JP2010250530A - Meter-driving device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a meter-driving device capable of checking connection of after meters, without requiring complex works. <P>SOLUTION: A control unit 1 performs a connection checking function for meters capable of setting slave information for determination, by: transmitting to respective meters 2 to 4 connection check request data for checking one of pieces of the slave information; determining that the meter with the slave information to be checked set therefor is connected, if connection check response data in response to the connection check request data is received from either one of the respective meters 2 to 4; and determining that the meter with the slave information to be checked set therefor is not connected, if the connection check response data is not received. The meter 4 capable of setting the slave information, upon receiving the connection check request data, while the slave information is yet to be set therefor; sets for itself the slave information to be checked for the received connection check request data; and transmits the connection check response data to the control unit 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a meter driving device provided separately from a vehicle combination meter, and more particularly to a meter driving device to which a plurality of aftermeters including a multi-display are communicably connected.

  As a conventional instrument for vehicles, a speedometer, tachometer, thermometer and fuel gauge are installed on a dashboard, instrument panel (instrument panel), etc. separately from the existing combination meter housed in the case body A so-called aftermeter is known. As this after meter, for example, a single analog display unit is housed in a case, and an analog vehicle meter or a light emitting display for displaying single vehicle information (for example, engine speed) of the vehicle is used. And a digital vehicle instrument that digitally displays the vehicle information. Such a vehicle instrument is often mounted on a racing vehicle that runs on a circuit racetrack or the like, a supercharger, a turbo-equipped vehicle, or the like. Such vehicle meters include a tachometer that monitors the engine speed, an intake pressure gauge (boost meter) that monitors the boost pressure of the engine, an exhaust thermometer that monitors the exhaust gas temperature, and the engine oil temperature. There are an oil temperature gauge for monitoring the oil pressure, a hydraulic pressure gauge for monitoring the pressure of the engine oil, or a multi-display capable of selecting and displaying a plurality of vehicle information.

  Further, the applicant of the present application has proposed a meter driving device disclosed in Patent Document 1 as a driving device for an aftermeter that is assumed to be arranged in plural. The instrument driving device proposed in Patent Document 1 includes a single control unit for obtaining vehicle information data, and serial data generated by the control unit between the control unit and each vehicle instrument. Even if a plurality of vehicle instruments are arranged, it is possible to attach each vehicle instrument without compromising the beauty of the dashboard and instrument panel, even when a plurality of vehicle instruments are provided. It will be.

JP-A-10-183523

  The aforementioned instrument driving apparatus controls each vehicle instrument by the control unit with the control unit as a master and each vehicle instrument as a slave. In such a configuration, when the communication method between the master and the slave is one-way communication from the master to the slave, when connecting multiple slaves to the master, the slave to which the master is connected cannot be individually determined. Regarding function setting for each slave, it is necessary to provide operation means (switches, etc.) for setting to each slave. On the other hand, when the communication method between the master and the slave is bidirectional communication, it is possible to receive information from each slave and discriminate each slave individually, and for each connected slave. It is possible to specify and instruct more, and it is possible to perform more expression methods in consideration of function setting from the master and various states of the slave. Note that it is conceivable that the slave connection confirmation is performed during a presentation operation different from the normal operation performed immediately after the power is turned on, for example.

  However, in particular, when a plurality of multi-displays capable of selecting and displaying a plurality of vehicle information can be controlled simultaneously as a plurality of aftermeters, a plurality of instruments of the same model (type) are connected. Individual connection confirmation cannot be performed based on an ID code (recognition number) set in advance depending on the model (type) of the instrument, such as an analog instrument with fixed information. Therefore, for the multi-display, at the first time of connection confirmation, the slave number setting screen for setting the slave number (slave information) for identifying each instrument is forcibly displayed on the multi-display, and the user performs the slave number setting operation. A method is conceivable. Here, if the connection confirmation of the slave is only immediately after turning on the power, it is necessary to turn off the power once after setting the slave number and turn on the power again to check the connection of the slave. This method is a time-consuming task for the user, and there is room for further improvement as a function for confirming the connection between the master and the slave in order to improve the convenience of the user.

  In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention further improves the instrument driving device to which a plurality of aftermeters including a multi-display are communicably connected, and confirms the connection of a slave aftermeter without requiring complicated work. An object of the present invention is to provide an instrument driving device capable of performing

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention is provided with a plurality of meters so as to be capable of bidirectional communication, and a control having a connection confirmation function for judging whether or not each meter is connected based on a result of communication with each meter. An instrument driving device comprising a unit, wherein the control unit is a connection confirmation request data for which one of the slave information is to be confirmed as the connection confirmation function for the instrument capable of setting slave information for determination. Is transmitted to each of the instruments, and when the connection confirmation response data responding to the connection confirmation request data is received from any of the instruments, the instrument in which the slave information to be confirmed is set is connected. If the connection confirmation response data is not received, it is determined that the instrument set with the slave information to be confirmed is not connected. The instrument that can set the slave information, when receiving the connection confirmation request data when the slave information is not set, sets the slave information that is the confirmation target of the received connection confirmation request data to itself The connection confirmation response data is transmitted to the control unit.

  In addition, the control unit is not connected to the instrument set with the slave information to be confirmed when the connection confirmation response data is not received even if the connection confirmation request data is transmitted the first number of times. The meter that can determine and set the slave information is configured to receive the connection confirmation request data having the same slave number as the confirmation target when the slave information is not set less than the first number of times. Is received, the slave information that is the confirmation target of the received connection confirmation request data is set to itself, and the connection confirmation response data is transmitted to the control unit.

  The present invention further improves the instrument driving device to which a plurality of aftermeters including a multi-display are communicably connected, and the connection of the aftermeter as a slave can be confirmed without requiring complicated work.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the drive device of the meter of embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the instrument in the drive device of an instrument same as the above. The flowchart figure which shows the control method in the drive device of an instrument same as the above. The flowchart figure which shows the control method in the drive device of an instrument same as the above.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The overall configuration of the instrument driving apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the instrument driving apparatus mainly includes a control unit (control unit) 1, a first instrument 2, a second instrument 3, a multi-display 4, and an operation switch 5. Has been.

  The control unit 1 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, and an A / D conversion unit for inputting state signals indicating vehicle information, a CPU for executing a predetermined processing operation program, and a ROM in which the processing operation program and the like are stored. A RAM for temporarily storing data processed by the CPU, a parallel / serial conversion unit (P / S conversion unit) for converting parallel data into serial data, and various settings are stored in a nonvolatile manner. And a storage unit including an EEPROM, a backup RAM, and the like. The control unit 1 includes a transmission unit that transmits the serial data in a predetermined cycle, a reception unit that receives connection confirmation response data (described later) from the first and second instruments 2 and 3 and the multi-display 4; And provided so as to be capable of bidirectional communication with the first and second instruments 2 and 3 and the multi-display 4. The control unit 1 is connected to the first and second instruments 2 and 3 and the multi-display 4 via a wiring member 6 including a multiplex transmission communication line for transferring serial data from the control unit 1. In the present embodiment, the serial data from the control unit 1 is transmitted via the wiring member 6 in the order of the first instrument 2 → the second instrument 3 → the multi-display 4. The control unit 1 has a connection confirmation function for determining whether or not each instrument that can be driven by the control unit 1 is connected.

  When the state signal indicating the vehicle information is input, the control unit 1 performs a predetermined calculation process according to the state signal and calculates each measurement data of the vehicle information. In the normal operation mode, the control unit 1 converts the parallel data, which is each measurement data, into serial data, and controls the control means 2a and 3a of the first and second instruments 2 and 3 and the multi-display 4. Transmit to means 4a.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first and second meters 2 and 3 include control means 2a and 3a, analog display units 2b and 3b, and light emitting elements 2c and 3c, respectively, in the case body. It is an analog type instrument housed in the box.

  The control means 2a and 3a are composed of a microcomputer, receive the serial data transmitted by the control unit 1, and control the display units 2b and 3b based on the serial data. The control means 2a, 3a includes a connection portion that can be connected to another instrument via the wiring member 6, and can communicate with the serial data by connecting a plurality of vehicle instruments to each other. In addition, the control means 2a, 3a is set with an ID code (recognition number) for identifying the model (type) of the instrument by a dip switch or the like.

  The light emitting elements 2c and 3c are made of LEDs, for example, and are lit or blinked to emit warning information such as vehicle information being greater than or equal to a predetermined value (or less than a predetermined value), wiring disconnection or short circuit, or communication error. The display unit is configured.

  The multi-display 4 is configured by housing a control means 4a and a light emitting display section 4b made of a dot matrix type light emitting display element such as a liquid crystal display element or an organic EL element in a case body. The multi display 4 can select or switch various vehicle information and vehicle information that are greater than or equal to a predetermined value (or less than a predetermined value), warning information such as a broken wire, short circuit, or communication error, and other information. It is a thing.

  The control means 4a comprises a microcomputer, receives the serial data transmitted by the control unit 1, and controls the light emitting display 4b based on the serial data. The control means 4a includes a connection portion that can be connected to another instrument via the wiring member 6, and can communicate with the serial data by connecting a plurality of vehicle instruments to each other. Moreover, the control means 4a can set the slave number (slave information) for discriminating an instrument by the slave connection confirmation response process mentioned later.

  The operation switch 5 includes, for example, a plurality of push button switches, slide switches, and the like, outputs operation signals corresponding to various operations to the control unit 1, and selects and executes functions related to various instruments included in the control unit 1. It is for operation.

  The above-described units constitute a meter driving device.

  Next, the aforementioned connection confirmation function will be described.

  When the power is turned on, the control unit 1 confirms the connection of the analog instrument based on the ID code as one of the connection confirmation functions. In this connection confirmation, the control unit transmits connection confirmation request data for requesting an answerback with one of the ID codes as a confirmation target to each connected instrument, and the ID code as the confirmation target from each instrument as an answerback. This is done by receiving connection confirmation response data. Then, connection information relating to the instrument having the ID code determined to be connected is set to “ON (connected)”, and connection information relating to the instrument having the ID code determined not to be connected is set. Set to “OFF (no connection)”.

  Further, as described below, the control unit 1 performs connection confirmation regarding a multi-display capable of selecting and displaying a plurality of vehicle information as one of the connection confirmation functions. In the present embodiment, the control unit 1 is configured to be capable of simultaneously controlling a plurality of (for example, seven) multi-displays.

  When the power is turned on, the control unit 1 starts the master connection confirmation request process shown in FIG. 3, and the connection confirmation is completed for all slave numbers (slave numbers = 1 to 7 in this embodiment) in step S1. Steps S2 to S7 are repeated until it is determined.

  In step S2, the control unit 1 sets a slave number (hereinafter referred to as a target slave number) that is a target of connection confirmation. The set value of the target slave number is an initial value = 1, and each time the setting is updated thereafter, 1 is added up to the maximum value.

  In step S3, the control unit 1 transmits connection confirmation request data for requesting an answer back to the instrument set with the target slave number. The connection confirmation request data is transmitted via the wiring member 6 to the meters (in the present embodiment, the first and second meters 2 and 3 and the multi display 4) that are actually connected to the control unit 1. Upon receiving the connection confirmation request data, the instrument set with the target slave number transmits connection confirmation response data to the control unit 1 via the wiring member 6 as an answer back. In the present embodiment, the first and second instruments 2 and 3 are not set with the slave number, and the multi-display 4 is not set with the slave number at the initial stage. After the connection to the control unit 1, the slave number is set by itself.

  In step S4, the control unit 1 determines whether or not connection confirmation response data is received from each of the meters 2 to 4 via the wiring member 6. If the connection confirmation response data is received in step S4, the control unit 1 When it is determined that the instrument having the target slave number is connected, the process proceeds to step S5, and the connection information regarding the target slave number is set to “ON (connected)”.

  If the connection confirmation response data is not received in step S4, the control unit 1 determines that the instrument set with the target slave number is not connected, and proceeds to step S6. Further, the control confirmation request data Is transmitted for a predetermined first number of times (in this embodiment, five times) to determine whether or not reception confirmation of the connection confirmation response data has been performed.

  If the control unit 1 has not transmitted the connection confirmation request data in the first number of times in step S6, the control unit 1 proceeds to step S3 and transmits the connection confirmation request data and confirms reception of the connection confirmation response data in step S4. Again.

  If the connection confirmation response data is not received even if the connection confirmation request data is transmitted for the first number of times in step S6, the control unit 1 proceeds to step S7 and sets the connection information regarding the target slave number to “OFF”. (No connection) ”.

  When the power is turned on, the control means 4a of the multi-display 4 starts the slave connection confirmation response process shown in FIG. 4, and enters a state of waiting for reception of the connection confirmation request data from the control unit 1 in step S11. When the connection confirmation request data is received, the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, the control means 4a determines whether or not the slave number is set in itself, and if there is no slave number set in itself (hereinafter referred to as a set slave number), the process proceeds to step S13. If there is the set slave number, the process proceeds to step S19.

  In step S13, the control unit 4a determines whether or not the target slave number of the connection confirmation request data received this time matches the target slave number of the connection confirmation request data received last time. The control means 4a counts the number of receptions of the connection confirmation request data of the same target slave number with a counter (hereinafter referred to as an unconnected counter). If they do not match in step S13, a new one is obtained in step S14. It is determined that the connection confirmation request data for the target slave number has been transmitted, and the value of the unconnected counter is cleared to zero. In addition, when the target slave number of the connection confirmation request data received this time in step S15 matches the target slave number of the connection confirmation request data received last time, the control unit 4a adds 1 to the unconnected counter. .

  In step S16, the control means 4a determines whether or not the unconnected counter is greater than or equal to a predetermined second number of times (three times in the present embodiment), that is, the connection confirmation request data having the same target slave number. It is determined whether or not the second number of times has been received. Note that the second number of times is smaller than the first number of times. Then, if the unconnected counter is less than the second number, the control means 4a proceeds to step S11 and waits for reception of new connection confirmation request data, and the unconnected counter If it is equal to or greater than the second number, the process proceeds to step S17.

  The control means 4a sets the target slave number of the connection confirmation request data received at the second number of times or more in step S17 as its own slave number.

  And the control means 4a transmits the connection confirmation response data of the set slave number set in step S17 to the control unit 1 in step S18.

  If there is the set slave number in step S12, the control means 4a further determines in step S19 whether the target slave number of the received connection confirmation request data matches the set slave number. If they match, the process proceeds to step S20, and the connection confirmation response data of the set slave number is transmitted to the control unit 1. If the target slave number does not match the set slave number in step S19, the control means 4a proceeds to step S11 and waits for reception of new connection confirmation request data.

  By executing the above processing, when the multi-display 4 is connected to the control unit 1, the slave number is set for the multi-display 4 when the power is turned on for the first time after the connection. The connection information regarding the slave number set to 4 can be set to “ON (connected)”.

  In addition, the control unit 1 can select, for example, the following state transitions by setting the connection information for each instrument.

  As one of the selections of the state transition, the control unit 1 selects whether or not to permit execution of a cylinder number setting function that is a function related to the tachometer, according to the connection information about the tachometer. Specifically, when the connection information about the tachometer is set to “ON”, the control unit 1 executes the cylinder number setting mode in accordance with a predetermined operation of the operation switch 5. Migrate to In this cylinder number setting mode, the control unit 1 displays instructions according to the number of cylinders selected, for example, on a tachometer, and changes the setting of the number of cylinders according to a predetermined operation of the operation switch 5. Further, when the connection information about the tachometer is set to “OFF”, the control unit 1 does not change the cylinder even if there is an operation input for shifting to the cylinder number setting mode by the operation switch 5. Does not enter number setting mode. By such processing, it is possible to prevent erroneous shift to the cylinder number setting mode when the tachometer is not actually connected to the control unit 1 as in the prior art, and convenience is improved. In addition, when the connection information of the slave number set in the multi-display 4 is set to “ON”, the control unit 1 uses the tachometer to select the selected cylinder number in the cylinder number setting mode. It is displayed on the multi-display 4 instead of the instruction display.

  Further, as one of the state transition selections, when the vehicle information is equal to or more than a set value (or less than the set value depending on the vehicle information), the control unit 1 notifies the notification unit (the light emitting element 2c, as shown in the present embodiment). In the warning function of blinking or lighting 3c or the light emission display portion 4b), the setting value of the intake pressure is set according to the connection information about the turbo meter and the intake manifold pressure meter which are the intake pressure meters. That is, the control unit 1 corresponds to the turbo meter when the connection information about the turbo meter is set to “ON” and the connection information about the intake manifold pressure meter is set to “OFF”. The first set value (for example, the initial value is 100 kPa). In addition, when the connection information about the turbo meter is set to “OFF” and the connection information about the intake manifold pressure meter is set to “ON”, the control unit 1 sets the set value to the intake manifold pressure meter. The corresponding second set value (for example, the initial value is 10 kPa). The second set value is set so that at least its initial value is smaller than the initial value of the first set value. Further, when both the connection information about the turbo meter and the connection information about the intake manifold pressure meter are set to “ON”, or both are set to “OFF”, or the multi-display 4 When the connection information of the slave number set to “ON” is set to “ON”, the control unit 1 sets the set value as the first set value. The control unit 1 shifts to a warning setting mode in response to a predetermined operation of the operation switch 5. In the warning setting mode, the control unit 1 displays the set value on a meter and adjusts the set value according to the input of the operation switch 5. By such processing, the set value corresponding to the type of instrument actually connected as the intake pressure gauge can be selected, and the user is not mistaken for a failure as in the prior art, and the set value is set appropriately. Convenience can be improved because it is not necessary to perform an operation of adjusting the numerical value for a long time.

  The instrument driving apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the connection confirmation function for determining whether or not each instrument is connected to the control unit 1, thereby executing or setting each function according to the actual connection status of the instrument. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the operation and improve the convenience of the entire aftermeter system.

  In particular, as the connection confirmation function, connection confirmation regarding a multi-display capable of selecting and displaying a plurality of vehicle information is performed in the master connection confirmation request process in the control unit 1 and the slave connection confirmation response process in the control means 4a of the multi-display 4 This makes it possible to check the connection of the slave multi-display without requiring complicated operations such as manual setting of the slave number and restarting of the power supply. Convenience can be further improved.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 1 and the first and second instruments 2 and 3 and the multi-display 4 are wire-connected by the wiring member 6, but the present invention is not limited to the control unit and each instrument. It is also possible to apply to an instrument driving device that wirelessly connects to the same, and it is possible to improve the convenience of the entire aftermeter system as in this embodiment.

  The present invention is suitable for an instrument driving device to which a plurality of aftermeters including a multi-display are communicably connected.

1 Control unit (control unit)
2 1st instrument 2a Control means 2b Display part 2c Light emitting element 3 2nd instrument 3a Control means 3b Display part 3c Light emitting element 4 Multi display 4a Control means 4b Light emission display part 5 Operation switch 6 Wiring member

Claims (2)

A meter drive device comprising a control unit that is provided so as to be capable of bidirectional communication with a plurality of meters and has a connection confirmation function for determining whether or not each meter is connected based on a result of communication with each meter,
The control unit transmits connection confirmation request data for checking one of the slave information to each of the instruments as the connection confirmation function for an instrument capable of setting slave information for discrimination. When the connection confirmation response data responding to the connection confirmation request data is received from any of the above, it is determined that the instrument set with the slave information to be confirmed is connected, and the connection confirmation response data is received. If it is not determined that the meter set with the slave information to be confirmed is not connected,
The instrument that can set the slave information, when receiving the connection confirmation request data when the slave information is not set, sets the slave information that is the confirmation target of the received connection confirmation request data to itself The instrument drive device transmits the connection confirmation response data to the control unit. The control unit determines that the instrument set with the slave information to be confirmed is not connected when the connection confirmation response data is not received even if the connection confirmation request data is transmitted the first number of times. ,
The instrument capable of setting the slave information receives the connection confirmation request data having the same slave number to be confirmed when the slave information is not set, the second number of times less than the first number of times. 2. The instrument driving device according to claim 1, wherein the slave information that is the confirmation target of the received connection confirmation request data is set in the device itself, and the connection confirmation response data is transmitted to the control unit. .

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