JP2006264427A - Vehicular control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To save the power consumption of a control device to control electrical units mounted on a vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: After a control circuit to output the control signal to a driving circuit of electrical units is set in a normal mode by the ON operation of a key switch, the control circuit is maintained in a power-saving mode before the external communication signal from an artificial manipulation such as the switch operation of the electrical units or a diagnosis tool is input when the predetermined time TM is elapsed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular control device that controls driving of electrical components mounted on a vehicle, and more particularly to a technique for reducing power consumption.

In Patent Document 1, a vehicle control device is activated by a key switch (ignition key) ON operation, and is constituted by a microcomputer of an ECU (electronic control unit) based on detection signals of various vehicle states. It is disclosed that a control signal is output from a control circuit to an electric component drive circuit to control driving of the electric component.
JP-A-11-263179

  In the control apparatus for a vehicle described in Patent Document 1 described above, in an electrical component such as a 4WD (four-wheel drive) system or a power window, the driving of an electric actuator (motor, solenoid, etc.) is manually switched. In spite of only the operation (switch operation) being performed, the control circuit composed of a microcomputer or the like is constantly in operation, such as taking in various information, during operation in which the key switch is ON. Therefore, it was inefficient in terms of power consumption.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such a conventional problem, and an object thereof is to reduce power consumption while maintaining control performance.

For this reason, the invention according to claim 1
In a vehicle control device including a control circuit that outputs a control signal to a drive circuit of an electrical component mounted on a vehicle,
While waiting for a request to change the driving state of the electrical component while the vehicle key switch is turned on, the power saving mode for reducing the power consumption of the control circuit is set. According to the invention according to claim 1, wherein when a request for changing the driving state occurs, the control circuit is switched to a normal mode and the output of the driving circuit is changed.
When the key switch is turned on and the power supply is connected, only when a request to change the drive state of the electrical component occurs, the control circuit is switched to the normal mode, the output of the drive circuit is changed, and the electrical component is requested as required. Since the control circuit is in a power-saving mode that reduces power consumption by operating only the minimum necessary functions such as the determination of the request and the function of shifting to the normal mode while waiting for the request, Power consumption can be reduced as much as possible while ensuring control performance.

The invention according to claim 2
The request for changing the driving state of the electrical component whose mode of the control circuit is switched is generated by an artificial operation request.
According to the invention of claim 2,
The control circuit can be driven to switch from the power saving mode to the normal mode only when an electric component such as a 4WD system or a power window is switched by an occupant.

The invention according to claim 3
The request for changing the driving state of the electrical component whose mode of the control circuit is switched is generated by an operation request by communication from the outside.
According to the invention of claim 3,
When an operation request is generated by communication from the outside, such as when a dealer makes a diagnosis using a diagnostic tool, the control circuit can be driven by switching from the power saving mode to the normal mode.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In FIG. 1, a vehicle control device (electronic control unit: described as ECU in the drawing) 3 according to the present invention is connected to a battery 1 as a power source via a key switch (ignition key) 2.
The vehicle control device 3 includes an input circuit 3A, a control circuit 3B, and a drive circuit 3C. Note that the drive circuit may be provided outside the control device (for example, integrally with the electric actuator described later).

The input circuit 3A is a vehicle information signal detected by various sensors 4, an operation signal from an electrical switch 5 driven by an artificial operation such as a 4WD system, a power window, a differential lock, or a diagnosis used by a dealer. A communication signal from the outside such as the tool 6 is input to perform processing such as A / D conversion.
The control circuit 3B is configured by a microcomputer or the like, processes a signal input via the input circuit 3A, and outputs a control signal for the electrical component.

The drive circuit 3C inputs a control signal from the control circuit 3B and outputs a drive signal to the electric actuator (motor, solenoid, etc.) 7 of the electrical component. The vehicle control apparatus according to the present invention drives the electrical component by changing the output of the drive circuit 3C only when the artificial operation signal or the external communication signal is input. It has become.
In such a vehicle control device, the control circuit 3B basically receives the artificial operation signal or the communication signal from the outside, that is, when a request for changing the driving state of the electrical component occurs. Switch to the normal mode and output drive control signals for electrical components, but when waiting for other requests, only the minimum necessary functions such as judgment of the request and the function for shifting to the normal mode are operated. To maintain a power saving mode that saves power.

FIG. 2 shows a flow of mode switching control by the control circuit 3B.
This flow is activated by the ON operation of the key switch 2, and immediately after the ON operation, the control circuit 3B is set to the normal mode in step S1.
Next, in step S2, it is determined whether an artificial operation signal or an external communication signal is input.

When the signal is not inputted, the process proceeds to step S3 and the waiting time measuring timer Tm is counted up.
In step S4, it is determined whether the elapsed time measured by the timer Tm has reached a predetermined time TM.
Before reaching the predetermined time TM, the process returns to step S1 to continue the normal mode. After reaching the predetermined time TM, the process proceeds to step S5, and the control circuit 3B is switched to the power saving mode. Here, since the predetermined time TM is set to be longer than the time required to complete the switching of the driving state of the electrical component, the driving of the corresponding electrical component is completed when there is an artificial operation as will be described later. Then, it can be switched to the power saving mode.

  The power saving mode is a function for determining whether or not there is a request to change the driving state of an electrical component by inputting the above-mentioned artificial operation (switch operation) signal or an external communication signal, and normal again from the power saving mode after switching. Only the minimum necessary functions, such as the function of shifting to the mode, are operated to reduce the power consumption of the control circuit 3B. Note that the A / D conversion operation by the input circuit 3A for various vehicle information other than the necessary drive request signal is not necessary in the power saving mode and is stopped.

  Or it is good also as a mode which decreases the frequency of the control clock of the microcomputer (CPU) which comprises the control circuit 3B, and makes the operation period of the control circuit 3B larger than a normal mode. Here, the operation of the control circuit 3B refers to an operation in which all signals are inputted and processed. However, when a request for changing the driving state does not occur, even if the vehicle information changes, the operation to the driving circuit 3C is performed. The output does not change.

Next, in step S6, as in step S2, it is determined whether an artificial operation signal or an external communication signal is input.
While the signal is not input, the current power saving mode is maintained.
If it is determined that the signal is input during the power saving mode, the process proceeds to step S7, the measured value of the timer Tm is reset, and then the process returns to step S1.

  As a result, the control circuit 3B is switched to the normal mode in step S1, so that a drive control signal for the electrical component corresponding to the input signal request is formed and output to the drive circuit 3C. Electrical components are driven as required. Note that the normal mode is maintained for a predetermined time TM to complete the drive as required by the electrical component unless a human operation occurs again (the switch cannot be switched) after the drive state of the electrical component begins to change. To do.

  Further, when it is determined whether an input of an artificial operation (switch ON operation) signal or an external communication signal performed before the key switch 2 is turned on, the control circuit 3B is set in the normal mode in step S1, and then the step The process proceeds to step S8 in the determination of S2, and after resetting the measured value of the timer Tm, the process returns to step S1 to meet the request for the input signal while the normal mode of the control circuit 3B is maintained. A drive control signal for the electrical component is formed and output to the drive circuit 3C, and the corresponding electrical component is driven as required by the electric actuator 7.

In this way, after the key switch 2 is turned on, the normal mode is once set. However, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the power saving mode is maintained unless a request to change the driving state of the electrical component is generated. Therefore, power consumption can be reduced as much as possible while ensuring the control performance of the electrical components.
In the present embodiment, after the key switch 2 is turned on, the normal mode is once set. However, the power saving mode may be set from the beginning, and the mode may be switched to the normal mode by an artificial operation or the like.

In the present embodiment, the TM normal mode is set for a predetermined time after an artificial operation is performed. However, the control end (driving state change end) of the electrical component may be detected and switched to the power saving mode. .
In addition to the above, the request to change the driving state of the electrical component is controlled based on, for example, judgment by another control unit other than the manual operation. It may be a product control or the like, and may be input to the control device according to the present invention by external communication and switched from the power saving mode to the normal mode to be driven.

Here, technical ideas other than the claims that can be grasped from the above embodiment will be described together with the effects thereof.
(A) In the vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The electrical component is a control device of any one of a 4WD system, a power window, and a differential lock.

According to such a configuration, the control circuit is switched to the normal mode only when an artificial operation (switch operation) of these electrical components occurs, and the drive state is switched at other times. Consumption can be saved effectively.
(B) In the vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The request for changing the driving state of the electrical component is generated by communication from a diagnostic tool.

According to such a configuration, the control circuit is set to the normal mode only when a request for diagnosing the electrical component to be diagnosed by communication from the diagnostic tool, and the power saving mode is effectively set otherwise, the power saving mode is set. Can save you.
Since the driving state of the electrical component changes, the power consumption of the control device can be effectively reduced.
(C) In the vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The request for changing the driving state of the electrical component is a request with a relatively low demand for quick operation other than human operation.

According to such a configuration, the control circuit is set to the normal mode only when the request is generated in the case where it is not necessary to respond to the change in the driving state of the electrical component in a special real time, and the power saving mode is set otherwise. Power consumption can be saved effectively.
(D) In the vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and (a), (b), and (c) above,
The power saving mode is a state in which only the function of monitoring the switch operation of the electrical component, determining the communication request from the outside, and switching to the normal mode is operated.

According to such a configuration, if only the above is operated, it is possible to detect the occurrence of the drive request of the electrical component and shift to the normal mode, and by stopping the other operations, as much as possible while ensuring the performance Power consumption can be saved.
(E) In the vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the above (a), (b), (c)
The power saving mode is a mode in which the operation cycle of the control circuit is made larger than that in the normal mode.

According to this configuration, power consumption can be reduced by reducing the frequency of operations that consume power.
(F) In the vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the above (a), (b), (c), (d),
It is characterized in that after the control device is activated, the normal mode is once set, and then the mode is shifted to the power saving mode.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to determine the manual operation performed before startup and input of an external signal, and to drive the electrical component quickly at the same time as startup.
(G) In the vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the above (a), (b), (c), (d),
The power saving mode is set from the start of the control device, and the normal mode is set only when a request to change the driving state of the electrical component is generated.

  According to such a configuration, the power consumption can be reduced as much as possible by setting the power saving mode from the start.

The control block diagram of the control apparatus for vehicles concerning embodiment. The flowchart which shows the mode switching control by an apparatus same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Battery, 2 ... Key switch, 3 ... Control apparatus for vehicles, 3A ... Input circuit, 3B ... Control circuit, 3C ... Drive circuit, 4 ... Various sensors, 5 ... Switch of electrical equipment, 6 ... Diagnostic tool, 7 ... Electric actuators

Claims (3)

In a vehicle control device including a control circuit that outputs a control signal to a drive circuit of an electrical component mounted on a vehicle,
While waiting for a request to change the driving state of the electrical component while the vehicle key switch is turned on, the power saving mode for reducing the power consumption of the control circuit is set. A control apparatus for a vehicle, wherein when a request for changing a driving state occurs, the control circuit is controlled to be switched to a normal mode and an output of the driving circuit is changed.   The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the request to change the driving state of the electrical component whose mode of the control circuit is switched is generated by an artificial operation request.   The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the request for changing the driving state of the electrical component whose mode of the control circuit is switched is generated by an operation request by communication from the outside.

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