JP2013121730A - Special mode execution method of vehicular electronic control unit and vehicular electronic control unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable easy starting of a special mode which is needed execution only in the production line of a car manufacturer or a service division of a dealer.SOLUTION: A vehicular electronic control unit 1 determines whether a command to start a special mode is recorded when started (S102) and if determined that the command to start the special mode is recorded, shifts to the execution state of the special mode determined beforehand (S104). Even if the vehicular electronic control unit 1 is reactivated after the operation is stopped, only the special mode is executed until when the command to start the special mode is deleted, and meanwhile, in the special mode execution state, when the operation of the vehicular electronic control unit 1 is stopped by turning off the ignition switch 21, and when the failure is not caused (S106), the command to start the special mode is erased together with the erasure of the failure history (S108).

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for executing a special mode that is executed only when an electronic control unit for controlling the operation of a vehicle is located at a car manufacturer or dealer, and in particular, it is intended to improve reliability as well as simple startability. About.

The vehicle is equipped with various electronic control units such as an electronic control unit for controlling the operation of the engine and an electronic control unit for controlling the operation of the occupant protection device.
Among the various control processes executed in these electronic control units, they are not executed during normal use when the vehicle is in use by the user. Various processes referred to as so-called special modes that execute special processes such as detailed diagnostic processes that are executed only when they are in the service departments and are not normally performed are often installed ( For example, see Patent Document 1).

  Conventionally, execution of such a special mode requires a predetermined starting operation such as connecting a dedicated device to an electronic control unit and inputting a predetermined command in a car manufacturer's production line or dealer service department. (See, for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-260858 (page 4-7, FIGS. 1 to 12) JP 2007-1326 A (page 4-7, FIGS. 1 to 3)

  However, if it is possible to execute the special mode on condition that a predetermined command is input as described above, it is necessary to provide a dedicated device for inputting the command, which increases the cost. There is a problem that work is troublesome.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can easily start a special mode that only needs to be executed in a car manufacturer's production line or a dealer's service department without requiring input of a dedicated device or command. It is possible to provide a special mode execution method and a vehicle electronic control unit.

In order to achieve the above object of the present invention, the execution method of the special mode in the vehicle electronic control unit according to the present invention is as follows:
A method for executing a special mode in an electronic control unit for a vehicle configured to be capable of executing processing necessary for operation control of the vehicle,
When the command for starting the special mode is recorded when the electronic control unit for vehicle is started, the state shifts to the execution state of the predetermined special mode, and the operation is resumed after the operation of the electronic control unit for vehicle is stopped. Even when the special mode is started, only the special mode can be executed until the special mode start command is deleted.
In order to achieve the above object of the present invention, an electronic control unit for a vehicle according to the present invention includes:
An electronic control unit for a vehicle configured to be capable of executing processing necessary for vehicle operation control,
When the vehicle electronic control unit is started, it is determined whether or not a special mode start command is recorded. If it is determined that the special mode start command is recorded, a predetermined mode is determined. Even when the vehicular electronic control unit is restarted after the operation is stopped, only the special mode is changed until the special mode start command is erased. It is configured to be in an executable state.

According to the present invention, when the vehicle electronic control unit is started during the mounting operation on the vehicle after the vehicle electronic control unit is delivered to the car manufacturer from the manufacturer of the vehicle electronic control unit, Unlike the conventional case, when a vehicle electronic control unit is started for fault diagnosis work after being delivered to the dealer through the manufacturer, unlike the conventional case, special special needs that are easily required without using special diagnostic tools or special commands. The mode can be executed, and the work can be efficiently performed.
In addition, the special mode start command is erased after the failure history is erased, and if there is such a command, the special mode execution state is entered. Therefore, it is certain that the general user enters the execution state by some operation. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to a function that is desired to be stopped when the vehicle electronic control unit is in use by the vehicle user.

It is a block diagram which shows the basic structural example of the vehicle electronic control unit in embodiment of this invention. It is a subroutine flowchart which shows the procedure of the special mode execution process performed by the vehicle electronic control unit shown by FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating an operation mode of the vehicle electronic control unit when the vehicle electronic control unit according to the embodiment of the present invention is delivered from an ECU manufacturer to a car manufacturer. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates typically the operation mode when the vehicle provided with the electronic control unit for vehicles in embodiment of this invention is stored in a dealer.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
The members and arrangements described below do not limit the present invention and can be variously modified within the scope of the gist of the present invention.
Initially, the structural example of the vehicle electronic control unit in embodiment of this invention is demonstrated, referring FIG.
A vehicle electronic control unit (indicated as “ECU” in FIG. 1) 1 includes, for example, a RAM 2 having a known and well-known configuration (indicated as “CPU” in FIG. 1) 2. And a volatile memory element (not shown) such as a ROM or a non-volatile memory element (noted as “EEPROM” in FIG. 1) 3 such as an EEPROM, and an interface required according to a circuit connected to the outside A circuit (not shown), a drive circuit (not shown), and the like are configured as main components.

The vehicular electronic control unit 1 can be connected to an external failure diagnosis device (denoted as “DIA” in FIG. 1) 12 via a diagnostic tool communication line 11 such as CAN or K-line installed inside the vehicle. It has become. Normally, the failure diagnosis device 12 is connected to a manufacturing line of an ECU manufacturer, a manufacturing line of a car manufacturer, or a service department of a dealer, and monitors the execution of a special mode (described later) in the vehicle electronic control unit 1, It is configured to execute various diagnostic processes and make necessary inputs for the execution results. The specific functions and the like vary depending on the type of the vehicle electronic control unit 1 and the like. It is.
The ECU manufacturer may connect the failure diagnosis apparatus 12 and the vehicle electronic control unit 1 not only on the production line but also on the design test line. In this case, the failure diagnosis apparatus 12 is connected to the diagnostic tool. In some cases, the connection is made directly without using the communication line 11.
The vehicle electronic control unit 1 is configured to receive power supply from the vehicle battery 22 when the ignition switch 21 is turned on. Alternatively, the vehicle electronic control unit 1 is supplied with power by a power supply device (not shown) provided in the production line in a production line (product test line or the like) of an ECU manufacturer.

The vehicle electronic control unit 1 as described above is mounted on a vehicle and called “special mode” or the like in addition to various controls executed when the vehicle is in a normal use state. There is no special control processing that is executed only in the production line of a car manufacturer or in the service department of a dealer.
For example, when the vehicular electronic control unit 1 is for controlling the operation of an occupant protection device represented by an air bag, the special mode is to apply a test current to the squib without developing the air bag. There is a process for diagnosing a circuit, such as determining the quality of an energization circuit.

FIG. 2 shows a procedure of a special mode execution process executed by the vehicular electronic control unit 1 in a subroutine flowchart, and the contents of the process will be described below with reference to FIG.
In the following description, FIGS. 3 and 4 will be referred to as appropriate.
Here, FIG. 3 shows the operation mode of the vehicle electronic control unit 1 from when the vehicle electronic control unit 1 is delivered from the manufacturer to the car maker until it is mounted on the vehicle and sold. FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the operation mode of the vehicle electronic control unit 1 from when the vehicle electronic control unit 1 is shipped from the manufacturer to the vehicle through the dealer. The explanatory diagrams described in the above are respectively shown.

  First, it is assumed that the vehicle electronic control unit 1 is on the production line of an ECU manufacturer, and a failure diagnosis device (diagnostic tool) 12 is connected for product testing as shown in FIG. In this case, since the vehicle electronic control unit 1 is not mounted on the vehicle as a single unit, the power supply by the vehicle battery 22 by turning on and off the ignition switch 21 is performed by a power supply device provided in the production line. This is performed in a pseudo manner by turning on and off (not shown).

  Under such a premise, when processing by the vehicle electronic control unit 1 is started, first, a special mode start record is stored in an appropriate storage area of the vehicle electronic control unit 1, for example, in the embodiment of the present invention. It is determined whether or not data is recorded in the nonvolatile memory element 3 (see FIG. 1) (see step S102 in FIG. 2). Here, the special mode start recording means recording of a predetermined command for starting the special mode.

If it is determined in step S102 that there is a special mode start record (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no special mode start record (in the case of NO), The process proceeds to step S110.
As previously assumed, when the vehicle electronic control unit 1 is in the production line of an ECU manufacturer and power is supplied for the first time for product testing after production, the special mode start record has not yet been made. Therefore, the determination in step S102 is NO, and the process proceeds to step S110.

  Therefore, hereinafter, the processing after step S110 will be described. First, in step S110, normal initial diagnosis is performed, and then, the process proceeds to step S111, and normal operation as the vehicle electronic control unit 1 is executed. Will be. Here, the “initial diagnosis” is a diagnosis process that is required every time the vehicle electronic control unit 1 is started. Further, the “normal operation” is a normal operation as the vehicle electronic control unit 1 executed after the initial diagnosis is performed. Note that this includes normal diagnosis processing performed as part of normal operation.

In the execution of the initial diagnosis process and the normal diagnosis process, if a diagnosis is made that there is some failure or defect, at least the history related to the failure or defect is processed in step S114 described later, and further the failure history in step S116 Is recorded and stored in the non-volatile storage element 3 of the vehicle electronic control unit 1 until the erasure is performed.
Next, the vehicle electronic control unit 1 determines whether there is a diagnostic communication connection with the failure diagnosis apparatus 12 (see step S112 in FIG. 2). If it is determined in step S112 that there is a diagnosis communication connection with the failure diagnosis device 12, a failure deletion command transmitted from the failure diagnosis device 12 (diagnostic tool) is received (see step S114 in FIG. 2). ).

Thus, in the vehicle electronic control unit 1, when a failure erasure command is received from the failure diagnosis device 12 by the process of step S114, the failure history stored in the nonvolatile memory element 3 is erased, A predetermined command for starting the special mode is written and stored in the nonvolatile memory element 3 (see step S116 in FIG. 2).
As will be described later, the special command for starting the special mode is stored after the power supply is cut off and then when the power supply is turned on again, that is, at the car manufacturer or dealer. This is for enabling execution from the special mode when the electronic control unit 1 is activated.

Then, in step S118, it is determined whether or not the ignition switch 21 is turned off. If it is determined that the ignition switch 21 is turned off (in the case of YES), a series of processing is terminated. In the production line of the ECU manufacturer, the ignition switch is turned off in a pseudo manner by a power supply device (not shown) provided in the production line.
In the ECU manufacturer, in the product test, the failure diagnosis device 12 is normally connected to the vehicle electronic control unit 1, and when all the problems are resolved at the end of the product test process (or later described). If all failures except for a specific failure that has been determined in advance, such as an unconfigured failure, have been resolved), there is a process in which a failure erasure command is sent by the failure diagnosis device 12 as a procedure on the test line. Here, the vehicle electronic control unit 1 enters a state in which a predetermined command for starting the special mode is stored in steps S114 and S116. Therefore, since the vehicle electronic control unit 1 is recorded with the start of the special mode and the vehicle electronic control unit 1 is turned off before being shipped, in the stage before the end of the manufacturing process. Even if the power source of the vehicle electronic control unit 1 is turned on / off several times for diagnosis or the like, the processing after step S104 in FIG. 2 is not executed.

In step S112, if it is determined that the diagnosis communication connection is not established (in the case of NO), the process proceeds to step S118 without executing steps S114 and S116. If it is determined in step S118 that the ignition switch 21 is not turned off (in the case of NO), the process returns to the previous step S111, and the subsequent processing is repeated.
When the vehicle electronic control unit 1 is in a normal use state, there is no special mode start record, no diagnosis communication record, and the ignition switch 21 is on. Therefore, at the time of activation, the determination in step S102 is NO, and step S110 Through S111, the determination in step S112 is NO, and the process proceeds to step S118. Here, it is also determined NO, so that the process returns to step S111, and steps S111, S112, and S118 are repeated.

Thus, in the ECU manufacturer, the operation mode of the vehicle electronic control unit 1 is set to a state where the special mode can be executed, and the vehicle electronic control unit 1 is delivered to, for example, a car manufacturer. Become.
And in a car maker, the diagnostic process etc. in the state mounted in the vehicle will be performed.
FIG. 3 schematically shows an example of a change in the operation mode of the vehicle electronic control unit 1 until the vehicle electronic control unit 1 is mounted on the vehicle and shipped from the ECU manufacturer through the car manufacturer. Here, this figure will be described. In addition, the example of FIG. 3 shows an example in which the vehicle type setting is made not in the ECU manufacturer but in the car manufacturer production line, as will be described later.

As described above, the ECU manufacturer executes steps S102 and steps S110 to S118 in FIG. 2, and finally, when the power is supplied next time, that is, the ignition switch 21 is set in the car manufacturer. When it is turned on, it will be shipped in a state where the special mode can be executed (see the location of reference M3-1 in FIG. 3).
In the car manufacturer, the vehicle electronic control unit 1 is mounted on the vehicle, and in this state, the vehicle electronic control unit 1 is activated by supplying power, and necessary operation diagnosis and the like are executed.

Here, referring to FIG. 2 again, a case where the operation diagnosis of the vehicle electronic control unit 1 is performed in a state where the vehicle is mounted on the vehicle at the car manufacturer will be described.
When processing by the vehicle electronic control unit 1 is started, the special mode start record is recorded in an appropriate storage area of the vehicle electronic control unit 1, for example, in the embodiment of the present invention, the nonvolatile storage element 3 (FIG. 1). (See step S102 in FIG. 2).
As already described, the nonvolatile memory element 3 of the vehicular electronic control unit 1 has a special mode start record in the ECU manufacturer, so the determination in step S102 is that there is a special mode start record (YES). In step S104, the initial diagnosis process is executed. However, the execution of the special mode is started preferentially at the beginning of the initial diagnosis. Note that after execution of the special mode, another process as an initial diagnosis is executed.
Such a state corresponds to a portion denoted by reference numeral M3-2 in FIG.
It is not necessary to use a special diagnostic tool or special command when executing this special mode.

Next, after the necessary processing is performed in the special mode, when the ignition switch 21 is turned off, whether or not the special mode is still ended, in other words, whether there is any failure or malfunction. A determination is made (see step S106 in FIG. 2).
If it is determined in step S106 that there is still a failure, malfunction, or the like (in the case of YES), a series of processing is performed in that state, that is, with the special mode start record remaining in the nonvolatile memory element 3. Will be terminated. Therefore, when the vehicular electronic control unit 1 is activated again to solve the remaining failure, malfunction, etc., as described above, a determination of YES is made in step S102, and step S104 is performed. Subsequent processing is executed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S106 that there is no failure, malfunction, or the like (in the case of NO), that is, if it is determined that the special mode is to be terminated, the shipment is ready. Assuming that all the failure records are erased, the special mode start record is erased, and the series of processing ends.
In the example of FIG. 3 described above, the vehicle type is set not in the ECU production line but in the car manufacturer production line, and the final vehicle type is set at a location denoted by reference numeral M3-3. Even if there is an unconfigured failure state due to the vehicle type unset state, it is resolved, and all other failures and malfunctions are resolved. In the code M3-4, the failure is deleted (the failure history is deleted) with respect to the history of the fact that there has been an unconfigured failure state when the vehicle type has not been previously set. In the line, a failure diagnosis device may be connected, or may be made by a control program in the vehicle electronic control unit 1), and when the ignition switch is turned off, a special mode start record is recorded. The erasing is performed, and thereafter, the vehicle electronic control unit 1 is set in a state in which the normal operation is possible and is shipped and delivered.

Next, referring to FIG. 4, the vehicle electronic control unit 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention shipped from the ECU manufacturer is mounted on the vehicle, stored in the dealer, diagnosed, and shipped. The case will be described.
First, the state of the vehicle electronic control unit 1 when shipped from the ECU manufacturer is basically the same as when shipped from the ECU manufacturer to the car manufacturer as described with reference to FIGS. (Refer to steps S102 and S110 to S118 in FIG. 2).

In addition, since the vehicle electronic control unit 1 is attached to the vehicle without setting the vehicle type when entering the dealer, an example in which a so-called unconfigured failure has occurred is described as in FIG. It is.
In this state, as in the case of the car manufacturer, when the vehicle electronic control unit 1 is activated at the dealer, the vehicle electronic control unit 1 enters the special mode start state (step S102 in FIG. 2). , S104 reference, and reference to the part to which reference sign M4-1 in FIG. 4 is attached).

Thereafter, various diagnoses and the like are performed as necessary, and after the failure and failure are resolved, the vehicle type is set (see the portion denoted by reference numeral M4-2 in FIG. 4), and then the failure history is deleted. At the same time, the special mode start record is erased (see steps S106 to S108 in FIG. 2 and the portion denoted by reference numeral M4-3 in FIG. 4), and the vehicle can be delivered.
As described above, at the time of failure diagnosis at a dealer, the operation of the vehicle electronic control unit 1 is ensured in the operation of the special mode. For example, an occupant protection device represented by an air bag during vehicle maintenance as the special mode By preparing a special mode in which unnecessary activation and unfolding (not shown) are surely prevented, it is possible to enable usage that can ensure the safety of the operator.
Also, in the special mode execution method according to the embodiment of the present invention, the failure erasure is executed so that the command for starting the special mode is recorded at the same time. The special mode can be executed as many times as possible.

  In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, as an example of the special mode, the process of conducting the energization test to the drive circuit without deploying the airbag is given, but it is of course limited to such a process. It is not necessary, and can be applied in the same manner as long as the processing execution is required only by a car manufacturer or a dealer.

  It is suitable for an electronic control unit for a vehicle that needs to be executed only in a car manufacturer's production line or a dealer's service department, and a simple start in a special mode is desired.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle electronic control unit 2 ... Microcomputer 3 ... Nonvolatile memory element 11 ... Diag tool communication line 12 ... Fault diagnosis apparatus

Claims (6)

A method for executing a special mode in an electronic control unit for a vehicle configured to be capable of executing processing necessary for operation control of the vehicle,
When the command for starting the special mode is recorded when the electronic control unit for vehicle is started, the state shifts to the execution state of the predetermined special mode, and the operation is resumed after the operation of the electronic control unit for vehicle is stopped. A special mode execution method in a vehicle electronic control unit, wherein only the special mode can be executed until the special mode start command is erased even when the command is started.   In the execution state of the special mode, when the power supply to the vehicle electronic control unit is cut off and the operation of the vehicle electronic control unit is stopped, when the vehicle electronic control unit is not broken, 2. The method for executing a special mode in an electronic control unit for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a command for starting the special mode is deleted.   If the special mode start command is not recorded when the vehicular electronic control unit is started, a predetermined diagnosis process is executed, all faults are resolved, and externally connected fault diagnosis When a failure erasure command is received from the device, the failure history is erased and the special mode start command is written to the nonvolatile memory element of the vehicle electronic control unit, and then the vehicle 3. The special mode execution method in the vehicle electronic control unit according to claim 2, wherein the operation of the electronic control unit can be stopped. An electronic control unit for a vehicle configured to be capable of executing processing necessary for vehicle operation control,
When the vehicle electronic control unit is started, it is determined whether or not a special mode start command is recorded. If it is determined that the special mode start command is recorded, a predetermined mode is determined. Even when the vehicular electronic control unit is restarted after the operation is stopped, only the special mode is changed until the special mode start command is erased. A vehicular electronic control unit configured to be in an executable state.   When the vehicle electronic control unit is in a special mode execution state, when the power supply to the vehicle electronic control unit is cut off and the operation of the vehicle electronic control unit is stopped, the vehicle electronic control unit is damaged. 5. The vehicular electronic control unit according to claim 4, wherein the vehicular electronic control unit is configured to delete a special mode start command if it has not occurred. When it is determined that the special mode start command is not recorded when the vehicle electronic control unit is started, the vehicle electronic control unit executes a predetermined diagnosis process, and all faults are resolved and externally connected. When a failure erasure command is received from the failure diagnosis device, the failure history is erased and the special mode start command is written to the nonvolatile storage element of the vehicle electronic control unit. 6. The vehicle electronic control unit according to claim 5, wherein the vehicle electronic control unit is configured to be capable of stopping operation.

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