JP3947393B2 - Selective connection device and vehicle diagnostic system having the device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a selective connection device interposed between a vehicle diagnostic device provided on a vehicle diagnostic stage of a vehicle assembly line and a plurality of connection cables, and a vehicle diagnostic system using the device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, a vehicle diagnosis stage for inspecting a vehicle assembled on the assembly line is provided at the line end of the vehicle assembly line in the automobile assembly factory, and the vehicle diagnosis stage is mounted on the vehicle. In addition, a vehicle diagnostic apparatus for inspecting and diagnosing the electronic control unit and the electronic control system is installed.
[0003]
When the vehicle assembled on the vehicle assembly line is transported to the vehicle diagnostic stage, the inspector pulls the front end of the connection cable leading to the vehicle diagnostic device from the vehicle window into the vehicle interior, for example, near the foot of the driver's seat And the tip of the connection cable is connected to a check connector of an electronic control unit (ECU) provided in the vicinity of the indoor fuse box. Thereby, communication is performed between the vehicle diagnosis apparatus and the ECU via the connection cable, and the vehicle diagnosis is performed.
[0004]
By the way, in a vehicle assembly line of an automobile assembly factory, vehicles having different specifications such as a right handle and a left handle are assembled by being randomly flowed on the same line. In recent years, a multi-product mixed-flow production system has been actively adopted, in which car models such as sedan type and wagon type that are vastly different from each other are randomly flowed and assembled on the same line. Therefore, when the specifications are different, the arrangement positions of the check connectors of the ECU in the vehicle are also different.
[0005]
Here, if a plurality of vehicle diagnostic apparatuses are provided in order to meet all specifications, the cost is high, and these vehicle diagnostic apparatuses are not used at the same time, so that equipment is wasted. Therefore, usually, one vehicle diagnostic device is installed for one line, and a connection cable is prepared for each check connector arrangement position of each ECU.
[0006]
For example, when the ECU check connector is near the foot of the driver's seat and the vehicle has a right-hand drive specification, the connection cable arranged at the right side of the vehicle body is pulled into the vehicle compartment from the right window of the driver's seat, Connect the cable connector to the check connector. When the vehicle has a left-hand drive specification, a cable disposed at the left side position of the vehicle body is drawn into the vehicle compartment from the left window of the driver's seat, and the cable connector at the tip is connected to the check connector.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, other connection cables that are not connected to the ECU at that time are left with the connection terminals left and released, so there is a concern about the induction of noise signals that have high impedance and may interfere with vehicle diagnosis. It was.
[0008]
In order to prevent such noise signals from being mixed into the vehicle diagnostic apparatus, it is also considered to provide a changeover switch that electrically and mechanically disconnects the other diagnostic cables and the vehicle diagnostic apparatus that are not connected to the ECU. However, the operation | work which operates the changeover switch according to the specification of a vehicle is needed, and is complicated.
[0009]
In particular, in the vehicle assembly line, vehicle types having various specifications flow randomly in random order. Therefore, it is necessary for the operator to make a judgment according to the vehicle type and switch the changeover switch every time, which is very inconvenient. It is. Also, if the operator misoperates the changeover switch, the inspection and diagnosis work is delayed, which may affect the production status of the assembly line.
[0010]
In addition, it was also considered to transfer the production information to the vehicle diagnosis device in synchronization with the vehicle production plan, and to automatically switch the connection cable electrically and mechanically. Since there are many changes in the production order due to shortages, it is difficult to achieve synchronization, which is impractical and the system becomes complicated, resulting in high costs.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and an object of the present invention is to accurately block a noise signal generated in a connection cable that is not connected to the ECU from being mixed into the vehicle diagnostic apparatus, thereby accurately It is an object of the present invention to provide a selective connection device that enables diagnosis and a vehicle diagnosis system using the device.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The selective connection device according to the first aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problems is that each check is performed on a vehicle diagnosis stage of a vehicle assembly line in order to connect to a check connector of an ECU having a different arrangement position in the vehicle according to the specification of the vehicle. Provided in the vehicle diagnostic stage for communicating with the ECU via a plurality of connection cables having cable connectors prepared for each connector arrangement position and a connection cable in which the cable connector is connected to the check connector of the ECU Select a connection cable that is interposed between the vehicle diagnosis device and the cable connector is connected to the check connector from among a plurality of connection cables, and electrically connect the selected connection cable and the vehicle diagnosis device. And a selective connection means for performing the selection.
[0013]
According to the present invention, when a cable connector of an arbitrary connection cable is connected to the check connector of the ECU from among a plurality of connection cables prepared for each arrangement position of each check connector on the inspection / diagnosis stage of the vehicle assembly line. The connection cable and the vehicle diagnostic apparatus are electrically connected.
[0014]
Other connection cables that are not connected to the check connector are in a state where the connection terminals are floating, have a high impedance, and are easy to accept noise signals. Since the electrical connection is cut off, it is possible to reliably prevent noise signals from being mixed into the vehicle diagnostic apparatus from these other connection cables. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent erroneous diagnosis of the vehicle diagnostic apparatus due to the mixing of noise signals, and to improve the work efficiency and accuracy of the inspection.
[0015]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle diagnostic system in which each check connector is arranged on the vehicle diagnosis stage of the vehicle assembly line in order to connect to a check connector of an ECU having a different arrangement position in the vehicle according to the specification of the vehicle. In order to communicate with the ECU via a plurality of connection cables having cable connectors prepared in the above and a connection cable in which the cable connector is connected to the check connector of the vehicle ECU conveyed to the vehicle diagnostic stage Select a connection cable that is interposed between the vehicle diagnosis device provided on the vehicle diagnosis stage, a plurality of connection cables and the vehicle diagnosis device, and the cable connector is connected to the check connector from the plurality of connection cables. A selective connection device for electrically connecting the selected connection cable and the vehicle diagnostic device; Characterized in that it.
[0016]
According to the present invention, when a cable connector of an arbitrary connection cable is connected to the check connector of the ECU from among a plurality of connection cables prepared for each arrangement position of each check connector on the inspection / diagnosis stage of the vehicle assembly line. The connection cable and the vehicle diagnostic apparatus are electrically connected.
[0017]
Other connection cables that are not connected to the check connector are in a state where the connection terminals are floating, have a high impedance, and are easy to accept noise signals. Since the electrical connection is cut off, it is possible to reliably prevent noise signals from being mixed into the vehicle diagnostic apparatus from these other connection cables. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent erroneous diagnosis of the vehicle diagnostic apparatus due to the mixing of noise signals, and to improve the work efficiency and accuracy of the inspection.
[0018]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle diagnostic system according to the second aspect, the selective connection device uses a power source supplied from the ECU side via a connection cable in which the cable connector is connected to the check connector. The cable connector selects a connection cable connected to the check connector, and electrically connects the selected connection cable and the vehicle diagnostic apparatus.
[0019]
According to the present invention, the power supply supplied from the ECU side via the connection cable in which the cable connector is connected to the check connector is used to select the connection cable in which the cable connector is connected to the check connector. The connection cable and the vehicle diagnostic apparatus are electrically and automatically connected. Therefore, the configuration of the apparatus can be simplified, the manufacturing can be facilitated, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0020]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle diagnostic system according to the third aspect, the selective connection device includes a selection of a connection cable in which the cable connector is connected to the check connector, and a connection between the selected connection cable and the vehicle diagnostic device. The electrical connection is performed using a semiconductor switch. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle diagnostic system according to the third aspect, the selective connection device includes a selection of a connection cable in which the cable connector is connected to the check connector, and the selected connection cable and the vehicle diagnostic device. The electrical connection between the two is performed using a solenoid relay. The inventions of claim 4 and claim 5 specifically limit the configuration of claim 3.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system schematic diagram illustrating a vehicle diagnosis system according to the present embodiment. A free roller 1 and a vehicle diagnosis device 10 are provided at the vehicle inspection diagnosis stage. The free roller 1 is a device that can be brought into a state equivalent to an actual running state by driving the front wheel 101 and the rear wheel 102 of the vehicle 100 on the rotatable roller 2. A rotary encoder 3 that detects the rotational state of the roller 2 on which the front wheel 101 of the vehicle 100 is placed is attached. A signal detected by the rotary encoder 3 is input to the vehicle diagnostic apparatus 10.
[0022]
The vehicle diagnostic device 10 is a device that diagnoses an electronic control unit and an electronic control system of the vehicle 100 by communicating with the ECU 103 mounted on the vehicle 100 via the connection cable 15. I / O interface 11 for inputting / outputting signals between them, a buffer 12 provided in the I / O interface 11, and a vehicle diagnostic process by communicating with the buffer 12 via a bidirectional communication line (not shown) It has the control part 13 which performs. The control unit 13 stores a vehicle diagnosis program for each vehicle type in the form of a database arranged for each communication type and line. In addition, a host computer 14 is connected to the vehicle diagnostic apparatus 10 for collecting diagnostic results and the like.
[0023]
The connection cable 15 has a cable connector 16 that can be connected to the check connector 104 of the ECU 103 at the tip, and each check connector 104 is connected to the check connector 104 of the ECU 103 having a different arrangement position according to the specification of the vehicle. It is prepared for each arrangement position. In the present embodiment, since the check connector 104 of the ECU 103 is provided near the foot of the driver's seat, two connection cables 15A for a right-hand drive vehicle and a connection cable 15B for a left-hand drive vehicle are prepared. The vehicle 100 is disposed at both sides in the vehicle width direction so as to be connected to the vehicle interior by being drawn into the passenger compartment.
[0024]
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram for explaining a part of the I / O interface 11. The I / O interface 11 detects the connected connection cable 15 when any one of the plurality of connection cables 15 is connected to the ECU 103, and the connection cable connected to the ECU 103. A selective connection device 20 that electrically connects the vehicle diagnosis device 10 to the vehicle diagnostic device 10 is provided.
[0025]
FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams for explaining each embodiment of the input circuit of the selective connection device 20, and FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which the input circuit of the selective connection device 20 is configured using a solenoid relay 25. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment in which the input circuit of the selective connection device 20 is configured using a photocoupler that is an example of a semiconductor switch.
[0026]
The selective connection device 20 includes an a circuit 21, a b circuit 22, and a c circuit 23 for each connection cable 15. The a circuit 21 is a circuit to which a voltage is applied by turning on an ignition key (not shown) in a state where the cable connector 16 of the connection cable 15 is connected to the check connector 104 of the ECU 103, and the b circuit 22 is supplied from the ECU 103. The c circuit 23 is a GND that is connected to the ground 24.
[0027]
In the case of FIG. 3, solenoid type relays 25A and 25B are provided for the respective connection cables 15A and 15B, the a circuit 21A is connected to the solenoid SA, and the b circuit 22A is connected to the relay contact TA. For example, when a right-hand drive vehicle connection cable 15A shown on the upper side in the drawing is selected and the cable connector 16A is connected to the check connector 104 of the ECU 103 shown in FIG. The IGN voltage is applied to 21A, the solenoid 25A is energized, the relay contact TA of the b circuit 22A is connected, and the data signal from the ECU 103 can be supplied to the vehicle diagnostic apparatus 10.
[0028]
At this time, the cable connector 16B of the connection cable 15B for the left-hand drive vehicle shown on the lower side in the drawing is not connected to the check connector 104 of the ECU 103, so that no IGN voltage is applied to the a circuit 21B. The solenoid SB connected to the circuit 21B is not energized. Accordingly, the relay contact TB is opened, and the signal of the b circuit 22B is not output to the vehicle diagnostic apparatus 10.
[0029]
Here, the connection cable 15B not connected to the check connector 104 is in a state in which the cable connector 16B is floated, has a high impedance, and is likely to generate a noise signal. The electrical connection with the diagnostic apparatus 10 is interrupted. Therefore, mixing of a noise signal from the connection cable 15B for the left-hand drive vehicle to the vehicle diagnostic apparatus 10 can be reliably prevented.
[0030]
In the case of FIG. 4, photocouplers 26A and 26B are provided for each of the connection cables 15A and 15B, the a circuit 21A is connected to the light receiving element PA, and the b circuit 22A is connected to the light emitting element CA. For example, when the right-hand drive vehicle connection cable 15A is selected and the cable connector 16A is connected to the check connector 104 of the ECU 103, the IGN voltage is applied to the a circuit 21A by turning on the ignition key, and the light receiving element It is possible to energize PA, operate photocoupler 26A, receive a signal from light emitting element CA of b circuit 22A, and supply a data signal from ECU 103 to vehicle diagnostic apparatus 10.
[0031]
At this time, the cable connector 16B of the connection cable 15B for the left-hand drive vehicle shown on the lower side in the drawing is not connected to the check connector 104 of the ECU 103, so that no IGN voltage is applied to the a circuit 21B. The light receiving element PB connected to the circuit 21B is not energized. Therefore, the light receiving element PB cannot receive the signal from the light emitting element CB, and the signal of the b circuit 22B is not output to the vehicle diagnostic apparatus 10. Therefore, mixing of a noise signal from the connection cable 15B for the left-hand drive vehicle to the vehicle diagnostic apparatus 10 can be reliably prevented.
[0032]
3 and 4, the case where there is one b circuit 22 for each connection cable 15 has been described as an example, but a plurality of b circuits 22 may be provided for each connection cable 15. In the above-described embodiment, two connection cables 15 for right-hand drive vehicles and left-hand drive vehicles have been described as an example. However, a plurality of connection cables 15 may be provided depending on the arrangement positions of check connectors 104 that are different for each type of vehicle. And the input circuit of the selective connection device 20 corresponding to the connection cable 15 may be prepared.
[0033]
Next, a vehicle diagnosis method using the vehicle diagnosis system having the above configuration will be described. First, when the vehicle 100 is carried into the vehicle inspection diagnosis stage by an inspector and is placed on the free roller 1 as shown in FIG. 1, the ignition key of the vehicle is once turned off.
[0034]
Then, the connection cable 15 installed on the left and right of the vehicle 100 is pulled closer to the driver's seat from the window on the driver's seat side, and is installed near the feet of the driver's seat. Connected to the connector 104. At this time, the vehicle information may be input from an ID system or the like and the specification information of the ECU 103 may be input to the vehicle diagnostic device 10 for diagnosis of each electronic control device 10.
[0035]
When the cable connector 16 is connected to the check connector 104, the control unit 13 transmits a control program from a program arranged for each communication type and line to the I / O interface 11, and controls the vehicle diagnosis standby state. .
[0036]
When the ignition key is turned on again, the IGN voltage is applied from the ECU 103 side to the a circuit 21 via the connection cable 15 in which the cable connector 103 is connected to the check connector 104, and the data signal of the b circuit 22 is transmitted. It is supplied to the vehicle diagnostic apparatus 10.
[0037]
Moreover, since the IGN voltage is not applied to the a circuit 21 from the ECU 103 side in the connection cable 15 in which the cable connector 16 is not connected to the check connector 104, the electrical connection between the b circuit 22 and the vehicle diagnostic device 10 is interrupted. It is assumed that
[0038]
Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the input of a noise signal from the connection cable 15 that is not connected to the vehicle diagnostic apparatus 10. Thereby, the vehicle diagnostic apparatus 10 can prevent erroneous diagnosis due to the intrusion of the noise signal, and as a result, the work efficiency and accuracy of the inspection can be improved.
[0039]
When the inspector connects the cable connector 16 to the check connector 104, the inspector causes the vehicle 100 to travel on the free roller 1 along the traveling pattern displayed on the display unit 17 of the vehicle diagnostic device 10. Thereby, in the vehicle diagnostic apparatus 10, the control command sent to the I / O interface 11 by the control unit 13 is sequentially executed, and communication is performed with the ECU 103 mounted on the vehicle 100.
[0040]
For example, the control unit 13 sequentially transmits diagnostic control commands to the buffer 12 of the I / O interface 11. In response to this, the I / O interface 11 communicates with the ECU 103 of the vehicle 100, performs diagnosis based on information held by the ECU 103, and transmits the result to the control unit 13. The control unit 13 performs vehicle diagnosis based on the diagnosis result from the I / O interface 11 and the signal from the rotary encoder 3 of the free roller 1 and sequentially displays the diagnosis result on the display unit 17.
[0041]
After completion of the diagnosis, the inspector stops the traveling of the vehicle 100 on the free roller 1, turns off the ignition switch to stop the engine, and removes the cable connector 16 from the check connector 104. Then, the connection cable 15 is taken out from the inside of the vehicle and the vehicle 100 is transported to the next step. At this time, data such as inspection results may be transmitted to the host computer 14 and stored, or written in an ID tag (not shown) using an ID system.
[0042]
According to the vehicle diagnostic system described above, the selective connection device 20 checks the ECU 103 with one of the plurality of connection cables 15 prepared for each arrangement position of each check connector 104 on the inspection diagnosis stage of the automobile assembly line. When the connector 104 is connected, the connection cable 15 connected to the ECU 103 and the vehicle diagnostic apparatus 10 are electrically connected.
[0043]
Accordingly, the electrical connection between the other connection cable 15 that is not connected to the check connector 104 and the vehicle diagnostic device 10 is maintained, and the vehicle diagnostic device is maintained from such other connection cable 15. 10 can be reliably prevented from being mixed with a noise signal. Therefore, the vehicle diagnosis apparatus 10 can prevent erroneous diagnosis due to mixing of noise signals, and as a result, the work efficiency and accuracy of inspection can be improved.
[0044]
Moreover, since the selective connection device 20 does not cause phase inversion of the input signal, it can be easily added to existing equipment. Furthermore, the number of input channels can be easily increased as the number of input channels increases. Therefore, the introduction cost can be suppressed and the equipment cost can be reduced.
[0045]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the two connection cables 15 for the right-hand drive vehicle and the left-hand drive vehicle are provided has been described as an example. However, the difference in the arrangement position of the check connector 104 such as the size of the vehicle 100 Further, a plurality of connection cables 15 may be prepared according to the above.
[0046]
As a result, when the multi-mix mixed production method of the vehicle 100 is adopted, it is possible to sufficiently cope with the check connectors 104 arranged at completely different positions in the vehicle, and to ensure the efficiency of the inspection. Can do. Moreover, the effect that the design freedom of the position setting of the check connector 104 can be expanded also on the vehicle 100 side is obtained.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the selective connection device and the vehicle diagnosis system using the device according to the present invention, a plurality of connection cables prepared for each check connector arrangement position on the inspection diagnosis stage of the vehicle assembly line. By connecting the cable connector of any connection cable to the check connector of the ECU, the connection cable and the vehicle diagnostic apparatus are electrically connected.
[0048]
Accordingly, the electrical connection between the other connection cable whose cable connector is not connected to the check connector and the vehicle diagnostic apparatus is cut off, and a noise signal from these other connection cable to the vehicle diagnostic apparatus is set. Can be reliably prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous diagnosis of the vehicle diagnostic apparatus due to mixing of noise signals, and to improve the work efficiency and accuracy of the inspection.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system schematic diagram illustrating a vehicle diagnosis system in the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating a part of an I / O interface.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an input circuit of a selective connection device.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an input circuit of a selective connection device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Free roller 10 Vehicle diagnostic apparatus 11 I / O interface 13 Control part 15 Connection cable 16 Cable connector 20 Selective connection apparatus 25 Solenoid relay 26 Photocoupler 100 Vehicle 103 ECU
104 Check connector

Claims (5)

A plurality of connections having cable connectors prepared for each arrangement position of each check connector on the vehicle diagnosis stage of the vehicle assembly line in order to connect to a check connector of an ECU having a different arrangement position in the vehicle according to the specification of the vehicle Interposed between a cable and a vehicle diagnostic device provided in the vehicle diagnostic stage for communicating with the ECU via a connection cable in which a cable connector is connected to a check connector of the ECU,
Selective connection means for selecting a connection cable in which the cable connector is connected to the check connector from the plurality of connection cables and electrically connecting the selected connection cable and the vehicle diagnostic apparatus. A selective connection device characterized by that. A plurality of connections having cable connectors prepared for each arrangement position of each check connector on the vehicle diagnosis stage of the vehicle assembly line in order to connect to a check connector of an ECU having a different arrangement position in the vehicle according to the specification of the vehicle Cable and
A vehicle diagnostic apparatus provided in the vehicle diagnostic stage for communicating with the ECU via a connection cable in which the cable connector is connected to a check connector of the ECU of the vehicle conveyed to the vehicle diagnostic stage; ,
The connection cable is interposed between the plurality of connection cables and the vehicle diagnostic apparatus, and the connection cable in which the cable connector is connected to the check connector is selected from the plurality of connection cables, and the selected connection cable And a selective connection device for electrically connecting the vehicle diagnostic device. The selective connection device is:
Select the connection cable in which the cable connector is connected to the check connector from the plurality of connection cables by using the power supplied from the ECU side via the connection cable in which the cable connector is connected to the check connector The vehicle diagnosis system according to claim 2, wherein the selected connection cable and the vehicle diagnosis apparatus are electrically connected. The selective connection device is:
The selection of a connection cable in which the cable connector is connected to the check connector, and electrical connection between the selected connection cable and the vehicle diagnostic device are performed using a semiconductor switch. Item 4. The vehicle diagnostic system according to Item 3. The selective connection device is:
A selection of a connection cable in which the cable connector is connected to the check connector and an electrical connection between the selected connection cable and the vehicle diagnostic device are performed using a solenoid relay. The vehicle diagnosis system according to claim 3.

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