JP3544233B2 - Multiplex transmission equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a multiplex transmission device including a load node that drives a load and a notification communication node having a notification unit for notifying an occupant of the drive of the load via a communication line. The present invention relates to a multiplex transmission device having a notification function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In order to reduce the amount of wiring in a vehicle such as an automobile, a method has been proposed in which nodes such as various electric components and a controller in the vehicle are connected by a communication line, and data communication is performed between the nodes by a frame on this line. I have. The frame includes various data multiplexed.
[0003]
In such a multiplex transmission device, a plurality of nodes are connected to one line, and each node is connected to a load or a controller. Therefore, node failure, load failure, controller failure, etc. Occurs due to congestion.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 3-276842 has proposed a device for identifying and displaying various failures in such a multiplex communication system.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the failure diagnosis system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-276842, a special tester is prepared, and at the time of failure diagnosis, this tester is connected to a communication line to perform failure diagnosis on the relationship between the indicator lamps of the switches. That is, when the tester displays a lamp corresponding to a specific switch, the operator operates the switch corresponding to the lamp, and the tester monitors this operation signal. If the operation signal does not return within a predetermined time, it is determined that the switch or the lamp has failed, and the fact is displayed on the display unit of the tester.
[0005]
As described above, in the failure diagnosis of the conventional multiplex transmission system, a special tester and a special display unit are required.
The present invention has been proposed in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multiplex transmission device capable of notifying an operator of a failure point without requiring a special tester or the like. It is a suggestion.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a load node for driving a load provided in a vehicle and communicating with another node via a communication line, and for notifying an occupant of the drive of the load according to claim 1. A multiplex transmission device comprising: a notification communication node having notification means and communicating with another node via the communication line,
The load node, which notifies the fault of the load to the broadcast communication node via the communication line together with the identifier of the fault,
A notification communication node that receives an identifier of a failure via the communication line, performs the notification unit, and notifies the occupant of the failure in a notification mode corresponding to the received identifier.
[0007]
According to the multiplex transmission apparatus of claim 2, the broadcast communication node includes means for detecting a failure of the load communication node, and when the failure of the load communication node is detected, It is characterized in that the notification means is made to notify the occupant of the failure of the load communication node in a different manner.
According to the multiplex transmission apparatus of the third aspect, the notifying means is also used for notifying the failure with a lamp for displaying a normal operation of the load.
[0008]
5. The multiplex transmission apparatus according to claim 4, wherein in the broadcast mode, an on / off interval of a broadcast signal is changed.
According to the multiplex transmission apparatus of the fifth aspect, when a plurality of broadcast communication nodes are provided, the broadcast means of each broadcast communication node is assigned in advance the sharing of the load communication node to be broadcast.
[0009]
According to the multiplex transmission apparatus of claim 6, when the broadcast communication node includes a plurality of broadcast means, the broadcast means of each broadcast communication node is assigned in advance the sharing of the load communication node to be broadcast. I have.
[0010]
[Action]
According to the multiplex transmission device of claim 1, the notifying means for notifying the occupant of the drive of the load at the normal time is further used to notify not only the failure of the load but also the failure of the communication node. No extra notification means is required, and at the same time, the occurrence of a failure can be reliably reported by distinguishing between a failure of an auxiliary device such as a load and a failure of a communication node .
[0011]
According to the multiplex transmission device of the second aspect , a lamp for indicating the normal operation of the load is used, and the cost is low. According to the multiplex transmission apparatus of the third aspect , a plurality of faults can be identifiably displayed by changing the on / off interval of the notification signal.
[0012]
According to the multiplex transmission apparatus of claims 4 and 5 , since the notification means is assigned a jurisdiction range in advance, the display mode can be set the same between different notification means.
【Example】
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the multiplex transmission device of the present invention is applied to a control system of an automobile will be described.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a multiplex transmission system according to an embodiment provided in an automobile 100. In FIG. 1, communication nodes are shown by rectangular symbols, and they are connected by a communication line 200. A communication node has a communication control function and a function of controlling a load, a switch, and the like, and is therefore called an ECU (electronic control unit). The communication line 200 is a well-known twisted pair line. In the system of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a front R.ECU 10, a front L.ECU 11, an EGI.ECU 12, an ASC.ECU 14, a cowl L.ECU 15, a MFB.ECU 13, a console E.ECU 16, , An instrument panel ECU 17, a meter ECU 18, a column ECU 19, a cowl R ECU 20, a rear R ECU 21, and a rear L ECU 22.
[0014]
Actuators, sensors, switches, and the like are connected to each ECU. These are referred to as "auxiliary devices" in this specification. The ECU and the auxiliary device are connected not by a twisted pair wire but by a signal line most suitable for the auxiliary device. For example, if the auxiliary device is a switch, two signal lines are sufficient, but if the actuator performs a high degree of function, an appropriate number of signal lines will be required to perform the function. In FIG. 1, such signal lines are indicated by broken lines.
[0015]
The front R · ECU 10 controls the right fog lamp 63, the right head lamp (not shown), and the motor 65. The front L-ECU 11 controls a left fog lamp 62, a left head lamp (not shown), and a motor 64. The EGI ECU 12 controls an engine (not shown). The ASC / ECU 14 controls the automatic speed control actuator 60. The cowl L · ECU 15 controls various loads (for example, a power window motor or the like) on the left door. The MFB / ECU 13 branches the communication line 200 between the EGI 12, the front L11, the ASC 14, and the cowl L15.
[0016]
The console / ECU 16 is connected to a parking brake switch 54 and other switches. The instrument panel / ECU 17 is connected to a rear defogger switch / lamp (not shown), and the meter / ECU 18 is connected to a brake lamp 55 and an ASC operation lamp 56. The column ECU 19 is connected to a MAIN switch 57, a SET / COAST switch 58, and a RES / ACC switch 59 for ASC control. The meter / ECU 18 is connected to a brake lamp 55 and an ASC operation lamp 56. A brake switch 70 is connected to the cowl / ECU 20.
[0017]
The rear R / ECU 21 controls a right stop lamp 51 and a right tail lamp (not shown) and is connected to a right pad switch 50. The rear L-ECU 11 controls a left stop lamp 52 and a left tail lamp (not shown) and is connected to a left pad switch 53.
FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a typical ECU (communication node) 300. The ECU 300 controls an output auxiliary device 307 (for example, a motor, an actuator, or a switch) and inputs information from an input auxiliary device 308 (for example, a switch or a sensor). The data from the input auxiliary device 308 may be used directly for controlling the output auxiliary device 307, or may be sent from the ECU 300 to another ECU and used by another ECU.
[0018]
In FIG. 2, a communication IC 300 is connected to a communication line 200 and performs communication in accordance with a CSMA / CD control procedure described later. The data received by the IC 300 is passed to the CPU 305. The power supply 302 receives a supply of 12 V from a power supply line separately wired from the communication line, and generates a necessary voltage in the ECU. The CPU 305 inputs data from the input auxiliary device 308 via the interface 303 and processes the data. Further, the CPU 305 controls the output auxiliary device 307 via the interface 306 based on the data input from the auxiliary device 308 or data obtained from another ECU via the IC 300. For example, if the ECU 300 is the EGI 12, the input auxiliary device 308 is a crank angle sensor (not shown), and the output auxiliary device 307 is a fuel injection injector (not shown), the CPU 305 inputs a crank angle signal and The engine speed will be calculated. Then, the fuel injection amount is calculated based on the engine speed, and the signal is output to an auxiliary device 307 as an injector. If necessary, the CPU 305 sends the calculated engine speed to the communication IC 301 for sending to another node.
[0019]
The IPS (intelligent power switching) 309 provided in the interface 306 is an output driver with a diagnostic function.
FIG. 3 shows a format of a frame exchanged on the line 200 in the network system of FIG. Each frame includes a field 400 for storing an ECU address of a destination of the frame, a field 401 for identifying a source ECU of the frame, a field 402 including data (including a CRC code), and an ACK field 403. Become.
[0020]
The ACK field 403 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the ACK field 403 is a field following the data field, and includes a plurality of time slots. Each time slot has a length of one bit, and its position is assigned to each ECU in advance. The transmission source ECU transmits up to the data field of one frame. Each ECU receiving this frame returns an ACK bit at the timing of the time slot designated by itself, unless an error is received (for example, a parity error). It is assumed that not only the ECU designated as the destination, but also other ECUs, respond to such an ACK bit, that is, if all the ECUs respond, the source ECU monitors this ACK bit on the line 200. Then you can see which ECU did not return the ACK bit. In this way, the sending ECU knows that there is an ECU that has not been able to receive data normally, and retransmits the frame. In other words, if there is no response to the predetermined number of retransmissions, it can be determined that the ECU is out of order.
[0021]
As described above, in each ECU, the failure of the input auxiliary device 308 can be detected by the failure detection circuit 303, and the failure of the output auxiliary device 307 can be detected by the IPS 309. For example, a failure detection circuit or an IPS detects a short circuit of a switch having a plurality of contacts or a failure detection based on a logical judgment. For example, a failure of a switch is detected because a brake lamp is not lit even during ABS operation. be able to.
[0022]
As described above, each ECU can detect at least a failure of an input auxiliary device or an output auxiliary device connected thereto. Further, as described above, the ECU that transmitted the frame can specify the ECU that failed to respond. Therefore, each ECU can notify the other ECU of a failure that has occurred in an auxiliary device connected to the ECU and a failure of the other ECU that the ECU has detected.
[0023]
FIG. 5 shows a configuration of a data field of a frame for notifying the occurrence of a failure in the configuration of the frame shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, a field 410 stores an identifier indicating that this frame is a frame that reports a failure. As described above, in the present system, the failure of the ECU and the failure of the auxiliary device can be separately recognized. Therefore, a field 411 in FIG. 5 contains a flag indicating that the number stored in the field 412 is the number of the ECU (s) that have determined that the present ECU has failed. The field 413 stores a flag indicating that the number stored in the field 414 is the number of an auxiliary device (a plurality of auxiliary devices) determined to have failed by the ECU.
[0024]
The occupant is notified of the occurrence of the malfunction by blinking a lamp. By changing the interval between the on-time and off-time of the flashing of the lamp, the occupant can identify a plurality of possible fault locations.
In this embodiment, the lamp does not have a special display device, but uses an existing lamp or display. For example, the charge lamp 67 and the ASC operation lamp 56 are used.
[0025]
If there are many types of failure points that can logically occur, it becomes difficult for the occupant's eyes to identify a change in the blinking time. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, a range for a lamp or a display for notifying the occurrence of a failure is determined in advance.
That is, in FIG. 7, the charge lamp 67 connected to the meter node (meter ECU) 18 displays the failure of the other ECU detected by the MFB ECU 13 and the detection of the alternator 61 detected by the meter ECU 13, for example. I do.
[0026]
In the classification of FIG. 8, the ASC operation lamp 56 of the meter ECU 13 indicates that the MFB ECU 13, the column ECU 19, the cowl R ECU 20, the failure of the other ECU detected by the ASC ECU 20, and the auxiliary devices controlled by these ECUs. Responsible for failure indication.
9, the stop lamp 51 of the rear R.ECU 21, the stop lamp 52 of the rear L.ECU 22, and the brake lamp 55 of the meter ECU 21, the ASC operation lamp 56 of the meter ECU 13, the rear R.ECU 21, and the rear L The ECU 22, the meter ECU 21, the cowl R.ECU 20, and the console ECU 16 are each responsible for the detection of a failure of the ECU and the display of a failure of an auxiliary device controlled by the ECU.
[0027]
In the division of FIG. 10, the operation lamp 68 of the instrument panel / ECU 17 indicates the failure of the other nodes detected by the front L-ECU 11, the front R-ECU 10, and the instrument panel / ECU 17, and the failure of the auxiliary device controlled by these ECUs. Responsible for display.
, The column ECU, the cowl RECCU, and the ASC ECU detect failures of the other ECUs and failures of auxiliary devices controlled by these ECUs.
[0028]
FIG. 11 shows a table held by the CPU of the meter / ECU 18 in the division of FIG. That is, the CPU stores a table as shown in FIG. 11 in a RAM (not shown). When the transmission source of the frame is any one of the MFB-ECU 13, the column ECU 19, the cowl R-ECU 20, and the ASC-ECU 20, the meter / ECU 18 determines from the data field (the format of FIG. Or other malfunction auxiliary devices of the ECU, and the corresponding duty time is known from the table of FIG.
[0029]
FIG. 12 shows a control procedure for displaying a failure point in the meter ECU 18 in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, the rear R ECU 21 and the rear L ECU 22 in FIG. 9, and the instrument panel ECU 17 in FIG. These control procedures are executed independently by the CPU of each ECU.
In step S10, it is checked whether or not the received frame is a frame for reporting a failure. If the frame is not a failed frame, processing for data of the frame is performed. If it is a failure notification frame, it is checked in step S12 whether the received frame is from the ECU under its jurisdiction according to the jurisdiction shown in FIGS. If the frame is a failure notification frame from outside the jurisdiction, the frame is ignored, and in step S20, if there is no failure to check whether there is a failure in the accessory controlled by the own ECU, the process returns to the main routine.
[0030]
If there is a failure in the auxiliary device managed by itself, or if the received notification frame is a frame from the ECU of the responsible jurisdiction / ECU, the process proceeds to step S14 to search the table in FIG. The duty is determined according to the site. In step S18, display is performed.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the multiplex transmission apparatus of the present invention, in yet cheap cost, reliably, it is possible to notify the failure site to the operator.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a multiplex communication system according to an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an automobile.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a typical configuration of an ECU.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a frame used in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an ACK field following a data field.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a data field portion of a failure notification frame.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing signal intervals of failure notification.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of jurisdiction of a failure display.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of jurisdiction of a failure display.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of jurisdiction of a failure display.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of jurisdiction of a failure display.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a table for determining a duty of failure display.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure according to the embodiment.

Claims (5)

A plurality of communication nodes connected to an input auxiliary device or an output auxiliary device such as an actuator, a sensor or a switch provided in a vehicle, and a multiplex transmission device connected via a communication line,
  The communication node,
  Auxiliary device failure detecting means for detecting a failure of an input auxiliary device or an output auxiliary device connected thereto,
  Notifying means for notifying another communication node of the detected failure of the input auxiliary device or the output auxiliary device,
  Retransmission means for retransmitting the other communication node within a predetermined number of times when there is no response from the other communication node;
  Node failure determining means for determining that the other communication node has failed if there is no response even after performing the predetermined number of retransmissions;
  Node failure reporting means for further reporting to the other communication node that the other communication node has failed;
With
  Among the communication nodes, a notification communication node including a notification unit for notifying an occupant of a normal operation of a load provided in the vehicle, further includes a notification of a failure of the input auxiliary device or the output auxiliary device or When receiving the notification of the failure of the communication node, the notification means is used to provide different notification modes for the normal operation of the load, the failure of the input auxiliary device or the output auxiliary device, and the failure of the other communication node. By notifying the occupant at, the notifying means for notifying the occupant of the normal operation of the load, in order to notify the failure of the input auxiliary device or the output auxiliary device and the failure of the other communication node A multiplex transmission device that is also used. In multiplex transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification means, multiplex transmission apparatus characterized by informing with a ramp. 3. The multiplex transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the broadcast mode varies on / off intervals of a broadcast signal. 4. In the multiplex transmission apparatus according to claim 1, in a case where the notification communication node is provided with a plurality, informing means for each broadcast communication nodes, beforehand, and characterized in that assigned the sharing of communication nodes of the notification target Multiplex transmission equipment . In the multiplex transmission apparatus according to claim 1, in a case where the notification communication node comprises a plurality of notification means, notifying means each broadcast communication nodes, beforehand, that it has been assigned an allocation of a communication node of a notification target Characteristic multiplex transmission equipment .

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