JP2021060202A - Vehicle timer correction device - Google Patents

Abstract

To accurately activate a timer function.SOLUTION: A device 100 comprises: a UI unit 6 having a timer part 60 whose deviation amount with respect to a reference time is a first time; an ICM 4 having a timer part 40 whose deviation amount with respect to the reference time is a second time that is longer than the first time; a setting part 41 for setting a starting time of the ICM 4 based on time measurement by the timer 40; a storage part 44 for storing a time based on time measurement by the timer 60 when the starting time is set by the setting part 41; and an estimation part 42 for estimating an error due to the time measurement by the timer 40 generated during a period from the time stored by the storage part 44 to the starting time set by the setting part 41. The device 100 corrects the time measured by the timer 40 based on the time measured by the timer 60 a second predetermined time before the starting time set by the setting part 41 when the error estimated by the estimation part 42 exceeds a first predetermined time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle timer correction device that corrects a vehicle timer function.

Conventionally, there is known a device that sets a charging start time and a charging end time of an electric vehicle based on setting information input from a mobile terminal (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the device described in Patent Document 1, accurate time information is input at the same time as inputting information on charging start time and charging end time from a mobile terminal, and based on these input information, a count possessed by a device mounted on an electric vehicle is obtained. The function is fixed.

JP-A-2009-89474

However, the counting function of the vehicle equipment does not always have sufficient accuracy, and there is a possibility that the timer function cannot be operated accurately due to the accumulation of errors with the passage of time.

The vehicle timer correction device according to one aspect of the present invention has a first device having a first time portion in which the deviation amount with respect to the reference time is the first time, and a second time in which the deviation amount with respect to the reference time is longer than the first time. It depends on the second device having the second time section, the setting unit that sets the start time of the second device based on the time by the second time section, and the first time section when the start time is set by the setting unit. It includes a storage unit that stores the time based on the timekeeping, and an estimation unit that estimates an error due to the timekeeping of the second timekeeping unit that occurs between the time stored in the storage unit and the start time set by the setting unit. When the error estimated by the estimation unit exceeds the first predetermined time, the vehicle timer correction device is based on the time measured by the first timekeeping unit, which is the second predetermined time before the start time set by the setting unit. The time measured by the second time unit is corrected.

According to the present invention, the timer function can be operated with high accuracy.

The figure which shows typically an example of the structure of the vehicle timer correction device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows roughly the main part structure of the vehicle timer correction device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure for demonstrating the correction by the correction part of FIG. The flowchart which shows an example of the process executed by the vehicle timer correction device which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle timer correction device (hereinafter, device) 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle 1 composed of an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle such as a PHV (Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle) or a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) has a plurality (4 in the example of FIG. 1). The ECU (electronic control unit) 2 of the unit) is mounted. The plurality of ECUs 2 include a charge control ECU 2a that controls charging of a high-voltage battery that supplies electric power to the traveling motor of the vehicle 1, an air conditioner control ECU 2b that controls the operation of the air conditioner, an engine control ECU 2c, and a transmission control ECU 2d. Etc., ECUs with different functions are included.

Each ECU 2 is configured to include a computer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, and other peripheral circuits, and various types are based on various sensors (not shown), signals from other ECUs 2, etc. according to a program stored in the memory in advance. Take control. Each ECU 2 is connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a serial communication line 3 such as a CAN (Controller Area Network) communication line, and is also connected to a bus function integrated unit (hereinafter, ICM (Integrated Control Module)) 4. Ru.

The ICM4 is configured to include a computer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and other peripheral circuits, relays data signals transmitted and received between the communication lines 3 according to a program stored in the memory in advance, and is used by a plurality of ECUs 2. Control the operation in an integrated manner. Further, the ICM4 is a timekeeping unit (RTC (Real Time Clock)) capable of constantly supplying power from a low-voltage battery mounted on the vehicle 1 and measuring the elapsed time from a specific time even when the ignition switch of the vehicle 1 is off. )) Has 40. As a result, for example, a timer function such as activating the charge control ECU 2a to charge the high-voltage battery of the vehicle 1 at a designated time or activating the air conditioner control ECU 2b to operate the air conditioner of the vehicle 1 is activated. Can be done.

The ICM 4 is further connected to a gateway 5 that relays data signals transmitted and received between the communication lines 3 via the communication line 3. The gateway 5 includes a computer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and other peripheral circuits, and relays data signals transmitted and received between the communication lines 3 according to a program stored in the memory in advance. The gateway 5 is further connected to a user interface unit (hereinafter, UI unit) 6 and a telematics control unit (hereinafter, TCU (Telematics Control Unit)) 7 via a communication line 3.

The UI unit 6 is composed of a navigation unit, an audio system, a meter unit, and the like that function as an interface with the user of the vehicle 1. The UI unit 6 has a display unit such as a liquid crystal display incorporated in an instrument panel provided in front of the driver's seat of the vehicle 1, an operation unit such as a touch panel and a keyboard, and a control unit. The control unit of the UI unit 6 is configured to include a computer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, and other peripheral circuits, and various information and other ECUs 2 input via the operation unit according to a program stored in the memory in advance. The display of the display unit is controlled based on the signal from. Further, various information input via the operation unit is transmitted to the plurality of ECUs 2 via the communication line 3, and various information is received from the plurality of ECUs 2. The UI unit 6 may have a speaker or the like that outputs sound in addition to the display unit.

Further, the UI unit 6 has a time measuring unit 60 which is constantly supplied with power from a low-voltage battery mounted on the vehicle 1 and is composed of a quartz clock or the like to measure the time. Further, the UI unit 6 is connected to a GPS device 8 that receives a positioning signal including accurate time information from a GPS satellite and measures the current position of the vehicle 1. The timekeeping unit 60 is calibrated based on accurate time information received from GPS satellites. That is, the time measured by the time measuring unit 60 is periodically synchronized with the accurate time.

The user of the vehicle 1 can instruct the charging of the high-voltage battery of the vehicle 1 and the operation of the air conditioner by designating the time via the operation unit of the UI unit 6. For example, it is possible to specify a time such as nighttime when the vehicle 1 is not used, and instruct charging of the vehicle 1 connected to a power source such as a home in advance via a charging cable. Alternatively, the pre-air conditioning in the vehicle can be commanded by designating the time before using the vehicle 1.

The control unit of the UI unit 6 transmits the command information input by the user to the ICM 4 via the gateway 5. In this case, the designated time is converted into the time from the current time that can be measured by the time measuring unit 40 to the designated time (for example, the time in seconds) in the ICM4. The ICM4 clocks the time from the current time to the designated time by the timing unit 40 based on the command information received from the UI unit 6, and when the designated time is reached, the charge control ECU 2a is activated to activate the high voltage of the vehicle 1. Control to charge the battery. Alternatively, the air conditioner control ECU 2b is activated to control the air conditioner of the vehicle 1 to operate.

The TCU 7 controls a communication unit configured to enable wireless communication with an external device including a user terminal 9 such as a smartphone of the user of the vehicle 1 via a communication network such as a wireless communication network, an Internet network, or a telephone line network. Has a part. The control unit of the TCU 7 is configured to include a computer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, and other peripheral circuits, and controls the operation of the communication unit according to a program stored in the memory in advance. Further, various information received from an external device including the user terminal 9 via the communication unit is transmitted to the plurality of ECUs 2 via the communication line 3, and various information is received from the plurality of ECUs 2 to receive the received information. , Send to an external device via the communication unit.

Various information received by the TCU 7 from an external device including the user terminal 9 via the communication unit includes, for example, accurate time information received from an NTP (Network Time Protocol) server. Further, the TCU 7 has a time measuring unit 70 which is constantly supplied with power from a low-voltage battery mounted on the vehicle 1 and is composed of a quartz clock or the like to measure the time. The timekeeping unit 70 is calibrated based on accurate time information received from an external device. That is, the time measured by the time measuring unit 70 is periodically synchronized with the accurate time.

The user of the vehicle 1 can remotely command the charging of the high-voltage battery of the vehicle 1 and the operation of the air conditioner by designating the time via the user terminal 9. The control unit of the TCU 7 transmits the command information received from the user terminal 9 to the ICM 4 via the gateway 5. In this case, the designated time is converted into the time from the current time that can be measured by the time measuring unit 40 to the designated time (for example, the time in seconds) in the ICM4. The ICM4 clocks the time from the current time to the designated time by the timing unit 40 based on the command information received from the TCU 7, and when the designated time is reached, the charge control ECU 2a is activated to activate the high-voltage battery of the vehicle 1. Control to charge. Alternatively, the air conditioner control ECU 2b is activated to control the air conditioner of the vehicle 1 to operate.

In this way, the user of the vehicle 1 can use the vehicle 1 that has been charged and pre-air-conditioned by instructing the charging of the high-voltage battery of the vehicle 1 and the operation of the air conditioner by designating the time in advance. .. However, depending on the timekeeping accuracy of the timekeeping unit 40 of the ICM4, the charge control ECU 2a and the air conditioner control ECU 2b may not be activated at the specified time, and charging and pre-air conditioning may not be completed by the time the user uses the vehicle 1. .. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the vehicle timer correction device is configured as follows so that the timer function can be operated accurately by calibrating the timekeeping unit 40 according to the accuracy of the timekeeping.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a main part of the device 100. As shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the timekeeping unit 40, the ICM4 includes a setting unit 41 as a functional configuration of the CPU, an estimation unit 42, a correction unit 43, and a storage unit 44 as a functional configuration of the ROM and RAM. Have.

The setting unit 41 sets the start time of the ICM4 based on the timekeeping by the timekeeping unit 40 based on the command information received from the UI unit 6 or the TCU 7. That is, the time from the current time that can be measured by the timekeeping unit 40 to the designated time (for example, the time in seconds) is set. For example, when the start time specified by the user is 3 days after the current time, it is set as 259,200 seconds that can be measured by the timekeeping unit 40. The information of the current time when the start time is set by the setting unit 41 is stored in the storage unit 44.

The estimation unit 42 estimates an error due to the timing of the timing unit 40 that occurs between the current time stored in the storage unit 44 and the start time set by the setting unit 41. That is, unlike the timekeeping units 60 and 70, the timekeeping unit 40 is not calibrated at an accurate time on a regular basis. Therefore, for example, an error of about ± 1 second per 1000 seconds is accumulated, so that the time elapses. Along with this, the deviation from the exact time becomes large. The estimation unit 42 estimates the maximum error on the delay side that can occur at a designated time based on the maximum error on the delay side of the timing unit 40 set in advance.

When the error estimated by the estimation unit 42 exceeds a predetermined time, the correction unit 43 corrects the time measured by the clock unit 40 based on the time measured by the clock unit 60, and calibrates the clock unit 40. For example, calibration is performed when the delay in charging or pre-air conditioning of the vehicle 1 exceeds a predetermined time (for example, about 10 minutes) that hinders the use of the vehicle 1 by the user. As a fixed period in which a delay of about 10 minutes at the maximum can occur, calibration may be performed when the time from the current time to the designated time exceeds one week. If the actual timekeeping error by the timekeeping unit 40 can be learned, calibration may be performed every time the learned error exceeds a predetermined time (for example, about 1 minute).

When the timing unit 40 is calibrated, the correction unit 43 activates the ICM4 a predetermined time before the activation time set by the setting unit 41 to perform the calibration. The predetermined time in this case is set based on, for example, the maximum error on the delay side that can occur at the designated time, which is estimated by the estimation unit 42. The predetermined time may be set as a fixed period (for example, 10 minutes).

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the correction by the correction unit 43, and shows an example of the time measured by the time measuring unit 40 when the time is delayed by 1 second per 100 seconds with respect to the accurate time. As shown in the example of FIG. 3, when the time t1 three days later is specified by the command from the user at the current time t0, the setting unit 41 sets the total time from the current time t0 to the specified time t1 as 259,200 seconds (72 hours). ) Is set. Further, the estimation unit 42 estimates an error of 2592 seconds (43 minutes and 12 seconds).

In this case, the correction unit 43 subtracts the estimation error (2592 seconds) and the margin time (for example, 10 seconds) from the time counting time (259200 seconds) set by the setting unit 41, and is 25698 seconds (71 hours 16 minutes). When (38 seconds) is clocked, ICM4 is activated. When the ICM4 is activated at time t3, it activates the UI unit 6 via the communication line 3, receives accurate time information from the timekeeping unit 60, and calibrates the timekeeping unit 40.

After the time measuring unit 40 is calibrated at time t3, when the time measuring time (259,200 seconds) set by the setting unit 41 is timed to reach the start time t4, the ICM4 is activated to activate the charge control ECU 2a and the air conditioner control ECU 2b. Is activated, and the vehicle 1 is charged and pre-air-conditioned. As a result, the delay of the actual start time t4 with respect to the designated time t1 can be alleviated, and the timer function of the ICM4 can be operated accurately.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by the apparatus 100 according to a program stored in the memory in advance, and particularly shows an example of a process of calibrating the time measuring unit 40 executed by the control unit of the ICM4. The process shown in this flowchart is started when a command for timer operation at a specified time is input from the user.

First, in step S1, the command information including the designated time is read, and then in step S2, the start time corresponding to the designated time read in step S1 is set as the time measured by the time measuring unit 40. Then, in step S3, the error on the delay side that may occur at the designated time is estimated. Next, in step S4, it is determined whether or not the error on the delay side estimated in step S3 is equal to or longer than a predetermined time that hinders the use of the vehicle 1 by the user. If affirmed in step S4, the process proceeds to step S5, and if denied, the process ends.

In step S5, the calibration time before a predetermined time in consideration of the error estimated in step S3 and the margin time from the start time set in step S2 is set as the timekeeping time. Then, in step S6, the process waits until the calibration time set in step S5 is reached. Then, in step S7, ICM4 is activated to calibrate the timekeeping unit 40. Then, in step S8, it waits until the start-up time set in step S2 is reached based on the timed time calibrated in step S7. Next, in step S9, the ICM4 is activated to activate the ECU 2 related to the designated operation, and control is performed so as to execute the designated operation.

The operation of this embodiment will be specifically described as follows. When the user of the vehicle 1 operates the UI unit 6 in the vehicle and sets the timer function so that the vehicle 1 is charged after 3 days, the start time of the ICM 4 is set (steps S1 and S2 in FIG. 4). .. After that, in the non-started state of the vehicle 1, the UI unit 6 is started before the designated time, and the time measuring unit 40 of the ICM 4 is calibrated (steps S3 to S7). After that, in the non-started state of the vehicle 1, only the charge control ECU 2a is activated to charge the high-voltage battery of the vehicle 1 (steps S8 and S9).

The user of the vehicle 1 can also operate the user terminal 9 outside the vehicle to remotely set the timer function of the vehicle 1. Also in this case, in the non-started state of the vehicle 1, the UI unit 6 is started before the designated time, and the time measuring unit 40 of the ICM 4 is calibrated (steps S1 to S7).

By calibrating the timekeeping unit 40 before the designated time in this way, the timekeeping error accumulated when the vehicle 1 is not started is corrected, and the time designated by the user and the time when charging is actually performed are corrected. The error is reduced, and the timer function of the vehicle 1 can be operated accurately. When the UI unit 6 executes such a timer function, the entire vehicle 1 including all the ECUs 2 is activated, which leads to power consumption. On the other hand, when the ICM4 that integrally controls a plurality of ECUs 2 executes the timer function, only the necessary ECUs 2 can be activated to charge the vehicle 1, so that unnecessary power consumption can be suppressed. ..

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The device 100 has a UI unit 6 having a time measuring unit 60 having a deviation amount with respect to the reference time for the first time, and a timing unit 40 having a time measuring unit 40 having a deviation amount with respect to the reference time for the second time being longer than the first time. The ICM4, the setting unit 41 that sets the start time of the ICM4 based on the timekeeping by the timekeeping unit 40, the storage unit 44 that stores the time based on the timekeeping by the timekeeping unit 60 when the start time is set by the setting unit 41, The estimation unit 42 that estimates the time error of the time measurement unit 40 that occurs between the time stored in the storage unit 44 and the start time set by the setting unit 41, and the error estimated by the estimation unit 42 are first predetermined. When the time is exceeded, a correction unit 43 for correcting the time measured by the time measuring unit 40 based on the time measured by the time measuring unit 60 is provided before the second predetermined time before the start time set by the setting unit 41. (Fig. 2).

That is, by calibrating the time measuring unit 40 before a predetermined time of the designated start time according to the timing accuracy of the time measuring unit 40 possessed by the ICM 4, the timer function can be operated with high accuracy. Further, by executing the timer function by the ICM4 that integrally controls a plurality of ECUs 2, only the necessary ECUs 2 can be started and the designated operation can be executed, so that unnecessary power consumption can be suppressed.

(2) The device 100 has a UI unit 6 having a time measuring unit 60 having a deviation amount with respect to the reference time for the first time, and a timing unit 40 having a timing unit 40 having a deviation amount with respect to the reference time for the second time being longer than the first time. The ICM4, the TCU 7 having a time measuring unit 70 for which the deviation amount from the reference time is shorter than the second time for the third time, and the setting unit 41 for setting the start time of the UI unit 6 based on the time counting by the time measuring unit 40 are set. Occurs between the storage unit 44, which stores the time based on the time measured by the time measuring unit 70 when the start time is set by the unit 41, and the time stored in the storage unit 44 to the start time set by the setting unit 41. When the estimation unit 42 that estimates the time error of the timing unit 40 and the error estimated by the estimation unit 42 exceed the first predetermined time, the time is measured two predetermined times before the start time set by the setting unit 41. A correction unit 43 for correcting the time measured by the time measuring unit 40 based on the time measured by the unit 60 is provided (FIG. 2).

That is, even when the timer function is set remotely via the user terminal 9 and the TCU 7, the time measuring unit 40 can be calibrated by the time measuring unit 60 of the UI unit 6 mounted on the vehicle 1.

(3) The estimation unit 42 estimates the error on the delay side due to the timing of the timing unit 40. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately correct a timing error that may hinder the use of the vehicle 1 by the user.

The above embodiment can be transformed into various forms. Hereinafter, a modified example will be described. In the above embodiment, the time measurement error due to the time measurement unit 40 is specifically shown in FIG. 3 and the like, but the amount of deviation of the second time measurement unit from the reference time is not limited to such a thing.

In the above embodiment, calibration is performed when the time exceeds a predetermined time (for example, about 10 minutes) such that the delay in charging or pre-air conditioning of the vehicle 1 causes the user to use the vehicle 1 is hindered. The first predetermined time as a threshold value when the correction is performed by the above is not limited to such a thing.

In the above embodiment, the ICM4 is started to calibrate the time measuring unit 40 before a predetermined time in consideration of the estimation error and the margin time (for example, 10 seconds) with respect to the specified start time. The second predetermined time for setting is not limited to such a thing.

The above description is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications as long as the features of the present invention are not impaired. It is also possible to arbitrarily combine one or a plurality of the above-described embodiments and the modified examples, and it is also possible to combine the modified examples.

1 Vehicle, 2 ECU (electronic control unit), 2a Charge control ECU, 2b Air conditioner control ECU, 3 Communication line, 4 ICM (Bus function integrated unit), 6 UI unit, 7 TCU, 8 GPS device, 9 User terminal , 40, 60, 70 Measuring unit, 41 Setting unit, 42 Estimating unit, 43 Correction unit, 44 Storage unit, 100 device (Vehicle timer correction device)

Claims (3)

A first device having a first time section in which the amount of deviation from the reference time is the first time, and
A second apparatus having a second time portion, which is a second time in which the amount of deviation with respect to the reference time is longer than the first time.
A setting unit that sets the start time of the second device based on the timed by the second time unit, and
A storage unit that stores the time based on the time measured by the first time unit when the start time is set by the setting unit, and a storage unit.
An estimation unit that estimates an error due to timekeeping of the second timekeeping unit that occurs between the time stored in the storage unit and the start time set by the setting unit.
When the error estimated by the estimation unit exceeds the first predetermined time, the first time is based on the time measured by the first timekeeping unit before the second predetermined time before the start time set by the setting unit. 2. A vehicle timer correction device including a correction unit that corrects the time measured by the time measurement unit. A first device having a first time section in which the amount of deviation from the reference time is the first time, and
A second apparatus having a second time portion, which is a second time in which the amount of deviation with respect to the reference time is longer than the first time.
A third apparatus having a third time portion, which is a third time in which the amount of deviation from the reference time is shorter than the second time.
A setting unit that sets the start time of the second device based on the timed by the second time unit, and
A storage unit that stores the time based on the time measured by the third time unit when the start time is set by the setting unit, and a storage unit.
An estimation unit that estimates an error due to timekeeping of the second timekeeping unit that occurs between the time stored in the storage unit and the start time set by the setting unit.
When the error estimated by the estimation unit exceeds the first predetermined time, the first time is based on the time measured by the first timekeeping unit before the second predetermined time before the start time set by the setting unit. 2. A vehicle timer correction device including a correction unit that corrects the time measured by the time measurement unit. In the vehicle timer correction device according to claim 1 or 2.
The estimation unit is a vehicle timer correction device characterized in that an error on the delay side due to timekeeping of the second timekeeping unit is estimated.

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