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

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

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a program update device, a program update method, and a program update program. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Patent Application No. 2023-099657, filed June 16, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[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 process for the vehicle using the vehicle control software to be rewritten will be executed in conjunction with the rewrite process, and when it is determined that the control process will be executed in conjunction with the rewrite process, the vehicle control execution unit changes the control state of the vehicle prior to the rewrite process so that the control process will not be executed in conjunction with the rewrite process.

[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.

[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 the 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] The program update method according to the 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.

[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.

[0010] It is a configuration diagram of a vehicle control system. It is a configuration diagram showing the hardware configuration of a communication ECU. It is a functional block diagram of the communication ECU. It is a flowchart of a program update process.

[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 also 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 charge control unit 28 .

[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 DC voltage 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" as used herein refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes a general-purpose processor (e.g., a CPU) or 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-transient 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 memories, memory cards, etc.

[0030] 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 appropriate 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 vehicle 14 travels across a regional boundary, the acquisition unit 50 may acquire the inverter program 24A corresponding to the region beyond the regional boundary. Examples of regions include, but are not limited to, countries, continents, states, prefectures, and cities, towns, and villages. When the vehicle 14 travels across such a regional boundary, the acquisition unit 50 may acquire the inverter program 24A corresponding to the region.

[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 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 other area 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 area in which the vehicle is being driven is an area characterized by large 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 acquisition unit 50 cannot acquire a GPS signal, it may identify the driving area of ​​the vehicle 14 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 the temperature such as the temperature measured by a temperature sensor (not shown). Of the temperature information, the information about the season and the 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 the temperature information of the identified area from the server 12 via the network 16.

[0043] For example, if the area in which the vehicle 14 is traveling is an area with a high average temperature, an inverter program 24A may be acquired that lowers the drive frequency of the inverter 22 compared to areas 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 the 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, where slippage is likely to occur, 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 executed repeatedly.

[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 obtained 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 obtained 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 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, the CPU 40A 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 CPU 40A 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 CPU 40A ends this routine.

[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 for the region in which the vehicle 14 is traveling, from the server 12 and installs it in the storage unit 24. Furthermore, when the inverter program 24A corresponding to the weather information for the region in which the vehicle 14 is traveling 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 installation or activation of the inverter program 24A is performed by the communication ECU 18 of the vehicle 14.

[0056] In this manner, in this embodiment, when the external environment of the vehicle 14 changes to a state requiring a change to 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 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 disclosed herein.

[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 rearranged within the scope of the gist of the technology of the present disclosure.

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

[0062] In the above embodiment, the power conversion device is the inverter 22 for driving the 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. 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] <Supplementary Notes> (Supplementary Note 1) A program update device (18) comprising: an acquisition unit (50) that, when an external environment of a mobile body (14) changes to a state requiring a change to a power conversion device program (24A) that controls a power conversion device (22) of the mobile body, acquires the 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. (Supplementary Note 2) The program update device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein, when a moving area of ​​the mobile body changes to a moving area requiring a change to the power conversion device program, the acquisition unit acquires the power conversion device program corresponding to the changed moving area. (Supplementary Note 3) The program update device according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein, when the moving area of ​​the mobile body crosses a regional boundary, the acquisition unit acquires the power conversion device program corresponding to the region beyond the regional boundary. (Supplementary Note 4) The program update device according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the boundary of the region is a national border, and when the border is crossed, the acquisition unit acquires the power conversion device program that corresponds to the electromagnetic wave regulations of the country across the border. (Supplementary Note 5) The program update device according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the power conversion device program that corresponds to the characteristics of the changed travel area. (Supplementary Note 6) The program update device according to any one of Supplements 2 to 5, wherein, when a GPS signal can be acquired from a GPS receiver (35) mounted on the mobile body, the acquisition unit determines whether the travel area of ​​the mobile body has changed to a travel area in which the power conversion device program should be changed, based on the acquired GPS signal, and when the GPS signal cannot be acquired, determines whether the travel area of ​​the mobile body has changed, using a communication address for communicating with an external device. (Supplementary Note 7) The program update device according to any one of Supplements 1 to 6, wherein the acquisition unit acquires weather information of the travel area of ​​the mobile body, and when the acquired weather information changes, acquires the power conversion device program that corresponds to the changed weather information. (Supplementary Note 8) The program update device according to Supplementary Note 7, wherein the acquisition unit acquires temperature information as the weather information, and when the acquired temperature information changes, acquires the program for the power conversion device corresponding to the changed temperature information.(Supplementary Note 9) The program update device according to Supplementary Note 7, wherein 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. (Supplementary Note 10) The program update device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 9, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the power conversion device program in which a drive frequency of the power conversion device is changed in accordance with the changed state. (Supplementary Note 11) A program update method, wherein at least one processor (40A) executes processing including: when an external environment of a mobile body changes to a state in which a power conversion device program that controls a power conversion device of the mobile body should be changed, acquires the power conversion device program corresponding to the changed state, and executes installation or activation of the acquired power conversion device program. (Supplementary Note 12) A program update program (42A) that causes at least one processor to execute a process including: when an external environment of a mobile body changes to a state in which a power conversion device program that controls a power conversion device of the mobile body should be changed, acquiring the power conversion device program corresponding to the changed state; and executing installation or activation of the acquired power conversion device program.

Claims

1. A program update device (18) comprising: an acquisition unit (50) that, when the external environment of a moving body (14) changes to a state in which a power conversion device program (24A) that controls a power conversion device (22) of the moving body needs 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.

2. The program update device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the program for the power conversion device corresponding to a changed area of ​​travel of the mobile body when the area of ​​travel of the mobile body changes to an area of ​​travel in which the program for the power conversion device should be changed.

3. The program update device according to claim 2, wherein said acquisition unit acquires said power conversion device program corresponding to an area beyond the boundary of said area when the area through which said mobile object travels crosses a boundary of said area.

4. The program update device according to claim 3, wherein the boundary between the regions is a national border, and when the border is crossed, the acquisition unit acquires the program for the power conversion device that complies with the electromagnetic wave regulations of the country across the border.

5. The program update device according to claim 2, wherein the acquisition unit acquires a program for the power conversion device that corresponds to the changed characteristics of a moving area.

6. The program update device described in claim 2, wherein, when a GPS signal can be acquired from a GPS receiver (35) mounted on the mobile body, the acquisition unit determines, based on the acquired GPS signal, whether or not 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, and, when the GPS signal cannot be acquired, determines whether or not the area in which the mobile body is moving has changed using a communication address for communicating with an external device.

7. The program update device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires weather information for the area in which the mobile body is moving, and when the acquired weather information changes, acquires the program for the power conversion device corresponding to the changed weather information.

8. The program update device according to claim 7, wherein the acquisition unit acquires temperature information as the weather information, and, when the acquired temperature information changes, acquires the program for the power conversion device corresponding to the changed temperature information.

9. The program update device according to claim 7, wherein the acquisition unit acquires weather information as the weather information, and, when the acquired weather information changes, acquires the program for the power conversion device corresponding to the changed weather information.

10. The program update device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition section acquires the program for the power conversion device in which a drive frequency of the power conversion device is changed in response to the changed state.

11. A program update method in which at least one processor (40A) executes a process 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 executing installation or activation of the acquired program for the power conversion device.

12. A program update program (42A) that causes at least one processor to execute a process 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 executing installation or activation of the acquired program for the power conversion device.