JP2014156160A - Connector and on-board communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector and an on-board communication system which are arranged on a communication path between two bi-directional communication devices, and perform wire or wireless communication between the two communication devices.SOLUTION: A diagnostic connector 2 is arranged on a communication path between an on-board controller 4 and an external device 5 which perform bi-directional communication, and a connection terminal part 21 of the diagnostic connector 2 is placed at a terminal of a communication cable 3 connected to the on-board controller 4. A wireless communication module 22 is connected to the connection terminal part 21, and communicates with the on-board controller 4 through the communication cable 3 and wireless communicates with the external device 5. Wire or wireless communication is performed between the on-board controller 4 and the external device 5.

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector disposed on a communication path between two communication devices that perform bidirectional communication, and an in-vehicle communication system using the connector.

  In an in-vehicle communication system mounted in an automobile or the like, wired communication based on a CAN (Controller Area Network) system configured by a pair of twisted pair wires is generally used. A plurality of in-vehicle control devices that control various in-vehicle devices are each connected to an in-vehicle communication system using a CAN system, and transmit / receive information to / from each other. Further, in an in-vehicle communication system, an external diagnostic device is connected to a diagnostic connector defined by standards such as ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 15031-3 and SAE (United States Automotive Engineering Association) J1962, etc. This state is diagnosed from the outside, and maintenance such as update of various data can be performed (for example, Patent Document 1).

  On the other hand, in a local area network (hereinafter referred to as LAN) that interconnects information devices such as personal computer devices (hereinafter referred to as PC devices), wired communication based on the Ethernet (registered trademark) system is widely used. In addition, by providing two pairs of twisted pair wires for transmission and reception, a differential signal is transmitted and received, thereby realizing full duplex bidirectional communication. The communication connection by the Ethernet system is also taken into consideration in the above-mentioned standard relating to the diagnostic connector. That is, in the standard relating to the diagnostic connector, a specific pin arrangement for performing communication by the Ethernet system is defined. Based on this pin arrangement, for example, if the PC device and the external diagnostic device are connected to the diagnostic connector and the diagnostic connector and the vehicle-mounted control device are connected by a LAN cable such as category 5 or 6 used in the Ethernet scheme, A communication connection environment is easily constructed.

  However, as described above, in the in-vehicle communication system, a pair of twisted pair wires is generally used. Therefore, when this is replaced with a LAN cable (including two pairs of twisted pair wires), There is a concern that the weight increases as the number increases, and that electromagnetic waves radiated from the LAN cable during communication may interfere with vehicle control. In addition, in an in-vehicle communication system, a technique for performing full-duplex bidirectional communication with a pair of twisted pair wires without using two pairs of twisted pair wires such as a LAN cable has been actively studied. For example, Patent Document 2 proposes a multiplex communication method in which two communication apparatuses connected by a pair of twisted pair wires transmit full-duplex bidirectional communication by transmitting differential signals using different frequencies. Yes.

JP 2007-284027 A JP 2008-193606 A

  However, when a PC device, an external diagnostic device, or the like is connected to an external connection diagnosis connector in an in-vehicle communication system using a LAN cable of category 5, 6 or the like using the Ethernet system, electromagnetic waves radiated from the LAN cable during communication are transmitted to the vehicle. There is a risk of interfering with the control.

  Specifically, since the communication path between the in-vehicle control device and the diagnostic connector is constructed by the manufacturer that provides the in-vehicle communication system, use a communication cable composed of in-vehicle twisted pair wires that have been used for a long time. Or, if necessary, it is possible to take measures to suppress unnecessary radiation of electromagnetic waves by using a communication cable having a high electromagnetic shielding effect. In addition, the communication path between the in-vehicle control device and the diagnosis connector is usually exposed in the vehicle interior, but the communication cable itself is routed inside the vehicle, so the accessibility for the vehicle user is poor, Also, there is no need to replace the communication cable once installed with another communication cable. On the other hand, regarding the communication path between the PC device and the external diagnostic device and the diagnosis connector, the communication cable itself is within the reach of the user, and there is a probability that a commercially available LAN cable or the like is simply used. is there.

  For this reason, when data is acquired from a vehicle-mounted device or vehicle-mounted control device via a diagnostic connector, electromagnetic waves radiated from a communication cable between the PC device, the external diagnostic device, and the diagnostic connector may interfere with vehicle control. It is conceivable that data acquisition via the diagnosis connector can be performed only when the engine is stopped. However, if the data acquisition via the diagnosis connector is limited only when the engine is stopped, the data acquisition of the in-vehicle device and the in-vehicle control device during the engine operation cannot be performed by the PC device and the external diagnostic device. For this reason, in order to acquire data from in-vehicle devices and in-vehicle control devices during engine operation, a data logger for temporarily storing data must be provided on the in-vehicle communication system. There was only a problem that the cost and weight increased.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to be arranged in a communication path between two communication devices that perform bidirectional communication, and between the two communication devices. It is another object of the present invention to provide a connector and an in-vehicle communication system capable of performing either wireless communication or wireless communication.

  The connector according to the present invention is arranged in a communication path between two communication devices that perform bidirectional communication, and is a connector that connects the two communication devices at the end of a communication cable connected to one communication device. Connected to the connecting terminal portion, and connected to the connecting terminal portion, communicate with the one communication device via the communication cable, and communicate with another communication device by radio. And a wireless communication unit.

  In the present invention, the connector is arranged in the communication path between the two communication devices that perform bidirectional communication, and the connection terminal portion is disposed at the end of the communication cable connected to the one communication device. The wireless communication unit is connected to the connection terminal unit, and communicates with the one communication device via the communication cable by the wireless communication unit and wirelessly with the other communication device. Since communication is performed, it is possible to perform wired or wireless communication between the two communication devices.

  The connector according to the present invention is characterized in that the wireless communication unit receives power from the one communication device.

  In the present invention, the wireless communication unit can be operated by receiving power from one communication device.

  The connector according to the present invention further includes a connection detector that detects that the counterpart connector is connected, and the wireless communication unit is wireless when the connection detector does not detect the connection of the counterpart connector. And wireless communication is stopped when the connection of the counterpart connector is detected.

  In the present invention, the connection detector detects that the counterpart connector is connected, and the wireless communication unit performs wireless communication when the connection detector does not detect the connection of the counterpart connector. When the connection of the counterpart connector is detected, wireless communication is stopped. As a result, wireless and wired communications are performed simultaneously, thereby preventing interference.

  The connector according to the present invention further includes a housing for accommodating the connection terminal portion, and the wireless communication portion is mounted on the housing.

  In the present invention, the wireless communication unit is mounted on the housing that accommodates the connection terminal portion, and the wireless communication unit can be handled integrally with the connector.

  An in-vehicle communication system according to the present invention includes any one of the connectors described above and a power switch that turns on or off power supply to a device mounted on the vehicle, and the one communication device includes the vehicle. When the power supply is turned on by the power switch, power is supplied to the wireless communication unit.

  In the present invention, the one communication device is mounted on the vehicle, and when the power supply to the device mounted on the vehicle is turned on or off by the power switch, Power is supplied to the communication unit. Thereby, when the power supply by the power switch of the vehicle is turned on, power can be supplied to the wireless communication unit and the wireless communication unit can be operated.

  The in-vehicle communication system according to the present invention provides wired communication between the one communication device and the other communication device via the connection terminal portion when a prime mover provided in the vehicle is operating. It is characterized by prohibiting.

  In the present invention, when the prime mover provided in the vehicle is operating, wired communication performed between the one communication device and the other communication device via the connection terminal portion is prohibited. Thereby, when the prime mover is operating, the wired communication path between the connector and the other communication device is not used, so that the emission of electromagnetic waves can be limited.

  According to the present invention, the connector is arranged in a communication path between two communication devices that perform bidirectional communication, and the connection terminal portion is disposed at the end of the communication cable connected to the one communication device. The wireless communication unit is connected to the connection terminal unit, and the wireless communication unit communicates with the one communication device via the communication cable and communicates with the other communication device wirelessly. To do. For this reason, communication by either wired or wireless can be performed between two communication apparatuses.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the external appearance of the vehicle interior in which the diagnostic connector which concerns on this Embodiment is arrange | positioned. It is an external view of the diagnostic connector which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a vertical side view of the diagnostic connector which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram showing composition of a diagnostic connector etc. concerning this embodiment. It is a graph which shows the correspondence of an IG switch position and a communication form. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the selection process of the radio | wireless or wired communication by a diagnostic connector.

(Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an exterior appearance of a vehicle compartment in which a diagnosis connector 2 according to the present embodiment is arranged. A plurality of in-vehicle control devices that control various in-vehicle devices mounted on the vehicle are connected to an in-vehicle communication system based on the CAN method and transmit / receive information to / from each other. The diagnostic connector 2 is connected via a communication cable 3 to a single in-vehicle control device 4 that communicates with the outside of the vehicle. The diagnostic connector 2 is connected to a vehicle-specific external diagnostic device manufactured by, for example, a vehicle manufacturer via a communication cable 6. The external diagnosis device acquires information related to the vehicle from the in-vehicle control device 4 on the in-vehicle communication system, diagnoses whether an abnormality or the like has occurred, and further updates the control program data of the in-vehicle control device. In addition to the external diagnostic device dedicated to the vehicle, a user who has access authority to the in-vehicle communication system can connect a PC device or the like to the diagnostic connector 2 in order to collect vehicle data. The diagnostic connector 2 is disposed at a predetermined position in the vehicle interior where an external diagnostic device, a PC device, etc. (hereinafter referred to as an external device 5) can be easily connected. The example shown in FIG. 1 is a case where the diagnostic connector 2 is arranged on the side of the handle 9 below the instrument panel (abbreviated as instrument panel) in the driver's seat. The diagnostic connector 2 functions as a connector in the present invention. The in-vehicle control device 4 corresponds to one communication device in the present invention, and the external device 5 corresponds to another communication device in the present invention.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of the diagnostic connector 2 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a vertical side view of the diagnostic connector 2 according to the present embodiment. The diagnostic connector 2 includes a housing 20, a connector boot 25 that covers the back side of the housing 20, a connection terminal portion 21 that is attached to the housing 20, a wireless communication module 22, and a switch 24. The housing 20 and the connector boot 25 are, for example, resin molded products. A connector 61 provided at the end of the communication cable 6 connected to the external device 5 is fitted into the housing 20 from the front side. As shown in FIG. 2, the diagnostic connector 2 has a connection interface of a total of 16 pins of 8 pins × 2 rows in the housing 20, and conforms to the pin arrangement defined by standards such as ISO15031-3 and SAEJ1962. It shall conform to these standards.

  The connector boot 25 has an opening on the back side, and the communication cable 3 is inserted and fixed in the opening. The communication cable 3 includes one or more pairs of twisted pair wires 31 and a tubular covering material 32 that covers the twisted pair wires 31. The twisted pair line 31 functions as an Ethernet communication signal line, a power supply line, a ground line, and the like. Details will be described later.

  In the housing 20 and the connector boot 25, electric wires such as an end portion where the twisted pair wire 31 constituting the communication cable 3 is twisted back and connection wires 23a, 23b,... To the wireless communication module 22 are arranged. Therefore, in order to suppress electromagnetic waves radiated from these parts to the outside, the housing 20 and the connector boot 25 may be formed of a magnetic material such as ferrite powder or a resin material containing carbon powder. The electromagnetic wave shielding effect can also be obtained by providing a metal film made of nickel, nickel / ferrite, copper or the like on the inner surfaces of the housing 20 and the connector boot 25.

  The connection terminal portion 21 includes socket terminals 21a, 21b,. The socket terminals 21a, 21b,... Are incorporated in the terminal accommodating chamber 20a in the housing 20, and are prevented from coming off by engaging with protrusions provided in the terminal accommodating chamber 20a. The socket terminals 21a, 21b,... Are electrically connected by inserting a plurality of pin terminals arranged in the mating connector 61 from the front side and contacting the plurality of terminals. The end portions of the electric wires constituting the twisted pair wires 31 are electrically connected to the end portions of the socket terminals 21a, 21b,.

  The wireless communication module 22 performs two-way wireless communication with the external device 5 in accordance with, for example, the IEEE 802.11 standard or Bluetooth (registered trademark) used in a wireless LAN or the like. The wireless communication module 22 shown in FIG. 3 is attached to the outer surface of the housing 20, but may be configured to be accommodated in a space inside the housing 20. The wireless communication module 22 is connected to the socket terminals 21a, 21b,... By connection lines 23a, 23b, and operates by receiving power supply from the in-vehicle control device 4 connected via the communication cable 3. And a processing function for performing wired communication connection based on Ethernet with the communication control unit 41 of the vehicle-mounted control device 4 to be described later via the communication cable 3.

  The switch 24 is, for example, a mechanical push operation type switch, and is provided on the front edge of the connector 61 where the end face on the diagnosis connector side contacts. When the connector 61 is connected to the diagnostic connector 2, the pressing terminal portion 24 a in the switch 24 is pressed back by the end face of the connector 61, and the switch 24 is turned on. When the connector 61 is not connected to the diagnostic connector 2, the switch 24 is in an off state. The switch 24 is connected to the wireless communication module 22 by a connection line (not shown). As the switch 24, a proximity sensor or the like may be used in addition to a mechanical push operation type switch.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the diagnostic connector 2 and the like according to the present embodiment. The in-vehicle control device 4 includes a communication control unit 41. The communication control unit 41 performs communication using the Ethernet method between the wireless communication module 22 and a communication control unit 51 of the external device 5 described later. It communicates with other vehicle-mounted control apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as ECU) 7 connected by the communication system. The ECU 7 shown in FIG. 4 acquires the position of an ignition switch (hereinafter referred to as IG switch) 7a. The in-vehicle control device 4 receives the information regarding the position of the IG switch 7 a transmitted from the ECU 7 by the communication control unit 41. The IG switch 7a is switched in stages from an off position, an accessory position (hereinafter referred to as an ACC position), an on position, and an engine start position by a user operation (push operation, rotation operation, etc.). The position of the IG switch 7a is not a physical position but a functional state.

  In general, when the IG switch 7a is in the off position, an illumination device (not shown) such as a headlight can operate, and in the ACC position, a radio device, a car navigation device, and the like can operate. In the ON position, many on-vehicle devices such as a window opening / closing drive device, an air conditioner, a turn lamp, a wiper, and a meter device can operate. Further, at the engine start position, the spark plug is ignited to start the engine, and after the engine starts, the engine returns to the on position. The IG switch 7a functions as a power switch in the present invention. In the present invention, when the IG switch 7a is in the ACC position, the on position, or the engine start position, the power supply to the in-vehicle device (device mounted in the vehicle) is turned on by the power switch in the present invention. When the IG switch 7a is in the off position, the power supply to the on-vehicle device is turned off by the power switch.

  The communication control unit 41 of the in-vehicle control device 4 is connected to the communication cable 3 by the connector 3a, and performs communication and power supply by the electric wires 31a, 31b... Constituting the twisted pair wire 31. The electric wires 31a and 31b form a pair of twisted pair wires, and the electric wires 31c and 31d form a pair of twisted pair wires. The communication control unit 41 receives signals transmitted from the external device 5 through the electric wires 31a and 31b. Specifically, the external device 5 transmits a differential signal Rx (+) and a signal Rx (−), and the communication control unit 41 adds the polarity of the signal Rx (−) to the received signal Rx (+). The signal transmitted from the external device 5 is received by adding the signals obtained by inverting. The communication control unit 41 differentially transmits a signal to the external device 5 through the electric wires 31c and 31d. Specifically, the communication control unit 41 transmits the signal Tx (+) by the electric wire 31c and the signal Tx (−) in which the polarity of the signal Tx (+) is inverted by the electric wire 31d. The communication control part 41 supplies electric power with the electric wire 31e. The electric wire 31e may form a pair of twisted pairs with, for example, a grounding electric wire (not shown).

  The communication cables 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d are connected to the socket terminals 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d of the connection terminal portion 21 of the diagnostic connector 2, respectively. The wireless communication module 22 is connected to the socket terminals 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d through connection lines 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d, so that the signals Rx (+), Rx (−), Tx (+), and Tx ( −) Can be input and output, and communication with the communication control unit 41 via the communication cable 3 is possible. The wireless communication module 22 is connected to the electric wire 31e and operates by receiving power supply through the electric wire 31e. The wireless communication module 22 includes an antenna 22a, and performs wireless communication with the external device 5 through the antenna 22a. The switch 24 is connected to the wireless communication module 22, and the operation state of the wireless communication module 22 is switched by the on / off state of the switch 24.

  The external device 5 includes a communication control unit 51 and a wireless communication module 52, and performs wired communication with the communication cable 6 connected by the connector 6a or wireless communication with the wireless communication module 22 by the wireless communication module 52. The communication cable 6 has two pairs of twisted pair wires, one of which corresponds to the signals Rx (+) and Rx (-) and the other one corresponds to the signals Tx (+) and Tx (-). ing. The signals Rx (+) and Rx (−) are on the side that is transmitted from the external device 5, and the signals Tx (+) and Tx (−) are on the side that the external device 5 receives.

  Next, the operation of the diagnostic connector 2 will be described. FIG. 5 is a chart showing the correspondence between the position of the IG switch 7a and the communication form, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the wireless or wired communication selection process by the diagnostic connector 2. As shown in FIG. 5, when the IG switch 7 a is in the off position, wired communication is performed with the connector 61 connected to the diagnostic connector 2. When the IG switch 7a is in the off position, the vehicle battery is not charged, so it is necessary to reduce power consumption. Therefore, when the IG switch 7a is in the off position, the in-vehicle control device 4 stops power supply to the electric wire 31e and saves power by preventing the wireless communication module 22 from operating. Since the wireless communication module 22 is not operating, the external device 5 cannot perform wireless communication. With the connector 61 connected to the diagnosis connector 2, the external device 5 can perform wired communication with the in-vehicle control device 4. Note that both the communication control unit 41 and the communication control unit 51 have a communication connection processing function by Ethernet, for example, mutually recognize a MAC (Media Access Control) address that is a physical address, and establish communication connection in the physical layer. Establish. Further, the communication connection unit 41 and the communication control unit 51 conform to TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP (Internet Protocol), and even if a static IP address is assigned in advance for address setting, Thus, the other server side may be requested for dynamic address setting. In order to suppress an increase in the circuit scale on the vehicle side, it is preferable to provide a server function on the external device 5 side.

  When the IG switch 7a is in the ACC position or the ON position, wired communication is performed when the connector is connected, and wireless communication is performed when the connector is not connected. The case where the IG switch 7a is in the engine starting position will be described later. The in-vehicle control device 4 supplies power to the diagnostic connector 2 through the electric wire 31e when the IG switch 7a is in the ACC position or the on position. The wireless communication module 22 of the diagnostic connector 2 detects the power supply on the electric wire 31e in step S1 (see FIG. 6), and performs the activation process in step S2. When the activation is completed, the wireless communication module 22 acquires the on / off state of the switch 24 and determines whether the connector 61 is connected (step S3). When the switch 24 outputs an ON signal, the wireless communication module 22 determines that the connector 61 is connected to the diagnosis connector 2 (S3: YES), and stops the wireless communication function. Since the wireless communication function of the diagnostic connector 2 is stopped and the connector is connected, the communication between the communication control unit 41 and the communication control unit 51 is selected from the wired communication via the communication cable 3 and the communication cable 6. (Step S4).

  On the other hand, when the switch 24 outputs an OFF signal, the wireless communication module 22 determines that the connector 61 is not connected to the diagnosis connector 2 (S3: NO), and operates the wireless communication function. Since the wireless communication function of the diagnostic connector 2 operates and the connector is in a disconnected state, communication between the communication control unit 41 and the communication control unit 51 is performed between the wireless communication module 22 and the wireless communication module 52. Is selected (step S5). After step S4 or step S5, the wireless communication module 22 determines whether or not the power supply from the in-vehicle control device 4 is stopped in step S6. If not stopped (S6: NO), the wireless communication module 22 returns to step S3. The wireless or wired communication selection process is continued. On the other hand, when the power supply from the in-vehicle control device 4 is stopped (S6: YES), if the wireless communication module 22 has a built-in battery, the processing data is saved, and the in-vehicle control device 4 and the external device 5 are saved. After notifying the end, the process is terminated. If the wireless communication module 22 does not have a built-in battery, the power is lost, all the functions such as the wireless communication function and the communication selection processing function are stopped, and the process ends.

  When the IG switch 7a is at the engine start position, a switching operation for stopping the power supply to the in-vehicle device is usually performed in order to secure the power necessary for starting the engine. As for communication between the in-vehicle control device 4 and the external device 5, the communication connection may be disconnected by stopping the power supply in the same manner as other in-vehicle devices when starting the engine. On the other hand, when the IG switch 7a is in the engine starting position, the power supply to the in-vehicle control device 4 is maintained and the in-vehicle control is performed when the IG switch 7a is in the engine starting position so that various parameter data can be acquired particularly from the engine control unit. The power supply from the device 4 to the diagnosis connector 2 may be continued. In this case, similarly to the case where the IG switch 7a in FIG. 5 is in the ACC position or the ON position, the wired communication may be selected when the connector is connected, and the wireless communication may be selected when the connector is not connected. The procedure for selecting is the same as the processing procedure shown in FIG.

  Further, when an engine (prime mover) that generates driving force for the vehicle to travel is operating, wired communication between the in-vehicle control device 4 and the external device 5 may be prohibited. Specifically, the in-vehicle control device 4 acquires information indicating whether the engine is in an operating state or a non-operating state from an engine control device (not shown) by using CAN, and when the engine is in an operating state. Prohibits wired communication. When the connector 61 is connected to the diagnostic connector 2, wired communication is selected depending on the setting on the external device 5 side, and electromagnetic waves are radiated from the communication cable 6 between the diagnostic connector 2 and the external device 5. There is concern about interference with control.

  In order to prevent this, the communication control unit 41 detects whether or not the connector 61 is connected to the diagnosis connector 2 by the switch 24, and when the switch 24 outputs an ON signal, the communication control unit 41 communicates with the external device 5. In order to prohibit the communication, the communication function of the communication control unit 41 itself is stopped. A switch signal line is added to the communication cable 3 so that the communication control unit 41 can acquire an on / off signal of the switch 24.

  In a state where the connector 61 is not connected to the diagnostic connector 2, the communication control unit 41 has acquired an off signal from the switch 24, and the wireless communication module 22 is also in an operating state. In order to perform wireless communication via the wireless communication module 22, the communication control unit 41 itself operates the communication function. Note that the wireless communication between the wireless communication module 22 of the diagnostic connector 2 and the wireless communication module 52 of the external device 5 is wireless communication complying with the standards such as IEEE802.11 as described above, and the radio wave to be used is Since it is known, the influence on the control of the vehicle can be evaluated in advance, and it is assumed that there is no interference with the control (or that interference countermeasures are sufficiently taken).

  In addition, the wired communication between the in-vehicle control device 4 and the external device 5 is configured to realize full duplex bidirectional communication using two pairs of twisted pair wires, but full duplex is achieved by using a pair of twisted pair wires. Alternatively, half duplex bidirectional communication may be performed. In this case, a method of converting the frequency so that the frequencies of the signals transmitted from both the in-vehicle control device 4 and the external device 5 are different, and a determination circuit for determining whether the signals from both are the same or different in the middle of the communication path And a method of demodulating the received signal from the transmission signal based on the determination result by the determination circuit in each of the in-vehicle control device 4 and the external device 5 may be used.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the diagnosis connector 2 is arranged in the communication path between the in-vehicle communication device 4 and the external device 5 that perform bidirectional communication, and the connection terminal portion 21 of the diagnosis connector 2 is provided. It is disposed at the end of the communication cable 3 connected to the in-vehicle communication device 4. The wireless communication module 22 is connected to the connection terminal unit 21. The wireless communication module 22 communicates with the in-vehicle communication device 4 via the communication cable 3 and communicates with the external device 5 wirelessly. . Thereby, communication by either wired or wireless can be performed between the in-vehicle communication device 4 and the external device 5.

  Moreover, according to this embodiment, electric power can be supplied from the vehicle-mounted control apparatus 4 and the radio | wireless communication module 22 can be operated.

  According to the present embodiment, the switch 24 detects that the connector 61 is connected. The wireless communication module 22 performs wireless communication when the connection of the connector 61 is not detected by the switch 24, and stops wireless communication when the connection of the connector 61 is detected. As a result, wireless and wired communications are performed simultaneously, thereby preventing interference.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the wireless communication module 22 is mounted on the housing that houses the connection terminal portion 21, and the wireless communication module 22 can be handled integrally with the diagnostic connector 2.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the in-vehicle communication device 4 is mounted on a vehicle, and when the power supply to the in-vehicle device is turned on or off by the IG switch 7a and the power supply is on, the wireless communication module Electric power is supplied to 22. Thereby, when the power supply by the IG switch 7a is on, power can be supplied to the wireless communication module 22 and the wireless communication module 22 can be operated.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the engine provided in the vehicle is operating, wired communication performed via the connection terminal portion 21 between the in-vehicle control device 4 and the external device 5 is prohibited. As a result, when the engine is operating, the wired communication path between the diagnostic connector 2 and the external device 5 is not used, so that it is possible to limit the emission of electromagnetic waves that are likely to interfere with vehicle control.

  The disclosed embodiments should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

2 Diagnostic connector (connector)
20 Housing 21 Connection Terminal 22 Wireless Communication Module (Wireless Communication)
24 switch (connection detector)
3 Communication cable 4 In-vehicle control device (one communication device)
5 External devices (other communication devices)
7a IG switch (power switch)

Claims (6)

In a connector that is arranged in a communication path between two communication devices that perform two-way communication and connects the two communication devices,
A connection terminal portion disposed at an end of a communication cable connected to one communication device;
A wireless communication unit that is connected to the connection terminal unit and communicates with the one communication device via the communication cable and wirelessly communicates with another communication device. Connector.   The connector according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication unit is configured to receive power from the one communication device. A connection detector for detecting that the mating connector is connected;
The wireless communication unit performs wireless communication when the connection detector does not detect the connection of the counterpart connector, and stops wireless communication when the connection of the counterpart connector is detected. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is provided. A housing for accommodating the connection terminal portion;
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication unit is attached to the housing. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A power switch for turning on or off the power supply to the equipment mounted on the vehicle,
The in-vehicle communication system characterized in that the one communication device is mounted on the vehicle and supplies power to the wireless communication unit when power supply is turned on by the power switch. .   When the prime mover provided in the vehicle is operating, wired communication performed via the connection terminal portion between the one communication device and the other communication device is prohibited. The in-vehicle communication system according to claim 5,

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