JP4634985B2 - ECU inspection method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ECU inspection method for controlling a connected control target.

  Recent engines have various demands such as environmental resistance and improved output characteristics, so electronic control technology is often adopted so that appropriate control is performed according to the state of the engine. For example, the governor may be controlled by the ECU. Further, in order to simplify the engine system, the ECU is attached to the engine and the governor integrally. Since the engine generates heat and vibration, a resin material may be applied to the substrate surface of the ECU in consideration of insulation, heat resistance, vibration resistance, and the like.

  In order to ensure the reliability of the engine system, it is required to surely check whether the ECU exhibits predetermined performance as well as the engine and governor.

  As an ECU inspection method, for example, in Patent Document 1, “1” is written in all memories at the time of manufacture of the ECU, and “0” is written while confirming the value of each memory at the time of predetermined inspection. There has been proposed a method for checking whether or not a computer can read and write normally.

  Patent Document 2 proposes an inspection method for confirming whether or not to give a predetermined response by giving a pseudo signal to the ECU.

JP 2002-350512 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-85420

  By the way, the ECU and the controlled object controlled by the ECU may be manufactured by different departments. For example, the ECU is manufactured in a department specializing in electrical equipment, the engine is manufactured in a department specializing in internal combustion engines, and these are assembled in a predetermined engineering department.

  In such a case, it is important not only to inspect whether the ECU operates normally as a system after it is assembled to the engine, but also to inspect the ECU before assembly alone. This is because in the case where the inspection is performed as a system in which the ECU and the engine are assembled, it is unclear whether the ECU or the engine (governor) has a cause when there is an abnormality. Even if it can be specified that there is an abnormality in the ECU, it is unknown whether the abnormality has existed from the beginning or has occurred in the assembly process.

  Therefore, the ECU inspection is preferably performed at the receiving stage before assembling the control target. As a result, even when the ECU is inspected by the manufacturer, it is possible to detect an abnormality that has occurred in the subsequent transportation stage or the like, and to prevent unnecessary assembly of the control target.

  On the other hand, in order to inspect the ECU at a stage before assembly, naturally, an inspection device is necessary, and two units must be prepared together with the inspection device to be used after assembly, resulting in an increase in equipment cost.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and provides an ECU inspection method capable of efficiently inspecting an ECU at a pre-stage and a post-stage of connection to a controlled object while suppressing equipment costs. The purpose is to do.

  The ECU inspection method according to the present invention includes a first inspection step in which an ECU is connected to a simulation control target and a function signal is inspected by providing a simulation signal by a program process of the inspection device, and whether the normal inspection is performed in the first inspection step An assembly process for connecting the ECU to the control object having the same function as the simulation control object, and a function test is performed again by giving a simulation signal to the ECU connected to the control object by a program process of the inspection device. And a second inspection step to be performed.

  Thus, in the first inspection process, the ECU is first inspected by connecting the simulated control object, and in the second inspection process after the control object is connected, the inspection is performed together with the control object. In the inspection of the first inspection process and the second inspection process, the same inspection apparatus gives a simulation signal to the ECU by program processing to perform a function inspection, so that only one inspection apparatus is sufficient, and the equipment cost can be reduced.

  The program processing of the first inspection step and the program processing of the second inspection step may be performed by the same program, and the same inspection may be performed on the ECU.

  As described above, by sharing the program used in the first inspection process and the program used in the second inspection process, the configuration related to the control system of the inspection apparatus becomes simple. In addition, since the same inspection is performed in the first inspection step and the second inspection step, it is easy to compare the inspection results. In addition, the same program here does not have a narrow meaning that indicates the same formality but a broad meaning that the program contents are substantially the same.

  When the simulation control target is provided integrally with the inspection apparatus, the inspection in the first inspection process is easy.

  According to the ECU inspection method of the present invention, the ECU itself is first inspected by connecting the simulated control object in the first inspection process, and the control object is included in the second inspection process after the control object is connected. Perform an inspection. In the inspection of the first inspection process and the second inspection process, the same inspection apparatus gives a simulation signal to the ECU by program processing to perform a function inspection, so that only one inspection apparatus is sufficient, and the equipment cost can be reduced.

  Embodiments of an ECU inspection method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying FIGS. In the ECU inspection method according to the present embodiment, a single inspection of the ECU (Electric Control Unit) 10 shown in FIG. 1 and an inspection of the governor ASSY 14 in which the ECU 10 and the governor 12 are assembled are performed. Further, the ECU inspection method according to the present embodiment is performed at the inspection station 30 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the governor ASSY 14 includes an upper ECU 10 and a governor 12 screwed to the ECU 10. The ECU 10 is manufactured in a predetermined electrical component development department, and the governor 12 is manufactured in a predetermined mechanical part development department and assembled in the inspection station 30.

  The governor 12 is attached to an engine (not shown), and includes a choke valve 16 (see FIG. 2), a throttle valve 18, a carburetor 19, a motor that individually drives these valves, and an opening that detects the opening degree. It has a degree sensor and can adjust the opening degree by feedback to control the fuel supply to the engine. The choke valve 16 and the throttle valve 18 are, for example, butterfly valves.

  The ECU 10 is for driving the motor of the governor 12 to adjust the opening degree of the choke valve 16 and the throttle valve 18. The ECU 10 also has a power supply circuit, an ignition control function, an external communication function, and the like.

  The ECU 10 includes a case 10a, a power supply connector 10b for supplying power, a signal connector 10c for supplying signal, a motor connector 10d for driving a motor (see FIG. 7), and an electronic board provided inside. The power connector 10b and the signal connector 10c are provided in parallel to the side surface of the case 10a, and the motor connector 10d is provided on the joint surface between the ECU 10 and the governor 12. Electronic components such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) are mounted on the electronic substrate. The ECU 10 is filled with a resin material in a hot melt filling process described later, and is improved in vibration resistance, water resistance, and dust resistance of the electronic board, and is directly connected to the governor 12. Is possible.

  The signal connector 10c is connected to an accelerator opening sensor, a temperature sensor, a speed sensor, and the like. Based on the sensor signal supplied from the signal connector 10c, the ECU 10 calculates appropriate opening degrees of the choke valve 16 and the throttle valve 18 (see FIG. 2) at that time using the internal CPU, and opens the opening. The motor is driven in real time so that

  By the way, the governor ASSY 14 configured as described above has matters to be considered. In other words, the ECU 10 is manufactured in the department of electrical equipment development and is also inspected in the department. However, it is impossible to deny the possibility of failure due to unforeseen circumstances during transportation. desirable. Further, there is a process of filling the resin material and assembling with the governor 12 after that. In order to confirm that the operations of these processes are normally performed, it is desirable to finally inspect the governor ASSY 14. . These inspections and assembly are performed at the inspection station 30.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inspection station 30 includes a receiving table 32, an inspection device 34, an assembly device 36, and a resin molding device 38. An operator work space 40 is provided in the center of the inspection station 30. A receiving table 32 and a resin molding device 38 are provided on the left and right sides of the work space 40 so as to face each other. An inspection device 34 and an assembly device 36 are provided adjacent to each other. The receiving table 32 is used for receiving the ECU 10 and the governor 12 and is used for waiting for carrying out the governor ASSY 14 after assembly and inspection.

  The resin molding device 38 is a device for filling the ECU 10 with a resin material heated and melted, and includes a turntable 38a, a hot melt applicator 38b, a temperature controller 38c, and a control panel 38d. The turntable 38a is a table that rotates intermittently by 180 °, and moves the ECU 10 disposed on the work space 40 side to the opposite side. In the part on the opposite side of the turntable 38a, the resin material is filled into the ECU 10 by the hot melt applicator 38b. When the filling operation is completed, the turntable 38a is further rotated by 180 °, placed again on the work space 40 side, and taken out by the operator. A partition wall 38e is provided on the turntable 38a.

  The control panel 38d performs rotation control of the turntable 38a, and performs temperature control of the resin material of the hot melt applicator 38b and filling control for the ECU 10 via the temperature controller 38c. The resin material is filled, applied, or coated (hereinafter simply referred to as filling) so as to cover at least the surface of the electronic substrate and the electronic component with respect to the ECU 10, and is cooled and solidified by natural heat dissipation or forced cooling.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the assembling apparatus 36 has a cage shape surrounded by walls on three sides, a work table 36a, a bracket 36b provided on the work table 36a, and a side of the bracket 36b. And a lift 36d provided above the bracket 36b. The bracket 36b mounts the governor 12 at a specified position. The fixture 36c presses and fixes the governor 12 placed on the bracket 36b from the side by a cylinder. The elevator 36d is provided with three nut runners 36e downward, and the nut runners 36e rotate when lowered. According to the elevator 36d, the ECU 10 and the governor 12 can be assembled by screwing screws into the three screw holes of the ECU 10 provided on the governor 12 simultaneously. A first cable unit 56 and a second cable unit 58 extend from the inspection device 34 to the work table 36 a of the assembly device 36 to the extent that they can be connected to the connectors of the ECU 10.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the inspection device 34 is a vertically long console, and includes a computer system 44 including a monitor 44a, an oscilloscope 46, a function generator 48, an amplifier 50, a relay unit 52, and an uninterruptible power supply 54. And have. The inspection device 34 is integratedly controlled by the computer system 44, supplies the simulation signal generated by the function generator 48 to the ECU 10 or the governor ASSY 14, and analyzes and judges the response operation by the computer system 44 to determine whether there is an abnormality. A determination is made and a predetermined operation signal is displayed on the oscilloscope 46. The relay unit 52 switches the signal line and the power line according to the inspection mode (see FIG. 7). The uninterruptible power supply 54 supplies a current to the computer system 44 and the like at the time of a power failure, and supplies a predetermined direct current to the ECU 10 or the governor ASSY 14 via the converter 55.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a first cable unit 56 for connecting to the ECU 10, a second cable unit 58, and a governor 60 as a simulated load are provided on the back surface of the inspection device 34.

  The first cable unit 56 is used when the ECU 10 is inspected alone when the ECU 10 is received. The first cable unit 56 includes a cable 56a connected to the power connector 10b, a cable 56b connected to the signal connector 10c, and a motor. A cable 56c connected to the connector 10d and a pendant box 56d for performing a predetermined operation are provided. The cables 56 a to 56 c and the pendant box 56 d are collected by a relay box 56 e, and one main cable 56 f is connected to the inspection device 34.

  The governor 60 is the same as the product governor 12, but is fixed to the inspection device 34 as a simulated load for inspection. That is, the governor 60 is connected to the motor connector 10d of the ECU 10 via the cable 56c, and the choke valve 16 and the throttle valve 18 are operably provided under the action of the ECU 10.

  The second cable unit 58 is used when the governor ASSY 14 is inspected after the ECU 10 and the governor 12 are assembled. The second cable unit 58 includes a cable 58a connected to the power connector 10b and a cable 58b connected to the signal connector 10c. The first sensor cable 58c and the second sensor cable 58d are provided. The cables 58a, 58b, the first sensor cable 58c, and the second sensor cable 58d are combined by a relay box 58e, and one main cable 58f is connected to the inspection device 34.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first sensor cable 58 c is connected to a first proximity sensor 62 that detects the operation of the choke valve 16, and the second sensor cable 58 d is a second proximity sensor that detects the operation of the throttle valve 18. 64. The 1st proximity sensor 62 and the 2nd proximity sensor 64 are provided in the position which can detect electromagnetically that the choke valve 16 and the throttle valve 18 opened. According to the first proximity sensor 62 and the second proximity sensor 64, for example, a command to fully open is given to the choke valve 16 and the throttle valve 18 to detect that the open state is reached within a predetermined time. It can be recognized that the choke valve 16 and the throttle valve 18 are normal. Note that the governor 60 as a simulated load is also provided with a first proximity sensor 62 '(see FIG. 7) and a second proximity sensor 64' for detecting the operations of the choke valve 16 and the throttle valve 18, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of relays that operate synchronously are provided inside the relay unit 52, and the signal line and the power line are selectively connected to the first cable unit 56 or the second cable unit 58. I do. When performing an acceptance test of a single unit of ECU 10 (hereinafter also referred to as ECU 10 'for convenience), the upper side of each relay terminal in relay unit 52 is effective. Thereby, the electric power of the converter 55 and the simulation signal of the function generator 48 are supplied to the ECU 10 ′, and the signals of the first proximity sensor 62 ′ and the second proximity sensor 64 ′ are supplied to the computer system 44, and the ECU 10 ′ outputs them. Various signals are displayed on an oscilloscope 46.

  When inspecting the governor assembly 14 after assembly, the lower side of each relay terminal inside the relay unit 52 is effective. Thereby, the electric power of the converter 55 and the simulation signal of the function generator 48 are supplied to the ECU 10 of the governor ASSY 14, the signals of the first proximity sensor 62 and the second proximity sensor 64 are supplied to the computer system 44, and the ECU 10 of the governor ASSY 14 Various signals to be output are displayed on the oscilloscope 46. Note that FIG. 7 schematically shows only representative signal lines and power lines. In practice, more signal lines and power lines may be switched by the relay unit 52.

  Next, an inspection method performed in the inspection station 30 configured as described above will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 8, first, in step S <b> 1 (first inspection process), the ECU 10 received by the inspection station 30 is inspected alone by the inspection device 34. That is, after visually confirming the solder quality, the component mounting state, and the like, the ECU 10 is placed on the work table 36a of the assembling apparatus 36, and each cable of the first cable unit 56 is connected to a predetermined connector. Thereby, the motor connector 10d of the ECU 10 is connected to the governor 60, which is a simulated load, via the cable 56c.

  In step S1, a plurality of relays in the relay unit 52 are switched by a predetermined operation, and the simulation signal generated by the function generator 48 is set to be supplied to the first cable unit 56. The second cable unit 58 is disabled.

  After that, electric power and a simulation signal are supplied from the inspection device 34, and the choke valve 16 and the throttle valve 18 of the governor 60 operate as prescribed based on the signals of the first proximity sensor 62 ′ and the second proximity sensor 64 ′. Confirm and inspect that. In the computer system 44, when the prescribed operation is confirmed, the monitor 44a indicates that the operation is normal, and when the operation is abnormal, the monitor 44a indicates that the operation is abnormal. When an abnormality is displayed, the ECU 10 is removed and sent to a predetermined cause investigation department. In addition, when abnormality is recognized also in each following process, it sends to a cause investigation department similarly.

  The inspection in step S1 (and later-described step S6) is not limited to the inspection based on the signals of the first proximity sensor 62 'and the second proximity sensor 64', and the suitability of the signal output from the ECU 10 may be determined. In this case, for example, the inspection may be performed by inputting a signal output from the ECU 10 to an oscilloscope and displaying the signal on a monitor, performing a predetermined comparison operation, and supplying the comparison result to the computer system 44.

  When ECU10 is normal, it progresses to the hot-melt process of step S2 (assembly process). That is, after removing the first cable unit 56 from the ECU 10, the ECU 10 is placed on the turntable 38a.

  Next, by operating the control panel 38d, the ECU 10 is automatically filled with a resin material. Specifically, the ECU 10 is moved to the opposite side by the rotation of the turntable 38a by 180 °, and is filled with a resin material heated and melted by the hot melt applicator 38b. After the filling process, the ECU 10 is returned to the work space 40 by the rotation of the turntable 38a by 180 °. The resin material filled in the ECU 10 is cooled and solidified by natural heat dissipation or forced air cooling.

  Next, in step S3 (assembly process), a hot melt visual inspection is performed. That is, the filling state of the solidified resin material and the presence / absence of cracks, bubbles, warpage, and the like are visually confirmed.

  On the other hand, step S4 is an acceptance inspection process for the governor 12, and is performed separately from steps S1 to S3. In Step S4, the governor 12 received by the inspection station 30 is visually checked for appearance and damage. This step S4 can be classified as an acceptance inspection process together with the step S1.

  Further, in step S5 (assembly process), the ECU 10 and the governor 12 are assembled. That is, the governor 12 that has passed the inspection in step S4 is placed on the bracket 36b of the assembling apparatus 36, and is fixed by the fixture 36c. Thereafter, the ECU 10 that has passed the inspection in step S3 is placed on the upper surface of the governor 12, and the elevator 36d is lowered. At this time, a screw is screwed into a predetermined screw hole under the rotating action of the three nut runners 36e, the ECU 10 and the governor 12 are assembled, and the governor ASSY 14 is obtained.

  Next, in the assembly inspection process of step S6 (second inspection process), the inspection apparatus 34 inspects the governor ASSY 14.

  That is, each cable of the second cable unit 58 is connected to a predetermined connector while the governor assembly 14 is fixed to the bracket 36b. The first sensor cable 58c and the second sensor cable 58d are connected in advance to the first proximity sensor 62 and the second proximity sensor 64.

  In step S6, a plurality of relays in the relay unit 52 are switched by a predetermined operation, and the simulation signal generated by the function generator 48 is set to be supplied to the second cable unit 58. The first cable unit 56 is disabled.

  Next, electric power and a simulation signal are supplied from the inspection device 34, and the choke valve 16 and the throttle valve 18 of the governor 12 in the governor ASSY 14 operate as prescribed based on the signals of the first proximity sensor 62 and the second proximity sensor 64. Confirm and inspect that. In the computer system 44, when the prescribed operation is confirmed, the monitor 44a indicates that the operation is normal, and when the operation is abnormal, the monitor 44a indicates that the operation is abnormal.

  The inspection in step S6 is performed in the same sequence by the same program as the single inspection in step S1 except for the switching state of the relay unit 52.

  The governor assembly 14 that has passed through the assembly inspection process removes the second cable unit 58 and is carried out to the next process (for example, an assembly process for the engine).

  As described above, according to the ECU inspection method according to the present embodiment, the ECU 10 alone is first inspected by connecting the ECU 10 to the governor 60 to be simulated in the acceptance inspection step of Step S1. Thereafter, in the assembly inspection process in step S6 in which the governor 12 to be controlled is connected, the inspection is performed in the assembled state together with the governor 12. In step S1 and step S6, only the switching state of the relay in the relay unit 52 is different, and the same inspection device 34 gives a simulation signal to the ECU 10 by program processing to perform a function inspection. Sufficiently, equipment cost can be held down.

  Since the governor 60 that is a simulation control target is provided integrally with the inspection device 34, the acceptance inspection in step S1 is easily performed.

  Further, even when a failure occurs due to an unexpected situation during the filling of the resin material in step S2 or the assembly in step S5, the failure can be detected in the subsequent assembly inspection process in step S6.

  Furthermore, in the computer system 44, the configuration related to the control system of the inspection apparatus 34 is simplified by sharing the program used in step S1 and the program used in step S6. Furthermore, since the same inspection is performed in step S1 and step S6, it is easy to compare inspection results.

  In addition, the same program here does not have a narrow meaning that indicates the same formality but a broad meaning that the program contents are substantially the same. That is, even if they exist as different program files in form, the contents are the same, or if they are compiled based on the same source file, they can be said to be substantially the same. Even if the contents of the two program files are not the same in a strict sense, it can be said that the two program files are substantially the same if the portions related to the processing to be inspected are the same.

  The ECU inspection method according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various configurations and processes can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is a perspective view of governor ASSY. It is a cross-sectional top view of governor ASSY. It is a top view of an inspection station. It is a partially expanded front view of an assembly apparatus. It is a perspective view of an assembly apparatus and an inspection apparatus. It is a reverse view of an inspection apparatus. It is a schematic block block diagram of an inspection apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the inspection method of ECU which concerns on this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... ECU 12, 60 ... Governor 14 ... Governor ASSY 16 ... Choke valve 18 ... Throttle valve 30 ... Inspection station 34 ... Inspection device 36 ... Assembly device 38 ... Resin molding device 40 ... Work space 44 ... Computer system 46 ... Oscilloscope 48 ... Function generator 50 ... Amplifier 52 ... Relay unit 56 ... First cable unit 58 ... Second cable unit 62, 62 '... First proximity sensor 64, 64' ... Second proximity sensor

Claims (3)

A first inspection step in which an ECU is connected to a governor to be controlled by the inspection apparatus, and a function inspection is performed by providing a simulation signal by program processing of the inspection apparatus;
And assembling process for connecting the ECU which was a normal determination in the first examination step control to control the target governor,
A second inspection step of performing a functional inspection again by giving a simulation signal to the ECU connected to the governor to be controlled by a program process of the inspection device;
Have
The ECU inspection method , wherein the governor to be simulated is the same as the governor to be controlled . The ECU inspection method according to claim 1,
The ECU inspection method, wherein the program processing of the first inspection step and the program processing of the second inspection step are performed by the same program, and the same inspection is performed on the ECU. The ECU inspection method according to claim 1,
An ECU inspection method, wherein the simulation control governor is provided integrally with the inspection device.

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