JP2002101075A - Load-synchronizing control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To turn on and off plural loads in a state of sure synchronization, while the number of wirings is reduced, using a communication channel of a multiplex communication system. SOLUTION: When a hazard switch 102 is turned on, a turn/hazard control IC 116 turns on and off a right and a left turn/hazard lamps 101R, 101L respectively, and makes a voltage-switching circuit 115 output and apply voltages V1, Vcc to the communication channel 300, synchronously to the turning on and off of the lamps. A lamp control circuit 215 controls the turning on and off of a rear right and a rear left turn/hazard lamps 201R, 201L, according to the voltage level of the communication channel 300.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention uses a communication line of a multiplex communication system for transmitting and receiving a plurality of types of signals on the same communication line to cause loads arranged at different locations to perform on / off operations in synchronization with each other. The present invention relates to a load synchronization control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 7, a general vehicle 400 has a pair of direction indicator lamps 4 on the left and right of a front end (front).
01L and 401R, a pair of direction indicator lamps 402L and 402R on the left and right of the center (side), and a pair of direction indicator lamps 403L and 403R on the left and right of the rear end (rear).

[0003] As described above, the direction indicating lamps are arranged separately in various parts of the vehicle. However, at present, each of the direction indicating lamps is controlled by one ECU, so that the EC is not used.
Since wiring is routed from U to each direction indicating lamp, it is desired to reduce the wiring.

Therefore, it is conceivable to reduce the number of wires to each lamp by constructing a multiplex communication system in a vehicle and applying a control signal of a direction indicator lamp as a hazard lamp or a turn lamp to the multiplex communication signal. Can be As shown in FIG. 7, for example, a multiplex communication system for a vehicle includes a front ECU disposed in an engine room in a front portion of the vehicle.
404, a central ECU 405 disposed near the instrument panel at the center of the vehicle, and a rear ECU 406 disposed near the trunk room at the rear of the vehicle. The communication lines 407 connect the ECUs 404 and 405, and the communication line 408 By connecting the ECUs 405 and 406.

When a control signal for a hazard lamp, that is, a control signal for simultaneously blinking a pair of left and right direction indicating lamps, is applied to the multiplex communication system, for example, when the hazard switch 409 is turned on, the multiplex communication is performed. Hazard lamp control signals are sent from the central ECU 405 to the front ECU 404 and the rear ECU 406.

[0006]

However, each ECU 40
If interrupt control or the like occurs in the CPUs constituting the CPUs 4 to 406, a communication error such as inversion of a bit occurs, and retransmission is performed, or a difference occurs in the communication processing time in each ECU, the direction indication lamp of each direction lamp is changed. There is a possibility that the blink timing may be shifted.

On the other hand, hazard lamps (emergency blinking indicator lamps)
Has a law that states that all operate and blink simultaneously.

For this reason, conventionally, the control signal of the direction indicator lamp including the case of operating as a hazard lamp has been excluded from the multiplex communication system in the vehicle, and it has been difficult to further reduce the number of lines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem, and reduces the number of wirings by using communication lines of a multiplex communication system, and enables a plurality of loads to be turned on and off in a synchronized manner without fail. It is an object to provide a synchronous control device.

[0010]

According to the present invention, a first communication control means for transmitting a multiplex communication signal changing to a first potential and a second potential lower than the first potential via a communication line; A second control unit that receives a communication signal and controls the operation of a predetermined load;
A load synchronization control device for causing a first load and a second load respectively arranged on a transmission side and a reception side of a multiplex communication system including a communication control means to perform an operation of repeatedly turning on and off in synchronization with each other. While controlling on / off of a load, a synchronization potential higher than the first potential is applied to the communication line while the first load is on, and the first potential is applied to the communication line while the first load is off. And the second load is turned on while the potential of the communication line is the synchronization potential and the second load is turned on while the potential of the communication line is equal to or lower than the first potential. Second load control means for turning off a load, wherein the multiplex communication signal is transmitted during a period other than a period in which the synchronization potential is applied to the communication line.

According to this configuration, a multiplex communication signal that changes to the first potential and the second potential is transmitted via the communication line, and the multiplex communication signal is received to control the operation of a predetermined load and , A synchronization potential higher than the first potential is applied to the communication line while the first load is on, and the first potential is applied to the communication line while the first load is off, so that the potential of the communication line is reduced for synchronization. During the potential, the second load is turned on, and the potential of the communication line becomes the first load.
The second load is turned off while the potential is lower than the potential. Note that the multiplex communication signal is transmitted in a period other than the period in which the synchronization potential is applied to the communication line.

As described above, the synchronization potential is applied to the communication line used for transmitting and receiving the multiplex communication signal, and the operation of the second load is controlled depending on whether or not the synchronization potential is applied. Regardless of a communication error or a communication delay of a communication signal, the first load and the second load are reliably synchronized to perform the on / off operation. In addition, since the transmission of the multiplex communication signal does not overlap with the application of the synchronization potential to the communication line, the multiplex communication signal is reliably received by the second communication control means.

Further, the first load control means sends information on the potential applied to the communication line to the first communication control means.
The multiplex communication signal may be transmitted during a period other than a period in which the synchronization potential is applied to the communication line by the load control unit. According to this configuration, the multiplex communication signal is transmitted by the first communication control unit during a period other than the period when the synchronization potential is applied to the communication line by the first load control unit. Since this does not overlap with the application of the synchronization potential to the communication line, the multiplex communication signal is reliably received by the second communication control means.

Further, the first communication control means sends information on whether or not the multiplex communication signal is transmitted via the communication line to the first load control means,
One multiplex communication time is set to be shorter than the off-time of the first load. The first load control means controls the synchronization for a period during which the multiplex communication signal is not transmitted by the first communication control means. The first load may be turned on and off so that a potential is applied to the communication line.

According to this configuration, the multiplex communication signal being transmitted via the communication line is not disturbed by the application of the synchronization potential to the communication line, and the multiplex communication signal is reliably received by the second communication control means. Will be done.

Further, the first load and the second load each include a plurality of loads corresponding to each other, and the first load control means controls the synchronization in accordance with the load to be turned on / off among the first loads. The second load control means applies different potentials set in advance as a potential for use to the communication line, according to a potential applied as the synchronization potential to the communication line. Among them, a load corresponding to the load on / off of the first load may be turned on / off.

According to this configuration, it is possible to turn on and off the loads of the second load corresponding to the on / off loads of the first loads in synchronization with each other. For example, when all the loads of the first load are on and off, a predetermined potential corresponding thereto is applied to the communication line as a synchronization potential, and all the loads of the second load are synchronously turned on and off according to this potential. . Further, for example, when one predetermined load among the first loads is turned on and off, a different predetermined potential corresponding thereto is applied to the communication line as a synchronization potential. One load of the second load corresponding to one load that is turned on and off is synchronously turned on and off.

As described above, the first load and the second load can reliably turn on and off the corresponding loads in a synchronized manner.

The first communication control means, the second communication control means, the predetermined load, the first load control means, the second load control means, and the communication line are provided in a vehicle. The load and the second load each include, as the plurality of loads, a pair of direction indicator lamps disposed on the left and right sides of the vehicle, respectively. The direction indicator lamp of the first load and the direction indicator lamp of the second load are: They may be arranged at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

According to this configuration, the predetermined potential corresponding to each of the lamps that are turned on and off among the direction indicator lamps of the first load, for example, both the left and right lamps, only the left lamp, and only the right lamp, is synchronized. This is applied to the communication line as a potential for use, and the lamp of the second load corresponding to the lamp of which the first load is on and off is turned on and off in synchronization with the predetermined potential.

The first load control means has a function of applying different first synchronization potential, second synchronization potential and third synchronization potential to the communication line as the synchronization potential. When turning on and off both left and right lamps in the direction indicator lamp of the first load, the first synchronization potential is applied to the communication line as the synchronization potential, and only the right lamp is turned on / off. At this time, the second synchronization potential is applied to the communication line as the synchronization potential, and when only the left lamp is turned on / off, the third synchronization potential is applied to the communication line as the synchronization potential. The second load control means turns on both the left and right lamps of the second load direction indicating lamp while the potential of the communication line is the first synchronization potential; The potential is above During the second synchronization potential to turn on only the right lamp, between the potential of the communication line of the third synchronization potential may be is to turn on only the left lamp.

According to this configuration, the potential of the communication line becomes the first potential.
, The right and left lamps, and the left and right lamps are turned on, respectively, between the synchronization potential, the second synchronization potential, and the third synchronization potential. The lamps corresponding to the lamps and the direction indicator lamps of the second load are reliably turned on and off in synchronization with each other.

[0023] Further, there is provided abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality of the second load, and the second communication control means, when the abnormality detecting means detects the abnormality of the second load, a second signal indicating the abnormality. A two-multiplex communication signal is generated by a change between the first potential and the second potential, and the second multiplex communication is performed during a period other than a period during which the synchronization potential is applied to the communication line by the first load control means. The signal may be transmitted through the communication line, and the first communication control means may receive the second multiplex communication signal and determine an abnormality of the second load.

According to this configuration, when an abnormality such as disconnection of the second load is detected, the abnormality of the second load is determined by the first communication control means, so that a measure such as notification of the abnormality can be performed. It will be.

The first communication control means and the second communication control means are each constituted by an electronic circuit including a CPU, and the first load control means and the second load control means are respectively provided by the CPU May be configured by an electronic circuit that does not include.

According to this configuration, there is a difference in the processing time of the CPU between the first communication control means and the second communication control means,
Even if a multiplex communication signal delay or a communication error occurs due to the occurrence of CPU interrupt control or the like, the first load control means and the second load control means can operate with the first load And the second load are reliably turned on and off synchronously.

[0027]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of a vehicle communication system to which a load synchronization control device according to the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a circuit block showing an example of a circuit configuration of a central ECU. FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of the rear ECU.

The vehicle includes a central ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 100 disposed near the instrument panel,
And a rear ECU 200 disposed at the rear of the vehicle.

Note that, outside the blocks of the central ECU 100 and the rear ECU 200 in FIGS.
"B" indicates that the wiring is directly connected to the positive electrode of the vehicle-mounted battery BT (FIG. 1), and the symbol "IG" indicates that the wiring is connected via an ignition switch (not shown) to the vehicle-mounted battery BT (FIG. 1). Is connected to the positive electrode.

The central ECU 100 includes front and side left and right turn / hazard lamps 1 as loads.
01L and 101R are electrically connected to each other,
The CU 200 includes, as loads, rear left / right turn / hazard lamps 201L, 201R, a rear wiper 202,
Each of the trunk opening solenoids 203 is electrically connected.

A hazard switch 102, a turn switch 103, a rear wiper switch 104, and a trunk switch 105 are electrically connected to the central ECU 100 as operation switches. And
The central ECU 100 and the rear ECU 200 are electrically connected to each other via a communication line 300.

First, referring to FIG. 1 and FIG.
100 will be described. Central ECU 100
Includes power supply circuits 111, 112, 113, 114, a voltage switching circuit 115, a turn / hazard control IC 116, a voltage conversion circuit 117, a CPU 118, and the like.

Power supply circuits 111, 112, 113, 114
Is the voltage V from the output voltage of the vehicle-mounted battery BT, respectively.
And it generates a _{1, V2, V3, V CC} . Each voltage is set to _{V1>V2>V3> V CC} , in this embodiment, for example, V1 = 11V, V2 = 9V, V3 = 7
V and V _CC = 5V.

The voltage switching circuit 115 includes a logic gate, a transistor, and the like, and the power supply circuits 111, 112, 11
3,114, the voltages V1, V2, V3 generated by
And outputs either a voltage selectively among V _CC, switching of the output voltage turn / hazard control IC116
Is controlled by

The turn / hazard control IC 116 has the following functions: When the hazard switch 102 is turned on, both of the drive elements 121L and 121R are turned on / off at a period determined by law, and the left and right are controlled. turn / hazard lamp 101L, with blink 101R, to output a voltage V1, V _CC from the voltage switching circuit 115 in synchronization with this flashing.

The contact 103R of the turn switch 103
When (FIG. 2) is turned on, the drive element 121R is turned on / off at a predetermined cycle to blink the right turn / hazard lamp 101R, and in synchronization with the blinking, the voltage switching circuit 115 outputs the voltages V2 and V _CC. Output.

The contact 103L of the turn switch 103
When (FIG. 2) is turned on, the drive element 121L is turned on and off at a predetermined cycle to blink the left turn / hazard lamp 101L, and in synchronization with the blinking, the voltage switching circuit 115 outputs the voltages V3 and V _CC. Output.

When both the hazard switch 102 and the turn switch 103 are off, the drive element 12
1L, the turn / hazard lamp of the left and right turn off the 121R 101L, with turning off the 101R, to output a voltage V _CC from the voltage switching circuit 115.

When disconnection is detected by the current detection circuits 122L and 122R for detecting disconnection of the lamps 101L and 101R, a disconnection signal to that effect is sent to the CPU 118.

A signal related to ON / OFF of the drive elements 121L and 121R, that is, a signal related to the output voltage from the voltage switching circuit 115 is sent to the CPU 118.

Note that, in the above, when the signal indicating that the multiplex communication signal is being output is input from the CPU 118 at the time when the hazard switch 102 or the turn switch 103 is turned on, It waits until the output ends, and after the output ends, starts blinking of the lamp and switching of the output voltage from the voltage switching circuit 115.

Here, referring to FIG.
5 and a circuit example of the turn / hazard control IC 116 will be described.

The input terminal 131 of the turn / hazard control IC 116 is connected to the contact 103R of the hazard switch 102 and the turn switch 103 via the interface circuit 123, and the input terminal 132 is connected to the hazard switch 102 and the turn via the interface circuit 124. It is connected to the contact 103L of the switch 103.

The output terminal 133 is directly connected to the input terminal of the AND circuit 141, connected to the input terminal of the AND circuit 142 via an inverter, directly connected to the input terminal of the AND circuit 143, and connected to the input terminal of the AND circuit 144. Connected via an inverter.

The output terminal 134 is directly connected to the input terminal of the AND circuit 141, directly connected to the input terminal of the AND circuit 142, connected to the input terminal of the AND circuit 143 via an inverter, and connected to the input terminal of the AND circuit 144. It is directly connected to.

The output terminals of the AND circuits 141 to 144 are:
They are connected to control terminals of the transistors 151 to 154, respectively. One of the conducting terminals of the transistors 151 to 154 is connected to the power supply circuits 111 to 114, respectively.
The other is connected to the voltage conversion circuit 117.

With this circuit configuration, when the hazard switch 102 is turned on, a signal is input to both of the input terminals 131 and 132, and the contact 1 of the turn switch 103 is turned on.
When 03R is turned on, a signal is input only to the input terminal 131, and when the contact 103L of the turn switch 103 is turned on, a signal is input only to the input terminal 132.

Therefore, the operation input to the switches 102 and 103 is replaced by a combination of the input signals to the input terminals 131 and 132. That is, when there is a signal input to the input terminal 131, the right turn / hazard lamp 101R blinks, and when there is a signal input to the input terminal 132, the left turn / hazard lamp 101L blinks.

The output terminal 13 of the control IC 116
When a high level signal is output from both
A high-level signal is output from the AND circuit 141, the transistor 151 is turned on, and the voltage V1 (first synchronization potential) is applied to the communication line 300 via the voltage conversion circuit 117.

When a low-level signal is output from the output terminal 133 and a high-level signal is output from the output terminal 134, a high-level signal is output from the AND circuit 142, turning on the transistor 152, and turning on the voltage V2 (second voltage). The synchronization potential) is transmitted to the communication line 300 via the voltage conversion circuit 117.
Is applied to

When a high-level signal is output from the output terminal 133 and a low-level signal is output from the output terminal 134, a high-level signal is output from the AND circuit 143, turning on the transistor 153, and turning on the voltage V3 (third voltage). The synchronization potential) is transmitted to the communication line 300 via the voltage conversion circuit 117.
Is applied to

When a low-level signal is output from both of the output terminals 133 and 134, a high-level signal is output from the AND circuit 144 to turn on the transistor 154, and the voltage V _CC passes through the voltage conversion circuit 117. Applied to the communication line 300.

Returning to FIG. 1, the voltage conversion circuit 117 outputs the output voltage level from the voltage switching circuit 115 and the CPU 1
A voltage having a level corresponding to the output signal level from the communication line 18 is applied to the communication line 300.

The CPU 118 operates using the voltage V _CC as a power supply, and has the following functions: the rear wiper switch 104 and the trunk switch 1
05 is turned on / off.

Based on the result of the determination, a multiplex communication signal is generated and sent to rear ECU 200 via communication line 300, and a multiplex communication signal sent from rear ECU 200 is received.

This multiplex communication signal is formed by a pulse signal that changes between a voltage V _CC (first potential) and a ground potential (second potential).

The transmission and reception of the multiplex communication signal is performed by a control IC.
116, the lamps 101L, 10L
This is performed during the light-off time of 1R, that is, the time when the voltage V _CC is output from the voltage switching circuit 115.

Since the light-off time is determined by laws and regulations, if communication is not completed within the light-off time due to a delay in communication or the like, data transmission waits until the next light-off time. In this case, a bit may be added to notify that communication is continued in the next light-off time.

Next, referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the rear ECU 2
00 will be described. The rear ECU 200 includes power supply circuits 211, 212, 213, 214, a lamp control circuit 215, a CPU 216, and the like.

Power supply circuits 211, 212, 213, 214
Are the output voltages of the on-vehicle battery BT in the same manner as the power supply circuits 111, 112, 113, 114, respectively.
And it generates a _{1, V2, V3, V CC} .

The lamp control circuit 215 controls the on / off of the drive elements 217L and 217R in accordance with the voltage level of the communication line 300, so that the left / right turn / rear of the rear is controlled.
It controls the blinking of the hazard lamps 201L and 201R.

In FIG. 3, the lamp control circuit 215
Comparators 221 to 223 and logic gates 224 to 226 are provided.

The comparators 221, 222, and 223 compare the voltages V1, V2, and V3 generated by the power supply circuits 211, 212, and 213 with the voltage V300 of the communication line 300, respectively.

Since V1>V2> V3, V
When 300 ≧ V1, all comparators 221, 222, 22
3 outputs a high-level signal. Also, V1> V3
When 00 ≧ V2, the comparator 221 outputs a low-level signal, and the comparators 222 and 223 output high-level signals. When V2> V300 ≧ V3,
Low level signals are output from the comparators 221 and 222,
The comparator 223 outputs a high-level signal. Also,
When V3> V300, all comparators 221, 222, 2
23 outputs a low-level signal.

The output terminals of the OR (OR) circuits 224 and 225 are drive elements 217R and 217L, respectively.
Of the comparators 221 and 222,
Drive element 21 based on the output signal level from
7R and 217L are controlled on and off.

The output terminals of the comparators 221 and 222 are connected to the two input terminals of the OR circuit 224, respectively. The comparator 221 and the output terminal of an exclusive OR circuit 226 are connected to two input terminals of the OR circuit 225, respectively.
Are input to comparators 222 and 223, respectively.
Output terminals are connected.

Then, all the comparators 221, 222, 223
(Ie, V300)
≧ V1), a high-level signal is output from both of the OR circuits 224 and 225, and the drive elements 217R and 217R
17L is turned on and rear turn / hazard lamp 2
Both 01R and 201L light up.

When a low-level signal is output from comparator 221 and a high-level signal is output from comparators 222 and 223 (that is, when V1> V300 ≧ V2), a high-level signal is output from OR circuit 224. On the other hand, since the low level signal is output from the exclusive OR circuit 226, the low level signal is output from the OR circuit 225. As a result, the drive element 217R is turned on, the drive element 217L is turned off, and only the rear right turn / hazard lamp 201R is turned on.

When a low level signal is output from comparators 221 and 222 and a high level signal is output from comparator 223 (that is, when V2> V300 ≧ V3), a low level signal is output from OR circuit 224. On the other hand, since a high level signal is output from the exclusive OR circuit 226, a high level signal is output from the OR circuit 225. As a result, the drive element 217R is turned off, the drive element 217L is turned on, and only the rear left turn / hazard lamp 201L is turned on.

When a low level signal is input from all comparators 221, 222 and 223 (that is, V3> V3)
At the time of 00), a low-level signal is output from the OR circuit 224 and a low-level signal is output from the exclusive OR circuit 226, so that a low-level signal is output from the OR circuit 225. Thereby, the drive element 217
R and 217L are both turned off, and both the rear turn / hazard lamps 201R and 201L are turned off.

The CPU 216 has the following functions: The input terminal of the CPU 216 is connected to the output terminal of the comparator 223, and by determining the signal level of this input terminal, it is determined whether V300 ≧ V3. It is determined whether or not.

The input terminal of the CPU 216 is the lamp 201
L, a current detection circuit 231L for detecting disconnection of 201R,
231R, and determines whether each lamp is disconnected.

The output terminal of the CPU 216 is connected to the communication line 300 via the interface circuit 232, and when it is determined that the lamps 201L and 201R have been disconnected, a multiplex communication signal to that effect is generated. It is sent to the central ECU 100. At this time, V30
A multiplex communication signal is transmitted while 0 <V3.

An input terminal of the CPU 216 is connected to the communication line 300 via the interface circuit 233, receives a multiplex communication signal sent from the central ECU 100, and receives the rear wiper switch 104, the trunk switch 1
On / off of an operation switch such as 05 is determined.

The two output terminals of the CPU 216 are connected to the rear wiper 20 via drive elements 234 and 235, respectively.
2 and the solenoid 203 for opening the trunk, and controls the operations of the rear wiper 202 and the solenoid 203 for opening the trunk in accordance with the multiplex communication signal from the central ECU 100.

Next, a change in potential of the communication line 300 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and timing charts of FIGS.

The timing chart of FIG.
8 shows a case where the hazard switch 102 is turned on when transmission / reception of multiplex communication is not performed.

When the hazard switch 102 and the turn switch 103 are off and the multiplex communication signal is not output from the CPU 118, the voltage V _CC is applied to the communication line 30.
0 is applied.

When the hazard switch 102 is turned on in this state, the voltage V1 is applied to the communication line 300. The lighting time and the extinguishing time in blinking of the lamps 101R and 101L are determined by laws and regulations.
By the turn / hazard control IC 116, the application time T2 of application time T1, and the voltage V _CC of the voltage V1 is controlled.

When the hazard switch 102 is turned on, the CPU 118 starts transmitting a multiplex communication signal. At this time, during the application time T2 of the voltage V _CC (the lamp 101
R, 101L), the multiplex communication signal is transmitted. This multiplex communication signal has a voltage V
It is formed by a pulse signal that changes between _CC and ground potential.

The timing chart of FIG.
Hazard switch 102 during transmission / reception of multiplex communication by
Is turned on. When the CPU 118 is performing transmission / reception of multiplex communication, a control signal to that effect is sent from the CPU 118 to the control IC 116. When this control signal is input at time t1 when the hazard switch 102 is turned on, the control IC 116 continues to apply the voltage V _CC by the voltage switching circuit 115,
At time t2 when the transmission / reception by U118 is completed and the control signal is no longer input, application of voltage V1 by voltage switching circuit 115 is started. As described above, the application of the voltage V1 and the multiplex communication signal are prevented from overlapping with each other, so that the communication is suitably performed.

FIG. 6 shows a timing chart of each of the contacts 103 of the hazard switch 102 and the turn switch 103.
Communication line 3 when R and 103L are respectively turned on
00 is shown.

At time t3 when the hazard switch 102 is turned on, since the multiplex communication is not performed, the voltage V1 is applied at the same time. At the time t4 when the contact 103R of the turn switch 103 is turned on after the hazard switch 102 is turned off, the voltage V2 is applied at the time t5 after the multiplex communication is completed because the multiplex communication is performed. . After the contact 103R is turned off, the turn switch 1
At the time point t6 when the contact 103L of No. 03 is turned on, the multiplex communication is performed, so the voltage V3 is applied at the time point t7 after the multiplex communication ends.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the control signals of the turn / hazard lamps 201L and 201R are superimposed on the communication line 300, the wire harness can be saved correspondingly. Can be.

At this time, the multiplex communication signal is converted to the voltage V _CC
And the ground / ground potential, and the turn / hazard lamp 20
A signal for turning on both 1L and 201R is a voltage V1,
A signal for lighting only the turn / hazard lamp 201R is a voltage V2, and a signal for lighting only the turn / hazard lamp 201L is a voltage V3.
L, and a signal to turn off the 201R and voltage V _CC, V1> V
_{Since CC} , V2> _Vcc , and V3> _Vcc are set, the turn / hazard lamp 201 can be set without interrupting multiplex communication.
The control signal of L, 201R can be superimposed on the communication line 300.

According to this embodiment, the front and side turn / hazard lamps 101L and 101R are provided.
And rear turn / hazard lamps 201L, 201
The on / off control of R is performed by using a voltage switching circuit 115 and a turn / hazard control IC 1 which are constituted only by hardware such as transistors and logic circuits without using a CPU.
Since the control is performed by step 16, the timing at which the lamp blinks does not shift due to factors caused by the CPU or communication errors. Also, for example, C
Even when the PU fails, the lamp can be turned on and off if the electric circuit from the hazard switch 102 to the turn / hazard lamps 201R and 201L and the vehicle-mounted battery BT are normal.

In a general hazard lamp control system, when a failure such as disconnection occurs in the lamp, the blinking interval is shortened to notify the driver.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the rear ECU 20
When the 0 current detection circuits 231R and 231L detect an abnormality, the CPU 216 transmits the abnormality to the CPU 118 of the central ECU 100 by multiplex communication.

When the abnormality is transmitted, CPU 118 issues an instruction signal to shorten the blinking interval to control IC 116.
The control IC 116 controls the blinking of the lamps 101R and 101L at a predetermined reduced interval, and controls the switching of the output voltage by the voltage switching circuit 115.

In this case, the lamp extinguishing time T2 (see FIG. 4) is shortened, so that the time available for multiplex communication is also shortened. Therefore, the CPU 118 also changes the communication protocol and shortens the time required for one multiplex communication. .

[0091]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A multiplex communication signal that changes between a first potential and a second potential is transmitted via a communication line, the operation of a predetermined load is controlled by receiving the multiplex communication signal, and the first load is applied to the communication line. Is applied, a synchronization potential higher than the first potential is applied,
The first potential is applied while the first load is off, the second load is turned on while the potential of the communication line is the synchronization potential, and the second load is turned on while the potential of the communication line is equal to or lower than the first potential. Since the multiplex communication signal is transmitted during a period other than the period in which the synchronization potential is applied to the communication line when the switch is turned off, the first communication signal can be transmitted regardless of a communication error or a communication delay of the multiplex communication signal. The on-off operation can be performed in synchronization with the load and the second load without fail. Since the transmission of the multiplex communication signal does not overlap with the application of the synchronization potential to the communication line, the multiplex communication signal can be reliably received by the second communication control means.

Further, information on the potential applied to the communication line by the first load control means is sent to the first communication control means,
The first communication control means transmits the multiplex communication signal during a period other than a period in which the synchronization potential is applied to the communication line by the first load control means. Since it does not overlap with the application of the synchronization potential to the communication line, the multiplex communication signal can be reliably received by the second communication control means.

The first communication control means sends information on whether or not a multiplex communication signal is transmitted via the communication line to the first load control means, and one multiplex communication time is set to the first load control means.
By setting the time less than the off time of the load, the first load control means
Assuming that the on / off of the first load is controlled so that the synchronization potential is applied to the communication line during the period when the multiplex communication signal is not transmitted by the first communication control means, the transmission is performed via the communication line. The multiplex communication signal is not obstructed by the application of the synchronization potential to the communication line, and the multiplex communication signal can be reliably received by the second communication control means.

The first load and the second load each include a plurality of loads corresponding to each other, and the first load control means controls the synchronization with the load to be turned on / off among the first loads. The second load control means applies different potentials set in advance as a potential for use to the communication line, according to a potential applied as the synchronization potential to the communication line. If the load corresponding to the on / off load of the first load is to be turned on / off, the loads of the second load corresponding to the on / off load of the first load are synchronized with each other. Can be turned on and off.

The first communication control means, the second communication control means, the predetermined load, the first load control means, the second load control means, and the communication line are provided in a vehicle. The load and the second load each include, as the plurality of loads, a pair of direction indicator lamps disposed on the left and right sides of the vehicle, respectively. The direction indicator lamp of the first load and the direction indicator lamp of the second load are: Assuming that the lamps are arranged at different positions in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, a predetermined potential corresponding to a lamp that is turned on and off among the direction indicator lamps of the first load is applied to the communication line as a synchronization potential. According to the predetermined potential, the lamps of the second load corresponding to the lamps of the first load that are turned on and off can be turned on and off in synchronization.

Further, the first load control means has a function of applying different first synchronization potential, second synchronization potential and third synchronization potential to the communication line as the synchronization potential. When turning on and off both left and right lamps in the direction indicator lamp of the first load, the first synchronization potential is applied to the communication line as the synchronization potential, and only the right lamp is turned on / off. At this time, the second synchronization potential is applied to the communication line as the synchronization potential, and when only the left lamp is turned on / off, the third synchronization potential is applied to the communication line as the synchronization potential. The second load control means turns on both the left and right lamps of the second load direction indicating lamp while the potential of the communication line is the first synchronization potential; The potential is above Assuming that only the right lamp is turned on during the second synchronization potential and only the left lamp is turned on during the third synchronization potential, the potential of the communication line However, between the first synchronizing potential, the second synchronizing potential, and the third synchronizing potential, the left and right lamps, the right lamp, and the left lamp are turned on. With the load direction indicator lamp and the second load direction indicator lamp, the corresponding lamps can be reliably turned on and off synchronously.

[0097] Further, there is provided abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality of the second load. When the abnormality detecting means detects the abnormality of the second load, the second communication control means indicates the abnormality. A two-multiplex communication signal is generated by a change between the first potential and the second potential, and the second multiplex communication is performed during a period other than a period during which the synchronization potential is applied to the communication line by the first load control means. If the signal is transmitted via the communication line and the first communication control means is to receive the second multiplex communication signal and determine the abnormality of the second load, When an abnormality such as disconnection is detected, the abnormality of the second load can be determined by the first communication control means, so that a measure such as notification of the abnormality can be performed.

The first communication control means and the second communication control means are each constituted by an electronic circuit including a CPU, and the first load control means and the second load control means are each constituted by an electronic circuit not including a CPU. This causes a difference in the processing time of the CPU between the first communication control means and the second communication control means, or a delay in a multiplex communication signal or a communication error due to interrupt control of the CPU. However, if the electronic circuits constituting the first load control means and the second load control means are normal, the first load and the second load can be reliably turned on and off synchronously.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of a vehicle communication system to which a load synchronization control device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of a central ECU.

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of a rear ECU.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing a potential of a communication line when a hazard switch is turned on when multiplex communication is not transmitted and received by the CPU.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing a potential of a communication line when a hazard switch is turned on during transmission / reception of multiplex communication by a CPU.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing a potential of a communication line when each contact of a hazard switch and a turn switch is turned on.

[Explanation of symbols]

101L, 101R Front and side left and right turn / hazard lamps (first load, pair of direction indicating lamps) 115 Voltage switching circuit (first load control means) 116 turn / hazard control IC (first load control means) 118 CPU (First communication control means) 201L, 201R Rear left / right turn / hazard lamps (second load, pair of direction indicating lamps) 202 Rear wiper (predetermined load) 203 Trunk opening solenoid (predetermined load) 215 Lamp control circuit (Second load control means) 216 CPU (second communication control means) 231R, 231L Current detection circuit (disconnection detection means)

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] October 11, 2000 (2000.10.
11)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Fig. 7

[Correction method] Added

[Correction contents]

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a multiplex communication system of a vehicle. ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] October 11, 2000 (2000.10.
11)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Fig. 7

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a multiplex communication system of a vehicle.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yasumitsu Yamanaka 1-7-10 Kikuzumi, Minami-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi F-term in Harness Research Institute, Inc. (reference) 3K039 AA08 LC07 NA05 5K022 BB01 BB13 5K048 AA06 BA42 CA11 CB01 EA21 EB02 EB04 FB10 GB05 HA11

Claims (8)

[Claims] A first communication control means for transmitting a multiplex communication signal that changes to a first potential and a second potential lower than the first potential via a communication line; Load synchronization control for causing first and second loads respectively arranged on the transmission side and the reception side of a multiplex communication system including a second communication control means for controlling the operation of the load to repeat operations of turning on and off in synchronization with each other An on-off control of the first load, a synchronization potential higher than the first potential is applied to the communication line while the first load is on, and the first load is connected to the communication line. A first load control unit that applies the first potential during the off period; and a second load that turns on the second load while the potential of the communication line is the synchronization potential. While the potential is below the potential, the second load And a second load control means for transmitting the multiplexed communication signal during a period other than a period during which the synchronization potential is applied to the communication line. Control device. 2. The load synchronization control device according to claim 1, wherein the first load control means sends information on a potential applied to the communication line to the first communication control means. The load synchronization control device, wherein the control means transmits the multiplex communication signal during a period other than a period in which the synchronization potential is applied to the communication line by the first load control means. 3. The load synchronization control device according to claim 1, wherein said first communication control means transmits information on whether said multiplex communication signal is transmitted through said communication line to said first communication control means.
The multiplex communication signal is transmitted to the load control means and one multiplex communication time is set to be less than the off time of the first load. The first load control means transmits the multiplex communication signal by the first communication control means. A load synchronization control device for controlling the on / off of the first load so that the synchronization potential is applied to the communication line during a period in which the synchronization is not performed. 4. The load synchronization control device according to claim 1, wherein the first load and the second load include a plurality of loads respectively corresponding to each other, and Applying different potentials preset as the synchronization potential to the communication line in accordance with the load to be turned on / off of the first load, wherein the second load control means applies the potential to the communication line A load synchronization control device for turning on / off a load corresponding to the on / off load of the first load among the second loads according to a potential applied as a synchronization potential. 5. The load synchronization control device according to claim 4, wherein the first communication control means, the second communication control means, the predetermined load, the first load control means, the second load control means, and the communication line are a vehicle. The first load and the second load are provided with a pair of direction indicator lamps respectively disposed on the left and right sides of the vehicle as the plurality of loads, and the first load and the second load are provided with a direction indicator lamp of the first load. The load synchronization control device according to claim 1, wherein the direction indicator lamp of the second load is arranged at a position different from each other in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. 6. The load synchronization control device according to claim 5, wherein said first load control means includes a first synchronization potential, a second synchronization potential, and a third synchronization potential different from each other as said synchronization potential. And a function of applying a potential for use to the communication line. When turning on and off both left and right lamps of the direction indicator lamp of the first load, the first synchronization potential is used as the synchronization potential when the communication line is used. To turn on / off only the right lamp, the second potential is used as the synchronization potential.
Is applied to the communication line, and when only the left lamp is turned on / off, the third synchronization potential is applied to the communication line as the synchronization potential. The second load control means In the direction indicator lamp of the second load, both the left and right lamps are turned on while the potential of the communication line is the first synchronization potential, and the potential of the communication line is the second synchronization potential. A load synchronization control device wherein only the right lamp is turned on during the period, and only the left lamp is turned on while the potential of the communication line is the third synchronization potential. 7. The load synchronization control device according to claim 1, further comprising abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality of said second load, wherein said second communication control means is provided by said abnormality detection means. When the abnormality of the second load is detected, a second multiplex communication signal indicating the abnormality is generated by a change between the first potential and the second potential, and the synchronization potential is set by the first load control means. The second multiplex communication signal is transmitted via the communication line during a period other than the period applied to the communication line, and the first communication control unit receives the second multiplex communication signal and (2) A load synchronization control device for determining abnormality of a load. 8. The load synchronization control device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first communication control means and the second communication control means is constituted by an electronic circuit including a CPU. The load synchronization control device, wherein the first load control means and the second load control means are each constituted by an electronic circuit not including a CPU.