JP2006148321A - Method of inspecting communication system, communication state inspection device and checking shield implement - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of inspecting a communication system which improves the inspection accuracy of the communication system including transmitting/receiving means, a communication state inspection device, and a checking shield implement. <P>SOLUTION: The method of inspecting the communication system includes the steps of connecting a fault inspection device to an ECU (S11), changing a vehicle mode into a communication system inspection mode (S12), and equipping with a metal shield implement to a rearview mirror carrying a receiver of non-inspection object (S13). The method includes the steps of transmitting a checking signal (S14), and judging the existence of the faults of the communication state between receiving systems to be examined (S15). At this time, since, as for receiving system of the non-inspection object, the propagation of the checking signal is restricted by the shield implement, the fault judging can be performed with sufficient precision. About the receiving device carried in the rearview mirror of another side, the existence of the faults of the communication state is judged similarly (S16-S19). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system inspection method, a communication state inspection device, and an inspection shield tool, and for example relates to a technique that can be used for inspection of a communication system before market shipment.

A technique for controlling vehicle equipment using vehicle information wirelessly transmitted from a communication device provided on each wheel to a communication device provided on a vehicle body has been introduced into the vehicle. Among such vehicles, there are also vehicles equipped with a plurality of receiving antennas in order to reliably capture signals transmitted from a communication device mounted on each wheel. Against this background, several technologies related to vehicles equipped with a plurality of receiving antennas have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes tire condition monitoring means for specifying a tire mounting position where a transmitter of a transmission source is provided based on the level of a received signal. Patent Document 2 proposes tire condition monitoring means for shortening the time required for registration of wheel identification information so that the registration of identification information is not erroneously performed between adjacent wheels.
JP 2004-149093 A JP 2003-267007 A

  In vehicles equipped with a plurality of receiving antennas, in order to compensate for the difference in communication status based on the difference in distance between the communication means provided on the wheels and the receiving antenna, normally, radio waves from transmitters close to each other are received. Each receiving antenna is installed with the intention of doing so. For example, the signal from the communication means provided on the left front wheel is received by the receiving antenna disposed on the left side, and the signal from the communication means provided on the right front wheel is received by the reception antenna disposed on the right side. By being received, it is possible to maintain a good communication state.

  In vehicles equipped with a plurality of receiving antennas, the signal emitted from the transmitter of each wheel is not necessarily received only by the intended corresponding receiving antenna. For example, depending on the radio wave reflection by the environment, the sensitivity margin of the receiving antenna, etc. The signal may be received by other unintended receiving antennas. In that case, even if a problem occurs in a certain reception antenna, a signal from a transmitter that should correspond to the reception antenna in which the problem occurs may be received by another reception antenna that does not cause a problem. For this reason, for example, it may be assumed that it is difficult to determine a malfunction of the receiving antenna when checking the communication state. In particular, when a plurality of receiving antennas are connected to a receiver via a coaxial cable and the receiver has only a single signal input unit, a transmitted signal is sent via any receiving antenna. It is difficult for the receiver to determine whether it has been received, and it may not always be suitable for the inspection of the receiving antenna as described above.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for improving the inspection accuracy of a communication system including a transmission / reception means.

  One embodiment of the present invention is an inspection method for a communication system including a transmission unit that transmits a predetermined signal and a plurality of reception units. This communication system inspection method is a communication system inspection method having a transmission means for transmitting a predetermined signal and a plurality of reception means, and is provided between a part of the reception means and the transmission means. A communication restriction step of restricting communication; and a communication state detection step of detecting a communication state of the communication system based on reception states of receiving means other than the part of the receiving means.

  In the inspection method of the communication system, since the communication system state is detected in a state in which communication between some reception means and transmission means is restricted, a predetermined signal is received by some reception means. The possibility of being suppressed is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect the communication state between the receiving means other than some of the receiving means and the transmitting means. Note that the reception unit and the transmission unit may include, for example, an antenna that actually transmits and receives signals. Further, “adding restriction to communication” refers to adding restriction to communication as compared with a normal communication state, and may include, for example, restricting or blocking communication signal propagation. The communication state detection step includes, for example, a case where an abnormality of the communication system is detected based on a reception state of a reception unit that is not restricted in communication in the communication restriction step in the reception unit. The “abnormality of the communication system” referred to here can include all abnormalities related to communication. Therefore, for example, when an antenna is used as a transmission / reception unit, a failure of the antenna itself or a disconnection of a wiring connected to the antenna may be included in the “abnormality of the communication system”. The communication restriction step is preferably performed when a predetermined signal is transmitted from the transmission unit.

  The communication restriction step may include a step of arranging a shield means for restricting propagation of the predetermined signal between the part of the reception means and the transmission means. In this case, the communication state of the communication system is detected in a state where the propagation of the predetermined signal is restricted by the shielding means, and the possibility that the predetermined signal is received by a part of the receiving means is suppressed. The “shielding means” can include all members that limit the propagation of a predetermined signal. For example, a member that includes a metal that blocks wireless signal propagation can be used.

  The some receiving means may be receiving means that should not correspond to the predetermined signal. In this case, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the predetermined signal is received by a receiving unit that should not correspond to the predetermined signal.

  The communication restriction step may include a step of restricting the reception capability of the part of reception means. In this case, it is possible to detect the state of the communication system in a state where the reception capability of the some reception means is limited, and it is possible to suppress the possibility that a predetermined signal is received by the some reception means. Note that “restricting the reception capability of the reception unit” means, for example, adjusting the radio wave reception sensitivity of the reception unit so that only a signal having a relatively strong radio wave intensity is detected by the reception unit.

  The communication limiting step may include a step of limiting a transmission capability of the transmission unit. In this case, the state of the communication system can be detected in a state where the transmission capability of the transmission unit is limited, and the possibility that a predetermined signal is received by the part of the reception units can be suppressed. “Restricting the transmission capability of the transmission means” means, for example, adjusting the signal output of the transmission means so that the radio wave intensity transmitted from the transmission means becomes weaker than that during normal communication. It should be noted that the transmission means so that the predetermined signal transmitted from the transmission means is captured by the “reception means other than the part of the reception means” and the predetermined signal is difficult to be captured by the “part of the reception means”. It is preferable to limit the transmission capability of

  Another aspect of the present invention is a communication system inspection apparatus that inspects a communication system including a transmission unit that transmits a predetermined signal and a plurality of reception units. The communication system inspection apparatus is configured to receive a communication from a receiving unit other than the some receiving unit when communication between the receiving unit and the transmitting unit is restricted by the communication limiting unit. Communication state detection means for detecting a communication state of the communication system based on a reception state is provided. According to the communication state inspection device, since the communication state of the communication system is inspected in a state where restrictions are imposed on communication between the part of the reception means and the transmission means, The possibility of receiving the predetermined signal is suppressed, and the inspection accuracy can be improved. The “communication state of the communication system” includes, for example, a state such as the presence or absence of an abnormality in the communication system.

  The communication restricting means may include a shielding means for restricting propagation of the predetermined signal from the outside to the inside by disposing the part of the receiving means on the inside and the transmitting means on the outside. In this case, the communication system is effectively prevented from propagating a predetermined signal from “the transmitting means arranged outside the shielding means” to “the part of the receiving means arranged inside the shielding means”. Can check the communication status.

  The communication restricting means may include a shielding means for restricting propagation of the predetermined signal from the inside to the outside by arranging the receiving means other than the part of the receiving means and the transmitting means on the inside. In this case, the communication system is effectively prevented from propagating a predetermined signal from “the transmitting means arranged inside the shielding means” to “the part of the receiving means arranged outside the shielding means”. Can check the communication status.

  The transmission means may be provided on a wheel. In this case, the communication state related to the transmission means provided on the wheel can be inspected.

  Another aspect of the present invention relates to a shielding tool for inspection. The inspection shield is formed by a member that restricts the propagation of a predetermined signal and is configured to be detachable from the receiving means. When mounted on the receiving means, the receiving means is disposed inside to cover the receiving means. And a buffer member is disposed at a location supported at the time of attachment to the receiving means. The inspection shield tool can limit the propagation of a predetermined signal in a state in which damage such as scratches is effectively prevented by a buffer member arranged at a supported location. In addition, this test | inspection shielding tool can be used suitably as the above-mentioned shielding means, for example.

  Another embodiment of the present invention also relates to an inspection shield tool. The inspection shield is formed by a member that restricts the propagation of a predetermined signal and is configured to be detachable from the receiving means. When mounted on the receiving means, the receiving means is disposed inside to cover the receiving means. And transmitting means for transmitting the predetermined signal is arranged inside. The inspection shielding tool allows the predetermined signal transmitted from the transmitting means to propagate well to the receiving means arranged inside, but restricts the propagation of the predetermined signal to the outside. In addition, this test | inspection shielding tool can be used suitably as the above-mentioned shielding means, for example.

  According to the inspection method or communication state inspection device of the communication system of the present invention, it is possible to detect the communication state of the communication system in a state in which communication between some of the reception means and the transmission means is limited, The inspection accuracy of the communication state between the receiving means other than some receiving means and the transmitting means can be improved.

  In addition, the inspection shield device of the present invention can limit the propagation of a predetermined signal in a state where the shock-absorbing member prevents damage such as scratches when being attached to the receiving means. It can be suitably used for checking the communication state.

  In addition, the inspection shield device of the present invention can propagate the predetermined signal transmitted from the transmitting means favorably to the receiving means arranged on the inner side, and the predetermined signal to the receiving means arranged on the outer side. Can be suitably used for checking the communication state between the receiving means and the transmitting means.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a vehicle 10 according to the first embodiment. The vehicle 10 includes a left front wheel 14 a provided on the left front side of the vehicle body 12, a right front wheel 14 b provided on the right front side of the vehicle body 12, a left rear wheel 14 c provided on the left rear side of the vehicle body 12, and a right rear side of the vehicle body 12. Right rear wheel 14d. Hereinafter, the left front wheel 14a, the right front wheel 14b, the left rear wheel 14c, and the right rear wheel 14d are collectively referred to as “wheels 14”. Further, the left front wheel 14a and the left rear wheel 14c are collectively referred to as “left wheels”, and the right front wheel 14b and the right rear wheel 14d are collectively referred to as “right wheels”. In addition, the equipment corresponding to the left front wheel 14a is suffixed with "a", the equipment corresponding to the right front wheel 14b is suffixed with "b", and corresponds to the left rear wheel 14c. "C" is added to the end of the code for the equipment to be applied, "d" is added to the end of the code for the equipment corresponding to the right rear wheel 14d, The symbols “a to d” are expressed by abbreviations.

  Each wheel 14 including a tire and a wheel is equipped with a wheel communication main body 24 to which a wheel communication antenna 26 is attached, and an air pressure sensor 20 and an air temperature sensor 22 connected to the wheel communication main body 24. Yes. The wheel communication main body 24, the air pressure sensor 20, and the air temperature sensor 22 may be installed as a unit having an integral configuration. On the other hand, the vehicle body 12 includes an electronic control device 36 (also referred to as “ECU 36”), a mode input unit 30, a side mirror drive control unit 32, and an alarm device 34 connected to the ECU 36. The wheel communication antenna 26 and the wheel communication main body 24 are collectively referred to as “wheel communication device”.

  A left side mirror 40 is attached to the left side of the vehicle body 12 at a position close to the left front wheel 14a, and a right side mirror 42 is attached to the right side of the vehicle body 12 at a position close to the right front wheel 14b. The left side mirror 40 is mounted with a left vehicle body communication main body 44 to which a left vehicle body communication antenna 46 is attached, and the right side mirror 42 is mounted with a right vehicle body communication main body 48 to which a right vehicle body communication antenna 50 is attached. Yes. The left side mirror 40 is attached to the vehicle body 12 via a left mirror drive unit 52, and the right side mirror 42 is attached to the vehicle body 12 via a right mirror drive unit 54. The left vehicle body communication main body 44 and the right vehicle body communication main body 48 are connected to the ECU 36 via a coaxial cable, and the left mirror drive unit 52 and the right mirror drive unit 54 are connected to the side mirror drive control unit 32. The left side mirror 40 and the right side mirror 42 are collectively referred to as “side mirrors”, and the left vehicle body communication antenna 46 and the right vehicle body communication antenna 50 are collectively referred to as “vehicle communication antennas”. The right body communication body 48 and the right body communication body 48 are collectively referred to as “vehicle body communication body”, and the left side mirror drive unit 52 and the right side mirror drive unit 54 are collectively referred to as “mirror drive unit”. It is called “body communication device”.

  The air pressure sensor 20 detects the tire internal air pressure of the mounted wheel 14 at a predetermined interval, and transmits the detection result to the wheel communication main body 24. The air temperature sensor 22 detects the tire internal air temperature of the mounted wheel 14 at a predetermined interval, and transmits the detection result to the wheel communication main body 24.

  The wheel communication main body 24 transmits and receives various signals via the wheel communication antenna 26 and wirelessly transmits detection values sent from, for example, the air pressure sensor 20 and the air temperature sensor 22. Each wheel communication main body 24 of the present embodiment is assigned a unique identification number (also referred to as “ID”), and when an inspection instruction signal described later is received, the assigned ID is wirelessly used as an inspection signal. Send. The left vehicle body communication main body 44 transmits and receives various signals via the left vehicle body communication antenna 46, and the right vehicle body communication main body 48 transmits and receives various signals via the right vehicle body communication antenna 50. Then, the vehicle body communication main bodies 44 and 48 transmit the received various signals to the ECU 36.

  The wheel communication main bodies 24a and 24c and the wheel communication antennas 26a and 26c mounted on the left wheels 14a and 14c are associated with the left vehicle body communication main body 44 and the left vehicle body communication antenna 46 that are disposed in proximity to each other. Therefore, signals transmitted wirelessly from the wheel communication bodies 24a and 24c and the wheel communication antennas 26a and 26c of the left wheels 14a and 14c are intended to be received by the left vehicle body communication antenna 46 and the left vehicle body communication body 44. . Similarly, the wheel communication main bodies 24b and 24d and the wheel communication antennas 26b and 26d mounted on the right wheels 14b and 14d are associated with the right vehicle body communication main body 48 and the right vehicle body communication antenna 50 that are arranged close to each other. . Therefore, signals transmitted wirelessly from the wheel communication bodies 24b and 24d of the right wheels 14b and 14d and the wheel communication antennas 26b and 26d are intended to be received by the right vehicle body communication antenna 50 and the right vehicle body communication body 48. .

  The side mirror drive control unit 32 controls the left side mirror drive unit 52 to adjust the angle of the left side mirror 40 and also controls the right side mirror drive unit 54 to adjust the angle of the right side mirror 42. The side mirror drive control unit 32 is controlled by the ECU 36 that receives an instruction from the vehicle driver, and can adjust the side mirrors 40 and 42 to a desired angle.

  The mode input unit 30 receives a mode instruction from the user and transmits a mode notification signal to the ECU 36. In the present embodiment, an ID registration mode, a communication system inspection mode, a normal mode, or the like can be selected and instructed by the mode input unit 30. The ID registration mode is a mode in which the ID of the wheel communication main body 24 mounted on each wheel 14 is notified to the ECU 36 and registered. The communication system inspection mode is a mode for inspecting whether or not the communication system of the vehicle 10 operates properly. The normal mode is a normal mode in which wheel information detected by the sensors 20 and 22 is transmitted and received.

  The ECU 36 is configured as a microprocessor including a CPU, an arithmetic unit for performing calculations by the microcomputer, a ROM for storing various processing programs, and temporarily storing data and programs for data storage and program execution. It has a RAM used as a work area, a storage device such as a hard disk for storing data, and an input / output port for transmitting and receiving various signals. The ECU 100 is a control unit that controls a vehicle by sending control signals to various devices, and has various functions related to vehicle control.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an abnormality inspection device 60 having an inspection device control unit 62 connected to the ECU 36, a radio wave shield 80 that can be attached to and detached from the left side mirror 40 and the right side mirror 42, an inspector, etc. A portable trigger device 70 operated by a user is used.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing functions related to the inspection of the communication system among the various functions of the ECU 36 and the inspection apparatus control unit 62 of the first embodiment. The ECU 36 includes a mode determination unit 102, a signal reception unit 104, a registration ID storage unit 106, and an ID transmission unit 108. On the other hand, the inspection apparatus control unit 62 includes an ID reception unit 110, an inspection storage unit 112, and a display control unit 114.

  The mode determination unit 102 determines the mode selected and instructed by the user based on the mode notification signal sent from the mode input unit 30.

  The signal receiving unit 104 receives various signals transmitted via the vehicle body communication bodies 44 and 48 and the vehicle body communication antennas 46 and 50, and performs various processes based on the determination results in the mode determination unit 102. For example, when the mode determination unit 102 determines that the ID registration mode is selected and instructed, the signal reception unit 104 registers the ID (also referred to as “reception ID”) of the wheel communication main body 24 included in the received signal. The ID is stored in the registered ID storage unit 106 as an ID. When the mode determination unit 102 determines that the communication system inspection mode is selected and instructed, the signal reception unit 104 makes the reception ID usable by the ID transmission unit 108. When the mode determining unit 102 determines that the normal mode is selected and instructed, the signal receiving unit 104 makes various received signals available for normal vehicle control.

  The ID transmission unit 108 transmits the reception ID received by the signal reception unit 104 to the inspection device control unit 62 when the mode determination unit 102 determines that the communication system inspection mode is selected and instructed.

  When the ID registration mode is selected, the ID reception unit 110 stores the ID of each wheel communication main body 24 sent from the ID transmission unit 108 in the inspection storage unit 112 as a registration ID. When the communication system inspection mode is selected, the ID reception unit 110 displays the reception ID transmitted from the ID transmission unit 108 on the display screen of the abnormality inspection device 60 via the display control unit 114. The display control unit 114 adjusts the display content of a display screen (not shown) of the abnormality inspection device 60.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of the radio wave shield 80. The radio wave shield 80 has a box shape that can be attached to and detached from the side mirrors 40 and 42 on which the vehicle body communication antennas 46 and 50 and the vehicle body communication main bodies 44 and 48 are mounted. The radio wave shield 80 includes a cylindrical side portion 82 and a bottom portion 84 that closes one end portion of the side portion 82, and the other end portion of the side portion 82 is opened to form an opening 86. Yes. The radio wave shield 80 can be made of any substance that restricts communication by blocking the propagation of the inspection signal transmitted from each wheel communication main body 24 and the wheel communication antenna 26. For example, when the inspection signal has a frequency band of 315 MHz band, the radio wave shield 80 is made of metal or the like that blocks radio waves in the 315 MHz band. Thus, the radio wave shield 80 of the present embodiment limits the propagation of the inspection signal from the outside to the inside. The member constituting the radio wave shield 80 is preferably a substance that completely blocks the propagation of the inspection signal, but may be one that shields the propagation of the inspection signal at a certain rate, for example, 30 db. The radio wave shield 80 can also be configured by a member having the above shielding effect. When the radio wave shield 80 having such a configuration is properly attached to the side mirrors 40 and 42, the exposed portions of the side mirrors 40 and 42 are completely covered by the radio wave shield 80, and the radio wave shield 80 includes the side mirror 40, The vehicle body communication device mounted on 42 is disposed on the inside and covered.

  When the radio wave shield 80 is attached to the side mirrors 40 and 42, the end surface of the inside of the side portion 82 or the other end portion of the side portion 82 is supported by the side mirrors 40 and 42 or the vehicle body 12. A sponge material is affixed to the inner surface of the side portion 82 to form an internal sponge buffer portion 88, and a sponge material is also affixed to the end surface of the other end portion of the side portion 82 to form the attachment port sponge buffer portion 90. Has been. Accordingly, the radio wave shield 80 is provided with a sponge material, which is a buffer member, at a location supported when the radio wave shield 80 is attached to the side mirrors 40 and 42.

  The trigger device 70 has a configuration capable of transmitting an inspection instruction signal to the wheel communication main body 24, and causes the wheel communication main body 24 that has received the inspection instruction signal to wirelessly transmit an inspection signal. The ID of the wheel communication main body 24 is used for the inspection signal of the present embodiment, and the wheel communication main body 24 that has received the inspection instruction signal from the trigger device 70 wirelessly transmits the assigned ID as an inspection signal. To do. Note that the output of the inspection instruction signal transmitted by the trigger device 70 is relatively weak. Therefore, when transmitting the inspection instruction signal to the desired wheel communication main body, it is necessary to cause the trigger device 70 to approach the desired wheel communication main body 24 to transmit the inspection instruction signal. The inspection instruction signal does not propagate to the main body.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the communication system of the vehicle 10 is inspected using the ID of the wheel communication main body 24 mounted on the wheel 14. In the inspection of the communication system, the communication system relating to the vehicle body communication antenna mounted on one of the side mirrors 40 and 42 is first inspected, and then the communication system relating to the vehicle body communication antenna mounted on the other side mirror is inspected.

  The user selects and instructs the communication system inspection mode at the mode input unit 30, and transmits an ID signal including the assigned ID information from each wheel communication main body 24. The ID signal transmitted from each wheel communication main body 24 is sent to the ECU 36 via the vehicle body communication antennas 46 and 50 and the vehicle body communication main bodies 44 and 48, and the ID transmission unit 108 sends the received ID to the inspection device control unit 62.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an inspection process of the communication system according to the first embodiment, and mainly shows processing by the user. When starting the inspection of the communication system, the user first connects the abnormality inspection device 60 to the ECU 36 (S11 in FIG. 4), and selects and instructs the communication system inspection mode in the mode input unit 30 (S12). Thereby, a mode notification signal indicating the communication system inspection mode is transmitted from the mode input unit 30 to the ECU 36.

  Then, the user attaches the radio wave shield 80 to one side mirror on which the non-inspection body communication device is mounted, and covers the non-inspection body communication antenna with the radio wave shield 80 (S13). As a result, the wheel communication device is disposed outside the radio wave shield 80, and the vehicle body communication device to be inspected that should not correspond to the inspection signal is disposed inside the radio wave shield 80. That is, radio waves are blocked between the “non-inspection vehicle body communication device” and the wheel communication device, which should not correspond to the inspection signal, and communication is restricted. FIG. 1 shows an example in which a radio wave shield 80 is attached to the left side mirror 40 and the left-side vehicle body communication antenna 46 is covered with the radio wave shield 80.

  Then, the user operates the trigger device 70 at a position close to the wheel communication main body 24 to transmit an inspection instruction signal, and transmits an inspection signal from the wheel communication main body 24 (S14). For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1 in which the right vehicle body communication antenna 50 is an inspection object, the trigger device 70 is operated at a position close to the right front wheel 14b or the right rear wheel 14d, and the wheel communication of the right front wheel 14b or the right rear wheel 14d is performed. Inspection signals are transmitted from the main bodies 24b and 24d.

  The inspection signal transmitted from the wheel communication main body 24 is captured by the vehicle body communication device to be inspected that is not covered by the radio wave shield 80 and sent to the ECU 36, and the presence or absence of abnormality in the communication system is detected by the ECU 36 and the abnormality inspection device 60. (S15). A specific method for detecting whether there is an abnormality in the communication system will be described later (see FIG. 5).

  As described above, the communication between the vehicle body communication antenna to be inspected and the wheel communication antenna 26 which should not be made to correspond to the inspection signal is limited by S13 described above, and the inspection signal is supported by S14 and S15. Based on the reception state of the vehicle body communication device to be inspected, “the abnormality detection inspection of the communication system relating to one vehicle body communication antenna” is performed. Thereafter, “an abnormality detection inspection of the communication system related to the other vehicle body communication antenna” is performed in the same manner (S16 to 18).

  That is, the radio wave shield 80 is attached to the other side mirror, and the vehicle body communication antenna to be newly inspected is covered with the radio wave shield 80 (S16). Then, an inspection instruction signal is transmitted from the trigger device 70 at a position close to the wheel communication main body 24 to be inspected, and an inspection signal is transmitted from the wheel communication main body 24 (S17). The inspection signal is sent to the ECU 36 via the vehicle body communication device to be inspected that is not covered by the radio wave shield 80, and whether or not there is an abnormality in the communication system is determined via the ECU 36 and the abnormality inspection device 60 (see FIG. 5). (S18).

  The communication system of the vehicle 10 is inspected by the above-described S11 to S18, and the user can recognize the presence or absence of an abnormality in the communication system of the vehicle 10 via the screen display of the abnormality inspection device 60 as described later. When the inspection of the communication system is finished, the user selects and instructs the normal mode or the like in the mode input unit 30 and sets the communication system inspection mode to the OFF state (S19).

  Next, the specific processing of the ECU 36 and the inspection apparatus control unit 62 in the inspection process of the communication system will be mainly described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an inspection process of the communication system according to the first embodiment, and mainly shows processing in the ECU 36 and the inspection apparatus control unit 62.

  First, in the ECU 36, “mode communication system inspection mode or not” is determined by the mode determination section 102 based on the mode notification signal sent from the mode input section 30 (S 31 in FIG. 5). If it is determined (N in S31), other processing is performed according to the selected mode, and the communication system is not inspected. On the other hand, when it is determined that the communication system inspection mode is set (Y in S31), the reception ID included in the inspection signal transmitted from the wheel communication main body 24 and the wheel communication antenna 26 is the signal reception unit 104 and the ID of the ECU 36. The data is transmitted to the inspection apparatus control unit 62 via the transmission unit 108 (S32). In the inspection apparatus control unit 62, whether or not the ECU 36 has properly received the ID is determined by the ID receiving unit 110 based on a notification signal sent from the ECU 36 (S33). Then, whether or not the inspection signal is received by the ECU 36 is displayed on the display screen of the abnormality inspection device 60 by the display control unit 114 (S34). Therefore, the user can recognize the presence or absence of an abnormality in the communication system of the vehicle 10 through the screen display of the abnormality inspection device 60 through the above-described S31 to S34.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when detecting an abnormality in the communication system based on the reception state of the vehicle body communication device that should correspond to the inspection signal, vehicle body communication that should not correspond to the inspection signal. A communication restriction is added to the communication state between the device and the wheel communication device. This prevents the inspection signal from being received by an “inappropriate vehicle body communication device that should not be supported” and accurately detects an abnormality in the communication system related to the vehicle body communication device that should correspond to the signal for inspection. Can do. In particular, in this embodiment, the propagation of the inspection signal from the outside to the inside of the radio wave shield 80 can be limited only by mounting the radio wave shield 80 having a relatively simple structure on the vehicle body communication device. The radio wave shield 80 has an internal sponge buffer portion 88 and an attachment port sponge buffer portion 90, and a sponge material with excellent buffering properties is disposed at a location where it can come into contact with the vehicle 10 when mounted on the vehicle body communication device. It is possible to effectively prevent the vehicle 10 from being scratched.

  Next, a modification of the present embodiment will be described.

  During the inspection of the communication system, the transmission capability of the wheel communication device that transmits the inspection signal may be temporarily limited. For example, the transmission output of the inspection signal transmitted from the wheel communication device may be suppressed more than usual. Is possible. In this case, the inspection signal transmitted from the wheel communication device is difficult to reach the vehicle body communication device that should not be corresponded at a distance, so that it can be received only by the vehicle body communication device that should be disposed close to the vehicle. Increases nature. Thereby, the possibility that the inspection signal is received by the unintended vehicle body communication device is reduced, and the inspection accuracy of the communication state between the originally intended vehicle body communication device and the wheel communication device can be improved. . Therefore, the inspection accuracy can be improved by introducing the “step of temporarily limiting the transmission capability of the wheel communication device that transmits the inspection signal” during the inspection of the communication system. In addition, the transmission output of the inspection signal in the wheel communication device is appropriately determined within a range in which the inspection signal is received by the corresponding vehicle body communication device arranged close to the wheel communication device. An inspection signal having a lower output than the transmission output can be transmitted.

  Further, the trigger device 70 that transmits the inspection instruction signal that triggers the transmission of the inspection signal is not necessarily limited to a portable device as long as the inspection instruction signal can be appropriately transmitted to a desired wheel communication device. . Moreover, although the above-mentioned embodiment demonstrated the example which transmits a test | inspection instruction | indication signal with respect to a desired wheel communication apparatus by a user's manual operation, for example, the inspection process of a communication system is one of the vehicle inspection processes before and after vehicle shipment. The inspection instruction signal may be automatically transmitted to a desired wheel communication device without depending on a user instruction.

  In the embodiment, the vehicle body communication device is inspected using the inspection signal from the wheel communication main body 24, but the vehicle body is based on the reception state of the inspection signal transmitted from the transmitter outside the vehicle. You may detect the abnormality of the communication system regarding a communication apparatus.

  In the embodiment, the vehicle body communication device is inspected when the communication system inspection mode is selected. However, this inspection may be executed in parallel in other modes. For example, when the above-described ID registration mode is selected, the ID reception unit 110 stores the ID of each wheel communication body 24 included in the ID signal sent to the ECU 36 in the inspection storage unit 112 as a registration ID. However, at this time, the ID receiving unit 110 determines whether or not the ECU 36 has properly received the ID based on a notification signal sent from the ECU 36. Then, whether or not the inspection signal is received by the ECU 36 is displayed on the display screen of the abnormality inspection apparatus 60 by the display control unit 114. Thereby, the user can recognize the presence or absence of an abnormality in the communication system of the vehicle 10 via the screen display of the abnormality inspection device 60.

  Further, the inspection of the vehicle body communication device may be executed when the “registration inspection mode” for inspecting whether or not the ID of the wheel communication main body 24 is correctly registered in the vehicle body communication device. For example, when the registered inspection mode is selected, the registration ID stored in the registration ID storage unit 106 is transmitted to the inspection device control unit 62 of the abnormality inspection device 60 via the ID transmission unit 108. The inspection device control unit 62 stores the registration ID sent from the ECU 36 in the inspection storage unit 112 and displays it on the display screen of the abnormality inspection device 60. Subsequently, the reception ID included in the inspection signal transmitted from the wheel communication main body 24 and the wheel communication antenna 26 to be inspected by the user operating the trigger device 70 is the signal reception unit 104 and the ID transmission unit 108 of the ECU 36. Is transmitted to the inspection apparatus control unit 62 via The ID receiving unit 110 of the inspection apparatus control unit 62 determines “whether or not the received ID sent from the ECU 36 matches the registration ID stored in the inspection storage unit 112”. The registered ID that matches the received ID is deleted from the display screen of the abnormality inspection apparatus 60 by the ID receiving unit 110 and the display control unit 114. On the other hand, a reception ID that does not match the registration ID is displayed as an alarm on the display screen of the abnormality inspection device 60 by the ID reception unit 110 and the display control unit 114. Therefore, when the communication system is functioning properly, the reception ID and the registration ID completely match, so that all the registration IDs displayed on the display screen of the abnormality inspection device 60 are finally erased. Is done. On the other hand, when the communication system is not functioning properly, all registered IDs are not deleted from the display screen of the abnormality inspection device 60, or an inappropriate reception ID is displayed as an alarm on the display screen. Therefore, the user can recognize the presence or absence of an abnormality in the communication system of the vehicle 10 via the screen display of the abnormality inspection device 60.

(Second Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of the vehicle 10 according to the second embodiment. An inspection transmitter 92 is provided inside the radio wave shield 80 of the present embodiment. The inspection transmitter 92 periodically transmits an inspection signal at a predetermined interval. Therefore, the inspection signal transmitted from the inspection transmitter 92 is received by the vehicle body communication device mounted on the side mirror to which the radio wave shield 80 is attached. The radio wave shield 80 blocks the inspection signal transmitted from the inspection transmitter 92 and restricts the propagation of the inspection signal from the inside to the outside of the radio wave shield 80. Therefore, propagation of the inspection signal to the vehicle body communication device mounted on the side mirror that is not equipped with the radio wave shield 80 is blocked by the radio wave shield 80. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the vehicle body communication device to be inspected that should correspond to the inspection signal and the inspection transmitter 92 that transmits the inspection signal are disposed and covered inside the radio wave shield 80. The radio wave shield 80 restricts the propagation of the inspection signal from the inside to the outside, and prevents the inspection signal from being received by the vehicle body communication device to be inspected.

  The inspection signal received by the vehicle body communication device is sent to the ECU 36, and whether or not the inspection signal is received by the ECU 36 is suggested to the user via the display screen of the abnormality inspection device 60.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing functions related to the inspection of the communication system among the various functions of the ECU 36 and the inspection apparatus control unit 62 of the second embodiment. The ECU 36 includes a mode determination unit 102, a signal reception unit 104, and a reception determination unit 116. On the other hand, the inspection apparatus control unit 62 includes a signal determination unit 118 and a display control unit 114.

  The signal determination unit 118 receives the notification signal transmitted from the reception determination unit 116 of the ECU 36 to the inspection device control unit 62, and determines “whether the ECU 36 has received the inspection signal” based on the received notification signal. Then, the determination result is notified to the display control unit 114. The display control unit 114 controls the screen display of the abnormality inspection device 60 based on the determination result in the signal determination unit 118 and suggests the determination result of the signal determination unit 118 to the user.

  Other configurations can be the same as those in the first embodiment. Even in the inspection of the communication system according to the present embodiment, the communication system related to the vehicle body communication antenna mounted on one of the side mirrors 40 and 42 is first checked, and then the communication system related to the vehicle body communication antenna mounted on the other side mirror. Is inspected.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an inspection process of the communication system according to the second embodiment, and mainly shows processing by the user. When starting the inspection of the communication system, the user first connects the abnormality inspection device 60 to the ECU 36 (S51 in FIG. 8), and selects and instructs the communication system inspection mode in the mode input unit 30 (S52). The user should not attach the radio wave shield 80 to one of the side mirrors on which the vehicle body communication device to be inspected is mounted, cover the vehicle body communication device to be inspected with the radio wave shield 80 (S53), and respond to the inspection signal. The communication between the vehicle body communication antenna and the wheel communication antenna 26 to be inspected is limited. Then, based on whether the inspection signal transmitted from the inspection transmitter 92 inside the radio wave shield 80 is received by the in-vehicle communication device to be inspected covered by the radio wave shield 80, the in-vehicle communication of the inspected object It is determined whether there is an abnormality in the device (S54). A specific method for detecting whether there is an abnormality in the communication system will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Thereafter, “inspection of the communication system relating to the other vehicle body communication device” is performed in the same manner (S55 and S56). That is, the radio wave shield 80 is attached to the other side mirror, and the vehicle body communication device to be newly inspected is covered with the radio wave shield 80 (S55). Then, based on whether or not the vehicle body communication device covered by the radio wave shield 80 has received the inspection signal, it is determined whether there is an abnormality in the new vehicle body communication device to be inspected (S56). Then, when the inspection of the communication system is finished, the user selects and instructs the normal mode or the like in the mode input unit 30 and sets the communication system inspection mode to the OFF state (S57).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an inspection process of the communication system according to the second embodiment, and mainly shows processing in the ECU 36 and the inspection device control unit 62.

  First, in the ECU 36, “mode communication unit inspection mode” is determined by the mode determination unit 102 based on the mode notification signal sent from the mode input unit 30 (S 61 in FIG. 9), and it is not the communication system inspection mode. If it is determined (N in S61), other processing is performed according to the selected mode, and the communication system is not inspected. On the other hand, when it is determined that the communication system inspection mode is set (Y in S61), a notification signal indicating the presence / absence of reception of the inspection signal in the signal reception unit 104 is transmitted from the reception determination unit 116 to the inspection device control unit 62. (S62). In the inspection device control unit 62, the signal determination unit 118 determines whether or not the ECU 36 has properly received the inspection signal based on the notification signal sent from the ECU 36 (S63). Then, whether or not the inspection signal is received by the ECU 36 is displayed on the display screen of the abnormality inspection device 60 by the display control unit 114 (S64). Therefore, the user can recognize the presence or absence of an abnormality in the communication system of the vehicle 10 through the screen display of the abnormality inspection device 60 through the above-described S61 to S64.

  As described above, also in the present embodiment, when detecting an abnormality in the communication system, a communication restriction is applied to the communication system using the vehicle body communication device that should not correspond to the inspection signal. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the communication signal from being received by an inappropriate vehicle body communication device that should not be handled, and to detect an abnormality in the communication system with high accuracy. In the present embodiment, it is possible to perform the inspection process of the communication system with high accuracy using the radio wave shield 80 having a relatively simple structure.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and any combination of the elements of the embodiments and modifications is also effective as an embodiment of the present invention. Various modifications such as design changes can be added to each embodiment and its modifications based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and the embodiment to which such a modification is added is also applicable to the present invention. Can be included in the range.

  For example, at the time of inspection of a communication system, the reception sensitivity of the vehicle body communication bodies 44 and 48 and the vehicle body communication antennas 46 and 50 is suppressed from the normal time, and the reception capability of the vehicle body communication device that should not correspond to the inspection signal is temporarily You may restrict to. Thereby, it is possible to effectively prevent the inspection signal from being received by an inappropriate vehicle body communication device, and to further improve the inspection accuracy. Therefore, it is also possible to introduce a “step of temporarily limiting the reception capability of the vehicle body communication body and the vehicle body communication antenna that should not correspond to the inspection signal” when the communication system is inspected. For example, when the mode input unit 30 receives selection and instruction of the communication system inspection mode, the mode determination unit 102 of the ECU 36 transmits a low sensitivity instruction signal to the vehicle body communication main bodies 44 and 48, and the vehicle body communication main bodies 44 and 48. Can be configured to lower the reception sensitivity of the inspection signal when a low sensitivity instruction signal is received. When the mode input unit 30 accepts selection or instruction of a normal mode or the like for setting the communication system inspection mode to the OFF state, the mode determination unit 102 transmits a normal sensitivity instruction signal to the vehicle body communication main bodies 44 and 48. The vehicle body communication bodies 44 and 48 may be configured to recover to the normal reception sensitivity when the normal sensitivity instruction signal is received. In addition, the reception sensitivity of the vehicle body communication device in the communication system inspection mode is appropriately determined within a range in which the inspection signal transmitted from the corresponding wheel communication device disposed in the proximity can be received. The reception sensitivity in the vehicle body communication device can be controlled, for example, by adjusting the reception gain or adjusting the reception directivity by adjusting the angle of the side mirror 40.

  Further, the radio wave shield 80 may be any one that can limit communication with respect to the communication state between the vehicle body communication device and the wheel communication device that should not correspond to the inspection signal, and is configured by a metal member. It is not limited to the box shape. For example, a bag-like object including a fibrous metal member that blocks the inspection signal can be used as the radio wave shield 80. In that case, in the above-described embodiment, it is preferable that the radio wave shield 80 has a shape capable of appropriately covering the side mirrors 40 and 42 on which the vehicle body communication device is mounted. In this case as well, it is preferable to configure the radio wave shield 80 so that the vehicle 10 is not damaged.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the abnormality inspection device 60 provided separately from the vehicle 10 is used to notify the user of the inspection result of the communication system has been described. It can also be applied to a vehicle device such as. For example, when the ECU 36 is used, a communication system inspection is input in advance as one of the diagnosis functions of the ECU 36, and a signal “communication system inspection start” is sent to the ECU 36, so that the ECU 36 You may comprise so that the presence or absence of abnormality may be self-diagnosed.

  Further, the place where the vehicle body communication device functioning as a plurality of receiving means is provided is not limited to the side mirrors 40 and 42, and signals from the wheel communication main body 24 and the wheel communication antenna 26 to be matched can be appropriately received. Any place that can be used. Therefore, for example, the wheel communication main body 24 and the wheel communication antenna 26 can be installed in a wheel house in which each wheel 14 attached to the vehicle body 12 is accommodated. Further, the wheel communication device functioning as a plurality of transmission means can be installed at a location other than the wheel as long as it can appropriately transmit a signal to the vehicle body communication device to be supported.

It is a figure showing the whole vehicle composition of a 1st embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function relevant to the test | inspection of a communication system among the various functions which ECU of 1st Embodiment and a test | inspection apparatus control part have. It is a figure which shows the structure of a radio wave shield. It is a flowchart which shows the test process of the communication system of 1st Embodiment, and is a figure which mainly shows the process by a user. It is a flowchart which shows the test process of the communication system of 1st Embodiment, and is a figure which mainly shows the process in ECU and a test | inspection apparatus control part. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the vehicle of 2nd Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function relevant to the test | inspection of a communication system among the various functions which ECU of 2nd Embodiment and a test | inspection apparatus control part have. It is a flowchart which shows the test process of the communication system of 2nd Embodiment, and is a figure which mainly shows the process by a user. It is a flowchart which shows the test | inspection process of the communication system of 2nd Embodiment, and is a figure which mainly shows the process in ECU and a test | inspection apparatus control part.

Explanation of symbols

  10 vehicle, 12 vehicle body, 14 wheel, 20 air pressure sensor, 22 air temperature sensor, 24 wheel communication main body, 26 wheel communication antenna, 30 mode input unit, 32 side mirror drive control unit, 34 alarm device, 36 ECU, 40 left side Mirror, 42 Right side mirror, 44 Left car body communication body, 46 Left car body communication antenna, 48 Right car body communication body, 50 Right car body communication antenna, 52 Left mirror drive unit, 54 Right mirror drive unit, 60 Abnormality inspection device, 62 Inspection Device control unit, 70 trigger device, 80 radio wave shield, 82 side portion, 84 bottom portion, 86 opening portion, 88 internal sponge buffer portion, 90 attachment port sponge buffer portion, 92 transmitter for inspection, 102 mode discrimination portion, 104 signal reception Part 106 Record ID storage unit, 108 ID transmitting unit, 110 ID receiving unit, 112 test storage unit, 114 display control unit, 116 reception determination unit, 118 signal determination unit.

Claims (11)

An inspection method for a communication system having a transmitting means for transmitting a predetermined signal and a plurality of receiving means,
A communication restriction step for restricting communication between some of the receiving means and the transmitting means;
A communication state detecting step for detecting a communication state of the communication system based on a reception state of a receiving unit other than the part of the receiving units;
An inspection method for a communication system, comprising:   2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication limiting step includes a step of disposing a shielding unit that limits propagation of the predetermined signal between the part of the receiving units and the transmitting unit. Inspection method.   The communication system inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the part of the receiving means is a receiving means that should not correspond to the predetermined signal.   4. The communication system inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the communication restriction step includes a step of restricting a reception capability of the part of the reception units.   5. The communication system inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the communication restriction step includes a step of restricting a transmission capability of the transmission unit. A communication system inspection apparatus for inspecting a communication system including a transmission means for transmitting a predetermined signal and a plurality of reception means,
When communication is restricted between a part of the receiving means and the transmitting means by the communication restricting means, the communication is based on the receiving state of the receiving means other than the part of the receiving means. A communication state inspection device comprising communication state detection means for detecting a communication state of a system.   The communication limiting means includes shielding means for disposing the predetermined signal on the inner side and arranging the transmitting means on the outer side to restrict propagation of the predetermined signal from the outer side to the inner side. The communication state inspection device according to claim 6.   The communication restricting means includes a shielding means for restricting propagation of the predetermined signal from inside to outside by arranging receiving means other than the part of receiving means and the transmitting means on the inside. The communication state inspection device according to claim 6.   The communication state inspection device according to claim 6, wherein the transmission unit is provided on a wheel.   It is formed by a member that restricts the propagation of a predetermined signal and is configured to be detachable from the receiving means. When attached to the receiving means, the receiving means is disposed inside to cover the receiving means. A shielding tool for inspection, characterized in that a buffer member is arranged at a place supported at the time of mounting.   It is formed by a member that restricts the propagation of a predetermined signal and is configured to be detachable from the receiving means, and has a shape that covers and covers the receiving means when it is attached to the receiving means. An inspection shield device, wherein a transmitting means for transmitting is arranged inside.

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