GB2549587A

GB2549587A - On-board device of spot transmission system

Info

Publication number: GB2549587A
Application number: GB1703201.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Morita Kazuki; Takahashi Masayoshi
Original assignee: Hitachi Ltd
Current assignee: Hitachi Ltd
Priority date: 2016-03-23
Filing date: 2017-02-28
Publication date: 2017-10-25
Anticipated expiration: 2037-02-28
Also published as: GB201703201D0; JP6524007B2; JP2017175314A; GB2549587B

Abstract

A monitoring device of a power wave transmission function of an on-board communicator 1-A includes a power wave detector 1-7 to receive and monitor a power wave, a sensor 1-11 configured to measure electrical power, voltage, or current induced by the power wave detector, a test signal generator 1-8 that causes the sensor to generate a test signal having set strength for self-diagnosis, and a switch 1-9 configured to select an input signal to the sensor from either the power wave detector or the test signal generator. The on-board communicator is capable of diagnosing correct functionality when a power wave output is likely to vary as the on-board communicator in the vicinity of an on-ground communicator 1-16 by switching the input signal to the sensor from the power wave detector to the test signal generator using the switch at the time of self-diagnosis and determining whether the output of the sensor is a desired output value.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

ON-BOARD DEVICE OF SPOT TRANSMISSION SYSTEM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001]

The present invention relates to soundness diagnosis of a power transmission function of an on-board communicator in a device that performs transmission and reception of positional information or the like used for vehicle control between ground and a vehicle. 2. Description of the Related Art [0002]

In vehicle control devices, information transmission is performed between the ground and a vehicle using an on-ground communicator installed on the ground and an on-board communicator installed in the vehicle. Power is supplied to the on-ground communicator in a wireless manner using a power wave from the on-board communicator. The on-ground communicator to which power has been supplied transmits information inside the on-ground communicator to the on-board communicator using an information wave having a different frequency from the power wave. The information of this communication also includes important information in relation to positional information such as a kilo post and safety such as critical speed information, and thus, a communication device requires to have high safety and soundness. Here, if an output level of the power wave to be output falls beyond a specified value due to malfunction of the on-board communicator, it is difficult to normally supply the power to the on-ground communicator, which leads to failure of communication as a result. Thus, it is important to perform self-diagnosis of power wave output and to reliably detect the malfunction.

[0003]

In general, the self-diagnosis of the power wave is implemented by providing a monitoring device. The monitoring device is configured of, for example, an antenna which monitors and receives a power wave and a sensor which measures electrical strength of power or the like received by the antenna, and performs diagnosis whether there is an abnormality in the power wave based on an output value of the sensor.

[0004]

It is necessary to guarantee the soundness of the monitoring device for fail-safe implementation of this self-diagnosis function. As a method thereof, there is a method of guaranteeing the soundness by changing an output level of a power wave and confirming follow of a monitoring device. In this method, the confirmation of the soundness is implemented at a time other than general operation time, that is, vehicle traveling time such as immediately after turning on power. This is because the vehicle side generally does not grasp an installation position of the on-ground communicator, the rated output of the power wave is performed during the vehicle traveling, and it is necessary to establish the communication when the power wave passes through the on-ground communicator.

[0005]

However, this method has a risk that it is determined to be abnormal regardless of soundness of the monitoring device due to influence from the surroundings of the on-board communicator at the time of executing the self-diagnosis. For example, when the on-ground communicator is present in the vicinity of the on-board communicator, a part of the power wave output is absorbed so that a result monitored value decreases in some cases, and as a result, there is a possibility that it is determined to be abnormal regardless of the soundness of the monitoring device.

[0006]

Thus, JP 2015-222907 A discloses a method of diagnosing soundness of a monitoring device by prohibiting self-diagnosis when an on-ground communicator is present immediately below a vehicle, performing a self-diagnosis operation again after moving the vehicle or changing a power wave at the time of detecting the on-ground communicator, and determining whether a monitored value is changed according to the change.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008]

However, the method of performing the self-diagnosis again after moving the vehicle, which is disclosed in JP 2015-222907 A, has a problem of deterioration in usability since the movement of the vehicle and the restart of the device are required. In addition, the method of diagnosing the soundness of the monitoring device based on a change amount of a power wave output level, which is disclosed in JP 2015-222907 A, performs the determination in a state where the monitored value is decreased, and thus, has a problem that it is determined to be abnormal due to exogenous noise regardless of the soundness of the monitoring device.

[0009]

The present invention provides a monitoring device of a power wave transmission function of an on-board communicator which includes a power wave detector configured to receive and monitor a power wave, a sensor configured to measure electrical strength of power, voltage, or current detected by the power wave detector, a test signal generator configured to cause the sensor to generate a test signal having set strength at the time of self-diagnosis, and a switch configured to select any input source of the sensor from any output of the power wave detector or the test signal generator. The on-board communicator is capable of reliably diagnosing soundness of the monitoring device under environment where a power wave output is likely to vary as the on-board communicator is present in the vicinity of an on-ground communicator by switching the input signal to the sensor from the power wave detector to the test signal generator using the switch at the time of self-diagnosis of the monitoring device and determining whether output of the sensor is a desired output value.

[0010]

According to the present invention, it is possible to implement a self-diagnosis function of a power wave monitoring device of an on-board device even when an on-ground communication device is present in the vicinity of the on-board device .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]

Fig. 1 is a basic configuration diagram of a spot transmission device for vehicle control according to Embodiment l;

Fig. 2 is an overview diagram when an on-board communicator according to Embodiment 1 is mounted to a vehicle;

Fig. 3 is a configuration diagram of Embodiment 1;

Fig. 4 is a connection example of the on-board communicator and an external device;

Fig. 5 is a self-diagnosis flow diagram of a power wave and a diagnosis circuit according to Embodiment 1;

Fig. 6 is a configuration diagram of Embodiment 2; Fig. 7 is a soundness diagnosis sequence of a monitor block according to Embodiment 2;

Fig. 8 is a soundness diagnosis sequence of a power wave block according to Embodiment 2;

Fig. 9 is a configuration diagram of the case of using a single-point contact relay according to Embodiment 3/

Fig. 10 is a table which is used for diagnosis of an output value of a power sensor (3-11)/

Fig. 11 is a monitor block soundness diagnosis sequence of a fail-safe calculator according to Embodiment 2;

Fig. 12 is a self-diagnosis flow diagram of a power wave and a diagnosis circuit according to Embodiment 3;

Fig. 13 is a basic configuration diagram of a spot transmission device for vehicle control according to Embodiment 4; and

Fig. 14 is a self-diagnosis flow diagram of a power wave and a diagnosis circuit according to Embodiment 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012]

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. However, it should be noted that the drawings are merely schematic.

[Embodiment 1] [0013]

Fig. 1 illustrates a basic configuration diagram of a spot transmission device for vehicle control according to Embodiment 1, and Fig. 2 illustrates an overview diagram when an on-board communicator according to Embodiment 1 is mounted to a vehicle. An on-board communicator (1-A) is mounted to a vehicle (2-4) of Fig. 2, is configured of a transmission and reception unit (2-1) and an antenna (2-2) to perform generation of a power wave and control of an information wave, and performs communication with an on-ground communicator (2-3).

[0014]

The on-board communicator (1-A) according to Embodiment 1 is configured using four functional blocks. That is, there are a power wave block (1-2) which generates and transmits a power wave (1-15), a monitor block (1-3) which directly receives a part of the transmitted power wave (1-15) and measures reception strength to diagnose the soundness of the power wave block (1-2), an information wave reception block (1-4) configured for reception of an information wave (1-16) transmitted from the on-ground communicator (1-B) , and a control block (1-1) which performs calculation and control based on the information from the respective blocks. Hereinafter, the respective functional blocks will be described.

[0015]

The control block (1-1) is configured using a calculator (1-14) such as a CPU and performs control of power wave output with respect to the power wave block (1-2), the soundness diagnosis of the power wave block (1-2) and the monitor block (1-3) based on the monitored information received from the monitor block (1-3), and detection and communication process of the on-ground communicator (1-B) by receiving demodulated data of the information wave (1-16) from the information wave reception block (1-4) .

[0016]

The power wave block (1-2) is configured of a power wave transmission circuit (1-5) and a power wave antenna (1-6) . A source signal of a power wave generated by the power wave transmission circuit (1-5) which has received the output of the calculator (1-14) is transmitted to the on-ground communicator (1-B) as an electromagnetic wave via the power wave antenna (1-6) .

[0017]

The monitor block (1-3) is configured of a power wave detector (1-7), a test signal generator (1-8), a switch (1-9), and a sensor (1-11) . The power wave detector (1-7) receives a part of the power wave (1-15) output from the power wave antenna (1-6) . The sensor (1-11) measures voltage, current, and power induced by the power wave detector (1-7) using electrical measuring elements such as a power sensor, a voltage sensor, and a current sensor and transmits signal strength thereof to the control block (1-1) . In addition, the test signal generator (1-8) and the switch (1-9) are mounted to the monitor block (1-3) for its own soundness diagnosis. The test signal generator (1-8) generates an existing test signal for soundness diagnosis . The test signal may be a signal simulating a waveform of the power wave (1-15) received by the power wave detector (1-7) or may be simply a DC signal. The switch (1-9) connects output of either the power wave detector (1-7) or the test signal generator (1-8) to input of the sensor (1-11) and selects a signal to be input to the sensor (1-11), and the switch (1-9) selects the connection with the test signal generator (1-8) at the time of soundness diagnosis.

[0018]

The information wave reception block (1-4) is configured of an information wave reception antenna (1-12) and a demodulator (1-13). The information wave reception antenna (1-12) receives the information wave (1-16) transmitted from the on-ground communicator (1—B) and outputs the received information wave to the demodulator (1-13) . The demodulator (1-13) demodulates the received signal and transmits a demodulated data string to the control block (1-1).

[0019]

Next, a description will be given regarding a specific operation of the case of performing the soundness diagnosis of the power wave (1-15) by applying Embodiment 1 as a fail-safe means. Fig. 3 illustrates a configuration diagram of Embodiment 1. In Embodiment 1, a monitor antenna (3-7), a crystal oscillator (3-8), a power sensor (3-11), and a relay (3-9) are used as the power wave detector (1-7) , the test signal generator (1-8), the sensor (1-11), and the switch (1-9), respectively. Although the description is given by exemplifying the relay as the switch (1-9) in Embodiment 1, any one that can switch an analog electrical signal such as a semiconductor switch (analog switch) maybe used. In addition, a fail-safe calculator (3-14) is used to prevent miscalculation caused by the calculator.

[0020]

Examples of the fail-safe calculator (3-14) includes a calculator according to a dual comparison method using two microcomputers. The dual comparison method is a method of causing cores of the two microcomputers to perform the same calculation and performing comparison and collation of results . When the collation results are not consistent, the output to the outside is stopped to secure a safe state of the system.

[0021]

As a specific example, when it is configured to perform regular message exchange between the fail-safe calculator and an arbitrary device and no response at the time of malfunction of the fail-safe calculator, it is possible to cause a counterpart device to find out the malfunction. Fig. 4 illustrates a connection example of the on-board communicator and an external device. A vehicle control unit (4-6), which uses information of the on-ground communicator via the on-board communicator and performs the vehicle control, such as control of a brake device (4-7), or the like is considered as the counterpart device.

[0022]

The fail-safe calculator (3-14) controls the relay (3-9) and the crystal oscillator (3-8) using a diagnostic control signal (3-10). A power level of the test signal generated by the crystal oscillator (3-8) is set to a very high or low level that is hardly received by the monitor antenna (3-7) during the general operation of the on-board communicator.

[0023]

Next, a self-diagnosis flow diagram of a power wave and a diagnosis circuit according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 5.

[0024]

After being activated, the fail-safe calculator (3-14) instructs the power wave transmission circuit (3-5) to generate the power wave and issues an instruction to connect the relay (3-9) to the monitor antenna (3-7) side.

[0025]

The fail-safe calculator (3-14) recognizes a state where the relay (3-9) is connected to the monitor antenna (3-7) side by confirming the issuance of the instruction to connect the relay (3-9) to the monitor antenna (3-7) side (that is, a fact that the output of the crystal oscillator (3-8) is not output to the power sensor (3-11)), but the connection state of the relay (3-9) may be recognized by providing a function of outputting information of the connection state to the relay (3-9) and acquiring the information of the connection state from the relay (3-9).

[0026]

Similarly, the fail-safe calculator (3-14) recognizes a state where the relay (3-9) is connected to the crystal oscillator (3-8) side by confirming the issuance of the instruction to connect the relay (3-9) to the crystal oscillator (3-8) side (that is, a fact that the output of the crystal oscillator (3-8) is output to the power sensor (3-11) ) , but the connection state of the relay (3-9) may be recognized by providing the function of outputting the information of the connection state to the relay (3-9) and acquiring the information of the connection state from the relay (3-9).

[0027]

Further, the fail-safe calculator (3-14) periodically implements the soundness diagnosis. That is, the process illustrated in Fig. 5 is repeated every period of the fail-safe calculator (3-14) . Hereinafter, the soundness diagnosis will be described.

[0028]

The fail-safe calculator (3-14) measures a maximum value and a minimum value of variations of measurement values of power induced by the monitor antenna (3-7) in advance and stores this variation range by adding a margin thereto as a first power wave measurement value variation range when the power wave transmission circuit (3-5) normally generates and outputs a power wave, the power wave antenna (3-6) normally receives the power wave and normally outputs the power wave (3-15), the monitor antenna (3-7) normally receives and normally outputs the power wave (3-15), the relay (3-9) is normally connected to the monitor antenna (3-7) side, and the power sensor (3-11) normally receives the output of the monitor antenna (3-7).

[0029]

Similarly, when the crystal oscillator (3-8) normally generates and outputs a test signal, the relay (3-9) is normally connected to the crystal oscillator (3-8) side, and the power sensor (3-11) normally receives the output of the crystal oscillator (3-8) (the test signal), the fail-safe calculator (3-14) measures a maximum value and a minimum value of variations of measurement values of power induced by the test signal in advance and stores this variation range by adding a margin thereto as a second power wave measurement value variation range .

[0030]

Incidentally, these first power wave measurement value variation range and second power wave measurement value variation range are set not to overlap each other.

[0031]

Fig. 10 illustrates a table which is used for diagnosis of an output value of the power sensor (3-11) . The fail-safe calculator (3-14) confirms the connection state of the relay (3-9), presence or absence of the instruction which causes the power wave transmission circuit (3-5) to generate the power wave, and the output value of the power sensor (3-11). The diagnosis is performed using these information based on Fig. 10. In Fig. 10, "Don't Care" means that the information of the corresponding column is not used for diagnosis.

[0032]

An example of the diagnosis will be illustrated as follows. After being activated, the fail-safe calculator (3-14) instructs the power wave transmission circuit (3-5) to generate the power wave and issues an instruction to connect the relay (3-9) to the monitor antenna (3-7) side. At this time, the fail-safe calculator (3-14) recognizes the "connection state of the relay" as the "monitor antenna side", and the "instruction of the power wave generation" is "present". Thus, the fail-safe calculator (3-14) acquires the output value of the power sensor (3-11) and diagnoses as a normal range as the "diagnosis" falls within the "normal range" if the "output value of the power sensor" falls within the "first power wave measurement value variation range" (row of No. 1). This diagnosis result is a diagnosis result of the power wave block (3-2) and is not a diagnosis result of the monitor block (3-3) . Similarly, the fail-safe calculator (3-14) performs the diagnosis of the power wave block (3-2) (that is, the diagnosis of the output of the monitor antenna (3-7) ) and does not perform the diagnosis of the monitor block (3-3) when the "connection state of the relay" is recognized as the "monitor antenna side" (No. 1 to No. 4 in Fig. 10).

[0033]

In addition, an example at the time of testing the monitor block is as follows. When the fail-safe calculator (3-14) recognizes the "connection state of the relay" as the "crystal oscillator side" (that is, when the fail-safe calculator (3-14) recognizes that the relay (3-9) is in the state of inputting the output of the crystal oscillator (3-8) to the power sensor (3-11)), the fail-safe calculator (3-14) acquires the output value of the power sensor (3-11) and diagnoses the normal state as the "diagnosis” falls within the "normal range" (row of No. 5) if the "output value of the power sensor" falls within the "second power wave measurement value variation range" . In this case, the information in the column of the "instruction of the power wave generation" is not used for diagnosis. This diagnosis result is a diagnosis result of the monitor block (3-3) and is not a diagnosis result of the power wave block (3-2). Similarly, the fail-safe calculator (3-14) performs the diagnosis of the monitor block (3-3) and does not perform the diagnosis of the power wave block (3-2) (that is, the diagnosis of the output of the monitor antenna (3-7) ) when the "connection state of the relay" is recognized as the "crystal oscillator side" (No. 5 and No. 6 in Fig. 10).

[0034]

In Step (5-1), the fail-safe calculator (3-14) determines any block of the power wave block (3-2) and the monitor block (3-3) to be diagnosed. The process proceeds to Step (5-2) when the power wave block (3-2) is selected, and the process proceeds to Step (5-5) when the monitor block (3-3) is selected.

[0035]

Examples of a method of determining any block of the power wave block (3-2) and the monitor block (3-3) to be diagnosed include an alternately determining method, an arbitrarily determining method, a method of determining any block in a unilaterally weighted manner, and the like. In the case of determining any block in a unilaterally weighted manner, for example, a proportion to select each block is set. For example, each proportion is set such that the power wave block (3-2) is 80%, and the monitor block (3-3) is 20%. At this time, 100 random numbers between 0 and 99 are generated and the power wave block (3-2) is selected when the number is between 0 and 79, and the monitor block (3-3) is selected when the number is between 80 and 99. Alternatively, a process of selecting the monitor block (3-3) twice after selecting the power wave block (3-2) eight times may be repeated.

[0036]

In addition, the fail-safe calculator (3-14) performs diagnosis of the power wave block (3-2) again in the subsequent period at the time of cancellation of diagnosis and performs only the diagnosis of the monitor block (3-3) during the communication with the on-ground communicator (3-B) since it is difficult to accurately perform the diagnosis of the power wave block (3-2) .

[0037]

In Step (5-2), the fail-safe calculator (3-14) determines whether it is in the middle of communication with the on-ground communicator (3-B) in the vicinity thereof based on the presence or absence of data from the demodulator (3-13) . When there is the data from the demodulator (3-13) , the fail-safe calculator (3-14) determines that it is in the middle of communication with the on-ground communicator (3-B) in the vicinity thereof and determines that it is difficult to accurately monitor a status of the power wave block (3-2) due to the presence of the on-ground communicator (3-B) in the vicinity thereof, thereby cancelling the diagnosis . When there is no data from the demodulator (3-13) , the fail-safe calculator (3-14) determines that the on-ground communicator (3-B) is not present in the vicinity thereof and proceeds to Step (5-3) .

[0038]

In Step (5-3), the fail-safe calculator (3-14) issues the instruction to connect the relay (3-9) to the monitor antenna (3-7) side and proceeds to Step (5-4) .

[0039]

InStep (5-4), the fail-safe calculator (3-14) diagnoses the output value of the power sensor (3-11) . The fail-safe calculator (3-14) is branched to normal diagnosis termination where it is determined to be normal when it is diagnosed as the normal range (No. 1 in Fig. 10), and is branched to abnormal diagnosis termination where it is determined to be abnormal when it is diagnosed as an abnormal range (No. 2 in Fig. 10).

[0040]

In Step (5-5), the fail-safe calculator (3-14) activates the crystal oscillator (3-8), issues the instruction to connect the relay (3-9) to the crystal oscillator (3-8) side, and proceeds to Step (5-6).

[0041]

In Step (5-6), the fail-safe calculator (3-14) diagnoses the output value of the power sensor (3-11), and the fail-safe calculator (3-14) is branched to the abnormal diagnosis termination where it is determined to be abnormal when it is diagnosed as the abnormal range (No. 6 in Fig. 10) and proceeds to Step (5-7) when it is diagnosed as the normal range (No. 5 in Fig. 10) .

[0042]

In Step (5-7), the fail-safe calculator (3-14) stops the crystal oscillator (3-8) not to become an unnecessary electromagnetic noise source and is branched to normal diagnosis termination where it is determined to be normal.

[0043]

When it is determined to be abnormal in the above-described diagnosis, the fail-safe calculator (4-5) reports malfunction of the power wave block (3-1) or the monitor block (3-3) to the vehicle control unit (4-6) . When receiving this report, for example, the vehicle control unit (4-6) warns a driver or controls vehicle speed using the brake device (4-7) .

[0044]

Incidentally, when the crystal oscillator (3-8) malfunctions, it is possible to detect the malfunction in the diagnosis in Step (5-6). In addition, it is considered a case where the relay (3-9) malfunctions and a contact point of the relay (3-9) is connected to an opposite side against the intension of the fail-safe calculator (3-14) or a case where the relay (3-9) is not connected to any side, but it is possible to detect the abnormality at the time of confirming a monitored value in Step (5-4) or (5-6) when the contact point of the relay (3-9) is not connected to any side. In addition, a power level of the test signal generated by the crystal oscillator (3-8) is a level that is hardly received by the power sensor (3-11) during the power wave normal operation when the contact point of the relay (3-9) is connected to the opposite side against the intension of the fail-safe calculator (3-14), and thus, it is possible to detect that the abnormality occurs in Step (5-4) or (5-6) .

[Embodiment 2] [0045]

In Embodiment 1, the configuration in which the fail-safe calculator (3-14) controls the crystal oscillator (3-8) and the relay (3-9) to implement the soundness diagnosis of the power wave block (3-2) and the monitor block (3-3) has been described. In the same configuration, a new cable is required to transmit the diagnostic control signal (3-10) when the monitor block (3-3) is arranged inside the antenna (4-2) and the fail-safe calculator (3-14) is arranged in the transmission and reception unit (4-1) .

[0046]

Embodiment 2 has a configuration in which the diagnostic control signal (3-10) is removed and a cable is not increased. Fig. 6 illustrates a configuration diagram of Embodiment 2. In this configuration, the diagnostic control signal (3-10) is removed, and a first timer (6-10) and a second timer (6-20) are added as compared to Fig. 3.

[0047]

The first timer (6-10) is connected to a crystal oscillator (6-8) and a relay (6-9), is activated when power of a monitor block (6-3) is turned on by the power wave reception start, for example, and causes the crystal oscillator (6-8) to operate only for a first specified time (for example, for one second).

[0048]

The second timer (6-20) is provided inside a fail-safe calculator (6-14), is activated when power of the fail-safe calculator (6-14) is turned on, and notifies the fail-safe calculator (6-14) of elapse of a second specified time (for example, one second) after the elapse of the second specified time from the activation.

[0049]

The fail-safe calculator (6-14) according to Embodiment 2 is incapable of controlling the relay (6-9) since the diagnostic control signal (3-10) is removed, and is incapable of directly recognizing a state of the relay (6-9). However, when a state of the relay (6-9) for the first specified time from the activation of the first timer (6-10) is set to a specified state by adjusting the first specified time and the second specified time (for example, adjusting the first specified time and the second specified time to the same or similar level of time) using the first timer (6-10) and the second timer (6-20), the fail-safe calculator (6-14) can recognize that the state of the relay (6-9) is the same as the state thereof for the first specified time after the activation of the first timer (6-10) for the second specified time after the activation.

[0050]

Here, power supply (6-19) for the monitor block mounted inside the antenna (4-2) is generated by a power supply antenna (6-17) which receives a power wave (6-15) and a rectifier circuit (6-18) which generates a DC voltage from the received power. The other configurations are the same as those of Fig. 3.

[0051]

In Embodiment 2, soundness diagnosis of the monitor block (6-3) is performed at the time of start of output of the power wave (6-15), and thereafter, soundness diagnosis of a power wave block (6-2) is performed. An operation sequence at the time of applying this configuration will be described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8. Fig. 7 is a soundness diagnosis sequence of the monitor block (6-3), Fig. 8 is a soundness diagnosis sequence of the power wave block (6-2), and Fig. 11 is a monitor block soundness diagnosis sequence of the fail-safe calculator.

[0052]

An operation of the monitor block (6-3) during the soundness diagnosis will be described with reference to Fig. 7.

[0053]

The on-board communicator (6-A) outputs the power wave (6-15) at the time of operation start such as after power is turned on.

[0054]

In Step (7-1), the power supply antenna (6-17) receives the power wave (6-15). Thereafter, the process transitions to Step (7-2) .

[0055]

In Step (7-2), the power is supplied to the power supply antenna (6-17) by the received power wave (6-15) . The power supplied to the power supply antenna (6-17) is rectified by the power rectifier circuit (6-18) and supplied as the power supply (6-19) for the monitor block. Thereafter, the process transitions to Step (7-3) .

[0056]

In Step (7-3), the first timer (6-10) is activated with establishment of the power supply (6-19) for the monitor block as a trigger and starts to operate. Thereafter, the process transitions to Step (7-4) .

[0057]

In Step (7-4), the first timer (6-10) causes the crystal oscillator (6-8) to operate and connects the relay (6-9) to the crystal oscillator side. Thereafter, the process transitions to Step (7-5) .

[0058]

InStep (7-5), a power sensor (6-11) outputs a measurement value of the power wave input from the crystal oscillator (6-8) to the fail-safe calculator (6-14). Thereafter, the process transitions to Step (7-6).

[0059]

In Step (7-6), the first timer (6-10) confirms whether the first specified time has elapsed. The process transitions to Step (7-5) when the first specified time has not elapsed, and transitions to Step (7-7) when the first specified time has elapsed. InStep (7-7), the first timer (6-10) stops the crystal oscillator (6-8) and connects the relay (6-9) to the monitor antenna (6-7) side. Thereafter, the process transitions to Step (7-8).

[0060]

InStep (7-8), the first timer (6-10) stops the operation.

[0061]

The soundness diagnosis of the monitor block (6-3) will be described with reference to Fig. 11.

[0062]

The on-board communicator (6-A) activates the fail-safe calculator (6-14) at the time of operation start such as after power is turned on.

[0063]

In Step (11-1), the fail-safe calculator (6-14) instructs a power wave transmission circuit (6-5) to output a power wave. Thereafter, the process transitions to Step (11-2) .

[0064]

In Step (11-2), the fail-safe calculator (6-14) activates the second timer (6-20). Thereafter, the process transitions to Step (11-3).

[0065]

InStep (11-3), the fail-safe calculator (6-14) acquires an output value of the power sensor (6-11) . The same diagnosis as Step (5-6) of Embodiment 1 is performed using this output value. The process transitions to Step (11-6) when the fail-safe calculator (6-14) diagnoses the abnormal range (No. 6 in Fig. 10) , and transitions to Step (11-4) when the fail-safe calculator (6-14) diagnoses the normal range (No. 5 in Fig. 10) .

[0066]

InStep (11-4), the fail-safe calculator (6-14) confirms whether the second specified time has elapsed in the second timer (6-20) . The process transitions to Step (11-3) when the second specified time has not elapsed, and transitions to Step (11-5) when the second specified time has elapsed. In Step (11-5), the fail-safe calculator (6-14) stops the second timer (6-20) and determines normal diagnosis . InStep (11-6), the fail-safe calculator (6-14) stops the second timer (6-20) and determines abnormal diagnosis.

[0067]

The operation sequence of the power wave block (6-2) illustrated in Fig. 8 is basically the same as that of Embodiment 1.

[0068]

In Step (8-1) , it is determined whether it is in the middle of communication with an on-ground communicator (6-B) based on presence or absence of data from a demodulator (6-13). When there is the data, it is determined that the on-ground communicator (6-B) is present in the vicinity thereof and it is difficult to accurately monitor a status of the power wave block (6-2), thereby cancelling the diagnosis. When there is no data, it is determined that the on-ground communicator (6-B) is not present in the vicinity thereof, and the process transitions to Step (8-2) .

[0069]

In Step (8-2) , the output value of the power sensor (6-11) is diagnosed by the fail-safe calculator (6-14) similarly to Step (5-4) of Embodiment 1, and the process is branched to normal diagnosis termination when the output value falls within a normal range at the time of a power wave block test and branched to abnormal diagnosis termination when the output value falls within an abnormal range.

[0070]

The operation of the case where it is determined to be abnormal in the above-described diagnosis is the same as that of Embodiment 1.

[0071]

Incidentally, when the crystal oscillator (6-8) and the relay (6-9) added in Embodiment 2 malfunction, it is possible to detect that abnormality occurs in Step (11-3) or (8-2) using the same method of Embodiment 1.

[0072]

In addition, the description has been given in Embodiment 2 by exemplifying the relay (6-9) as a switch, but it is a matter of course that any one that can switch an analog electrical signal such as a semiconductor switch (analog switch) may be used.

[Embodiment 3] [0073]

Although the configuration in which the output of the power wave detector (1-7) or the test signal generator (1-8) is selected by the switch (1-9) in order to perform the soundness diagnosis of the monitor block (1-3) has been described in Embodiments 1 and 2, it is also possible to realize the same soundness diagnosis using a configuration as illustrated in Fig. 9 in which a single-point contact relay is used as the switch.

[0074]

In this configuration, a single-point contact relay (9-9) is short-circuited at the time of soundness diagnosis to superimpose a signal of a crystal oscillator (9-8) on a signal from a monitor antenna (9-7) and create a test signal.

[0075]

Even when the single-point contact relay (9-9) is short-circuited, for example, an element having impedance such as an attenuator (9-15) is inserted between the monitor antenna (9-7) and the single-point contact relay (9-9) to prevent short-circuit between the monitor antenna (9-7) and the crystal oscillator (9-8) in order to supply necessary power to a power sensor (9-11).

[0076]

Fig. 12 is a self-diagnosis flow diagram of a power wave and a diagnosis circuit. Embodiment 3 is different from Embodiment 1 in terms of an operation sequence for diagnosis of a monitor block. Hereinafter, the operation sequence for diagnosis of the monitor block different from that of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 12. The difference is that Steps (5-8) and (5-9) are added.

[0077]

In Step (5-1), a fail-safe calculator (9-14) determines any block of a power wave block (9-2) and the monitor block (9-3) to be diagnosed. The process proceeds to Step (5-2) when the power wave block (9-2) is selected, and the process proceeds to Step (5-8) when the monitor block (9-3) is selected.

[0078]

The same operations as those of Embodiment 1 are performed in Steps (5-2), (5-3), and (5-4).

[0079]

InStep (5-8), the fail-safe calculator (9-14) instructs a power wave transmission circuit (9-5) to stop generation of a power wave. Thereafter, the process proceeds to Step (5-5).

[0080]

The same operations as those of Embodiment 1 are performed in Steps (5-5) and (5-6).

[0081]

In Step (5-7), the fail-safe calculator (9-14) stops the crystal oscillator (9-8) not to become an unnecessary electromagnetic noise source. Thereafter, the process proceeds to Step (5-9).

[0082]

InStep (5-9), the fail-safe calculator (9-14) instructs the power wave transmission circuit (9-5) to generate the power wave, and is branched to normal diagnosis termination where it is determined to be normal.

[0083]

Incidentally, each configuration of the switching unit (9-9) and an attenuator (9-15) of Embodiment 3 can be similarly applied to the configuration of Embodiment 2.

[0084]

In addition, the description has been given in Embodiment 3 by exemplifying the single-point contact relay (9-9) as a switch, but it is a matter of course that any one that can switch an analog electrical signal such as a semiconductor switch (analog switch) may be used.

[Embodiment 4] [0085]

Embodiment 4 has a configuration in which diagnosis of a monitor block is performed when data is received from the demodulator (3-13). Fig. 13 illustrates a configuration diagram of Embodiment 4. In this configuration, a third timer (3-17) is added as compared to Fig. 3. The third timer (3-17) operates for a third specified time (for example, three seconds or may be time obtained by dividing a distance of a section in which the on-ground communicator (3-B) and the on-board communicator (3-A) can communicate with each other by speed of the vehicle), and notifies the fail-safe calculator (3-14) of the state of being activated for the third specified time. In Embodiment 4, it is determined that it is difficult to accurately monitor the status of the power wave block (3-2) as the on-ground communicator (3-B) is present in the vicinity thereof when the data is received from the demodulator (3-13) during the traveling and for the third specified time after the reception, and the diagnosis of the monitor block (3-3) is performed.

[0086]

Fig. 14 is a self-diagnosis flow diagram of a power wave and a diagnosis circuit. Embodiment 4 is different from Embodiment 1 in terms of an operation sequence at the time of receiving the data from the demodulator (3-13). Hereinafter, the operation sequence for diagnosis of the monitor block different from that of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 14. The difference is that Steps (5-10) to (5-13) are added.

[0087]

InStep (5-10), the fail-safe calculator (3-14) confirms whether the data has been received from the demodulator (3-13) . The process transitions to Step (5-11) when the data has been received and transitions to Step (5-12) when the data has not been received.

[0088]

In Step (5-11), the fail-safe calculator (3-14) resets the third timer (3-17) and then activates the third timer. Thereafter, the process transitions to Step (5-12).

[0089]

InStep (5-12), the fail-safe calculator (3-14) acquires a state of the third timer (3-17) and confirms whether the third timer is being activated. The process transitions to Step (5-5) when it is being activated and transitions to Step (5-1) when it is not being activated.

[0090]

Step (5-1) is the same as that of Embodiment 1.

[0091]

In Step (5-2), the fail-safe calculator (3-14) determines whether it is in the middle of communication with the on-ground communicator (3-B) in the vicinity thereof based on the presence or absence of data from the demodulator (3-13) . When there is the data from the demodulator (3-13) , the fail-safe calculator (3-14) determines that it is in the middle of communication with the on-ground communicator (3-B) in the vicinity thereof, determines that it is difficult to accurately monitor a status of the power wave block (3-2) due to the presence of the on-ground communicator (3-B) in the vicinity thereof, and transitions to Step (5-13) . When there is no data from the demodulator (3-13), the fail-safe calculator (3-14) determines that the on-ground communicator (3-B) is not present in the vicinity thereof and proceeds to Step (5-3).

[0092]

Steps (5-3) to (5-7) are the same as those of Embodiment 1.

[0093]

In Step (5-13), the fail-safe calculator (3-14) resets the third timer (3-17) and then activates the third timer. Thereafter, the diagnosis is cancelled.

[0094]

According to Embodiment 4, the fail-safe calculator (3-14) can perform the diagnosis of the monitor block (3-3) when the data from the demodulator (3-13) is received from, that is, during the communication with the on-ground communicator (3-B) .

[0095]

Incidentally, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modification examples. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail in order to describe the present invention in an easily understandable manner, and are not necessarily limited to one including the entire configuration that has been described above . In addition, some configurations of a certain embodiment can be substituted by configurations of another embodiment, and further, a configuration of another embodiment can be also added to a configuration of a certain embodiment. In addition, addition, deletion or substitution of other configurations can be made with respect to some configurations of each embodiment.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An on-board communicator comprising: a power wave generation unit that generates and outputs a driving power wave serving as a power wave to drive an on-ground communicator; a power wave antenna that receives the driving power wave from the power wave generation unit and outputs the received driving power wave; an information wave reception antenna that receives an information wave output from the on-ground communicator and outputs the received information wave; a demodulator that performs demodulation of the information wave received from the information wave reception antenna and outputs data; a power wave detector that receives the driving power wave and outputs the power wave; a sensor that measures electrical strength of power, voltage, or current of the power wave received from the power wave detector and outputs a measurement result as a power wave measurement value; a calculator that stores a first power wave measurement value variation range, which is a maximum range of a variation of the power wave measurement value when the power wave generation unit normally generates and outputs the driving power wave, the power wave antenna having normally received the driving power wave normally outputs the driving power wave, the power wave detector having normally received the driving power wave normally outputs the power wave, and the sensor having normally received the power wave normally outputs the power wave measurement value, controls output of the power wave generation unit, receives the data from the demodulator, receives the power wave measurement value output from the sensor, and diagnoses that the driving power wave is sound when output of the power wave generation unit is instructed and a range of a variation of the power wave measurement value of the driving power wave output by the sensor falls within a range of the first power wave measurement value variation range; a test signal generator that generates and outputs a diagnostic power wave serving as the power wave for diagnosis; and a switch that switches output to input or not to input the diagnostic power wave to the sensor, wherein the test signal generator outputs the diagnostic power wave such that a second power wave measurement value variation range, which is a maximum range of a variation of the power wave measurement value when the diagnostic power wave is normally generated and output, the switch normally switches the output to normally input the diagnostic power wave to the sensor, and the sensor having normally received the diagnostic power wave normally outputs the power wave measurement value, does not overlap the first power wave measurement value variation range, and the calculator has a function of storing the second power wave measurement value variation range, recognizing a switching state of the output of the switch, and diagnosing that the switch, the sensor, and a connection state between the switch and the sensor are sound when the switch is recognized as the switching state where the diagnostic power wave is input to the sensor and a range of a variation of the power wave measurement value of the diagnostic power wave output from the sensor falls within a range of the second power wave measurement value variation range.

2. The on-board communicator according to claim 1, wherein the switch has a function of outputting information indicating an output switching state, and the calculator has a function of receiving the information indicating the output switching state and recognizing the output switching state of the switch.

3. The on-board communicator according to claim 1, wherein the calculator has a function of issuing a switching instruction to switch output of the switch, and the calculator has a function of recognizing the switching state of the switch where the diagnostic power wave is input to the sensor when the switching instruction is issued to the switch to input the diagnostic power wave to the sensor, and recognizing the switching state of the switch where the diagnostic power wave is not input to the sensor when the switching instruction is issued to the switch not to input the diagnostic power wave to the sensor.

4. The on-board communicator according to claim 1, wherein the switch does not input the power wave received from the power wave detector to the sensor in the case of inputting the diagnostic power wave to the sensor, and the calculator has a function of not performing diagnosis of the driving power wave when the switch is recognized as the switching state where the diagnostic power wave is input to the sensor .

5. The on-board communicator according to claim 1, wherein the switch inputs the diagnostic power wave to be superimposed on output of the power wave detector in the case of inputting the diagnostic power wave to the sensor, and the calculator has a function of not instructing the power wave generation unit to output the driving power wave and not performing diagnosis of the driving power wave when the switch is recognized as the switching state where the diagnostic power wave is input to the sensor.

6. The on-board communicator according to claim 1, wherein the calculator has a switch control function of inputting the diagnostic power wave to the sensor by switching output of the switch in the case of diagnosing the switch, the sensor, and the connection state between the switch and the sensor, and not inputting the diagnostic power wave to the sensor by switching the output of the switch in the case of diagnosing the driving power wave.

7. The on-board communicator according to claim 1, wherein the calculator includes a first timer that is activated after power is turned on and notifies elapse of a first specified time after the first specified time elapses from the activation, and has a function of inputting the diagnostic power wave to the sensor by switching output of the switch between the activation of the first timer and notification of the elapse of the first specified time by the first timer.

8. The on-board communicator according to claim 7, wherein the calculator includes a second timer that is activated after power is turned on and notifies elapse of a second specified time after the second specified time elapses from the activation, and has a function of recognizing that the switch is in the switching state where the diagnostic power wave is input to the sensor from the turn-on of power until the elapse of the second specified time.

9. The on-board communicator according to claim 1, wherein the calculator has a function of switching output of the switch and inputting the diagnostic power wave to the sensor when receiving the data obtained from the information wave through the demodulation of the demodulator.

10. The on-board communicator according to claim 1, wherein the calculator includes a third timer that is activated when the data obtained from the information wave through the demodulation of the demodulator is received and outputs an activation state until a third specified time elapses after the activation, and has a function of switching output of the switch and inputting the diagnostic power wave to the sensor when the third timer outputs the activation state.

11. The on-board communicator according to claim 1, wherein the calculator has a function of periodically switching output of the switch.

12. The on-board communicator according to claim 1, wherein the calculator has a function of arbitrarily switching output of the switch.

13. The on-board communicator according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply antenna that receives the power wave from the power wave antenna and outputs power, wherein the sensor and the test signal generator operate by the power output from the power supply antenna.

14. The on-board communicator according to claim 7, further comprising a power supply antenna that receives the power wave from the power wave antenna and outputs power, wherein the sensor, the test signal generator, and the first timer operate by the power output from the power supply antenna.

15. The on-board communicator according to claim 5, wherein the switch and the power wave detector are connected to each other via an element having impedance.