JP2018136838A - Sensor device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sensor device capable of reducing power consumption by making a function of a communication part sleep and enabling sensing by the sensor device itself at necessary timing to improve convenience.SOLUTION: A communication part 8 is supplied with power from a battery power source +B and is capable of communicating with a master ECU2. Upon receiving a command from the master ECU2 through the communication part 8 in a normal mode M1, a control part 6 controls various sensor parts 5 according to the command. A power supply part 7 is configured to generate a stabilized power supply by inputting the battery power supply +B and to supply power to the control part 6 and the various sensor parts 5. When transmitting the sensor device body 3 from the normal mode M1 to a save mode, the control part 6 outputs an active level of a stop signal T to the communication part 8 to set a communication function with the master ECU2 to a sleep state, and a self holding signal S for instructing to maintain the power supply to the control part 6 itself to the power supply part 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a sensor device.

  For example, a large number of master and slave devices are connected to the vehicle network, and the devices cooperate to execute vehicle control. In general, the sensor device is used as a slave, includes a communication unit that communicates various information from the master in the normal mode, and operates by receiving a command from the master by a communication function (for example, see Patent Document 1). According to the technique described in Patent Document 1, when the slave receives a sleep instruction from the master, the slave shifts to the sleep mode (stopped state), and detects that the start pattern is output to the bus communication path to detect the wakeup mode. Transition to.

JP 2013-62725 A

  Even if the technique described in Patent Document 1 is used, the operation mode cannot be changed to the wake-up mode unless the wake-up command from the master is accepted by the communication function, and the scheduling load of the master and the wake-up power of the slave cannot be changed. Convenience such as consumption was inferior.

  An object of the present invention is to reduce the power consumption by sleeping the function of the communication unit, and to reduce the power consumption and the master scheduling load by enabling the sensor device to perform sensing at a necessary timing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sensor device that can improve convenience.

  The invention described in claim 1 includes a communication unit, a control unit, and a power supply unit. The communication unit is supplied with power from the first power supply and can communicate with the master. In addition, when the control unit receives a command from the master through the communication unit in the normal mode, the control unit controls the sensor according to the command.

  When the control unit shifts from the normal mode to the save mode, the control unit outputs an active level of a stop signal that sets the communication function with the master to the sleep state to the communication unit, and controls the power supply unit. A self-holding signal for instructing to maintain the supply of the second power source to the unit is output.

  For this reason, it is possible to reduce the power consumption because the function of the communication unit can be put to sleep, and since the control unit can maintain its own power supply and continue the control operation, no command from the master is required. Sensing can be performed by the sensor at the required timing. Thereby, for example, the sensor device can be monitored until the sensing target reaches a value that needs to be controlled, and the convenience such as reduction of the master scheduling load and power consumption of the sensor device can be improved.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration of a sensor device according to a first embodiment. State transition diagram of internal mode of sensor device Block diagram schematically showing a specific example of the electrical configuration of the sensor device Timing chart showing signal changes (1) Timing chart showing signal changes (2) Timing chart showing signal changes (part 3) Timing chart showing signal changes (Part 4) Timing chart showing signal changes (Part 5) Timing chart showing signal changes (Part 6) Timing chart showing signal changes (7) The block diagram which shows roughly the electrical structure of the sensor apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. Timing chart showing signal changes (8) Timing chart showing signal changes (9) The block diagram which shows roughly the electric constitution of the sensor apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. Timing chart showing signal changes (10) Timing chart showing signal change (11)

  Hereinafter, several embodiments of the sensor device will be described with reference to the drawings. For the same or similar configurations between the embodiments, the same or similar reference numerals are given to the second and subsequent embodiments, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as necessary. Do.

(First embodiment)
1 to 10 show a first embodiment. FIG. 1 schematically shows an electrical configuration of a communication system 1 for a vehicle. The communication system 1 is mounted on a vehicle, and is configured by connecting a plurality of communication nodes 2 and 3 through a bus communication path 4 such as LIN. These communication nodes 2 and 3 are, for example, a body system ECU (for example, a body wiper ECU) 2 and various sensor devices 3. The sensor device 3 corresponds to the sensor device main body described in the claims.

  The communication system 1 operates as one of a large number of communication nodes 2 and 3 as a master (hereinafter referred to as master ECU 2) and the other communication node as a slave (hereinafter referred to as sensor device 3). Is mainly composed of a microcomputer (not shown) having, for example, a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O port, etc., and information obtained by communication processing with the sensor device 3 via the bus communication path 4 Various processes can be executed based on the above.

  The sensor device 3 connects the bus communication path 4 to the communication terminal 3a. The sensor device 3 includes various sensor units 5 (sensor modules 5A to 5E), a control unit 6, a power supply unit 7, and a communication unit 8. The control unit 6 includes one or a plurality of blocks such as a microcomputer and / or ASIC, and includes various functions such as a scheduler function.

  The sensor device 3 is operable by supplying battery power + B (corresponding to the first power supply) to the power supply unit 7 and the communication unit 8, and as shown in the state transition diagram in FIG. Along with M0, each mode includes a normal mode M1, a save mode (low power consumption mode) M2, a wake-up mode M3, and a sleep mode M4, and processes according to the modes M0 to M4 and transitions between these modes. To do. Details of the state transition between these modes M0 to M4 will be described later.

  FIG. 3 shows a specific example. As shown in FIG. 3, as a configuration corresponding to the sensor modules 5A to 5E in FIG. 1, a rain sensor 5A using an LED and a photodiode (not shown), a light quantity sensor 5B, a solar radiation sensor 5C, a humidity sensor 5D, a temperature sensor using a thermistor, etc. It can be applied to a configuration in which 5E, etc. are connected in parallel.

  For example, an open roof type vehicle is provided. This open roof specification vehicle can open the roof by opening a part of its upper surface like a skylight.For example, a glass or thin steel plate slides to open and close the skylight. Or the cloth expands and contracts in a bellows shape and opens and closes the skylight. In such a vehicle, it is necessary to close the skylight by detecting rain using the rain sensor 5A or the like.

  For this reason, the rain sensor 5A must be energized from the battery power source + B even when the vehicle is stopped or the vehicle engine is stopped, and it is required to close the skylight portion with a closing mechanism (not shown) at the timing when rain is detected. The For this reason, this rain sensor 5A is connected to the battery power source + B through the power source unit 7 so as to be able to supply power, and operates using a battery power source + B of a different system from the ignition power source. For example, the rain sensor 5A is attached to the upper center of the front window of the vehicle, and usually can detect raindrops. Usually, when detecting a raindrop, the LED emits infrared light and the infrared light of the LED is received by a photodiode. At this time, if raindrops are present in the light emission path of the LED, the amount of light received by the photodiode changes, thereby making it possible to detect the presence or absence of raindrops and detecting the amount of raindrops according to the amount of light received by the photodiode. Various sensor modules 5B to 5E can sense various conditions such as raindrops, temperature, and humidity.

  The power supply unit 7 generates a stabilized DC voltage (for example, 5V: equivalent to the second power supply) from the battery power supply + B, and can supply the DC voltage to the control unit 6 and the sensor modules 5A to 5E. The communication unit 8 is configured by a transceiver to which battery power + B is directly supplied, and is configured to be able to communicate with the master ECU 2 by being connected to the bus communication path 4.

  The operation in the above configuration will be described. 4 to 10 show the transition states between the modes M0 to M4 with schematic timing charts. Hereinafter, each mode M0-M4 and the transition between those modes are demonstrated.

<M0: Power off OFF>
In the power OFF OFF state M0, the battery power + B is not supplied to the communication unit 8 and the power supply unit 7. For this reason, the communication unit 8 is in an operation-off state, and the power supply unit 7 does not generate a stabilized power supply (second power supply). Therefore, no power is supplied to the control unit 6 and the various sensor units 5.

<M0 → M1: Power off OFF → Normal mode Normal>
For the state transition, see M0 → M1 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, when the battery power source + B is supplied to the inside of the sensor device 3 at the timing t1, the communication unit 8 starts from the off state to the power on state, and the active level “H” of the start signal W at the timing t2. Is output to the power supply unit 7. When the power supply unit 7 receives the active level “H” of the activation signal W, the power supply unit 7 generates a stabilized power supply and supplies it to the control unit 6 and the various sensor units 5. Then, the control unit 6 and the various sensor units 5 are activated, but when the control unit 6 completes activation from the power-on state, the stop signal T is output to the communication unit 8 as a non-active level “H” at timing t3. When the communication unit 8 receives the non-active level “H” of the stop signal T after the time tnrml, the communication unit 8 enters the normal state (after timing t4). As a result, the sensor device 3 can accept data and instructions from the bus communication path 4 at timing t4, and transitions to the normal mode M1. When the control unit 6 receives a command from the master ECU 2 through the communication unit 8 in the normal mode M1, the control unit 6 can control the various sensor units 5 according to the command.

<M1 → M2, M2a: Normal mode Normal → Save mode Save>
For the state transition, see M1 → M2 and M2a in FIG. The controller 6 receives the command from the master ECU 2 and causes the sensor device 3 to transition to the save mode (low power consumption mode). At this time, processing is executed as shown in FIG. In the normal mode M1, the power supply unit 7 supplies power to the various sensor units 5 and the control unit 6.

  The control unit 6 first instructs the power supply unit 7 to maintain the power supply of the control unit 6 by outputting the active level “H” of the self-holding signal S to the power supply unit 7 at the timing t10, and the active level of the stop signal T at the timing t11. “L” is output to the communication unit 8. The self-holding signal S is a command signal for the control unit 6 to command to maintain its own power supply. When the self-holding signal S is output to the power supply unit 7 as an active level “H”, the control unit 6 The power supply is held (see S power supply in FIG. 1).

  At this time, the communication unit 8 receives the active level “L” of the stop signal T after the time tslp, and outputs the non-active level “L” of the activation signal W to the power supply unit 7 at timing t12. Further, when the stop signal T is set to the active level “L”, the communication unit 8 sets the communication function with the master ECU 2 to the sleep state at the timing t12.

  The power supply unit 7 inputs the non-active level “L” of the activation signal W from the communication unit 8 while inputting the active level “H” of the self-holding signal S from the control unit 6. The power supply to the various sensor units 5 is stopped while maintaining the above. Thereby, it is possible to shift to the save mode M2. In the save mode M2, it is desirable that the power supply unit 7 stops all functions other than the control unit by stopping all power supply to the control unit 6 in order to reduce power consumption.

  When the sensor device 3 detects, for example, the presence / absence of raindrops intermittently or periodically, for example, at intervals of several hundred msec to several seconds, the control unit 6 uses the built-in scheduler function to detect the sensor modules 5A to 5C for each of these cycles. 5E is activated (see state transition M2a in FIG. 2). It is not always necessary to detect intermittently or periodically.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 6 outputs the stop signal T to the communication unit 8 as the non-active level “H” at the timing t <b> 13, so that the communication unit 8 outputs to the power supply unit 7 at the timing t <b> 14. The signal W is set to the active level “H”. Thereby, the power supply unit 7 supplies power to the various sensor units 5, and the control unit 6 can sense necessary information (for example, presence or absence of raindrops by the rain sensor 5 </ b> A) by the various sensor units 5. At this time, the communication unit 8 is in a normal state and can perform normal communication through the communication terminal 3a and the bus communication path 4.

  For example, when the weather is fine and the rain sensor 5A detects no raindrop and trigger detection is not performed, the control unit 6 sets the stop signal T to the active level “L” at the timing t15, thereby generating the activation signal W at the timing t16. The non-active level is “L”. Thereby, the power supply of sensor module 5A-5E can be stopped, and reduction in power consumption can be achieved. When the trigger is not detected, the control unit 6 of the sensor device 3 repeats various sensor units 5 intermittently or periodically (state transition of M2a in FIG. 2).

<M2 → M1: Save mode Save (XX) → Normal mode Normal>
For state transition, see M2 → M1 in FIG. When the sensor device 3 is in the save mode M2, as shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 6 outputs the stop signal T as the active level “L” and the self-holding signal S as the active level “H”. When the external master ECU 2 starts the sensor device 3 from the save mode M2 and makes a transition to the normal mode M1, the master ECU 2 outputs a wake-up command to the bus communication path 4 at timing t20 as shown in FIG. The communication unit 8 of the sensor device 3 receives the wake-up command with reference to the bus communication path 4. When the communication unit 8 receives the wake-up command, the communication unit 8 changes from the sleep state to the standby state at the timing t21 and notifies the control unit 6 of the transition. The communication unit 8 outputs the activation signal W as an active level “H” to the power supply unit 7, and the power supply unit 7 supplies power to the various sensor units 5. Thereby, the various sensor parts 5 can sense various states by the sensor modules 5A to 5E.

  Thereafter, the control unit 6 of the sensor device 3 changes the self-holding signal S to the non-active level “L” at the timing t22 and changes the stop signal T to the non-active level “H” at the timing t23. The unit 8 is changed to the normal state at the timing t24. Thereby, the sensor apparatus 3 shifts to the normal mode M1. The sensor device 3 can execute communication processing through the bus communication path 4 by the communication unit 8 in the normal mode M1.

<M2 → M3: Save mode activation state Save (ON) → Wakeup mode>
For the state transition, see M2 → M3 in FIG. For example, as described above with respect to the state transition M2a, the power supply unit 7 of the sensor device 3 intermittently and periodically supplies the power of the various sensor units 5 to intermittently and periodically start the various sensor units 5. Then, the sensor device 3 is activated in the save mode M2 (Save (ON)). At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 6 of the sensor device 3 outputs the stop signal T as the non-active level “H” and the self-holding signal S as the active level “H”. Here, when the control unit 6 of the sensor device 3 detects a trigger (for example, when the weather becomes rainy and the rain sensor 5A determines that there is a raindrop), the control unit 6 continues the communication process using the communication unit 8 as it is. Therefore, the control unit 6 sets the self-holding signal S to the non-active level “L” at the timing t30. As a result, the control unit 6 can shift the sensor device 3 itself to the wake-up mode M3, shift to the activated state, and enter a communication standby state with the master ECU 2.

<M3 → M1: Wakeup mode Wakeup → Normal mode Normal>
For the state transition, see M3 → M1 in FIG. For example, as shown in the description of the state transition M2 → M3, when the sensor device 3 shifts to the wake-up mode M3, the communication unit 8 tries communication processing with the master ECU 2. As a result of the communication unit 8 attempting communication processing with the master ECU 2, if communication is successful, all signals (stop signal T, start signal W, self-holding signal S) are held as they are as shown in FIG. Thereby, the sensor apparatus 3 shifts to the normal mode M1. In the normal mode M1, the control unit 6 can continue the communication process through the communication unit 8. For this reason, the sensor device 3 can continuously transmit the rainfall to the master ECU 2 using the sensor detection result of the rain sensor 5A even when raindrops are continuously detected using the rain sensor 5A, for example.

<M3 → M4: Wakeup mode Wakeup (all modes XX) → Sleep mode Sleep>
For the state transition, see M3 → M4 in FIG. For example, as shown in the description of the state transition M3 → M1, when the sensor device 3 shifts to the wake-up mode M3, the communication unit 8 tries communication processing with the master ECU 2, but the communication unit 8 uses the master ECU 2. As shown in FIG. 9, when the communication process fails as a result of the communication processing between the control unit 6 and the control unit 6, the control unit 6 sets the stop signal T to the active level “L” at the timing t40, and passes through the delay time tslp. The communication unit 8 is changed from the normal state to the sleep state. Then, the communication unit 8 outputs the activation signal W as the non-active level “L” to the power supply unit 7 at timing t41. As a result, the power supply unit 7 receives both the self-holding signal S and the activation signal W as non-active levels, and stops any power supply to the control unit 6 and the various sensor units 5 (power supply ON → OFF). . Thereby, the sensor apparatus 3 stops including the function of the various sensor parts 5 and the function of the control part 6 by shifting to sleep mode M4. At this time, the function is not restored unless there is a return request (normal wake-up command) from the master ECU 2.

<M1 → M4: Normal mode Normal (all modes XX) → Sleep mode Sleep>
For the state transition, see M1 → M4 in FIG. When the sensor device 3 is in the normal mode M1, the stop signal T is held at the non-active level “H”, the activation signal W is held at the active level “H”, and the self-holding signal S is held at the non-active level “L”. (See FIG. 4). At this time, when the master ECU 2 outputs the sleep mode command of the sensor device 3 to the bus communication path 4 and the sensor device 3 receives the sleep mode command of the bus communication path 4, the master ECU 2 shifts to the sleep mode M4.

  At this time, the same signal change as in FIG. 9 referred to above is performed. As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 6 changes the communication unit 8 from the normal state to the sleep state by setting the stop signal T to the active level “L” at the timing t40. Then, the communication unit 8 outputs the activation signal W as the non-active level “L” to the power supply unit 7 at timing t41. Since the power supply unit 7 accepts both the self-holding signal S and the activation signal W as non-active levels, the power supply to any of the control unit 6 and the various sensor units 5 is stopped (power supply ON → OFF). As a result, the sensor device 3 stops including the functions of the various sensor units 5 and the control unit 6 by shifting to the sleep mode M4, as long as there is no return request (normal wake-up command) from the master ECU 2. The function is not restored.

<M4 → M1: Sleep mode Sleep → Normal mode Normal>
For the state transition, see M4 → M1 in FIG. When the sensor device 3 is in the sleep mode M4, since the power is not supplied to the control unit 6, the control unit 6 cannot self-control the sensor device 3. Therefore, the stop signal T is maintained at the active level “L” (= ground level), the start signal W is maintained at the non-active level “L”, and the self-holding signal S is maintained at the non-active level “L”.

  At this time, when the master ECU 2 issues a normal wakeup command to the bus communication path 4 at timing t50, and the sensor device 3 accepts the normal wakeup command, the communication unit 8 shifts from the sleep state to the power-on state at timing t51. Then, the activation signal W is output to the power supply unit 7 as the active level “H”. The power supply unit 7 restarts the power supply to the control unit 6 and the various sensor units 5 by receiving the active level “H” of the activation signal W (power supply OFF → ON).

  After that, when the control unit 6 starts up normally, the stop signal T is output to the communication unit 8 as the non-active level “H” at timing t52. When the communication unit 8 receives the stop signal T through the delay time tnrml, At timing t53, it is possible to shift to a normal state in which normal communication processing with the external master ECU 2 is possible. Thereby, the sensor apparatus 3 shifts to the normal mode M <b> 1 and can restore the functions of the control unit 6 and the various sensor units 5.

<Specific Explanation of Overall Flow via State Transition M1 → M2 (M2a) → M3 → M1 of Sensor Device 3>
In short, in the sensor device 3, the control unit 6 can set the sensor device 3 itself to the save mode M2 by a save mode command from the master ECU 2. Then, the control unit 6 can intermittently supply power to the various sensor units 5 to start and trigger detection (for example, detection of the presence or absence of raindrops using the rain sensor 5A) (M2a). Thereby, power consumption can be reduced.

  When the trigger is detected, the control unit 6 shifts to the normal mode M1 through the wake-up mode M3. For example, in the specific example of FIG. 3, when the rain sensor 5A detects the occurrence of rain as a trigger, the mode is shifted to the normal mode M1. Then, the sensor device 3 transmits a trigger to the master ECU 2 through the bus communication path 4 by the communication unit 8. Thereafter, when receiving this trigger, the master ECU 2 gives a detailed command to the sensor device 3 when detailed control (for example, detection of rainfall) is required. Thereby, master ECU2 can acquire detailed information (for example, rainfall).

  In this way, even if the sensor device 3 is operated using the battery power source + B, trigger detection can be performed by sensing periodically and intermittently while reducing power consumption in the save mode M2, and trigger detection. When it does, detailed information can be acquired and transmitted to the master ECU 2 by shifting to the normal mode M1 and receiving a detailed command from the master ECU 2. In this case, the operation mode can be switched according to the presence or absence of trigger detection.

<Description of the overall flow of the state transition M1 → M4 → M1 of the sensor device 3>
When the sensor device 3 is in the normal mode M1, the master ECU 2 outputs a sleep mode command to the bus communication path 4, and when the sensor device 3 accepts the sleep mode command, the sensor device 3 shifts to the sleep mode M4. . When the sensor device 3 shifts to the sleep mode M4, neither the control unit 6 nor the various sensor units 5 are supplied with power. For this reason, the control part 6 cannot start the sensor apparatus 3 itself, and does not detect a trigger as mentioned above. Thereby, the power supply of the control part 6 can also be reduced and also power consumption can be reduced. When the communication device 8 receives a normal wakeup command from the master ECU 2 when the sensor device 3 is in the sleep mode M4, the sensor device 3 can shift to the normal mode M1.

<Summary of effects according to this embodiment>
According to this embodiment as described above, the following operational effects can be obtained. For example, when the sensor device 3 is shifted to the save mode M2, the control unit 6 outputs the active level “H” of the self-holding signal S to the power supply unit 7 so that the control unit 6 itself can maintain the operation. After that, the communication unit 8 can be put into the sleep state by outputting the active level “L” of the stop signal T to the communication unit 8. Thereby, the power consumption of the communication unit 8 can be reduced and the power consumption can be reduced.

  In addition, since the power supply is maintained for the control unit 6 of the sensor device 3, the control unit 6 is activated by outputting a non-active level “L” of the stop signal T to the communication unit 8 at a timing required by itself. The signal W can be set to the active level “H”, and power can be supplied from the power supply unit 7 to the various sensor units 5. As a result, sensing can be performed by the various sensor units 5.

  Moreover, when the communication unit 8 outputs the activation signal W as the non-active level “L” to the power supply unit 7, the power supply unit 7 maintains the power supply of the control unit 6, but stops the power supply of the various sensor units 5. Therefore, the power consumption of the various sensor units 5 can be reduced, and the power consumption can be further reduced.

  When the control unit 6 puts the communication unit 8 in the sleep state, the various sensor units 5 can be activated independently from the master ECU 2 and can be operated independently only on the sensor device 3 side. As a result, the power consumption of the sensor device 3 can be reduced and the scheduling load of the master ECU 2 can be reduced. However, even if the sensor device 3 is in the save mode M2 and the various sensor units 5 can be intermittently activated independently of the master ECU 2, the communication unit 8 of the sensor device 3 is in the normal mode from the master ECU 2. If the command is accepted, normal communication processing can be performed with the master ECU 2 by shifting to the normal mode M1.

  Moreover, the control part 6 is supplying the power so that the various sensor parts 5 may be started from the power supply part 7 periodically and intermittently by a scheduler function. As a result, sensing can be performed by the various sensor units 5 (for example, the presence or absence of raindrops can be detected with a trigger). For example, when the trigger is not detected by the various sensor units 5, the control unit 6 stops the communication unit 8 and the various sensor units 5 again, and repeats so that the communication unit 8 and the various sensor units 5 are intermittently activated by the scheduler function.

  When the control unit 6 detects a trigger by the various sensor units 5, the sensor device 3 transits from the save mode M2 to the normal mode M1 through the wake-up mode M3, and can notify the master ECU 2 of this trigger detection. Thereafter, normal communication processing can be performed in the normal mode M1, and detailed control (for example, acquisition of raindrop amount) can be performed as necessary.

  Moreover, since the power supply unit 7 of the sensor device 3 can stop the power supply to the control unit 6 by a command from the master ECU 2 (M1 → M4), the function of the control unit 6 of the sensor device 3 is stopped. That is, the functions of the control unit 6 and various sensor units 5 can be stopped, and in this case, the power consumption can be further reduced. Except for putting the communication unit 8 in the sleep state, all the functions in the sensor device 3 may be stopped.

  When the sensor device 3 operates periodically and intermittently independently in the save mode M2, trigger detection is performed by the various sensor units 5, and when normal communication is performed in the normal mode M1, the details sensed by the various sensor units 5 are detected. Information can be notified. Therefore, sensing can be performed by changing the roles in the save mode M2 and the normal mode M1.

(Second Embodiment)
11 to 13 show additional explanatory views of the second embodiment. FIG. 11 shows an electrical configuration block in place of FIG. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. The parts different from those in the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  In the sensor device 3 according to the first embodiment, the communication unit 8 sets the active level “H” of the activation signal W by setting the stop signal T output from the control unit 6 to the communication unit 8 to the non-active level “H”. The power is output to the power supply unit 7 so that the power supply unit 7 supplies power to the various sensor units 5.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in the configuration example of the sensor device 103 in FIG. 11, in addition to the function of the sensor device 3, the control unit 6 can output a sensor activation signal WA to the power supply unit 7. The sensor activation signal WA is a high active signal for directly activating various sensor units 5 without using the communication unit 8. That is, in the first embodiment, the control unit 6 indirectly instructs the power supply unit 7 through the communication unit 8 to supply / stop the power supply of the various sensor units 5. The unit 6 can directly supply / stop the power of the various sensor units 5 to the power unit 7.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the normal mode M1, the control unit 6 outputs the sensor activation signal WA as the non-active level “L” to the power source unit 7. The sensor activation signal WA is invalid when the activation signal W output from the communication unit 8 is at the active level “H”.

<M1 → M2, M2a: Normal mode Normal → Save mode Save>
For the state transition, see M1 → M2 in FIG. The controller 6 receives the command from the master ECU 2 and causes the sensor device 3 to transition to the save mode (low power consumption mode). At this time, processing is executed as shown in FIG.

  First, the control unit 6 sets the self-holding signal S to the active level “H” at the timing t60, and then sets the stop signal T to the active level “L” at the timing t61 to put the communication unit 8 in the sleep state after the delay time tslp. To migrate. Then, the communication unit 8 outputs the activation signal W as a non-active level “L” to the power supply unit 7 at timing t62, and the power supply unit 7 stops the power supply of the various sensor units 5 (power supply ON → OFF).

  Thereafter, when the control unit 6 is intermittently and periodically supplied with power to the various sensor units 5 to be activated, the sensor activation signal WA is set to the active level “H” (see timings t63 to t64). When the activation signal W output from the communication unit 8 to the power supply unit 7 is the non-active level “L”, but the sensor activation signal WA input to the power supply unit 7 is at the active level “H”, the power supply unit 7 supplies power to various sensor units 5. Then, the various sensor units 5 can be sensed by the sensor modules 5A to 5E, respectively. Since other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

<M2 → M3: Save mode activation state Save (ON) → Wakeup mode>
When the trigger is detected by operating the various sensor units 5, the control unit 6 sets the stop signal T to the non-active level “H” at the timing t70 in FIG. The communication unit 8 is shifted to the normal state via tnrml. Then, the communication unit 8 maintains the power supply state by the power supply unit 7 by setting the activation signal W to the active level “H” at the timing t71.

  Thereafter, the control unit 6 sets the self-holding signal S and the sensor activation signal WA to the non-active level “L” at the timing t72. As a result, the sensor device 3 can be shifted to the wake-up mode M3, and then the sensor device 3 shifts to the normal mode M1 if the communication unit 8 succeeds in communication with the master ECU 2 and can establish communication. Thereby, there exists an effect similar to the above-mentioned embodiment.

  According to the present embodiment, the control unit 6 outputs the active level “H” of the sensor activation signal WA to the power supply unit 7 to supply power to the various sensor units 5, and to supply the sensor activation signal WA to the power supply unit 7. By outputting as the active level “L”, the power supply (corresponding to the second power supply) supplied to the various sensor units 5 is stopped. For this reason, as shown in the first embodiment, it is not necessary to provide the power supply unit 7 with the activation signal W for activating the various sensor units 5 via the communication unit 8. Thereby, it is not necessary to activate the communication unit 8 even when the various sensor units 5 are activated in the save mode M2, and the power consumption can be further reduced as compared with the first embodiment.

(Third embodiment)
14 to 16 show additional explanatory diagrams of the third embodiment. FIG. 14 schematically shows an electric configuration in place of FIGS. 1 and 10 in a block diagram.

  When all the sensor modules 5A to 5E of the various sensor units 5 in the sensor devices 3 and 103 in the above-described embodiment operate, the power consumption increases. If the ignition switch for turning on the power is on and the internal combustion engine is operating, the battery is charged with electric power. However, when the ignition switch is turned off, for example, when the sensor devices 3 and 103 are operating only with the battery power supply + B, the power consumption of the battery power supply + B becomes large, which is not preferable. For this reason, it is desirable to stop the operation of the sensor modules 5A to 5E even partly to reduce power consumption.

  FIG. 14 shows a configuration example of the sensor device 203. As shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of sensor activation signals WA <b> 1 and WA <b> 2 to the power supply unit 7 that the control unit 6 outputs to the power supply unit 7 may be provided. That is, in FIG. 14, the sensor module 5A is configured to be activated by the sensor activation signal WA1, and the sensor modules 5B to 5E are configured to be activated by the sensor activation signal WA2, thereby providing a plurality of sensor modules 5A to 5E. The power can be supplied individually.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 15, when shifting from the normal mode M1 to the save mode M2, the control unit 6 first outputs the active level “H” of the self-holding signal S to the power supply unit 7 at timing t81. The control unit 6 is instructed to maintain the power supply, and the active level “L” of the stop signal T is output to the communication unit 8 at timing t82. At this time, the communication unit 8 receives the active level “L” of the stop signal T after the time tslp, and outputs the non-active level “L” of the activation signal W to the power supply unit 7 at timing t83.

  Thereafter, the control unit 6 outputs the active level “H” of the sensor activation signal WA1 to the power supply unit 7 at timings t84 to t85, so that the power supply (WA1 power supply) for the sensor module 5A can be supplied to the power supply unit 7. . In addition, the control unit 6 outputs the active level “H” of the sensor activation signal WA2 to the power supply unit 7 at timings t86 to t87, so that the power supply (WA2 power supply) for the sensor modules 5B to 5E is supplied to the power supply unit 7. it can. Thereby, it is possible to independently supply / stop power to the sensor modules 5A to 5E.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, if the trigger level is detected in any of the sensor modules 5A to 5E by outputting the active level “H” of the sensor activation signals WA1 and WA2, the control unit 6 causes the stop signal T Is set to the non-active level “H” at the timing t91, and the communication unit 8 returns from the sleep state to the normal state after the time tnrml. At the timing t92, the communication unit 8 sets the activation signal W to the active level “H”. Power can be supplied from the unit 7 to the sensor modules 5A to 5E. Thereafter, the control unit 6 sets the sensor activation signals WA1 and WA2 and the self-holding signal S to the non-active level “L” at the timing t93.

  If the trigger is detected in any of the sensor modules 5A to 5E, the sensor device 3 shifts to the wake-up mode M3 in response to the trigger, and if the communication with the master ECU 2 can be established, the sensor device 3 is Transition to normal mode M1 is possible. Thereby, there exists an effect similar to the above-mentioned embodiment.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and for example, the following modifications or expansions are possible.

  As a specific example, the present invention is applied to a form in which a rain sensor 5A is used to detect the presence or absence of raindrops intermittently and periodically, and then the rainfall is detected by communicating between the master ECU 2 and the sensor device 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, when applied to the solar radiation sensor 5C, the sensor device 3 triggers whether or not the solar radiation sensor 5C has intermittently and periodically exceeded a predetermined threshold that the solar radiation amount is assumed to be uncomfortable in the save mode M2. When the trigger is detected, the mode shifts to the normal mode M1, and communication between the master ECU 2 and the sensor device 3 detects the amount of solar radiation in detail or performs detailed control (for example, the amount of blown air from the air conditioner). You may apply to the form which carries out increase control.

  Furthermore, for example, the sensor device 3 is applied to a temperature sensor 5D that measures various temperatures, and the sensor device 3 is assumed to be assumed to be uncomfortable in the save mode M2 by the temperature sensor 5D intermittently and periodically. A mode in which whether the threshold value is exceeded is detected as a trigger, and when the trigger is detected, a transition is made to the normal mode M1, and various temperatures are detected and controlled in detail by communicating between the master ECU 2 and the sensor device 3. You may apply to. The same applies when the humidity sensor 5E is used.

  Although the description has been mainly given of the mode in which the sensor device 3 shifts to the normal mode M1 when the trigger is detected in the save mode M2, and performs the detailed detection, it is not limited to this control method. For example, the sensor devices 3, 103, 203 may detect in detail in the save mode M2.

Although the form provided with two or more sensor modules 5A-5E was shown, it is not limited to this, You may apply to the sensor apparatus provided with one sensor module.
The reference numerals in parentheses described in the claims indicate the correspondence with the specific means described in the embodiment described above as one aspect of the present invention, and limit the technical scope of the present invention. It is not a thing. An aspect in which a part of the above-described embodiment is omitted as long as the problem can be solved can be regarded as the embodiment. In addition, any conceivable aspect can be regarded as an embodiment as long as it does not depart from the essence of the invention specified by the words described in the claims.

  Moreover, although this invention was described based on embodiment mentioned above, it understands that this invention is not limited to the said embodiment and structure. The present invention includes various modifications and modifications within an equivalent range. In addition, various combinations and forms, as well as other combinations and forms including one element, more or less, are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

In the drawing, 2 is a master ECU (master), 3, 103 and 203 are sensor devices (sensor device body), 5 is various sensor units (sensors), 6 is a control unit, 7 is a power supply unit, 8 is a communication unit, T Indicates a stop signal, S indicates a self-holding signal, and WA, WA1 and WA2 indicate sensor activation signals.

Claims (8)

A communication unit (8) that is supplied with power from the first power supply (+ B) and can communicate with the master (2);
A control unit (6) for controlling a sensor in response to the command when receiving a command from the master through the communication unit in the normal mode (M1);
A power source unit (7) that inputs the first power source to generate a second power source and that can supply the second power source to the control unit and the sensor;
When the control unit shifts the sensor device main body from the normal mode to the save mode (M2), the control unit sets an active level of a stop signal (T) that sets a communication function with the master to a sleep state to the communication unit. A sensor device that outputs a self-holding signal (S) for instructing the power supply unit to maintain the supply of the second power supply to the control unit.   When the control unit outputs a self-holding signal for instructing to maintain the supply of the second power supply to the control unit to the power supply unit, the power supply unit supplies the second power supply to the control unit. 2. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein functions other than the control unit are stopped by maintaining the supply and stopping the second power supply supplied to the sensor.   The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit is configured to be able to stop the supply of the second power supply to the control unit according to a command from the master.   The control unit outputs an active level of a stop signal to the communication unit, so that the communication unit outputs a non-active level of a self-holding signal (S) to the power supply unit, whereby the power supply unit supplies the sensor to the sensor The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the second power supply is stopped.   The control unit outputs a sensor activation signal (WA, WA1, WA2) as an active level to the power supply unit, thereby causing the power supply unit to supply the sensor with the second power supply and causing the power supply unit to supply the sensor activation signal. The sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second power source supplied to the sensor is stopped by outputting as a non-active level.   The sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit detects a trigger by the sensor in the save mode, and performs detailed control by the sensor in the normal mode.   The sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a battery power source (+ B) for a vehicle is used as the first power source. The sensor is composed of various sensor units (5) configured by combining a plurality of sensor modules (5A to 5E),
The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit is configured to be able to individually supply power to a plurality of sensor modules of the various sensor units.

Images