connected to the input terminals of the first upstream switch 71 and the second upstream switch 72, and a parallel circuit is formed (redundant) by the first upstream switch 71 and the second upstream switch 72.

[0057] The forward-rotating load 42, which is either a power supply-side load or a ground-side load, includes a low-current load in which the load current flowing through the forward-rotating load 42 is less than a predetermined value, and a high-current load in which the load current is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. When the forward-rotating load 42 (power supply-side load or ground-side load) is a low-current load, the control unit 11 (microcontroller 10) controls the drive of the low-current load by controlling only one of the two on / off switches connected to the low-current load. closed By turning one switch on and the other off, these two parallel-connected switches are controlled complementaryly. Furthermore, the control unit 11 (microcontroller 10) may determine if a switch has failed, for example, based on the voltage value across the switches, and perform fail-safe control using the other switch in the parallel circuit when one of the switches fails.

[0058] When the forward-rotating load 42 (power supply side load or ground side load) is a high-current load, the control unit 11 (microcontroller 10) simultaneously opens (off) or closes (on) both switches of the two switches connected to the high-current load when driving the high-current load. As a result, even when the forward-rotating load 42 is a high-current load and the load current is relatively large (above a predetermined value), the current flowing through each of the two switches constituting the parallel circuit can be divided and reduced to half the load current value.

[0059] When the power supply load is a low-current load, the control unit 11 (microcontroller 10) drives and controls the power supply load in a fail-safe configuration by performing complementary control using the first downstream switch 81 and the second downstream switch 82 which constitute a parallel circuit. When the power supply load is a high-current load, the control unit 11 (microcontroller 10) simultaneously controls the opening and closing of the first downstream switch 81 and the second downstream switch 82 which constitute a parallel circuit, thereby dividing the load current flowing through the first downstream switch 81 and the second downstream switch 82.

[0060] If the ground-side load is a low-current load, the control unit 11 (microcontroller 10) will configure the parallel circuit By performing complementary control using the first upstream switch 71 and the second upstream switch 72 that constitute the circuit, the ground-side load is driven and controlled in a fail-safe configuration. If the ground-side load is a high-current load, the control unit 11 (microcontroller 10) simultaneously controls the opening and closing of the first upstream switch 71 and the second upstream switch 72 that constitute the parallel circuit, thereby dividing the load current flowing through the first upstream switch 71 and the second upstream switch 72.

[0061] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection configuration between the on-board device 1 and the on-board load 4 (double-ended connection). In this embodiment, the on-board load 4 connected to the on-board device 1 is a forward-rotating load 42, and is a double-ended connection load with both ends connected to a multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O). One end of the double-ended connection load is connected to the first load-side terminal 611. The other end of the double-ended connection load is connected to the fourth load-side terminal 614. The first connection 621 and the second connection 622 are connected by an inter-connection conductor 63. The third connection 623 and the fourth connection 624 are connected by an inter-connection conductor 63.

[0062] One end of the double-ended load is connected to the input terminals of the first upstream switch 71 and the second upstream switch 72, forming a parallel circuit (duplication) between the first upstream switch 71 and the second upstream switch 72. When the double-ended load is a low-current load, the control unit 11 (microcontroller 10) uses the first upstream switch 71 and the second upstream switch 72, which constitute the parallel circuit, complementaryly to perform fail-safe control. When the double-ended load is a high-current load, the control unit 11 (microcontroller 10) simultaneously controls the opening and closing of the first upstream switch 71 and the second upstream switch 72, which constitute the parallel circuit, to divide the load current.

[0063] The other end of the load connected at both ends is connected to the input terminals of the first downstream switch 81 and the second downstream switch 82, and a parallel circuit is formed (redundant) by the first downstream switch 81 and the second downstream switch 82. When the load connected at both ends is a low current load, the control unit 11 (microcontroller 10) uses the first downstream switch 81 and the second downstream switch 82 that constitute the parallel circuit complementaryly to perform fail-safe control. When the load connected at both ends is a high current load, the control unit 11 (microcontroller 10) simultaneously controls the opening and closing of the first downstream switch 81 and the second downstream switch 82 that constitute the parallel circuit to divide the load current.

[0064] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the wiring configuration of the internal connections 62 of the multi-input / output unit 6. The multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) has four internal connections 62, which include a first connection 621, a second connection 622, a third connection 623, and a fourth connection 624. The first connection 621 connects the first switch-side terminal 601 to the first load-side terminal 611. The second connection 622 connects the second switch-side terminal 602 to the second load-side terminal 612. The third connection 623 connects the third switch-side terminal 603 to the third load-side terminal 613. The fourth connection 624 connects the fourth switch-side terminal 604 to the fourth load-side terminal 614. In these internal connections 62, any two of the internal connections 62 are connected by an interconnection conductor 63, depending on the classification of the vehicle load 4 to be connected.

[0065] When the connected vehicle load 4 is a forward / reverse load 41, the first connection 621 and the third connection 623 are connected by an interconnection conductor 63, and further, the second connection 622 and the fourth connection 624 are connected by an interconnection conductor 63. This constitutes a connection configuration (Pattern A) that forms a bull bridge circuit.

[0066] When the connected vehicle load 4 is a forward / reverse load 41 due to a mechatronic integrated load 43 described later, the first connection 621 and the fourth connection 624 are connected by an interconnection conductor 63, and further, the second connection 622 and the third connection 623 are connected by an interconnection conductor 63. This constitutes a connection configuration (pattern B) that results in a half-bridge 91 circuit connection.

[0067] When the connected vehicle load 4 is a forward / reverse load 41, and a fail-safe connection or a high-current energization connection is performed according to the load current of the forward / reverse load 41, the first connection 621 and the second connection 622 are connected by an interconnection conductor 63, and further, the third connection 623 and the fourth connection 624 are connected by an interconnection conductor 63. This constitutes a connection configuration (pattern C) that is either a fail-safe connection or a high-current energization connection.

[0068] If the connected vehicle load 4 is a forward / reverse load 41, and for example, if the forward / reverse load 41 is connected to all four load-side terminals, then there may be no connections between any of the internal connections 62, and no inter-connection conductors 63 may be provided. This results in a connection configuration (pattern D) where there are no connections between the internal connections 62 (1:1 connection). The multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) is configured to switch to one of the connection patterns (patterns A to D) depending on the connection configuration (connection pattern) determined according to the classification of the vehicle load 4 connected to the vehicle device 1.

[0069] (Embodiment 2) Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection configuration between the in-vehicle device 1 and the in-vehicle load 4 (mechatronic integrated load 43) according to Embodiment 2. In the illustration of this embodiment, the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the in-vehicle device 1 is a mechatronic integrated load 43. The mechatronic integrated load 43 includes a forward / reverse motor, similar to the forward / reverse load 41, and is composed of a module in which the inverter, reduction gear (gear), and motor are set (integrated). The mechatronic integrated load 43 may further include a control module such as a microcontroller 10 that controls the inverter, etc., and may be connected to the in-vehicle network 3 and function as an in-vehicle ECU 2.

[0070] In the illustration of this embodiment, one end of the upper electromechanical integrated load 43 is connected to the first load-side terminal 611. The first connection 621 and the fourth connection 624 are connected by an interconnection conductor 63. As a result, the first upstream switch 71 and the second downstream switch 82 constitute a half-bridge 91. The control unit 11 (microcontroller 10) controls the operation of the upper electromechanical integrated load 43 by controlling the opening and closing of the first upstream switch 71 and the second downstream switch 82 that constitute the half-bridge 91.

[0071] In the illustration of this embodiment, one end of the lower electromechanical integrated load 43 is connected to the third load-side terminal 613. The second connection 622 and the third connection 623 are connected by an interconnection conductor 63. As a result, the second upstream switch 72 and the first downstream switch 81 constitute a half-bridge 91. The control unit 11 (microcontroller 10) controls the operation of the lower electromechanical integrated load 43 by controlling the opening and closing of the second upstream switch 72 and the first downstream switch 81 that constitute the half-bridge 91. In this embodiment, the electromechanical integrated load 43 includes a forward-reverse motor, similar to the forward-reverse load 41, but is not limited to this. The electromechanical integrated load 43 may have current flowing in only one direction, similar to the forward-rotating load 42, and may have the same connection configuration as the forward-rotating load 42 in Embodiment 1.

[0072] (Embodiment 3) Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 according to Embodiment 3. When an in-vehicle load 4 is connected to the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) of the in-vehicle device 1, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 performs the following processing in response to an operation signal input from, for example, an input / output I / F 14.

[0073] The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 acquires load information regarding the connected in-vehicle load 4 (S101). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1, for example, during the production stage (production process) of vehicle C, Information such as the product specifications of the connected in-vehicle load 4 is written to the storage unit 12 of the in-vehicle device 1, and the control unit 11 obtains the load information of the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the in-vehicle device 1 by referring to the storage unit 12. Alternatively, if the in-vehicle load 4 is added after the production and shipment of the vehicle C, the control unit 11 may obtain the load information by, for example, obtaining information such as the product specifications of the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the in-vehicle device 1 from a diagnostic device or the like that is communicatively connected to the in-vehicle device 1. Alternatively, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 may obtain the information by communicating with the RF tag (radio frequency identification) provided on the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the load-side terminal of the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) and referring to the load information stored in the RF tag. Alternatively, if the on-board load 4 connected to the load-side terminal of the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O) is a mechatronic integrated load 43, the control unit 11 of the on-board device 1 may acquire load information of the mechatronic integrated load 43 by communicating with the mechatronic integrated load 43 via the on-board network 3.

[0074] When the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 acquires load information relating to the in-vehicle load 4 connected to the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O), it may also acquire the terminal number of the load-side terminal to which the in-vehicle load 4 is connected. When the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 acquires the terminal number of the load-side terminal to which the in-vehicle load 4 is connected, the terminal number may be input by a diagnostic device or an input device such as a keyboard, or the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 may detect the connected load-side terminal (identify the terminal number) by detecting the potential of each of the load-side terminals (first load-side terminal 611, second load-side terminal 612, third load-side terminal 613, fourth load-side terminal 614) of the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O).

[0075] The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 determines the connection configuration of the internal wiring 62 according to the acquired load information (S102). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 may also determine (acquire) the connection configuration of the internal wiring 62 by referring to a load information table stored in the storage unit 12, for example, based on the acquired load information (including the terminal numbers of the connected load-side terminals).

[0076] Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the load information (load information table) of the connected vehicle load 4. Based on the load information of the connected vehicle load 4, information regarding the connection configuration of the internal wiring 62 is stored in the storage unit 12 of the vehicle device 1, for example, in a table format (load information table). The load information table includes, as management items (fields), for example, the load type, the load-side terminal to which the vehicle load 4 is connected, the inter-connection conductor 63 (the internal wiring 62 to be connected), and the on / off switch to be controlled.

[0077] The load type management item stores the classification of the vehicle load 4 connected to the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O). The load-side terminal management item to which the vehicle load 4 is connected stores the terminal number, etc., which uniquely identifies each of the load-side terminals provided by the multi-input / output unit 6 (multi-I / O). The inter-connection conductor 63 (connected internal connection 62) management item stores the combination of connected internal connection 62 according to the classification of the vehicle load 4 stored in the same record. The combination of internal connection 62 indicates the placement location of the inter-connection conductor 63 for connecting the two internal connection 62. The control target switch management item stores the switch number, etc., which uniquely identifies the switch used when driving and controlling the vehicle load 4 of that classification, according to the classification of the vehicle load 4 stored in the same record and the load-side terminal to which the vehicle load 4 is connected.

[0078] When the load type is a forward / reverse load 41, and the load-side terminals to which the vehicle load 4 is connected are the first load-side terminal 611 and the fourth load-side terminal 614, the inter-connection conductors 63 (internal connections 62 to which they are connected) are the inter-connection conductor 63 connecting the first connection 621 and the third connection 623, and the inter-connection conductor 63 connecting the second connection 622 and the fourth connection 624. The switching devices are a first upstream switching switch 71, a second upstream switching switch 72, a first downstream switching switch 81, and a second downstream switching switch 82, and these together constitute a full bridge 92.

[0079] When the load type is a power supply load (forward rotation load 42) and the load-side terminal to which the vehicle load 4 is connected is the third load-side terminal 613, the inter-connection conductor 63 (internal connection 62 to which it is connected) is not present (no connection). The switch to be controlled is the first downstream switch 81.

[0080] If the load type is a power supply load (forward rotation load 42) and the load-side terminal to which the vehicle load 4 is connected is the fourth load-side terminal 614, then there will be no inter-connection conductor 63 (internal connection 62 to which it is connected). The switch to be controlled is the second downstream switch 82.

[0081] If the load type is a ground-side load (forward rotation load 42) and the load-side terminal to which the vehicle load 4 is connected is the first load-side terminal 611, then there will be no inter-connection conductor 63 (internal connection 62 to which it is connected). The switch to be controlled will be the first upstream switch 71.

[0082] If the load type is a ground-side load (forward rotation load 42) and the load-side terminal to which the vehicle load 4 is connected is the second load-side terminal 612, then the inter-connection conductor 63 (the internal connection 62 to which it is connected) will be absent (no connection). The switch to be controlled will be the second upstream switch 72.

[0083] If the load type is a power supply load (low current forward rotation load 42) and the load-side terminal to which the vehicle load 4 is connected is the third load-side terminal 613, then the inter-connection conductor 63 (the internal connection 62 to which it is connected) is the inter-connection conductor 63 that connects the third connection 623 and the fourth connection 624. The switch to be controlled is either the first downstream switch 81 or the second downstream switch 82.

[0084] If the load type is a ground-side load (low-current forward-rotating load 42) and the load-side terminal to which the vehicle load 4 is connected is the second load-side terminal 612, then the inter-connection conductor 63 (the internal connection 62 to which it is connected) is the inter-connection conductor 63 that connects the first connection 621 and the second connection 622. The switch to be controlled is either the first upstream switch 71 or the second upstream switch 72.

[0085] If the load type is a power supply load (high-current forward-rotating load 42) and the load-side terminal to which the vehicle load 4 is connected is the third load-side terminal 613, then the inter-connection conductor 63 (the internal connection 62 to which it is connected) is the inter-connection conductor 63 that connects the third connection 623 and the fourth connection 624. The switches to be controlled are both the first downstream switch 81 and the second downstream switch 82.

[0086] If the load type is a ground-side load (high-current forward-rotating load 42) and the load-side terminal to which the vehicle load 4 is connected is the second load-side terminal 612, then the inter-connection conductor 63 (the internal connection 62 to which it is connected) is the inter-connection conductor 63 that connects the first connection 621 and the second connection 622. The switches to be controlled are both the first upstream switch 71 and the second upstream switch 72.

[0087] When the load type is a double-ended load (high-current forward-rotating load 42), and the load-side terminals to which the vehicle load 4 is connected are the first load-side terminal 611 and the fourth load-side terminal 614, the connection between the wires is The conductor 63 (connected internal connection 62) is an interconnection conductor 63 that connects the first connection 621 and the second connection 622, and an interconnection conductor 63 that connects the third connection 623 and the fourth connection 624. The switches to be controlled are both the first upstream switch 71 and the second upstream switch 72, and both the first downstream switch 81 and the second downstream switch 82.

[0088] If the load type is a double-ended load (low-current forward-rotating load 42), and the load-side terminals to which the vehicle load 4 is connected are the first load-side terminal 611 and the fourth load-side terminal 614, then the inter-connection conductors 63 (connected internal connections 62) will be the inter-connection conductor 63 connecting the first connection 621 and the second connection 622, and the inter-connection conductor 63 connecting the third connection 623 and the fourth connection 624. The controllable switching switches will be either the first upstream switching switch 71 or the second upstream switching switch 72, and either the first downstream switching switch 81 or the second downstream switching switch 82.

[0089] When the load type is an integrated electromechanical load 43 (forward / reverse load 41) and the load-side terminal to which the vehicle load 4 is connected is the first load-side terminal 611, the inter-connection conductor 63 (connected internal connection 62) becomes the inter-connection conductor 63 that connects the first connection 621 and the fourth connection 624. The switches to be controlled are the first upstream switch 71 and the second downstream switch 82, and these constitute the half-bridge 91.

[0090] When the load type is an integrated electromechanical load 43 (forward / reverse load 41) and the load-side terminal to which the vehicle load 4 is connected is the third load-side terminal 613, the inter-connection conductor 63 (connected internal connection 62) becomes the inter-connection conductor 63 that connects the second connection 622 and the third connection 623. The switches to be controlled are the second upstream switch 72 and the first downstream switch 81, which together constitute the half-bridge 91.

[0091] The matters concerning the various connection configurations described above are examples only and are not limited to them. The load information table defines appropriate connection configurations according to each combination of various classifications of the on-board load 4 and each of the connected load-side terminals. If the on-board device 1 has two or more multi-input / output units 6 (multi-I / O), each of the multiple load information tables corresponding to each of these multiple multi-input / output units 6 may be stored in the storage unit 12.

[0092] The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 changes the wiring state of the internal wiring 62 to a determined connection configuration (S103). The inter-connection conductors 63 that connect each of the internal wiring 62 (first wiring 621, second wiring 622, third wiring 623, and fourth wiring 624) are arranged comprehensively to connect all of the internal wiring 62 (first wiring 621, second wiring 622, third wiring 623, and fourth wiring 624) to each other. Each inter-connection conductor 63 that connects each of the internal wiring 62 may have a relay (inter-connection relay), such as a semiconductor relay or a mechanical relay. The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 changes the connection state of the internal wiring 62 by closing (turning on) the inter-connection relay located between the two internal wirings 62 to be connected and opening (turning off) the inter-connection relay located between the two internal wirings 62 to be disconnected, according to the determined connection configuration obtained by referring to the load information table.

[0093] The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 starts drive control of the in-vehicle load 4 (S104). The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 performs drive control of the connected in-vehicle load 4 by referring to a load information table, for example, in response to a message received from another in-vehicle ECU 2 or a signal from various operation switches connected to the in-vehicle device 1. That is, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 1 performs drive control of the connected in-vehicle load 4 by referring to a load information table. Identify the elephant's on / off switches (one or more of the first upstream on / off switch 71, the second upstream on / off switch 72, the first downstream on / off switch 81, and the second downstream on / off switch 82) and control the on / off state of those switches.

[0094] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not in the sense described above, and all modifications within the sense and scope equivalent to the claims are intended.

[0095] With respect to the multiple claims described in the claims, they can be combined with each other regardless of the form of reference. Multiple dependent claims that depend on multiple claims may be described in the claims. Multiple dependent claims that depend on multiple dependent claims may also be described. Even if multiple dependent claims that depend on multiple dependent claims are not described, this does not limit the description of multiple dependent claims that depend on multiple dependent claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] C Vehicle S In-vehicle system 1 In-vehicle device 10 Microcontrollers 11 Control Unit 12 Storage section M recording medium P Control Program (Program Product) 13 Communications Department 14 Input / Output Interfaces 140 signal line 2 In-vehicle ECU 3. In-vehicle network 4 On-vehicle load 41 Forward and reverse load 42 Forward rotation load 43 Mechanical and electrical integrated load 5 Power supply 51 Power lines 6. Multi-input / output section (Multi-I / O) 601 First switch side terminal 602 Second switch side terminal 603 Third switch side terminal 604 Fourth switch side terminal 611 1st load side terminal 612 2nd load side terminal 613 3rd load side terminal 614 4th load side terminal 62 Internal wiring 621 First Connection 622 Second Connection 623 Third Connection 624 Fourth Connection 63 Interconnecting conductors 71. First upstream switch 72. Second upstream switch 81. First downstream switch 82 Second downstream switch 91 Half Bridge 92 Full Bridge

Claims

1. An in-vehicle device to which an in-vehicle load is connected, Two upstream on / off switches, the input terminals of which are connected to a power supply device that supplies power to the vehicle load, Two downstream switching switches whose output terminals are grounded to ground, The system includes a multi-input / output unit comprising four switch-side terminals to which the upstream switch or the downstream switch is connected, and a plurality of load-side terminals to which the vehicle load is connected, Each of the switch-side terminals of the multi-input / output unit is connected to the output terminals of the two upstream switching switches and the input terminals of the two downstream switching switches. The multi-input / output unit is configured to allow setting the connection state of the internal wiring connecting each of the switch-side terminals to the load-side terminals to which the vehicle load is connected, according to the vehicle load connected to the load-side terminals. In-vehicle device.

2. The vehicle load connected to the load-side terminal of the multi-input / output unit is a forward / reverse load including a forward / reverse motor. The load-side terminal to which one end of the forward / reverse load is connected is connected by the internal wiring to the switch-side terminal to which the output terminal of one of the upstream on / off switches is connected, and to the switch-side terminal to which the input terminal of one of the downstream on / off switches is connected. The load-side terminal to which the other end of the forward / reverse load is connected is connected by the internal wiring to the switch-side terminal to which the output terminal of the other upstream switch is connected, and to the switch-side terminal to which the input terminal of the other downstream switch is connected. The internal wiring of the multi-input / output unit is set so that a full-bridge circuit is formed by one of the upstream on / off switches, one of the downstream on / off switches, the other upstream on / off switch, and the other downstream on / off switch. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1.

3. The vehicle load connected to the load-side terminal of the multi-input / output unit is a forward-rotating load in which current flows only in one direction. The forward-rotating load includes at least one of the following: a power supply-side load whose input terminal is connected to the power supply device, and a ground-side load whose output terminal is grounded to the ground. When the forward-rotating load is the power supply-side load, the load-side terminal to which the output terminal of the power supply-side load is connected is connected by the internal wiring to the switch-side terminal to which the input terminal of the downstream-side switching switch is connected. If the forward-rotating load is the ground-side load, the load-side terminal to which the input terminal of the ground-side load is connected is connected, by internal wiring, to the switch-side terminal to which the output terminal of the upstream-side switching switch is connected. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1.

4. The vehicle load connected to the load-side terminal of the multi-input / output unit is a forward-rotating load in which current flows only in one direction. The forward-rotating load includes at least one of the following: a power supply-side load whose input terminal is connected to the power supply device, and a ground-side load whose output terminal is grounded to the ground. When the forward-rotating load is the power supply-side load, the load-side terminal to which the output terminal of the power supply-side load is connected is connected by the internal wiring to the respective switch-side terminals to which the input terminals of the two downstream-side switching switches are connected. If the forward-rotating load is the ground-side load, the input terminal of the ground-side load is connected. The load-side terminals are connected to the respective switch-side terminals, to which the output terminals of the two upstream switching switches are connected, via the internal wiring. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1.

5. The vehicle includes a control unit that performs drive control of the vehicle load, The control unit, If the load current flowing through the vehicle load is less than a predetermined value, fail-safe control is performed by complementaryly controlling the opening and closing of the two downstream switches or the two upstream switches on the same side. If the load current flowing through the vehicle load exceeds a predetermined value, the load current is divided by simultaneously opening and closing the two downstream switches or the two upstream switches on the same side. The in-vehicle device according to claim 4.

6. The aforementioned vehicle-mounted load is a mechatronic integrated load. The multi-input / output unit and the electromechanical integrated load are connected according to the load specifications of the electromechanical integrated load. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1.

7. The switch-side terminals include a first switch-side terminal, a second switch-side terminal, a third switch-side terminal, and a fourth switch-side terminal. The load-side terminals include a first load-side terminal, a second load-side terminal, a third load-side terminal, and a fourth load-side terminal. The internal wiring includes a first connection connecting the first switch-side terminal and the first load-side terminal, a second connection connecting the second switch-side terminal and the second load-side terminal, a third connection connecting the third switch-side terminal and the third load-side terminal, and a fourth connection connecting the fourth switch-side terminal and the fourth load-side terminal. The connection state of the internal wiring is changed by connecting at least two of the first, second, third, and fourth connections. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1.

8. The vehicle includes a control unit that performs drive control of the vehicle load, The control unit, The load information relating to the vehicle load connected to the load-side terminal is acquired, Based on the acquired load information, the connection state of the internal connections is changed by performing a process to connect at least two of the first, second, third, and fourth connections. The in-vehicle device according to claim 7.

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