JP3830775B2 - Control device for vehicle generator - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a control device for a vehicular generator, and more particularly to a control device having a communication function with the outside.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There is a growing need for vehicle generators to have communication equipment for better engine management, aiming to create an information network for in-vehicle electrical components and improve fuel economy and environmental ecology.
In this need, automakers have a tendency to devise and select communication rules that should be applied to vehicle generators. These communication rules increase the added value by making each automaker different from competitors. This is an advantage that each automobile manufacturer believes, and the vehicle generator supplier is in a position to respect them.
In other words, even if the performance and shape of the vehicular generator are the same, communication equipment based on a plurality of different communication rules for each automobile manufacturer must be provided.
[0003]
Since the control device for a vehicle generator is equipped with the communication equipment as described above, a considerably complicated and large-scale integrated circuit (IC) is required, and even one type requires a high development cost, and even one type. Man-hours for quality assurance increase. Such an IC is required for each communication rule that is different for each automobile manufacturer.
That is, conventionally, the change of the communication rule equipped in the vehicular generator is not preferable in the intensifying price competition because the whole control device is changed and the development cost and the management man-hour increase.
[0004]
A conventional generator control device will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a communication system between a vehicular generator and an external unit serving as a communication master thereof. In this system, the vehicle generator and the external unit communicate with each other by a single wire.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a conventional IC-equipped control device, which is a one-chip IC.
[0005]
In FIG. 4, 1 represents the whole vehicle generator, and includes a control device 50 therein. An external unit 2 is a communication master that is connected to and communicates with the vehicle generator 1 through the communication line 36. 3 is a battery, and 11 is a field coil that constitutes a rotor. Reference numeral 12 denotes an armature coil, and a three-phase coil constitutes a stator. 13 is a diode for full-wave rectification, 14 is a Zener diode that absorbs a power generation voltage surge of the generator, 50 is a control device, 51 is an IC having a control function and a communication function, and the IC is a power element part 52, A main IC part 53 and a communication IC part 54 that control the control are included. The power element part 52 includes a transistor T1 such as an FET for controlling energization of the field coil, and a flywheel diode D1 for suppressing generator coil surge generation when the transistor T1 is cut off. ,
In addition to the original main functions “generator power generation voltage control” and “generator failure diagnosis”, the control device 50 includes communication equipment for changing their characteristics and reporting information. It is included in the IC part 54.
[0006]
As for the terminal of the control device 50, the B terminal is used for supplying power to the IC 51 and monitoring the generator output voltage, the F terminal is used for outputting the transistor T1, the E terminal is grounded, and the P terminal is derived from the one-phase voltage of the generator. This is for monitoring the rotational speed of the generator. Reference numeral 35 denotes a communication line.
[0007]
The IC 51 is mounted on a mounting base 61 as shown in FIG. 5 and mounted on a heat sink 62, and the control / communication circuit portion is configured on the same chip, that is, physically fused. And they are mounted in a form that shares heat generated by each operation.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described in the conventional apparatus, there are a plurality of communication information interpretation methods (communication specifications such as a communication protocol) applied to the vehicle generator, and the vehicle generator supply manufacturer changes each time the communication specifications are changed. The semiconductor equipment (IC) cannot be diverted and must be replaced as a whole. That is, the total number of communication ICs having different communication ICs is developed and managed by the number of communication specifications. This difference in communication specifications is also within the same communication protocol, and in some cases, the communication protocol itself is different.
[0009]
An object of the present invention is to provide a control device for a vehicular generator that does not require the entire IC to be replaced even if the communication specifications are different.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
(1) A control device for a vehicular generator according to claim 1 of the present invention receives a command from the outside by communication to control and monitor the vehicular generator, and transmits a monitoring result to the outside by communication. In a control device for a vehicle generator including a communication function, a power element unit such as an FET for controlling the vehicle generator, and the power element unit are controlled and the operation state of the vehicle generator is monitored. A control IC and a communication IC including the communication function. The communication IC is an IC that conforms to a communication specification such as a predetermined communication protocol used in the communication function. if different communication specifications of the IC, as well as the replaceable with other IC compatible communication specifications, forced to mix a small C Moss circuit of large bipolar circuit and power consumption of the power consumption Free circuit is concentrated to the control IC side, the communication IC are those composed only C Moss circuit.
[0011]
(2) A control device for a vehicular generator according to claim 2 of the present invention receives a command from the outside by communication to control and monitor the vehicular generator, and transmits a monitoring result to the outside by communication. In a control device for a vehicle generator including a communication function, a power element unit such as an FET for controlling the vehicle generator, and the power element unit are controlled and the operation state of the vehicle generator is monitored. A control IC, a communication IC including the communication function, and a selection unit. The communication IC is an IC that conforms to communication specifications such as a plurality of communication protocols used in the communication function. with the means of a plurality of communication specifications of the communication IC available by selecting a desired communication specification, but to mix a small C Moss circuit of large bipolar circuit and power consumption of the power consumption Give no circuit to be concentrated to the control IC side, the communication IC is obtained by a configuration using only C Moss circuit.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiment 1 FIG.
The first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a circuit configuration diagram of a vehicular generator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The same reference numerals as those in the prior art denote the same or corresponding parts, and the description thereof is omitted.
Reference numeral 20 denotes a control device, and reference numeral 21 denotes a control IC, which includes a main IC part that performs control. 22 is a power element part, and 24 is a communication IC, which includes the function of the communication IC part, and may include the function of the communication IC part and the partial function of the main IC part as shown in FIG. Only the function of the part may be used. Reference numerals 31 to 34 denote signal lines.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the IC according to the first embodiment.
[0013]
Regarding the communication function between the control device 20 of the vehicle generator 1 and the external unit 2, for example, when the target power generation voltage is changed based on the target power generation voltage determined by the external unit 2, the target power generation determined by the external unit 2 is determined. The voltage is transmitted as binary information composed of a plurality of bits based on a certain communication protocol, and the control device 20 of the vehicle generator 1 receives this via the communication line 36 and interprets the received content. To change the target generated voltage.
Further, the control device 20 transmits whether the vehicle generator 1 is operating or stopped to the external unit 2 as binary information composed of a plurality of bits according to a predetermined communication protocol, and the external unit 2 receives and interprets it. can do.
[0014]
The control IC 21 and the communication IC 24 are connected by signal lines 31 to 34 to perform signal transmission.
The signal line 31 is for the operating power supply voltage of the IC, and the signal line 34 is for the ground. The operating power supply voltage may be generated by each of the ICs, but only one of the ICs may be generated. I have to.
The signal lines 32 and 33 are internal communication connections. For example, there are cases of the following signal transmission.
(1) Transmission of logic information by a logic switch using the high / low voltage applied to the terminal,
(2) Parallel transmission of binary information composed of multiple bits,
(3) Binary information serial transmission consisting of multiple bits,
(4) Transmission of frequency information using frequency modulation of pulses,
(5) Transmission of duty information using PWM on / off duty ratio,
(6) Voltage information transmission using voltage level,
From these cases, the optimal signal transmission case that suits the purpose is selected and applied.
[0015]
Here, the signal line 32 is used to transmit information on the target power generation voltage, and is transmitted from the communication IC 24 to the control IC 21 using duty information using the PWM on / off duty ratio of (5) above.
The signal line 33 is a transmission of detection information for detecting whether the vehicle generator is in an operating state or a stopped state by transmitting status information (operating state) of the vehicle generator, and is transmitted with voltage information using the voltage level of (6) above. Yes.
[0016]
Next, the operation will be described.
(1) The external unit 2 transmits information on “target generated voltage” as binary information composed of a plurality of bits to the control device 20 of the vehicular generator 1 based on a predetermined communication protocol.
(2) The control device 20 of the vehicular generator 1 receives this by the communication IC 24.
(3) The communication IC 24 changes the duty ratio at the main IC part that controls the generated voltage inside the IC itself, and transmits the signal via the signal line 32 by internal communication different from external communication.
(4) The control IC 21 determines a target generated voltage based on the transmitted duty ratio, drives the transistor T1, and changes the target generated voltage.
(5) The control IC 21 that monitors the status of the vehicular generator 1 changes the potential (on / off information) based on the status (during operation or stoppage).
(6) The communication IC 24 monitors this and recognizes the status of the vehicle generator 1 (whether it is operating or stopped) based on the potential.
(7) The communication IC 24 transmits the status to the external unit 2 as binary information composed of a plurality of bits based on the communication protocol.
[0017]
Thus, the internal communication between the control IC 21 and the communication IC 24 is different from the communication protocol for communication with the outside, and the internal communication is common even if the communication protocol for external communication is different. Therefore, even if the communication protocol of the external communication is changed, the internal communication is shared, so that only the communication IC 24 is replaced, and the control IC 21 does not need to be replaced. Cost can be reduced.
[0018]
In addition, a bipolar circuit that consumes a large amount of power and a C MOS circuit that consumes a small amount of power are concentrated on the control IC side. I am trying.
The transistor T1 of the power element part 22 is different from the control IC, but may be bipolar or unipolar, but usually a unipolar transistor (FET) is used.
[0019]
Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the case where a slight increase in the number of logic gates can be allowed as compared with the first embodiment, the communication terminal originally includes a plurality of communication protocol circuits and is provided for changing the communication protocol. You may make it change according to the connection condition.
[0020]
FIG. 3 shows a circuit configuration of the second embodiment. A communication IC 24a is an IC corresponding to a plurality of communication protocols, and is provided with an external terminal for changing a protocol. The communication protocol is changed by switching the external terminal of the communication IC 24a by the communication protocol switching means 26.
Note that switching may be performed as an external terminal according to a communication protocol (communication specification) other than the communication protocol.
[0021]
As described above, the second embodiment is such that no parts are exchanged even if the communication protocol changes.
Also in this case, since the communication IC and the control IC are physically separated, only the communication IC 24a can be replaced if a protocol other than the communication protocol supported by the communication IC 24a is used. That's fine. Therefore, the cost can be reduced. Further, the replacement cost when either the communication IC 24a or the control IC 21 breaks down is reduced.
[0022]
Similarly to the first embodiment, a circuit that must mix a bipolar circuit with high power consumption and a C mos circuit with low power consumption is concentrated on the control IC side, and the communication IC is the C mos circuit only. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size.
Even if a plurality of communication protocol functions are included in the communication IC 24a as in the second embodiment, the size can be reduced because only the C mos circuit is used, and the bipolar circuit and the C mos circuit are mixed. The IC area expansion rate is much lower than that of IC.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
(1) According to the first aspect of the present invention, the power element unit, the control function unit, and the communication function unit are conventionally integrated into an IC, but the power element unit and the control IC are separated without being integrated. Since the communication IC is used, when it corresponds to a different communication protocol, only the communication IC needs to be replaced, and the cost can be reduced. In addition, since these IC and the power element unit are not integrated, they can be separated thermally. Further, the communication IC can be reduced in size.
[0024]
(2) According to claim 2 of the present invention, since the communication IC is compatible with a plurality of communication protocols, there is no need to replace the IC, and there is a case where the IC cannot be replaced with the plurality of communication protocols and the IC is replaced. However, only the communication IC 24 needs to be replaced, and the cost can be reduced. Further, since the power element unit system and the control IC and communication IC are not integrated, they can be separated thermally. Further, the communication IC can be reduced in size.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a control device for a vehicle generator and an external unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an IC of a control device for a vehicle generator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a control device for a vehicular generator and an external unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a conventional vehicular generator control device and an external unit.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a conventional IC-equipped control device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle generator 2 External unit 20 Control apparatus 21, 30 Control IC
22 Power Element Part (Power Element Part) 24, 24a Communication IC
26 Communication protocol switching means 31-34 Signal line 35, 36 Communication line

Claims (2)

In the control device for a vehicle generator including a communication function for receiving a command from the outside by communication and controlling and monitoring the vehicle generator, and transmitting a monitoring result to the outside by communication,
A power element unit such as an FET for controlling the vehicle generator; a control IC for controlling the power element unit and monitoring an operating state of the vehicle generator; and a communication IC including the communication function; With
The communication IC is an IC that conforms to a communication specification such as a predetermined communication protocol used for the communication function, and when the communication specification to be used is different from the communication specification of the communication IC, In addition to being able to be replaced, a circuit that must mix a bipolar circuit with high power consumption and a C mos circuit with low power consumption is concentrated on the control IC side, and the communication IC is composed of only the C mos circuit. A control device for a vehicle generator. In the control device for a vehicle generator including a communication function for receiving a command from the outside by communication and controlling and monitoring the vehicle generator, and transmitting a monitoring result to the outside by communication,
A power element unit such as an FET for controlling the vehicle generator; a control IC for controlling the power element unit and monitoring an operating state of the vehicle generator; and a communication IC including the communication function; Selecting means,
The communication IC is an IC that conforms to communication specifications such as a plurality of communication protocols used in the communication function, and the selection means can select and use a desired communication specification from a plurality of communication specifications of the communication IC. And a circuit that must mix a bipolar circuit with high power consumption and a C mos circuit with low power consumption are concentrated on the control IC side, and the communication IC is composed only of the C mos circuit. A control device for a vehicular generator.

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