JP7632091B2 - Vehicle control device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle control device.

Patent Document 1 describes a diagnostic system. The diagnostic system includes a vehicle control device and a communication server capable of communicating with the vehicle control device. The vehicle control device acquires various parameters indicating the state of the vehicle while the vehicle is traveling, and stores the parameters. The vehicle control device transmits predetermined types of parameters to the communication server at a predetermined frequency.

JP 2004-302675 A

In a vehicle control device such as that described in Patent Document 1, there are cases where it is desired to change the type of parameters sent to the communication server or the frequency of sending them to the communication server. However, in order to change the type of parameters sent from the vehicle control device or the frequency of sending them, it is necessary to rewrite the software of the control device installed in each vehicle. As a result, in order to change the type of parameters sent from the control device or the frequency of sending them, it is necessary to take the vehicle to a repair shop, etc., which lacks immediacy.

To solve the above problem, the present invention provides a control device for a vehicle capable of wireless communication with a communication server outside the vehicle via an external communication network, the control device comprising: a vehicle communication unit capable of wireless communication with the communication server; a data storage unit that stores multiple types of parameters indicating the state of the vehicle; a selection information storage unit that stores multiple types of transmission rules that define the types of parameters to be transmitted from the vehicle communication unit from the multiple types of parameters and the frequency at which the parameters are transmitted; and a vehicle control unit that selects at least one of the multiple types of transmission rules and transmits the type of parameter defined in the selected transmission rule from the vehicle communication unit at the frequency defined in the selected transmission rule, the vehicle communication unit being capable of receiving a designation command that designates one of the multiple types of transmission rules from the communication server, and the vehicle control unit being a control device that switches the selected transmission rule based on the designation command received from the communication server.

According to the above configuration, the vehicle control device switches the selected transmission rule by receiving the specified command via wireless communication. Therefore, the transmission rule can be changed instantly without having to take the vehicle to a repair shop, etc.

Schematic diagram of the diagnostic system. 4 is a flowchart showing a process in the diagnostic system.

<Regarding one embodiment>
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a control device for a vehicle will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, the control device for a vehicle is configured as a part of a diagnostic system.

(About the whole system)
As shown in FIG. 1 , the diagnostic system 10 includes a vehicle 20 and an external communication server 60 that is capable of wireless communication with the vehicle 20 via an external communication network 40 .

The vehicle 20 is equipped with a control device 21. The control device 21 may be configured as a circuit including one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program (software). The control device 21 may be configured as a circuit including one or more dedicated hardware circuits, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a combination thereof, that execute at least some of the various processes. The processor includes a CPU and memory such as RAM and ROM. The memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. The memory, i.e., computer-readable medium, includes any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

The control device 21 has a vehicle communication unit 22 , a gateway unit 23 , a vehicle control unit 24 , a data storage unit 25 , and a selection information storage unit 26 .
The vehicle communication unit 22 is capable of communicating with the communication server 60 via the external communication network 40. Therefore, the vehicle communication unit 22 can receive signals transmitted from the communication server 60 and transmit signals to the communication server 60.

The gateway unit 23 is connected to the vehicle communication unit 22 via communication bus B1. The gateway unit 23 is also connected to the vehicle control unit 24 via communication bus B2. The communication protocol of communication bus B1 is different from the communication protocol of communication bus B2. The gateway unit 23 is intended to relay communication messages between communication bus B1 and communication bus B2, which have different communication protocols.

The vehicle control unit 24 controls various devices mounted on the vehicle 20. For example, the vehicle control unit 24 controls the internal combustion engine mounted on the vehicle 20. Specifically, it controls the ignition timing, fuel injection amount, etc. of the internal combustion engine. That is, in this embodiment, the vehicle control unit 24 is a control unit of the internal combustion engine.

The vehicle control unit 24 also acquires multiple types of parameters P that indicate the state of the vehicle 20 in order to control various devices mounted on the vehicle 20. In this embodiment, the vehicle control unit 24 acquires 12 types of parameters P1 to P12 based on the values of various sensors. When distinguishing between the multiple types of parameters P, they are referred to as parameters P1 to P12.

For example, parameter P1 is the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine. Parameter P2 is the load factor of the internal combustion engine. Parameter P3 is the retard amount indicating the ignition timing. Parameter P4 is the advance amount indicating the valve timing indicating the state of the variable valve timing mechanism. Note that the variable valve timing mechanism is a mechanism for changing the opening and closing timing of the intake valve and exhaust valve of the internal combustion engine. Parameter P5 is the amount of exhaust gas circulated from the exhaust passage to the intake passage. Parameter P6 is the amount of particulate matter accumulated in the catalytic device. Note that the catalytic device is provided midway through the exhaust passage to purify the exhaust.

Parameter P7 is the vehicle speed of the vehicle 20. Parameter P8 is the brake operation amount indicating the amount of depression of the brake pedal. Parameter P9 is the accelerator operation amount indicating the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal. Parameter P10 is the excess air ratio indicating the ratio of the actual mass of air in the mixture to the mass of air containing enough oxygen for the fuel in the mixture in the internal combustion engine to be completely burned without excess or deficiency. Parameter P11 is the air-fuel ratio indicating the ratio of the amount of air and the amount of fuel supplied into the cylinder of the internal combustion engine. Parameter P12 is the fuel increase amount indicating the increase from the basic fuel injection amount in the amount of fuel injected into the cylinder of the internal combustion engine at one time.

The data storage unit 25 is capable of communicating with the vehicle control unit 24. The data storage unit 25 stores multiple types of parameters P1 to P12 acquired by the vehicle control unit 24 in chronological order. Furthermore, when storing new parameters P1 to P12, the data storage unit 25 deletes the oldest parameters P1 to P12 of the same type. Therefore, the parameters P1 to P12 acquired by the vehicle control unit 24 at a predetermined cycle are stored in the data storage unit 25 as time-series data for a certain period of time.

The selection information storage unit 26 is capable of communicating with the vehicle control unit 24. The selection information storage unit 26 prestores four types of transmission rules R. The transmission rule R defines the type of parameter P to be transmitted from the vehicle communication unit 22 from among multiple types of parameters P1 to P12, and the frequency F at which the parameter P is transmitted. When distinguishing between the four types of transmission rules R, they are referred to as transmission rules R1 to R4. Furthermore, the frequencies F defined in the transmission rules R1 to R4 are referred to as frequencies F1 to F4, respectively.

For example, the transmission rule R1 specifies that the types of parameters P to be transmitted from the vehicle communication unit 22 are parameter P1, parameter P2, and parameter P3. The transmission rule R1 also specifies that the frequency F1 of transmission from the vehicle communication unit 22 is every 100 km.

Transmission rule R2 specifies that the types of parameters P to be transmitted from the vehicle communication unit 22 are parameter P4, parameter P5, and parameter P6. Transmission rule R2 also specifies that the frequency F2 of transmission from the vehicle communication unit 22 is every 100 km.

Transmission rule R3 specifies that the types of parameters P to be transmitted from the vehicle communication unit 22 are parameter P7, parameter P8, and parameter P9. Transmission rule R3 also specifies that the frequency F3 of transmission from the vehicle communication unit 22 is every 100 km.

Transmission rule R4 specifies that the types of parameters P to be transmitted from the vehicle communication unit 22 are parameter P10, parameter P11, and parameter P12. Transmission rule R4 also specifies that the frequency F4 of transmission from the vehicle communication unit 22 is every 100 km.

Then, the vehicle control unit 24 selects at least one of the multiple types of transmission rules R, and transmits parameters P of the type defined in the selected transmission rule R from the vehicle communication unit 22 to the communication server 60 at the frequency F defined in the selected transmission rule R.

The communication server 60 includes a server communication unit 61, a server control unit 62, and a diagnosis unit 63. The server communication unit 61, the server control unit 62, and the diagnosis unit 63 are capable of communicating with each other via an internal bus 64.

The server communication unit 61 is capable of wireless communication with the vehicle communication unit 22 of the vehicle 20 via the external communication network 40. Therefore, the server communication unit 61 can receive signals transmitted from the vehicle communication unit 22 of the vehicle 20 and transmit signals to the vehicle communication unit 22 of the vehicle 20.

When the server control unit 62 creates the designation command C, it transmits the created designation command C from the server communication unit 61 to the vehicle communication unit 22. The designation command C is a command that designates one of the multiple types of transmission rules R stored in the selection information storage unit 26 of the vehicle 20. The vehicle communication unit 22 is capable of receiving the designation command C.

The diagnosis unit 63 performs a diagnosis process to diagnose the vehicle 20 based on the parameter P indicating the state of the vehicle 20 received by the server communication unit 61. For example, the diagnosis process is a process to diagnose whether or not there is a malfunction in the vehicle 20.

(Operation of the embodiment)
The flow of processing in the diagnostic system 10 will be described below.
Based on a pre-selected transmission rule R, the control device 21 of the vehicle 20 transmits parameters P of a type defined in the transmission rule R from the vehicle communication unit 22 to the communication server 60 at a frequency F defined in the transmission rule R.

For example, when the vehicle 20 is shipped, the control device 21 is specified to select transmission rule R1 and transmission rule R2. In this case, the control device 21 transmits parameters P1, P2, and P3 to the communication server 60 every 100 km of travel, which is frequency F1, based on transmission rule R1. The control device 21 also transmits parameters P4, P5, and P6 to the communication server 60 every 100 km of travel, which is frequency F2, based on transmission rule R2.

Now, suppose that the diagnostic content to be diagnosed by the diagnostic unit 63 of the communication server 60 is switched, or the diagnostic program stored in the diagnostic unit 63 is updated. Then, suppose that parameters P7 to P12 are required for the diagnosis after the switch or update. In this situation, diagnosis is not possible with parameters P1 to P6 transmitted by the vehicle 20 according to transmission rules R1 and R2. In this way, when diagnosis is not possible with the parameters P transmitted by the vehicle 20, the server control unit 62 of the communication server 60 creates a designation command C that designates one of the multiple transmission rules R. In the case of the above example, the server control unit 62 creates a designation command C to select transmission rules R3 and R4. When the server control unit 62 creates the designation command C, the following diagnostic control is executed.

As shown in FIG. 2, when diagnostic control is started, the server control unit 62 of the communication server 60 executes step S11. In step S11, the server control unit 62 transmits a designation command C from the server communication unit 61 to the vehicle 20. After transmitting the designation command C, the communication server 60 waits to receive data transmitted from the vehicle 20.

On the other hand, when the vehicle communication unit 22 of the vehicle 20 receives the designation command C from the communication server 60, the vehicle control unit 24 of the vehicle 20 starts the process of step S12. In step S12, the vehicle control unit 24 performs a receiving process of the designation command C. Specifically, the vehicle communication unit 22 transmits the received designation command C to the gateway unit 23 using the communication bus B1. Next, the gateway unit 23 transmits the received designation command C to the vehicle control unit 24 using the communication bus B2. Thereafter, the vehicle control unit 24 advances the process to step S13.

In step S13, the vehicle control unit 24 switches the selected transmission rule R in accordance with the received specification command C. In the above example, the vehicle control unit 24 had selected transmission rules R1 and R2 before the processing of step S13, but switches to selecting transmission rules R3 and R4 as a result of the processing of step S13. The vehicle control unit 24 also sets transmission rules R1 and R2 to an unselected state. In other words, the vehicle control unit 24 switches the selected transmission rule R from transmission rules R1 and R2 to transmission rules R3 and R3 based on the specification command C received from the communication server 60. The vehicle control unit 24 then proceeds to the processing of step S14.

In step S14, the vehicle control unit 24 transmits the type of parameter P defined in the transmission rule R specified by the specification command C to the communication server 60 at the frequency F defined in the transmission rule R. In the case of the above example, the vehicle control unit 24 transmits parameters P7, P8, and P9 from the data storage unit 25 to the vehicle communication unit 22 via the gateway unit 23 to the communication server 60 at the frequency F3 defined in the selected transmission rule R3. Similarly, the vehicle control unit 24 transmits parameters P10, P11, and P12 from the data storage unit 25 to the vehicle communication unit 22 via the gateway unit 23 to the communication server 60 at the frequency F4 defined in the selected transmission rule R4. Thereafter, the vehicle control unit 24 makes the vehicle capable of receiving signals from the communication server 60, and ends this series of processes.

On the other hand, when the communication server 60 receives parameters P based on transmission rules R3 and R4 selected in accordance with the specification command C from the vehicle 20, it starts the process of step S15. In step S15, the diagnosis unit 63 of the communication server 60 performs diagnosis processing for the vehicle 20. In the above example, parameters P7 to P12 are required for diagnosis by the diagnosis unit 63. These parameters P are transmitted from the vehicle 20 through a series of processes. In other words, through the series of processes, the parameters P transmitted from the vehicle 20 are switched to the parameters P required for diagnosis. Thereafter, the communication server 60 ends the current series of processes.

Then, the control device 21 of the vehicle 20 repeats transmission of the parameter P at the frequency F defined in the transmission rules R3 and R4. Then, each time the communication server 60 receives the parameter P from the control device 21, it performs the diagnosis process in the same manner as in step S15.

(Effects of the embodiment)
(1) In the above embodiment, the vehicle 20 receives the designation command C via wireless communication to switch the selected transmission rule R. Therefore, when changing the parameter P transmitted by the vehicle 20, it is not necessary for the vehicle 20 to wait at a repair shop or the like. Therefore, the transmission rule R can be changed instantly when the designation command C is created by the communication server 60.

(2) In the above embodiment, the specification command C only needs to include information that specifies one of the multiple transmission rules R. Therefore, the communication burden can be reduced compared to when the transmission rule R itself or the software of the vehicle control unit 24 is transmitted from the communication server 60.

(3) In some regions, updating the software of the control device 21 is prohibited or restricted after the manufacture and sale of the vehicle 20. In the above embodiment, a plurality of transmission rules R are stored in advance in the selection information storage unit 26 of the control device 21. The type of parameter P to be transmitted is switched by switching between selection and non-selection of the transmission rule R. In other words, there is no need to update the software of the control device 21 when the type of parameter P to be transmitted is switched. Therefore, the technology of the above embodiment is applicable even when software updates are prohibited or restricted as described above.

(4) In the above embodiment, the parameter P indicating the state of the vehicle 20 and the frequency F of reception are instantly switched by the communication server 60 by transmitting the specified command C from the communication server 60 to the control device 21 of the vehicle 20. Therefore, the diagnosis unit 63 of the communication server 60 can flexibly perform diagnosis processing with different parameters P and frequency F. Therefore, the diagnosis system 10 is able to flexibly change the diagnosis content of the diagnosis unit 63.

<Other embodiments>
The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

- In the above embodiment, the frequency F defined for each transmission rule R is the same, but these frequencies F may be different from each other. If the frequency F defined for the transmission rule R selected according to the specification command C is different from the frequency F defined for the transmission rule R selected before receiving the specification command C, the frequency F that the control device 21 of the vehicle 20 transmits to the communication server 60 can be changed. Note that even if the parameter P defined for each transmission rule R is the same, if the frequencies F are different, the transmission rules R are different types.

- In the above embodiment, multiple parameters P are defined for the transmission rule R stored in the selection information storage unit 26, but at least one parameter P needs to be defined for one transmission rule R. For example, a transmission rule R is provided for each parameter P to be transmitted. In this case, the parameters P to be transmitted from the control device 21 to the communication server 60 can be selected with greater freedom.

- In the above embodiment, the frequency F defined in the transmission rule R may be changed as appropriate in accordance with the parameter P defined in the transmission rule R. For example, the frequency F defined in the transmission rule R may be set to once every X km, and a number corresponding to X may be defined in the specification command C. Furthermore, the frequency F is not limited to every mileage, and may be set, for example, every time the internal combustion engine is started or based on the time of day.

- In the above embodiment, the type of parameter P stored in the data storage unit 25 is not limited to the example of the above embodiment, as long as it is a value indicating the state of the vehicle 20. For example, the type of parameter P may be the temperature outside the vehicle 20. Also, if the vehicle 20 is equipped with a battery, the type of parameter P may be the remaining battery charge, etc.

- In the above embodiment, the parameter P stored in the data storage unit 25 may be acquired by the vehicle control unit 24 by referring to the values of the various sensors, or may be acquired by the vehicle control unit 24 by estimating it based on the values of the various sensors.

The configuration of the control device 21 is not limited to the example of the above embodiment. For example, the gateway unit 23 may be omitted. The control device 21 may include at least the vehicle communication unit 22, the vehicle control unit 24, the data storage unit 25, and the selection information storage unit 26. For example, the vehicle control unit 24, the data storage unit 25, and the selection information storage unit 26 may be configured as one ECU, and other ECUs may be connected to the gateway unit 23 via a communication bus different from the communication bus B2. In this case, if the vehicle 20 is a hybrid vehicle, examples of the other ECUs include an ECU related to a motor generator.

The diagnostic unit 63 of the communication server 60 does not have to perform diagnostic processing to determine whether or not there is a malfunction in the vehicle 20. For example, it may perform diagnostic processing to determine the degree of deterioration of the vehicle 20. Also, for example, instead of diagnostic processing, the communication server 60 may perform analysis processing of the vehicle 20 using the parameters P transmitted by the vehicle 20. Furthermore, the communication server 60 does not necessarily have to perform subsequent processing using the parameters P, and may only collect the parameters P.

- The trigger for creating the designated command C in the communication server 60 does not matter. For example, if only the frequency F is changed in the designated command C, the designated command C is created without switching the diagnostic content or updating the diagnostic program.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 diagnostic system 20 vehicle 21 control device 22 vehicle communication unit 23 gateway unit 24 vehicle control unit 25 data storage unit 26 selection information storage unit 40 external communication network 60 communication server 61 server communication unit 62 server control unit 63 diagnostic unit

Claims (1)

A vehicle control device capable of wirelessly communicating with a communication server outside the vehicle via an external communication network,
a vehicle communication unit capable of wirelessly communicating with the communication server;
a data storage unit that stores a plurality of types of parameters that indicate a state of the vehicle;
a selection information storage unit that stores a plurality of types of transmission rules that define the types of the parameters to be transmitted from the vehicle communication unit among the plurality of types of the parameters and the frequency of transmitting the parameters;
a vehicle control unit that selects at least one of a plurality of types of the transmission rules, and transmits the parameter of a type defined in the selected transmission rule from the vehicle communication unit at a frequency defined in the selected transmission rule,
The transmission rule prescribes two or more types of parameters as types of the parameters to be transmitted from the vehicle communication unit,
the plurality of types of transmission rules stored in the selection information storage unit all have different types of parameters defined therein;
the vehicle communication unit is capable of receiving, from the communication server, a designation command for designating one of a plurality of types of the transmission rules;
The vehicle control unit switches the transmission rule to be selected based on the designation command received from the communication server.