ECU control system and ECU control method

Abstract

This ECU control system (100) comprises: an A-ECU (11) that sleeps when a sleep command is received and that can wake up independently; and a management ECU (10). The A-ECU (11) stores a sleep log and a wakeup log, and transmits the sleep log and the wakeup log to the management ECU (10). The management ECU (10) transmits the sleep log and the wakeup log received from the A-ECU to the outside of the vehicle.

Description

ECU control system and ECU control method

[0001] The present invention relates to an ECU control system and an ECU control method.

[0002] A vehicle black box integrated control system that controls an internal black box is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The black box integrated control system described in Patent Document 1 includes a black box camera built into the vehicle to constantly capture images of the front and rear of the vehicle while the vehicle is moving, a black box memory that stores images captured by the black box camera, and an impact detection sensor that detects impacts to the vehicle. An integrated control unit transmits and receives signals to and from the instrument panel, HUD, AVN, and black box, respectively, and selectively displays images acquired from the black box on the instrument panel, HUD, or AVN. The integrated control unit also stores images acquired from the black box and from the parking assist camera in the black box memory, receives event data from an EDR already installed in the vehicle, and stores the respective images in the black box memory.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-170505

[0004] The black box integrated control system described in Patent Document 1 operates the parking assist camera, EDR, black box, and integrated control unit in order to store the images from the parking assist camera and the event data from the EDR in the black box memory, which poses a problem of large power consumption when recording data.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ECU control system and an ECU control method that can reduce power consumption.

[0006] The present invention solves the above problem by providing an A-ECU that goes to sleep when it receives a sleep command and can wake up independently, and a management ECU, wherein the A-ECU stores a sleep log and a wake-up log and transmits the sleep log and wake-up log to the management ECU, and the management ECU transmits the sleep log and wake-up log received from the A-ECU to the outside of the vehicle.

[0007] According to the present invention, the power consumption of the ECU can be reduced.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of an ECU control system according to this embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a graph showing the characteristics of power consumption during sleep and wake-up of the ECU.

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] 1 is a schematic diagram of an ECU control system 100 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the ECU control system 100 is mounted on a vehicle equipped with a communication network 30 and a battery 1. The vehicle may be a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle equipped with an engine and a motor. The ECU control system 100 may also be mounted on a vehicle powered by an engine (an ICE vehicle).

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, the ECU control system 100 includes a battery 1, a generator 2, a DC-DC converter 3, a management ECU 10, a plurality of A-ECUs 11, a plurality of P-ECUs 12, a power line 20, and a communication network 30. In Fig. 1, the thick lines correspond to the power line 20, and the dotted lines correspond to the communication network 30. The communication network 30 is, for example, a CAN or LIN communication line.

[0012] The battery 1 is a low-voltage power source for operating loads such as auxiliary equipment, the management ECU 10, the A-ECU 11, and the P-ECU 12. The battery 1 is a battery of 60 volts or less, for example a 12 V battery, and is a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery or a lead battery. When the ECU control system 100 is installed in an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, the rated voltage of the battery 1 is lower than the rated voltage of the vehicle's high-voltage battery.

[0013] The generator 2 generates electricity using a rotary drive mechanism driven by the engine. The generated electricity is used to charge the battery 1, to power the drive motor, and to operate the load. The generator 2 is connected to the battery 1 and the load via a DCDC converter 3. The generator 2 is also connected to the drive motor via an inverter. The DCDC converter 3 is a voltage conversion circuit that converts the voltage input from the generator 2 and outputs the converted voltage to the battery and the load. When charging the battery 1 with the power generated by the generator 2, a battery control unit (equivalent to an ECU) controls the DCDC converter 3, and charging power is supplied from the generator 2 to the battery 1 via the DCDC converter 3.

[0014] The management ECU 10 is an electronic control unit that manages the operating states of the A-ECU 11 and the P-ECU 12 connected to the communication network 30. The management ECU 10 transmits a wake-up command to the P-ECU 12 via the communication network 30 to wake up the ECUs. The management ECU 10 also transmits a sleep command to the A-ECU 11 and the P-ECU 12 via the communication network 30 to put the ECUs into sleep mode. The wake-up command is a command to start up the ECUs and transition the ECUs from a sleep state to an active state. The sleep command is a command to transition the ECUs into a sleep state. As will be described later, the A-ECU 11 is an ECU that can be woken up independently, while the P-ECU 12 is an ECU that cannot be woken up independently.

[0015] The management ECU 10 controls the power sources in the vehicle, such as the ACC power source and the IGN power source. For example, the management ECU 10 turns the vehicle's power source on by turning on the ACC power source. When the ACC power source is on, power from the battery 1 is supplied to the P-ECU 12 and the loads controlled by the P-ECU 12, making the P-ECU 12 and the loads operable. When the ACC power source is off, the P-ECU 12 and the loads controlled by the P-ECU 12 cannot operate. Note that the A-ECU 11 and the loads controlled by the A-ECU 11 can operate using power from the battery 1 even when the ACC power source is off. When the IGN power source is on (corresponding to an ignition switch being on), the vehicle is ready to run.

[0016] When communication via the communication network 30 is established (communication active state), the management ECU 10 receives the sleep logs and wake-up logs of each ECU from the A-ECU 11 and the P-ECU 12 and stores them in the memory within the management ECU 10. The management ECU 10 can also communicate with a server outside the vehicle and transmits the sleep logs and wake-up logs stored in the memory to the server outside the vehicle. The management ECU 10 may also control another ECU for communication to communicate with the server and transmit the sleep logs and wake-up logs to the server.

[0017] The A (Active)-ECU 11 is an ECU that goes to sleep when it receives a sleep command from the communication network 30 and can wake up independently. Even when the vehicle's main switch (ignition switch) is off or when the vehicle's power sources such as the ACC power source and IGN power source are off, power from the battery 1 is supplied to the A-ECU 11, so the A-ECU 11 has a sufficient operating power source even when the vehicle is parked. The A-ECU 11 is also connected to the management ECU 10 via the communication network 30.

[0018] When the A-ECU 11 receives a sleep command from the management ECU 10, it goes into sleep mode and stores a sleep log in its internal memory. The sleep log records the sleep time as a history. The sleep time is expressed, for example, as the time from when the sleep command is received until it goes into sleep mode. The A-ECU 11 counts the time while it is running, and stops counting when it goes into sleep mode. The A-ECU 11 stores the number of counts from when it receives the sleep command until it goes into sleep mode as the sleep time. The start of the sleep time is not limited to when the sleep command is received, but may be, for example, when the A-ECU 11 starts executing sleep processing.

[0019] The A-ECU 11 wakes up (enters an activated state) at predetermined intervals and may also wake up when some action, such as an external command, occurs (for example, when vibration is input or radio waves are received). The A-ECU 11 also wakes up when the operation switch of a controlled load is switched from off to on. The controlled load is a load controlled by the A-ECU 11. For example, a vehicle's power seat can be operated to change the seat position and reclining angle using the seat operation switch even when the vehicle is parked (when the vehicle's ACC power supply, IGN power supply, and other vehicle power sources are off). For example, when a user operates the seat operation switch, the A-ECU 11 wakes up in response to an operation command from the seat operation switch. In this way, the A-ECU 11 is an active (autonomous) ECU that can be activated independently without receiving a wake-up command from another ECU, such as the management ECU 10. The A-ECU 11 is not limited to a control unit for controlling a power seat, but may be a control unit for a keyless entry system, for example.

[0020] Furthermore, when the A-ECU 11 wakes up, it stores a wake-up log in its memory. The wake-up log records at least one of the wake-up time and the number of wake-ups as history. The wake-up time is the time from waking up to going to sleep. The number of wake-ups indicates the number of times the ECU has been activated. The A-ECU 11 starts counting time when it wakes up. The A-ECU 11 goes into sleep mode by itself after a predetermined period of time has passed since it woke up, or after the operation of the load to be controlled has ended. The A-ECU 11 starts counting time when it wakes up, and stops counting time when it goes into sleep mode. The A-ECU 11 stores the number of counts from the time it wakes up to the time it goes into sleep mode as the wake-up time.

[0021] The A-ECU 11 records the sleep log and wake-up log in its memory until communication via the communication network 30 is established. That is, the A-ECU 11 maintains the sleep log and wake-up log recorded in its memory. Then, when communication via the communication network 30 is established, the A-ECU 11 transmits the sleep log and wake-up log stored in its memory to the management ECU 10. Note that, if there are multiple wake-ups, the A-ECU 11 may transmit the integrated value of the wake-up time as the wake-up log to the management ECU 10. After transmitting the sleep log and wake-up log to the management ECU 10, the A-ECU 11 deletes the sleep log and wake-up log from its memory.

[0022] The A-ECU 11 may transmit the sleep log and wake-up log to the management ECU 10 when the vehicle functions are operating on power from the generator 2. When the vehicle functions are operating on power from the generator 2, the vehicle's main switch is on (IGN power on) and power is being generated by the generator 2. When the A-ECU 11 transmits the sleep log and wake-up log to the management ECU 10, power from the battery 1 is consumed by the communication. Therefore, in order to prevent a decrease in the remaining capacity of the battery 1 due to the communication of log data, the A-ECU 11 may communicate the log data when the vehicle functions are operating on power from the generator 2.

[0023] The P (Passive)-ECU 12 goes to sleep when it receives a sleep command from the communication network 30, and wakes up when it receives a wake-up command from the communication network 30. Unlike the A-ECU 11, the P-ECU 12 is an ECU that does not wake up on its own. When the vehicle's main switch (ignition switch) is off, or when the vehicle's power sources, such as the ACC power source and IGN power source, are off, power from the battery 1 is not supplied to the P-ECU 12. In other words, while the vehicle is parked, the P-ECU 11 cannot secure operating power. Therefore, the P-ECU 12 cannot wake up on its own. The P-ECU 12 is also connected to the management ECU 10 via the communication network 30.

[0024] When the P-ECU 12 receives a sleep command from the communication network 30, it goes into a sleep state and stores a sleep log in the memory of the P-ECU 12. The method for recording the sleep log (how to take a log) by the P-ECU 12 is the same as that of the A-ECU 11, and it is sufficient to use a time count. The sleep log of the P-ECU 12 is also the same as that of the A-ECU 11.

[0025] The P-ECU 12 wakes up when it receives a wake-up command from the communication network 30. After waking up, the P-ECU 12 goes into a sleep state when it receives a sleep command from the management ECU 10. Unlike the A-ECU 11, the P-ECU 12 does not store a wake-up log. If the P-ECU 12 is functionally unable to wake up on its own, the management ECU 10 can take the lead in managing the wake-up time and number of wake-ups of the P-ECU 12, so the P-ECU 12 does not need to store a wake-up log.

[0026] The next time the P-ECU 12 is started, it transmits the sleep log to the management ECU 10. Since the P-ECU 12 does not wake up by itself, when it receives a wake-up command and wakes up, it becomes ready to transmit the sleep log to the management ECU 10.

[0027] Next, referring to Figure 2, the power consumption when the A-ECU 11 takes a sleep log and a wake-up log (see Figure 2(a)) and the power consumption when the P-ECU 12 takes a sleep log (see Figure 2(b)) will be described. In Figure 2, the horizontal axis represents time, and the high level of the square wave indicates the power consumption when the ECU is awake, and the low level of the square wave indicates the power consumption when the ECU is awake.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2(a), the P-ECU 12 starts counting time when it receives a sleep command. After receiving the sleep command, the P-ECU 12 executes processor processing (sleep processing) required for sleep. The time count continues during sleep processing. The P-ECU 12 ends the time count when it goes to sleep, and stores the time count (Ta) from the time the sleep command is received to the time the sleep processing is completed in memory as a sleep log. The time indicated by the time count (Ta) corresponds to the sleep time.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2(b), the A-ECU 11 starts counting time when it receives a sleep command. After receiving the sleep command, the A-ECU 11 executes sleep processing. The time count continues during sleep processing. The A-ECU 11 ends the time count when it goes into sleep mode, and stores the time count (Tb) from the time the sleep command is received to the time the sleep processing is completed in memory as a sleep log. The time indicated by the time count (Tb) corresponds to the sleep time.

[0030] The A-ECU 11 starts counting time when it wakes up at a predetermined cycle or when it wakes up in response to some action, such as an external command. Wake-up trigger a in FIG. 2(b) indicates the trigger for periodic wake-up. The A-ECU 11 stops counting time when it finishes waking up, and stores the time count (Tc) from the time of wake-up trigger a to the elapse of a predetermined period in memory as a wake-up log. The time indicated by the time count (Tc) corresponds to the wake-up time.

[0031] The A-ECU 11 starts counting time when it receives an operation command from the operation switch of the load to be controlled. The wake-up trigger b in FIG. 2(b) corresponds to receiving an operation command from the operation switch. The A-ECU 11 wakes up and goes to sleep after a predetermined period has elapsed or after the operation of the load to be controlled has ended. The A-ECU 11 ends the time count when it goes to sleep, and stores the time count (Td) from the wake-up trigger b to the time it goes to sleep in memory as a sleep log.

[0032] The A-ECU 11 can wake up and sleep independently. If the A-ECU 11 cannot sleep independently due to some malfunction, the A-ECU 11 will remain awake, consuming power from the battery 1. Furthermore, when the A-ECU 11 wakes up or sleeps independently, communication via the communication network 30 is not established, and other ECUs, including the supervisory ECU 10, cannot grasp the state of the A-ECU 11.

[0033] Furthermore, for example, when the vehicle is parked, in order to collect the operation logs of the A-ECU 11 in the management ECU 10, in addition to the A-ECU 11, the management ECU 10 and the communication network 30 must be in an active state, and communication must be established between the management ECU 10 and the A-ECU 11 via the communication network 30, which results in excessive power consumption.

[0034] Furthermore, if the ECUs connected to the management ECU 10 do not have the function of storing logs of their operation, a system may be possible in which the management ECU 10 stores logs of all the ECUs' operation. However, in such a system, if the number of ECUs is large, the memory capacity of the management ECU becomes excessive.

[0035] In this embodiment, the A-ECU 11 stores a sleep log and a wake-up log in its memory. Therefore, while the vehicle is parked, if the vehicle is unable to go to sleep independently due to some malfunction, or if wake-ups occur frequently for some reason, the sleep log and wake-up log of the ECU can be recorded. When storing the logs, the management ECU 10 does not need to be operating, and communication between the management ECU 10 and the A-ECU 11 does not need to be established via the communication network 30. Therefore, power consumption by the management ECU 10 and the battery 1 can be reduced.

[0036] The A-ECU 11 also transmits a sleep log and a wake-up log to the management ECU 10. This allows the management ECU 10 to grasp the state of the A-ECU 11. Furthermore, since each of the A-ECUs 11 has its own memory for storing logs, the storage capacity of the memory in the management ECU 10 can be reduced.

[0037] As described above, the ECU control system 100 according to this embodiment includes the A-ECU 11, which goes to sleep when receiving a sleep command from the communication network 30 and can wake up independently, and the management ECU 10, which is connected to the A-ECU 11 via the communication network 30. The A-ECU 11 stores a sleep log including a sleep time and a wake-up log including at least one of the wake-up time from waking up to going to sleep or the number of wake-ups, and transmits the sleep log and the wake-up log to the management ECU 10. The management ECU 10 transmits the sleep log and the wake-up log received from the A-ECU 11 to the outside of the vehicle. This reduces the power consumption of the management ECU 10 and the A-ECU 11. Furthermore, even when the network including the communication network 30 and the management ECU 10 goes to sleep, such as while the vehicle is parked, the A-ECU 11 can store the sleep log and the wake-up log. Furthermore, since the A-ECU 11 has a storage capacity for storing logs, the storage capacity of the management ECU 10 can be reduced.

[0038] The ECU control system 100 according to this embodiment also includes a P-ECU 12 that goes to sleep when it receives a sleep command from the communication network 30 and wakes up when it receives a wake-up signal from the communication network 30. The P-ECU 12 stores a sleep log and transmits the sleep log to the management ECU 10 the next time it is started up. The P-ECU 12 does not have the ability to wake up independently. After going to sleep, the P-ECU 12 receives a wake-up log signal and wakes up, becoming ready to transmit the sleep log to the management ECU 10. This allows the management ECU 10 to take a log of the P-ECU 12.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the P-ECU 12 does not store a wake-up log for the P-ECU 12. The P-ECU 12 does not have the ability to wake up on its own, but wakes up in response to a wake-up command sent from the management ECU 10. Therefore, the management ECU 10 can grasp the operation of the P-ECU 12 when it wakes up, so the P-ECU 12 does not need to store a wake-up log. This allows the storage capacity of the P-ECU 12 to be reduced.

[0040] In this embodiment, when a vehicle function is operating using power from the generator, the A-ECU 11 transmits a sleep log and a wake-up log to the management ECU 10. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the remaining capacity of the battery 1 due to the transmission of the logs.

[0041] In this embodiment, the A-ECU 11 stores a sleep log and a wake-up log until communication with the management ECU 10 is established via the communication network 30. When the A-ECU 11 wakes up independently and the network including the communication network 30 is in a sleep state, the A-ECU 11 cannot communicate with the management ECU 10 and cannot send a log to the management ECU 10. Furthermore, even if the communication network is active, for example, if an abnormality occurs in the management ECU 10 or the management ECU 10 is shut down, the A-ECU 11 cannot communicate with the management ECU 10 and cannot send a log to the management ECU 10. The A-ECU 11 stores a sleep log and a wake-up log until it is able to communicate with the management ECU 10. This allows the A-ECU 11's log to be preserved.

[0042] In this embodiment, when communication is established between the A-ECU 11 and the management ECU 10 via the communication network 30, the A-ECU 11 transmits the sleep log and the wake-up log to the management ECU 10, and deletes the sleep log and the wake-up log after transmitting the sleep log and the wake-up log to the management ECU 10. This allows the management ECU 10 to take logs of the A-ECU 11, thereby reducing the storage capacity of the A-ECU 11.

[0043] In the ECU control method executed by the ECU control system 100 according to this embodiment, the A-ECU 11 goes to sleep when it receives a sleep command from the communication network 30 and stores a sleep log including the sleep time. When it wakes up independently, it stores a wake-up log including at least one of the wake-up time from waking up to going to sleep or the number of wake-ups, and transmits the sleep log and the wake-up log to the management ECU 10. The management ECU 10 transmits the sleep log and the wake-up log received from the A-ECU 11 to the outside of the vehicle. This reduces the power consumption of the management ECU 10 and the A-ECU 11. Furthermore, even when the network including the communication network 30 and the management ECU 10 goes to sleep, such as while the vehicle is parked, the A-ECU 11 can store the sleep log and the wake-up log. Furthermore, because the A-ECU 11 has a storage capacity for storing logs, the storage capacity of the management ECU 10 can be reduced.

[0044] As a modification of this embodiment, the A-ECU 11 may store the sleep log and wake-up log until the management ECU 10 transmits the sleep log and wake-up log received from the A-ECU 11 to an external location. For example, the management ECU 10 communicates with a server external to the vehicle and transmits the sleep log and wake-up log received from the A-ECU 11 to the server. After successfully transmitting the sleep log and wake-up log to the server, the management ECU 10 transmits a control command to the A-ECU 11 indicating that the logs have been uploaded to the server. The A-ECU 11 deletes the stored sleep log and wake-up log upon receiving the control command. For example, in a situation where the vehicle is parked in an underground parking lot, the vehicle cannot communicate with the server. Therefore, the A-ECU 11 stores the logs until the vehicle transmits the logs to the server. This allows the logs to be continuously uploaded to the server.

[0045] The management ECU 10, like the A-ECU 11, is an ECU that can wake up and / or sleep independently, and like the A-ECU 11, has the function of storing a sleep log and a wake-up log in memory.

[0046] In this embodiment, the A-ECU 11 and the P-ECU 12 measure the sleep time using a time count, but they may also measure the sleep time by current detection. For example, the A-ECU 11 and the P-ECU 12 have a function for measuring the current inside the processor, and determine that the sleep mode has been entered when the measured current falls below a current value corresponding to the dark current. However, because measuring the current increases the power consumption of the ECU, using a time count is preferable in terms of power consumption.

[0047] The wake-up log may include at least either the wake-up time or the number of wake-ups, but preferably includes both the wake-up time and the number of wake-ups. For example, if wake-ups with short time counts occur frequently, a cause such as "the operation switch may have been inadvertently operated repeatedly" can be identified from the logs of both the wake-up time and the number of wake-ups. Also, if a single wake-up with a long time count occurs, a cause such as "a foreign object may have been caught in the operation switch, causing it to be stuck in the on position" can be identified from the logs of both the wake-up time and the number of wake-ups.

[0048] In this embodiment, the A-ECU 11 corresponds to the "first ECU" of the present invention, and the P-ECU 12 corresponds to the "second ECU" of the present invention.

[0049] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Battery 2 Generator 3 DC-DC converter 10 Management ECU 11 A-ECU 12 P-ECU 20 Power line 30 Communication network 100 ECU control system

Claims

1. An ECU control system mounted on a vehicle having a plurality of ECUs connected to a communication network, comprising: a first ECU that goes to sleep when it receives a sleep command from the communication network and is capable of waking up independently; and a management ECU connected to the first ECU via the communication network, wherein the first ECU stores a sleep log including the sleep time and a wake-up log including at least one of the wake-up time from waking up to going to sleep or the number of wake-ups, and transmits the sleep log and the wake-up log to the management ECU, and the management ECU transmits the sleep log and the wake-up log received from the first ECU to the outside of the vehicle.

2. An ECU control system as described in claim 1, comprising a second ECU that goes to sleep when it receives a sleep command from the communication network and wakes up when it receives a wake-up signal from the communication network, wherein the second ECU stores the sleep log and transmits the sleep log to the management ECU at the next startup.

3. An ECU control system according to claim 2, wherein the second ECU does not store the wake-up log of the second ECU.

4. An ECU control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first ECU transmits the sleep log and the wake-up log to the management ECU when a vehicle function is operating using power from a generator included in the vehicle.

5. An ECU control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first ECU stores the sleep log and the wake-up log until communication is established between the first ECU and the management ECU via the communication network.

6. An ECU control system as described in claim 5, wherein the first ECU transmits the sleep log and the wake-up log to the management ECU when communication is established with the management ECU via the communication network, and deletes the sleep log and the wake-up log after transmitting the sleep log and the wake-up log to the management ECU.

7. An ECU control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first ECU stores the sleep log and the wake-up log received from the first ECU until the management ECU transmits the sleep log and the wake-up log to the outside of the vehicle.

8. An ECU control method executed by a system including a first ECU and a management ECU, wherein the first ECU goes to sleep when it receives a sleep command from a communication network, stores a sleep log including the sleep time, and when it wakes up independently, stores a wake-up log including at least one of the wake-up time from waking up to going to sleep or the number of wake-ups, and transmits the sleep log and the wake-up log to the management ECU, and the management ECU transmits the sleep log and the wake-up log received from the first ECU to the outside of the vehicle.

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