Vehicle control device

Abstract

A power distribution ECU (100) is a vehicle control device used in a vehicle, the power distribution ECU (100) controlling distribution of electric power supplied from a plurality of power supply units (110) to a plurality of load units (120). The power distribution ECU (100) comprises a plurality of power supply terminals (10), a plurality of load terminals (20), a first power supply line unit (31), and a second power supply line unit (32), as well as a main line cutoff circuit (70), a first converter (91), and a second converter (92). The main line cutoff circuit (70) cuts off electrical connection between the first power supply line unit (31) and the second power supply line unit (32) on the basis of an abnormality in a voltage value or the like. The first converter (91) converts the voltage supplied to the first power supply line unit (31) and supplies the converted voltage to a first load terminal (21). The second converter (92) converts the voltage supplied to the second power supply line unit (32) and supplies the converted voltage to a second load terminal (22).

Description

Vehicle control device CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on Patent Application No. 2024-114195 filed in Japan on July 17, 2024, and the contents of the original application are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates to a vehicle control system.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a power supply device as a type of vehicle control device that supplies power from multiple power sources to a load. This power supply device includes a switch unit that cuts off the power supplied from the power sources based on the detection result of a current detected by a current detection unit.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-120479

[0005] In recent years, there has been a demand for a function that converts the voltage supplied from a power source and then distributes the converted power to multiple loads. However, the power supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not have the function of converting voltage or the function of distributing power to multiple loads. Therefore, it is natural that the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 may not be able to continue to properly supply power to the loads if an abnormality occurs in the circuitry related to the power supply device.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide a vehicle control device that can continue to appropriately supply voltage-converted electric power to a load even when an abnormality occurs.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, one disclosed aspect is a vehicle control device that is used in a vehicle and controls the distribution of power supplied from a plurality of power supply units to a plurality of load units, the vehicle control device comprising: a plurality of power supply terminal units electrically connected to the power supply unit; a plurality of load terminal units electrically connected to the load unit; a first power supply line unit electrically connected to a first power supply terminal included in the plurality of power supply terminal units; a second power supply line unit electrically connected to a second power supply terminal included in the plurality of power supply terminal units; a main line interruption circuit that electrically connects the first power supply line unit and the second power supply line unit and interrupts the electrical connection between the first power supply line unit and the second power supply line unit based on an abnormality in at least one of the current value and the voltage value; a first voltage conversion unit that converts the voltage supplied to the first power supply line unit and supplies it to a first load terminal included in the plurality of load terminal units; and a second voltage conversion unit that converts the voltage supplied to the second power supply line unit and supplies it to a second load terminal included in the plurality of load terminal units.

[0008] In this aspect, the first voltage conversion unit and the second voltage conversion unit are separately disposed in the first power supply line unit and the second power supply line unit, whose electrical connection is interrupted by the main line interruption circuit unit. Therefore, even when the first power supply line unit and the second power supply line unit are electrically disconnected based on an abnormality in at least one of the current value and the voltage value, at least one of the first voltage conversion unit and the second voltage conversion unit can continue to supply power to the load terminal. As a result, even if an abnormality occurs in a circuit related to the vehicle control device, the supply of voltage-converted power to the load terminal, and therefore the supply of power to the load unit connected to the load terminal, can be appropriately continued.

[0009] The reference numbers in parentheses in the claims merely indicate an example of the correspondence with the specific configurations in the embodiments described below, and do not limit the technical scope in any way. Furthermore, claims not explicitly stated in the claims may be combined together if there is no particular problem with the combination.

[0010] It is a diagram showing the configuration of a power distribution ECU according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. It is a circuit diagram showing the detailed configuration of the power distribution ECU shown in FIG. It is a flowchart showing details of a cutoff process performed by the power distribution ECU. It is a diagram showing a power distribution ECU that performs the cutoff process. It is a diagram showing the configuration of a power distribution ECU according to a second embodiment. It is a diagram showing a power distribution ECU that performs the cutoff process.

[0011] Hereinafter, several embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that corresponding components in each embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted. When only a portion of the configuration is described in each embodiment, the configuration of another embodiment described previously can be applied to the remaining portion of the configuration. Furthermore, in addition to the combinations of configurations explicitly stated in the description of each embodiment, configurations of several embodiments can also be partially combined together even if not explicitly stated, as long as there is no particular problem with the combination.

[0012] First Embodiment A power distribution ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 1 is a vehicle control device used in a vehicle. The power distribution ECU 100 is mounted on the vehicle and connected to a plurality of power supply units 110 and a plurality of load units 120. The power distribution ECU 100 distributes power supplied from the plurality of power supply units 110 to the many load units 120. The power distribution ECU 100 may be a standalone control device that integrates the power distribution function of the vehicle, or may be configured to be implemented in a control device together with other functional units.

[0013] As an example, the power distribution ECU 100 is implemented in a zone ECU. The zone ECU, together with the central ECU, on-board equipment, and communication lines, etc., constitutes an on-board network system. A zone ECU is disposed in each of multiple pre-defined zones in the vehicle. At least one of the multiple zone ECUs also functions as the power distribution ECU 100. The zone ECU has a gateway function and enables mutual communication between networks with different communication methods by converting and relaying data. The zone ECU controls the on-board equipment based on commands from the central ECU. A zone ECU equipped with the functions of the power distribution ECU 100 controls the distribution of power to other zone ECUs as well as to individual ECUs, actuators, sensors, etc. that constitute the on-board equipment.

[0014] <Configuration of Power Supply Unit and Load Unit> First, the power supply unit 110 and the load unit 120 connected to the power distribution ECU 100 will be described in detail.

[0015] The power supply unit 110 is a power supply mounted on the vehicle. The power supply unit 110 is capable of supplying power to the power distribution ECU 100. The power supply unit 110 includes a main power supply 111 (power supply A in FIG. 1 ) and an auxiliary power supply 112 (power supply B in FIG. 1 ). The main power supply 111 and the auxiliary power supply 112 supply approximately the same DC power supply voltage (hereinafter referred to as power supply voltage, for example, 48 V) to the power distribution ECU 100.

[0016] The main power supply 111 is a power supply unit 110 having a higher power supply capacity than the auxiliary power supply 112. An example of the main power supply 111 is a DC-DC converter mounted on the vehicle. The auxiliary power supply 112 is a power supply unit 110 having a lower power supply capacity than the main power supply 111. An example of the auxiliary power supply 112 is an auxiliary battery mounted on the vehicle. The power supply capacity of the main power supply 111 may be several times to several dozen times the power supply capacity of the auxiliary power supply 112.

[0017] The loads 120 are the above-mentioned zone ECUs, individual ECUs, actuators, sensors, etc. The loads 120 consume the power distributed by the power distribution ECU 100 to perform predetermined functions. A plurality of loads 120 having different rated voltages (or operating voltages) are connected to the power distribution ECU 100. A power supply voltage is supplied to some of the loads 120 (loads A and E in FIG. 1). A voltage lower than the power supply voltage (e.g., 12 V) is supplied to other loads 120 (loads B to D in FIG. 1).

[0018] The load unit 120 includes a priority load 121 (load C in FIG. 1 ) and normal loads 122 and 123 (loads A, B, D, and E in FIG. 1 ). The priority load 121 is a load unit 120 to which power supply is prioritized over the normal loads 122 and 123. The priority load 121 and the normal load 122 are load units 120 that operate at low voltages (low-voltage loads). On the other hand, the normal load 123 is a load unit 120 that operates at a power supply voltage (high-voltage load). As an example, a load unit 120 that requires redundancy is designated as the priority load 121. Specifically, on-board equipment related to the electric power steering and brake system, as well as other zone ECUs, etc., are designated as priority loads 121 that have high-priority functions (safety-related functions). The load units 120 other than these priority loads 121 are designated as the normal loads 122 and 123. The normal load 122 is a load unit 120 that does not require redundancy and is a non-priority load unit 120 that is equipped only with low-priority functions (non-safety related functions).

[0019] 1 and 2, the configuration of the power distribution ECU 100 will be described. The power distribution ECU 100 includes a plurality of power supply terminals 10, a plurality of load terminals 20, power supply wiring KH, a plurality of DC-DC converters 90, a plurality of interrupter circuits, and a plurality of overvoltage detection units 99.

[0020] The power supply terminal 10 is electrically connected to the power supply unit 110. The power supply terminal 10 is integrally configured with a connector exposed outside the housing of the control device. Power from the power supply unit 110 is supplied to the power supply terminal 10 through a wire harness or the like connected to the connector. The power supply terminal 10 includes a first power supply terminal 11 and a second power supply terminal 12. The first power supply terminal 11 is electrically connected to a main power supply 111. Power is supplied to the first power supply terminal 11 from the main power supply 111. The second power supply terminal 12 is electrically connected to an auxiliary power supply 112. Power is supplied to the second power supply terminal 12 from the auxiliary power supply 112. A larger power is supplied to the first power supply terminal 11 than to the second power supply terminal 12. Therefore, the first power supply terminal 11 is formed larger than the second power supply terminal 12 so that it can handle larger power.

[0021] The load terminal 20 is electrically connected to the load section 120. The load terminal 20 is integrally configured with a connector exposed outside the housing of the control device. The load terminal 20 supplies power to the load section 120 through a wire harness or the like connected to the connector. The load terminal 20 includes a first load terminal 21 and a second load terminal 22. The first load terminal 21 is electrically connected to the first power supply line section 31 via the first load line section 51, the first section 41, etc. The first load terminal 21 further includes a first priority terminal 21a, a first normal terminal 21b, and a first high-voltage terminal 21c. The second load terminal 22 is electrically connected to the second power supply line section 32 via the second load line section 52, the second section 42, etc. The second load terminal 22 further includes a second priority terminal 22a, a second normal terminal 22b, and a second high-voltage terminal 22c.

[0022] The first priority terminal 21a and the second priority terminal 22a are electrically connected to priority loads 121. One of the first priority terminals 21a and one of the second priority terminals 22a are electrically connected to the same priority load 121. The first priority terminals 21a and the second priority terminals 22a connected to the same priority load 121 are adjacent to each other. The first normal terminal 21b and the second normal terminal 22b are electrically connected to a normal load 122 that operates at a low voltage. The first high voltage terminal 21c and the second high voltage terminal 22c are electrically connected to a normal load 123 that operates at a high voltage.

[0023] The power supply wiring KH is wiring formed between a plurality of power supply terminals 10 and a plurality of load terminals 20. The power supply wiring KH is formed by a copper conductive layer (wiring pattern) provided on a printed wiring board constituting the power distribution ECU 100. A bus bar mounted on the printed wiring board along the wiring pattern may form part of the power supply wiring KH. The bus bar is mounted in parallel with the wiring pattern in a location where the wiring pattern alone cannot carry enough current. The power supply wiring KH is composed of a power supply wiring 30, a power supply trunk line 40, a load wiring 50, etc.

[0024] The power supply wiring 30 is a wiring connected to the power supply terminal 10. The power supply wiring 30 includes a first power supply line portion 31 and a second power supply line portion 32. The first power supply line portion 31 is a wiring portion connected to the first power supply terminal 11. Power is supplied to the first power supply line portion 31 from the main power supply 111. To accommodate the large power supplied from the main power supply 111, the wiring width (wiring cross-sectional area) of the first power supply line portion 31 is wider (larger) than the wiring width of the second power supply line portion 32. The second power supply line portion 32 is a wiring portion connected to the second power supply terminal 12. Power is supplied to the second power supply line portion 32 from the auxiliary power supply 112. A power zener may be disposed in the section of the power supply wiring 30 between a power supply interruption circuit 60 (described later) and the power supply terminal 10. The power zener is a component for preventing voltage breakdown of the power supply interruption circuit 60 when an abnormal voltage (overvoltage) is output from the power supply unit 110.

[0025] The power supply trunk 40 is a wiring that is electrically connected to both the first power supply line section 31 and the second power supply line section 32. Power is supplied to the power supply trunk 40 from the main power supply 111 and the auxiliary power supply 112 via the first power supply line section 31 and the second power supply line section 32. The wiring width (wiring cross-sectional area) of the power supply trunk 40 is the same as or wider (larger) than the wiring width of the first power supply line section 31. A trunk interruption circuit 70, which will be described later, is provided in the middle of the power supply trunk 40. The section of the power supply trunk 40 between the first power supply line section 31 and the trunk interruption circuit 70 is defined as a first section 41. When the trunk interruption circuit 70 is in a power-off state (off), the first section 41 is a main section that receives power only from the main power supply 111 out of the main power supply 111 and the auxiliary power supply 112. The section of the power supply trunk line 40 between the second power line section 32 and the trunk line interruption circuit 70 is defined as a second section 42. The second section 42 is an auxiliary section that receives power only from the auxiliary power supply 112 out of the main power supply 111 and the auxiliary power supply 112 when the trunk line interruption circuit 70 is in an energization cutoff (off) state.

[0026] The load wiring 50 is a wiring connected to the load terminal 20. The wiring width (cross-sectional area) of the load wiring 50 is narrower (smaller) than the wiring width of the power supply main line 40. The wiring widths of the load wirings 50 may be different from each other. The load wiring 50 includes a plurality of first load line portions 51 and a plurality of second load line portions 52.

[0027] The first load line portion 51 electrically connects the first section 41 of the power supply trunk line 40, which is closer to the first power supply line portion 31 than the trunk line interruption circuit 70, to the first load terminal 21. The multiple first load line portions 51 include a first priority line portion 51a, a first normal line portion 51b, and a first high-voltage line portion 51c. The first priority line portion 51a is the load wiring 50 that connects the first priority terminal 21a to a first converter 91 (described later). The first normal line portion 51b is the load wiring 50 that connects the first normal terminal 21b to the first converter 91. The first high-voltage line portion 51c is the load wiring 50 that connects the first high-voltage terminal 21c to the power supply trunk line 40. Unlike the first priority line portion 51a and the first normal line portion 51b, the first high-voltage line portion 51c is the first load line portion 51 that is not connected to the first converter 91.

[0028] The second load line portion 52 electrically connects the second section 42 of the power supply trunk line 40, which is closer to the second power supply line portion 32 than the trunk line interruption circuit 70, to the second load terminal 22. The multiple second load line portions 52 include a second priority line portion 52a, a second normal line portion 52b, and a second high-voltage line portion 52c. The second priority line portion 52a is the load wiring 50 that connects the second priority terminal 22a to a second converter 92 (described later). The second normal line portion 52b is the load wiring 50 that connects the second normal terminal 22b to the second converter 92. The second high-voltage line portion 52c is the load wiring 50 that connects the second high-voltage terminal 22c to the power supply trunk line 40. Unlike the second priority line portion 52a and the second normal line portion 52b, the second high-voltage line portion 52c is the second load line portion 52 that is not connected to the second converter 92.

[0029] The DC-DC converter 90 converts a DC voltage into a different DC voltage. The DC-DC converter 90 steps down the power supply voltage input from the power supply unit 110 to the rated voltage of the priority load 121 and the normal load 122, and outputs the voltage to the load terminal 20. In this disclosure, the power supply voltage input to the DC-DC converter 90 may be referred to as a "high voltage," and the supply voltage output by the DC-DC converter 90 may be referred to as a "low voltage." The DC-DC converter 90 includes a first converter 91 and a second converter 92.

[0030] The DC voltage output by the first converter 91 and the DC voltage output by the second converter 92 are substantially the same value. The current capacity of each of the first converter 91 and the second converter 92 is equal to or greater than the maximum current consumption of the priority load 121. The current capacity is the maximum amount of current that the DC-DC converter 90 can stably and efficiently output. Note that the output voltages of the first converter 91 and the second converter 92 are not limited to the above-mentioned 12 V, but may be 24 V, 5 V, or the like. Furthermore, the first converter 91 and the second converter 92 are not limited to being configured to step down the power supply voltage (input voltage), but may be configured to step up the power supply voltage.

[0031] The first converter 91 (DC-DC converter A in FIGS. 1 and 2) is a DC-DC converter 90 provided in the first load line section 51. The first converter 91 converts the power supply voltage supplied to the first power supply line section 31, and supplies the converted power supply voltage to the first priority terminal 21 a and the first normal terminal 21 b of the plurality of first load terminals 21.

[0032] The second converter 92 (DC-DC converter B in FIGS. 1 and 2) is a DC-DC converter 90 provided in the second load line section 52. The second converter 92 converts the power supply voltage supplied to the second power supply line section 32, and supplies the converted power supply voltage to the second priority terminal 22 a and the second normal terminal 22 b of the plurality of second load terminals 22.

[0033] The interruption circuit includes an electrical fuse. A large number of fuses are mounted on the printed wiring board that constitutes the power distribution ECU 100. The large number of fuses form interruption circuits, such as a power supply interruption circuit 60, a main line interruption circuit 70, a converter interruption circuit 75, and a load interruption circuit 80, on the power supply wiring KH. When an interruption circuit is in the on state, the two wires connected to the interruption circuit are electrically connected and energized. On the other hand, when the interruption circuit is in the off state, the two wires connected to the interruption circuit are de-energized.

[0034] The power supply interruption circuit 60 is an interruption circuit provided in the power supply wiring 30. The power supply interruption circuit 60 interrupts the electrical connection between the power supply terminal 10 and the load terminal 20 (power supply main line 40). Two power supply interruption circuits 60 are provided in the power supply wiring KH. The power supply interruption circuit 60 provided in the first power supply line section 31 is the first interruption circuit 60a (interruption circuit A in FIGS. 1 and 2). The power supply interruption circuit 60 provided in the second power supply line section 32 is the second interruption circuit 60b (interruption circuit B in FIGS. 1 and 2). The first interruption circuit 60a interrupts the electrical connection between the first power supply terminal 11 and the first section 41 based on an abnormality in at least one of the current value and the voltage value in the first power supply line section 31. The second interruption circuit 60b interrupts the electrical connection between the second power supply terminal 12 and the second section 42 based on an abnormality in at least one of the current value and the voltage value in the second power supply line section 32.

[0035] The main line interruption circuit 70 is an interruption circuit (interruption circuit C in FIGS. 1 and 2 ) provided in the power supply main line 40. The main line interruption circuit 70 corresponds to an isolator, a backbone switch, or the like. The main line interruption circuit 70 is disposed in the middle of the power supply main line 40 and electrically connects the first power line section 31 and the second power line section 32. The main line interruption circuit 70 interrupts the electrical connection between the first section 41 and the second section 42, and therefore the electrical connection between the first power line section 31 and the second power line section 32, based on an abnormality in at least one of the current value and the voltage value in the power supply main line 40. When the main line interruption circuit 70 is in an on state that does not interrupt the electrical connection between the first power line section 31 and the second power line section 32, the first power supply terminal 11 is electrically connected to the second load terminal 22. On the other hand, when the main line interruption circuit 70 is in an OFF state in which it has cut off the electrical connection between the first power line section 31 and the second power line section 32, the first power supply terminal 11 is electrically cut off from the second load terminal 22. Also, when the main line interruption circuit 70 is in an ON state, the second power supply terminal 12 is electrically connected to the first load terminal 21. On the other hand, when the main line interruption circuit 70 is in an OFF state, the second power supply terminal 12 is electrically cut off from the first load terminal 21.

[0036] The conversion unit shutdown circuit 75 is a shutdown circuit provided on the load wiring 50, arranged alongside the DC-DC converter 90. Two conversion unit shutdown circuits 75 are provided on the power supply wiring KH. The conversion unit shutdown circuit 75 arranged on the input side of the first converter 91 in the first load line section 51 is the first shutdown circuit 75a (shutdown circuit J in FIGS. 1 and 2). Meanwhile, the conversion unit shutdown circuit 75 arranged on the input side of the second converter 92 in the second load line section 52 is the second shutdown circuit 75b (shutdown circuit K in FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0037] The first shutoff circuit 75a shuts off the electrical connection between the first section 41 and the first converter 91 based on an abnormality in at least one of the current value and the voltage value in the first load line section 51. That is, the first shutoff circuit 75a shuts off the supply of power to the first converter 91. The second shutoff circuit 75b shuts off the electrical connection between the second section 42 and the second converter 92 based on an abnormality in at least one of the current value and the voltage value in the second load line section 52. That is, the second shutoff circuit 75b shuts off the supply of power to the second converter 92.

[0038] The load interruption circuits 80 are interruption circuits provided in the load wiring 50. One load interruption circuit 80 is provided at the middle of each of the plurality of first load line sections 51 and the plurality of second load line sections 52 (interruption circuits D to I in FIG. 1). Each of the load interruption circuits 80d to 80i interrupts the electrical connection between the power supply main line 40 and the load terminal 20 based on an abnormality in at least one of the current value and the voltage value in the corresponding load wiring 50.

[0039] A load shedding circuit 80d (shutdown circuit D in FIG. 1) is provided in the first high-voltage line portion 51c. The load shedding circuit 80d cuts off the supply of power to the first high-voltage terminal 21c. A load shedding circuit 80e (shutdown circuit E in FIGS. 1 and 2) is provided in the first normal line portion 51b, which is the output side of the first converter 91. The load shedding circuit 80e cuts off the electrical connection between the first converter 91 and the first normal terminal 21b. A load shedding circuit 80f (shutdown circuit F in FIGS. 1 and 2) is provided in the first priority line portion 51a, which is the output side of the first converter 91. The load shedding circuit 80f cuts off the electrical connection between the first converter 91 and the first priority terminal 21a.

[0040] The load shedding circuit 80g (shutter circuit G in FIGS. 1 and 2) is provided in the second priority line section 52a, which is the output side of the second converter 92. The load shedding circuit 80g cuts off the electrical connection between the second converter 92 and the second priority terminal 22a. The load shedding circuit 80h (shutter circuit H in FIGS. 1 and 2) is provided in the second normal line section 52b, which is the output side of the second converter 92. The load shedding circuit 80h cuts off the electrical connection between the second converter 92 and the second normal terminal 22b. The load shedding circuit 80i (shutter circuit I in FIG. 1) is provided in the second high-voltage line section 52c. The load shedding circuit 80i cuts off the supply of power to the second high-voltage terminal 22c.

[0041] The overvoltage detection unit 99 is provided on the load wiring 50, arranged alongside the DC-DC converter 90. The overvoltage detection unit 99 detects abnormal voltage values ​​on the load wiring 50. The overvoltage detection unit 99 detects a voltage abnormality in the DC-DC converter 90 when the output voltage of the DC-DC converter 90 exceeds a preset threshold. Two overvoltage detection units 99 are provided on the power supply wiring KH. The overvoltage detection unit 99 connected to the output side of the first converter 91 via the first load line section 51 is the first detection unit 99a (overvoltage detection unit A in FIG. 2). On the other hand, the overvoltage detection unit 99 connected to the output side of the second converter 92 via the second load line section 52 is the second detection unit 99b (overvoltage detection unit B in FIG. 2). The first detection unit 99a and the second detection unit 99b are electrically connected to the drive units 74, 79, and 84 of the multiple interrupter circuits via signal lines (see thin solid lines in FIG. 2).

[0042] The first detector 99a detects an output abnormality of the first converter 91 when the voltage value of the first load line section 51 exceeds a threshold value. When the first detector 99a detects an output abnormality of the first converter 91, it outputs an overvoltage detection signal to at least the main line interruption circuit 70, the first interruption circuit 75a, and the load interruption circuits 80e and 80h. When the voltage value of the second load line section 52 exceeds a threshold value, the second detector 99b detects an output abnormality of the second converter 92. When the second detector 99b detects an output abnormality of the second converter 92, it outputs an overvoltage detection signal to at least the main line interruption circuit 70, the second interruption circuit 75b, and the load interruption circuits 80e and 80h.

[0043] <Detailed Configuration of DC-DC Converter> Next, the detailed configuration of the DC-DC converter 90 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0044] The DC-DC converter 90 is a synchronous step-down converter and includes a high-side field effect transistor (FET) 93, a low-side FET 94, an inductor 95, a capacitor 96, a control unit 97, and the like.

[0045] The high-side FET 93 and the low-side FET 94 are N-channel MOS (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) FETs. The high-side FET 93 and the low-side FET 94 are connected to each other via an intermediate connection line. The drain of the high-side FET 93 is connected to the load wiring 50 to which the power supply voltage is supplied. The source of the high-side FET 93 is connected to one end of the intermediate connection line. The drain of the low-side FET 94 is connected to the other end of the intermediate connection line. The source of the low-side FET 94 is connected to ground.

[0046] One end of the inductor 95 is connected to the intermediate connection part. The other end of the inductor 95 is connected to the load wiring 50 on the load terminal 20 side. The inductor 95 smoothes the current input from the high-side FET 93 and the low-side FET 94. One end of the capacitor 96 is connected to the output side of the inductor 95. The other end of the capacitor 96 is connected to ground. The capacitor 96 stabilizes the output voltage of the DC-DC converter 90 in cooperation with the inductor 95. Note that the section of the load wiring 50 from the other end of the inductor 95 to the load terminal 20 is a low-voltage wiring (see dashed line in Figure 2). On the other hand, the wiring section excluding the low-voltage wiring is a high-voltage wiring (see thick solid line in Figure 3).

[0047] The control unit 97 is connected to the gates of the high-side FET 93 and the low-side FET 94. The control unit 97 applies a predetermined positive voltage (hereinafter referred to as gate voltage) to the gates of the high-side FET 93 and the low-side FET 94. When the control unit 97 applies the gate voltage, the drains and sources of the high-side FET 93 and the low-side FET 94 are brought into a conductive state (ON state). On the other hand, when no gate voltage is applied, the drains and sources of the high-side FET 93 and the low-side FET 94 are brought into a non-conductive state (OFF state).

[0048] The control unit 97 alternately switches the high-side FET 93 and the low-side FET 94 between the on state and the off state. During a period in which the high-side FET 93 is in the on state and the low-side FET 94 is in the off state, a current flows through the inductor 95 via the high-side FET 93. Furthermore, even when the high-side FET 93 is in the off state and the low-side FET 94 is in the on state, a current continues to flow from ground through the inductor 95 via the low-side FET 94 due to the function of the inductor 95, which tries to continue to pass a current. The control unit 97 monitors the output voltage of the DC-DC converter 90 and adjusts the timing of switching the high-side FET 93 and the low-side FET 94 between the on state and the off state, thereby controlling the output voltage to be constant.

[0049] <Detailed Configuration of the Shutdown Circuit> Next, the power shutdown circuit 60, the main line shutdown circuit 70, the converter shutdown circuit 75, and the load shutdown circuit 80 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0050] The power supply interruption circuit 60 is a one-way interruption circuit that interrupts only the reverse current between the forward current flowing from the power supply terminal 10 to the load terminal 20 (power supply main line 40) and the reverse current flowing from the load terminal 20 to the power supply terminal 10. The power supply interruption circuit 60 does not completely interrupt the forward current. The power supply interruption circuit 60 includes an FET 62 and a driver 64.

[0051] The FET 62 is an N-channel MOSFET. The source of the FET 62 is connected to the power supply wiring 30 on the power supply unit 110 (power supply terminal 10) side. The drain of the FET 62 is connected to the power supply wiring 30 on the power supply main line 40 side. The gate of the FET 62 is connected to the drive unit 64. A body diode is formed in the FET 62. The anode of the body diode is connected to the power supply wiring 30 on the power supply unit 110 side. The cathode of the body diode is connected to the power supply wiring 30 on the power supply main line 40 side.

[0052] The driver 64 applies a gate voltage to the gate of the FET 62 based on the command signal. When the driver 64 applies the gate voltage, the source and drain of the FET 62 are conductive. In contrast, when no gate voltage is applied, the source and drain of the FET 62 are non-conductive. Note that even when no gate voltage is applied, the FET 62 has a body diode, allowing a forward current to flow from the source to the drain.

[0053] The main line interruption circuit 70 is a bidirectional interruption circuit that interrupts both the current flowing from the first power supply line section 31 to the second power supply line section 32 and the current flowing from the second power supply line section 32 to the first power supply line section 31. The main line interruption circuit 70 mainly includes a switch section 71. The switch section 71 switches between energization and de-energization between the first power supply line section 31 and the second power supply line section 32 on the power supply main line 40. The switch section 71 includes two FETs 72 and 73 and a drive section 74.

[0054] The FETs 72 and 73 are N-channel MOSFETs. The FETs 72 and 73 are connected to each other via an intermediate connecting line. The sources of the FETs 72 and 73 are connected to both ends of the intermediate connecting line. The drain of the FET 72 is connected to the first section 41. The drain of the FET 73 is connected to the second section 42. The gates of the FETs 72 and 73 are connected to the driver 74. The FETs 72 and 73 have body diodes formed therein. The anodes of the body diodes are connected to the intermediate connecting line. The cathode of the body diode provided in the FET 72 is connected to the first section 41. The cathode of the body diode provided in the FET 73 is connected to the second section 42.

[0055] The driver 74 applies a gate voltage to each gate of the FETs 72 and 73 based on a command signal. When the driver 74 applies the gate voltage, the drains and sources of the FETs 72 and 73 are conductive. In contrast, when no gate voltage is applied, the drains and sources of the FETs 72 and 73 are non-conductive. Note that, by combining the two FETs 72 and 73, even when no gate voltage is applied, the current flowing from the first section 41 to the second section 42 is blocked by the body diode formed in the FET 72. In addition, the current flowing from the second section 42 to the first section 41 is blocked by the body diode formed in the FET 73.

[0056] The conversion unit shutoff circuit 75 is a one-way shutoff circuit that shuts off only the forward current out of the forward current flowing from the power supply terminal 10 to the DC-DC converter 90 and the reverse current flowing from the DC-DC converter 90 to the power supply terminal 10. The conversion unit shutoff circuit 75 does not completely shut off the reverse current. The conversion unit shutoff circuit 75 includes an FET 77 and a drive unit 79.

[0057] The FET 77 is an N-channel MOSFET. The drain of the FET 77 is connected to the load wiring 50 on the power supply terminal 10 side. The source of the FET 77 is connected to the load wiring 50 on the DC-DC converter 90 side. The gate of the FET 77 is connected to the driver 79. A body diode is formed in the FET 77. The anode of the body diode is connected to the load wiring 50 on the load terminal 20 side. The cathode of the body diode is connected to the load wiring 50 on the power supply main line 40 side.

[0058] Based on the command signal, the driver 79 applies a gate voltage to the gate of the FET 77. When the driver 79 applies the gate voltage, the drain and source of the FET 77 are in a conductive state. In contrast, when no gate voltage is applied, the drain and source of the FET 77 are in a non-conductive state. Note that even when no gate voltage is applied, the FET 77 has a body diode, allowing a reverse current to flow from the source to the drain.

[0059] The load shedding circuit 80 is a one-way shedding circuit that cuts off only the forward current between the forward current flowing from the power supply main line 40 to the load terminal 20 and the reverse current flowing from the load terminal 20 to the power supply main line 40. The load shedding circuit 80 does not completely cut off the reverse current. The load shedding circuit 80 includes an FET 82 and a driver 84.

[0060] The FET 82 is an N-channel MOSFET. The source of the FET 82 is connected to the load wiring 50 on the load terminal 20 side. The drain of the FET 82 is connected to the load wiring 50 on the power supply main line 40 side. The gate of the FET 82 is connected to the drive unit 84. A body diode is formed in the FET 82. The anode of the body diode is connected to the load wiring 50 on the load terminal 20 side. The cathode of the body diode is connected to the load wiring 50 on the power supply main line 40 side.

[0061] Based on the command signal, the driver 84 applies a gate voltage to the gate of the FET 82. When the driver 84 applies the gate voltage, the drain and source of the FET 82 are in a conductive state. In contrast, when no gate voltage is applied, the drain and source of the FET 82 are in a non-conductive state. Note that even when no gate voltage is applied, the FET 82 has a body diode, allowing a reverse current to flow from the source to the drain.

[0062] <Activation of Shutdown Circuits When a DC-DC Converter Abnormality Occurs> The power distribution ECU 100 starts a startup process upon receiving a power-on command signal. During the startup process, the FETs 62, 72, and 73 are turned on in the power supply shutdown circuits 60 and the main line shutdown circuit 70. In addition, the FETs 77 and 82 are turned on in the conversion unit shutdown circuits 75 and the load shutdown circuits 80. By switching on the shutdown circuits A to K, the main power supply 111 and the auxiliary power supply 112 supply power to the power distribution ECU 100, and the power distribution ECU 100 supplies power to multiple loads 120 (loads A to E in FIG. 1).

[0063] After completing the startup process, power distribution ECU 100 enters a standby state where it waits for an abnormality to occur. This standby state continues until power distribution ECU 100 finishes power distribution control, in other words, until power distribution ECU 100 is turned off. If an abnormality occurs in power supply unit 110, load unit 120, or inside power distribution ECU 100, power distribution ECU 100 performs a shutdown process that corresponds to the pattern of the abnormality that has occurred.

[0064] 1, the details of the shutdown process that the power distribution ECU 100 performs as an abnormality response when an abnormality occurs in the DC-DC converter 90 (first converter 91) will be described below based on FIGS. 3 and 4. In this abnormality pattern, a short circuit or a stuck-on state occurs in the high-side FET 93 of the first converter 91. As a result, the output voltage of the first converter 91 becomes higher than the output voltage during normal operation.

[0065] The overvoltage detection unit 99 (first detection unit 99a) acquires a detected value obtained by measuring the voltage of the load wiring 50 (first load line section 51) on the output side of the DC-DC converter 90 (first converter 91) (FIG. 3, S11). Based on the acquired detected value, the overvoltage detection unit 99 determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the output voltage of the DC-DC converter 90 (FIG. 3, S12). If the detected value does not exceed a predetermined threshold voltage, the overvoltage detection unit 99 determines that the output voltage is normal (S12: NO). In this case, the overvoltage detection unit 99 continues acquiring detected values.

[0066] On the other hand, if the detected value exceeds the predetermined threshold voltage, in other words, if an overvoltage is detected, the overvoltage detection unit 99 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the output voltage (S12: YES). In this case, the overvoltage detection unit 99 outputs an overvoltage detection signal to predetermined interrupter circuits, thereby switching these interrupter circuits to the OFF state (FIG. 3, S13).

[0067] Specifically, when the first detector 99a detects an abnormality in the output voltage of the first converter 91, the first detector 99a outputs an overvoltage detection signal to the main line interruption circuit 70, the first shutoff circuit 75a, and the load interruption circuits 80e and 80h. The driver units 74, 79, and 84 of each shutoff circuit turn off the FETs 72, 73, 77, and 82 (shutoff circuits C, J, E, and H in FIG. 4 ) based on receiving the overvoltage detection signal. In this shutoff process, the first shutoff circuit 75a shuts off the supply of power to the first converter 91 in conjunction with the shutoff of the power main line 40 by the main line interruption circuit 70. That is, the FET 77 is turned off by the first shutoff circuit 75a simultaneously with the main line interruption circuit 70 turning off the FETs 72 and 73 or after the FETs 72 and 73 are turned non-conductive.

[0068] In the first embodiment, for example, the current capacity of the first converter 91 is 40 A, and the current capacity of the second converter 92 is 20 A. In a normal state, the first converter 91 supplies 30 A to load B, which is the normal load 122, and supplies 10 A to load C, which is the priority load 121. On the other hand, the second converter 92 supplies 10 A to load C, which is the priority load 121, and supplies 10 A to load D, which is the normal load 122.

[0069] When the above-described interruption process is performed, the current supplied from the load shedding circuit 80e (shutdown circuit E) to the normal load 122 (load B) via the first normal terminal 21b drops from 30 A to 0 A. In addition, the current supplied from the load shedding circuit 80f (shutdown circuit F) to the priority load 121 (load C) via the first priority terminal 21a drops from 10 A to 0 A. Furthermore, the current supplied from the load shedding circuit 80h (shutdown circuit H) to the normal load 122 (load D) via the second normal terminal 22b drops from 10 A to 0 A. As a result, the current supplied from the second converter 92 to load D can be supplied to the priority load 121 (load C) via the load shedding circuit 80g (shutdown circuit G) and the second priority terminal 22a. As a result, the current that had been flowing through the load shedding circuit 80h increases, and the current supplied from the load shedding circuit 80g to load C via the second priority terminal 22a drops from 10 A to 20 A. That is, the amount of current supplied to the priority load 121 is maintained (see FIG. 4).

[0070] On the other hand, if the second detection unit 99b detects an abnormality in the output voltage of the second converter 92, the second detection unit 99b outputs an overvoltage detection signal to the main line interruption circuit 70, the second interruption circuit 75b, and the load interruption circuits 80e and 80h. The driver units 74, 79, and 84 of each interruption circuit turn off the FETs 72, 73, 77, and 82 (shutdown circuits C, K, E, and H in FIG. 2 ) upon receiving the overvoltage detection signal. In this shutdown process, the second shutoff circuit 75b also shuts off the supply of power to the second converter 92 in conjunction with the interruption of current to the power supply main line 40 by the main line interruption circuit 70. That is, the second shutoff circuit 75b turns off the FET 77 simultaneously with the main line interruption circuit 70 turning off the FETs 72 and 73 or after the FETs 72 and 73 are turned off.

[0071] According to this shutdown process, the current supplied from the load shedding circuit 80h (shutdown circuit H) to the normal load 122 (load D) via the second normal terminal 22b decreases from 10 A to 0 A. In addition, the current supplied from the load shedding circuit 80g (shutdown circuit G) to the priority load 121 (load C) via the second priority terminal 22a decreases from 10 A to 0 A. Furthermore, the current supplied from the load shedding circuit 80e (shutdown circuit E) to the normal load 122 (load B) via the first normal terminal 21b decreases from 30 A to 0 A. As a result, the current previously supplied to load B from the first converter 91 can be supplied to the priority load 121 (load C) via the load shedding circuit 80f (shutdown circuit F) and the first priority terminal 21a. As a result, the current supplied to load C from the load shedding circuit 80f via the first priority terminal 21a increases from 10 A to 20 A, and the amount of current supplied to the priority load 121 is maintained.

[0072] (Summary of First Embodiment) In the first embodiment described so far, the first converter 91 and the second converter 92 are separately arranged for the first power supply line section 31 and the second power supply line section 32, whose electrical connection is interrupted by the main line interruption circuit 70. Therefore, even when the first power supply line section 31 and the second power supply line section 32 are electrically disconnected based on an abnormality in at least one of the current value and the voltage value, at least one of the first converter 91 and the second converter 92 can continue to supply power to the load terminal 20. As described above, even when an abnormality occurs in a circuit related to the power distribution ECU 100, the supply of voltage-converted power to the load terminal 20, and therefore the supply of power to the load section 120 connected to the load terminal 20, can be appropriately continued.

[0073] Additionally, in the first embodiment, even if one of the multiple (two) power supply units 110 fails, the main line interruption circuit 70 separates the power supply main line 40, thereby maintaining the power supply voltage in the section (first section 41 or second section 42) of the power supply main line 40 supplied with power from the remaining power supply unit 110. As a result, a situation in which two DC-DC converters 90 simultaneously stop outputting power can be avoided. In other words, if the main line interruption circuit 70 can separate the two power supply systems connected to the DC-DC converters 90, redundant power supply to the load unit 120 can be ensured without providing two power distribution ECUs including DC-DC converters to ensure redundancy. In other words, the power distribution ECU 100 is configured to realize a redundant power supply for a vehicle while avoiding a complex power supply configuration that increases costs.

[0074] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the main line interruption circuit 70 interrupts the electrical connection between the first converter 91 and the second converter 92 based on an abnormality in the voltage value related to the first converter 91 or the second converter 92. If the main line interruption circuit 70 is configured to electrically isolate the first converter 91 and the second converter 92 in this way, an overvoltage caused by an abnormality in one DC-DC converter 90 is less likely to be applied to the other DC-DC converter 90.

[0075] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, a conversion unit shutoff circuit 75 provided on the input side of the first converter 91 and the second converter 92 shuts off the supply of power to the first converter 91 and the second converter 92. By providing such a conversion unit shutoff circuit 75, it is possible to reliably stop the supply of power to a DC-DC converter 90 in which an abnormality has occurred.

[0076] Additionally, in the first embodiment, the conversion unit shutdown circuit 75 cuts off the supply of power to the first converter 91 or the second converter 92 in connection with the interruption of the electrical connection between the first power supply line section 31 and the second power supply line section 32 by the main line shutdown circuit 70. For example, when the first shutdown circuit 75a is switched from a conductive state to a non-conductive state, an inductance component in the wiring from the main power supply 111 to the first shutdown circuit 75a acts to keep current flowing through the FET 77 of the first shutdown circuit 75a. This action causes the voltage in the first power supply line section 31 and the first section 41 of the power supply trunk line 40 to jump up. However, if the main line shutdown circuit 70 separates the power supply trunk line 40, the overvoltage caused by the first shutdown circuit 75a being switched off is no longer applied to the second section 42 and second power supply line section 32, which are the power supply system on the opposite side of the main line shutdown circuit 70. Similarly, an overvoltage caused by switching off the second shutoff circuit 75b is also not applied to the first section 41 and the first power line section 31, which are the power supply system on the opposite side of the main line shutoff circuit 70. As a result of the above, the occurrence of other abnormalities caused by switching off the conversion section shutoff circuit 75 can be avoided.

[0077] In the first embodiment, the main line interruption circuit 70 interrupts the electrical connection between the first power supply line unit 31 and the second power supply line unit 32 based on an abnormality in the voltage value related to the first converter 91 or the second converter 92. Furthermore, in conjunction with this interruption, the conversion unit interruption circuit 75 interrupts the supply of power to the first voltage conversion unit or the second voltage conversion unit. As a result, an overvoltage caused by switching off the first interruption circuit 75a or the second interruption circuit 75b is not applied to the power supply system on the opposite side of the main line interruption circuit 70. Therefore, even if an abnormality occurs in one of the first converter 91 or the second converter 92, the power distribution ECU 100 can smoothly switch to a state in which the low-voltage power supply is continued using the other normal DC-DC converter 90.

[0078] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, at least one of the first load terminals 21 and at least one of the second load terminals 22 are the first priority terminal 21a and the second priority terminal 22a, respectively. The first priority terminal 21a and the second priority terminal 22a are electrically connected to the same priority load 121, among the multiple load sections 120, to which power supply is given priority over other normal loads 122. With the above configuration, even if an abnormality occurs in the DC-DC converter 90 or the like and the trunk line interruption circuit 70 interrupts power supply to the power supply trunk line 40, low-voltage power supply to the priority load 121 can be continued.

[0079] Additionally, in the first embodiment, the current capabilities of the first converter 91 and the second converter 92 are both set to be equal to or greater than the maximum current consumption of the prioritized load 121. Therefore, even if one DC-DC converter 90 stops supplying low-voltage power, the other DC-DC converter 90 can continue to supply the current required by the prioritized load 121.

[0080] In the first embodiment, the multiple load terminals 20 include a first normal terminal 21b and a second normal terminal 22b that are electrically connected to the normal load 122. In addition, the first priority line portion 51a electrically connects the first priority terminal 21a to the first converter 91, and the second priority line portion 52a electrically connects the second priority terminal 22a to the second converter 92. Furthermore, the first normal line portion 51b electrically connects the first normal terminal 21b to the first converter 91, and the second normal line portion 52b electrically connects the second normal terminal 22b to the second converter 92. Then, based on an abnormality in the voltage value related to the first converter 91 or the second converter 92, the load shedding circuits 80e, 80h cut off the electrical connection by the first normal line portion 51b or the second normal line portion 52b. As described above, if the configuration is such that the power supply to the first normal terminal 21b and the second normal terminal 22b is interrupted when an abnormality occurs in the DC-DC converter 90, there is no need to ensure that the power capacity of each DC-DC converter 90 is sufficient for the maximum current consumption of the priority load 121. In other words, it becomes possible to design the power capacity of each DC-DC converter 90 to be small while ensuring redundancy in the power supply to the priority load 121.

[0081] In the first embodiment, the power supply terminal 10 corresponds to the "power supply terminal portion," the load terminal 20 corresponds to the "load terminal portion," the first priority terminal 21a and the second priority terminal 22a correspond to the "priority terminals," and the first normal terminal 21b and the second normal terminal 22b correspond to the "normal terminals." The first priority line portion 51a and the second priority line portion 52a correspond to the "priority supply line portion," the first normal line portion 51b and the second normal line portion 52b correspond to the "normal supply line portion," the first converter 91 corresponds to the "first voltage conversion portion," and the second converter 92 corresponds to the "second voltage conversion portion." The power distribution ECU 100 corresponds to the "vehicle control device."

[0082] Second Embodiment A power distribution ECU 200 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in Figures 5 and 6, is a modification of the first embodiment. In the power distribution ECU 200 of the second embodiment, the conversion unit shutoff circuit 75 (see Figure 1) is omitted. In the shutoff process performed by the power distribution ECU 200, the output destination of the overvoltage detection signal when the DC-DC converter 90 fails is different from that of the first embodiment.

[0083] Specifically, when the first detector 99a detects an overvoltage on the first load line section 51, which is the output side of the first converter 91 (FIG. 3, S12: YES), the first detector 99a outputs an overvoltage detection signal to the trunk line interruption circuit 70 and each load interruption circuit 80e, 80f, 80h. Upon receiving the overvoltage detection signal, the driver 74, 84 of each interruption circuit turns off the FETs 72, 73, 82 (interruption circuits C, E, F, H in FIG. 6). This interruption process causes all currents output from the load interruption circuits 80e, 80f, 80h to become 0 A. The current supplied to the priority load 121 (load C) from the load interruption circuit 80g via the second priority terminal 22a increases to 20 A. As a result, the amount of current supplied to the priority load 121 is maintained (see FIG. 6).

[0084] On the other hand, when the second detector 99b detects an overvoltage occurring in the second load line section 52, which is the output side of the second converter 92, the second detector 99b outputs an overvoltage detection signal to the trunk line interruption circuit 70 and each load interruption circuit 80e, 80g, 80h. Upon receiving the overvoltage detection signal, the driver 74, 84 of each interruption circuit turns off the FETs 72, 73, 82 (interruption circuits C, E, G, H in FIG. 6 ). This interruption process causes all currents output from the load interruption circuits 80e, 80g, 80h to become 0 A. The current supplied to the priority load 121 (load C) from the load interruption circuit 80f via the first priority terminal 21a increases to 20 A. As a result, the amount of current supplied to the priority load 121 is maintained.

[0085] The second embodiment described so far also has the same effect as the first embodiment, and can continue to appropriately supply voltage-converted electric power to the load unit 120 even if an abnormality occurs in a circuit related to the power distribution ECU 200. In other words, redundancy in the power supply to the load unit 120 can be ensured while avoiding a complicated power supply configuration that increases costs.

[0086] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, even if an abnormality occurs in one of the first converter 91 and the second converter 92, power supply to the priority load 121 continues by controlling the specific load interruption circuit 80 to switch to a non-conductive state. As described above, even if the configuration of the power distribution ECU 200 is simplified by omitting the conversion unit interruption circuit 75, redundancy in the power supply to the priority load 121 can be ensured. In the second embodiment, the power distribution ECU 200 corresponds to the "vehicle control device."

[0087] (Other Embodiments) Although multiple embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be applied to various embodiments and combinations within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0088] In the above embodiment, an abnormality in the output voltage of the DC-DC converter 90 is detected by the overvoltage detection unit 99. However, the configuration and method for detecting an abnormality related to the DC-DC converter 90 may be modified as appropriate. For example, in a first modification of the above embodiment, an overcurrent detection unit that detects an abnormality in the output current of the DC-DC converter 90 is provided on at least one of the input side and the output side of the DC-DC converter 90, instead of the overvoltage detection unit 99. In the first modification, when an overcurrent is detected by the overcurrent detection unit, an FET is switched off in a specific interrupter circuit.

[0089] Furthermore, in a second modification of the above embodiment, both the overvoltage detection unit 99 and the overcurrent detection unit are provided near the DC-DC converter 90. In the second modification, when an overvoltage is detected by the overvoltage detection unit 99 or when an overcurrent is detected by the overcurrent detection unit, an FET is switched off in a specific interrupter circuit. As in the first and second modifications above, the detection value used to detect an abnormality in the DC-DC converter 90 may be either the current value or the voltage value, or both the current value and the voltage value.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the main line interruption circuit 70, each conversion unit interruption circuit 75, and each load interruption circuit 80 switched off the FETs based on the occurrence of an abnormality related to the DC-DC converter 90. However, the abnormalities for which the main line interruption circuit 70, each conversion unit interruption circuit 75, and each load interruption circuit 80 cut off current are not limited to the detection of an abnormality related to the DC-DC converter 90. For example, each interruption circuit can switch off the FETs based on the detection of various abnormalities, such as a ground fault or open circuit in the power supply system, a fixed short circuit in the main line interruption circuit 70, a ground fault in the load system, an increase in current consumption in the load system, and a ground fault in the power supply wiring 30. Furthermore, only one of the current value and the voltage value, or both the current value and the voltage value, may be used to determine such an abnormality.

[0091] The configuration of the DC-DC converter 90 may be changed as appropriate. The DC-DC converter 90 may be an asynchronous step-down converter. As described above, the DC-DC converter 90 may be a step-up converter or a step-up / step-down converter. Furthermore, the DC-DC converter 90 is not limited to these switching regulators, and a linear regulator may also be used as the DC-DC converter 90.

[0092] The current capacity of the DC-DC converter 90 may be changed as appropriate. The current capacity of the first converter 91 and the second converter 92 may be the same, or one may be set higher than the other. Furthermore, if the priority load 121 is configured to be able to operate in a low power consumption mode (safe mode) when an abnormality occurs, the current capacity of the first converter 91 and the second converter 92 may be less than the maximum current consumption of the priority load 121. Furthermore, if the current capacity of the DC-DC converter 90 is high, power supply to the normal load 122 may continue even when an abnormality occurs.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the multiple shutoff circuits are switched off substantially simultaneously in response to the occurrence of an abnormality related to the DC-DC converter 90. However, the order in which the shutoff circuits are switched off in response to the occurrence of an abnormality related to the DC-DC converter 90 may be changed as appropriate, as long as the main line shutoff circuit 70 is switched off before the conversion unit shutoff circuit 75 is switched off. For example, if an output abnormality occurs in the first converter 91, the load shedding circuits 80e and 80h may be switched off before or after the main line shedding circuit 70 and the first shedding circuit 75a are switched off. Furthermore, the load shedding circuit 80h may be switched off before or after the load shedding circuit 80e.

[0094] It may be possible to appropriately change the configuration of each of the power supply interruption circuit 60, the main line interruption circuit 70, the conversion unit interruption circuit 75, and the load interruption circuit 80. For example, in Modification 3 of the above embodiment, at least one of the power supply interruption circuit 60, the conversion unit interruption circuit 75, and the load interruption circuit 80 uses an interruption circuit that has substantially the same configuration as the main line interruption circuit 70 and is capable of interrupting current in both directions.

[0095] In a fourth modification of the above embodiment, each interrupter circuit is provided with its own control unit 97 that controls the on / off switching of the FET in cooperation with the drive unit. Furthermore, a fifth modification of the above embodiment is provided with an integrated control unit that integrates at least some of the functions of the control units of the individual interrupter circuits. The integrated control unit controls the on / off switching of the FET in each interrupter circuit in cooperation with the drive unit of each interrupter circuit. As in the fourth and fifth modifications, the configuration of the control unit in the power distribution ECU may be modified as appropriate. In the sixth and seventh modifications, it is also possible to coordinate the on / off switching of multiple interrupter circuits.

[0096] Additionally, the control unit and the integrated control unit may be configured by a microcontroller mainly including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or may be configured by a hardware circuit such as a discrete circuit. A CPU is a processing unit that operates based on a program. In contrast, a hardware circuit is a processing unit that does not use a program. Furthermore, the functions of the control unit and the integrated control unit may be provided by an SoC, an ASIC, an FPGA, or the like. SoC stands for System on Chip, and ASIC stands for Application Specific Integrated Circuit. And FPGA stands for Field-Programmable Gate Array.

[0097] In the sixth modification of the above embodiment, no distinction is made between the priority load 121 and the normal load 122. In the seventh modification of the above embodiment, at least one of the first high-voltage terminal 21c and the second high-voltage terminal 22c is omitted. That is, the normal load 123, which corresponds to a high-voltage load, is not connected to at least one of the first load line section 51 and the second load line section 52 in the seventh modification.

[0098] In Modification 8 of the above embodiment, the priority load 121 is connected to only one of the first load terminal 21 and the second load terminal 22. Furthermore, in Modification 9 of the above embodiment, a plurality of priority loads 121 are electrically connected to the first load terminal 21 and the second load terminal 22. In Modification 9, the current capacity of each DC-DC converter 90 is set so as to exceed the total maximum current consumption of the plurality of priority loads 121. Furthermore, in Modification 10 of the above embodiment, at least some of the normal loads 122 are electrically connected to both the first load terminal 21 and the second load terminal 22.

[0099] Vehicles equipped with a power distribution ECU according to the present disclosure are not limited to POVs (Personally Owned Vehicles) that are typically owned by individuals. The power distribution ECU may be installed in rental cars, manned taxis, ride-sharing vehicles, freight vehicles, buses, and the like. Furthermore, the power distribution ECU may be installed in unmanned vehicles used for mobility services, construction machinery, agricultural machinery, railroad cars, trams, dual-mode vehicles (DMVs), and the like. Furthermore, the power distribution ECU may be installed as a mobility control device in ships and electric aircraft such as drones and eVTOLs.

[0100] In the present disclosure, the term "connected" may mean that an element is directly connected to another element or indirectly connected via an intervening element, and the term "adjacent" may mean that an element is directly adjacent to another element without an intervening element or indirectly adjacent to another element via an intervening element.

[0101] (Disclosure of Technical Ideas) This specification discloses multiple technical ideas described in the following multiple clauses. Some clauses may be described in a multiple dependent form, with the subsequent clause alternatively referring to the preceding clause. Furthermore, some clauses may be described in a multiple dependent form, with the subsequent clause referring to another multiple dependent clause. These multiple dependent clauses define multiple technical ideas.

[0102] (Technical Idea 1) A vehicle control device used in a vehicle, which controls distribution of power supplied from a plurality of power supply units (110) to a plurality of load units (120), comprising: a plurality of power supply terminal units (10) electrically connected to the power supply units; a plurality of load terminal units (20) electrically connected to the load units; a first power supply line unit (31) electrically connected to a first power supply terminal (11) included in the plurality of power supply terminal units; a second power supply line unit (32) electrically connected to a second power supply terminal (12) included in the plurality of power supply terminal units; a main line interruption circuit (70) electrically connecting the first power supply line unit and the second power supply line unit, and interrupting the electrical connection between the first power supply line unit and the second power supply line unit based on an abnormality in at least one of a current value and a voltage value; and a first voltage conversion unit (91) converting a voltage supplied to the first power supply line unit and supplying it to a first load terminal (21) included in the plurality of load terminal units. and a second voltage conversion unit (92) that converts the voltage supplied to the second power supply line unit and supplies the converted voltage to second load terminals (22) included in the plurality of load terminal units. (Technical Idea 2) The vehicle control device according to Technical Idea 1, wherein the main line interruption circuit interrupts the electrical connection between the first power supply line unit and the second power supply line unit based on an abnormality in at least one of the current value and the voltage value related to the first voltage conversion unit or the second voltage conversion unit. (Technical Idea 3) The vehicle control device according to Technical Idea 1 or 2, further comprising a conversion unit interruption circuit (75) that is provided on the input side of at least one of the first voltage conversion unit and the second voltage conversion unit, and interrupts the supply of power to the first voltage conversion unit or the second voltage conversion unit. (Technical Idea 4) The vehicle control device according to Technical Idea 3, wherein the conversion unit interruption circuit interrupts the supply of power to the first voltage conversion unit or the second voltage conversion unit in connection with the interruption of the electrical connection between the first power supply line unit and the second power supply line unit by the main line interruption circuit.(Technical Idea 5) The vehicle control device according to Technical Idea 1, further comprising a conversion unit shutoff circuit (75) provided on the input side of at least one of the first voltage conversion unit and the second voltage conversion unit, and shutting off the supply of power to the first voltage conversion unit or the second voltage conversion unit, wherein the main line shutoff circuit shuts off the electrical connection between the first power supply line unit and the second power supply line unit, and the conversion unit shutoff circuit shuts off the supply of power to the first voltage conversion unit or the second voltage conversion unit, based on an abnormality in at least one of the current value and the voltage value related to the first voltage conversion unit or the second voltage conversion unit. (Technical Idea 6) The vehicle control device according to any one of Technical Ideas 1 to 5, wherein at least one of the first load terminals and at least one of the second load terminals serve as priority terminals (21 a, 22 a) and are electrically connected to a same priority load (121) among the plurality of load units, the supply of power being prioritized over other normal loads (122). (Technical Idea 7) The vehicle control device according to Technical Idea 6, wherein each of the first voltage conversion unit and the second voltage conversion unit has a current capacity equal to or greater than a maximum current consumption of the priority load. (Technical Idea 8) The vehicle control device according to Technical Idea 6 or 7, further comprising: a normal terminal (21b, 22b) electrically connected to the normal load (122), a priority supply line unit (51a, 52a) electrically connecting the priority terminal to the first voltage conversion unit or the second voltage conversion unit, a normal supply line unit (51b, 52b) electrically connecting the normal terminal to the first voltage conversion unit or the second voltage conversion unit, and a load interruption circuit (80e, 80h) that interrupts electrical connection by the normal supply line unit based on an abnormality in at least one of the current value and the voltage value related to the first voltage conversion unit or the second voltage conversion unit.

Claims

1. A vehicle control device used in a vehicle, which controls the distribution of power supplied from a plurality of power supply units (110) to a plurality of load units (120), comprising: a plurality of power supply terminal units (10) electrically connected to the power supply units; a plurality of load terminal units (20) electrically connected to the load units; a first power supply line unit (31) electrically connected to a first power supply terminal (11) included in the plurality of power supply terminal units; a second power supply line unit (32) electrically connected to a second power supply terminal (12) included in the plurality of power supply terminal units; a main line interruption circuit (70) electrically connecting the first power supply line unit and the second power supply line unit, and interrupting the electrical connection between the first power supply line unit and the second power supply line unit based on an abnormality in at least one of a current value and a voltage value; and a first voltage conversion unit (91) converting the voltage supplied to the first power supply line unit and supplying it to a first load terminal (21) included in the plurality of load terminal units. a second voltage conversion unit (92) that converts the voltage supplied to the second power supply line unit and supplies the converted voltage to second load terminals (22) included in the plurality of load terminal units.

2. A vehicle control device as described in claim 1, wherein the main line interruption circuit interrupts the electrical connection between the first power supply line section and the second power supply line section based on an abnormality in at least one of the current value and the voltage value related to the first voltage conversion section or the second voltage conversion section.

3. A vehicle control device as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a conversion unit cut-off circuit (75) provided on the input side of at least one of the first voltage conversion unit and the second voltage conversion unit, which cuts off the supply of power to the first voltage conversion unit or the second voltage conversion unit.

4. A vehicle control device as described in claim 3, wherein the conversion unit cut-off circuit cuts off the supply of power to the first voltage conversion unit or the second voltage conversion unit in connection with the cutting off of the electrical connection between the first power supply line unit and the second power supply line unit by the main line cut-off circuit.

5. A vehicle control device as described in claim 1, further comprising a conversion unit cut-off circuit (75) provided on the input side of at least one of the first voltage conversion unit and the second voltage conversion unit, which cuts off the supply of power to the first voltage conversion unit or the second voltage conversion unit, wherein, based on an abnormality in at least one of the current value and the voltage value related to the first voltage conversion unit or the second voltage conversion unit, the main line cut-off circuit cuts off the electrical connection between the first power supply line unit and the second power supply line unit, and the conversion unit cut-off circuit cuts off the supply of power to the first voltage conversion unit or the second voltage conversion unit.

6. A vehicle control device as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first load terminals and at least one of the second load terminals are electrically connected as priority terminals (21a, 22a) to the same priority load (121) among the multiple load sections, the supply of power of which is given priority over other normal loads (122).

7. The vehicle control device according to claim 6, wherein the current capabilities of the first voltage conversion unit and the second voltage conversion unit are both equal to or greater than the maximum current consumption of the prioritized load.

8. A vehicle control device as described in claim 6 or 7, further comprising: a priority supply line section (51a, 52a) electrically connecting the priority terminal to the first voltage conversion section or the second voltage conversion section; a normal supply line section (51b, 52b) electrically connecting the normal terminal to the first voltage conversion section or the second voltage conversion section; and a load interruption circuit (80e, 80h) that interrupts the electrical connection by the normal supply line section based on an abnormality in at least one of the current value and the voltage value related to the first voltage conversion section or the second voltage conversion section.

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