JP4661624B2 - Fault diagnosis apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a failure diagnosis apparatus that diagnoses whether or not a failure has occurred in each node connected to a network.

Conventionally, in a failure diagnosis apparatus that diagnoses whether or not a failure has occurred in each node connected to the network, after connecting to the network via a connector, based on the result of data communication with each node. It is configured to diagnose whether or not a failure has occurred in each node (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-283899 A

  However, in the conventional failure diagnosis apparatus, if the connection to the network through the connector is incomplete, inappropriate data is transmitted and received during data communication with each node. In addition to being unable to diagnose, each node may be adversely affected.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for preventing inappropriate data from being transmitted and received during data communication with each node. It is.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the failure diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1 is a connector for realizing connection to a network in which each of one or more nodes is connected, and a state of being connected to the network via the connector And a failure diagnosis unit that diagnoses whether or not a failure has occurred in the node through data communication with each of the nodes.

  In this failure diagnosis apparatus, the connection determination unit appropriately connects the connector and the network based on the data reception state via the connector prior to data communication with each of the nodes by the failure diagnosis unit. It is determined whether or not it has been realized. The failure diagnosis unit is configured to start data communication with each of the nodes when the connection determination unit determines that the connection is appropriately realized.

  According to the failure diagnosis apparatus configured as described above, data communication with each node by the failure diagnosis means is started on the condition that the connection to the network via the connector is appropriately realized. Therefore, when the connection to the network is incomplete, data communication with each node is not performed by the fault diagnosis means, and inappropriate data is transmitted and received due to this. There is no.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent a failure from being properly diagnosed due to an incomplete connection to the network or an adverse effect on each node.

  Note that the connection determination means in this configuration is not particularly limited as to the specific configuration for performing the determination as long as it can determine whether or not the connection to the network via the connector is appropriately realized.

  For example, if each of the nodes described above is configured to perform data communication via a network other than data communication with the failure diagnosis device, the failure diagnosis device according to claim 2 is used. It is conceivable to configure.

  The failure diagnosis apparatus includes data collection means for collecting data that can be output by each of the nodes via the connector prior to data communication with each of the nodes by the failure diagnosis means. The connection determination unit is configured to determine that the connection is appropriately realized when data is collected by the data collection unit.

If comprised in this way, it can determine with the connection having been implement | achieved appropriately by having collected the data from a node via a connector.
When the above-described node is configured to perform data communication via a network other than data communication with the failure diagnosis apparatus, data transmitted and received during the data communication is distributed on the network. Become. At this time, if the fault diagnosis apparatus is appropriately connected to the network via the connector, the data transmitted from the node as such is received via the connector. That is, being able to receive data from the node via the connector means that the fault diagnosis apparatus is appropriately connected to the network via the connector. In the above-described configuration, this is determined by the connection determination means, so that it can be definitely determined whether or not the connection is properly realized.

  The data collecting means in this configuration is means for collecting data that can be output by each node, but the period for collecting data at this time is not particularly limited. For example, the data may be collected only for a period until a predetermined number of data is received, or the data received within a predetermined time may be collected.

  In this case, the connection determination unit may determine that the connection is appropriately realized only by collecting the data, but performs a determination according to some criterion based on the collected data. You may comprise.

  For example, it is determined whether or not the contents of each collected data are appropriate data that can be transmitted from the node, and the connection is properly made only when it is determined that at least a part of the data is appropriate data. A configuration in which it is determined that it has been realized can be considered.

  Even if data is collected by the data collecting means, if it is not appropriate data, it cannot be said that the connection is properly realized. For this reason, whether or not the connection is properly realized by determining that the collected data is appropriate data as the condition for determining that the connection has been appropriately realized as described above can be further improved. It becomes possible to judge with.

  In addition, as a configuration for performing a determination according to some determination criteria based on collected data, as described in claim 3, when a predetermined number or more of data is collected by the data collecting means, the connection is appropriately set. It is also possible to consider a configuration in which it is determined that it has been realized.

  Even if data is collected by the data collecting means, if the number is small, the data is received due to some disturbance even though the connection is not properly realized. There may be a problem that the connection has been canceled. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the connection is properly realized by making the condition that it is determined that the connection is appropriately realized by collecting the data of a predetermined number or more as described above with higher accuracy. It becomes possible to judge with.

Further, as another configuration for performing the determination by the connection determination means, it is conceivable to configure as a failure diagnosis apparatus according to claim 4.
The failure diagnosis apparatus includes level determination means for determining a signal level of a signal input from each terminal of the connector prior to data communication with each of the nodes by the failure diagnosis means. Then, the connection determination means has a combination of the signal levels determined by the level determination means with an assumed level that is a signal level of each terminal when the connection between the connector and the network is appropriately realized. When the combination matches, the connection is determined to be appropriately realized.

  If comprised in this way, it can determine with the connection having been implement | achieved appropriately, when the combination of the signal level of each terminal in a connector corresponds with the combination of the assumption level.

  In general, the paths constituting the network described above are each configured to be maintained at a predetermined signal level regardless of whether or not the failure diagnosis apparatus is connected. Therefore, if this fault diagnosis device is properly connected to the network via the connector, the signal level of the signal input from each terminal of the connector matches the signal level (assumed level) of the corresponding path in the network. Will do. That is, the fact that the combination of the signal levels of each terminal in the connector matches the combination of the assumed levels means that the fault diagnosis apparatus is appropriately connected to the network via the connector. In the above-described configuration, this is determined by the connection determination means, so that it can be definitely determined whether or not the connection is properly realized.

  The connection determination means in this configuration may immediately determine that the connection is appropriately realized when the combination of the signal levels determined by the level determination means matches the combination of the assumed levels. You may comprise so that the judgment according to a reference | standard may be performed. For example, it can be considered to be configured like the failure diagnosis apparatus according to claim 5.

  In the failure diagnosis apparatus, the connection determination unit appropriately realizes connection when each combination of the signal levels determined by the level determination unit coincides with the combination of the assumed levels continuously for a predetermined time or more. It is comprised so that it may determine.

  Even if the signal level is determined by the level determination means, if the determination time is short, it is determined that the signal level is the right combination due to some disturbance even though the connection is not properly realized. There is a possibility that a trouble such as an appropriate connection being canceled during or after determination of the signal level by the level determination means may occur. Therefore, as described above, whether or not the connection is properly realized by setting the condition that the state of the same signal level has continued for a predetermined time or more as a condition for determining that the connection has been appropriately realized. It becomes possible to determine with higher accuracy.

  Further, each of the above-described failure diagnosis apparatuses may be configured to include mode switching means as described in claim 6. The mode switching means switches the operation mode of the failure diagnosis apparatus to a reception-only mode in which only data reception is performed via the connector when the failure diagnosis apparatus is started, and then connected by the connection determination means. Is a means for switching the operation mode of the failure diagnosis apparatus to a transmission / reception enabled mode in which data is transmitted / received via the connector.

  With this configuration, after the failure diagnosis apparatus is started, the operation mode is a reception-only mode in which only the reception of data through the connector is performed until it is determined that the connection is properly realized by the connection determination unit. Can be switched to. The operation mode is not switched to a transmission / reception enabled mode in which data is transmitted / received via the connector until it is determined that the connection is appropriately realized by the connection determination unit.

  Therefore, even if the connection with the network through the connector is incomplete, data is not transmitted to the network, so it is inappropriate due to the incomplete connection Data can be prevented from adversely affecting each node.

  Further, as described in claim 7, the mode switching unit in this configuration is configured to switch the operation mode of the faulty device to the reception-only mode after the diagnosis by the fault diagnostic unit is performed. Good.

  If comprised in this way, after the diagnosis by a failure diagnosis means is performed, data transmission will not be performed with respect to a network. Therefore, even if the connection to the network through the connector becomes incomplete after diagnosis, inappropriate data transmitted due to that is prevented from adversely affecting each node. it can.

  Further, in each of the failure diagnosis apparatuses described above, the failure diagnosis means may be configured to start data communication with each of the nodes in response to a user operation, as described in claim 8.

If comprised in this way, a failure diagnosis can be performed based on the intention by a user.
Further, in each of the above-described failure diagnosis apparatuses, as described in claim 9, a user is informed that the connector and the network should be appropriately connected prior to data communication with each of the nodes by the failure diagnosis means. It is good to provide the 1st connection prompting means to urge. In this case, the connection determination unit determines whether or not the connection between the connector and the network is appropriately realized when a user operation is received after the first connection requesting unit is prompted. It is good to be configured as follows.

With this configuration, it is possible to prompt the user to connect to the network via the connector prior to the determination by the connection determination unit and thus the diagnosis by the failure diagnosis unit.
Further, in each of the above-described failure diagnosis devices, as described in claim 10, when the connection determination unit determines that the connection is not properly realized, the connector and the network are appropriately connected. It is good to provide the 2nd connection prompting means which prompts a user to do. In this case, the connection determination unit is configured to re-determine whether the connection between the connector and the network is properly realized again in response to a user operation after prompting by the connection prompting unit. It is good to be configured.

  If comprised in this way, when it determines with the connection determination means not having been implement | achieved appropriately, a user can be prompted to the effect that a connector and a network should be connected appropriately.

  Note that the above-described connection prompting means (first and second connection prompting means) is configured to prompt by a method such as outputting a message indicating an item to be prompted to the user from a speaker or displaying the message on a display unit. do it.

  A program according to an eleventh aspect is a program for causing a computer system to execute various processing procedures for causing the failure diagnosis apparatus according to any one of the first to tenth aspects to function as all means. .

A computer system controlled by such a program can constitute a part of the failure diagnosis apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
Each program described above consists of an ordered sequence of instructions suitable for processing by a computer system, and is provided to failure diagnosis devices and users who use them through various recording media and communication lines. It is what is done.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(1) First Embodiment (1-1) Overall Configuration As shown in FIG. 1, the failure diagnosis apparatus 10 is connected to a network 30 formed by connecting a plurality of nodes 20 (20a to 20c). This is a device for diagnosing whether or not an abnormality has occurred in each of these nodes 20.

  In the present embodiment, each node 20 is an ECU for controlling an object to be controlled in the vehicle, CAN (Controller Area Network) is adopted as a protocol in the network 30, and the signal level of the network 30 is H. An example of a configuration employing a two-wire communication bus defined at the level and the L level will be described.

  The failure diagnosis apparatus 10 includes a connector 11 for realizing connection to the network 30, a communication control unit 13 for controlling data communication with the network 30 via the connector 11, a display unit 15 for displaying various information, a user Are provided with an operation unit 17 that receives the operation of the above, a microcomputer 19 that controls the operation of the entire failure diagnosis apparatus 10, and the like.

  Among these, the connector 11 includes a terminal for connecting each communication bus of the network 30 to the communication control unit 13 in a state where the connector 11 is fitted to the connector 32 provided on the network 30 side. And the network 30 are realized.

  In addition, the communication control unit 13 includes input / output terminals (TXD, RXD) connected to the microcomputer 19 and connection terminals (CANL, CANH) connected to the respective communication buses of the network 30 via the connector 11. The transceiver IC relays communication between the microcomputer 19 and the network 30 via these terminals.

The node 20 described above includes a communication control unit 22 that controls data communication with the network 30, a microcomputer 24 that controls the operation of the entire node 20, and the like. Among these, the communication control unit 22 is a transceiver IC having input / output terminals (TXD, RXD) connected to the microcomputer 24 and connection terminals (CANL, CANH) connected to the communication buses of the network 30. Yes, the communication between the microcomputer 24 and the network 30 is relayed through these terminals. Each of these nodes 20 is configured such that the microcomputer 24 stores diagnostic information, which is information related thereto, in the built-in memory of the microcomputer 24 based on communication between the nodes 20, data distributed through the network 30, and the like. .
(1-2) Diagnosis Process by Microcomputer 19 Hereinafter, the process procedure of the diagnosis process executed by the microcomputer 19 will be described with reference to FIG. This diagnosis process is started when an operation for starting diagnosis of each node 20 is performed by the operation unit 17.

When this diagnostic process is started, an initialization process is first performed (s110). Here, initialization of the internal memory of the microcomputer 19 and setting of parameters (initial values) are performed.
Next, the operation mode of the failure diagnosis apparatus 10 is switched to the reception-only mode (s120). In the present embodiment, a flag in which a value indicating the operation mode of the failure diagnosis apparatus 10 is set is prepared in the built-in memory of the microcomputer 19, and the value “ “0” is set as an initial value. Therefore, in s120, the operation mode is switched to the reception-only mode by setting a value “1” indicating the reception-only mode in the flag.

  The operation mode indicates how the failure diagnosis apparatus 10 performs data transmission / reception. When the operation mode is switched to the “transmission / reception enabled mode”, data is exchanged with the network 30 side. It will be in the state which performs both transmission and reception. On the other hand, in a state where the mode is switched to the “reception only mode”, only data reception with the network 30 is performed.

  Next, a message for connecting the connector 11 of the failure diagnosis apparatus 10 to the network 30 is displayed on the display unit 15 (s130). Here, the microcomputer 19 gives an instruction to the display unit 15 to display a message for connecting the connector 11 to the network 30, and the display unit 15 that has received this instruction displays the message (FIG. 3 ( a)). Thus, after the message is displayed, the user performs an operation for continuing the subsequent processing by the operation unit 17 after fitting the connector 11 to the connector 32 of the network 30.

  After the message is displayed in s130, when the user performs an operation for continuing the subsequent processing, data input via the connector 11 is collected over a predetermined period (s140). Here, the number of times data that can be exchanged in the network 30 is received via the connector 11 (and the communication control unit 13) is counted over a predetermined period (for example, 5 seconds). The “predetermined period” may be configured to be arbitrarily changed by a user setting operation.

  Next, it is checked whether or not a predetermined number (eg, 10) or more of data has been collected in s140 (s150). Here, if the count value of the counter counted in s140 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, it is determined that a predetermined number or more of data has been collected.

  If it is determined in s150 that a predetermined number or more of data has not been collected (s150: NO), it is determined that the connection between the connector 11 and the network 30 is not properly realized (s160), and the failure diagnosis apparatus A message indicating that the ten connectors 11 should be reconnected to the network 30 is displayed on the display unit 15 (s170). Here, the microcomputer 19 issues a command to the display unit 15 to display a message indicating that the connector 11 should be reconnected to the network 30, and the display unit 15 that has received this command displays the message (see FIG. 3 (b)). Thus, after the message is displayed, the user again fits the connector 11 to the connector 32 of the network 30.

  Thus, after the message is displayed in s170, the process returns to s130 and the message is displayed. After fitting the connector 11 to the connector 32 of the network 30, the user performs an operation for continuing the subsequent processing by the operation unit 17.

  Further, when it is determined in s150 that a predetermined number or more of data has been collected (s150: YES), it is determined that the connection between the connector 11 and the network 30 has been properly realized (s180), and a failure has occurred. After a message indicating that the connection of the diagnostic device 10 to the network 30 is completed is displayed on the display unit 15 (s190), the operation mode of the failure diagnostic device 10 is switched to the transmission / reception enabled mode (s200). In s190, the microcomputer 19 instructs the display unit 15 to display a message indicating that the connection of the failure diagnosis apparatus 10 to the network 30 is completed, and the display unit 15 that has received this command displays the message. (See FIG. 3C). In s200, the operation mode is switched to the transmission / reception enabled mode by setting a value “0” indicating the transmission / reception enabled mode to the flag. As a result, the failure diagnosis apparatus 10 is in a state of performing both data transmission and reception with the network 30 side.

  Next, a message for starting actual diagnosis by the failure diagnosis apparatus 10 is displayed on the display unit 15 (s210). Here, a command to display a message for starting actual diagnosis is given from the microcomputer 19 to the display unit 15, and the display unit 15 that has received this command displays the message (FIG. 3D). reference). In this way, after the message is displayed, the user performs an operation for continuing the subsequent processing by the operation unit 17.

  After the message is displayed in s210, if the user performs an operation for continuing the subsequent processing, diagnosis for each node 20 is started (s220). Here, the command data for instructing that each node 20 should notify the diagnosis information stored in the built-in memory of the microcomputer 24 is in a predetermined order for each node 20 connected to the network 30. Sent to. Each node 20 that has received this command data returns diagnostic information stored in the built-in memory of the microcomputer 24. In s220, along with the transmission of the command data, the microcomputer 19 issues a command to the display unit 15 to display a message indicating that the diagnosis is being performed, and the display unit 15 that has received this command sends the message. Displayed (see FIG. 3E).

  Then, after waiting until diagnosis for each node 20 is completed (diagnosis information is received from all nodes 20) (s230: NO), when diagnosis for each node 20 is completed (s230: YES), Similar to s120 above, the operation mode of the failure diagnosis apparatus 10 is switched to the reception-only mode (s240), and this diagnosis process is terminated. Further, in s240, a command to delete the display of the message commanded in s220 is issued from the microcomputer 19 to the display unit 15, and the display unit 15 that has received this command deletes the message. .

After receiving the diagnosis information from each node 20 in s220, it is determined whether or not an abnormality has occurred in each node 20 based on the diagnosis information, and notification according to the result is performed. However, the specific processing is omitted because it is not important for understanding the present invention.
(1-3) Actions and Effects In the network 30 as in the above embodiment, when the connection between the connector 11 and the connector 32 of the network 30 is not properly realized, one or more communication buses among the communication buses are present. The communication control unit 13 is not connected.

  In such a case, no data is input / output between the connector 11 and the communication control unit 13, or the signal level is changed only by a specific communication bus connecting the connector 11 and the communication control unit 13. Abnormal data will be input and output. The abnormal data in the latter case becomes a factor that makes it impossible to diagnose an appropriate failure or adversely affects each node.

  For example, if each node 20 is configured to store the fact that abnormal data has been received as part of the diagnostic information, diagnostic information indicating that an abnormality has occurred even though it is normal is stored. Therefore, there is a possibility that the diagnosis by the diagnosis process cannot be performed normally. Further, when the node 20 that has received the abnormal data is configured to transmit data for invalidating the data, only the abnormal data is transmitted from the failure diagnosis apparatus 1 and is invalidated each time. For this reason, the network data flows on the network 30, which causes unnecessary increase in traffic on the network 30.

  However, in the failure diagnosis apparatus 1 of the above embodiment, only when it is determined that the connection to the network 30 via the connector 11 is appropriately realized, data communication for diagnosis for each node 20 is performed. It has become. For this reason, when the connection to the network 30 is incomplete, data communication for diagnosis of each node 20 is not performed, and inappropriate data is transmitted and received due to this. There is no.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent a failure from being properly diagnosed due to an incomplete connection to the network 30 or an adverse effect on each node.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, it can determine with the connection with the network 30 having been implement | achieved appropriately by having collected the data from each node 20 via the connector 11 (FIG. 2). S150-s180).

  Since the node 20 described above performs data communication via the network 30 in addition to data communication with the failure diagnosis apparatus 10, data transmitted and received during the data communication circulates over the network 30. . At this time, if the failure diagnosis apparatus 10 is appropriately connected to the network 30 via the connector 11, the data transmitted from the node 20 as such is received via the connector 11. That is, being able to receive data from the node 20 via the connector 11 means that the fault diagnosis apparatus 10 is appropriately connected to the network 30 via the connector 11. In the above configuration, this is determined in s140 and s150 in FIG. 2, and thus it can be definitely determined whether or not the connection is appropriately realized.

  In the above embodiment, after the failure diagnosis apparatus 10 is activated and the diagnosis process is activated, the operation mode is set via the connector until it is determined in s180 in FIG. 2 that the connection is properly realized. 2 is switched to a reception-only mode in which only the received data is received (s120 in FIG. 2). Then, until it is determined in s180 that the connection is appropriately realized, the operation mode is not switched to the transmission / reception enabled mode in which data is transmitted / received via the connector. For this reason, even if the connection with the network 30 via the connector 11 is incomplete, no data is transmitted to the network 30, so that the failure diagnosis apparatus 10 is inappropriate. Data can be prevented from adversely affecting each node 20.

  Further, after the diagnosis is performed on each node 20 in FIG. 2 (s220 in FIG. 2), the operation mode is returned to the reception-only mode in s240 in FIG. 2 (s240 in FIG. 2). For this reason, after the diagnosis for each node 20 in FIG. 2 is performed, even if the connection to the network 30 via the connector 11 becomes incomplete after that, transmission of data to the network 30 is performed. Therefore, inappropriate data from the failure diagnosis apparatus 10 can be prevented from adversely affecting each node 20.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, after displaying a message in s210 of FIG. 2, after receiving a user's operation, it is comprised so that communication with each node 20 may be started (s220 of the same figure). Failure diagnosis can be performed based on the intention of the user. In addition, as described above, failure diagnosis is performed under the initiative of the user, so that it is possible to prevent the communication bus from being adversely affected by an unexpected malfunction.

  Further, in the above embodiment, after displaying a message for connecting the connector 11 to the network 30 in s130 of FIG. 2, the connection between the connector 11 and the network 30 is appropriately received in response to a user operation. It is configured to determine whether or not it is realized (s140 to s150 in the figure). Therefore, prior to determining whether the connection is properly realized, the user can be prompted to connect to the network 30 via the connector 11.

  In the above embodiment, when it is determined that the connection with the network 30 is not properly realized, a message for connecting the connector 11 to the network 30 is displayed again in s130 of FIG. (S160, s170 → s130 in the figure). Therefore, when the connection with the network 30 is not properly realized, the user can be prompted to appropriately connect the connector 11 and the connector 32 of the network 30.

In s220 of FIG. 2, a message indicating that the diagnosis is being performed is displayed on the display unit 15 (see FIG. 3E). Thereby, the user can be alerted so as not to cancel the connection of the connector 11 during the diagnosis.
(2) Second Embodiment (2-1) Overall Configuration As shown in FIG. 4, the failure diagnosis apparatus 40 in the present embodiment includes the same components as the failure diagnosis apparatus 10 in the first embodiment, as well as the connector 11. A determination unit 42 that performs connection determination described later based on an input signal, a storage unit 44 that stores information indicating a determination result by the determination unit 42, and a path to be connected to each communication bus of the network 30 via the connector 11 ( Hereinafter, a changeover switch 46 for switching the connection path) to the communication control unit 13 or the determination unit 42 is provided.

  Among these, the determination part 42 determines whether each signal level of the input signal from the connection terminal (CANL, CANH) connected to the changeover switch 46 is higher than a predetermined threshold level, The circuit is configured to notify the storage unit 44 of the result.

  As a specific circuit configuration, as shown in FIG. 5, comparators 42a and 42b that output H level signals only when the signal level of the input signal from the selector switch 46 is higher than a predetermined threshold level. And a logical product unit 42c that outputs a signal obtained by performing a logical product operation on the output signals from the comparators 42a and 42b.

The threshold level in the comparators 42a and 42b is set to a signal level that is the lower limit of the signal level that each communication bus in the network 30 can take.
Therefore, when the connection path is switched to the determination unit 42 side by the changeover switch 46 and the connection between the connector 11 and the connector 32 of the network 30 is appropriately realized, output signals from the comparators 42a and 42b are output. As a result of both being at the H level, the output signal from the AND circuit 42c is at the H level. That is, when the connection between the connector 11 and the connector 32 of the network 30 is appropriately realized, the output signal from the determination unit 42 becomes the H level.

  On the other hand, when the connection between the connector 11 and the connector 32 of the network 30 is not properly realized, one or more communication buses among the communication buses are not connected to the changeover switch 46. In such a case, the output signal from at least one of the comparators 42a and 42b becomes L level, and as a result, the output signal from the AND unit 42c becomes L level. That is, when the connection between the connector 11 and the connector 32 of the network 30 is not properly realized, the output signal from the determination unit 42 becomes L level.

  As described above, the determination unit 42 appropriately connects the connector 11 and the connector 32 of the network 30 based on whether or not the signal level of the signal input via the changeover switch 46 is an appropriate combination. A determination (connection determination) is made as to whether or not it has been realized. When it is determined that the signal levels are an appropriate combination and the connection is appropriately realized, the storage unit 44 is notified by outputting an H level signal. On the other hand, if it is determined that the signal levels are not in an appropriate combination and are not properly realized, the storage unit 44 is notified by outputting an L level signal.

  The storage unit 44 is configured by a circuit that stores a value corresponding to the signal level of the signal output from the determination unit 42, and stores “1” if the signal level is H level. If the level is L level, “0” is stored.

The changeover switch 46 receives a command from the microcomputer 19 and switches the connection path to the communication control unit 13 or the determination unit 42. The connection path is switched to the communication control unit 13 side in the initial state.
(2-2) Diagnosis Process by Microcomputer 19 A diagnosis process procedure according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. In addition, about the process similar to the diagnostic process in 1st Embodiment, the same step number is attached | subjected and the specific processing content is abbreviate | omitted.

When this diagnostic process is started, an initialization process is first performed (s110).
Next, the operation mode of the failure diagnosis apparatus 10 is switched to the reception-only mode (s120).

Next, a message for connecting the connector 11 of the failure diagnosis apparatus 10 to the network 30 is displayed on the display unit 15 (s130).
After the message is displayed in s130, when the user performs an operation for continuing the subsequent processing, the connection path is switched from the communication control unit 13 to the determination unit 42 (s132). Here, a command to switch the connection route to the determination unit 42 is given to the changeover switch 46, and the changeover switch 46 that has received this command switches the connection route to the determination unit 42 side. After the connection path is switched to the determination unit 42 in this way, the determination unit 42 checks whether the signal level in each communication bus is higher than the threshold level by the comparators 42a and 42b, and in all the communication buses. While the signal level is higher than the threshold level, a signal having a signal level indicating the determination result is output to the storage unit 44. The storage unit 44 stores a value (0 or 1) corresponding to the signal level of the signal input from the determination unit 42 in this way.

  Next, it is checked whether or not the value stored in the storage unit 44 is “1” (s134). If it is determined that the value is not “1” (that is, “0”) (s134: NO). Then, it is determined that the connection between the connector 11 and the network 30 is not properly realized (s160), and a message indicating that the connector 11 of the failure diagnosis apparatus 10 should be reconnected to the network 30 is displayed on the display unit 15. (S170). Thus, after the message is displayed at s170, the process returns to s130.

  When it is determined that the value stored in the storage unit 44 is “1” in s134 (s134: YES), the value is monitored for a predetermined period (for example, 5 seconds) (s136). The “predetermined period” may be configured to be arbitrarily changed by a user setting operation.

Next, as a result of monitoring in s136, it is checked whether or not the value stored in the storage unit 44 has changed from “1” to “0” (s138).
If it is determined in s138 that the value stored in the storage unit 44 has changed (s138: YES), the process proceeds to s160. On the other hand, when it is determined that the value stored in the storage unit 44 has not changed (s138: NO), it is determined that the connection between the connector 11 and the network 30 is appropriately realized (s180). After a message indicating that the connection of the failure diagnosis apparatus 10 to the network 30 is completed is displayed on the display unit 15 (s190), the operation mode of the failure diagnosis apparatus 10 is switched to a transmission / reception enabled mode (s200).

Next, a message for starting actual diagnosis by the failure diagnosis apparatus 10 is displayed on the display unit 15 (s210).
After the message is displayed in s210, when the user performs an operation for continuing the subsequent processing, the connection path is returned from the determination unit 42 side to the communication control unit 13 side (s212). Here, a command for switching the connection route to the communication control unit 13 is given to the changeover switch 46, and the changeover switch 46 that has received this command switches the connection route to the communication control unit 13 side.

Next, diagnosis for each node 20 is started (s220).
Then, after waiting until diagnosis for each node 20 is completed (diagnosis information is received from all nodes 20) (s230: NO), when diagnosis for each node 20 is completed (s230: YES), Similar to s120 above, the operation mode of the failure diagnosis apparatus 10 is switched to the reception-only mode (s240), and this diagnosis process is terminated.
(2-3) Actions and Effects According to the failure diagnosis apparatus 40 configured as described above, the following actions and effects can be obtained in addition to the actions and effects obtained by the same configuration as the first embodiment. Can do.

  For example, the determination unit 42 can determine that the connection is appropriately realized when the signal levels of the signals input from the connector 11 via the changeover switch 46 are in an appropriate combination.

  In general, the communication buses constituting the network 30 described above are each configured to be maintained at a predetermined signal level regardless of whether or not the fault diagnosis device 40 is connected. Therefore, if the fault diagnosis device 40 is appropriately connected to the network 30 via the connector 11, the signal level of the signal input from each terminal of the connector 11 is the signal level of the corresponding communication bus in the network 30. (Assumed level). That is, the combination of the signal levels of each terminal in the connector 11 matches the combination of the assumed levels means that the fault diagnosis device 40 is appropriately connected to the network 30 via the connector 11. To do. In the above-described configuration, this is determined by the determination unit 42, so that it can be definitely determined whether or not the connection is appropriately realized.

  In s138 of FIG. 6, when the value stored in the storage unit 44 remains “1” for a predetermined time or longer, it is determined that the connection with the network 30 is appropriately realized. (Fig. S134-s180).

Even if the determination unit 42 determines that the network 30 is properly connected via the connector 11 and “1” is stored in the storage unit 44, if the determined time is short, any trouble may occur. May have occurred. For example, an appropriate connection is made during or after determination by the determination unit 42 in which signals from the respective comparators 42a and 42b are output with an appropriate combination of signal levels due to some disturbance even though the connection is not properly realized. Trouble that it was solved is considered. Therefore, as described above, the value stored in the storage unit 44 remains “1” for a predetermined time or more, that is, the state where the determination unit 42 determines that an appropriate connection has been realized is the predetermined time. By making the above continued as a condition for determining that the connection is properly realized, the determination can be performed with higher accuracy.
(3) Modifications Embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can take various forms as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied in a configuration in which each node 20 is an ECU for controlling a control target in a vehicle is illustrated, but the present invention is applied in a configuration in which each node 20 is other than the ECU. It may be applied.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the structure which employ | adopted CAN as a protocol in the network 30 was illustrated, it is good also as a structure which employ | adopted protocols other than CAN.

  Moreover, although the case where the network 30 is configured by a two-wire communication bus is illustrated in the above embodiment, the network may be configured by a one-wire type or a three-wire type or more communication bus.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, what was comprised so that an operation mode might be switched by changing a predetermined value to the flag prepared in the built-in memory of the microcomputer 19 was illustrated. However, the operation mode may be switched by other methods. For example, until the communication control unit 13 is instructed to prohibit the transmission of data to the network 30 side, and the communication control unit 13 that has received this command instructs to cancel the data, Therefore, it is possible to consider a configuration that realizes switching.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, what was comprised so that data collection might be performed over a predetermined period in s140 of FIG. 2 was illustrated. However, the data collection in s140 may be performed only during a period until one or a plurality of data is received.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, what was comprised so that it might be determined that the connection was implement | achieved appropriately on condition that the predetermined number or more data was collected in s140 of FIG. However, a criterion other than the number of collected data may be used as a condition for determining that the connection is appropriately realized.

  For example, in FIG. S150, it is determined from the data structure whether the contents of each collected data are appropriate data that can be transmitted from the node 20, and a part or all of the data is determined to be appropriate data. Only in this case, it is possible to consider a configuration in which it is determined that the connection is appropriately realized by moving to s180 in FIG.

  Even if data is collected in FIG. S140, if the data is not appropriate data, it cannot be said that the connection is properly realized. For this reason, whether or not the connection is properly realized by determining that the collected data is appropriate data as the condition for determining that the connection has been appropriately realized as described above can be further improved. It becomes possible to judge with.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, what was comprised so that a user might be notified of the content of the message by displaying a message on the display part 15 was illustrated. However, notifying the user of the content of such a message may be realized by outputting the message from a speaker.

  Further, when the network is composed of a plurality of communication buses with different protocols, a plurality of failure diagnosis apparatuses that can perform diagnosis according to each protocol may be provided.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the processing mode in which the operation unit 17 is operated to shift to s210 without performing s110 to s120 to s200 in FIG. 2 (or s210 to s220 without performing s110 to s120 to s200 in FIG. 6). It is also possible to configure so that the processing mode can be set.

  In the above embodiment, the determination result by the determination unit 42 (value stored in the storage unit 44) in determining whether or not the connection to the network 30 is appropriately realized in s134 of FIG. An example configured to perform the determination based on the above is illustrated. However, the determination realized by the determination unit 42 as described above may be realized by the processing of the microcomputer 19.

As a specific configuration, for example, the failure diagnosis apparatus may be configured as in the first embodiment, and the diagnosis processing in FIG.
That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the microcomputer 19 performs signal processing of s110 to s130 of FIG. (S302), it is determined whether or not the combination of the identified signal levels matches the combination of the assumed levels (s304).

  If it is determined in s304 that they do not match (s304: NO), the process proceeds to s160. On the other hand, when it is determined that they match in s304 (s304: YES), the signal level specified in s302 is monitored for a predetermined period (for example, 5 seconds) (s306).

Thereafter, it is checked whether or not the signal level of any signal has changed during the monitoring period of s306 (s308). If it is determined that the signal level has changed (s308: YES), the process proceeds to s160. . On the other hand, if it is determined in s308 that there is no change (s308: NO), the process proceeds to s180. The subsequent steps are the same as in FIG.
(4) Correspondence with the Present Invention In the embodiment described above, the determination unit 42 is a level determination unit and a connection determination unit in the present invention.

  Further, s220 in FIGS. 2 and 6 is failure diagnosis means in the present invention, s140 to s180 in FIG. 2, s132 to s180 in FIG. 6 are connection determination means in the present invention, and s140 in FIG. Data collection means.

  Further, s120, s200 and s240 in FIGS. 2 and 6 are mode switching means in the present invention, s130 in FIG. 2 is a first connection prompting means in the present invention, and s130 and s170 in FIG. It is a reminder.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the failure diagnosis apparatus and network in 1st Embodiment The flowchart which shows the diagnostic processing in 1st Embodiment. Figure showing messages and screens displayed on the display The block diagram which shows the structure of the failure diagnosis apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. Block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the decision unit The flowchart which shows the diagnostic process in 2nd Embodiment The flowchart which shows the diagnostic processing in another embodiment

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fault diagnosis apparatus, 10 ... Fault diagnosis apparatus, 11 ... Connector, 13 ... Communication control part, 15 ... Display part, 17 ... Operation part, 19 ... Microcomputer, 20 ... Node, 22 ... Communication control part, 24 ... Microcomputer, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Network, 32 ... Connector, 40 ... Fault diagnosis apparatus, 42 ... Determination part, 42a ... Comparator, 42b ... Comparator, 42c ... Logical product part, 44 ... Storage part, 46 ... Changeover switch.

Claims (11)

A connector for realizing connection to a network to which each of one or more nodes is connected, and a failure occurs in the node through data communication with each of the nodes in a state of being connected to the network via the connector A fault diagnosis device comprising a fault diagnosis means for diagnosing whether or not
Prior to data communication with each of the nodes by the failure diagnosis means, a connection determination for determining whether or not the connection between the connector and the network is appropriately realized based on the data reception state via the connector With means,
The failure diagnosis unit is configured to start data communication with each of the nodes when the connection determination unit determines that the connection is appropriately realized. apparatus. Prior to data communication with each of the nodes by the failure diagnosis means, the data collection means for collecting data that can be output by each of the nodes via the connector,
The failure diagnosis according to claim 1, wherein the connection determination unit is configured to determine that the connection is appropriately realized when data is collected by the data collection unit. apparatus. The connection determination unit is configured to determine that the connection is appropriately realized when a predetermined number or more of data is collected by the data collection unit. The described failure diagnosis device. Prior to data communication with each of the nodes by the failure diagnosis means, comprising a level determination means for determining the signal level of the signal input from each terminal in the connector,
The connection determination means includes a combination of assumed levels in which the combination of the signal levels determined by the level determination means is the signal level of each terminal when the connection between the connector and the network is appropriately realized. The failure diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when there is a match, the failure diagnosis apparatus is configured to determine that the connection is appropriately realized. The connection determination unit determines that the connection is appropriately realized when the combination of the signal levels determined by the level determination unit continuously matches the combination of the assumed levels for a predetermined time or more. The fault diagnosis apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the fault diagnosis apparatus is configured as described above. When the failure diagnosis device is activated, the operation mode of the failure diagnosis device is switched to a reception-only mode in which only data is received via the connector, and then the connection is appropriately realized by the connection determination unit. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising mode switching means for switching the operation mode of the failure diagnosis apparatus to a transmission / reception enabled mode for transmitting / receiving data via the connector when it is determined that the failure diagnosis apparatus is present. The failure diagnosis device according to any one of the above. The mode switching unit is configured to switch the operation mode of the faulty device to the reception-only mode after the diagnosis by the failure diagnosis unit is performed. Fault diagnosis device. The failure diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the failure diagnosis unit is configured to start data communication with each of the nodes in response to a user operation. Prior to data communication with each of the nodes by the failure diagnosis means, comprising first connection prompting means for prompting the user to properly connect the connector and the network;
The connection determination unit is configured to determine whether or not the connection between the connector and the network is appropriately realized when a user operation is received after the dunning by the first connection dunning unit. The fault diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fault diagnosis apparatus is provided. A second connection prompting means for prompting the user to properly connect the connector and the network when the connection determining means determines that the connection is not properly realized;
The connection determination means is configured to re-determine whether or not the connection between the connector and the network is properly realized after receiving a user's operation after prompting by the connection reminding means. The failure diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The program for making a computer system perform the various process procedures for functioning as all the means with which the failure diagnosis apparatus in any one of Claim 1 to 10 is provided.