JP2007179497A - Sensor information sharing method, control device and control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control system, in which when a control device having a new function is added to an existing control system, detection information of a sensor already installed to the control system can be easily used without newly adding a sensor. <P>SOLUTION: The control system comprises a first controller 11, a second controller 12 and a sensor 13. The first controller 11 comprises a control part 14 for controlling based on information of the sensor 13 or the like, and a conversion circuit 15 for inputting an output signal outputted from the sensor 13 and converting the input signal to a signal readable by the control part 14. The conversion circuit 15 comprises an output part 16 for outputting the converted signal to the control part 14, and an external output part 17 capable of connecting with an external wire. The second controller 12 comprises an input part 19 connected to the external output part 17 of the conversion circuit 15 through the external wire 18, and a control part 20 using the signal of the sensor 13 inputted from the input part 19. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sensor information sharing method, a control device, and a control system, and more particularly, to a sensor information sharing method for sharing information of one sensor among a plurality of control devices, and a control device and a control suitable for implementing the method. About the system.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the actuator control device used in the vehicle control device includes a memory 52 for storing inputs from a plurality of sensors 51, a CPU 53 for controlling data input / output to / from the memory 52, and actuators 54, 55. , 56 have been proposed (Patent Document 1). Each of the CPUs 57 to 59 outputs a data request signal to the CPU 53 when generating a control signal for each of the actuators 54 to 56. The CPU 53 sequentially supplies data to the CPUs 57 to 59.

Further, as a control system, there is a configuration in which a plurality of control devices are not provided from the beginning but are added as optional devices later to expand the functions of the control system. At that time, there is also a control system in which the same sensor information needs to be obtained by a plurality of control devices that perform control for different purposes. For example, in a diesel engine vehicle, a control device for a vehicle speed control system (VSCS) and a regeneration processing control device for an exhaust purification device equipped with a DPF (Diesel Paticulate Filter) Information is needed for control.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-14944

  When adding a control device (controller) having a new function to an existing system, it is difficult to directly connect a control device newly provided to an existing sensor. This is because a sensor generally has one output terminal, and in order to send a signal to a newly installed control device, it is necessary to provide a branch unit and connect it to each control device. In general, since a sensor outputs an analog signal, in order to input the same signal between the original control device and a newly installed control device, it is necessary to match the impedance between the sensor and each control device, so that adjustment is difficult. .

  Further, when the same sensor is provided for a newly installed control device, it is difficult to provide two sensors so as to obtain completely the same information. This is because even if the sensors are the same, the state of a signal input by the control device may change depending on the sensor mounting position and the length of the wiring connecting the sensor and the control device. For example, when the sensor is an electromagnetic induction pickup, it is difficult to arrange the distance (gap) between the sensor and the detected portion to be the same. There is also a problem that it is necessary to secure an installation space for two sensors.

  On the other hand, the control device of Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of CPUs (control devices) for performing different controls, but is incorporated in one control device from the beginning, and a new control device is added to the existing control system. No consideration is given to the above-mentioned problems when adding.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to add a control device having a new function to an existing control system without adding a new sensor. An object of the present invention is to provide a sensor information sharing method, a control device, and a control system that can easily use detection information of sensors already equipped.

  The invention described in claim 1 is a sensor information sharing method in a control system in which a plurality of control devices that perform different control independently use the output signal of one sensor. And the output signal of the said sensor is input into the conversion circuit provided in the 1st control apparatus provided with the control part which performs control based on the information of the said sensor, The signal input in this conversion circuit is input into the said control part and It converts into the signal which can be read by the control part of another control apparatus, and outputs the converted signal to the control part of the said several control apparatus from the several output part provided in the said conversion circuit.

  In this invention, the output signal of the sensor is input to a conversion circuit provided in the first control device, and can be read by the control unit of the first control device and the control unit of another control device in the conversion circuit. It is converted into a signal that can. And the signal after conversion in the conversion circuit is output to the control part of a some control apparatus, and is used for control in each control apparatus. Therefore, when adding a control device having a new function to an existing control system, it is possible to easily use the detection information of the sensor already installed in the control system without adding a new sensor.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a control device that performs control based on sensor information and an output signal output from the sensor can be input, and the input signal can be read by the control unit. An output unit that converts the signal into a signal and outputs the converted signal to the control unit, and a conversion circuit including an external output unit to which an external wiring can be connected are provided.

  In the control device according to the present invention, the conversion circuit that converts an input signal from the sensor into a signal that can be read by the control unit includes an external output unit to which an external wiring can be connected. Therefore, when adding a control device having a new function to an existing control system, it is possible to easily use the detection information of the sensor already installed in the control system without adding a new sensor.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the conversion circuit is an A / D or D / A conversion circuit. In the present invention, since the analog signal output from the sensor is once converted into a digital signal in the conversion circuit, unlike the configuration in which the analog signal is amplified and output to the control unit, the sensor information is less deteriorated and the same sensor information Can be shared.

  The invention according to claim 4 is a control system in which an output signal of one sensor is shared by a plurality of control devices. And while providing the control apparatus of Claim 2 or Claim 3 as a 1st control apparatus, an external wiring is provided in the external output part of the conversion circuit with which the said 1st control apparatus was equipped as a 2nd control apparatus. And a control unit including a control unit that uses the signal of the sensor input from the input unit.

  In this invention, the output signal of the sensor is input to the conversion circuit provided in the first control device, and is converted into a signal that can be read by the control unit in the conversion circuit. The converted signal is output from the output unit to the control unit of the first control device, and is also input to the input unit of the second control device via an external wiring connected to the external output unit. Therefore, the output signal of one sensor can be easily shared by a plurality of control devices.

  According to the present invention, when adding a control device having a new function to an existing control system, it is possible to easily use detection information of a sensor already installed in the control system without newly adding a sensor. .

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a vehicle control system will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the control system includes a first controller 11 as a first control device, a second controller 12 as a second control device, and a sensor 13. Both the first controller 11 and the second controller 12 use the engine speed as information necessary for control. An engine rotation sensor is used as the common sensor 13 to obtain information on the engine rotation speed. As the sensor 13, an electromagnetic induction type pickup is used.

  The first controller 11 receives a control unit 14 that performs control based on information of the sensor 13 and the like, and an output signal output from the sensor 13, and converts the input signal into a signal that can be read by the control unit 14. The conversion circuit 15 is provided. The conversion circuit 15 includes an output unit 16 that outputs a signal after conversion to the control unit 14 and an external output unit 17 to which an external wiring can be connected. In this embodiment, the conversion circuit 15 is an A / D conversion circuit.

  The first controller 11 is a controller of a system (VSCS: Vehicle Speed Conrol System) that controls the maximum vehicle speed. The first controller 11 is configured to indirectly control the throttle lever by controlling a motor or the like based on the opening degree of the accelerator pedal operated by the operator and information on the engine speed. At this time, the engine speed is information necessary for control.

  The second controller 12 uses the input unit 19 connected to the external output unit 17 of the conversion circuit 15 provided in the first controller 11 via the external wiring 18 and the signal of the sensor 13 input from the input unit 19. And a control unit 20.

  The second controller 12 is a controller that performs regeneration processing control of an exhaust purification device that includes a DPF (Diesel Paticulate Filter) in a diesel engine vehicle. The second controller 12 determines the time suitable for the regeneration process of the exhaust purification device from the engine speed information and the clogged state of the exhaust purification device. At this time, the engine speed is information necessary for control.

Next, the operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be described.
The first controller 11 and the second controller 12 constituting the control system share one sensor 13. The output signal output from the sensor 13 is output as an analog signal (sine wave signal) and input to the conversion circuit 15. The conversion circuit 15 converts the input analog signal into a digital signal (square wave signal) that can be read by the control unit 14 and the control unit 20 and outputs the digital signal from the output unit 16 and the external output unit 17.

  The control unit 14 of the first controller 11 indirectly controls the throttle lever by control of a motor or the like based on the opening degree of the accelerator pedal operated by the operator and the engine rotation speed information.

  The control unit 20 of the second controller 12 outputs the output information of the sensor 13 and the output information of another sensor (for example, a differential pressure sensor that detects a differential pressure before and after the DPF) in a state where the engine rotation speed is in a predetermined range. Based on this, the timing suitable for the regeneration processing of the exhaust gas purification apparatus is determined, and the regeneration processing control is performed at an appropriate timing.

  When providing an engine rotation sensor for each of the first controller 11 and the second controller 12, the same detection signal may not be obtained unless both sensors are attached in the same state. Mounting two sensors in exactly the same state is very difficult due to the installation space and surrounding conditions. In particular, it is more difficult when the distance between the sensor and the detected part greatly affects the detection result. However, since the first controller 11 and the second controller 12 share the output signal of one sensor 13, the time for attaching the sensor is less than half and the same information can be easily obtained.

This embodiment has the following effects.
(1) The output signal of the sensor 13 is input to the conversion circuit 15 provided in the first controller 11 and can be read by the control units 14 and 20 of the first controller 11 and the second controller 12 in the conversion circuit 15. Converted to a signal. Then, signals converted by the conversion circuit 15 are output to the control units 14 and 20 of the plurality of control devices and used for control in each control device. Therefore, when a control device having a new function is added to an existing control system, the detection information of the sensor 13 already installed in the control system can be easily used without newly adding the sensor 13. Even when the second controller 12 is set as an option, by providing a mounting (arrangement) space for the second controller 12, both a system not including the second controller 12 and a system including the second controller 12 are provided. Can be easily dealt with.

  (2) The first controller 11 receives a control unit 14 that performs control based on information from the sensor 13 and an output signal output from the sensor 13, and a signal that can be read by the control unit 14. And a conversion circuit 15 including an output unit 16 for outputting a signal after conversion to the control unit 14 and an external output unit 17 to which an external wiring 18 can be connected. Therefore, when a control device having a new function is added to an existing control system, the detection information of the sensor 13 already installed in the control system can be easily used without adding a new sensor.

  (3) The conversion circuit 15 is an A / D conversion circuit. Therefore, since the analog signal output from the sensor 13 is converted into a digital signal by the conversion circuit 15, unlike the configuration in which the analog signal is amplified as it is and output to the control units 14 and 20, the signal information is deteriorated. The same information is input to the control unit 14 and the control unit 20.

  (4) Even if the specification of the sensor 13 is changed, it can be dealt with only by changing the conversion circuit 15 of the first controller 11, no change on the second controller 12 side is required, and man-hours can be reduced.

The embodiment is not limited to the above, and may be configured as follows, for example.
When the external output signal from the conversion circuit 15 is a digital signal, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of controllers (second controller 12, third controller 21) are connected to the external output unit 17 of the conversion circuit 15 as second control devices. , A fourth controller 22) may be connected. Similar to the second controller 12, the third controller 21 and the fourth controller 22 include an input unit 19 connected to the external output unit 17 of the conversion circuit 15 via the external wiring 18, and a sensor input from the input unit 19. And a control unit (not shown) using 13 signals. A branch connector is provided in the middle of the external wiring 18. In this case, in addition to the first controller 11 of the maximum vehicle speed control system and the second controller 12 for the regeneration processing control of the exhaust purification device having the DPF, a controller having another new function is optional as a vehicle control system. It can be easily connected for use.

  The output unit 16 and the external output unit 17 of the conversion circuit 15 may be converted into signals that can be easily read by the first controller and the second controller, respectively, or may be converted into signals having the same waveform and output. Good.

  In the case where the control units 14 and 20 are configured to input analog signals, the conversion circuit 15 includes an A / D conversion circuit and a D / A conversion circuit, and is a signal once converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit. May be converted into an analog signal by a D / A conversion circuit and output from the output unit 16 and the external output unit 17.

  The conversion circuit 15 may include an A / D conversion circuit and a D / A conversion circuit, and may output a digital signal from one of the output unit 16 and the external output unit 17 and output an analog signal from the other. In this case, it is possible to correspond to a configuration in which one of the two control units 14 and 20 inputs a digital signal and the other inputs an analog signal. For example, when the control unit 14 inputs a digital signal and the control unit 20 inputs an analog signal, the conversion circuit 15 can convert the input analog signal into a digital signal (a square wave) that the control unit 14 can read. Signal) and output to the control unit 14, and converted to a signal waveform (analog signal) that can be read by the control unit 20 and output to the control unit 20.

  In the case where the control units 14 and 20 are configured to input analog signals, if the sensor 13 outputs a digital signal, a D / A conversion circuit may be used as the conversion circuit 15 instead of the A / D conversion circuit. .

The conversion circuit 15 is not limited to an A / D conversion circuit, and may be configured to amplify an analog signal output from the sensor 13 and output the amplified analog signal from the output unit 16 and the external output unit 17.
The external wiring 18 is not limited to the configuration directly connected to the external output unit 17 of the conversion circuit 15, and the external output unit 17 is connected to the connection unit provided in the housing of the first controller 11. The external wiring 18 may be connected to the connection portion.

  The first controller 11 and the second controller 12 may be any control device that shares the output signal of one sensor, and controls the maximum vehicle speed of the vehicle control system by sharing the output signal of the engine rotation sensor. The present invention is not limited to the combination of the apparatus and a control device that controls the regeneration process of the exhaust purification device including the DPF. For example, in a gasoline engine vehicle, it may be combined with a control device that controls regeneration processing of an exhaust purification device that includes a nitrogen oxide (NOx) reduction catalyst.

  ○ In a forklift, when a front wheel brake and traction control device are provided as a second control device that is set as an option, the output signal of the sensor that detects the rotational speed of the rear wheel (drive wheel) is shared with the existing control device. It may be.

The control system may be any control system that shares the output signal of one sensor with a plurality of control devices, and is not limited to a vehicle control system, and may be another control system.
The following technical idea (invention) can be understood from the embodiment.

  In the invention according to claim 4, the sensor is an engine rotation sensor, the first control device is a controller of a maximum vehicle speed control system, and the second control device is an exhaust purification device provided with a DPF. This is a reproduction processing control device.

  In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and the technical idea, the sensor is an electromagnetic induction pickup.

The block diagram which shows the control system of one Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the control system of another embodiment. The block diagram which shows the control apparatus of a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... 1st controller as 1st control apparatus, 12 ... 2nd controller as 2nd control apparatus, 13 ... Sensor, 14, 20 ... Control part, 15 ... Conversion circuit, 16 ... Output part, 17 ... External Output unit, 18 ... external wiring, 19 ... input unit.

Claims (4)

A sensor information sharing method in a control system in which a plurality of control devices that perform different control independently use the output signal of one sensor,
An output signal of the sensor is input to a conversion circuit provided in a first control device including a control unit that performs control based on the information of the sensor, and the signal input in the conversion circuit is input to the control unit and the other A sensor information sharing method for converting a signal that can be read by a control unit of a control device and outputting the converted signal from a plurality of output units provided in the conversion circuit to a control unit of the plurality of control devices. A control unit that performs control based on sensor information;
Input the output signal output from the sensor, convert the input signal into a signal that can be read by the control unit, and connect the output unit that outputs the converted signal to the control unit and external wiring A control device comprising a conversion circuit having a possible external output unit.   The control device according to claim 2, wherein the conversion circuit is an A / D or D / A conversion circuit. A control system in which an output signal of one sensor is shared by a plurality of control devices,
The control device according to claim 2 or 3 is provided as a first control device, and an external output is connected to an external output portion of a conversion circuit provided in the first control device as a second control device. A control system including a control device including an input unit to be connected and a control unit that uses a signal of the sensor input from the input unit.

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