JP2006342713A - Electronic control unit and storing method of drive recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic control device which can find the cause of an abnormality occurring in a vehicle based on the background to a detected parameter. <P>SOLUTION: In a processing part 10 constituting an ECU 1, a parameter group including an instantaneous parameter on a specified time basis as freeze data is stored in a memory 13 to be non-erasable by an input interface 8, based on the detected instantaneous parameter. Therefore, unlike the existing device in which only the instantaneous parameter is stored, the parameter group can be stored for a specified time T0 so that the background to the instantaneous parameter can be analyzed based on the parameter group stored in the memory 13. For example, when the detected instantaneous parameter is an abnormal value, the background to the abnormal value is analyzed based on the parameter group stored in the memory 13 so that the cause of the abnormality can be analyzed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic control device that controls the operation of a vehicle, and more specifically, an electronic control device that stores parameters that change according to a driving state, and a storage method of a drive recorder for storing the driving state of the vehicle. About.

  Many devices such as an engine, an automatic transmission, an airbag, and an air conditioner are mounted on the vehicle. It is desirable that when these devices have a failure or abnormality, the cause of the occurrence can be easily analyzed. In the prior art for solving such problems, the vehicle acceleration is always stored in the RAM, and when the airbag is activated, the vehicle acceleration before and after that is stored in the memory, and subsequent writing to the memory is prohibited. An apparatus is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-183360

  In the above-described prior art, since the value of the vehicle acceleration at the moment when the failure or abnormality occurs is stored in the memory, only the driving state of the vehicle at the moment when the failure or abnormality occurs can be recognized. There is a problem that it is not possible to elucidate how the abnormality occurred.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic control device capable of elucidating the cause of an abnormality occurring in a vehicle based on the history of detected parameters.

The present invention comprises a detecting means for detecting a parameter that changes according to the driving state of the vehicle,
Storage means capable of storing the parameters detected by the detection means in specified time units;
An electronic control device comprising: control means for storing a parameter group in a predetermined time unit including the instantaneous parameter based on the instantaneous parameter detected by the detecting means in an erasable manner in the storage means. .

The present invention further includes a communication means capable of communicating with an external device,
When a simulation parameter group that simulates the parameter group is given via the communication means, the control means controls the vehicle based on the given simulation parameter.

  Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the parameter includes a value based on an operation amount for operating an operation means attached to the vehicle.

Furthermore, the present invention is an electronic control device characterized in that the control means determines the type of parameter group to be stored in a non-erasable manner based on the degree of abnormality of the detected parameter at the moment.
Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the specified time can be set.

Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the specified time is determined based on a degree of abnormality of a parameter at a detected moment.
Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the specified time is set by an operating means.

  Further, according to the present invention, the parameter includes image information captured by an imaging unit attached to the vehicle.

Furthermore, in the present invention, the operation means is at least one of an in-vehicle terminal device, a window, an air conditioner, a wiper, and an illumination means.
The parameter includes at least one of values based on operation amounts of the in-vehicle terminal device, the window, the air conditioner, the wiper, and the illumination unit.

Furthermore, the present invention is a storage method of a drive recorder for storing a driving state of a vehicle,
A detection step of detecting a parameter that changes according to a driving state of the vehicle;
A storage step of storing parameters detected in the detection step in a specified time unit;
And storing a parameter group in a predetermined time unit including the instantaneous parameter in an erasable manner based on the instantaneous parameter detected in the detection step.

  According to the present invention, based on the instantaneous parameter detected by the detecting means, the control means causes the storage means to store the parameter group of the specified time unit including the instantaneous parameter in an erasable manner. Therefore, since a group of parameters can be stored for a specified time compared to a device that stores only instantaneous parameters as in the existing technology, the process of reaching the instantaneous parameters detected by the detecting means is stored in the storing means. The analysis can be performed based on the parameter group. Therefore, for example, when the detected parameter is an abnormal value, the process of the abnormal value is analyzed based on the parameter group stored in the storage means, and the cause of the abnormality is easily clarified. be able to.

  According to the invention, when a simulation parameter group that simulates a parameter group is given via the communication means, the control means controls the vehicle based on the given simulation parameter. Therefore, the operator can evaluate the operation of the electronic control device based on the simulation parameter by giving the simulation parameter from the outside to the electronic control device. Therefore, for example, by simulating the simulation parameter with the parameter when a malfunction occurs in the electronic control apparatus, the state of the electronic control apparatus when the malfunction occurs can be reproduced.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the parameter includes a value based on an operation amount for operating the operation means attached to the vehicle, the state of the operation means at the specified time is analyzed based on a parameter group stored in the storage means. can do. Therefore, it is possible to analyze how the operator operates the operation means, and it is possible to analyze the process leading to the instantaneous parameter based on the operation amount of the operator. Therefore, it is possible to analyze not only the parameters indicating the physical phenomenon of the vehicle but also the details of the instantaneous parameters in association with the actual operation of the operator.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, the control means determines the type of parameter group to be stored in a non-erasable manner based on the degree of abnormality of the detected parameter at the moment. Therefore, it is possible to store only the parameter group having a high relevance to the degree of abnormality and preventing the storage of the parameter group having a low relevance, so that the storage capacity can be used effectively.

  Further, according to the present invention, the specified time is configured to be settable, so that the operator can set it to an arbitrary specified time. Therefore, the specified time can be individually set according to the driving state of the vehicle, and the parameter group stored in the specified time unit can be used effectively.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, the specified time is determined based on the degree of abnormality of the detected parameter at the moment. Therefore, a suitable specified time can be set according to the degree of abnormality, and the storage capacity can be used effectively by setting the specified time required for analysis of the stored parameter group.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the specified time is set by the operating means, the specified time can be set using the existing operating means without providing a new setting means for setting the specified time. it can. This makes it easy to set the specified time, and the present invention can be realized with a simple configuration.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the parameter includes image information captured by the imaging means attached to the vehicle, the parameter includes image information stored in the storage means, for example, image information around the vehicle and image information of the operator. Based on this, it is possible to analyze the process leading to the instantaneous parameter.

  Further, according to the present invention, the parameter includes at least one of values based on the operation amounts of the in-vehicle terminal device, the window, the air conditioner, the wiper, and the illumination unit. Based on the above, it is possible to analyze the process leading to the instantaneous parameter. As a result, it is possible to promote the elucidation of the causal relationship between the operation state of the operator and other parameters.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, based on the instantaneous parameter detected in the detection step, a step of storing the parameter group of the specified time unit including the instantaneous parameter in an erasable manner is included. Therefore, compared to the method of storing only instantaneous parameters as in the existing technology, the parameter group can be stored over a specified time, so the process leading to the instantaneous parameters detected by the detection process is stored in the parameters stored. Analysis can be based on groups. Therefore, for example, if the parameter at the moment of detection is an abnormal value, the process of the abnormal value is analyzed based on the parameter group stored in an erasable manner, and the cause of the abnormality can be easily clarified. can do.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The start condition of each flowchart is not necessarily limited to the described start condition. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an electronic control unit (abbreviated as ECU) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ECU 1 is provided in the vehicle and calculates optimal control values based on input information to control various actuators such as the solenoid 2 and the motor 3 and the lamp 4.

  The ECU 1 is electrically connected to a sensor 5 that detects parameters that change according to the driving state of the vehicle, various actuators that are controlled objects, a battery 6 that supplies power, and a diagnostic device 7 that can communicate with the ECU 1. The ECU 1 includes an input interface 8 to which information is given from the sensor 5, an output interface 9 that outputs information for controlling the operation of various actuators, a drive circuit (not shown) for driving each control target, and a processing unit 10 that calculates information. A communication unit 11 that can communicate with an external device, a power supply circuit 12 that supplies power to each unit, and a memory 13 that stores information are configured.

  The input interface 8 has a function as a detection means, and input information given to the input interface 8 includes parameters detected by the sensor 5 that detects the driving state of the vehicle, for example, the oil temperature of the lubricating oil used in the engine. The engine speed, the vehicle speed, the vehicle acceleration, the temperature of the cooling water for cooling the engine, the vehicle interior temperature, and the like are included. The input information includes a value based on an operation amount for operating an operation means attached to the vehicle. As described above, any type of information of analog / digital information is used as the input information, and the input interface 8 gives the input information to the processing unit 10.

  The memory 13 is a storage means for storing a program for controlling the engine, input information, and output information. For example, a nonvolatile read only memory (abbreviated as ROM), a volatile random access memory (Random) (Access Memory: abbreviated as RAM) and a buffer, the calculation process and calculation result of the processing unit 10 are temporarily recorded in the RAM or buffer. The memory 13 can store the parameters included in the input information in units of the specified time T0. When the prescribed time T0 is, for example, 10 seconds, the parameters included in the input information can be continuously recorded over 10 seconds. The specified time T0 is set in advance and is configured to be settable.

  The output interface 9 gives output information given from the processing unit 10 to the solenoid 2, the motor 3 and the lamp 4. The communication unit 11 can communicate with the outside, transmits information given from the processing unit 10, for example, parameters stored in the memory 13, to the external device, and gives information received from the external device to the processing unit 10. . In the present embodiment, the external device to be connected is realized by the diagnostic device 7. The diagnostic device 7 diagnoses the state of the vehicle based on the parameters transmitted from the ECU 1, and sends data such as parameters to the ECU 1. By transmitting, it has a function of diagnosing the condition of the vehicle.

  The processing unit 10 calculates a predetermined logic program based on the input information provided from the input interface 8 and outputs, for example, on / off information such as gear change and digital information such as valve opening as output information. This is given to the interface 9. The processing unit 10 can perform the same processing using the information given from the communication unit 11 as input information. The processing unit 10 executes a control program such as an engine and the freeze data storage program of the present invention. The processing unit 10 is realized by a processing circuit such as a microcomputer, for example. The main control performed by the processing unit 10 is as follows.

(A) It is repeatedly determined whether the input information is abnormal or normal, or from the combination of the input information. If the input information is abnormal, it is diagnosed that the sensor 5, the actuator, or the wire harness is faulty, and the memory 13 The information is stored in the memory and the abnormality warning lamp is turned on to notify the operator of the abnormality.
(B) When it is determined that the input information is abnormal, a parameter group (freeze data) including a parameter at the moment when the input information is determined to be abnormal is stored in the memory 13 in an erasable manner. The processing unit 10 executes a freeze data storage program stored in the memory 13 and causes the memory 13 to store various parameters included in the input information in units of a predetermined time T0.
(C) The type of parameter group to be stored in an erasable manner is determined based on the degree of abnormality of the detected parameter at the moment.
(D) The specified time T0 is determined based on the degree of abnormality of the parameter at the moment of detection.
(E) When a simulation parameter group that simulates a parameter group is given via the communication unit 11, the vehicle is controlled based on the given simulation parameter. When the simulated parameter group is, for example, freeze data in a prescribed time T0 unit, the operation up to the moment when the abnormality is determined can be actually realized in the vehicle.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of input information. As described above, the input information includes a value based on the operation amount for operating the operation means attached to the vehicle. The operation means includes, for example, an in-vehicle terminal device 14 such as a car navigation system 14 (indicated as “car navigation system 14” in FIG. 2), a window 15, an air conditioner such as an air conditioner, illumination means such as a wiper 17 and a room light 18, a handle 19, This is realized by an imaging means such as a camera 20, an accelerator 21, a brake 22, a shift lever 23, and an ignition (IG) 24. The input information includes on / off information such as operation switches by these operations, specifically, operation information of the in-vehicle terminal device 14, operation information such as opening / closing operation of the window 15, operation information of the air conditioner, Operation information and operation information of the illumination means 18 are included. Further, the input information includes image information captured by the imaging means 20 attached to the vehicle.

  FIG. 3 is a waveform diagram showing an example of the waveform of the input information given to the input interface 8. The horizontal axis of the waveform represents time T, and the vertical axis of the waveform represents the state of each parameter. FIG. 3 shows, as an example of parameters, operation information of the ignition (IG) 24, the handle 19, the shift lever 23 and the brake 22, and the accelerator opening, and further shows the vehicle state based on these parameters. If the processing unit 10 determines that the vehicle state is abnormal at the time T1 based on the input information, the freeze data that is a parameter group for a specified time T0, for example, 10 seconds, is stored in the memory 13 in an erasable manner. .

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the freeze data saving process and the freeze data confirmation process. The buffer has a plurality of areas for storing the parameter group in an erasable manner, and the total storage capacity of each area is set to a capacity capable of storing the parameter group at the specified time T0. One of the areas stores a parameter group at a certain time, and sequentially stores a parameter group after the division time t has elapsed. The division time t is the time t for storing data in the buffer, and is determined by the software processing cycle. For example, when there are three areas and the software processing cycle is 1 second, the division time t is set to 1 second.

  Next, the processing of the processing unit 10 will be described using a flowchart with reference to FIG. First, the freeze data saving process will be described, and then the freeze data confirmation process will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing freeze data saving processing by the processing unit 10. The freeze data saving process shown in FIG. 5 is repeatedly executed together with other processes when the ignition 24 is turned on. In step a1, the parameter included in the input information given from the input interface 8 is stored in one area of the buffer, and the process proceeds to step a2. In step a2, it is determined whether or not the division time t has elapsed. If it has elapsed, the process proceeds to step a3. If not, the process in step a2 is repeated.

  In step a3, it is determined whether or not there is an empty area in the buffer in which no data is stored. If yes, the process returns to step a1, and if not, the process moves to step a4. In step a4, the data in which the oldest data is stored is deleted, an empty area is created, and this flow ends.

  By repeatedly performing such freeze data saving processing, a parameter group of the specified time T0 is stored in the buffer. For example, when the specified time T0 is 3 seconds, after 4 seconds have passed since the freeze data saving process is started, a parameter group from 1 to 3 seconds is stored in the buffer, and the freeze data saving process is started. After 10 seconds, a parameter group from 8 seconds to 10 seconds is stored in the buffer.

  Next, the freeze data confirmation process will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing freeze data determination processing by the processing unit 10. The freeze data confirmation process shown in FIG. 6 is repeatedly executed together with other processes when the ignition 24 is turned on. In step b1, it is determined whether or not the vehicle state is abnormal based on the parameter. If it is abnormal, the process proceeds to step b2, and if not abnormal, this flow is terminated. In step b2, the parameter group stored in the buffer is stored as freeze data in the memory 13 so that it cannot be erased, and this flow ends.

  By repeatedly executing such freeze data determination processing, for example, a parameter group of a specified time T0 unit including a parameter at the moment when it is determined to be abnormal can be stored in the memory 13 as freeze data in an erasable manner. For example, when an abnormality is detected 4 seconds after the freeze data saving process is started, a parameter group from 1 second to 4 seconds stored in the buffer is stored in the RAM.

  Further, in the process in step b2, the type of parameter group to be stored that cannot be deleted may be determined based on the degree of abnormality. For example, based on the magnitude of the degree of abnormality, if the degree of abnormality is large, all parameters are stored in an erasable state, and if the degree of abnormality is small, only the parameters related to the cause of the abnormality are stored in an erasable state. It may be. Further, for example, only parameters related to a location where an abnormality is detected may be stored so as not to be erased.

  In the process at step b2, the specified time T0 may be determined based on the degree of abnormality of the parameter at the moment of detection. For example, based on the magnitude of the degree of abnormality, the specified time T0 is increased (for example, 60 seconds) as the degree of abnormality increases, and when the degree of abnormality is small, the specified time T0 is decreased (for example, 5 seconds). Also good. Further, for example, the degree of abnormality may be divided into a plurality of levels, and the specified time T0 may be increased as the degree of abnormality increases. Further, for example, the specified time T0 related to the parameter related to the location where the abnormality is detected may be processed to be longer than the specified time T0 of the parameter related to the location where the abnormality is not detected.

  Next, the setting process will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the setting process by the processing unit 10. FIG. 7A is an example of the setting process, and is executed when, for example, the operator operates a switch for the setting process determined in advance. In step c1, the operation for setting the freeze data is performed by the operator, the setting information for the freeze data is given, and the process proceeds to step c2. In step c2, it is determined whether or not freeze data has been determined. If it is determined, the process proceeds to step c3. If not, the process in step c2 is repeated.

  In step c3, an operation for setting the specified time T0 is performed by the operator, setting information for the specified time T0 is given, and the process proceeds to step c4. In step c2, it is determined whether or not the prescribed time T0 has been determined. If it is determined, this flow is terminated, and if it has not been determined, the processing in step c4 is repeated.

  The method for setting the prescribed time T0 includes, for example, a method in which an operator uses the operation means, and the following methods are available.

(1) A setting method using the diagnostic device 7 connected to the ECU 1.
(2) A setting method based on the number of times the accelerator 21 is depressed or the time for which the accelerator 21 is depressed.
(3) A setting method based on the number of times the brake 22 is depressed or the time the brake 22 is depressed.
(4) A setting method based on the number of times the clutch is depressed or the time the clutch is depressed.
(5) A setting method based on the number of times the horn is pressed or the time that the horn is pressed.
(6) A setting method in which a switch for setting the specified time T0 is provided and this switch is used.
(7) A setting method based on the number of times the switch 15 for operating the window is pressed or the time when the switch 15 is pressed.
(8) A setting method using operation buttons of the in-vehicle terminal device 14, for example, the car navigation system 14 and the in-vehicle audio device.

  The operator can execute the setting method as described above in relation to step c3 to set the specified time T0. Similarly, regarding freeze data, it is possible to appropriately set which parameter from a plurality of parameters is stored in an erasable manner using the operating means.

  Next, another example of the setting process will be described with reference to FIG. The setting process shown in FIG. 7 (2) is similar to the setting process shown in FIG. 7 (1). In FIG. 7 (1), after setting the freeze data, the specified time T0 is set. FIG. 7B shows a setting process for setting freeze data after setting the specified time T0. The setting process shown in FIG. 7 (2) is executed when the operator operates a switch for the setting process determined in advance. In step d1, an operation for setting the specified time T0 is performed by the operator, setting information for the specified time T0 is given, and the process proceeds to step d2. In step d2, it is determined whether or not the specified time T0 has been determined. If determined, the process proceeds to step d3. If not, the process in step d2 is repeated.

  In step d3, the operation for setting the freeze data is performed by the operator, the setting information for the freeze data is given, and the process proceeds to step d4. In step d4, it is determined whether or not freeze data has been determined. If determined, this flow is terminated. If not, the process in step d4 is repeated.

  As described with reference to FIGS. 7 (1) and 7 (2), the freeze data and the specified time T0 are configured to be settable by the operator, and the processing unit 10 performs various settings based on the given setting information. Can be changed.

  As described above, in the ECU 1 according to the present embodiment, the processing unit 10 uses the instantaneous parameter detected by the input interface 8 as a freeze data for a parameter group in a predetermined time unit including the instantaneous parameter. It is stored in the memory 13 so that it cannot be erased. Therefore, since the parameter group can be stored for a specified time T0 as compared with a device that stores only the instantaneous parameter as in the existing technology, the process leading to the instantaneous parameter is stored in the parameter group stored in the memory 13. Can be analyzed based on. Therefore, for example, when the parameter at the detected moment is an abnormal value, the process of the abnormal value is analyzed based on the parameter group stored in the memory 13 to facilitate the elucidation of the cause of the abnormality. be able to.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when a simulation parameter group that simulates a parameter group is given from the diagnostic device 7 via the communication unit 11, the processing unit 10 controls the vehicle based on the given simulation parameter. Therefore, the operator can evaluate the operation of the ECU 1 based on the simulation parameter by giving the ECU 1 the simulation parameter from the diagnostic device 7. Therefore, for example, by using the simulated parameter as a parameter when a malfunction occurs in the ECU 1, in other words, the freeze data, the state of the ECU 1 when an abnormality occurs can be reproduced. Therefore, the cause of the abnormality can be easily clarified by observing the reproduced motion of the vehicle.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the parameter includes a value based on an operation amount for operating the operation means attached to the vehicle. Therefore, based on the parameter group stored in the memory 13, the state of the operation means at the specified time T0 is determined. Can be analyzed. Therefore, it is possible to analyze how the operator has operated the operation means, and it is possible to analyze the process leading to the parameter where the abnormality is detected based on the operation amount of the operator. Therefore, it is possible to analyze not only the parameters indicating the physical phenomenon of the vehicle but also the details of the instantaneous parameters in association with the actual operation of the operator.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the processing unit 10 determines the type of parameter group to be stored in a non-erasable manner based on the degree of parameter abnormality detected at the moment. Therefore, it is possible to store only the parameter group having a high relevance to the degree of abnormality and preventing the storage of the parameter group having a low relevance, so that the storage capacity can be used effectively.

  In addition, as described in relation to FIG. 6, for example, when the degree of abnormality is large based on the magnitude of the degree of abnormality, all parameters are stored in an erasable state, and when the degree of abnormality is small, it is related to the cause of the abnormality. Only the parameters to be stored are stored in an erasable state. Further, for example, only the parameters related to the location where the abnormality is detected are stored so as not to be erased. As a result, the storage capacity necessary for the analysis is secured and unnecessary freeze data is prevented from being stored, so that the storage capacity can be used effectively.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the prescribed time T0 is configured to be settable, so that the operator can set the prescribed time T0 using the operation means. Therefore, the specified time T0 can be individually set according to the driving state of the vehicle, and the parameter group stored in the specified time T0 unit can be used effectively.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the specified time T0 is determined based on the degree of abnormality of the parameter at the moment of detection. Therefore, a suitable specified time T0 can be set according to the degree of abnormality, and the storage capacity can be used effectively by setting the specified time T0 necessary for analyzing the stored parameter group.

  As described with reference to FIG. 6, for example, the abnormality degree may be divided into a plurality of levels, and the specified time T0 may be increased as the abnormality degree increases. Further, for example, the specified time T0 related to the parameter related to the location where the abnormality is detected may be processed to be longer than the specified time T0 of the parameter related to the location where the abnormality is not detected. As a result, the storage capacity necessary for the analysis is secured and unnecessary freeze data is prevented from being stored, so that the storage capacity can be used effectively.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the specified time T0 is set by the operating means, so the specified time T0 is set using the existing operating means without providing a new setting means for setting the specified time T0. can do. This makes it easy to set the specified time T0, and the present invention can be realized with a simple configuration.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since the parameter includes image information captured by the camera 20 attached to the vehicle, the parameter includes image information stored in the memory 13, for example, image information around the vehicle and image information of the operator. Based on this, it is possible to analyze the process leading to the instantaneous parameter. By using such image information, for example, when a vehicle encounters some kind of accident, based on the situation of the operator or the surrounding situation, the process leading to the cause of the abnormality is clarified, and the cause of the accident is clarified Can do. For example, whether the cause of the accident is the behavior of the operator such as the operator operating the in-vehicle terminal device 14, using the mobile phone device, driving aside or driving asleep, or the failure of each device. It can be clarified by comparing the image information with a value based on the operation amount of the operation means.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the parameter includes at least one of values based on the operation amounts of the in-vehicle terminal device 14, the window, the air conditioner, the wiper 17, and the illumination unit. Based on the operation situation, it is possible to analyze the process leading to the instantaneous parameter. As a result, it is possible to promote the elucidation of the causal relationship between the operation state of the operator and other parameters.

  As described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the ECU 1 has a function as a drive recorder for storing the drive state of the vehicle. As a storage method of the drive recorder, the ECU 1 corresponds to the drive state of the vehicle. A detection process (step a1 in FIG. 5) for detecting a parameter that changes in accordance with the detection process, a storage process (freeze data saving process in FIG. 5) for storing the parameter detected in the detection process in a predetermined time unit, and a detection process. And a step of storing in a non-erasable manner a parameter group of a specified time T0 unit including the instantaneous parameter based on the instantaneous parameter (freeze data determination process in FIG. 6).

  Therefore, compared to the method of storing only instantaneous parameters as in the existing technology, the parameter group can be stored for a specified time T0, so that the process of reaching the instantaneous parameters detected by the detection process is stored. Analysis can be performed based on the parameter group. Therefore, for example, if the parameter at the moment of detection is an abnormal value, the process of the abnormal value is analyzed based on the parameter group stored in an erasable manner, and the cause of the abnormality can be easily clarified. can do.

  As a result, the function of the drive recorder can be added to the ECU 1 by adding a freeze data storage program in software with the configuration of the existing ECU 1 without providing a drive recorder separately. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost for realizing the present invention, rather than providing a separate drive recorder.

  The above-described embodiment is merely an example of the present invention, and the configuration can be changed within the scope of the present invention. Although FIG. 7 shows a setting process for setting both the freeze data and the specified time T0 at the same time, the freeze data and the specified time T0 may be set individually.

  In the above-described embodiment, the specified time T0 is the time before the moment when the abnormality is detected, but is not limited to this, and the parameter group after the abnormality is detected is stored in an erasable manner. You may comprise as follows. Thus, the behavior of the vehicle after the abnormality is detected can be analyzed, and the cause of the abnormality can be clarified more easily.

  Further, the freeze data stored in the memory 13 in an erasable manner is configured so that the erasable data can be changed into an erasable data by copying the freeze data to another storage means, for example. May be. As a result, the storage capacity of the memory 13 can be prevented from being occupied by unnecessary freeze data, and the storage capacity can be effectively used by erasing unnecessary freeze data.

  In addition, the parameter may be configured to include, for example, a travel route including the current position of the vehicle, time, weather, and the like. Accordingly, the driving state of the vehicle can be clarified in more detail based on the parameters. The image information included in the parameter may be a moving image or a still image.

  Further, as the division time t described with reference to FIG. 4 is set to be smaller, a larger number of buffer areas are required. However, by making the division time t smaller, the time change of the parameter can be detected more finely. can do. Therefore, the division time t may be set individually for each parameter. For example, a parameter with a small change amount with respect to a time change sets the division time t relatively large, and a parameter with a large change amount with respect to a time change has a division time t. May be set to be relatively small. As a result, the storage capacity can be effectively used. The parameter having a large change amount with respect to time change is, for example, the engine speed, and the parameter having a small change amount with respect to time change is, for example, room temperature, window operation amount, room light operation amount, or the like.

It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the electronic control apparatus 1 of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of input information. 5 is a waveform diagram showing an example of a waveform of input information given to an input interface 8. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating a freeze data saving process and a freeze data confirmation process. It is a flowchart which shows the freeze data saving process by the process part. It is a flowchart which shows the freeze data confirmation process by the process part. 3 is a flowchart showing a setting process by a processing unit 10.

Explanation of symbols

1 ECU
5 Sensor 7 Diagnostic Device 8 Input Interface 9 Output Interface 10 Processing Unit 11 Communication Unit 13 Memory

Claims (10)

Detecting means for detecting a parameter that changes according to a driving state of the vehicle;
Storage means capable of storing the parameters detected by the detection means in specified time units;
An electronic control apparatus comprising: a control unit that stores a parameter group in a predetermined time unit including the instantaneous parameter based on the instantaneous parameter detected by the detection unit in the storage unit in a non-erasable manner. A communication means capable of communicating with an external device;
2. The electronic control device according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the vehicle based on the given simulation parameter when a simulation parameter group that simulates the parameter group is given via the communication means. .   The electronic control device according to claim 1, wherein the parameter includes a value based on an operation amount for operating an operation unit attached to the vehicle.   An electronic control device characterized in that the control means determines the type of parameter group to be stored in an erasable manner based on the degree of abnormality of the detected parameter at the moment.   The electronic control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specified time is configured to be settable.   The electronic control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specified time is determined based on a degree of abnormality of a parameter at a detected moment.   The electronic control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the specified time is set by an operation unit.   The electronic control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the parameter includes image information captured by an imaging unit attached to the vehicle. The operation means is at least one of an in-vehicle terminal device, a window, an air conditioner, a wiper, and an illumination means.
The said parameter contains at least any one among the values based on each operation amount of a vehicle-mounted terminal device, a window, an air conditioner, a wiper, and an illumination means, The any one of Claims 3-8 characterized by the above-mentioned. The electronic control device described. A drive recorder storage method for storing a driving state of a vehicle,
A detection step of detecting a parameter that changes according to a driving state of the vehicle;
A storage step of storing parameters detected in the detection step in a specified time unit;
And storing a parameter group in a predetermined time unit including the instantaneous parameter in a non-erasable manner based on the instantaneous parameter detected in the detecting step.

Images